You Never Know What Life Brings
You never know what life has in store!
It wasn't even September yet, but a cool breeze was already starting to blow. Maybe it was because this Joseon era lacked modern global warming.
"Darling, take this quilted jacket too."
"Whoa, no, I'll handle it. Just sit and rest."
"How could I just watch while you're packing to leave, my lord?"
As the end of August approached, I was preparing to head to Jeonju. Unlike my short month-long stint in Hanyang, I wouldn't be back until year's end, so there was more than a handful of things to pack.
"This should about do it, right?"
I looked down at the two chests on the floor, lids flung wide open. They were stuffed to bursting with items for academy life—and beyond. Most of it was winter clothes: thickly padded jackets bloated with cotton, ready to pop at the seams.
"But Eori, can't I just skip these?"
To be honest, there was no need to haul clothes from home. I could buy whatever I needed locally with the money I'd fronted to the Jeonju gisaeng house—it'd be far simpler.
"Absolutely not!"
But Eori, well aware of that, furrowed her delicate brow.
"Summer fans and winter quilted jackets are only worth what you pay for them! Of course you buy things when they're cheap—why squander money like water just for a day's comfort?!"
Ever since getting pregnant, Eori had started taking after her father, especially on money matters. She never let up with the nagging.
"We may be well-off now, but you never know what life has in store! Besides, you're going to be Soong-i's father! Please be more mindful with spending!"
Soong-i. Our baby's pet name.
Eori came up with it after hearing my dream story, Joseon-style. The girl—my daughter or fairy, presumably—gave me a peach, so Soong-i.
Truth be told, I wasn't thrilled. I'd rather something cooler than a name evoking a monkey. Like Black Iron Horse Chariot. Or Cheolma for short.
I could never forget that sleek black vintage car that carried us through the zombie hordes. Its elegant lines, glossy dark body, that retro vibe unique to old models. For a guy who'd bulldozed zombies in it, Cheolma suited him far better than some cute Soong-i. Much better.
"Darling! Are you even listening?!"
"Ah, yeah. Sorry. You were so pretty I lost my wits."
"Don't try to sweet-talk your way out! I'm really mad!"
For someone claiming anger, her lips twitched upward just a bit.
"Got it. Sorry."
The more I stroked her hair, the higher her smile crept, until she beamed with shy delight.
"Oh, come on! Don't treat me like a child! I'm about to be a mother myself!"
"You're still my bride, though?"
"Eeeek! Stop teasing me like that!"
No matter how I looked at her, I couldn't believe Eori would be a mom by next year. She still threw tantrums like the little kid we'd played with back in the day. Sure, her height and figure had changed a lot, but still.
"Ma'am!"
Geum-ok's voice called from the yard.
"Ma'am! Mother-in-law is here!"
"Oh my!"
Eori lit up at the news of her mother-in-law—my mom—and jumped to her feet. She beat her own son to the door, rushing out to the veranda to greet her.
"Mother-in-law! You've come?"
"Oh dear! Child! Why rush out like that? Stay in the room!"
"Hee hee hee! How could I when you've come?"
I followed her out to the yard, but Mom was nowhere in sight—blocked by Eori's body.
"Mom. You're here?"
I descended to the yard, slipping on my shoes belatedly before approaching.
"Child. Is our Soong-i doing well?"
"Yes! Hee hee. Thanks to your care and grace, Mother-in-law, she's growing strong."
"Oh, what have I done?"
But Mom clasped Eori's hands, ignoring me entirely. Her eyes were fixed on Eori alone.
"Mom. Mom? What'd you bring?"
Even living in the same village, Mom never visited empty-handed. She held a bowl piled high with mung bean pancakes.
"Whoa! Mom! Is this for me?!"
I lunged to grab one, but she yanked the bowl away, thrusting it toward Eori instead.
"Oh, honestly. Eori, dear, try some."
Eori gawked at the stack, overflowing with gratitude.
"Oh, no, Mother-in-law! How did you know I was craving mung bean pancakes...?"
"Hee hee hee. I craved them nonstop when I was pregnant with your husband."
"Mom! I want some too!"
"Tsk!"
Mom finally glanced my way, frowning fiercely.
"Son! You're about to be a father—when will you stop calling me 'Mom'?"
"Pfft! You'll be a grandma and still be Mom!"
"Grow up! You okay with your kid calling Eori 'Mom' forever?"
"Sure! Of course!"
"Sigh, poor Eori's in for it."
Fair point. She'd have it rough because of me. I'd be gone three or four months at the academy, leaving her alone.
"Mother-in-law, let me take that. I'll set the table."
Geum-ok, who'd been hovering quietly beside Mom, extended her small hands.
Normally, a servant like her calling the master's mother "Mother-in-law" would be unthinkable. But Mom insisted, and I didn't mind, so Geum-ok and Eun-ok both called her that.
"Hee hee. Here you go. Plenty for you too, Geum-ok."
"Thank you, Mother-in-law."
Geum-ok took the bowl of pancakes and headed straight to the kitchen—probably to prepare a tray.
"My goodness! Isn't that the mistress?"
I was about to ask for my share when my father-in-law appeared, carrying a plate heaped with what looked like coiled snakes. Wait, no—uncut blood sausage. Obviously the blood-filled kind.
"Whoa! Mom! What's that? No way, blood sausage?"
"Our girl loves this! Slaughtered a pig today and made some fresh! Try it!"
Like Mom, Father-in-law only had eyes for Eori. He hadn't spared me a glance the whole walk here.
"Hello, Father-in-law."
"Oh! My son-in-law's here too?"
"Been here the whole time."
"Ho ho ho! My apologies! Here's some for you too—eat up! More if you want!"
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
I took the bowl he offered. It was heavy in both hands—stuffed to the brim with innards.
...But damn, it looked delicious. Not some cheap glass noodle sausage from a modern snack bar. This was fresh, blood-packed blood sausage supreme.
"Eori, hold on. I'll slice this up and serve it. Okay?"
I was the only one left standing in the yard.
"Hee hee hee. I craved mung bean pancakes so bad."
"I'll eat Mother-in-law's pancakes and bear a son just like my husband!"
"Exactly like my son-in-law! Got it, daughter?!"
Mom, Eori, and Father-in-law had settled side-by-side on the veranda, chattering away.
"Mung bean pancakes served! Oh? Mother-in-law from the inner quarters is here too?"
Geum-ok emerged from the kitchen with a low tray table, spotting Father-in-law. She ignored me completely, setting it down on the veranda.
Sigh. Fine. What was I expecting, main character forever? Even the most fantastic experiences turn mundane with time. The star son-in-law phase lasted all of two days. When the lady of the house is pregnant, eyes naturally turn her way.
Still, couldn't be helped. Time to slice that sausage.
I headed to the kitchen, a twinge of loneliness trailing behind. Midway through cutting bite-sized pieces, another visitor arrived.
"Anyone home?!"
"Yes! Coming! Nom nom!"
Geum-ok answered the man's call at the gate instantly. Her munching speech suggested she was back on the veranda, pancakes in hand.
"Yes! What can I do for you?"
Her voice echoed from a distance.
The visitor mentioned the one man I despised.
"Sent by Scholar Kim."
Kim Jin-sa?
I dropped the knife and rushed to the yard. A man was unloading a shoulder pole in front of Geum-ok, laden with wooden tubs.
"What's that—kyaa?!"
Geum-ok peeked inside and screamed.
Curious, I hurried over. Wriggle wriggle. Yeah, no wonder.
The tubs teemed with freshwater eels, oozing slime as they thrashed.
"Oh my! Eels?"
Mom had snuck up, marveling at the wriggling mass.
"Salted mackerel last time! Eels today!"
Chaekho Village wasn't the only one thrilled about Eori's pregnancy. When I'd politely informed him in person, Kim Jin-sa tried to play it cool, but his lips quivered. Since then, chickens were standard, followed by seasonal tonics like salted mackerel and eels, even rarities like ginseng and matsutake mushrooms. No matter my protests or Eori's Hwacheok roots, grandkids clearly delighted him.
"Mom. How do you eat eels?"
"Wait a sec! Mom'll clean and grill 'em for you!"
Eori and Father-in-law chimed in excitedly.
"I'll help too!"
Even Geum-ok, over her freakout, jumped in.
Not one glance my way. It stung a little, but knowing they'd watch over Eori while I was gone felt reassuring.
"How'd it go, Brother Hong?"
"No issues. Here's matchlocks from an empty house."
"Ho ho. Not one, but three per man. As expected of you, Brother Hong."
"Kekeke. Not my brilliance—the fool who gathered them all in one spot."
"But Brother Hong, you sure about this? If they trace stolen matchlocks to our banditry, the state's gonna skin us alive."
"No worries. Chuseok's the day—we'll hit when guards slack off. Just raiding a gisaeng house warehouse? Why would the state care? Worried? Flee to Ming or Wa."
"But..."
"Hey! You doubting me? Me, Hong Gil-dong?"