For My Aunt (2)
His uncle's name was Hong Ram-cheon.
He was the leader of the Yeonjun Merchant Group.
The previous leader of the Yeonjun Merchant Group and his grandfather had been close friends, and rumor had it they'd promised to marry off their children to each other.
That was how his aunt and uncle had ended up wed.
The serious uncle and the lively aunt actually suited each other surprisingly well. Their marriage was a happy one.
His aunt's name was Eun-hee.
It meant "joy," and her spirited personality fit the name perfectly.
Standing beside his uncle and aunt were Seon-il hyung and Seon-mi.
Seon-il hyung was twenty-one this year, while Seon-mi was two years younger than him, at fifteen.
She was growing prettier by the day.
"You seem to be doing well."
"You've had a long journey, Father-in-law. You must be tired."
"Welcome, Father."
His grandfather exchanged greetings with his aunt's family, and he did the same.
"And these children are...?"
At his aunt's question, he quickly replied.
"They're apprentices from our merchant group. Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song."
The two bowed politely.
"They're under Yu Chong-gwan's tutelage. When I heard Seon-il hyung had passed the preliminary exam, I thought bringing them might inspire them to study even harder."
"Ah, the young men mentioned in the letter from Uncle Gil-sang."
Seon-il hyung looked pleased.
"So, how old are you two?"
Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song answered the question.
"Fifteen."
"Same here."
"And how far along are you in your studies?"
"We've both been studying the Classics."
"The Classics at your age?"
Seon-il hyung's eyes sparkled. Now that his full attention was on them, there'd be no more boring chit-chat directed his way.
That was why he'd brought the two along.
But this trip to Beijing would only benefit Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song—no downsides.
Shared interests made every conversation enjoyable, after all.
The banquet was the day after tomorrow.
They were holding a celebration for passing the preliminary exam, but with the main exam still ahead, it couldn't be too grand.
They still had to be cautious about everything.
So they were inviting only close relatives and friends. Even so, the hosts—his uncle and aunt—were inevitably swamped with preparations.
His grandfather had retired to his room, citing fatigue, and his uncle and aunt were too busy to stick around the guest quarters.
That left him in the guest quarters with Gwak Hyeong-jin, Seok Il-song, Seon-il hyung, and Seon-mi.
"So, what does the young master think about this...?"
"Wow! I see. That's what I was wondering...!"
"Then what does it mean that a great sage who has attained the Way has no sense of self?"
"In my view..."
"Impressive."
"Your insight is astounding."
"Impressive? There are far more astonishing people in the world than me. But to have such wisdom at your age! I'm the one who's impressed."
"No, sir."
"You're too kind."
"To think your master gets to teach such prodigies of the world! I envy him."
Seon-il hyung's face was filled with genuine envy.
"I may not be able to be your master, but how about I become your big brother instead? Want to be my little brothers?"
"How could we...?"
"Is that really okay?"
The two glanced at him, silently asking if it was fine.
He met their eyes.
They didn't seem opposed.
He chuckled and said,
"If you like it, then go for it. It's up to you."
With his permission granted, the two quickly clasped their hands in a formal bow.
"Then we humbly accept you as our big brother."
"Me too."
The three dove into discussions of the classics and quickly bonded like kindred spirits.
For some reason, it reminded him of Yu Chong-gwan and the Jegal Supreme Patriarch.
The day of the banquet arrived.
"Hahaha! Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"What a son to be proud of."
"I know, right? Hahaha."
His uncle's face was wreathed in smiles.
Seon-il hyung had started preparing for the exams partly because he enjoyed it, but also to fulfill his father's wishes.
Even with the current emperor's policies promoting commerce and industry, merchants and artisans were still looked down upon.
To the ink-stained scholars, they were just money-grubbing vulgarians.
He found that view utterly ridiculous.
The tendency was even stronger in Beijing, where officials congregated.
His uncle—and his ancestors before him—had endured no small amount of subtle scorn.
When they noticed Seon-il hyung's scholarly talent, they'd pushed him to study in hopes of washing away that shame.
And at just twenty-one, Seon-il hyung had made his father's dream come true.
Watching the scene, he headed to the banquet hall.
That's when he overheard some guests conversing.
They'd invited mostly relatives, but they couldn't exclude close local acquaintances.
A few Beijing merchants had shown up as well.
"Must be nice."
"I know, right."
"I hear young master Seon-il's talents are so exceptional he could even aim for top honors in the main exam?"
"Is that so?"
"I have a friend in the Ministry of Rites who told me."
"Oh!"
He tilted his head at the conversation.
Top honors material?
From what he remembered, Seon-il hyung hadn't come close to first place in the main exam—he'd barely scraped into the lower ranks.
His uncle had been thrilled regardless.
Come to think of it...
Seon-il hyung, who had always been so enthusiastic about everything, had lost his drive right after the main exam.
The banquet ended, but he couldn't leave right away.
He still hadn't received a reply to the report he'd submitted to the emperor.
He glanced at Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song.
They were starting to look bored.
And who could blame them? They'd been cooped up in his aunt's house the whole time.
"Hey, kids."
"Yes?"
"You called, young master?"
"How about we eat out tonight?"
"Out? You mean...?"
"We're in Beijing for once—let's check out the markets."
Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song's faces lit up.
"For real?"
"We're really going to see Beijing's markets?"
"Yeah."
He took the two, Palgap, and Yeo Eung-am Warrior out to the markets.
The boys' eyes went wide at Beijing's dazzling sights, too busy gawking to do anything else.
Classic country bumpkin behavior.
But no pickpockets approached, thanks to the guards standing watch behind him.
After excitedly touring the markets until evening, they ducked into a noodle house.
It was a three-story pavilion specializing in roast duck, and he remembered it being delicious.
In his previous life, it had even been one of his regulars.
The consistent taste across generations meant the son had learned well from his father.
"Welcome."
"Three roast ducks prepared three ways, and rainbow dumplings."
"Got it. What tea would you like?"
"Your recommendation."
"Understood."
The server brought tea first. One sip, and the floral aroma told him it was osmanthus tea.
Perfect for greasy food.
As they chatted, the dumplings arrived. After a couple bites, the duck dishes followed.
The glossy brown duck looked mouthwatering even untouched.
"I'll prepare the duck for you now."
The server carved it right in front of them, plating the meat with flashy knife work that was a show in itself.
In moments, all the edible parts were thinly sliced and neatly arranged.
The scraps went into a soup, perfect with noodles...
His mouth watered.
"Enjoy your meal."
The server placed the plates in the center with a polite bow. He said to everyone,
"Dig in?"
"Itadakimasu."
As he ate, he watched Gwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song devour theirs. Their enthusiasm warmed his heart.
Ah, so this is why people treat others to meals.
After finishing, on the way back to his aunt's house, he spotted a familiar face.
Hm? Seon-il hyung?
But he wasn't alone—he was with several young men his age.
Eh?
His expression hardened. One of the men with Seon-il hyung was someone he recognized.
His name was Du-jin.
The guy was the son of the Jayeong Merchant Group's leader—and eventually took it over.
He'd been the fifth son, far down the line of succession, yet he'd become leader.
Later, it came out that he'd received backing from the Murim Alliance from a young age. In other words, he'd seized the position with the Murim Alliance's help.
The Jayeong Merchant Group became the Murim Alliance's puppet, only to be discarded once used up.
But that was twenty years from now.
Still, it was certain that young master Du-jin was aligned with the Murim Alliance.
So why was he there?
Something felt off.
He needed to check it out.
He turned to Yeo Eung-am Warrior.
"Take the others back."
"What? Suddenly?"
Palgap predictably objected.
"I need you to watch the kids so I can relax."
"Ah, got it then."
After sending them ahead, he said to Yi-pil Warrior,
"Come with me."
He bought a bamboo hat nearby and had Yi-pil wear it.
He pulled out his fan.
Finally using this item that obscured facial recognition.
It had a name, but what was it again?
After pondering, he decided on his own.
Menmak-seon—Face-Veiling Fan.
Straightforward names were best.
He followed Seon-il hyung and his group into their destination.
It was a lavish tavern.
Luckily, the room next to where Seon-il hyung sat was empty, so he took it and focused his internal energy on his ears.
Then he listened in.
"Congrats on passing the prelims."
"Thanks."
"One of Beijing's Seven Jewels producing a palace official, eh?"
"Right? Hahaha."
Beijing's Seven Jewels...
Seven treasures of Beijing.
And sure enough, there were seven including Seon-il hyung.
Goosebumps prickled his arms unbidden, and he rubbed them.
"Cold, young master?"
He shook his head at Yi-pil Warrior's question.
"No, it's fine."
The server brought drinks and snacks, then left.
The chatter continued.
Then Seon-il hyung stepped out, probably to relieve himself, followed by young master Du-jin.
Instinct told him he needed to hear their conversation.
He told Yi-pil Warrior to wait and slipped after them, suppressing his presence.
Yi-pil let him go alone knowing his skills.
Moments later, they met under a tree near the tavern.
"Seon-il, let's talk."
Seon-il hyung replied to Du-jin's words,
"What about? If it's something that can only be said alone, I'm not interested."
Seon-il hyung was a merchant's son through and through.
He seemed to sense it wasn't good news.
"No, you need to hear this—for your own sake."
"...What?"
"In the main exam, swap names on your answer sheet."
"What the hell? Swap names?"
Seon-il hyung's brow furrowed deeply.
And no wonder.
He himself was shocked by what he'd just overheard—how must the person involved feel?
"I serve someone important. He needs to plant someone in the palace—with stellar exam results."
"..."
"That's where you come in."
Du-jin smiled.
"Help him, and he'll greatly aid your Yeonjun Merchant Group. Refuse, and he'll destroy it in an instant."
"..."
"You're my friend—I can't just watch your family fall. That's why I said I'd try convincing you."
"..."
"Seon-il, what you need is the honor of a merchant family producing a degree-holder. The main exam's just for ranking. Even low on the list, you'll be an official and help your house."
"...But that's cheating."
"It is."
"You're asking me to cheat? I don't even care about top honors. How can you tell me to abandon my conscience?"
"Is your conscience worth more than your family's ruin?"