Chapter 614
Chapter 614
Chapter 614. The Missing Letter (1)
At my words, the Emperor tilted his head, but soon nodded.
“Everyone, leave the room.” (Emperor)
At those words, everyone around us, including Master Jinyeong, went outside.
“So, why did you ask me to send the others away?” (Emperor)
“Because of this.” (I)
I placed the box I had carefully brought in front of him as I spoke.
“Bring it here.” (Emperor)
“Yes.” (Eunuch)
The eunuch who had remained in place took the box.
Even if I asked him to send those around us away, the eunuch and the guard hiding in the ceiling were exceptions.
The eunuch opened the box and handed it to the Emperor.
“Mm?” (Emperor)
The Emperor’s eyebrows moved.
“What is this?” (Emperor)
“It is an imperial item.” (I)
The Emperor’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and he said to the eunuch.
“Bring the Imperial Treasure Record.” (Emperor)
“Yes.” (Eunuch)
The eunuch, too, moved almost at a run with an excited face.
Soon he brought one book, and the Emperor turned the pages.
So that must be the book where the imperial treasures are recorded.
The hand that had been turning the pages for quite some time stopped.
“Is this not the Thousand-Li Mirror that disappeared about eighty years ago?” (Emperor)
“Is that so?” (I)
“And this is an object that disappeared fifty years ago, one that tells the whereabouts of the other party!” (Emperor)
“I see.” (I)
Mm, looking at them now, they are rather precious objects.
Did I make a mistake deciding to return them?
I felt a little regretful, but soon organized my thoughts.
If I carried around imperial items, troublesome matters would arise for no reason.
It is a hundred times better to return them in advance and receive a suitable price in exchange.
After a moment, the Emperor calmed his excitement and looked at me.
“I cannot help but ask this. Where and how did you obtain these?” (Emperor)
“Your Majesty the Emperor. In truth, when I first discovered them, I had the outrageous thought that I might keep my mouth shut quietly. That was because I worried that revealing the source of those objects would place me in a more difficult situation.” (I)
I continued speaking.
“So if you wish to hear their source, I would like you to promise that you will ensure I do not end up in a difficult situation because of this matter.” (I)
“How insolent! How dare you, before His Majesty the Emperor……!” (Eunuch)
“Enough!” (Emperor)
The Emperor raised his hand and stopped the eunuch’s mouth.
“I promise.” (Emperor)
“Your imperial grace is boundless.” (I)
I respectfully bowed, then continued speaking.
“Those imperial treasures are things I personally salvaged from the sea.” (I)
“You salvaged them from the sea?” (Emperor)
“Yes. While investigating the abuses on Hainan Island this time, I personally entered the sea in order to confirm whether those ships had truly sunk.” (I)
“You personally entered the sea? You are more capable than I expected.” (Emperor)
“In truth, it was dangerous, but I did so only because it was absolutely necessary. If those ships had truly sunk, then the sunken ships would be lying at the bottom of the sea.” (I)
After catching my breath, I spoke again.
“When I entered the sea, indeed, I could see several ships sunk on the sea floor, and while investigating those ships, I discovered them.” (I)
The Emperor silently listened to me, and I continued explaining what had happened at the time.
Of course, I had no choice but to mix in lies.
I cannot exactly say, It was not me, but Geumryeong who swept them into the secret vault.
“I could not simply watch imperial items decay like that, so I brought them up.” (I)
At that moment, the eunuch said with a joyful expression.
“Your Majesty, in that case, I think it would be best to search that place further. There may be more imperial items, and there may also be other gold, silver, and jewels.” (Eunuch)
Excuse me, Lord Eunuch. I already cleaned all of that out.
But that money is mine. I worked hard for it, so who would I give it to?
Tsk! Shut that mouth of yours.
“Cough! Cough!” (I)
I deliberately coughed.
“My apologies. Because I spent too long underwater at that time…….” (I)
“Oh dear! Is your body all right?” (Emperor)
“As long as I do not overdo it…… Cough! Cough! I am fine.” (I)
I continued speaking.
“Do you remember what I asked you to promise me earlier, Your Majesty the Emperor?” (I)
“I remember. I promised that I would ensure you do not end up in a difficult situation.” (Emperor)
“It was because I expected that someone would say what Lord Eunuch just said. I, too, went into the depths of the sea at the risk of my life in order to resolve this incident. But to hope that I will search for other things as well means asking me to risk my life.” (I)
At my words, the eunuch wore an embarrassed expression. But I did not stop.
“If Your Majesty wishes it, I will try, but I do not know if it will be possible again. When I escaped from there, the debris that had been barely holding on collapsed and was buried in soil.” (I)
I have to block the possibility that they will mobilize someone else to search that place.
“Moreover, the things to prepare for that, as well as the cost of my going there again, would not amount to only a coin or two…… Will that still be all right?” (I)
At my words, the Emperor looked again at the list of expenses I had reported and shook his head in disgust.
“It would be useless. Is that not so, eunuch?” (Emperor)
At the Emperor’s pointed call, the eunuch quickly knelt on the spot and spoke.
“Please rebuke this lowly subject’s foolishness.” (Eunuch)
“That is enough. Rise.” (Emperor)
“Your imperial grace is boundless.” (Eunuch)
The Emperor turned his head, looked at the objects, and wore a pleased expression.
“And it is already enough to be grateful that you found these treasures. What more would I ask?” (Emperor)
Then he turned his head to me.
“Then, tell me what you want.” (Emperor)
“Yes?” (I)
“You returned these for no reason, from the goodness of your heart? I know you, you bastard.” (Emperor)
As expected of Your Majesty the Emperor.
I continued speaking.
“When I do not know the value of those items, how could I confidently say what I want?” (I)
“You clever bastard.” (Emperor)
Though he grumbled so, there was a smile on his lips.
After thinking for a moment, the Emperor opened his mouth.
“At your current position, the thing you are most worried about is most likely the gazes around you.” (Emperor)
“…….” (I)
“There will also be those who dislike that you receive my favor.” (Emperor)
The Emperor tapped the report I had submitted with his finger and continued speaking.
“It is said that your prestige or reputation on Hainan Island was great enough to surpass mine, so the Royal Guards or the Eastern Depot may express concern about that. Their loyalty is good, but at times it is so excessive that it becomes a problem.” (Emperor)
As expected, Your Majesty the Emperor.
You know well.
“Of course, there are also those who harbor other intentions.” (Emperor)
Uh…… how am I supposed to react at a time like this? But the Emperor did not wait for my reaction.
“I will grant you immunity.” (Emperor)
“Yes?” (I)
“It is exactly as I said. Even if others express concern about you, unless I give an order, I will forbid anyone from harming you. Would this much be sufficient compensation?” (Emperor)
Immunity!
It was compensation I had never even imagined.
“To bestow such great grace upon this humble merchant, your imperial grace is so boundless that tears cloud my eyes.” (I)
I am grateful, but why did he give me immunity?
Just as the Emperor knows me, I also know the Emperor.
He is absolutely not someone who would show such kindness for no reason.
He is the sort of person who, if he gives one, takes back one and a half.
I am the same, though.
“I trust that you will continue to devote your loyalty.” (Emperor)
He will let it pass with just that much?
Does that mean the value of the objects I found and returned is that high?
No, even so, I must not let down my guard.
“Speaking of which, looking at your report, it seems the merchant ships will soon arrive in Nanjing.” (Emperor)
“Yes. That is so. This time as well, I intend to go personally to Nanjing in order to receive the Eunha Trading Company’s merchant ships.” (I)
“Do some work while you are going.” (Emperor)
“Should I block information like last time?” (I)
“Foreign trade has now become established to a certain degree, so there is no need for that.” (Emperor)
It is as the Emperor said.
It is no longer at a level where latecomers can cut in.
“The work you are to do, I will inform you of later.” (Emperor)
“Understood.” (I)
“By the way, who do you think is behind those who committed this incident?” (Emperor)
The ones behind it are the Blood Cult.
But I cannot speak of that yet.
If I add unnecessary details, things could become troublesome.
“My apologies. This humble merchant also has no guess yet.” (I)
“So you say…….” (Emperor)
As long as the Emperor makes eyes like that, their identities will be discovered before long.
They may have passed safely until now, but from now on, it will be impossible.
Because they have made the Emperor very displeased.
. . .
As soon as I returned to the Beijing branch, I went to see Brother Jinho.
“Hm? I am going to Nanjing with you this time?” (Jinho)
“I told Father I would put you, Brother, onto the Eunha Trading Company’s merchant ship at Nanjing and send you back.” (I)
“Well, that way is convenient.” (Jinho)
“By the way, did you read the letter Sister-in-law gave you?” (I)
At my question, Brother Jinho’s face turned red. Just what kind of contents were in it…….
“Ahem, of course I read it. Ah! Is Hongryeo growing well?” (Jinho)
“Of course.” (I)
“That is a relief.” (Jinho)
“Anyway, we will depart the morning after tomorrow, so prepare yourself.” (I)
The official road from Beijing to Nanjing was well maintained, so the journey was comfortable and did not take long.
That was why I was taking it easy.
“Understood. I will prepare without being late. And I heard you decided to get married in the end?” (Jinho)
“Yeah.” (I)
I nodded.
“You thought well. After shaking Vice Officer Kwak’s heart that much, if you did not marry her, you would be absolute trash.” (Jinho)
Cough!
At Brother Jinho’s sudden words, I felt as though I had suffered internal injuries.
Kui! (Geumryeong)
Geumryeong, why are you agreeing?
.
.
.
The next morning.
I called Palgap.
“Did you call me?” (Palgap)
“The task I will instruct you to do from now on is a very, very important task. It is something for which you must display all of your abilities.” (I)
Palgap nodded with a tense expression.
I gave Palgap detailed instructions, and Palgap left my residence stealthily with a solemn expression.
And I headed to my office as though nothing had happened.
Miss Seohyang, who was already working in the office, showed light etiquette and then focused on the documents again.
I headed to my seat and looked at Miss Seohyang.
Because of the last matter, I realized that Miss Seohyang’s inner self was stronger than I had thought.
That must be why she told me we should walk the path of revenge together.
That was the inner self of a person who had been hardened by many trials.
Of course, she may also have become strong against her will because of the ability to see the future.
Thinking this way, I feel newly grateful.
“Do you have something to say to me?” (Miss Seohyang)
“No.” (I)
I shook my head and took one of the documents piled on my desk, then unfolded it.
The inserted inner sheet had a clear, organized summary of this document.
She truly does work well.
Uh…… wait?
If Miss Seohyang becomes my wife, that means I have to select a new vice officer, does it not?
Where am I supposed to find someone who works as well as Miss Seohyang…….
When I let out a sigh at the thought that suddenly came to mind, Miss Seohyang tilted her head and asked.
“Is something wrong with the document?” (Miss Seohyang)
“No. It is not that…….” (I)
Since it is related to Miss Seohyang, I suppose I can tell her.
“I was worrying because if Vice Officer Kwak becomes my wife, I will have to select a new vice officer. To be honest, I have never seen anyone who works as well as you, Vice Officer Kwak.” (I)
“Is that a compliment?” (Miss Seohyang)
“Yes. It is a compliment.” (I)
“Do not worry. Until you find a good vice officer, I will work as your vice officer.” (Miss Seohyang)
“It will be hard.” (I)
“When my husband is grinding his bones to work, should I not grind my bones to work as well?” (Miss Seohyang)
“…….” (I)
Why, all of a sudden, do I feel like reflecting on myself?
“I have reserved a tavern for tonight. Before leaving for Nanjing tomorrow, I intend to hold a banquet for the people of the Beijing branch in the sense of thanking them for their hard work until now. It would be good if you also attended, Vice Officer Kwak.” (I)
“Yes. I will.” (Miss Seohyang)
Good, that was very natural.
That evening.
I headed to the tavern I had reserved together with my party.
Most of the Beijing branch had already gathered at the tavern. Brother Jinho had also arrived early and taken a seat.
“Third Young Master. Welcome.” (Branch Staff)
“Please sit here.” (Branch Staff)
Like that, our party took our seats.
For today, I had rented out this entire tavern.
The nominal reason I had opened this banquet was to thank them for their hard work, but in truth, there was one important reason.
I recalled what I had talked about with Father before returning to Beijing this time.
“By the way, did you formally propose to Vice Officer Kwak?” (Father)
“If you mean the pearl ornament…….” (I)
“No, not that. I am asking whether you formally said that you wanted to marry her.” (Father)
“Well, I did say something similar.” (I)
“Oh, you brat!” (Father)
Thwack! Thwack, thwack!
And Father struck my back several times with his palm.
“Ugh! That hurts!” (I)
“I hit you so it would hurt!” (Father)
“Why are you doing this?” (I)
“My son, you still do not know well the memory women have for when the person they love makes them feel hurt.” (Father)
“Yes?” (I)
“Whether their memory is good or bad, when it is about the person they love, they remember it without getting even a single particle wrong. Ahem, listen carefully.” (Father)
Father continued speaking.
“When we were newlyweds, I ate sweets your mother made herself, and not knowing your mother had made them, I once said they tasted bad. That lasted five years.” (Father)
“…….” (I)
“There was a time when I forgot your mother’s birthday, went out that morning, and returned the next day. She talked about that for ten years.” (Father)
“…….” (I)
“When a slight conflict occurred with the wife of another trading company, I said, ‘You were in the wrong.’ That…… lasted twenty years.” (Father)
“…….” (I)
“But to not formally propose and just muddle through into marriage like this? In my view, this is at least fifty years’ worth. For the next fifty years, whenever there is something she feels hurt about, she will bring this up. My son.” (Father)
Father asked seriously.
“Do you have the confidence to endure that?” (Father)