A Wedding Rather Than a Tomb - 4
Perhaps it was the joyous occasion that had me grinning ear to ear. Or maybe not just the celebration itself. There might be another reason entirely.
Impressive sight.
From afar, Kki-ing-i strode forward in majestic form, with Jo Wi-cheo mounted proudly atop. Seeing this unforgettable duo confirmed it for me. My smile wasn't merely from the happy day or the festivities. It was the sheer delight of witnessing Jo Wi-cheo in such an uncharacteristic light.
So this is what it feels like from a third-party view.
A man riding a deer was striking enough, but a white-furred, blue-eyed spirit deer? And the rider a gorgeously attired groom? Eyes couldn't help but gravitate there, memories etched forever. That's why the laughter kept bubbling up.
During our pilgrimage across the Central Plains, Jo Wi-cheo had ridden Kki-ong-i without a second thought. Seeing him now subtly embarrassed astride Kki-ing-i was pure comedy gold.
"Isn't that deer the spirit beast raised by the crown prince, Your Highness?"
"Indeed. The finest among those that carried His Highness across the Central Plains. It's practically his symbol now."
"The Inspector clearly enjoys the crown prince's favor. That white deer once pulled the crown princess's carriage, yet he lends it to another."
Was I the only one whose laughter switch had flipped? The guests murmured busily as Jo Wi-cheo drew nearer. I felt a bit self-conscious for being the one chuckling alone, but it was exactly the reaction I wanted. A display of my favor toward Jo Wi-cheo—and by extension, the Jo family's favor from Giwangga. This should give the groom plenty of face.
"But didn't His Highness have two white deer?"
"The female one's probably bringing the bride. The Jeong estate is farther than the Jo's, so she'll arrive a touch later."
"Groom and bride arriving side by side on spirit beasts. Not quite as grand as a white deer-drawn carriage, but this wedding will linger in memory."
"Quite so."
The longer the chatter went on, the more satisfied I grew. Lending out Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i had been the right call. In exchange for borrowing idle beasts, I'd gifted a loyal, capable subordinate an unforgettable memory. People remember those who go the extra mile for weddings and funerals. I'd left a deep imprint on Jo Wi-cheo's big day—enough for decades of camaraderie as boss and subordinate.
Whether "camaraderie" fits a superior-subordinate dynamic is debatable, but you get the idea.
—Kki-oong!
The clear, cheerful cry turned every head among the guests.
"Oh."
"And here's the bride."
The arrival of Kki-ong-i bearing the bride ignited the crowd's excitement further.
She timed that perfectly.
Kki-ong-i's neck held high drew a chuckle from me. She could've arrived quietly, but no—she let out a cry. A signal: The bride's here—pay attention. Given her intelligence and savvy, this was deliberate showmanship. A spontaneous move, sure, but a wise one from the on-site lead. Eyes that had fixed on Jo Wi-cheo and Kki-ing-i now shifted to the bride and Kki-ong-i. Without the cry, they'd have noticed late.
Glad she liked it.
Studying the bride's face, I noted the contrast: Jo Wi-cheo showed faint awkwardness, but she glowed with flushed delight. Shy under the spotlight, yet brimming with greater joy. The rare thrill of riding a spirit beast—on her wedding day, no less. As the white deer rental service, this was rewarding. Turning a small gesture into someone's immense happiness? Pure bliss.
—Kki-oong~
Seeming to share the sentiment, Kki-ong-i cried repeatedly, stepping lightly. But was it my imagination? Her pace felt subtly slower than usual.
Doing it on purpose?
Wishing her rider to bask longer in the attention. Easing her steps to showcase today's star. Being female herself, she was looking out for the bride. Like knows like—wife to a husband.
Groom Jo Wi-cheo, bride Jeong Sa-yeon. Both competent, diligent, fine upstanding folk—but too buried in work, they'd missed their marriage window. The Jo and Jeong families rejoiced at pairing these pitiable souls. The union wasn't the couple's choice but the families' unilateral decree—yet their compliance made it all the sweeter. Had they declared, "I'm married to my paperwork," the elders would've wept.
Either way, for this wondrous event, both families poured fortunes into the wedding. As if any shortfall might doom the whole affair.
"The groom and bride have rendered great service in Dochalwon and Tongjeongsa. They are talents who will one day uphold Daesong—already pillars comforting the realm and its people. How joyous that such figures now build a family."
"The waves of the Yangtze push forward those ahead. Even those who once dominated an era yield to time, making way for new heroes. Thus, I once more celebrate this wedding of future legends—and ask that, when this old man lies destitute and beggarly someday, you not forget today's words."
The surprise plea sparked laughter among the guests. A solemn speech ended in jest. The quip presupposed the couple's rise to high office, and a penniless founding merit subject? It thawed any stiffness instantly.
What catastrophe would reduce a founding merit subject to rags?
Yoo Gi's daughter was one of Daesong's Twelve Great Masters and Dochalwon's Left Censor-in-chief. The disciple he taught Tao arts to was Dochalwon's Right Assistant Censor-in-chief. Even without merit subject status, he'd live comfortably. If Daesong's emperor were a Joo, that title might invite peril—but thankfully, he's a Han. Yoo Gi would likely die peacefully of old age.
"This concludes the address. Though delivered by proxy, I sincerely congratulate the couple."
Having received such a speech from a man destined for serene twilight years, this newlyweds' future should be tranquil too. Especially under Giwangga and Yoo clan's blessings. Peace and glory must follow.
—Kki-iing.
—Kki-oong.
As the wedding neared its close post-speech, Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i—quietly waiting in the garden corner—approached the stars. Now draped in silk, fruit baskets in their mouths. No longer haughty transporters, they resembled divine messengers—radiant and gentle.
"Thank you. This blessing makes me feel only good fortune ahead."
Jo Wi-cheo smiled, taking the basket from Kki-ing-i's mouth. Jeong Sa-yeon stroked Kki-ong-i's head, accepting hers. A striking scene: heaven-sent spirit beasts delivering fruit to bride and groom. As if celestial favor embraced the pair. That bounty could symbolize health, happiness—or fertility, given the variety. All blessings imaginable.
Live well.
I invoked every joy and fortune for Jo Wi-cheo's path.
Now get back to work.
A happy Jo Wi-cheo would report with brighter spirits. Sound mind for sound body, sound body for hard work.
I've been waiting for this day.
Honeymoon leave for a few weeks, sure—but soon he'd be my aide again. Tears welled at the thought. Dochalwon felt dull and exhausting without him, even lighter than Central Plains tours. A well-synced subordinate? Invaluable.
The report arrived: the wedding at Giwangjeo had concluded splendidly. Dochalwon's Inspector Jo Wi-cheo and Tongjeongsa's Jeong Sa-yeon.
Not an affair for the emperor to oversee personally, but the inspector was a talent I watched closely. Eldest of the Jo family, tied deeply to Elder Giwang. Bureaucrat who patrolled the realm with the Right Assistant Censor-in-chief. A peak realm master at just thirty-odd years.
He'd have filled that role without the Right Assistant.
Overshadowed somewhat, but I knew: the inspector was exceptional anywhere.
Thus, I monitored even this ordinary official's wedding. How could I ignore the family-founding of future Daesong leaders?
Harmony at home breeds focus on state affairs.
May this wedding spur the inspector to greater diligence.