Chapter 91
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 91
Chapter 91. For My Aunt (3)
Hyung-nim couldn't respond to those words.
“That's not true, is it?”
“....”
“Think carefully.”
“Who exactly is this person you're protecting?”
“You don't need to know that.”
“You won't even tell me that and you're asking me to do this...”
“But I'll show you proof.”
“Proof?”
“You'll know what the proof is when you get home.”
“...”
“Let's go inside. The others are waiting. Relax.”
After finishing his words, Mister Doo-jin patted Sun-il's shoulder and entered the tavern first.
After thinking for a moment, Sun-il also entered.
I bit my lip and fell into deep thought.
Contrary to his reputation as a talented person close to the top, there was a reason why Sun-il was near the bottom of the rankings in my memory.
He had been threatened.
That's why the Martial Alliance used Sun-il to get one of their members into a high position in the imperial court.
But would such a dirty trick end with just one attempt?
Knowing that blackmail worked, they must have threatened Sun-il many times.
As a result, Hyung-nim's personality naturally became pessimistic and cynical.
He must have lost his motivation.
From that moment on, the Martial Alliance became a stumbling block for the Eunhae Trading Company.
Even though my aunt married into another family, she is still a member of the Eunhae Trading Company. And my aunt loved me very much since I was a child.
That's why I was very angry that Hyung-nim's personality changed because of the Martial Alliance's despicable actions, and that my aunt suffered because of it.
Wait a minute...
But why does the Martial Alliance want to plant someone in the imperial palace?
For what purpose?
Suddenly, I remembered a major event that would take place in about thirteen years.
I was able to prevent the Jegal Family from poisoning the Grand Prince because I remembered that incident.
It was the poisoning of the Empress.
The concubine below her became the Empress, but many people suffered, and soon the culprit was caught.
However, I don't know if he was the real culprit.
He only stated that he had a grudge against the Empress.
That was when it started.
The Imperial Palace began to turn a blind eye to the arrogance of the Martial Alliance.
It's obvious that Sun-il is involved in something really troublesome.
“Damn it.”
“What's wrong?”
Lee Pil asked in response to my reaction, and I sighed.
“I think something troublesome is going to happen.”
Still, I couldn't just leave it at that.
If this plan succeeded, the Martial Alliance's position would become stronger.
For me, who had sworn revenge against the Martial Alliance, this was a golden opportunity.
I had to stop the Martial Alliance's plan, but I couldn't let Sun-il get hurt.
For my aunt's sake.
.
.
.
When I entered the house, something seemed off.
“What's going on?”
Pal-gap quickly replied to my question.
“The company we were doing business with suddenly cut off our trade.”
“...What?”
It seemed that this was the “evidence” that Mister Doo-jin had told Sun-il about.
In the end, Sun-il chose the Trading Company and his family in this situation.
Is this how he's going to play dirty?
The next day.
I asked Yeo-eung-am and Lee Pil to keep an eye on Mister Doo-jin.
When night fell, Lee Pil came to see me.
“They've finally made their move.”
“Let's go.”
I immediately followed Lee Pil.
Then, I saw what Yeo Eung-am had marked and followed behind.
It was a mark only the Eunpungdae warriors could recognize.
Soon, I was able to meet Yeo Eung-am.
“Are you here?”
“Yes.”
“They took a boat and went that way.”
There was a boat on a large lake. Mister Do-jin was heading toward the center of the lake.
And from the other side, another boat was heading toward Mister Do-jin's boat.
They must be having a secret conversation.
I want to hear their conversation, but if we take a boat and go there, they will notice us.
Then their conversation will be ruined.
I remembered the techniques my Master had taught me.
The Ice-Breaking Mental Technique and the Ice-Breaking Water Technique.
So... I have to go.
I took off my outer garment and gave it to Lee Pil, saying,
“Please hold this for me for a moment.”
“What? What are you going to do...?”
“I'll be back soon.”
I took a deep breath. Then, using the Ice Sea Mental Technique, I entered the water.
Gradually, my body began to grow cold.
I entered the water completely.
Then, I quietly approached the boat carrying Mister Seo and hid behind it.
A moment later, a boat approached.
It was a dark night, and the technique my Master taught me was based on the art of moving without leaving a trace, so no one noticed me.
“Are you here?”
“How did it go?”
“I explained our position to Hong Sun-il and warned him.”
“He's smart, so he'll understand. I also sent him proof.”
“Yes, it will be as he wishes. By the way, what name should Hong Seon-il write in his reply?”
“Song Chi.”
“As far as I know, there were two people.”
“Go Seong-il decided to get help from someone else.”
After a few more words, the boat began to move away again.
I felt my breath quickening.
It was time to return.
I quickly returned to the lake.
“My Liege.”
When the warriors rushed toward me, I raised my hand to stop them.
Then I slowly used the Tae-eum Byeonghae technique. This was to raise my rapidly falling body temperature.
“Hoo...”
After catching my breath, I said to them.
“Let's go back.”
I was glad that I had learned the technique my Master taught me. Although my body was exhausted, I was able to put it to good use.
And thanks to that, I was able to obtain important information.
Song Chi.
Go Seong-il.
I remembered clearly.
Come to think of it, I remember hearing the name Song Chi somewhere before...
Ah... I remember.
When the empress was poisoned, wasn't the name of the person who was in the Ministry of Justice Song-chi?
I remember that because he came to our Trading Company to ask for our cooperation.
I remember he was quite arrogant.
While talking with him at the time, I learned that he had seen the exhibition at the same time as my brother, Sun-il, and had won first place.
What... So he wasn't even the top candidate based on his own abilities, yet he acted so arrogant?
The fact that he belonged to the Ministry of Justice is also suspicious.
That means he was in a position to frame the culprit when the empress was poisoned.
Usually, the top candidates start at the Hanrimwon. But the Ministry of Justice...
He had something in mind.
I was so shocked that I couldn't say anything.
When I returned to my room at my aunt's house, Pal-gap asked me in surprise.
“My young master! Where have you been? Why are you soaking wet?”
“I went swimming. It was hot.”
Seeing my expression, Pal-gap sighed.
He was quick to catch on.
“I will prepare water for you to wash up.”
When I finished bathing, Pal-gap said,
“Someone from the imperial palace came and left earlier.”
“The imperial palace?”
“Yes. You are summoned to the imperial palace tomorrow.”
“Really?”
I smiled.
I thought of a way to tease the Martial Alliance and finish the job neatly at the same time.
.
.
.
The next day.
I headed for the imperial palace.
When I announced my arrival at the gate of the imperial palace, the eunuchs came out to greet me.
“Are you the Prince of Eunseoho?”
“Yes.”
“Please follow me.”
I followed the court official to where the emperor was. Since the last incident, they did not treat me like a merchant and allowed me to wear a hat.
It felt refreshing.
I arrived at Taehwajeon and was granted an audience with the emperor.
I did not mention the salt monopoly and the writing brushes in front of the ministers.
We went straight into the emperor's office.
“Eun Seo-ho of the Trading Company Eunhae is here to see His Majesty, the benevolent emperor who rules the Central Plains. Long live the emperor!”
As I bowed before him, I heard the emperor's voice.
“Raise your head.”
“I am deeply honored.”
I raised my head. I could see the emperor's face.
Two years ago and now, his face was still young and healthy.
The current emperor was protecting the emperor when I died.
“Yes, I read the report you gave me. Captain Woo is doing well.”
“Yes, sir.”
I handed him the report I had prepared in advance.
“There is some information that I was unable to include due to my inadequacy.”
“Bring it here.”
At the emperor's words, an attendant took the scroll from me. The emperor took it and unfolded it.
“Hmm…”
The emperor rolled it up again, placed it on the table, and said, “I see. I will refer to it separately.”
I smiled inwardly at his words.
The emperor continued.
“I called you because I have a few questions to ask you.”
“Please ask.”
After a few questions and answers, the emperor asked me.
“By the way, don't you have any vacation days?”
“Unfortunately, I don't.”
“I see. Still, since you are here, you should enjoy your vacation. In-tae told me that the moonlight on Seokwolho Lake is quite beautiful in the early hours of the morning.”
“Yes, I will.”
“Then you may leave.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I left the emperor's office.
.
.
.
That night.
I headed for Seokwolho.
The additional report I gave to the emperor contained nothing special. It simply meant that I wanted to have a private audience with him.
After reading the report, the emperor told me that he would “take it into consideration.”
He understood.
The words he added later meant that he wanted to meet me there.
Right at the hour of the horse, at Seokho Lake.
Seokho Lake is a lake located slightly away from the imperial palace.
It is called Seokho Lake because the moonlight is reflected on the lake only when the crescent moon rises.
As I stood there for a moment, someone approached me.
It was In Taegam, who served the emperor closely.
“Follow me.”
I followed him without saying a word and saw a man standing a short distance from the lake.
He was dressed in plain clothes, but I knew who he was.
“Should we observe proper etiquette?”
“I have no interest in attracting unnecessary attention.”
“I didn't know you would wear plain clothes and sneak around.”
“I thought it would be troublesome if others found out that you requested a private audience. Isn't that why you wrote it in your report?”
As expected of the emperor.
He was very quick to catch on.
“I wonder why you requested a private audience with me.”
How would the emperor react to my words?
“Your Majesty, please change the procedure for this exhibition.”
* * *
Hong Sun-il sighed.
“I have to go...”
Today was the day of the exhibition, the final stage of the past exam.
He wondered what was the point of taking the exam.
Even if he went to the exhibition, he would not be able to demonstrate his true abilities.
This was because of what his long-time friend, Doo-jin, had told him.
“Change the name on your answer sheet for this exhibition. I have someone I serve. That person needs to place someone in the imperial court. And it has to be someone with excellent past exam results.”
He continued.
“If you help him, he will be of great help to your Yeonjoon Trading Company. But if you refuse, he will destroy Yeonjoon Trading Company in an instant.”
Soon after, Hong Sun-il received news that a business partner had cut off trade with the company, and he made up his mind.
No matter how important his conscience was, it was not as important as his family and the company.
He got up from his seat.
Even if it was just to take the exam in their place, he had to go see the exhibition.
“Have a good trip.”
“Don't be too nervous.”
“Don't put too much pressure on yourself.”
“Orabeoni! Have a good trip!”
Usually, when he went to take an exam, he felt very secure with his family's support.
But today was different.
Today, his shoulders felt heavy.
His footsteps were heavy.
“Seon-il.”
“...?”
When he looked up, his second cousin, Eun Seo-ho, was standing in front of him.
Next to him were Kwak Hyung-jin and Seok Il-song, whom he considered his younger brothers.
He had originally planned to leave early, but circumstances prevented him from doing so, so he decided to stay a little longer.
“I hope you get good results, Hyung-nim.”
“You will get good results, Hyung-nim.”
Encouraged by Kwak Hyung-jin and Seok Il-song, he nodded silently and ruffled their hair.
Then Eun Seo-ho said,
“Hyung-nim, the weather is really nice today, isn't it?”
“Yes, it is.”
The weather was really nice. He wished it would rain instead.
“I have a good feeling about today.”
“It's unlikely.”
He tried hard to control his expression and headed for the imperial palace.
Upon arriving at the imperial palace, he went through various procedures and entered the examination hall.
Then he sat down at his assigned seat.
A moment later, when the emperor appeared in the examination hall, he quickly stood up and bowed.
The emperor sat on the throne and spoke unexpectedly.
“This exhibition will be conducted in a different manner.”