There Was a Reason (5)
The Emperor burst into laughter at my words.
“Hahaha!”
Was that agreement? Or rejection?
Tension hung in the air until the Emperor chuckled softly.
“I've never met anyone quite like you. Making me, the Emperor, play the matchmaker.”
“My deepest apologies, Your Majesty. I only spoke to ease Your Majesty's worries. Please don't take offense.”
“So, what do you gain by telling me this?”
“I seek nothing for myself, Your Majesty. I merely...”
“Tsk! Out with it while I'm still asking nicely.”
Whoa!
I bowed my head and confessed obediently.
“Truth be told, I had my own ambitions. But with both princes refusing, there's no way to connect the imperial house otherwise, is there?”
“True enough. That's why I plan to link it through your cousin, Hong Su-chan. Am I right?”
Uh... how did he know?
“I've heard the news. Hong Su-chan gave the princess a necklace, and she didn't refuse it.”
He knew every detail from start to finish.
I had to tread carefully here.
“It was merely a token of gratitude for his advice.”
“Was it, really?”
“...”
“Fine. I'll play along this time too. It costs me nothing—nay, it's exactly what I wanted.”
“Your grace humbles me.”
“You may withdraw.”
At the Emperor's dismissal, I hurried out.
I'd gotten everything I wanted; lingering might trap me in the palace.
Once Eun Seo-ho had left, the Emperor stared at the spot where he'd stood, smacking his lips.
“What a tempting fellow.”
“He strikes and retreats at just the right moment—truly impressive. I can see why Your Majesty favors him.”
The Emperor nodded.
“He knows exactly where I itch and scratches it just so.”
The reason the Emperor liked this was simple: it benefited not just him, but Eun Seo-ho as well.
Then he'll have no choice but to give it his all.
Chuckling, the Emperor turned to the eunuch.
“Summon Princess Si-na-a.”
Hong Su-chan was diligently working at the Hanlim Academy.
Though exhaustion gnawed at him from skipped meals and sleepless nights, he had to fulfill the Emperor's command.
“Hong Su-chan, should this go here?”
“This one's better suited there.”
“Very well. But are you alright? I hear you haven't been eating properly. Maybe get a pulse diagnosis?”
“I'm fine.”
“I'm worried you'll collapse like this.”
Hong Su-chan gave a wry smile. He knew his condition all too well—and its cause.
Lovesickness.
Me, lovesick? I wouldn't have believed it a year ago.
Not long ago, Eun Seo-ho's words had rung in his ears.
“Don't worry, brother. It'll all work out. The key is your resolve. As long as that doesn't waver.”
His resolve? That was solid.
He'd walk into fire carrying kindling without hesitation.
As he shook off the reverie to focus on work—
“Hong Su-chan! Are you here?”
The caller was, astonishingly, a eunuch.
“His Majesty summons you.”
Moments later.
He stood before the Emperor.
“Your subject, Hong Su-chan, greets Your Majesty.”
“Rise.”
“Your grace humbles me.”
Hong Su-chan looked up, and the Emperor shook his head at the gaunt face.
He'd heard the rumors.
Hong Su-chan had forsaken food and sleep.
He'd toyed with teasing him, but the haggard visage killed the urge.
Might lose a loyal retainer if I push too far. And resentment from that one would be trouble.
The Emperor shifted tack.
“Tsk tsk. Is Princess Si-na-a that enchanting? Enough to ruin your health?”
“Ah! This subject has committed grave disloyalty!”
He prostrated himself.
“That's not an issue.”
The Emperor continued.
“If I punished every heart's hidden fancies, how many in this palace would face treason charges? Everyone who's worked here has fantasized about my demise at least once.”
“Th-this subject has never harbored such wicked thoughts!”
The Emperor smirked and nodded.
“I know your loyalty well, Hong Su-chan.”
“Your grace humbles me.”
“Now rise.”
“Your grace humbles me.”
Hong Su-chan stood, and the Emperor pressed on.
“Hong Su-chan, tell me honestly: what is it about Princess Si-na-a that captivates you? Frankly, her looks are rather plain, no?”
“People do overvalue appearances. That's why we wrap gifts in fine silk, drape ourselves in costly robes. But such outer beauty fades in an instant. True beauty lies within—the eternal kind.”
He continued.
“It pains me that the world judges Her Highness by her face alone.”
“So you find Princess Si-na-a beautiful?”
“Yes.”
“What an odd fellow.”
The Emperor clicked his tongue inwardly.
If his two sons had half of Hong Su-chan's insight, none of this would be needed.
No need for all this hassle. Tsk. Useless boys. Well, what can you do? That's the limit of their caliber.
Yet he felt a measure of relief.
At least he'd gauged their true measure before greater blunders.
“Hong Su-chan.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“If you marry Princess Si-na-a, no concubines for life.”
“Of course.”
“Good. Then marry her.”
Hong Su-chan blinked in shock at the casual decree.
“Pardon?”
“I asked her before summoning you. She agreed, and so do you. No issue, right?”
“Then...”
“By imperial decree, I approve your union.”
Suddenly, Eun Seo-ho seemed to appear before Hong Su-chan's eyes.
And he heard: “What did I tell you? It'll work out.”
Did I ever say it?
The Emperor's decisiveness is downright insane.
The day I'd broached the Mara Kingdom princess and brother Sun-il before him.
“Huh? What?”
“A eunuch from the palace came to Yeonjun Merchant Group with a birth chart disc.”
Exchanging birth charts marks the start of wedding proceedings.
Whoa... Strike while the iron's hot, sure, but this fast?
Aunt and Uncle must be stunned.
A foreign princess out of nowhere.
Hmm.
I'd held back before at Sun-il's request, but I should've visited yesterday to give them a heads-up.
Still, all's well that ends well.
No more starving for brother Sun-il.
And I could finally relax about him.
With the Emperor as matchmaker, it'd be handled impeccably.
The eunuch bringing Princess Si-na-a's chart meant the Emperor was stepping in as her wedding sponsor.
That was part of why I'd involved him.
And among those I knew, no one handled affairs more reliably.
Separate from his desire to enslave me with work, he'd top my list for any critical task.
Days passed.
The wedding between the Mara Kingdom princess and brother Sun-il progressed swiftly; betrothal rites were already complete.
His face now beamed with constant smiles, his gauntness a distant memory.
Good things were good.
On a bright spring day, as I reviewed documents in my office, Palgap entered.
“Young master, Captain Kwak is here.”
“Oh, finally? Tell him I'll be right there.”
I wrapped up quickly and headed to the reception room.
Opening the door, Master sat sipping tea.
“Greetings, Master.”
“Yes.”
Master acknowledged me and continued.
“I heard from Captain Ha-cheol. You handled the North Sea Ice Palace matter superbly.”
“Many helped.”
“Still, the leader bore the heaviest burden, didn't she? The responsible ones always suffer most.”
Regret tinged Master's voice.
“Oh, and I told the Ice Palace Lord about becoming Little Palace Lord.”
Right—gifts promised for the occasion.
“Well done. But why detour to Beijing?”
“On the North Sea trip, I found something the previous Snow Wind Palace Lord left in a secret vault.”
“Pardon? Secret vault?”
Master looked utterly surprised.
I pulled out the inkstone.
“Do you know this inkstone?”
“Not really, but it resembles my father's.”
“This is the key to the secret vault.”
I recounted how I'd acquired it. Hearing the tale, Master said:
“Likely one of the attackers who razed Snow Wind Palace sold it. It ended up with the Little Palace Lord.”
A tiered jade inkstone, no less.
It had been the vault; via a sundries shop, it reached me.
“But the contents were hidden elsewhere by your father's retainer, Han Ho-su, and I retrieved them.”
I went on.
“They're your father's legacy—rightfully yours. Too much to give now; I'll deliver them in Hubei next time.”
“I'd rather decline, but circumstances leave me no choice. I'll accept shamelessly.”
“Don't think that way. It's your inheritance by right.”
I continued.
“I summoned you because there's something I can't delay giving.”
“Something urgent...”
I opened the vault, took out a box, and offered it.
Your father left this for you.
“This.”
To My Son, Myeong-hyeon, Little Palace Lord of Snow Wind Palace
“This is...”
Master's fingers trembled as he traced the characters. His lips quivered.
His eyes shook... then his whole body.
Understandable—a father's gift to his son, dead twenty years.
“I haven't opened it. It's yours to see first.”
“...”
I rose naturally.
“Sorry, I forgot urgent business. May I go?”
Master nodded.
“Finish the refreshments—they're expensive. No other guests today; stay comfortable. I'll take my leave.”
I exited and told Palgap:
“Keep everyone away until Master leaves.”
“No worries.”
Glancing back, I pictured Master's reddened eyes.
.
.
.
Master left the Beijing branch without a word.
But a handwritten letter remained.
Thank you profoundly. I apologize for my unseemly display.
— Master
What's in that box, I wonder?
A bit curious.
Now, en route to the palace.
Today marked the second meeting for foreign trade.
Guided by an attendant, I reached the Ministry of Rites building.
Hmm...
Tension etched the officials' faces—unlike before.
Thanks to my report on Son Se-gil.
Investigating if others took bribes too.
I felt no pity; the guilty were just panicking.
There, I discussed trade with the merchant groups I'd met before.
Yet one was missing, despite the ongoing talks.
Changhae Merchant Group—introduced by Ji Seok-mun, subunit leader of Baekbuik.
“Changhae is late.”
Ji Seok-mun nodded worriedly.
“Indeed. They're never tardy.”
I tensed suddenly.
This aura...
“Sorry, we're a bit late.”
The door opened to a familiar voice.
Seeing who entered, I couldn't believe my eyes.
The Martial Alliance...
No—Baekcheon Merchant Group's Nangong Gang, the leader himself.
