The Emperor's Table
Dan Hyunwoo headed for the kitchen. Leaving the cooking entirely to the villain trio felt too risky.
“Why is the door locked?”
“There’s this terrifying woman who keeps trying to barge in. Moyong Sehui, I think……”
Moyong Sehui’s reputation was taking a strange turn. To Eun Doyun she was a figure of terror, and to the villain trio she was simply “that scary woman.”
Dan Hyunwoo tasted the food the trio had prepared. It was nearly perfect, yet it lacked that final depth of flavor.
“Go buy more ingredients.”
“But making everything from scratch will take a long time……”
Yu Sucheon started to protest, then shut his mouth. He already knew what Dan Hyunwoo’s next word would be: “Now.”
The trio hurried off to the market. Dan Hyunwoo began cooking with what remained in the kitchen. From the doorway, Moyong Sehui peeked in, watching with wide eyes.
She let out a quiet gasp as she observed his hands. How can he cook like that? Young Master Dan truly has no weaknesses.
His movements were swift and precise, the way he handled ingredients masterful. It was like watching a first-rate chef at work. In no time at all the dishes were ready. The fresh ingredients the trio brought back were transformed into mouthwatering plates just as quickly.
Yu Sucheon felt a sudden sense of crisis. If the master cooked better than the servant, what was the point of having a servant at all? Now he understood why Dan Hyunwoo had been so hard on him about the food.
The completed dishes were carried to the dining room just as Dan Yuseon, Jin Yeongyeong, and Dan Seoyeon returned from the Danhwa Silk Shop. The three of them froze in shock.
These were clearly extraordinary people. Figures who did not belong in the modest Danga Manor were gathered here in numbers. What on earth is going on?
While the family stood bewildered, Yu Sucheon and Moyong Sehui leaned in and whispered explanations. The family’s jaws dropped.
“The magistrate himself is here at Danga Manor?”
The highest-ranking official in Hangzhou, a man whose mere acquaintance was considered an honor, had come to their home. Moyong Sehui spoke up.
“Actually…… I think the magistrate is the lowest-ranking person here right now.”
Jin Yeongyeong’s eyes grew even wider. What kind of chaos was this? How had her son come to know people of such lofty status?
At that moment Dan Hyunwoo stepped out carrying the last dish and met his mother’s gaze. The next instant, the family found themselves seated in the dining room before a table laden with food. Moyong Sehui had been swept along as well. Though she had been pulled into the seat by the atmosphere, she felt as though she were sitting on needles.
Then a man approached the family. He carried an air of nobility unlike anything they had ever seen. As they moved to rise, he took Dan Yuseon’s and Jin Yeongyeong’s hands first.
“My name is Song In. Hyunwoo has spoken of his family so often that I wished to meet you in person.”
For such a noble figure to lower himself first was astonishing. Even the magistrate treated this man with the utmost respect. Ju Untheon smiled, sensing the family’s tension.
“We can talk more later.”
He took his seat. Jin Yeongyeong noticed a sharp-eyed man in his forties and four guards standing watchfully in the corners. What kind of person required such protection?
Dan Hyunwoo spoke. “I hope the food suits your taste.”
“You made this yourself? It’s been a long time since I last tasted your cooking.”
Just as Ju Untheon reached for his spoon, one of the Imperial Guards moved to taste the dish first. Shim Cheon, the middle-aged master, spoke quietly.
“What are you doing? Do you doubt the food Young Master Dan prepared with his own hands?”
“W-well……”
“Step back at once.”
The guard retreated quickly, wiping cold sweat from his reddened face. Dan Hyunwoo gently addressed the rigid Shim Cheon.
“This is a casual gathering. Join us.”
The family watched as Shim Cheon’s expression turned to shock.
“N-no, I could never presume to dine with Young Master Dan and the master……”
Ju Untheon set down his spoon with a sharp tap and shot Shim Cheon a meaningful look. Read the room.
“Ahem. As you say, I shall sit.”
Shim Cheon took his place. The family exchanged puzzled glances. Not just “Young Master Dan,” but “Young Master Dan”? And he could not dine with them? Why would a man older than Dan Hyunwoo react this way?
Ju Untheon lifted his spoon again. “Father, Mother, when Hyunwoo and I traveled the central plains together, this friend kept me fed. And you must be his younger sister. Please, don’t stand on ceremony. Magistrate, you as well.”
Seo Gwangmok, the Grand Tutor of the first rank, flinched. Being referred to as “the magistrate” when he was not even fit to be a subordinate clearly unsettled him. The family, however, learned a little more about Dan Hyunwoo’s past. They had heard he traveled the central plains, but never that it was with this man.
Ju Untheon turned to the Imperial Guards. “Come to think of it, we brought that along. Bring it here.”
Ten bottles of wine were placed on the table. The family and Moyong Sehui stared in astonishment at the three characters written on the ornate bottles: Geumjoncheong. A wine that only the Emperor could drink at will. A single bottle cost enough to buy a small manor. Whoever this man was, he had brought ten bottles.
Ju Untheon lifted one. “Father, Mother, allow me to pour for you first.”
“Can I truly accept something so precious……?”
“Hyunwoo has helped me greatly. This is nothing in comparison. Drink deeply.”
Dan Yuseon felt his chest swell. His runaway son had not spent those years in vain after all. To have traveled the central plains with such a remarkable person……
“Kuh!”
It was delicious. Dan Yuseon accepted the bottle and poured for Ju Untheon in return.
“Rest well while you are here.”
“Ah, thank you. Hahaha.”
Dan Hyunwoo also drank deeply. The magistrate poured for him with meticulous care. Next, Shim Cheon, trembling and avoiding eye contact, poured for Dan Hyunwoo as well. Why are such lofty figures acting this way……? It was as though Dan Hyunwoo stood at the very pinnacle of imperial power.
With each round of drinks the atmosphere gradually softened until it became warm and harmonious. Yu Sucheon arrived with a soup that had been simmering for hours. His nose twitched sharply. Sniff, sniff. What was this unfamiliar wine fragrance? It was exquisite. His eyes swept the table like a hawk.
Huh! Geumjoncheong? Why was that wine here? Song In clearly knew his liquor. And he had money, too. No wonder his eyes looked sharp and his complexion healthy. Yu Sucheon set down the soup and casually took a seat, pouring a cup for Dan Hyunwoo.
“You must be tired from cooking.”
After the flattery, he filled his own empty cup with Geumjoncheong. “I worked hard cooking as well, so just one cup……”
Perfect. That sounded natural! The moment he brought the cup to his lips—
Thud!
Dan Hyunwoo’s fist struck Yu Sucheon’s stomach.
“Puhak! Aigo!”
The Geumjoncheong sprayed from his mouth. It hurt terribly. Something was wrong. It had only been a light tap, yet his organs…… his insides…… Ah, organs included the viscera. In any case, what an ignorant fool. But he had no time to resent it. Shim Cheon’s sword was already at his throat.
Shim Cheon spoke with killing intent. “Do you understand what kind of gathering this is? What do you think you’re doing? Do you wish to die?”
“Huk!”
“It seems the servant requires further discipline. Young Master Dan is too kind, so the wretch has grown bold. I shall educate him in Young Master Dan’s stead.”
Dan Hyunwoo, kind? This man must be mistaken. Yet Shim Cheon’s inner force pressed down on him, leaving him unable to speak. Yu Sucheon was dragged away by the collar, casting a desperate, pleading look at Dan Hyunwoo. The man did not even glance his way.
Aaaah! No!
Thud!
The sliding door closed. Moyong Sehui watched and suddenly recalled the saying, “A grave should be on a sunny slope.” Though that was usually said when a body could still be recovered.
With so many people present, the ten bottles of Geumjoncheong Ju Untheon had brought were soon emptied. Dan Yuseon rose quickly.
“Since we have such distinguished guests, I must bring that out today.”
He returned with a large wine jar. When he opened the sealed vessel, a rich aroma filled the room.
“This is the Yeoahong I brewed when Seoyeon was born. At the time Hyunwoo had left home, so we never opened it……”
It was a wine brewed only once in a lifetime when a family had a single daughter. Priceless, and the same age as Dan Seoyeon—an aged liquor.
Ju Untheon spoke. “You would share something so precious with me?”
“Hyunwoo has returned, and his dear friend has come to visit. Perhaps I brewed this wine for this very moment. Hahaha.”
Dan Yuseon laughed heartily. To Ju Untheon the laughter carried a trace of sorrow. The ten years Dan Hyunwoo had spent in the Mumyeongdae. The years before that when he had struggled alone to place Ju Untheon on the throne. All that time, it had been Ju Untheon who kept Dan Hyunwoo bound. He had done his friend’s family a great wrong. Moreover, Dan Hyunwoo had casually refused the countless riches and honors Ju Untheon had once promised him. Yet Ju Untheon had never intended to send him away empty-handed from the start.
After drinking the Yeoahong Dan Yuseon poured, Ju Untheon spoke. “Father, have you ever considered expanding the Danhwa Silk Shop? This is actually a secret, but……”
Ju Untheon lowered his voice. “I happen to be acquainted with His Imperial Majesty.”
“What? His…… His Majesty?”
They had guessed he was of high birth, but never imagined this level. Ju Untheon continued with a smile.
“That is why I can speak to you about this. I will mention to His Majesty that the Danhwa Silk Shop’s silk should be supplied to the imperial palace.”
“I am confident we can produce better silk than what is currently supplied to the palace…… but the idea of the imperial palace itself is overwhelming.”
“In truth, His Majesty is quite fond of the Danhwa Silk Shop’s silk. From now on, all of His Majesty’s robes and official garments will be made from your silk.”
“Even the official garments? But how would His Majesty know of our humble shop and bestow such an honor……?”
“His Majesty recognizes quality at a glance. Hahaha.”
The Danga Manor family’s eyes trembled. Supplying silk to the imperial palace was the greatest honor a merchant could receive. The moment they began trading with the palace, the Danhwa Silk Shop’s reputation would spread across the central plains and orders would pour in like a flood.
Dan Hyunwoo, however, regarded Ju Untheon with a sour expression. So that’s why he came…… Since Dan Hyunwoo had refused the wealth and honors offered to him, Ju Untheon had turned his attention to the family. He intended to make the Danhwa Silk Shop the finest in the central plains.
Dan Hyunwoo shifted his gaze to Seo Gwangmok. The Grand Tutor met his eyes and shrugged. See? Why did you refuse all those things His Majesty wished to bestow? his expression seemed to say. Dan Hyunwoo could only relax his own expression. This was for the family. He could not reject his friend’s sincerity. Nor could he ignore the family’s faces, shining with emotion. He let out a shallow sigh. Seo Gwangmok nodded as if to say he had made the right choice.
Come to think of it, Grand Tutor Seo Gwangmok. What had become of the real magistrate, and why was he impersonating him so thoroughly? Hopefully the old raccoon’s scheme had not caused any harm.
* * *
“Magistrate, sir, you must attend to official duties today. Please come out of your room.”
“Did I not say I would not leave? Go away!”
“Magistrate, sir! What are you thinking? Everyone is waiting for you. There is a mountain of backlogged work!”
“I will go when the time comes! Tell them that!”
“Haa……”
Official Dang Sogok sighed. The magistrate had always been a diligent man. Yet now he refused to take even a single step outside his room. Could he have suffered a broken heart? He knew there was a woman the magistrate fancied. In any case, this was already the third day of self-imposed seclusion.
“You must attend to your duties tomorrow without fail.”
With that, Dang Sogok withdrew. Contrary to his hopes, Magistrate Kang Hansu’s hand trembled as he held his teacup.
The Grand Tutor of the first rank, Lord Seo Gwangmok, whom one might never meet even once in a lifetime, ordered me not to show my face outside this room for the next ten days!
He had added one more condition. This matter must remain absolutely secret. The moment he spoke of it, his head would roll. So he kept his mouth shut and stayed locked in his room. Yet he could not understand why, and it was driving him mad. Why had he been confined here?
A heavy sigh escaped him. It had already been five years since he lost his wife. He had only just found someone as good as her. “She stood me up two days ago, then again yesterday…… and if I don’t show up at our meeting place today, she said it would be over. What am I supposed to do……?”