A New Betrothal, A New Beginning
It was a certain day toward the end of December, as the fourth year of Zhongping drew to a close. Seo Jun was heading home after receiving word from Gyeon Eom.
When he arrived at the residence, the sole old servant who handled the household affairs guided him to Gyeon Eom’s private quarters.
“My lord, Young Master Seo has arrived.”
“Cough… Show him in.”
As Seo Jun entered the room, he saw Gyeon Eom seated in a chair, supported by Jin Eon. His complexion looked far worse than the last time they had met.
“Brother! What’s happened to your health? You look even worse than before.”
“Cough! Cough! White Dragon, I’m sorry. The weather keeps getting colder, and my condition refuses to improve. I can’t even stand to greet you properly.”
“That’s not what matters right now! Sister-in-law, how did Brother end up like this?”
“He’s been suffering from one minor illness after another lately, but his condition grew severe ten days ago. He can barely leave the house now. The physician came, but all he said was that the cold weather had weakened his body. He prescribed a few medicinal herbs and left. We haven’t received any real treatment. Young Master, what should we do?”
Jin Eon looked at Seo Jun, and the relief in her eyes brought a glistening wetness to their corners. Tears welled up as she poured out her worries to him.
“Wife, enough of that. Cough! Once the weather warms, I’ll be fine again.”
“Sister-in-law, please calm yourself first. I’ll look into every possible method that might help Brother recover.”
“Sob… Thank you, Young Master.”
Once Jin Eon had composed herself a little, the atmosphere finally settled enough for them to speak calmly about why Seo Jun had been summoned today.
“The reason I called for you, White Dragon, is the marriage with Gang.”
“I see. I’ve also been thinking about the marriage with Lady Baek. But since I only recently took a wife myself, it didn’t seem proper for me to bring it up first. I was waiting for you to speak. If the matter has already been discussed with your wife and the Gyeon family approves, I can make preparations at any time.”
“Cough! Krk…”
Even while discussing the marriage, Gyeon Eom’s face twisted in pain from the coughs rising from his chest and the phlegm clogging his throat.
“Actually, I never mentioned it before, but it isn’t only Gang who wishes to marry you. Tal feels the same.”
“What?! Lady Jung as well?!”
When Seo Jun had stayed with the Gyeon family, he had noticed Gyeon Gang’s clear expressions of affection toward him, and he had returned a certain degree of fondness. Yet he had never once imagined that Gyeon Tal—who had always watched quietly from behind—might harbor such feelings for him.
“You truly had no idea?”
“No, I never noticed at all.”
“That’s why the family has been deeply troubled. Gang is one thing—you’ve already shown her some affection, so sending her to you would be simple. But Tal declared to her mother that she would never marry anyone but you. After much agonizing, Mother decided to arrange a dual marriage.”
“Brother, are you saying both Lady Baek and Lady Jung will enter a dual marriage with me?”
“That’s correct. Gang will be the primary wife, and Tal the secondary. Gang naturally accepted. Tal told Mother that even if she could only take the secondary position, she would be content as long as she could marry you.”
A dual marriage was a union in which sisters married the same man at the same time. One would hold the position of primary wife, while the younger sister would take the secondary role—lower than a full wife but higher than a concubine. It was a rare form of marriage usually seen only among kings, feudal lords, or high officials. Given Seo Jun’s current station, no one would normally send two daughters to him at once. This proposal had never even crossed his mind.
“Tal will come of age next year, so they wish to hold the ceremony in the third or fourth month. What are your thoughts?”
“Sigh… I’m not sure how to answer. I’m grateful, of course, but are you truly all right with this, Brother?”
“As long as those children can be happy, I’m fine with it. Mother has already given her permission, so don’t worry too much. Cough! Cough! I’ve said all I needed to say today. It’s becoming difficult to continue. I must rest. Forgive me, White Dragon.”
“Not at all, Brother. Please recover quickly.”
Gyeon Eom had exhausted himself maintaining the conversation. The moment it ended, he leaned back against the bed and breathed with difficulty. Seo Jun offered a slight bow and turned to leave. Jin Eon followed him out to see him off.
“Sister-in-law, I’ll also search for any medicine that might improve Brother’s condition. Don’t worry too much, and stay strong.”
“Sob… Young Master, thank you. It’s such a relief to have at least one person we can rely on in Luoyang.”
Pat, pat. It was impossible to ignore Jin Eon as she lowered her head in tears, so Seo Jun gently patted her shoulder.
When Seo Jun returned home, he gathered his wives and explained the new marriage alliance with the Gyeon family. The wives lamented how many more women would fall for his charms, but they understood and accepted the marriage without issue.
Thus, as Seo Jun’s household prepared for a solid future and various events unfolded, the end of the fourth year of Zhongping faded away. The fifth year of Zhongping dawned—the new year in which Seo Jun would receive his Langguan training.
The first day of the new year in the fifth year of Zhongping. Seo Jun’s residence in the eastern quarter was bustling.
“Husband! Turn this way!”
“Husband! Look over here!”
“Husband! Try this one on!”
Seo Jun’s three wives—Wang Yi, Seol Ryeon, and Yi Hyeon—had him standing in the center while they rotated various garments, searching for the one that suited him best. To Seo Jun they all looked nearly identical to the standard robes worn by low-ranking officials, but in their eyes each combination appeared completely different.
“This combination seems the best, at least.”
“Yes, I agree with Lady Wang.”
When they finally stepped back, Seo Jun’s full appearance came into view. The robes were those of a minor official—clothes that rarely looked impressive on anyone—yet thanks to his wives’ efforts and Seo Jun’s natural bearing, the outfit created a rather striking impression.
“Wives, I’ll be going now.”
“Yes, Husband. Have a safe trip.”
“Take care.”
Receiving their warm farewells, Seo Jun left the house and followed the main road toward the Northern Palace, where the Langguan training would take place.
As he neared the Signal Gate that led into the Northern Palace, Seo Jun gazed at the majestic sight of the imperial grounds. Behind the high, massive walls enclosing the palace, the main hall of the Northern Palace—Deyang Hall—rose grandly on the left, while the main hall of the Southern Palace—Chongde Hall—soared on the right.
Such an enormous imperial palace required a considerable number of troops to guard it and the emperor who resided within. The Northern Palace Guard and Southern Palace Guard, responsible for the outer perimeter and gate security, were each commanded by a Northern Palace Guard Commander and a Southern Palace Guard Commander. Each gate had its own Gate Captain who ensured its safety. The ultimate authority over all of them was the Commandant of the Imperial Guards, one of the Nine Ministers.
Inside the palace, the troops of the Five Guards protected the imperial family and secured the internal facilities. The Huben Guard protected the emperor and princes. The Urimwi guarded the empress, consorts, and other imperial women. The Left Guard secured the Northern Palace facilities, the Right Guard secured the Southern Palace facilities, and the Five Gates Guard protected the internal checkpoints. Each of these five units was commanded by its own Major, while the overall authority rested with the Superintendent of the Imperial Household, another of the Nine Ministers.
The Five Guards were the units that served the imperial family most closely. They offered the highest chance of catching a powerful figure’s eye and rising to prominence. For that reason, countless men always sought to join them. Yet without solid backing from the imperial family, high officials, or a powerful clan, gaining a position was nearly impossible.
Seo Jun walked slowly until he stood before the massive gates of the Signal Gate that led into the Northern Palace. There, soldiers under the Signal Gate Captain—one of the Northern Palace Guard units—were meticulously inspecting every visitor’s identification tablet and verifying identities.
“Tablet!”
“Pass!”
One by one, people showed their imperial entry tablets and were allowed inside. Seo Jun presented his own tablet and finally stepped foot inside the imperial palace for the first time.
Once past the gate, he saw several large buildings across a wide courtyard and fell into thought.
Where am I supposed to go?
He had certainly received the summons to assemble at Su’an Hall by the hour of the Snake (9 a.m.). Yet now that he was inside the palace, he had no idea where Su’an Hall was located.
“Are you here for the Langguan training, sir?”
The person who spoke to Seo Jun just as he was about to ask a passing stranger was a young eunuch who appeared to be about ten years old.
“Yes, that’s correct. This is my first time in the imperial palace, so I’m not familiar with it. Could you tell me which way I should go to reach Su’an Hall, young attendant?”
“Su’an Hall is in that direction. Pass two more buildings, then turn left, and you will see the courtyard of Su’an Hall.”
“I see. Thank you very much, young attendant.”
Seo Jun offered a bright smile and a deep bow in gratitude for the young eunuch’s kindness, then set off in the direction he had been shown.
The young eunuch had grown used to the many officials who looked at him with pity or as if he were an insect not worth acknowledging. Their gazes had wounded him deeply over time. Yet Seo Jun’s eyes held no prejudice whatsoever—only the pure look one gave to a fellow human being. It felt indescribably warm. The eunuch watched Seo Jun’s retreating figure with eyes full of goodwill as he made his way toward Su’an Hall.