The Solution (3)
My words left the Gui-ju Province Governor looking flustered and anxious.
"What is that method?"
"It's to die."
"What?"
The two governors' faces were filled with clear bewilderment at my response.
And rightly so—even to my own ears, what I'd said sounded utterly absurd.
"Are you... joking right now?"
The Gui-ju Province Governor asked in a voice strained with suppressed anger, and I lightly shook my head.
"I'm speaking completely seriously."
"But what does that even...?"
At that moment, the Ho-nam Province Governor raised a hand to calm him.
"Let him explain in more detail."
"Yes."
I began my explanation.
"What I mean by 'dying is the way' is to catch them off guard."
"Off guard...?"
"Exactly. In other words, make them believe that Lady Ja-ryeong is dead."
I continued.
"There's something I've learned while handling merchant affairs: just how tenacious and relentless the Murim Alliance is. Once they set a target, they pursue it by any means necessary, without regard for method."
"......"
"If you two have another way, then there's no need for this one. To be honest, aren't Lady Ja-ryeong and I just outsiders? Your family—and those about to become family—care for her far more than I do, so surely you have other options."
At my words, the two let out sighs and shook their heads. Their expressions made it clear what decision they'd reached.
Having grasped my meaning, the Gui-ju Province Governor spoke with a bitter look.
"I didn't even know they'd made their move until you told me. As a father, I hate to say this, but honestly, I can't be confident that I can protect my daughter from their clutches with my own abilities."
He went on.
"No better method comes to mind besides your proposal."
I turned to the Ho-nam Province Governor.
He nodded in agreement with the Gui-ju Governor's words.
Of course. In my previous life, even the Empress had died by the Murim Alliance's hand, so these two couldn't protect Lady Ja-ryeong with ordinary means.
"Then it's decided."
"But how can we fool their eyes? They'll surely want to confirm her corpse."
"That's where we'll get help from the White-Haired Divine Physician."
Someone who could neutralize poison could also create it.
He could surely brew a toxin that mimicked death for a few days.
The Ho-nam Province Governor gave a wry smile.
"Making Ja-ryeong officially 'dead' like that means we can't take her as a daughter-in-law anymore."
"......"
"But for her sake, there's no better way, so we have no choice."
And this would be good for his two sons as well.
Watching the woman he loved marry his older brother would be hell for the fourth son, and realizing that pain in his younger brother would be hell for the third.
When I'd first seen the fourth son, the dark energy emanating from him had fortunately come from a servant he kept—faint and diluted.
Now that the dark figure was gone from his side, that energy would fade away.
The next day, the Ho-nam Province Governor returned to his province. His position didn't allow for a long stay.
And I prepared to depart as well.
The Gui-ju Province Governor expressed his gratitude and handed me a promissory note.
It was a substantial sum, including payment for the eyes I'd procured, plus various tokens of thanks.
Back in my quarters, I pulled out the note and smiled.
Seeing it made all my efforts feel worthwhile, filling me with satisfaction.
Inside the envelope was another smaller one.
"......"
Just then, Palgap entered my quarters and asked,
"Why that expression, young master?"
"What's wrong with my face?"
"Shouldn't you be smiling at the promissory note? Why do you look so glum?"
"It's just... it feels heavy."
Palgap tilted his head at my words.
"Ah! Let me help refine the physician's payment."
"Huh? Suddenly?"
"Lady Ja-ryeong just sent a maid. She wants to have tea."
A short while later.
I entered the inner quarters.
A place nearly impossible for outsiders to access... yet here I was, slipping in easily.
I was led to the reception room in the inner quarters, prepared for visits from relatives.
As I enjoyed some refreshments there, Lady Ja-ryeong entered.
This time, not carried in a wheelchair, but walking on her own two feet.
Her complexion was strikingly healthier than before.
According to the White-Haired Divine Physician, the detoxification was complete, and her stamina had recovered somewhat.
"I heard you're leaving for Beijing tomorrow."
"Yes, that's right."
"First, I want to say thank you. For everything—I'm truly grateful."
"I was just paid for my work. If you keep that up, I'll feel burdened."
"Is that so?"
She smiled.
"......"
For a moment, I found myself staring blankly. It was a smile that came straight from the heart.
No wonder everyone cherished Lady Ja-ryeong.
"I... heard from Father. That I was poisoned... by them. And about what comes next."
Ah, so the Gui-ju Province Governor had explained everything to her.
Of course—he had to, since she'd be living officially as a dead woman from now on.
"Are you prepared?"
"Yes."
She nodded.
Her eyes were clear, filled with hope, without a trace of anxiety.
It couldn't be that much trust in me... could it?
Now's the time to ask.
First, I scanned the surroundings. No one was eavesdropping on our conversation.
But to be safe, I warded the area with a barrier of qi.
Then, I asked her directly.
"Lady, you can see the future, can't you?"
"......!"
She looked at me in shock.
"Pardon? W-what do you mean...?"
"I didn't notice at first, but lately—watching the governor's reactions to your illness and piecing things together—I've become certain."
"......I see."
Realizing she couldn't fool me anymore, she nodded readily.
"And that's exactly why they tried to kill you."
"......"
She bit her lip, then looked up and said,
"My ability felt like a threat to them."
"Precisely. Honestly, it's an ability anyone would covet. But the fact that they saw it as a threat makes their actions all the more worrisome."
"......"
After a moment's thought, she nodded.
"To be honest, I questioned having to fake my death. I wondered if it was truly necessary. But it seems there's no other way."
I asked her,
"You didn't see this coming?"
"It's not like I can see whenever I want, or choose what to see."
"I see."
"But do you know what?"
"What?"
"From some point on, the futures I see started changing bit by bit. Around early winter, about five years ago."
"......!"
Her words made me flinch inwardly.
That timeline matched almost exactly when I'd returned to the past.
"I... see. How did they change?"
"For the better."
That was a relief.
At least the changes I'd made since returning hadn't worsened the world.
My goals mattered, but I didn't welcome a world turned worse because of them.
"And in my changed future... you appeared, Young Branch Leader."
"I... did?"
"That's why I'm asking... Do you covet my ability too?"
I chuckled and nodded.
"Honestly? Yeah, I do. But that's it."
"Why?"
"Knowing the future just means more things to worry about. And futures change. I don't want to stress over what might shift."
"You're an interesting one."
"I hear that a lot."
"Then I have a question. If you don't need my ability, why go through all this trouble for me?"
"That's a misunderstanding."
"Pardon?"
I stated firmly,
"This isn't for you—it's for me. I'm a merchant, and solving this benefits me."
"Benefits...?"
"Money. Your father paid me handsomely."
She looked dumbfounded for a second, then burst out laughing.
Am I really that funny?
At that moment.
Visitors arrived at the Gui-ju Province Governor's residence.
His other sons.
"Ja-ryeong!"
"Your fifth brother is here!"
They barely greeted their father and mother before rushing to Lady Ja-ryeong's quarters.
But she wasn't there.
"Ah! You've arrived?"
A maid bowed her head in greeting.
"Where's Ja-ryeong?"
"She's currently speaking with a guest in the reception room."
"A guest?"
They tilted their heads and headed there. Just then, Lady Ja-ryeong and a young man emerged from the reception room.
He was a strikingly handsome youth who left them all momentarily stunned.
"Then I'll take my leave. Take care of yourself."
"It was a pleasant time. Safe travels."
Lady Ja-ryeong's farewell smile was genuine and warm. The young man left the inner quarters, and she watched his retreating figure.
The four brothers' eyes narrowed at the sight.
"Little sister."
"Yes?"
"Who was that guy?"
"I don't know him well either. But he's incredibly handsome."
Just then, Dong Hang-su approached, apparently having heard of their arrival.
"You've come?"
"Yeah. Hang-su! Ah, you would know! Who was that fellow?"
"Ah, you mean that gentleman?"
"That gentleman?"
"Yes. He's Eun Seo-ho, the young branch leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
One brother spoke up.
"I've heard of him. Isn't the Eunhae Merchant Group the one selling those signal flares?"
"Was it? Still, he's just a merchant, right?"
As officials themselves, they didn't hold merchants in high regard.
But Dong Hang-su warned them.
"Don't look down on him just because he's a merchant. He's truly remarkable. Mind your manners—no rudeness."
They tilted their heads.
They knew Dong Hang-su was usually nonchalant even around high officials.
If he praised someone so highly, it meant the man was no ordinary figure.
"But why was a guy like that spending time alone with Ja-ryeong in the reception room?"
"And Ja-ryeong smiling at him!"
"Ja-ryeong laughing at another man! This is no small matter!"
Dong Hang-su sighed at their reactions.
"Because he's the one who saved Ja-ryeong's life."
"Him?"
"Yes. So when you meet him later, express your gratitude properly."
"Ahem, got it."
They nodded at Dong Hang-su's stern warning.
"More importantly, didn't you see Ja-ryeong walking on her own two feet? Isn't that the real news?"
"Ah!"
"R-right!"
Finally realizing the key point, they rushed to Lady Ja-ryeong.
"Ja-ryeong!"
"Oh! Brothers?"
"Sniff! Our Ja-ryeong is walking on her own!"
"What a joyous miracle!"
Watching her brothers nearly sobbing, Lady Ja-ryeong bowed lightly.
"I'm sorry for worrying you all."
"No, no. Seeing you healthy again is joy enough. Sniff!"
"That's right!"
"Don't get sick again, ever."
As she comforted her wailing brothers, Lady Ja-ryeong felt a pang of guilt.
She knew all too well how heartbroken they'd be hearing she was "dead."
I'm sorry, brothers.
But if she truly died, it'd be goodbye forever.
This was just a temporary farewell to avoid that.
She thought of Eun Seo-ho.
His bold claim that he'd done it all for profit, not for her.
It had flustered her, but somehow made him all the more trustworthy.
And in the future I saw, I'll be in Beijing this winter.
The next morning.
I set out at dawn.
Palgap had informed me the night before that Lady Ja-ryeong's brothers had arrived.
The people I'd seen heading back after meeting her were them.
Dong Hang-su had promised to explain, but they'd witnessed me alone with her.
Better to avoid headaches and leave quickly.
After departing the residence, we didn't head straight to Beijing.
Our destination was the Gui-ju Province Governor's main family home.
A mountain stood beside it, and we entered there.
We waited for the right moment.
How many days had we spent there?
Palgap, who'd gone to the village for supplies, returned with news.
"Young master! The marketplace is buzzing with rumors right now."
"What rumors?"