Chapter 613
Chapter 613
Chapter 613. Since I’m Going to Beijing Anyway (5)
At Father’s words, I could not help but ask back.
“Yes? What do you mean by that?” (I)
“Do you intend to make this father watch his son suffer such a sight? You unfilial child…….” (Father)
No, my martial arts are at the Transcendent Peak.
So it would not necessarily have to be like that…….
Come to think of it, how many orabeoni did Miss Seohyang have?
Suddenly, reality hit me hard.
Moreover, the effect this would have on the Eunha Trading Company absolutely could not be ignored either.
But all of this had happened because of me.
“I will just endure it, I suppose.” (I)
“You say you will endure that?” (Father)
“Yes.” (I)
“Tsk, tsk. If it were me, when someone was pushing me from behind, I would hurry and set a date. Just what are you worried about?” (Father)
“That is…… I still do not really know Vice Officer Kwak’s feelings either…….” (I)
“Why do you think Vice Officer Kwak continues to wear that hair ornament?” (Father)
“…….” (I)
“Tsk, tsk. For a fellow so bright when it comes to business talent, how are you this dense about such things?” (Father)
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After Father left my detached quarters, I fell into thought and walked around the surroundings.
Then, when I suddenly came to my senses, I was at Miss Seohyang’s residence.
“Huh?” (Miss Seohyang)
At that moment, Miss Seohyang came out of the detached quarters and tilted her head.
“What brings you here at this hour?” (Miss Seohyang)
“Ah, I could not sleep, so I was taking a walk.” (I)
“In just a little while, dawn will break, though?” (Miss Seohyang)
I raised my head and looked at the sky.
Then the sound of a drum rang out.
It is already the hour of the rabbit. I stayed up the whole night.
“That expression…….” (Miss Seohyang)
“Yes?” (I)
“I saw it yesterday evening. So it was today’s matter.” (Miss Seohyang)
“…….” (I)
“You have something to say to me.” (Miss Seohyang)
Yes, this was no longer something I could avoid.
My giving Miss Seohyang the pearl hair ornament had not been a proposal, but it had become a proposal.
Separate from that, this was something I had to reach a clear conclusion about.
“Yes. That is so.” (I)
I swallowed dryly and carefully asked.
“Vice Officer Kwak, what do you think of me?” (I)
“Yes?” (Miss Seohyang)
She tilted her head and answered.
“Why, that you are a good person.” (Miss Seohyang)
“I am sorry. My question was wrong. Please exclude all circumstances, including Vice Officer Kwak’s current situation, that is, the fact that you must be with me in order to live, and think only of the two of us, me and Vice Officer Kwak.” (I)
I continued speaking.
“What do you think about marrying me?” (I)
At my words, her face turned red.
She fiddled with the pearl hair ornament for a moment, then opened her mouth.
“Do you remember when we met my parents not long ago? At the time, I met my parents while wearing this in my hair, and my parents said nothing about it. That means they permit our relationship. If they had not permitted it, they would have thrown this hair ornament to the floor.” (Miss Seohyang)
It was just as Father had said.
“I love you.” (Miss Seohyang)
Miss Seohyang was telling me clearly.
That she loved me.
Those words came heavily against my chest.
“In truth, perhaps I loved you from the first time I met you, Young Master. From the moment you wrote my name in the snow you had brought from the far north.” (Miss Seohyang)
I let out a sigh.
“I heard from Father. I heard that in Vice Officer Kwak’s hometown, if a man refuses a proposal, he suffers quite considerably.” (I)
“Yes. That is right.” (Miss Seohyang)
“To be honest, I am prepared for that.” (I)
“Yes?” (Miss Seohyang)
Dew began to gather in her eyes.
“So you have no feelings for me, Young Master.” (Miss Seohyang)
“That is not it!” (I)
“Then I understand even less! Why?” (Miss Seohyang)
“That is…… I do not know how this will sound, but it is because I do not have the confidence to tell the one I love to walk the path I am walking and suffer together with me.” (I)
To think I had to say such words to Miss Seohyang! Damn it!
My chest…… hurts as though my heart is being torn apart.
But I must answer.
Because if I do not answer, she will not be able to accept it.
“This is not some worthless excuse. It is my sincerity.” (I)
It would be better to be hung upside down from a crossbeam and beaten for three whole days.
After saying that much, I took a deep breath.
My lips dried out.
Yes, only now did I feel like I understood this feeling.
That this was the feeling of love.
I love Miss Seohyang.
I should have realized it long ago.
But unconsciously, I had tried to turn away from this feeling.
Because I felt that if I acknowledged it, it would not be allowed.
“My goal is to make the Eunha Trading Company the greatest trading company under heaven, but I have an even more dangerous and difficult goal. It is to take revenge on the Martial Alliance. This is something I must risk my life to do.” (I)
I raised my head and looked at Miss Seohyang.
“So how could I drag the one I love into such a thing? That path is one I must walk alone. So, I am sorry.” (I)
I clenched my fists tightly and bowed my head.
“Young Master. Are you a fool?” (Miss Seohyang)
“……Yes?” (I)
Then a voice reached my ears.
“Why do you think of it only so one-dimensionally? I do not know why you bear a desire for revenge against the Martial Alliance, Young Master. But have you forgotten? I hate the Martial Alliance too.” (Miss Seohyang)
At those words, it felt as if lightning flashed before my eyes.
Because it was something I had not thought of.
Miss Seohyang had also come to live while hiding her identity because of the Martial Alliance.
She had even been separated from her family while still alive.
So there was no way her desire for revenge against the Martial Alliance was weaker than mine.
Why had I not thought of that?
I really am a fool. I am definitely a fool.
“This path walked with gall in one’s mouth while burning with vengeance against the Martial Alliance, I do not think there will be much difference whether it is walked alone or together.” (Miss Seohyang)
She said to me.
“So that path, I will walk it with you.” (Miss Seohyang)
At that moment, was it my imagination that Miss Seohyang looked like a celestial maiden extending her hand from within the light?
I had not told anyone my goal of revenge against the Martial Alliance.
This was the first time I had revealed it to Miss Seohyang.
Revealing this made me tremble considerably, but it was also just how much of my sincerity I had shown.
To such a me, Miss Seohyang said it. That we should walk together.
The reason she seemed to shine might have been the psychological relief that I did not have to walk that thorny path alone.
I gave a faint laugh.
“It will not be boring.” (I)
“But this is a proposal, right?” (Miss Seohyang)
At her question, I hesitated and barely answered.
“F-for now, it is true that it is a proposal.” (I)
“What is this! You know it is really unromantic, right?” (Miss Seohyang)
“I am sorry. In exchange, I will hold the wedding grandly.” (I)
Kui! (Geumryeong)
It feels like I am somehow muddling through it?
Phew, it is not as though I wanted to do this either.
But what am I supposed to do when the situation has turned out like this?
Meanwhile, the surroundings began to grow bright.
“Day is breaking.” (Miss Seohyang)
At her words, I turned my head east, and the sun was rising.
Seeing the dawn break together like this……
“Mm…….” (I)
Suddenly, something feels embarrassing.
“Um…… would you like to train together?” (I)
“Yes.” (Miss Seohyang)
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That morning.
After finishing training with Miss Seohyang, washing up, and heading to the dining hall to eat breakfast.
All the family members except the children who had not come of age were gathered there.
“So, you are leaving for Beijing again today?” (Grandfather)
“Yes. Grandfather.” (I)
At Grandfather’s question, I answered respectfully.
Come to think of it, Grandfather’s age is already nearing eighty before I know it.
If things had followed my previous life, the days when I could see Grandfather would not be very long.
Perhaps because of that, I felt sorrowful as I looked at Grandfather.
“The weather is cold. Go carefully.” (Grandfather)
“Yes.” (I)
At that moment, the maids came in carrying porridge.
Today is chicken porridge.
After I ate the chicken porridge deliciously, tea came out.
The time when the family gathered like this and drank tea in the morning also became a tasting meeting for newly arrived tea.
“This is Midamchwia brought from Guizhou Province this time.” (Servant)
“Oh! Indeed, the sweetness and clean plainness are well harmonized. It is top grade!” (Grandfather)
“Yes. Thanks to the Lord Provincial Commissioner, we were able to bring top-grade tea.” (Father)
Mm, I should slowly bring up the main point now.
“Um…… I have decided to get married.” (I)
“I see.” (Mother)
Mother spoke calmly.
And the other family members looked as if they had expected it.
“Um…… why are you not surprised?” (I)
At my question, Brother Jeongho said.
“It was something we expected, so is there any particular reason to be surprised?” (Jeongho)
“You expected it?” (I)
“Yes.” (Jeongho)
My eldest sister-in-law added an explanation.
“How could we not know when someone who usually regards women as stones has a noticeably different look in his eyes only when looking at Vice Officer Kwak?” (Eldest Sister-in-law)
At those words, I scratched the back of my neck without realizing it.
So I was the only one who did not know.
“Mm, then we will have to contact Head Escort Kwak.” (Second Sister-in-law)
My second sister-in-law said.
“Since Vice Officer Kwak’s parents are not here, the relative who lives closest should stand in for them as the wedding host.” (Second Sister-in-law)
Currently, Miss Seohyang was known to be Master’s distant relative from Guizhou Province.
And it was said that her parents had died of a plague.
Except for Father and Mother, all the other family members knew it that way.
We had wanted to hide even her hometown, but because of things like her natural accent, it could not be helped.
“We should do as my second daughter-in-law says.” (Grandfather)
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After eating breakfast, I followed Father to his office.
After we sat facing each other, Father spoke directly.
“This time, I intend to go to Guizhou Province personally.” (Father)
“Yes?” (I)
“Although the circumstances are like this, how could the parents of both families proceed with this matter without even seeing each other?” (Father)
“That is true. But as you know, Father, the circumstances are somewhat…….” (I)
“Do not worry. Thanks to you, there will be no problem.” (Father)
“Yes?” (I)
“I mean the matter of expanding the Guizhou branch.” (Father)
“Ah!” (I)
“Would it not do for me to visit with betrothal gifts as the head of the trading company, in the sense of expressing gratitude?” (Father)
Father wore an expression as though he found it amusing.
“For someone who worried so much, when it came to actions, you moved very faithfully.” (Father)
“You are right.” (I)
After finishing that secret discussion with Father like that, I stopped by the detached quarters and then headed to the caravan yard.
Seeing Miss Seohyang standing beside the Zhujiang horse made something feel embarrassing…… but it could not be helped.
I mounted my horse, and the others also mounted their horses after me.
“Then, I will be going now.” (I)
“Go carefully.” (Father)
After greeting Father and the other family members, we departed for Beijing.
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Not many days after leaving Hubei Province, we arrived in Beijing.
That meant the Zhujiang horses had run that quickly.
At first, that speed had been difficult, but now everyone seemed to have adapted, and their condition was fine.
Even Miss Seohyang, whose martial arts were relatively weak, was fine.
As for Palgap, well, he is a bear.
“Welcome!” (Beijing Branch Staff)
The people of the Beijing branch welcomed us gladly.
“Warrior Ipil. I am sorry to make such a request as soon as we arrive.” (I)
“You mean for me to visit Master Jinyeong’s residence.” (Ipil)
“Yes. That is correct. And this is the report. Please.” (I)
Then I and the others went into our respective residences, washed cleanly, and changed clothes.
If one rides a Zhujiang horse and runs, it is fast, but there is no helping the fact that one’s clothes become dirty.
“Young Master. Are you that happy?” (Palgap)
“Hm?” (I)
“You have been smiling nonstop ever since we departed from Hubei Province.” (Palgap)
“Does it show that much?” (I)
At my question, Palgap nodded.
“I am curious what kind of feeling it is.” (Palgap)
“Who knows? How should I explain this?” (I)
After thinking for a moment, I continued speaking.
“There is one thing that is certain. That I feel I should live even more diligently from now on?” (I)
“Hueek! What will you do if you live even more diligently than now? If you die like that, Vice Officer Kwak will become a widow!” (Palgap)
“Ah…….” (I)
I said to Palgap.
“I should start taking some tonic from today.” (I)
That evening.
Master Jinyeong came to the Beijing branch.
I could go to the imperial palace myself, but it was better to enter the palace through Master Jinyeong.
That way, I could meet the Emperor right away.
If I entered the palace alone, I would have to wait until the Emperor summoned me.
That was beyond inefficient; it was a waste of time.
“I greet Master Jinyeong.” (I)
“Yes, I was told the general story. You have done something truly great.” (Jinyeong)
“You praise me too much. It was thanks to the help of many Royal Guards, including Master Jangwon.” (I)
As though my giving credit was not unpleasant, Master Jinyeong smiled.
“Let us go see His Majesty the Emperor.” (Jinyeong)
“Yes.” (I)
We immediately headed to the imperial palace, and soon we were able to meet the Emperor.
In the Emperor’s hand was the report I had submitted through Warrior Ipil.
“I read the report you submitted. This is why I like you, you bastard.” (Emperor)
That is praise, right?
“You used your identity as a merchant to break down their wariness and approach them…… What an amusing fellow. That must have been possible because you truly were a merchant.” (Emperor)
“That is correct.” (I)
Even if the Royal Guards or the Eastern Depot disguised themselves as merchants, they were bound to see things differently from merchants.
Because even when looking at the same thing, one sees different things depending on one’s position.
“That is why I have no choice but to leave you as merely a merchant.” (Emperor)
From the Emperor’s position, it might be regrettable, but for me, I could let out a sigh of relief.
“Looking here, the money spent on this matter was quite considerable.” (Emperor)
“Yes.” (I)
Because I had written down and submitted the expenses from Beijing to Hainan Island as well.
Still, conscientiously, I did not write down the money used for my birthday banquet.
“I will not accept reimbursement for those expenses. And I will not take back the one hundred thousand nyang among the assets confiscated from the Mu Trading Company written there.” (I)
“You would not do this without any reason. What are the conditions?” (Emperor)
“Please record in the documents related to the Hainan Island construction that the Eunha Trading Company also gave assistance. And while carrying out the establishment of the Hainan Island naval base, please use goods from our Eunha Trading Company for more than fifty percent of the materials to be used.” (I)
“You mean to take the substance.” (Emperor)
Come now, you know everything already, so why say that?
“Understood. You have worked hard on this matter as well. This matter was something you did in exchange for what you wanted, so there need not be any other compensation, correct?” (Emperor)
“That is correct.” (I)
But once you see this, those words will change too.
I carefully made a request of the Emperor.
“And Your Majesty the Emperor. There is something I would like to tell you briefly. Please send away those around us.” (I)