Chapter 49. The Four Great Families of Sangyang
Local magnates were shrewder and more ruthless than central officials. They buttered up provincial governors, shoved their kin into the capital's bureaucracy, and used that power base to pass down wealth and influence through generations, solidifying their hold.
Central officials at least had to watch their step around the emperor or the inspectors. But these magnates? They acted like kings in their own domains.
Even the emperor hesitated to strike them down arbitrarily. Try making an example of one, and officials and scholars would swarm like bees, flooding the court with petitions and protests.
So the heads of these magnate families undoubtedly had at least ten sly foxes crammed into their skulls.
U Guk-seon's question just now had seemed casual enough, but it was clearly a probe.
What the hell do these guys want?
Not just the family heads—So Yeonggwan was watching Won Seung too. The atmosphere felt off.
They weren't gathered here for kicks. And So Yeonggwan inviting him into this room full of them? No coincidence.
Something was up.
"Huangdo's vibe takes a lot from the palace, of course. With the emperor so full of vigor and boldness, it's only natural the young crowd follows suit."
He gave a roundabout answer.
Jong Iji chimed in then.
"Bold actions can backfire if they go too far. Do tread carefully."
His words were soft, but his eyes were lethal. Probably alluding to what happened with Jong Wonbo.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Won Seung took it in stride.
Seeing the venom in Jong Iji's gaze, he knew this wouldn't end well. The man was definitely plotting payback.
Then again, with a hole punched through his son's throat, Jong Iji had to save face for the Jong family. Otherwise, the other houses would mock them. Their world ran on the law of the jungle—show weakness, and you're devoured.
Won Seung had braced himself the moment Ogu told him about Jong Wonbo.
Better a guy like Jong Iji who showed his hand outright. The rest of these heads just sat there chuckling like old mourners at a funeral. Those were the real snakes.
So Yeonggwan picked up on the tension between Won Seung and Jong Iji. He'd heard about Jong Iji's son nearly dying from a wasp sting.
"Haha, Sangyang's youth have spirit to spare. I saw how thick you were with the local talents that day—it felt like glimpsing our city's future. Truly heartening."
He tried to smooth things over.
Jong Iji said nothing, just lifted his tea with a trembling hand.
Won Seung kept his head bowed, playing the picture of propriety.
"I'll do my best not to disappoint."
So Yeonggwan, eager to change the subject, eyed the scroll tube Won Seung had brought.
"You wanted to show us a painting? What makes it worth carrying in person?"
"Too fine to hang in my humble Baekhwa Pavilion, so I brought it along."
Won Seung unrolled the painting from the tube. Gasps rippled through the room as it unfurled across the floor.
It was massive—big enough for the front wall of the main hall—depicting ten thousand horses thundering across a vast plain. Every expression, every sinew in their legs, rendered with exquisite detail.
Won Seung had slaved over it for days.
"Isn't this... the Ten Thousand Horses?"
So Yeonggwan marveled at the grandeur but regretted asking to see it here, with the family heads present.
He hadn't expected this.
The Ten Thousand Horses was hung before battle to rally the troops. Usually bestowed by the emperor on a general—a symbol of resolve to charge ahead without hesitation.
With that connotation, flashing one around casually could spark rumors of treason. So Yeonggwan's face flickered with alarm.
You idiot—what the hell are you doing pulling this out here!
He schooled his expression and feigned admiration.
"A replica too?"
"Yes. Pung Un-gongja's take on Heo Yu's famous Ten Thousand Horses."
"Ah, so this is Heo Yu's legendary piece?"
Yang Ubo leaned in, nodding appreciatively.
"I heard the original was lost ages ago... Didn't know it was this majestic."
"Who can say what's authentic in a replica? Ah, looks like mealtime already. Pung gongja, roll it up for now."
So Yeonggwan wanted it stowed before the heads caught the implications.
Damn—I burned through brushes like crazy painting ten thousand horses, and they brush it off?
He'd poured his heart into this masterpiece to impress them, and they skimped on the appreciation. Won Seung was miffed.
He rolled it up and tucked it away.
Maids bustled in with food, laying it out on the table.
"Join us."
Won Seung shook his head.
Dining with these vipers sans a plan? He'd never digest it. He needed to know why they were here first.
"How could I share a table with Sangyang's elders? I'll head to Miss Sansan."
So Yeonggwan didn't want the Ten Thousand Horses dominating with Won Seung around anyway.
"Haha, she was waiting already. Young folks eating together sounds fine."
He ushered Won Seung out.
As Won Seung exited the hall, he spotted So Sansan hurrying from afar. Her maid with the parasol couldn't keep up with her quick steps.
He ducked behind a wall, then cleared his throat loudly as she passed.
She whipped around, startled, then rushed over.
"I heard Pung orabeoni was here—I was on my way. But why are you out here alone?"
"The heads of Sangyang's Four Great Families are inside. Can't hang with them at my age, right? Said I was off to see you and slipped out."
"Ah..."
Sansan ducked her head, beaming.
Her flushed cheeks from the rush burned even redder.
"Where's your room?"
The maid nearby shot him a glare—Peeking into a lady's quarters?
Sansan flustered too.
Oh!
Won Seung caught his slip. Sansan looked younger than her years, petite like a little sister—he'd spoken without thinking.
He grinned and smacked his own mouth.
"You loose-lipped fool! Why peek into a grown lady's room? Pervert!"
Sansan burst out laughing, and the older maid joined in.
"I've prepared a meal."
"Sounds good. Let's see the taesu fu chef's skills."
As he followed Sansan, he asked casually,
"Those Four Great Families meet up often?"
"No. Once after the flood two years back, I think. They're busy, so they come separately usually. All together like this? Rare."
Sansan had meals set in her parlor.
Simpler than expected—mostly veggies and fruit, just cold chicken for meat.
"You eat like this every day? No wonder you're low-energy."
"Shall I fetch meat?"
"Nah, I'll eat at home. Hey, know anyone from the Four Great Families?"
"Of course."
Over the meal, Sansan filled him in on the families.
She mingled with their women, so she knew the inner households and rear gardens well. Kind-hearted as ever, she skipped the gossip.
But Won Seung gleaned a word here, two or three there.
"Jong sahyeong's heading to Huangdo once he recovers. Studying under the Taegaksa, then the exams for an official post."
From that, he inferred Jong Wonbo had fallen out of favor with his father, Jong Iji.
As the eldest son, he should've been groomed as heir. Going central instead meant someone else would take the family head spot.
No surprise—a dimwit like Jong Wonbo would tank the house in no time.
After eating and tea, they strolled her garden. Meticulously tended flowers everywhere.
Won Seung had left the mountains in early spring with plum blossoms; now early summer bloomed riotously. Sansan's garden overflowed with color.
The pair wandering amid blooms and trees looked like a perfect match, handsome man and fair maiden.
Sansan's nursemaid watched, wiping tears—My girl's all grown up.
"Your garden's so charming."
"I'm curious about yours."
"My garden?"
"When I visit Huangdo, I'll find Won Mansion for sure."
Won Mansion?
Won Seung froze, staring at So Sansan.
Her mentioning Won Mansion? Did that mean she knew who he was?
His wide-eyed shock flustered her—she looked lost, unsure her mistake.
"Sansan... you know who I am?"
She clapped a hand over her mouth, realizing. Panic filled her big eyes.
"It's okay—tell me."
"Pung Un-saeng..."
"No, my real name."
"Won Seung."
His heart plummeted. His name from her lips...
How?
"Where'd you hear that?"
His face hardened unwittingly; she shut her mouth, eyes welling up.
Thinking she'd erred badly, tears brimmed. He softened quickly, voice gentle.
"Hey, not mad at you. Just startled is all. You know my situation's delicate."
"I know. Never speak it aloud."
She truly believed his tale of dodging enemy blades.
"But who told you?"
"Father."
So Yeonggwan had warned her: Won Seung was Won Guksa's missing eldest—keep distance.
Backfired spectacularly.
Confirming his tragic tale only endeared him more.
"How'd your father know? Never met him before."
"No idea."
She shook her head.
This rattled him. If his identity leaked so easily... it'd reach Joo Gunju in a flash.
First time in Sangyang, and he knows me? Doesn't add up.
Won Seung racked his brain. Seen So Yeonggwan as a kid? No memory.
Even if so, he was a six-year-old then. Recognize him a decade later? He worried his own father might not.
Slim chance.
Had to be his actions in Sangyang.
Only told Cheongsu Gate my name—no surname even.
Regretted name-dropping and impersonating Seongwangbu on whims.
Living reclusively in the mountains, he'd thought himself forgotten.
Yet here, a thousand li from Huangdo, someone spots him right away...
Made no sense.
Jo Bang-un told Gwancheonbang's Gu Ja-ang I was from Seongwangbu. So Gu Ja-ang knew too.
He listed others who might track him: only Cheongsu Gate and Gwancheonbang came up.
But Gu Ja-ang thought I was Seongwangbu legit.
Squeezed twenty thousand nyang out of it.
Plus, Gu Ja-ang and Cheon Il-hae bought paintings to meet the taesu—means shallow ties. Scratch them.
Left Cheongsu Gate.
Hwa Cheon-un?