Reunion with Wang Yi
Finally in Seo Jun's arms, Wang Yi — Chapter 61
"Still, just in case, I should make sure. Excuse me, but is your father Master Baek?"
"Huh? You know my father?"
Cai Yan's face brightened slightly at the realization that Seo Jun knew her father, Cai Yong. From everything she had seen so far, Seo Jun appeared to be nothing more than a warrior, so it was oddly pleasing to learn he was familiar with her father, a scholar and member of the gentry.
"Ah, I wouldn't say we're close acquaintances who exchange letters. I've simply heard rumors that he is accomplished in many fields and shares his knowledge without discrimination. I've long admired him from afar, so I only know his esteemed reputation. Ah, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Seo Jun, styled Baekryong. Lady Cai."
When Seo Jun revealed his name to Cai Yan, the expressions of the people nearby who had been eavesdropping on their conversation shifted to utter shock.
"It's the Black Wind Heavenly General!"
"Truly, a beauty like Song Ok, a general like no other!"
"As expected!"
Seo Jun still hadn't fully grasped how far his reputation had spread. His deeds had already reached not only Jizhou but also the neighboring regions of Yanzhou and Sili. His name carried particular weight among the common people rather than the gentry or nobility. In Luoyang, where information traveled fastest, nearly everyone among the ordinary citizens knew his name, even if they hadn't seen his face.
He really is as handsome as the rumors say, like Song Ok.
Cai Yan had also heard the rumors about Seo Jun and had been favorably disposed toward him because of his actions. Looking at his appearance now, she suddenly thought that the legendary beauty of Song Ok recorded in the histories must have truly been like this.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Seo Jun and Cai Yan began helping Sohwa and her father, Sohyeol, clean up the mess left by the yuxie's rampage around the shop.
"Hehe~ I had no idea you were Lord Baekryong, sir. Thank you so much for helping us again."
"It was just a passing connection, but we're not complete strangers. This much is something any martial artist worth his salt can do. Don't worry about it, Sohwa."
With several people working together, the area was quickly restored to order. Once finished, Seo Jun quietly called Sohwa over to a corner table and sat down. Though he had clearly summoned only Sohwa, Cai Yan and Sohyeol had silently approached and joined them, their eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Sohwa, take this."
Though slightly hesitant under their intense gazes, Seo Jun pulled a leather pouch from his robes and handed it to Sohwa.
"My lord, what is this?"
"The introduction fee I promised last time."
"Introduction fee? Ah! Did you meet Lord Zhuge Liang? Oh! Did you make a deal?"
Sohwa seemed to recall their earlier exchange, quickly grasping the meaning of the pouch.
"That's right. Not long after your introduction, I happened to receive another one from someone else. Thanks to that, I was able to purchase a fine house to stay in while in Luoyang."
"Really? That's wonderful! And to think you kept such a casual promise… As expected of the handsome Lord Baekryong!"
"It's only right not to make promises you can't keep, and to honor the ones you do."
From Seo Jun's every small action, Cai Yan found herself thinking he was quite a decent man.
Soon after, customers began arriving at the shop, and Sohyeol and Sohwa rose to attend to business.
"Lady Cai, where is your residence?"
"Are you leaving already?"
"Yes. I came to deliver the introduction fee to Sohwa, and now that my business here is done, I should head back."
"My home is south along the main road from here, just before reaching the Kaiyang Gate."
Should I escort her? Seo Jun wondered briefly.
"My lady!!"
"Gyeongno!"
An elderly man called Gyeongno approached Cai Yan, accompanied by two young attendants.
"We've come to escort you home, my lady. I trust nothing untoward happened?"
"Everything was fine, Gyeongno. This is Lord Seo Baekryong. You've heard the name, haven't you?"
After a brief greeting with Gyeongno as well, Seo Jun soon parted ways with Cai Yan. He watched her retreating figure, protected by Gyeongno and his men, and felt a fleeting desire to see her again before it faded.
Having formed a new connection, Seo Jun made his way back to the inn where he was staying, bringing the day to a close. It wouldn't be long now before he moved into his very first home in Luoyang.
Seo Jun was enjoying a rare moment of leisure in the annex.
In two days, I'll be moving. I should prepare some jewelry and accessories for Na-Pa tomorrow.
"My lord."
Na-Pa's voice called from outside.
"What is it?"
"You have a visitor."
"A visitor? For me?"
"Yes. It would be best if you came out. They're waiting in the courtyard for you."
"Is that so?"
Though he sensed Na-Pa was deliberately withholding the visitor's identity, he didn't press further. Following her lead, Seo Jun headed toward the courtyard of the annex.
Several men he had never seen before stood in the yard. A slightly smaller-built figure had his back turned, waiting where Seo Jun could see him.
Huh? He looks like a man, but there's something familiar about him.
"Joyeon?"
At Seo Jun's short utterance, the small figure turned around. A charming beauty with large eyes and a delicate nose gazed at him — Wang Yi, just as he had sensed.
Wang Yi, who had greatly influenced Seo Jun as he charted the course of his new life, had finally arrived at his side once more.
"I, Yi of the Wang clan from Gaoling County in Zuofengyi, have come to see you again, my husband."
Wang Yi approached and bowed deeply, offering a formal greeting for their reunion.
"Joyeon!!!"
Seo Jun paid no heed to her formalities and rushed forward, pulling his woman into a tight embrace. She was warm, comforting, and fragrant. Though their time together had been brief before their long separation, the place each held in the other's heart was far too significant. Their bond had always been one of deep longing and ease.
"When did you arrive?"
"Yesterday evening."
"Why didn't you come right away?"
"It took some time to find out where you were staying."
Seo Jun gently cupped Wang Yi's cheeks with his hands. Her face flushed slightly at the familiar warmth of his touch after so long.
"During the year I was away, I missed you every single day. I always wanted to be by your side. I could never get you out of my mind."
"I thought about you a lot too. Let's go inside first and talk more."
"Ah, first I should greet Mother… mmph—"
Seo Jun quickly covered Wang Yi's mouth before she could mention greeting Seol Ryeon and led her straight to his quarters.
Seated side by side on the bed, Seo Jun recounted everything that had happened since Wang Yi left — his resolve regarding her, the raids on the powerful clans, the women he had taken, the deaths of his father and uncle, and even Ha Ham's request.
Strange… I don't feel any urge to hide anything from Joyeon. It feels natural to tell her everything.
After listening to it all, Wang Yi met his eyes with a slightly sharper gaze.
"Haa~ So many things happened while I was gone, my husband?"
"W-Well, yes."
Seo Jun found himself stumbling over his words under her piercing look.
"First, make one thing clear. Am I still your primary wife?"
"Yes. Of course. You're my primary wife, Joyeon."
Even though he had taken Seol Ryeon and Yi Hyeon as wives, their status was that of concubines. Moreover, due to precedent, women married through levirate custom could not hold the position of primary wife. Therefore, if he married Wang Yi, she would rightfully become his first official primary wife.
"My husband, from now on, I'll do my utmost to manage the household so you can focus on your ambitions, and I'll strive to be the devoted wife you cherish."
Though she didn't mention it now, Wang Yi had endured tremendous hardship to reach him. Defying her family's elders who fiercely opposed her marriage to Seo Jun, she had fled in secret with only a few loyal retainers — all because of her deep love and trust in him.
"Thank you. I'll be counting on your advice from now on. I've mostly handled everything alone until now, so I lack experience in leading a family here in Luoyang. I'd appreciate your help, Joyeon."
"Thank you for trusting me enough to say that, my husband."
Chu~!
The sight of Wang Yi pledging her complete trust and devotion was breathtakingly beautiful.
"My husband, first see Ha Ham's request through properly. To firmly establish yourself in Luoyang, the Grand General's patronage is essential. You must maintain the closest possible ties with the Ha clan going forward."
"I'll do my best with that. And seeing you here like this… it feels like a dream."
After a year apart, having Wang Yi sitting before him and offering counsel made everything feel strangely unreal.