Walls Have Ears (3)
Late at night. Urgent footsteps hurried toward Taewon, heavy with tension. But after passing through the castle gates, they didn't head for Da Geumgak. Instead, they veered toward the Inner Market.
The residence of Lady Yang Sojin, the stepmother.
"Eh? Third Elder. What brings you here at this hour...?"
"Out of my way!"
Pushing aside the servant who had opened the door, Third Elder Yuk Yeseo strode straight to Yang Sojin's chambers. It went against all propriety for an unrelated man to visit a lady's quarters so late, but his face was etched with extreme anxiety.
"Madam! It's the Third Elder."
"......"
A moment of silence followed, then a voice laced with irritation rang out.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"I have urgent news that can't wait."
"Urgent or not, how dare you come here without sending a messenger first... Tsk tsk."
She clicked her tongue in disapproval, but soon the sound of her donning an outer robe echoed from within.
Creak.
The door opened, and Yang Sojin stepped out, glaring down at the Third Elder with clear displeasure.
"Third Elder, this is Taewon."
"I know. But I couldn't send a messenger."
"Hm."
She seemed ready to scold him further, but Yuk Yeseo's expression was so grave that Yang Sojin let out a soft sigh and issued orders to those around her.
"Everyone, withdraw. Jang Pyeong, make sure there are no listening ears."
"Yes, Madam."
Jang Pyeong, the guard captain of her inner quarters, nodded and cleared the area. In an instant, silence fell.
"Speak. Why have you broken protocol and come to a lady's chambers?"
"Madam, it seems the Young Master's mathematical skills are far beyond the ordinary."
"What do you mean?"
"He knows the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art."
Her delicate brows furrowed. What nonsense was this? For the Young Master, who had lived only at Shaolin, to know advanced mathematics like the Nine Chapters?
"And it's not just that he knows it. According to Seon-i, at the academy, the Young Master solved problem after problem from the Nine Antiquities puzzle that Master Baekhak posed."
"What?"
"That's not all. They say he didn't even use tools to calculate."
"Then... he solved it mentally?"
"Yes. Seon-i said even Master Baekhak was left speechless. Moreover, it seems the collateral branch heirs are starting to rally around the Young Master."
"What?"
Yang Sojin's eyes twitched in fury. Absurd. The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, a tome of advanced mathematics essential for merchants: square roots for land area, proportions for grain exchange, fractions, livestock valuation, trade profits, equalities, surpluses and deficits, equations, and finally the Nine Antiquities—nine stages in all.
If Jin Yeo-rip had solved the final chapter, the Nine Antiquities, it meant he had mastered them all. And mentally, no less? Unimaginable.
Worse still, someone might have taught him. Shaolin? No, that was overthinking it. Why would worldly-renouncing monks teach a child mathematics? Then, had someone visited Shaolin? Unlikely. Jin Yeo-rip had only three retainers, and they had gone after Ak Seoyeon's death.
"Hm......"
She ran through possibilities, but no answers emerged.
"Lady, if the Family Head learns of this."
"He already knows."
"Pardon?"
"Do you think the eyes and ears we've placed in Cheongeumbang are the only ones? Despite all our efforts, we still haven't overcome the wall that is the Family Head."
"Then?"
"His long-awaited son has entered the academy. Of course he's been watching anxiously every moment."
"What do we do? If the Family Head favors the Young Master?"
"No, he won't."
Yang Sojin shook her head. The Family Head wouldn't teach Jin Yeo-rip behind their backs. He knew how grueling his own path had been. He knew better than anyone that inheriting the headship would be even harder for Jin Yeo-rip.
The elders were already in her grasp, and more than half of Cheongeumbang's businesses were under her control. If a new Family Head took over in that state? Collateral support alone wouldn't suffice. Cheongeumbang's true power lay not in collaterals or elders, but in the merchant networks stretching from Shandong to the world.
Whom would they follow? For now, Jin Ha-seong. But after his death, they'd flock to her, who poured immense wealth into them.
In other words, if Jin Yeo-rip became head of Cheongeumbang, he'd be a powerless puppet, even weaker than Jin Ha-seong with his half-measures, clinging to his seat.
Thus, the Family Head had hoped Jin Yeo-rip lacked talent. Better he learn martial arts at Shaolin and live as a murim man. Or take the tonsure and live free of worldly burdens.
She had persuaded him otherwise. When Ak Seoyeon's death weakened his resolve, she mobilized the elders and incited the collaterals to bring Jin Yeo-rip back. Lest he become a future threat. To nip any bud in advance.
But talent had sprouted.
"What did Baekhak say?"
"He said he'd teach him privately."
"What? Baekhak?"
"Yes. Apparently, Jin Yeo-rip requested private lessons in exchange for solving the problems."
"Hm......"
Yang Sojin's brows knit deeper, narrowing her eyes. Baekhak. The old scholar had once been the Family Head's tutor, the most trusted elder of Cheongeumbang from the previous generation. And the one who had opposed her marriage most vehemently.
That had earned him enmity from her faction, so he distanced himself from power. He planned to retire to his hometown, but stayed as head of the academy at the Family Head's earnest plea.
She had no reason to object. He was neutral, neither the Family Head's man nor hers, and his scholarship was beyond reproach. In fact, it worked in her favor. Bound by scholarly pride, he taught without bias, aiding the cultivation of successors.
But private lessons? To Jin Yeo-rip, who had no prior merchant studies? At the boy's own request?
"That brat......"
In Yang Sojin's narrowed eyes, Jin Yeo-rip's image formed. What was he thinking? Had he made some vow upon leaving Shaolin?
"What shall we do? With the new year, the merchant assembly approaches."
"Hm."
"If the Young Master rallies the collaterals and consolidates their power, the caravan leaders might soon notice his extraordinary talent."
Yang Sojin gritted her teeth at Yuk Yeseo's words.
Jin Yeo-rip...... She couldn't touch him yet. He'd only just returned, and hadn't given any cause for grievance. Picking a fight now would only backfire.
"We'll watch for now."
"Pardon?"
"It's not time to act. Just observe closely instead. See what talents he truly has. We'll judge after that."
"Understood."
"Ha ha hat!"
Late into the night, laughter echoed endlessly from Unjeong Pavilion.
"Teacher, have a drink."
As So Hye refilled his cup, Baekhak's laughter boomed louder.
"Whoa ha ha hat!"
From the alcohol? Or because the lovely So Hye poured it? Hardly. He was an old scholar oblivious to feminine charms.
His joy stemmed from teaching Jin Yeo-rip in advance, then quizzing him—only for the boy to recite it flawlessly and add his own insights. Even if quoting sutras, scholarship connected across fields. What greater joy for a teacher than witnessing a student's triumph?
Especially for Baekhak, the scholar revered by all in Cheongeumbang, who cherished his disciples' growth above all.
"Teacher."
"Ha ha hat hat!"
So Hye poured demurely; Baekhak, flushed red, downed it in gulps. They got along famously.
"Oh dear, the wine's going to my head."
Already on his third bottle. A crane would have plummeted before spreading wings. He was a hearty drinker, turning study into sake.
But how long would this go on? It was the dead of night.
"Master, it's late."
"Hm?"
"The moon is full; your energy wanes."
...Time to go.
"If you must teach the students tomorrow, shouldn't you retire soon?"
Please go. I'm exhausted too.
Training after class had left his body aching like lead. Jin Yeo-rip politely herded him out, weaving in his inner pleas.
"Ah, has time flown so? Lost in the joy of teaching you, I lost track of the hours."
"Your satisfaction gladdens this disciple endlessly."
Joy of teaching? More like joy of drinking. So Hye barely filled the cup before you chugged it.
Jin Yeo-rip maintained a forced smile.
"Hoo, Yeo-rip."
"Yes."
"I know. I understand."
"......"
"How could I not know your heart?"
You don't seem to. You miss my tired face and ramble on.
"It's fine, it's fine. Who lives without trials and hardships? Just keep walking your path. If your steps are true, helpers will appear."
"......"
"Hoo, no. Forget it. Idle words only burden you. Time for me to go."
"Yes, Master."
Finally. He'd taught briefly, then made him read alone, quizzing only afterward. On reflection, he'd been fed for free. What tutoring? Self-study. Even online lectures were better.
So much to say, but Jin Yeo-rip remained courteous. Hoping he'd leave soon. Vowing to finish the remaining studies at the academy tomorrow. Baekhak's visit had eaten into his post-meal training time with Im Pilsaeng. How fun those sessions were.
"Hoo, I saw today your math surpasses even mine."
"Pardon?"
"With age comes wisdom; one glance reveals tenfold."
"......"
"Reflecting, I underestimated you. Shaolin sutras are harder to grasp than most studies, yet I deemed you foolish."
"No, this disciple is sorely lacking."
"Nonsense. 'All rivers flow to the sea' for a reason. You can skip other studies. You're already sixteen, after all."
Baekhak spoke gently.
"Yeo-rip, from now on, read the Book of Songs and Book of Rites."
"Pardon?"
Read... and bring them?
"Master, I've already transcribed the Book of Rites..."
"Can one reading grasp the sages' words? After academy, we'll discuss to gauge your progress."
Homework! Suddenly? Not in the deal.
"Yeo-rip."
"Yes."
Jin Yeo-rip replied with a hint of pique, but drunk Baekhak missed it.
"The Duke said, 'Without studying Buddhism, one cannot speak; without studying rites, one cannot stand straight.' Meaning, no Book of Songs, no right words; no Book of Rites, no upright stance."
"......"
"Many such folk in the world. Unable to speak right or stand tall. Don't be like them."
Jin Yeo-rip couldn't fathom why Baekhak said that. Regret over his life, perhaps, tinged with wistfulness.
But... did he think he sounded profound? His tongue was slurring; he couldn't speak straight. So Hye and Im Pilsaeng propped him up. Did he realize his words now?
"Come tomowwa. Unnerstand?"
"......"
"Yesh, tomowwa."
"Pardon? Tomorrow?"
Wait, not the slur—the timing! How much time till tomorrow? Jin Yeo-rip startled, but Baekhak said no more. Head drooped.
"Master?"
No answer. Asleep. Passed out drunk; shaking didn't rouse him.
That master... no, can't slap him.
"Haa, honestly."
Jin Yeo-rip rubbed his forehead, shaking his head. So Hye, his right-hand prop, smiled slyly.
"He seems pleased."
"Pleased my ass! Why keep pouring then?"
Irritation spilled onto So Hye. She just grinned.
"Haa, no helping it. Uncle Pilsaeng."
"I'll escort him."
"Thanks."
"Rest easy, Young Master."
Im Pilsaeng hoisted Baekhak and left.
Homework, though. By tomorrow.
"......"
That drunk... he'll forget, right?
He remembered.
"You brat! You didn't read it?"
"......"
After class ended. As promised studies began, Baekhak bellowed in rage.
Damn it, he actually checked homework. But assigning it after showing up late—when am I supposed to sleep, Master?