Fighting Fire with Fire
Yulgok Yi I. From the moment of his birth, he held so much in his hands. Distantly, he was connected to Princess Jeongseon, the daughter of King Taejong, meaning royal blood flowed through his veins. Closely, he was born a descendant of the Pyeongsan Shin clan, one of the most prestigious families in Joseon, with the legendary Shin Saimdang as his mother. As if that peerless lineage and wealthy background weren't enough, the heavens had also gifted him with a brilliant mind.
At the age of thirteen, he shocked all of Joseon by taking first place in the Jinsa examination. Over the next sixteen years, he took first place in the civil service examinations eight times, earning the envy and jealousy of every scholar in the land—a feat that earned him the title of Gudo-jangwongong, the Nine-Time First-Place Scholar. His wife, the Lady No of Goksan, whom he married in his later years, was a virtuous and beautiful woman, and their bond was so strong that not a single harsh word was ever exchanged in their home. There was, however, one thing. One thing that the "perfect" Yulgok Yi I, who had everything else, lacked: the blessing of children. Despite their deep affection, no matter how hard they tried, a child was never conceived, to the point where he was even considering taking a concubine to carry on the family line.
Yet, Yi I did not give up. He scoured every pharmacy in Joseon for prescriptions to aid conception. Though shameful for a scholar, he paid shamans for their services to find an auspicious day for intimacy. Even that wasn't enough; he and his wife offered sincere prayers to the Samshin Grandmother, the deity of childbirth, begging for a child. Perhaps that effort was rewarded. In his late years, the Samshin Grandmother finally bestowed upon them a daughter, as precious as the apples of their eyes. That child was Yi Sol.
"Sol, open wide. You must eat your meal."
"Okayyy."
Born late in his life, Yi Sol was raised like a golden leaf by Yi I and Lady No. They were so careful with her that they feared she might break if touched or fly away if breathed upon. When she ate, they sat her on their laps and fed her like a baby bird; when they walked, they carried her on their backs as if she were a sacred vessel. As she grew up showered in such love, Yi Sol one day heard the name of a certain man.
Her father had come home late, his face flushed red and smelling of something strange—unlike his usual self—and hugged her tightly.
"Ugh, you smell!"
"Haha, your father had a bit of medicinal wine because he was in such high spirits. Has our Sol been well today?"
"Yeah!! I ate tteok-galbi!!"
"You, who usually avoid alcohol, why the sudden drink? Did something happen at court?"
"Nothing of the sort, my lady. I simply drank because I was in a good mood. I have met a lifelong soulmate to walk this path with me, Yulgok."
"A soulmate?"
"Indeed. You know Heo Gyun, the youngest son of Minister Heo Yeop, don't you? I spoke with him for a while, and the boy is truly brilliant. Haha."
With the wine going to his head and his spirits high, Yi I spent a long time telling his wife and daughter about his conversation with Heo Gyun. Sitting on her father's lap, Yi Sol tilted her head and asked, "But what's a lifelong soulmate?"
"It means someone who will be with this father forever. No, not just with me, but with our family, and with you, Sol, forever. We promised to join forces and change this country."
"Me too?"
The joy-filled, excited tone was something she had rarely heard from her father, who usually valued the dignity of a scholar above all else, so Yi Sol pricked up her ears. Heo Gyun? Who is that, to live with our family? And live with me forever, too? She was curious. What on earth did that mean? Long after that day, she finally heard the truth from one of the housemaids.
"Seona, is that true? That he's my future husband?"
"Yes, young lady. The Master said he would be with him for life. The only way a man and woman can be together for life is through marriage. After hearing what you said, I went to the marketplace and listened to the rumors. They say that young Master Heo Gyun is as smart and brilliant as our Master. The Heo family is just as prestigious as ours, so I suppose he must have arranged the marriage that day."
"Oh... but he could just be Father's friend. He said 'soulmate' means friend."
"Oh, come now. Look at the age difference; it makes no sense for him to be the Master's friend. If you look at the age gap, he's a perfect match for you, young lady! Besides, friends becoming lovers and lovers becoming spouses is how these things go."
"...Is that so? My husband-to-be..."
After learning the shocking truth, she waited patiently for the right time. What kind of man was he? Was he handsome? Seona said everyone in the Heo family was blessed with good looks, so her future husband must be, too. But no matter how curious she was, a scholar’s daughter could not defy the truth that men and women should stay apart after the age of seven. After enduring her curiosity for several years, the year she turned exactly seven, she finally caught a golden opportunity to meet her future husband.
"Seona, let's go!"
"Yes, young lady!"
Her footsteps headed straight for the Heo residence.
"My father said that you are my husband-to-be."
"?"
Out of the blue? At the bold declaration of the little girl, Dori and I locked eyes. What is this?
"Young Master, did you get married behind my back?"
"As if that's possible."
Did my father pull some strings? No, that can't be. No matter how early marriages were in the Joseon era, I’m only nine years old. It’s way too early for matchmaking talk. Besides, with my older brother’s marriage this year and my sister’s next year, the whole house is in chaos—and now me, too? That’s absurd. I tilted my head and asked the little girl.
"Little one, who is your father?"
"I'm not a little one, I'm Yi Sol. My father's name is Yi, the character Yi."
"Yi I?"
Hmm... I know that name, but... It was a name that popped up out of nowhere, and I hadn't seen his face properly since he visited our house three years ago, so I asked her again.
"Are you perhaps talking about the elder Yulgok Yi I?"
"Yes! That's my father!"
"Oh... I see."
I’m confused. Why would Yulgok Yi I’s daughter come looking for me, and why would she call me her husband-to-be? What is this? Why? I don't know. I have no idea. Besides, if my father finds out, he’ll probably go looking for a stick immediately. Even if things have thawed a little lately, the foundation of our relationship is that of sworn enemies—marriage, my foot.
Still, I couldn't say anything harsh to a little girl who looked even younger than me, and since she was Yulgok Yi I’s daughter, I couldn't just pretend not to know her and chase her away. Regardless of the bad blood, their family status was significant, so I had to send her off with a gentle explanation. I stepped toward her, gently patted her head, and asked.
"