Chapter 637
Chapter 637
Chapter 637. A New Business (4)
Her Highness Princess Yeoryang called a maid and had her distribute the envelopes containing the invitations to all the noblewomen present here.
Because they had been made with care, even the envelopes alone were quite luxurious.
One of the noblewomen opened the envelope, looked inside, and asked.
“There are not one invitation, but four?” (Noblewoman)
At this, Brother Jeongho answered with a gentle smile.
“How heartless would it be if you came alone? Thinking that good things should be shared together, we put in four. So please think of it as being possible to bring up to three companions.” (Jeongho)
“Oh my, how considerate.” (Noblewoman)
“I am only grateful that you think so.” (Jeongho)
As expected, Brother Jeongho is still a merchant too.
Giving four invitations per person had been Brother Jeongho’s idea.
He said it was because it would be heartless, but it meant that since they were coming anyway, they should not come alone and should bring more customers with them.
And if that happened, the noblewomen present here could take the initiative with other people.
I spoke gently.
“How rude of us, when the main figure of this occasion is here.” (Eun Seoho)
“It is all right.” (Princess Yeoryang)
The princess smiled and shook her head.
“I was already troubled that I alone would be buying pretty jewelry, but since you are sharing such a good opportunity, my heart feels much lighter.” (Princess Yeoryang)
In truth, if another trading company had done something like this, they might have been severely punished.
But I was acquainted with her, and through Imperial Son-in-law Yeon Yumun, I had asked for her understanding in advance, so there was no problem.
In other words, should I call it a rigged gamble?
In exchange, I decided to gift her one piece of jewelry she liked.
She had done this because she wanted to express her gratitude for helping Chungyeong Castle, but I should receive that debt in some other form later.
“What piece of jewelry do you like?” (Eun Seoho)
“I……” (Princess Yeoryang)
That day, the princess chose as many as five pieces of jewelry from the Eunhae Trading Company.
— — —
The Trading Company Leader of the Hwang Trading Company was in an extremely bad mood.
The fact that he had visited the residence this time to sell jewelry for the princess’s marriage, yet had sold only one item, was one of the reasons.
‘They say she chose as many as five pieces of jewelry from the Eunhae Trading Company.’ (Hwang Igyeon)
But another reason was even greater.
It was because of what one noblewoman had said to him.
“The jewelry the Eunhae Trading Company brought was all beautiful, but honestly, compared to that, the goods here are plain.” (Noblewoman)
In other words, it meant they were inferior to the Eunhae Trading Company’s goods.
On top of that, the escort martial artist of his second son, Hwang Gon, had told him something.
That was that Hwang Gon had tried to buy off a craftsman of the Eunhae Trading Company and failed.
“Damn it! Even if you failed, you should not have been found out!” (Hwang Igyeon)
He glared at his second son Hwang Gon, who was following behind him, and Hwang Gon shrank back and answered.
“I, I apologize. Father.” (Hwang Gon)
“Do you not know who Young Company Leader Eun Seoho is? Though he is a mere merchant like us, he is favored by the emperor, and both the Royal Guards and the Eastern Depot look after him. Because of you, we have made such a person our enemy.” (Hwang Igyeon)
“…….” (Hwang Gon)
“So, how will you resolve this?” (Hwang Igyeon)
Having nothing to say, Hwang Gon quietly lowered his head.
The Hwang Trading Company Leader pressed him as if frustrated.
“I hear that three days from now, the Eunhae Trading Company will hold a jewelry exhibition. What do you think that means? It means they intend to devour all of Beijing’s jewelry business!” (Hwang Igyeon)
Hwang Gon bit his lip, then spoke with a hardened expression.
“Then Father. Does that not mean we should not just sit still?” (Hwang Gon)
“What more are you trying to do?” (Hwang Igyeon)
“Can we not ruin the exhibition? By releasing thugs, or releasing the black path…….” (Hwang Gon)
“It is a place where the noblewomen of Beijing will gather. If anything happens to their safety there, do you think the high officials and nobles will leave us, the ones who orchestrated it, alone!” (Hwang Igyeon)
“Mm…….” (Hwang Gon)
After a long silence, Hwang Gon spoke as though he had thought of a clever plan.
“How about this method?” (Hwang Gon)
At Hwang Gon’s explanation, the Hwang Trading Company Leader nodded.
“That is somewhat acceptable.” (Hwang Igyeon)
— — —
Because of the upcoming jewelry exhibition, I moved busily.
Brother Jeongho named the shop that would sell our Eunhae Trading Company’s jewelry this time ‘Hwa Yunryeo.’
It means beautiful and beautiful like flowers.
I heard it was a name Sister-in-law suggested, and she has a good talent for naming.
The exhibition venue was the banquet hall of the Eunhae Trading Company’s Beijing branch.
It was a place built large for various banquets and events.
“Have you arrived?” (Manager)
“Welcome, Third Young Company Leader.” (Manager)
When I arrived at the banquet hall, the manager in charge of this exhibition approached me and greeted me.
“You have been working hard. How far has the decoration of the event hall been completed?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. Now we only need to decorate the tables where the jewelry will be placed.” (Manager)
“How are the refreshments being prepared?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is also being prepared without a hitch.” (Manager)
“This exhibition is extremely important. You must not let your guard down until it is over.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes! I will keep that in mind.” (Manager)
I entered the banquet hall and began inspecting various places.
Dadadada.
At that moment, I heard the sound of someone running over in a rush.
This presence belongs to Brother Jeongho, does it not?
The door burst open, and Brother Jeongho, his face pale white, shouted.
“Seoho! We have a serious problem!” (Jeongho)
“Why? What is going on?” (Eun Seoho)
“Right now, a strange rumor is spreading through Beijing. They say the jewelry our Eunhae Trading Company makes is jewelry made from cursed raw stones…….” (Jeongho)
“…….” (Eun Seoho)
It reminds me of the time with the amethyst dolls.
Back then, too, they interfered with us using rumors.
Well, I did not think it would proceed this smoothly either.
Still, cursed raw stones……
So that was what Miss Seohyang meant yesterday.
After hearing Brother Jeongho’s advice, I had sometimes taken time to chat with Miss Seohyang.
We drank tea at teahouses and also walked through the rear garden.
I was busy, so I could not have such times often, but still, they were quite rewarding times.
Yesterday, Miss Seohyang said this.
“People are…… strange.” (Seohyang)
“Yes?” (Eun Seoho)
“Why do they feel that cursed jewels are more attractive?” (Seohyang)
“Yes? I am certain that before, our trading company’s amethyst dolls suffered a sharp drop in sales…….” (Eun Seoho)
“It seems that is the charm of jewels after all.” (Seohyang)
The future Miss Seohyang saw is surely connected to today’s events.
“Have you figured out who spread such a rumor?” (Eun Seoho)
“We are still looking into it. More importantly, the exhibition is tomorrow already…….” (Jeongho)
I calmly soothed Brother.
“Do not worry too much. I have a good idea.” (Eun Seoho)
Those who spread the rumor are surely one of those who deal in jewelry in Beijing.
It is very likely the Hwang Trading Company.
However, even if we storm in and protest right now, we would be the ones to suffer a loss.
Because we have no evidence.
But even without doing that, we can overcome this difficulty well enough.
“Instead, there is something Brother has to do.” (Eun Seoho)
“What is it? Just tell me anything.” (Jeongho)
“Tell the craftsmen to make a single piece of jewelry using a large raw stone, making it extremely splendid, enough to steal the soul with just one look. If possible, a necklace would be good.” (Eun Seoho)
“Why that?” (Jeongho)
“They say we made jewelry from cursed raw stones, do they not? Then we should dance to that tune.” (Eun Seoho)
“What?” (Jeongho)
“Brother Jeongho.” (Eun Seoho)
I called Brother and placed my hand on his shoulder.
“I understand what Brother is worried about right now, but as someone who will deal in jewelry, Brother cannot be unaware of the mentality of those who own it.” (Eun Seoho)
“……Huh?” (Jeongho)
“In the case of the amethyst dolls before, people felt reluctance at the words that they were cursed. Why was that?” (Eun Seoho)
“Because they were said to be cursed?” (Jeongho)
“Rather than that, it is because they resembled the form of people. Because dolls resemble the form of people, people feel something inexplicable.” (Eun Seoho)
“True…… Even I feel something chilling down my spine when I enter the place where the amethyst dolls are stored.” (Jeongho)
And when targeting people with evil sorcery, dolls were often used.
“Because of that, the words that they were cursed made people avoid them even more. But jewels are different from that.” (Eun Seoho)
I extended my index finger and spoke.
“Jewels shine. And they do not resemble people, and they are monsters that are beautiful in themselves and stir up desire.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is true.” (Jeongho)
“Therefore, the fact that a jewel is cursed can even raise its value.” (Eun Seoho)
I grinned.
“They have laid out the stage for us, so should we not dance on top of it?” (Eun Seoho)
— — —
Hwang Igyeon, the Trading Company Leader of the Hwang Trading Company, had a pleased expression.
Because only one day after he had secretly spread the rumor, it had spread all over Beijing.
That rumor was none other than a rumor that the jewels made by the Eunhae Trading Company were cursed.
And that rumor was growing more and more exaggerated.
“They say whoever owns that jewel gets murdered, right? They say three people have been murdered so far!” (Person)
“How did the Eunhae Trading Company get its hands on such a jewel?” (Person)
“How would I know that?” (Person)
Even the conversation of the people now reaching Hwang Igyeon’s ears was about the Eunhae Trading Company’s cursed jewel.
Since it was that much of a hot topic in the capital, it would not be an exaggeration to say the Eunhae Trading Company’s jewel exhibition to be held this time would be a complete disaster.
“Hehehe, I should see that sight for myself.” (Hwang Igyeon)
And so, he took his two sons and headed to the Eunhae Trading Company’s Beijing branch.
Because the place where the jewel exhibition would be held was the banquet hall inside the Eunhae Trading Company’s Beijing branch.
When they had thus drawn close to the Eunhae Trading Company’s Beijing branch.
“Hm?” (Hwang Igyeon)
“F-Father…… What are those people?” (Hwang Gon)
“…….” (Hwang Igyeon)
They had no choice but to doubt their eyes.
Because people were standing in a line in front of the Eunhae Trading Company.
“Are you in line now?” (Guard Martial Artist)
“Yes? Th, that is…….” (Hwang Igyeon)
“If you are going to stand in line, please stand properly.” (Guard Martial Artist)
At the guard martial artist’s words, they quickly stood in line. Then he glanced behind him and asked.
“Excuse me, is this the line to enter the Eunhae Trading Company’s exhibition?” (Hwang Igyeon)
The man readily answered him.
“Yes. They say today, the Eunhae Trading Company will reveal ‘Haebaek,’ called the cursed jewel.” (Man)
Come to think of it, a large, long cloth was hanging near the entrance.
[Opening Commemoration for Eunhae Trading Company Jewelry Shop Hwa Yunryeo: Special Grand Exhibition of the Cursed Jewel ‘Haebaek’]
Seeing this, Hwang Igyeon could only bite his lip.
From his position, knowing the truth, it was absurd.
There was no such thing as a cursed jewel.
Because it was a rumor he had deliberately spread to keep the Eunhae Trading Company in check.
Yet the Eunhae Trading Company was instead using that rumor.
“What does that jewel look like?” (Person)
“Since it seems to be called the soul of the sea, perhaps it is blue?” (Person)
The people were showing wonder and curiosity.
He quietly asked another person.
“They say it is a cursed jewel. Are you not afraid?” (Hwang Igyeon)
“Well, what does it matter? They say you get murdered if you own it, but it is not as if I am going to buy it.” (Person)
“…….” (Hwang Igyeon)
“They say the Eunhae Trading Company is not selling it, but had been keeping it in storage, and this time, to mark the opening of the jewelry shop Hwa Yunryeo, they are specially displaying it. When such a rare opportunity has come, how regrettable would it be not to see it?” (Person)
“…….” (Hwang Igyeon)
Only then did he remember what he had overlooked.
It was people’s desire for jewels.
Though he himself had lived by relying on that desire, he had neglected the operation of his trading company while indulging in pleasure and idling away his days.
If he had been faithful to the operation of the trading company and remembered that sense, he would not have made this mistake.
In other words, he had helped the Eunhae Trading Company.
“Gon.” (Hwang Igyeon)
“Yes, F-Father…….” (Hwang Gon)
Hwang Gon, too, had realized something had gone wrong and was sweating cold.
“We shall see later.” (Hwang Igyeon)
“Hic!” (Hwang Gon)
— — —
I was busy from the morning receiving the customers who were flocking in.
“Welcome.” (Staff)
“Welcome to the opening event of Eunhae Trading Company Jewelry Shop Hwa Yunryeo.” (Staff)
It was just as I had expected.
With word that a cursed jewel would be specially revealed along with the opening of the jewelry shop, people had flocked in.
The exhibition hall was arranged in the shape of the character gu.
And in the center, we placed the most valuable things, one of which was Haebaek, the so-called cursed jewel.
It was a necklace the size of three fingers, carved from a transparent blue jewel.
Its craftsmanship was so astonishing that, no matter what angle one viewed it from, it sparkled like the shimmer of the sea.
“Ah…….” (Person)
“As expected of a cursed jewel! It truly is beautiful.” (Person)
People were looking at Haebaek with enraptured faces.
To think he could create such a precious thing!
It was worth signing a lifetime contract with Craftsman Son Mun.
After viewing Haebaek and the other displayed items, people headed to one of the sales areas near the entrance.
That was the place that sold relatively inexpensive items.
If they were people who came to this exhibition, they would not leave without buying anything.
Just as I had expected, people left the sales area holding something in each hand.
Even if they were relatively inexpensive, they were being sold at the exhibition hall, so their prices were considerable.
At that level, we must have earned several times the money spent preparing this exhibition.
It was worth holding the exhibition.
* Kkui……
Though Geumnyeong was looking at those jewels and whining that he wanted to eat them.
This little guy, he knows what is expensive.
At that moment, Palgap ran over to me.
“Young Master! The noblewomen have begun to arrive.” (Palgap)
“I see. I should hurry and go greet them. You informed Brother Jeongho as well, right?” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course.” (Palgap)
Then, in my eyes, I saw the Trading Company Leader of the Hwang Trading Company and his two sons hesitantly entering the exhibition hall.
They had expressions as if they had realized something had gone wrong.
“You look pleased.” (Palgap)
“Seeing their expressions, as if they had swallowed rotten tea, feels rather satisfying. Clearly, I do not seem to have a very good personality.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is right.” (Palgap)
“……Could you not have said that was not true?” (Eun Seoho)
“Distorting the truth is not the proper posture of a true attendant. Though Young Master’s personality is indeed bad, there are times when that personality proves useful, so I hope you will not be too disheartened.” (Palgap)
“…….” (Eun Seoho)
That was comfort, right?
That was not comforting at all.