Yeongyeongdang (1)
“That place over there is our Eunhae Merchant Group's Beijing branch.”
The voice of Seo-u Warrior came from beside the carriage.
We had left Shandong and returned to Beijing.
Of course, we could have gone straight to the main headquarters in Hubei Province, but we needed to wrap up business in Beijing first.
And our parents needed a bit of rest, too.
No matter how comfortable traveling by carriage might be, the journey itself was exhausting.
“That's quite the scale.”
“Whoa……”
“It's huge?”
Following Captain Yeo Eung-am's admiration, gasps of awe rose from the others.
The captain had brought nearly fifty men with him.
It seemed like a lot, but considering the roles needed to operate a large ship, it wasn't excessive.
Running a big vessel required that many hands.
And we weren't planning to operate just one ship.
Among those the captain had brought this time was a sailor I'd convinced him to recruit.
His name was Songjuk.
I was inwardly startled when I saw him.
In my previous life, he had been the captain's right-hand navigator.
His specialty was reading the stars.
He could navigate by them and even predict the weather.
In any case, our Eunhae Merchant Group's maritime trade was off to a smooth start from the beginning.
“Welcome.”
As we arrived at the Beijing branch, the branch chief greeted us.
“You've worked hard.”
“You've had a tough journey.”
At our words, he cupped his hands and bowed his head.
“You're too kind. Please, come inside.”
With that, we entered the Beijing branch, and I asked them to prepare lodgings for Captain Yeo and his men.
“Young branch leader.”
Then a woman approached me.
Ja-ryeong Sojeo—no, Seo-hyang Sojeo.
“Did you have a safe trip?”
“Ah, yes.”
“You don't look too tired, fortunately.”
I nodded at her question.
Trips like this no longer wore me out.
But I realized too late that I shouldn't have nodded.
It was a mistake.
“In that case……”
I inwardly cringed, but it was already too late.
“Please review and approve the documents right away.”
Behind Seo-hyang Sojeo, the deputy head of Hyeonpung-guk's Yeochaeng stood with her fist clenched, cheering silently through her expression.
Clutching my last shred of hope, I pleaded earnestly.
“Do I have to go now?”
“Of course, I feel for you, young branch leader, having to work right after a long journey, but sometimes circumstances leave us no choice.”
“And now is one of those times, right?”
“Yes.”
So firm.
“Young master, you'd best go now, sir.”
At Palgap's words, I shot him a wounded look, but……
“What can you do? You're the one in charge, after all.”
I had nothing to say to that.
.
.
.
By the time I'd reviewed and approved the backlog of documents, the sun had already set.
“Now, what's left……”
That would be the letters that had arrived in the meantime.
I looked through them and……
“Hm?”
There was one I needed to read immediately.
It was from the Guizhou Provincial Governor.
I quickly tore open the sealed letter.
I'm heading to Beijing for a regular report to the Imperial Palace. I plan to arrive at the beginning of the twelfth month.
The beginning of the twelfth month? Today was the first day of the twelfth month?
That meant the Guizhou Provincial Governor would arrive any moment now. Which meant……
I looked up at Seo-hyang Sojeo.
“What's wrong?”
“It's a letter from the Guizhou Provincial Governor.”
“……!”
Her eyes widened.
“He'll be visiting soon.”
At my words, her eyes curved into a gentle smile.
“Then snow will fall soon.”
She must have foreseen something related to this.
.
.
.
After dinner, I headed to my father's office.
The Beijing branch even had an office prepared for the merchant group leader.
“Father. It's Seo-ho.”
“Come in.”
I entered and greeted him.
“So, what brings you?”
“The Guizhou Provincial Governor will be visiting soon.”
“The Pojungsa of Guizhou Province……”
Father asked.
“Does Seo-hyang Sojeo know about this?”
“Yes. I told her.”
“I see.”
After a moment's thought, Father spoke.
“There's a spot nearby where no one else can eavesdrop. Take the Governor there for a short outing. It would be good if your adjutant came along.”
Father's words were filled with consideration for the two of them.
.
.
.
A few days later, a letter arrived.
It announced that the Guizhou Provincial Governor had reached Beijing.
I handed over my prepared reply and said,
“I hope he doesn't refuse the young master's request.”
“Yes, I'll convey that.”
And the response to my reply arrived that evening.
After reading it, I summoned Seo-hyang Sojeo.
“Adjutant Gwak.”
“Yes, young branch leader.”
“Tomorrow, I'll be meeting briefly with the Guizhou Provincial Governor. Accompany me.”
“Understood.”
Her voice brimmed with excitement.
The next morning.
We rode in a carriage to a nearby mountain.
To be precise, it was the foothills, with a winding path and beautiful scenery perfect for a stroll.
Father had recommended the spot.
As we approached, we saw soldiers guarding the perimeter.
The Governor held a high position, but more than that, he was imperial blood.
Even accounting for that, the security seemed overly tight……
That thought led me to glance at Seo-hyang Sojeo beside me, and I nodded in understanding.
He wanted their father-daughter reunion undisturbed.
We dismounted and walked toward the entrance.
“Welcome.”
“Good to see you again. I hope you've been well.”
Lianjie Baekho, the Governor's guard captain, greeted us.
“Yes. And who's this beside you?”
Seo-hyang Sojeo was wearing a veil, so Lianjie Baekho didn't recognize her.
“My adjutant. I got permission via letter to bring her along.”
At the mention of permission, he let Seo-hyang Sojeo pass.
She followed me silently.
As we walked, I glanced back briefly.
He surely hasn't noticed.
We continued until a pavilion came into view, with a middle-aged man standing atop it.
The Guizhou Provincial Governor.
We approached, and I bowed respectfully.
“Eunhae Merchant Group branch leader Eun Seo-ho pays respects to the Governor.”
“Good to see you.”
I nodded to the side, and she slightly lifted her veil.
Seeing her face, the Governor's eyes reddened.
No words were exchanged, but the father-daughter affection was palpable.
Ah, it's making my own eyes well up.
“Ahem…… sit.”
“Thank you.”
We sat across from each other at the pavilion's table.
The Governor personally poured tea from a kettle warming over the brazier.
He hadn't brought any maids, just in case.
“So, how have you been?”
“Well.”
“But…… an adjutant?”
His eyes narrowed slightly. He'd heard about that from earlier.
Oh no! I've got to word this carefully.
“Well, you see……”
“I requested it first.”
Seo-hyang Sojeo explained on my behalf.
“I judged it best for avoiding suspicion.”
“Hm, that makes sense.”
The Governor nodded, convinced.
Whew, relief.
I gave Seo-hyang Sojeo a slight bow of gratitude.
“In any case…… you look much healthier than before. That's reassuring.”
“Is your household well?”
“Yes. Quite peaceful.”
“I'm glad.”
As we sipped tea and chatted idly, the Governor remarked,
“This area's nice for a walk.”
“So I've heard. Have you been here before?”
Gazing outside, he replied,
“Back when I came to Beijing, I'd often stroll here with my brothers.”
“A place full of happy memories.”
“That's part of it, but it's also hard for anyone to approach casually.”
So that's why Father recommended it.
“Shall we walk a bit?”
“Yes.”
We rose and started along the path.
As we walked quietly……
Hm?
My energy stirred oddly, gaining vigor……
Plop.
Something cold touched the bridge of my nose.
“Oh? It's snowing.”
“So it is. Snow's falling.”
Snowflakes drifted from the sky.
The first snow of the year.
“Seo-hyang Sojeo, it's snowing.”
“This…… is snow falling from the sky.”
“Yes. That's right.”
The few flakes soon turned into a flurry.
In moments, the surroundings blanketed in white.
A beautiful sight.
Seo-hyang Sojeo reveled in the falling snow, arms outstretched.
“Now…… that child's wish has truly come true.”
“Come to think of it, her real wish was to see snow falling from the sky.”
“Exactly.”
He wiped tears with a handkerchief.
“Of course, she lost her name in the process…… but regaining her health and fulfilling her wish is all thanks to you.”
I felt a bit awkward.
“She'll regain her lost name soon enough.”
“By then, she'll be past marriageable age.”
“……”
“That's why…… I have a request.”
“Yes?”
Suddenly, unease crept in……
“Marry my daughter.”
Why is my gut always right about bad feelings?
“That's too much of a joke, my lord.”
“I'm not joking.”
His expression was resolute.
But I had to persuade him as best I could.
“There are plenty of sons of high officials better suited than me. Shouldn't you find someone of matching status?”
“With her current status, the best she could hope for is concubine to one of them.”
“……”
That was reality.
Her current identity wasn't the Governor's imperial daughter—it was just my adjutant.
“I can't allow that. My daughter as someone's concubine?”
“I trust you're not foisting her on me just for the principal wife's seat.”
“Of course not.”
He nodded.
“The principal wife's position matters, too. But a man's character matters more. In my eyes, you're finer than any other man.”
So, it was praise……
This is awkward.
I wasn't in a position to marry right now.
I had goals like revenge against the Murim Alliance and Baekcheon Merchant Group.
I couldn't drag a wife through that hardship.
Just then, Seo-hyang Sojeo, gazing at the distant snow, turned to me.
She smiled enigmatically.
As if she'd seen this exact troubled look on my face before.
I couldn't bluntly refuse in this situation.
With a sigh, I deferred.
“I'll think about it.”
“I'll await a positive answer.”
* * *
Guizhou Provincial Governor Dong Hwi returned to his residence.
He had a mansion available while in Beijing.
“Whew……”
He let out a sigh of relief.
His daughter was doing better than expected, which eased his worries considerably.
Eun Seo-ho was protecting her admirably, as requested.
He wasn't thrilled about her serving as an adjutant, but her own stated reason was valid.
In any case, his proposal for Eun Seo-ho to marry his daughter was sincere.
In his view, the safest place for her was by Eun Seo-ho's side.
To keep her there, marriage was the best way.
The world might gossip about imperial blood marrying a merchant, but that was a future problem.
For now, she was just from a humble family—his adjutant.
Besides, if his daughter could live safely and happily, what did public opinion matter?
Suddenly, he recalled her joyful face catching the snow earlier.
Did she perhaps foresee even this?
Who could say.
“My lord, it's Lianjie.”
At the voice, Governor Dong Hwi straightened and said,
“Come in.”
The door opened, and his guard captain entered.
“You called?”
“Yes. I'd like to delay our departure by a few days.”
“Understood. When do you plan to leave, then?”
“Just two days' postponement.”
“Yes, sir.”
.
.
.
Emerging from the Governor's room, Lianjie smiled.
His suspicions were confirmed.
The Governor had finished his business here; no reason to linger.
Yet he was delaying by two days.
Earlier, when Eun Seo-ho and his adjutant headed to the Governor, he'd glimpsed the woman called Adjutant Gwak walking.
He could scarcely believe his eyes.
Her back was unmistakably that of Dong Ja-ryeong.
Whatever the circumstances, she didn't die after all. Truly fortunate…… truly.
* * *
Back at the Beijing branch, I immediately went to see Father.
“So, how was your meeting with the Governor?”
“Fine.”
“I'm curious what you discussed.”
At that, I took a sip from my teacup.
My throat was parched.
“Oh, just this and that. And…… he asked me to marry Seo-hyang Sojeo.”
“Pfft!”