Ha Ham's Desperate Request
The others had remained silent out of concern that they might be intruding on a private matter, yet everyone was clearly curious about the story behind it.
“The house we contracted for was originally the family home of the former Governor of Hanyang, Lord Bu Namyong. After Lord Namyong met his end at the hands of the Xiongnu last summer, the remaining family decided to leave Luoyang entirely, so the property was put up for sale.”
“Oh dear, what a tragic tale.”
“Family Head! Did you say it was the ancestral home of Governor Bu of Hanyang?”
Na-Pa and Cho Gaeje shot up from their seats in shock at Seo Jun’s explanation, their voices rising sharply.
“That’s right. The house we’re moving into is the very one where Lord Namyong once lived. Why? Did the Xiaoyuezhi have some connection with him back in Liang Province?”
“Yes, a very deep one. Governor Bu gathered the scattered and wandering Xiaoyuezhi people throughout Liang Province, provided them with places to live, and freed many of our tribesmen who had been taken as slaves. To our Xiaoyuezhi tribe, he is a great benefactor.”
“Is that so? From the Xiaoyuezhi’s perspective, it sounds like you received quite a significant favor.”
“Yes, that would be accurate.”
It seemed Governor Bu had shown considerable kindness to the Xiaoyuezhi of Liang Province during his tenure. As Na-Pa and Cho Gaeje spoke, the corners of their eyes grew noticeably moist.
“Hmm~ I understand the connection with the Xiaoyuezhi now. Still, we bought the house at full price without any haggling, and since we have no real acquaintance with the family, it feels awkward for me to step in and meddle.”
“It does seem rather sudden for the Family Head to involve himself further.”
“Exactly. It wouldn’t be right for someone with no connection to butt in. However, if the Xiaoyuezhi wish to offer any form of assistance to Governor Bu’s household, Na-Pa and Gaeje should discuss it between yourselves and let me know. If it’s within my means, I’ll do what I can.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Family Head!”
“Then, since I’ve delivered everything I needed to convey today, let’s disperse for now.”
After sending the group away, Seo Jun sat down for a moment to rest.
Today was quite eventful.
As he relaxed with a bit of leisure, the sound of someone approaching the room reached his ears.
“Family Head, may I come in for a moment?”
It was Na-Pa’s voice.
“Yes, come in.”
Na-Pa carefully opened the door and approached Seo Jun’s side.
“Have you already finished your discussion?”
“Yes. After consulting with Cho-no, we reached a decision and I came to seek your permission, Family Head.”
“Really? Come closer and tell me about it.”
Seo Jun pulled Na-Pa, who had drawn near, onto his lap.
“Hngh!”
Seo Jun’s hand slipped between the folds of her clothing and gently kneaded her ample breasts.
“Go on, speak.”
“When Lord Bu’s family travels to Hanyang in Liang Province… we would like a portion of our tribe—including myself and Cho-no—to accompany them.”
“To Liang Province?”
“We wish to repay Lord Bu’s kindness by helping escort them on the journey. And if you have the resources to spare, perhaps we could acquire some ornaments and jewelry while we’re there. It might be good to open trade relations with the merchants of Liang Province. If we can establish solid trade routes and maintain steady commerce, it would greatly benefit the household’s finances.”
Na-Pa barely managed to suppress the pleasure that surged through her each time Seo Jun’s fingers brushed her skin as she relayed the plan she and Cho Gaeje had discussed.
“So what you’re saying is, you want to repay Lord Bu’s favor by escorting his family, and while you’re at it, establish trade connections with Liang Province?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Understood. Go ahead and proceed. I’ll provide suitable ornaments and jewelry as soon as I can obtain them.”
“Truly? You’re really okay with this?”
When Na-Pa had first entered the room, she had assumed that the Xiaoyuezhi and Seo Jun had not yet built a solid foundation of trust. Handing over such a large sum of wealth carried the risk that they might simply flee with it, so she had expected him to hesitate or refuse. Yet contrary to her expectations, Seo Jun accepted her proposal without the slightest suspicion. In fact, his willingness to trust her so easily left her feeling almost worried.
Is this man a fool who trusts just anyone?
“Na-Pa, you are now part of my family. That alone is enough.”
Seo Jun cupped Na-Pa’s slightly flustered face in both hands, turning it so that she could only look at him, and whispered softly.
“Family Head… thank you.”
Na-Pa buried her flushed face against Seo Jun’s chest, sinking deeply into his embrace. The warmth of his arms—accepting her as true family based on complete trust—felt especially comforting that day.
At the same time, He Ham, having parted ways with Seo Jun, returned to his residence with a weary body. Inside, his wife Yun Hye sat waiting for his return, dressed in comfortable attire.
“Husband, you’ve returned safely?”
“Hm? You didn’t rest in your own quarters but waited for me here?”
Yun Hye quickly rose and approached him, taking his outer robe. The tender care they showed each other made them a rare devoted couple in this era.
After changing into more relaxed clothes, He Ham sat down. Yun Hye poured warm tea from the kettle into a cup for him. He took a small sip, then met her eyes with a gaze filled with sorrow.
“Husband, did things not go well while you were out? You look very tired.”
“No, everything went smoothly. The White Dragon’s new residence was secured immediately, and we’ve decided to move soon.”
“Then why do you look like that?”
“Well… Wife, last night Father told me again to take another concubine.”
Yun Hye’s eyes narrowed for a brief moment before smoothing out again as she continued the calm conversation.
“It is all because of my own shortcomings. I must follow Father’s wishes…”
Yun Hye truly cherished He Ham. Though he was not particularly handsome and lacked a strong physique, his kind heart that cared for her so deeply was something she could be proud of anywhere. That was why, in order to be of even the slightest help to him, she had endured He Jin’s disapproval all this time.
There was only one reason He Jin disapproved of Yun Hye. It had already been four years since He Ham had taken her as his wife, yet her womb had never once conceived a child. After two years of continued failure, He Jin had begun urging He Ham to take concubines. Four had already been brought in. Yet not one of those four women had become pregnant either.
By now, He Ham had come to accept in his heart that the problem lay with him. However, although he had benefited from his younger sister’s position, He Jin—who had overcome countless hardships to rise to the rank of Grand General—now wished to establish his family as a prestigious clan that would continue its legacy with glory. With such ambitions, it was clear he would never give up on continuing the family line under any circumstances.
Even as he continued to increase the number of his son’s concubines, He Jin had recently taken a young second wife himself, thinking that if He Ham could not produce an heir, he would have to do so through another son. His obsession with the family’s future had grown that intense.
“Wife, you must feel it too. I cannot have children. After all this time and still no child, the fault clearly lies with me.”
“Husband, you are still young. There is plenty of time left. Why not gather your strength and try a little harder?”
Yun Hye tried to comfort and encourage He Ham, who seemed to have given up on everything.
“Wife, my dream was to see you give birth to a beautiful child who resembled you and watch them grow up healthy.”
“Of course. I feel the same way, so please, just hold on a little longer.”
He Ham stood up, walked over to Yun Hye, and gently cupped her head with both hands before pulling her into a warm embrace.
If it’s a child between Seo Jun and Yun Hye, it would surely be the finest offspring possible.
Seo Jun and Yun Hye’s appearances far surpassed his own. Seo Jun’s martial prowess combined with Yun Hye’s wisdom—if a child inherited many of their qualities and was born with the He family blood, even He Jin would be overjoyed.
“Wife… For my sake, please… just once, share a bed with another man.”
“Husband?! What are you saying?!”
“Wife! If I cannot have my own child, then I believe it would be enough to raise yours as my own. I am confident I can love and raise any child you bear as if it were truly mine for the rest of my life! I’m sorry, Wife, but please, I beg you to do this for me!”
“I… I cannot! I’m fine with it, so just keep taking more concubines. Husband!”
Yun Hye found He Ham’s desperate attempt to continue the family line heartbreaking, yet she could not possibly accept such a request. All she could do was shed endless tears.
“Wife, holding any woman other than you now feels like death itself. Please, let me do something—anything—so that I can continue living while only looking at you!”
Yun Hye gazed at him with sorrowful eyes as he poured out his anguished cry, tears streaming down her face. It was too painful to simply watch his desperate plea.
“Haa… Husband… Just once.”
“You will truly accept my wish? Thank you, Wife!”
Having finally gained her consent, He Ham held her tightly and gently patted her back.