The Wind Blows (3)
Yeon Wi escorted Yeon Hojeong all the way to his quarters. Only then did Yeon Wi, who hadn't spoken a word during the walk, finally open his mouth.
"Is it heavy?"
Yeon Hojeong lifted the axe to show him.
"That's why I like it."
"I thought as much."
Yeon Hojeong wanted to express his gratitude. But before he could, Yeon Wi spoke first.
"There's something I want to ask you."
"Yes?"
It didn't seem like a light question. Yeon Wi hesitated to continue. But it was something he had to ask anyway. As if resolving himself, Yeon Wi said,
"Do you have any thoughts on marriage?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes widened in surprise.
"Marriage?"
"Yes."
What the hell is this all of a sudden? Not understanding why his father was asking such a thing, Yeon Hojeong answered honestly anyway.
"I haven't given it any thought yet."
"I see."
"Why do you ask? Has a good match come up?"
"It's not that a matchmaker has come. I simply wanted to know your intentions."
"I have no plans to marry right away, but doesn't it matter who the other party is?"
Yeon Wi let out a short hum before speaking.
"What do you think of the Moyong family?"
Yeon Hojeong was inwardly startled.
"That Moyong family?"
"Yes."
"Uh..."
Yeon Hojeong was uncharacteristically flustered.
"By the Moyong family, you mean who exactly?"
"I looked into it, and she even participated in this Later Generation Summit. Moyong Yeonhwa, the daughter of the current family head."
In that instant, Yeon Hojeong's eyes darkened.
Moyong Yeonhwa?
Moyong Yeonhwa. The daughter of the current family head, Moyong Gun, she was a remarkable woman whose talents had earned her involvement in the family's major and minor affairs despite her young age.
I never imagined you'd bring up Moyong Yeonhwa.
Moyong Yeonhwa was someone Yeon Hojeong had clashed with countless times during his days as the Black Dark Emperor. Back then, as the Martial Alliance Leader, Moyong Gun had no time to manage family affairs. Thus, he needed someone to act as proxy head. Surprisingly, instead of his sons, he chose his daughter, Moyong Yeonhwa.
Her abilities were exceptional enough to entrust such a massive family like the Moyong household. Inheriting her father's blood fully, she had expanded the Moyong family's influence by more than thirty percent in just a few short years. Naturally, her martial talent was outstanding as well. The fact that they taught secret arts even to a daughter who wouldn't inherit the family said it all.
"They say her talents stand out in many ways. You saw her at the summit, so you know."
"Ah, yes."
"Of course, I believe character matters more than talent or ability. From what I've heard, her personality is also impeccable."
As if.
Yeon Hojeong remembered Moyong Yeonhwa's eyes, brimming with venomous intent. Not the Moyong Yeonhwa of this life, but the one from his time as the Black Dark Emperor. Innate nature mattered, but environment was crucial too. A single event could change a person's character and values. However, if Moyong Gun cherished her so dearly, it was hard to believe her innate nature was truly kind.
That was Yeon Hojeong's thought.
"I'm sorry. I still have no intentions of marrying."
Surprisingly, Yeon Wi didn't show any regret.
"I understand. Truth be told, that's why I hesitated to bring it up. In these times, many marry without even seeing each other's faces, but I oppose such unions."
"Is that so?"
"It's someone you'll spend your life with. Raising the family name is important, but protecting your own happiness is equally vital."
"..."
"If you find a woman you like in the future, I hope you won't have to agonize over her family background."
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
"Did you love Mother?"
It was a somewhat mischievous question, meant to lighten the mood.
"More than my own life."
"...!"
Yeon Hojeong's gaze wavered.
Yeon Wi continued with an unchanged expression.
"You can't imagine how heartbroken I was the day your mother died. It felt like the sky was collapsing. I held a sword to my throat countless times, wanting to follow her."
"..."
"But sometimes, living brings more pain than dying. I've lived all these years in that state of mind. My sins were too great to join your mother."
"What sins did you commit, Father?"
"The sin of failing to protect my wife."
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
"That's not Father's sin."
Yeon Wi didn't agree with his son's words. Nor did he argue. After all, no one could fully understand his heart. But there was one thing he absolutely had to say.
"I've sinned against you children too."
"Father?"
"All parents wish for their children to succeed. Yet I only treated you harshly."
"That's not a sin either."
"It is. I saw you not as my child, but as the heir to the family."
"..."
"I'm a failure as both husband and father. Thus, I'm a sinner."
These were the words he'd buried in his heart day after day, wondering if he'd ever have the courage to say them before dying. Now, he finally mustered the bravery to tell his eldest son.
Yeon Hojeong didn't feel hurt hearing that his father had seen him as an heir rather than a child. Confessing such inner thoughts meant his father now saw him as a son. Of course, he could sense it even without the confession.
Yeon Wi shook his head.
"In any case, if that's your mind, then let's forget this marriage talk."
"Yes."
Yeon Hojeong, nodding with a bittersweet expression, suddenly had a strange thought.
"Father."
"What is it?"
"But why the Moyong family?"
"Hm?"
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
"Among the Seven Great Families, why specifically mention the Moyong family? It feels odd."
Yeon Wi's eyes deepened.
"Come to think of it, I haven't told you yet."
"Told me what?"
"Half a year ago, when you and Jipyeong went to the Later Generation Summit, we received contact from the Moyong family."
"Contact?"
"They asked if we had any interest in doing business together."
"Business?"
"Yes. We hold seventy percent of Jiangsu Province's maritime trade rights. It seems the Moyong family has taken a liking to trade as well."
"...!"
The Moyong family reached out first? At this exact timing? Yeon Hojeong's eyes grew cold.
"Do you plan to join them?"
Yeon Wi shook his head.
"I expressed refusal twice. But they contacted us again. This seems to be their final proposal, so I'm considering it carefully."
Moyong family, maritime trade. And the Ming family's invasion. They seemed utterly unrelated, yet an odd sense of incongruity lingered.
I don't know how the Ming family fell in my past life. Only that it happened in an instant. And it was shortly after their main house was wiped out.
And in time, Moyong Gun ascended to the position of Martial Alliance Leader. Thus, the Moyong family became the foremost family under heaven.
Information is lacking. But still...
Yeon Hojeong asked again.
"May I ask one more thing?"
"Go ahead."
"Even if Father were inclined to ally with the Moyong family, you're not the type to marry me off to one of their children."
"Hm."
"Who recommended it?"
"Chief Steward Taekyeong."
"...!!"
Seeing his son's unusual expression, Yeon Wi added,
"He is the chief steward. Regardless of reason, he ponders what benefits the main house. Since you've refused anyway, don't think too ill of him."
"Pardon? Ah, yes."
It wasn't about the marriage. Yeon Hojeong recalled Taekyeong. The man not yet in his forties, with his unassuming expression, quietly managing the Yeon family's finances without drawing attention.
I've been suspicious. That there's a traitor within the family.
Father's discernment was keen. He wasn't the type to place someone with divided loyalties in the chief steward position. Yet, as shown just moments ago, Father was human too. Humans could err. Moreover, if the opponent thoroughly deceived even themselves, it was hard to detect without deliberate probing.
"Father."
"Speak."
"Please put off the business alliance with the Moyong family for now."
"Hm?"
Yeon Hojeong's eyes deepened.
"I have some things to look into."
* * *
"Heavens?!"
Taekyeong jumped in fright.
"Sorry. I know it's late to visit so suddenly."
"Hah, hah! N-no, not at all!"
"I saw the light on, so I stopped by. Am I disturbing you?"
"How could you be? Please, sit."
Seating himself, Yeon Hojeong looked around the room.
"Come to think of it, this is my first time in the chief steward's office."
"Haha, you're right. Aside from the family head and the underlings, no one visits."
Taekyeong quickly prepared tea.
"Here, have some."
"Thank you."
After sipping the tea, Yeon Hojeong casually asked,
"By the way, were you working?"
"Yes. Who knows what natural disaster might strike this year? Time to start budgeting."
Jiangsu Province suffered frequent floods every year, leaving many in hardship. The Yeon family disbursed funds annually to aid flood victims and stabilize the populace.
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
"You work hard."
"Haha, it's nothing. With such a generous salary, I have to earn it at least."
His laughing face was utterly innocent.
Gazing at Taekyeong, Yeon Hojeong tossed out abruptly,
"I heard you brought up a marriage proposal."
"Wha?!"
Taekyeong shrank back.
"Uh... well."
"..."
"...Did the family head tell you?"
"Yes."
Taekyeong cleared his throat awkwardly.
"W-well, how should I say... I only suggested it for the prosperity of the Yeon family..."
"..."
"I-If it offended you, I'm sorry."
He was an odd man. Shifting seamlessly from pure and innocent to timid and cowardly. The type commonly seen in the jianghu. Given the Yeon family's rigid atmosphere, it was understandable.
Yeon Hojeong softened his expression.
"It didn't offend me. I'd seen Lady Moyong Yeonhwa at the summit too."
"Ah?!"
"She's a true talented woman, without a doubt. If anything, she seems too good for me."
Taekyeong said in a fluster,
"N-no way! The Young Master is the eldest son of the Yeon family! You're superior to the Moyong eldest daughter in every way—no shortcomings at all."
"Haha, is that so?"
"Of course! Trust me."
"I do. Of course I do."
Yeon Hojeong continued calmly.
"But what can I do? I have no desire to marry right now."
"Ah..."
"If it would help the family, I'd do anything, but this doesn't feel right."
"Ahaha, can't be helped then. If she doesn't appeal to you..."
"Lady Moyong is too exceptional."
"Pardon?"
Yeon Hojeong leaned back in the chair with a nonchalant expression. A posture that seemed somewhat arrogant.
"I have an eye for people, you know. The Lady Moyong I saw at the summit didn't strike me as the type to serve a husband. She'd sooner devour him."
"I-Is that so?"
"I've never seen someone so gifted who truly cares for others from the heart."
Taekyeong scratched his head awkwardly.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have meddled..."
"Well, if it were anyone else, maybe."
"Pardon?"
"Aside from the blood of Family Head Moyong, does the Moyong family have no other direct descendants? Someone capable but gentle in character."
Taekyeong's eyes sparkled.
"Are you saying...?"
"I have to marry eventually. Might as well be someone proper, right? Plus, if it benefits the family, Father would see me in a better light."
"Th-the family head already thinks highly of you..."
"Let's be frank. I'm lucky my martial arts improved, but Father's watched me for nineteen years. He's likely earmarked my younger brother as the next head."
Taekyeong was at a loss.
Yeon Hojeong said insinuatingly,
"Let me ask a favor of you, Chief Steward."
"...A favor?"
"Speak well to Father. Ask him to take another Moyong daughter as daughter-in-law instead of Moyong Yeonhwa."
"M-Me?!"
"Ah, and she must be beautiful, of course."
"..."
Yeon Hojeong stood.
Taekyeong rose awkwardly as well.
"Chief Steward Taekyeong. You're still in your prime, aren't you? With such a bright future, you need to pick the right side to succeed."
"...Ah, yes."
"Let's prosper together. I ask you."
Taekyeong bowed his head deeply. With his head lowered, he spoke in a cold gaze but a voice trembling with fear.
"Then... I'll trust only in you, Young Master."
Yeon Hojeong's eyes blazed.
"Good. Trust only in me."