Marriage Over Tomb - 3
The wedding of Jo Wi-cheo and Jeong Sa-yeon was set to take place at Giwangjeo. Normally, it would have been held at the Jo family's main estate or the Jeong family's. In fact, both families had initially decided on the Jo estate.
But then Grandfather, passing by, tossed out a casual suggestion to the Jo family: "The bond between Giwangga and the Jo family runs deep. And the connection between the crown prince and the groom isn't trivial either. How could this be anyone else's wedding? We'll lend you the place—use it well."
Thanks to that offhand remark, the venue shifted to Giwangjeo. At first, the Jo family vehemently refused, of course. How could they possibly use Giwangjeo? They were overwhelmed with gratitude just at the offer, declining with all their might. As a vassal house boasting unwavering loyalty, how could they celebrate their own joy in their lord's home? They'd bend over backward to host their lord's celebrations in their own house, but the reverse was unthinkable.
"Are we strangers? Everyone knows how close I was with your father. Lending the house is no big deal. If you truly care for her, let it be as she wishes."
But the man they were dealing with was a legend who made even the Ija Kings bow and the likes of Ak Wang clutch their necks. Short of the Emperor himself, no one could defy Grandfather's will. So what choice did they have? It was an honor beyond measure, but they had no option but to accept. If popping champagne in the master's house was rude, outright refusing the master's word was disloyalty. Better rude than disloyal.
"I never dreamed you'd lend us Giwangjeo."
On the wedding day, Giwangjeo was decked out in splendor. As I scanned the place, I ventured the comment, and Grandfather let out a small chuckle.
"Heh heh. Feeling a bit jealous? A new couple's memories will now mingle with yours and your wife's."
"Not at all. What matters is forging the marital bond— the venue's irrelevant. Besides, our memories are already etched in my mind and heart."
I shook my head at his words. He'd even lent out Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i; overlapping venues were the least of it. And if sharing a wedding spot ruined memories, then every reincarnated couple from my past life would have trashed ones. It's just sharing a venue, no big deal. I was just surprised that Grandfather—overflowing with family affection, loving me perhaps more than I loved myself—had so readily offered Giwangjeo.
Honestly, I'd figured even if I suggested opening it, he'd declare, "I'd never yield it unless it's my grandkids' weddings!" and stand guard like a gatekeeper.
"Truth be told, for anyone else's wedding, I wouldn't have opened Giwangjeo. Wouldn't it be better for everyone if I just showered them with gifts instead?"
"Fair point, but..."
"But I made a promise to that Jo fellow. Back when we were fighting the Mongols like madmen, I swore that if anything happened to him, I'd look after his kids."
'Jo fellow?'
For a moment, I wasn't sure who he meant, but it clicked soon enough. The Mongol wars—a bond close enough for promises with Grandfather. That could only be Jo Wi-cheo's grandfather, the previous head of the Jo family, who had passed from old age.
"Luckily, we both survived the war intact, but a promise is a promise. He went first even if not in battle, so as the one still standing, I have to witness his eldest grandson's wedding."
"A truly beautiful friendship. I'm sure the departed would be deeply moved by your consideration."
"Moved? The cheeky pup dies young and leaves me with the hassle. If he's truly grateful, he should rise from the grave to show it."
I gave an awkward laugh at that. Demanding a comrade rise as a jiangshi—what cruelty. Still, it was Grandfather's way of showing affection and camaraderie. Best not overthink it.
"Once the wedding's done, I should visit his grave after all these years. If he really rose, I'd have to bury him again."
Affection and friendship... sure.
As guests began arriving, the Giwangga folks temporarily retreated to a secluded spot. The venue was Giwangjeo, but the stars were the Jo and Jeong families. Lingering around would draw eyes to us instead. To avoid stealing the spotlight from the bride and groom, we'd hide out and slip in when the ceremony started.
"Un-a. You go out front."
"Pardon?"
But I got exiled—er, ordered to mingle outside—by Grandfather.
"Everyone knows how close you are to the groom. If your father or I wandered about, it might overshadow things, but you can circulate as a friend congratulating him."
"I'll show up when the ceremony starts anyway. Can't I just wait till then?"
"I'd prefer that too, but one of us needs to be out there. Having a Giwangga face greet the guests will put the Jo family at ease."
He wasn't wrong, so I nodded in a daze. We'd already shown favor by lending Giwangjeo, but vanishing entirely might puzzle the guests. Even as a courtesy to avoid upstaging, people voice suspicions outright. Spotting no Giwangga folk, they might whisper we'd withdrawn our favor—despite the venue loan proving otherwise.
In that sense, I was perfect for front duty: friends with Jo Wi-cheo, lower status than Grandfather the king or Father the crown prince, and as an active official, I had ties to the couple's circle.
"Then I'll head out."
"Good, no need to overdo it."
While the family leisurely sipped tea, I trudged out alone. Unscheduled work, but unavoidable. Grandfather had made the bold call to open Giwangjeo; letting favor rumors sour it would be tragic. Better swallow minor annoyances than risk misunderstandings.
Sadly, this fell to the lowest rank—me. Duty of the crown prince.
"Oh, my lord."
"Hm?"
Shortly into my stroll, a vaguely familiar voice called out.
"Do-yeon?"
Turning, I spotted a face I hadn't seen in ages. Dharma name Do-yeon, secular name Yo Cheon-hui. To me, he'd always be Yo Gwang-hyo, the name he'd earn later. A top talent I'd stumbled upon wandering the Central Plains, recruited on the spot, and shipped to Kaepyeong.
"Who'd have thought we'd meet here."
Recruiting him was fine, but we'd never crossed paths since—until now, unexpectedly.
"I never dreamed I'd see you again so soon, my lord. I figured it'd take at least a decade to rise high enough for a chat."
Yo Gwang-hyo chuckled softly, cupping his hands in salute and bowing.
I'd thought the same—years before seeing him again. Recommended or not, my titles as crown prince and Right Deputy Censor-in-chief made access tough. He'd need at least rank 6 or upper rank 5.
"By the way, call me Yo Cheon-hui now, not Do-yeon. As an official, I use my secular name."
"Got it. I'll remember."
Disappointing he wasn't Yo Gwang-hyo yet, but I didn't show it. In my memory, that name came from the future Yongle Emperor as Prince of Yan. Here, that emperor was just the Geum-ui-wi Commandant. Best assume Yo Gwang-hyo didn't exist yet. If Yo Cheon-hui evolved into him, that'd be its own issue.
"Seeing an old connection after so long is a delight. Here for Wi-cheo's wedding? You skipped mine—I'm hurt."
I teased lightly, and he waved it off with a smile.
"I longed to attend yours, but how could a lowly clerk intrude on such a noble affair? Truth be told, I'm here as a friend of the bride, not the groom."
"The bride's?"
"I work for Tongjeongsa. Sa-yeon and I have some ties, so I came to congratulate her."
Ah.
It clicked. Bride Jeong Sa-yeon was Tongjeongsa career staff. If Yo Gwang-hyo was there too, he fit perfectly as her guest. Who better than a colleague?
"Never imagined Inspector Jeong would wed a censor's escort. The world's twists make it all the more fun."
"Couldn't agree more. Wi-cheo probably didn't see it coming either."
Meeting an unexpected face in an unexpected place had me grinning through small talk. Pushed by Grandfather, but glad I'd come out. Otherwise, seeing Yo Gwang-hyo would've been ages away.
"That said, my lord, I hear this wedding has some unique twists, like yours."
"Oh? Word's out already?"
"The Jo family prepared so fervently, rumors spread. Details are scarce, though."
I chuckled at his shrug. Fervent preparations—for them, it was prime chance to marry off their overdue eldest grandson. Eyes rolled back in zeal. Totally get it.
"Unique, yeah. You'll enjoy watching."
Nothing grand, but hilariously quirky.
Lifting my head feels impossible. Actions that were fine before now embarrass me under all this attention.
- Kki-ing!
Sensing my shame, Kki-ing-i—the deer carrying me—cried out as if urging me to hold my head high. Regrettably, that only amplified my flush. The already gathered stares intensified.
Is this right?
The ceremony wasn't at the Jo or Jeong estates, but Giwangjeo. So Sa-yeon and I were to arrive separately from our homes: me on Kki-ing-i, her on Kki-ong-i. Decked in ornate wedding garb, parading before Kaepyeong's citizens.
Usually races faster than a horse.
Suddenly, I resented Kki-ing-i. The beast that normally outran steeds was now ambling leisurely. What a spiteful creature.