Chapter 38. The Governor Arrives
Won Seung approached Yang Dae-hyeon and his group with a bright smile.
"Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Pung Woon-saeng."
"Pung Woon-saeng? Sounds like a fake name to me. I mean, hanging forgeries in a place like Baekhwa Pavilion? Hard to buy it."
Jong Wonbo treated Won Seung like a con artist, but Yang Dae-hyeon stepped forward and offered a polite bow.
"Young Master Pung. I had a feeling you weren't just anyone when I saw you at the Yunhwa Banquet that day—and sure enough, I was right. To think you're the one collecting such masterpieces..."
"I've just been gathering forgeries as a hobby, and one day it hit me that maybe I should share them with others. So I opened this little shop."
"You're not selling them, then?"
"Embarrassing as it is, I'll have to sell a few to cover shop taxes. But if I find an owner who truly appreciates a painting, I might just give it away. Why don't you pick one out, Young Master Yang?"
"Ah! Your generosity is truly extraordinary, Young Master Pung. But I couldn't possibly."
Yang Dae-hyeon praised him effusively, and Won Seung waved it off.
"I'm friends with Yeon-seo. You're her older brother and older than me, so treat me like a little brother."
"Is that so? Truth be told, I've been wanting to get along with you without any formalities anyway."
Yang Dae-hyeon accepted right away. Seeing one of Cheongsanseowon's top talents taking a liking to Won Seung made it hard for Jong Wonbo to openly sulk. He just shot dirty looks from the side.
This guy's why did he even tag along?
Won Seung itched to jab him with a poison needle, but business came first. Smiling, he led the group to a table by the window.
"Have some tea first, then enjoy the paintings."
When Won Seung called for tea, Jong Bi slipped behind the partition into the inner room.
"No, let's look at the paintings first. They all seem extraordinary—not something to rush through."
Yang Dae-hyeon's group started admiring the artwork. Though there were only ten pieces, being the work of masters, they took their time scrutinizing each one with gasps of admiration.
Surprisingly, Jong Wonbo knew a lot about paintings—likely influenced by his father, the painting-obsessed Jong Taehaksu.
"This Moonlit Beauty has a truly tragic story behind it."
Jong Wonbo put on a serious face in front of the Moonlit Beauty, pretending to be knowledgeable. It was the same tale Won Seung had told Hwa Yeo-wol.
Yang Yeon-seo's eyes welled up with tears at the sad story.
Jong Wonbo kept stealing glances at her.
This punk was hitting on Hwa Yeo-wol earlier, and now he's working on Yang Yeon-seo?
Won Seung glared at Jong Wonbo's antics, but suddenly the outside grew noisy.
"What's going on?"
Peering out the window, Won Seung startled. Taesu office guards had spread out in front of the shop.
Then a disguised guard captain entered.
"Who's the owner here?"
"That's me."
Won Seung stepped forward. The guard captain sized him up and down.
"The Governor will arrive shortly. I need to inspect the interior for security."
"Of course you should."
Won Seung replied calmly, but his heart skipped. In the back room lay Ogu, reduced to skin and bones. The medicine room downstairs brimmed with poisons.
The entrance to the underground medicine room was cleverly hidden, hard for most to find. But a Taesu guard captain might spot it.
He had to block them somehow—or at least stall.
Won Seung hurried to the partition and shouted toward the inner room.
"Instructor Song! The Governor's guard captain will inspect the inner quarters—guide him. And bring the finest tea on your way. The Governor is coming."
He subtly positioned himself to block the partition.
Just then, Yang Dae-hyeon, who had been admiring a painting by the wall, stepped around a screen and greeted the guard captain.
"Captain Son, right? Is the Governor really coming?"
The captain recognized Yang Dae-hyeon's group.
"Ah, your backs looked familiar... Young Master Yang, you're here."
He'd noticed the scholars viewing paintings behind the screen upon entering but hadn't paid much mind.
He planned to check the inner rooms first and usher them out before the Governor arrived. But this was Yang Dae-hyeon, Sangyang's top talent and one of the Three Prodigies of the Realm. He couldn't.
The Yang family wielded considerable influence in Sangyang and had produced many high officials in the capital.
"Captain Son, long time no see."
Jong Wonbo popped forward too. It'd be weirder if he stayed quiet with his can't-sit-still personality.
"Hm. Young Master Jong is here too."
The Jong family was another local powerhouse in Sangyang. As the captain reluctantly acknowledged them, a ornate carriage pulled up outside.
The Governor's carriage arrived faster than expected, making the captain anxious.
"You two, check the interior."
Captain Son sent two guards to the inner room and stepped outside.
Jong Bi, please...
Won Seung prayed she'd hidden Ogu in the meantime.
Moments later, Sangyang Governor So Yeonggwan descended from the carriage with his daughter So Sansan.
That's the Governor.
A lean, stern-faced middle-aged man walked in with So Sansan.
Won Seung stood at the door smiling, but sweat beaded on his forehead as he worried about the inner room.
Aigoo. Sangyang women sure move fast. Rushing over like this... Still, she's got spirit.
He returned So Sansan's beaming smile with a subtle wink, then bowed to the Governor.
"Greetings, Governor."
Won Seung bowed politely, and So Yeonggwan regarded him impassively.
Yang Dae-hyeon's group gathered at the door to greet him too. The Governor's gaze softened on Yang Dae-hyeon.
"Ah, Young Master Yang. How's your father?"
"He's well. He was planning to visit you soon."
"Hm. Tell him he's welcome anytime. But..."
So Yeonggwan glanced around Baekhwa Pavilion.
"A painting shop that catches the eye of Yangjae, one of the Three Prodigies... I'm intrigued."
"Greetings. I'm Wonbo of the Jong family."
Jong Wonbo stepped up, not one to be left out.
So Yeonggwan nodded indifferently. The Jongs were a local powerhouse that pressured him with their influence, and he inwardly disliked it.
"You're here too. Sangyang's talents gathered in this modest shop—surprising."
"There are paintings, but they're all forgeries... No collection value, so I worry you'll be disappointed, Governor."
This little shit? Who asked you to worry?
Won Seung glared, eyes bulging. What an insufferable face. He resolved to teach Jong Wonbo a lesson.
So Yeonggwan chuckled warmly and turned to his daughter.
"I heard about it. But for forgeries, they're supposed to be remarkable, so I came."
He alternated glances between his daughter, who'd practically dragged him here, and Won Seung.
Having dealt with all sorts over the years, So Yeonggwan saw past Won Seung's innocent look to the sharp glint in his eyes—a sly one through and through.
He collected paintings as a hobby but never forgeries. Yet his daughter insisted he see them. He quickly guessed why.
Does this kid... have feelings for him?
And even Yang Yeon-seo, close with his daughter, looked at Won Seung with unusual eyes.
It was absurd.
Is this punk seducing Sangyang girls?
So Yeonggwan decided he'd punish any funny business.
Still, ever the father of the people, he smiled mildly and asked Won Seung,
"A young fellow running a painting shop... Impressive. What's your name?"
"Pung Woon-saeng of the Pung family."
He couldn't say Pung Woon-saeng (Feng Yun Sheng) to the Governor— no prestigious family used the wind character.
"Pung family? From Bashu?"
So Yeonggwan's eyes widened. The Pungs were a great clan from Bashu, one even the Emperor couldn't ignore.
"I was born in the capital, so I've never been to Bashu. Here, I go by Pung Woon-saeng with the wind character."
Clever wording. Everyone assumed he was a branch member of the Bashu Pungs with some complicated backstory.
Changing surnames to start anew was rare but not unheard of—exiled for grave misdeeds or striking out independently.
So Yeonggwan nodded calmly but seethed inside.
This punk trying to scam me?
Still smiling warmly, he pressed,
"Oh? What brings a capital boy to Sangyang? Youths usually crave the capital."
His face was kind, but his eyes sharp—any lie, and he'd be punished.
Won Seung feigned slight sadness.
"My humble circumstances... I'll explain later. For now, have some tea and view the paintings."
Just then, Jong Bi arrived with tea and a brazier.
This the right one?
She eyed him questioningly, handing over the Cheonghyang Baekseon packet.
Her hands shook. It had cost three nyang of gold—each leaf worth its weight.
Why such an expensive tea? For moments like this...
To butter up Sangyang's Governor takes three nyang...
So Yeonggwan's eyes changed upon seeing the packet.
"Cheonghyang Baekseon?"
"It's my favorite. I serve it specially for esteemed guests."
Won Seung said matter-of-factly.
Cheonghyang Baekseon was rare even in Bashu, savored only by great clans.
Most there hadn't even tasted it, let alone afford it from distant Bashu. Sangyang had fine teas anyway.
So Yeonggwan feigned admiration.
"I tried it once in the capital. Never forgot the taste—and to enjoy it here."
Encountering such rare tea in an out-of-way shop, he forgot his earlier suspicions and felt satisfied.
He sat at the table, inviting Yang Dae-hyeon's group too.
"Sharing this treasure with Sangyang's prodigies... What a fateful gathering. Everyone, sit."
Won Seung opened the packet with practiced grace, portioning leaves and pouring hot water. He rinsed the cups with leftover water, then placed them before each with tongs.
His elegant, deft handling of tea and tools drew quiet admiration.
Moments later.
"Mm."
So Yeonggwan sipped the clear tea, eyes closing. The refreshing aroma cooled his chest; the clean taste soothed body and mind.
"Mm. Your brewing is masterful. I had Cheonghyang Baekseon in the capital, but this tastes far deeper."
His praise prompted nods and murmurs.
"Clear aroma, pure flavor... Truly Cheonghyang Baekseon."
Jong Wonbo played expert, while Mun Yeok-su flattered,
"The scent and taste harmonize like paradise."
Yang Dae-hyeon smiled silently over his cup; Yang Yeon-seo and So Sansan kept glancing at Won Seung.
Deep in poetry and music, sharp eye for art, and now tea...
Admiration dripped from their gazes.