Chapter 612
Chapter 612
Chapter 612. Since I’m Going to Beijing Anyway (4)
I comforted Palgap.
“Are you upset?” (I)
“I am not upset.” (Palgap)
He is upset.
“Palgap. Do you know that when you are upset, your eyebrows droop downward?” (I)
“Ahem.” (Palgap)
“Whose attendant are you?” (I)
“Why, of course, I am Young Master Eun Seoho’s attendant.” (Palgap)
“Then would it not be enough if you are the best to me?” (I)
“Am I the best to you, Young Master?” (Palgap)
“It hurts my mouth to say it twice!” (I)
“Is that true?” (Palgap)
“Of course.” (I)
After I soothed Palgap like that, praising him dearly, Palgap finally felt better and entered my room.
Because now he had to pack our luggage.
I turned my head and looked at my second sister-in-law.
“Phew…… That made me sweat.” (I)
“Hohoho.” (Second Sister-in-law)
Seeing me like that, my second sister-in-law laughed.
“But what brings you here? I was going to visit you anyway.” (I)
“I thought it would be right for me to come in person.” (Second Sister-in-law)
My second sister-in-law took a letter out from her sleeve and held it out.
“Please deliver this to my husband.” (Second Sister-in-law)
“Is it a love letter?” (I)
“To try to know a private conversation between husband and wife! You are mischievous.” (Second Sister-in-law)
“Ahem, I will deliver it.” (I)
For no reason, I became embarrassed and received the letter, then put it into my sleeve.
I tried to make a joke and could not even get my money’s worth.
“Then I will be going now.” (Second Sister-in-law)
“Yes. Please take care on your way.” (I)
My second sister-in-law left the detached quarters while holding Hongryeo.
Looking at her back, I suddenly thought that going around while holding a baby must be hard.
Babies are heavier than expected.
That is why if you hold a baby for a long time, quite a strain is put on your arms and waist.
The bigger the baby grows, the greater that burden becomes.
Is there no good way?
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Before leaving for Beijing, there was something I had to do here.
That was meeting Gong Mil before I went.
As soon as I ate lunch, I headed to Gong Mil’s laboratory.
Inside, Gong Mil was immersed in research.
When I brought him here, he had only been ten years old, but before I knew it, he was nineteen.
He had become a sturdy man.
So he will become an adult in a few months.
To me, who knew his scrawny appearance from my previous life, that sight was even moving.
I quietly turned around.
“Oh my? Are you leaving already?” (Gong Rae)
When I looked to the side, Gong Rae was standing there.
Gong Rae, too, had become fourteen before I knew it and was beginning to look like a young lady, and the face I knew was beginning to show.
“My orabeoni will be happy if he sees you, Young Master.” (Gong Rae)
“I feel like I should not disturb his research.” (I)
I also knew very well what Gong Mil was researching right now.
He must be researching medical tools to be unveiled by “Manhaeng Medical Tools” under the Eunha Trading Company.
After the Murim Grand Banquet ended and Father returned to the trading company, he had reportedly decided, after in-depth discussions at Eunwol Pavilion, to officially begin a business under the name “Manhaeng Medical Tools.”
The trade name Manhaeng Medical Tools contains the meaning that they hope everyone will be happy.
It is a place that makes and sells items that help even those with uncomfortable bodies enjoy a happy life.
Thus, they decided to unveil things like wheeled medical chairs, as well as the breastplate I had designed this time for Brother Jinho.
Ah…… wait.
A wheeled medical chair?
It is a chair with wheels made for those who cannot walk.
Babies cannot walk either, can they?
If so……
“Gong Rae. Could I borrow writing brush, inkstone, paper, and ink for a moment?” (I)
“Of course.” (Gong Rae)
A good idea suddenly came to mind, so I borrowed writing brush, inkstone, paper, and ink from Gong Rae and wrote down my thoughts about it.
“Could you give this to Gong Mil later when he rests?” (I)
“Yes.” (Gong Rae)
Gong Rae received it and put it into her sleeve.
Looking at her writing brush, inkstone, paper, and ink, the brush and other things were quite worn down.
That must mean she had used the brush a great deal.
“Have you decided what you want to do in the future?” (I)
“Umm…… I still do not really know.” (Gong Rae)
Gong Mil and Gong Rae were people I had brought with me when they were young. Perhaps because of that, I wanted to take responsibility even for their futures.
I mean that I wanted to help them live while doing the things they wanted to do of their own will.
Gong Mil’s future path was effectively set, but Gong Rae’s was not yet.
She was a clever child who had taught herself the Thousand Character Classic at the age of five, but fate had made her a courtesan.
But even that had not lasted long.
Because she had lost her life after being caught up in a knife fight that broke out at the brothel.
So in my previous life, I could not know what she had wanted to do.
In this life, I wanted to help her live fully the life she wanted.
“Whatever you do, I will support you. So try doing the things you want to try, and think about your future while doing so.” (I)
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Like that, I visited Gong Mil and Gong Rae, then returned to the detached quarters and prepared to leave.
From the start, I had not intended to stay long. I had only stopped by briefly on the way to Beijing.
And until I reported to the Emperor, my work was not fully over either.
There were not a few people who disliked the fact that I received the Emperor’s favor.
I should not needlessly give them fodder.
Thanks to the Zhujiang horses, I was able to save time and stop by like this, but no more than this was allowed.
Still, it is nice to come home.
After packing all my luggage, I came outside and strolled inside the trading company.
“Are you taking a walk?” (Father)
“Father.” (I)
When I raised my head, I was already in the rear garden before I knew it.
“It is a good day for a walk.” (Father)
If it were Beijing, it would be a time one could call cold, but here it was only somewhat cool.
In truth, the cold did not matter much to me.
“Would you walk with me?” (Father)
“I would like that.” (I)
I walked through the rear garden with Father.
And the guards quietly widened the distance.
“You must have suffered a great deal when you went to Hainan Island this time.” (Father)
“I did not suffer that much.” (I)
“You are still the same. From others’ perspective, it was by no means an easy matter. The fact that they were not caught despite committing such abuses for so long means they had made thorough preparations in their own way. To deal with such a problem, one must risk one’s life.” (Father)
Father let out a sigh.
“I wanted to stop you, but I knew you would go even if I stopped you, so I did not stop you. But I worried a great deal.” (Father)
At Father’s words, I answered awkwardly.
“I am sorry, Father.” (I)
What could I say?
It was true that making Father worry was my fault.
“From what I heard through the intelligence unit…… they say you were accompanied this time by a beautiful wife.” (Father)
“…….” (I)
Father turned his head and looked at me.
“It must have been to protect Vice Officer Kwak on this journey.” (Father)
“Yes. That is correct.” (I)
“But regardless of what your intention was, if you now go to those southern regions, most people will think you are married, and they will think of Vice Officer Kwak as your wife. How do you intend to explain this?” (Father)
“That is…….” (I)
“Think carefully. If you later say it is not so, that will sully Vice Officer Kwak’s honor.” (Father)
Father continued speaking.
“My son must have met His Majesty the Emperor so often that his liver has come out of his stomach. How do you think the Lord Provincial Commissioner will react to this?” (Father)
“Um, the thing is…….” (I)
At Father’s reprimand, I hesitated as I answered.
“The Lord Provincial Commissioner already knows as well.” (I)
“Hm?” (Father)
“Before coming here, I met the Lord Provincial Commissioner and his wife. And at that gathering, he mentioned it.” (I)
Father’s expression grew serious.
“And what did he say?” (Father)
“He did not say anything. He just…… smiled and told us to eat.” (I)
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Eun Gilsang tilted his head as he headed to his office.
The words his youngest son had said.
“He did not say anything. He just…… smiled and told us to eat.”
It was because he could not understand those words.
Though it had grown rapidly recently, the Eunha Trading Company had a long history.
As he formed ties with people from other trading companies, he had also come to know about the Provincial Commissioner of Guizhou Province.
Because Guizhou Province was also a region the Eunha Trading Company had to pay attention to.
Dong Hwi, the Provincial Commissioner of Guizhou Province.
He was currently very gentle, but before his marriage, he had been fairly famous.
It was also a famous anecdote that, though he knew no martial arts, he fought with the thugs loitering around Guizhou Province and ultimately drove them out of Guizhou Province.
Because of that fiery temperament and tenacity, he had been given the alias Fire Dog of Guizhou Province.
Also, because his fists were quite harsh, he had also been called the Fire Fist of Guizhou Province.
Then, after fatefully meeting a woman, he began studying in order to win her heart and even passed the highest civil service examination as top candidate.
Since he was such a person, it was not unreasonable for Eun Gilsang to worry.
If it were the Dong Hwi he knew, he would have thrown a punch right into Eun Seoho’s face and then some.
“But he smiled?” (Eun Gilsang)
Previously, when he had gone to the Beijing branch, the Provincial Commissioner of Guizhou Province had visited.
And after returning from speaking with the Provincial Commissioner, Eun Seoho had said to him.
“Well, we simply talked about this and that. And…… he asked me to marry Miss Seohyang.” (Eun Seoho)
He had been so surprised that he spat out his tea.
Because it was something he had not expected at all.
Regarding this, he had asked his youngest son.
“First, let us think simply. Do you see Miss Seohyang as a woman?” (Eun Gilsang)
At those words, Eun Seoho could not answer easily and hesitated.
This meant that Eun Seoho also had feelings.
But in the end, he had not been able to give a definite answer, and had said that he still thought he needed to think about it more.
After that, because there had been no word, he had thought that the bond between the two had ended.
“Was that not the case?” (Eun Gilsang)
He turned his steps.
It seemed he would have to meet Vice Officer Kwak.
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In order to leave tomorrow, Seohyang had packed her luggage and was resting in the detached quarters.
“Vice Officer Kwak, are you inside?” (Ha Sumin)
At that sound, a maid opened the door, and it was Eun Jinho’s wife, Ha Sumin.
“Oh my! Sumin unnie!” (Seohyang)
The two had become close through a chance opportunity and had become like older and younger sisters.
“What about Hongryeo?” (Seohyang)
“I barely managed to put her to sleep and came out. Since you are leaving tomorrow.” (Ha Sumin)
The two shared this and that with each other.
“Ah! By the way, that pearl hairpin in your hair. Did Young Master Seoho perhaps give it to you?” (Ha Sumin)
“How did you know?” (Seohyang)
“It is obvious once I see it.” (Ha Sumin)
Ha Sumin said with a smile.
“So, how do you feel, Vice Officer Kwak?” (Ha Sumin)
“I…… do not really know either.” (Seohyang)
“Do you dislike him?” (Ha Sumin)
“That is not it…….” (Seohyang)
At that moment, a scene appeared before her eyes.
It was the sight of Eun Seoho looking at her with a somewhat sorrowful expression.
At that, her heart also began to ache.
Just then, the maid’s voice was heard from outside.
“The Head of the Trading Company has arrived.” (Maid)
Seohyang quickly came to her senses, stood up, and showed proper etiquette.
“You were here too.” (Eun Gilsang)
“Yes, Father-in-law. I stopped by to speak with Vice Officer Kwak for a moment.” (Ha Sumin)
“This girl greets the Head of the Trading Company.” (Seohyang)
“You have suffered much because of my son.” (Eun Gilsang)
“Not at all. Thanks to him, I have been able to see many things, so I am glad.” (Seohyang)
“Is working with my son not difficult?” (Eun Gilsang)
“Yes. I am working happily.” (Seohyang)
Eun Gilsang nodded.
“Still, do not overexert yourself. If my son ever makes you work too hard, be sure to tell me.” (Eun Gilsang)
“You do not need to worry. He is not someone who works the people around him that hard. It is just that I worry because he works himself too hard.” (Seohyang)
“Mm, that fellow does have that side to him.” (Eun Gilsang)
At that moment, something caught Eun Gilsang’s eye. It was the pearl hairpin inserted in Seohyang’s hair.
Because he was the head of the Eunha Trading Company, he could immediately recognize it.
Just how valuable that pearl hairpin was.
It was not something she could buy with the monthly salary she received as a vice officer.
Nor was it something that could be easily obtained.
“Come to think of it, Hainan Island is famous for high-quality pearls.” (Eun Gilsang)
He asked her.
“I heard that you met your parents this time.” (Eun Gilsang)
“Yes. It was thanks to the Young Master.” (Seohyang)
“But did Seoho perhaps give you that hair ornament?” (Eun Gilsang)
At his question, Ha Sumin quickly answered.
“That is right! Father-in-law. She says Young Master Seoho gave it to her. Does it not suit her well?” (Ha Sumin)
“I see.” (Eun Gilsang)
Eun Gilsang nodded. Only now did he feel he understood the meaning behind the Guizhou Province Provincial Commissioner’s incomprehensible behavior.
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That night.
I greeted Father and returned to my room, then lay down on the bed, but my mind was troubled and sleep would not come.
I had said she was my wife in order to protect Vice Officer Kwak, but after hearing Father’s words, I felt sorry toward her.
To be honest, Miss Seohyang is a good woman.
She is a woman so far beyond me that she is too much for me.
That is why, all the more, she cannot walk this thorny path I am walking together with me.
But why is it that when I think of her, something churns inside me…… and my mood turns strange?
At that moment, I felt a familiar aura.
I quickly straightened my clothing and came outside.
Just then, Father was entering my detached quarters.
“I am sorry for disturbing your rest.” (Father)
“Not at all. In truth, after hearing your words, Father, I was reflecting on myself.” (I)
“Is that so?” (Father)
“Yes. Thinking about it, I feel sorry toward Vice Officer Kwak. It seems I should apologize.” (I)
“That is for you to handle…… I came because there is something you need to know.” (Father)
“Please speak.” (I)
“I once went to Guizhou Province on a trading trip. There was a village there that held funerals by placing corpses in caves.” (Father)
If it was a funeral custom like that, that was Miss Seohyang’s hometown, was it not?
Thanks to that, I had been able to save Miss Seohyang.
“I also came to know of it by chance, but they say that there, gifting an ornament with a pearl has a special meaning.” (Father)
“……What meaning is that?” (I)
“A proposal.” (Father)
At Father’s words, my eyes widened.
“For a woman to wear a pearl ornament she received as a gift and appear before her parents means that she also finds the man favorable. And for the parents to see that ornament and let it pass means they permit the relationship.” (Father)
“…….” (I)
I had not known that, but only then did I feel I understood why the Lord Provincial Commissioner of Guizhou Province had suddenly changed his attitude while interrogating me.
“Ah, do you perhaps know this as well?” (Father)
Father continued speaking.
“They say that in that place, if a man proposes and then takes back the proposal…… there is also a custom where the bride’s father and orabeoni hang the groom upside down from a crossbeam for three days and beat him soundly.” (Father)
Father spoke with a solemn expression.
“We will have to set a date soon.” (Father)