Central Plains' Greatest Exile Haven - 3
Even from afar, Yu Bok-tong's tomb was unmistakably lavish. It was only natural for the grave of a founding merit subject and duke of a realm to be grand, but considering the man buried below had been exiled for the crime of delusions of rebellion against the emperor, it felt strangely incongruous.
What on earth happened?
I frowned slightly as I gazed at the tomb. What had transpired between Taizu and Yu Bok-tong that a crime like delusions of rebellion ended in mere exile—and even after death, he was laid to rest in a monument like this? Of course, since Yu Bok-tong had outlived Taizu, one could assume the current emperor had ordered a tomb befitting his station, sparing it from imperial wrath—at least in that regard.
But the one Yu Bok-tong had offended wasn't the current emperor; it was his father. Forgiving someone who had angered one's sire would burden even an emperor. Yet the emperor had commanded a splendid tomb for him, as if Taizu had left a special edict to that effect.
I wish there really had been such an edict. Something concrete like, "No need to torment him in death; forgive him moderately." It would make defending Yi Beon's unauthorized landing on Haenam far easier.
"Father..."
I let out a quiet sigh at the sight of Yi Beon bowing toward the stele. It wasn't a heartwarming scene, truthfully. Those who had lived like family with her had no graves, and her surviving kin were as good as strangers. For a young woman just entering adulthood, having only this tomb as her sole tie to family felt excessively cruel.
"I'm sorry for coming to pay respects so suddenly. But no matter how I think about it, Father is the only one left I can call family... the only one I can remember and honor..."
Soon, her voice mingled with tears, and I stepped back a few paces. Interfering in a father-daughter reunion ill befitted a stranger, and eavesdropping on a girl who had lost everything was hardly human.
"Even the elders in Kaepyeong would forgive her if they saw that."
"Yeah. Filial piety that earnest is rare."
I nodded at Ak I-yeon's words. Even the most cantankerous and cold-hearted veterans would soften at the sight. The problem was that those rooted in Kaepyeong had no reason to trek all the way to Haenam. In the end, I'd have to grind my soul into a report compelling enough to move them—vivid as eyewitness testimony, resonant as if they'd heard it themselves.
I'm no poet.
It left me a bit wistful. I was a man of letters, but no artist. To sway hearts with mere words...
"Oh my."
Hm?
As I pondered how to phrase it, Ak I-yeon's exclamation drew my eyes up.
- Kki-ing.
- Kki-ong~
There were Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i approaching Yi Beon, licking her face.
"Hic... sniffl..."
Her sobs grew louder under the spirit beasts' comfort and encouragement. Though not human, the simple act of being consoled overwhelmed her emotions.
True spirit beasts live up to the name.
Two white deer consoling the grief-stricken—it was straight out of a classical tale. I couldn't help a wry chuckle. What had gotten into them back at Hengshan? Still an unsolved mystery.
After the rites, Yi Beon, looking somewhat relieved, stroked Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i.
"Thank you. You've helped me steady myself."
- Kki-ing~
- Kki-ong!
"...Thanks, but you can stop licking now."
Undeterred by her words, the pair kept lapping at her face. Ak I-yeon giggled at the sight. Yi Beon's petite frame made it look like the beasts were tending to a child—perhaps they even saw her that way and pitied her accordingly.
Of course, I kept that thought to myself. Telling someone orphaned by plague, "They're treating you like a baby 'cause you're so tiny—must be from not eating enough growing up," would make me the madman.
"What are your plans now?"
I approached the earnestly licked Yi Beon and spoke. She'd paid her respects; what next?
"Well..."
She hesitated, glancing warily.
"If you haven't decided, stay in Haenam for now."
She perked up at my desired response, eyes widening.
"I-is that allowed?"
"Only temporarily—don't get too excited. I understand your feelings, but defying the late emperor's will is still a fact."
A woman caught sneaking onto Haenam against Taizu's decree. Her circumstances might spare punishment, but letting her stay was another matter. Sympathy among the merits might yield, "She has nowhere to go; let her tend her father's grave." Or pragmatists could insist, "Pitiable, but we can't defy Taizu's legacy—out with her." Either outcome was plausible.
The silver lining: punishment was unlikely regardless. At worst, a stern letter of reprimand.
"Do everything you want to say or do for your father, thinking it your last chance. Leave no regrets."
"Yes, my lord! I'll keep that in mind!"
Though "last" hung in the air, she nodded gratefully. She'd nearly been denied even this farewell, after all.
I have no idea what this guy's been up to.
He's clearly traveling with spirit beasts.
I chuckled reading Han Un's latest letter. Spirit beasts were heaven-sent; companionship with them meant heaven's favor. Yet this heaven-favored fellow stumbled into incidents at every turn—each one fresh and thrilling, keeping even my reports from growing dull. How many times had I laughed at his dispatches as Left Censor-in-chief?
Yu Bok-tong's daughter, huh.
Yu Bok-tong: founding merit with Taizu, former Duke of Seon-guk. Intimate allies before the uprising, yet suddenly exiled to Haenam for delusions of rebellion—a tragic hero. Remarkably, he lived peacefully there, his family retaining the ducal title with minimal repercussions. Just days ago, I'd heard his eldest son, the current duke, was out fishing.
Nominally a criminal under contact ban post-exile—but
The adopted daughter.
If legally not his daughter but a son by adoption, it changed things. An adoptee belonged to the new house, outside Taizu's "Yu Bok-tong's family." Blood ties and heavenly bonds persisted, but legally? No relation. Grounds for nitpicking, but harsh punishment was iffy.
"What to do."
I folded Han Un's letter carefully, pondering my report to the emperor. His Majesty bore no great grudge against Yu Bok-tong—quite the opposite, granting a grand tomb befitting his merits. He'd likely pity the girl's tale. Still, glossing over a offender of Taizu felt off. Overlooking her meeting would defy his father's legacy, casting the emperor as one who spurned his sire's will.
Safest: send her packing from Haenam. A mild scolding for the intrusion, then ban future visits. Seemed the most neutral path.
Why'd she have to get caught?
Resentment flickered toward Han Un and the girl. If she hadn't been spotted by him, or if he hadn't gone to Haenam... no such report. But what was done was done. She'd gone for filial duty; he'd gone for loyal service. Blaming them ill-suited propriety.
Besides, wasn't Han Un perpetually ensnared in heaven's curses? The beasts alone kept his fated death at bay—or perhaps heaven cherished him too much, tempering lethal trials with lifesaving guardians.
Pfft.
I burst out laughing unwittingly. Even to me, it rang plausibly.
I submitted my report on Yi Beon to the Left Censor-in-chief. Taizu-related, so expect weeks for a reply. Haenam wait-and-see for now.
"Elder Yu? Fierce-looking, but no one in Haenam was as jovial. Hard to find folks here who don't know him."
"At first, we thought he was vacationing, not exiled. Always cheerful, strolling with his fishing rod each morning. Who'd guess a duke?"
"When news of the late emperor's passing reached us, he wailed and beat the ground."
Meanwhile, I gathered intel on Yu Bok-tong from locals.
He lived well.
The more I learned, the stranger it felt. For a duke turned criminal overnight, he'd thrived—still loyal and friendly toward the very Taizu who'd banished him.
What gives?
I was digging for truth, yet only confusion mounted. Was this really exile for delusions of rebellion? Or lost a bet to Taizu and got booted?
"Oh, his old house from his lifetime still stands. Want to see it?"
"Let's."
I agreed promptly to the resident's offer. His home might hold traces—clues aplenty. Please, let it be so. Whether Yi Beon stays or goes, the mystery between Taizu and Yu Bok-tong was driving me mad.