For My Aunt (3)
Seon-il hyung couldn't respond to those words.
"It's not, right?"
"……."
"Think about it carefully."
"Just who is this person you're serving?"
"You don't need to know that."
"And you won't even tell me that, yet you expect me to... right now..."
"But I'll show you the proof."
"Proof?"
"You'll understand what it is when you get home."
"……."
"Let's go in. The others are waiting. Lighten up a bit."
With that, the Dujin young master patted Seon-il hyung's shoulder and entered the pavilion room first.
Seon-il hyung stood there thinking for a moment before following him inside.
I bit my lip, lost in thought.
Unlike his reputation as a top talent close to the top spot, there was a reason Seon-il hyung had ranked near the bottom in my memories of the past exams.
He'd been blackmailed.
The Murim Alliance had used him to plant one of their own in a high palace position.
But would such dirty tricks end with just one instance?
Once they knew blackmail worked, they'd have done it again and again, something similar each time.
Naturally, that would have twisted Seon-il hyung's personality into something cynical and pessimistic.
He'd lost all motivation.
That's when the Murim Alliance became a thorn in Eunhae Merchant Group's side.
Even though my aunt had married into another family, she was still one of us from Eunhae. And she'd doted on me endlessly since I was little.
So it infuriated me that the Murim Alliance's despicable schemes had warped Seon-il hyung's character, causing my aunt so much heartache.
Wait a minute...
Why would the Murim Alliance try to plant someone in the palace?
What for?
Suddenly, a major incident from about thirteen years in the future flashed in my mind.
I'd been able to prevent the Jegal Supreme Patriarch's poisoning because I remembered that event.
The Empress's poisoning.
A consort below her rose to become the new Empress, but countless people suffered in the aftermath, and the culprit was soon caught.
Whether that culprit was truly guilty, though... I had no idea.
They'd only confessed to harboring a grudge against the Empress.
That was when it started.
The palace began oddly turning a blind eye to the Murim Alliance's arrogance.
Seon-il hyung was clearly tangled up in something seriously troublesome.
"Ah, damn it."
"What's wrong, young master?"
Yi Pil asked at my reaction, and I let out a sigh.
"Just feels like a headache's coming on."
Still, I couldn't just sit back and watch.
If this succeeded, the Murim Alliance's influence would expand.
For me, who'd vowed revenge against them, it was a perfect chance to stir up chaos.
Thwarting their plan was one thing, but I couldn't let Seon-il hyung suffer more emotional scars.
Not for my aunt's sake, if nothing else.
.
.
.
When I got home, the household was in disarray.
"What happened?"
Palgap answered quickly at my question.
"Well, one of the places we traded with through Yeonjun Merchant Group suddenly cut off dealings, sir."
"……What?"
This must be the 'proof' the Dujin young master had mentioned to Seon-il hyung.
In the end, faced with this, Seon-il hyung had chosen the merchant group and his family.
Playing it this dirty, huh?
The next day.
I asked Yeo Eung-am warrior and Yi Pil warrior to keep an eye on the Dujin young master.
When night fell, Yi Pil warrior came to me.
"He's finally moving."
"Let's go."
I followed Yi Pil warrior immediately.
And spotting the mark Yeo Eung-am warrior had left, I trailed after it.
It was a sign only Eunhae escort warriors would recognize.
Soon, I met up with Yeo Eung-am warrior.
"You came."
"Yes."
"He took a boat out that way."
There was a wide lake with a boat on it. The Dujin young master was rowing toward the center.
And from the other side, another boat approached his.
A secret meeting was inevitable.
I wanted to hear it, but if we took a boat out there, they'd spot us.
The meeting would be off.
Master's water arts came to mind.
Ice Sea Assimilation Heart Method and Ice Sea Water Severing Art.
So... I have to go.
I took off my outer robe and handed it to Yi Pil warrior.
"Hold this for a bit."
"Pardon? What are you—"
"I'll be right back."
I took a deep breath. Then, circulating the Ice Sea Assimilation Heart Method, I slipped into the water.
Gradually, my body grew cold.
I submerged completely.
Quietly, I approached the Dujin young master's boat and hid behind it.
Moments later, another boat arrived.
It was a dark night, and Master's water arts were based on the Traceless Ripple Step, so no one sensed my presence.
"You came."
"How'd it go?"
"I fully explained our position to Hong Seon-il young master and warned him."
"If he's smart, he'll get it. And we sent the proof."
"Yes, it will go as that lord wishes. By the way, what name should Hong Seon-il young master write on his exam this time?"
"Song Chi."
"I thought there were two."
"Go Seong-il has another helper."
A few more words were exchanged, then the boats began drifting apart again.
I felt my breath running short.
Time to head back.
I swiftly returned to the lakeshore.
"Young master."
The warriors rushed to me, but I raised a hand to stop them.
Then, slowly circulating the Great Yin Ice Sea Divine Art to raise my plummeting body temperature.
"Hoo..."
After exhaling fully, I said to them,
"Let's go back."
Good thing I'd learned Master's water arts. My body suffered, but I put them to good use.
And thanks to it, I got crucial information.
Song Chi.
Go Seong-il.
I committed them to memory.
Come to think of it, I'd heard the name Song Chi somewhere before...
Ah... right.
When the Empress was poisoned, the guy from the Ministry of Justice who had a pouch on him—his name was Song Chi.
I remembered because he'd come to our merchant group himself back then, requesting cooperation.
He'd acted awfully arrogant.
During our talk, I learned he'd taken the exams same time as Seon-il hyung and placed high.
What? So he hadn't earned it on his own merit, yet strutted around like that?
And him being in the Ministry of Justice was suspicious too.
Meaning, when the Empress was poisoned, he was in a position to frame the culprit.
Top exam graduates usually start at the Hanlin Academy. But the Ministry of Justice...?
He had ulterior motives.
Unbelievable.
When I returned to my quarters at my aunt's house, Palgap asked in surprise,
"Young master! Where on earth were you that you're soaked through like this?"
"Eh, just went for a swim. It was hot."
He sighed, reading my expression.
Sharp as ever.
"I'll prepare bath water, sir."
After bathing, Palgap said,
"Oh, someone from the palace came and went earlier, sir."
"From the palace?"
"Yes. Summons to the palace tomorrow, sir."
"I see."
I grinned.
A way to screw over the Murim Alliance and wrap things up neatly came to mind.
.
.
.
The next day.
I headed to the palace.
At the gates, after announcing my arrival, eunuchs came out to greet me.
"Are you Eunhae Merchant Group's Eun Seo-ho?"
"Yes."
"Follow me."
I followed the eunuch to where the Emperor was. Ever since that incident, they no longer mocked me as a mere merchant—no more making me wear the curved hat.
Feels refreshing.
We arrived at Taehwa Hall and I paid my respects to the Emperor.
I didn't report on the salt monopoly or the wind gauges in front of the ministers.
Went straight to the Emperor's office.
"Your merchant Eun Seo-ho of Eunhae Merchant Group pays respects to the benevolent ruler of this central plains. Long live, long live, long live forever!"
I bowed, and the Emperor's voice soon came.
"Raise your head."
"Your grace is boundless."
I looked up. The Emperor's face came into view.
Two years ago or now, still young and healthy.
The current Emperor had held the throne even when I died.
"I read the report you gave me. Your Wu-i branch manager is doing well."
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
I presented the report I'd prepared in advance.
"This is what this humble merchant couldn't fully detail."
"Bring it."
At the Emperor's words, the eunuch took the scroll from me. The Emperor unrolled and read it.
"Hm..."
He rolled it back up, placed it on his desk, and said,
"Understood. I'll reference it separately."
I grinned inwardly at that.
The Emperor continued,
"I called you for a few questions."
"Ask away, Your Majesty."
After some questions and answers, the Emperor asked,
"By the way, do you never take vacations?"
"Regrettably, no, Your Majesty."
"Haha, I see. Well, since you're here, enjoy it like a vacation. In Eunuch In told me the moonlight over Stone Moon Lake at the beginning of the Hour of the Pig is quite beautiful."
"Yes, I shall."
"You may withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I left the Emperor's office.
.
.
.
That night.
I headed to Stone Moon Lake.
The additional report to the Emperor had no real content—just a signal that I wanted a private audience.
He'd read it and said he'd reference it separately.
Meaning he understood.
And his later addition meant meet there.
At Stone Moon Lake, beginning of the Hour of the Pig.
Stone Moon Lake was a lake slightly removed from the palace.
Its shadow reflected on the water only during the new moon, hence the name.
As I stood there briefly, someone approached.
It was Eunuch In, who served the Emperor up close.
"Follow me."
I followed silently and saw a man standing a bit away from the shore.
In plain clothes, but I knew who it was.
"Shall I bow?"
"I don't fancy drawing unnecessary attention."
"Didn't expect Your Majesty in plain clothes for a secret outing."
"If others knew you requested a private audience, it'd be a headache. That's why I slipped it into the report, no?"
The Emperor indeed.
His insight was razor-sharp.
"I'm curious why you requested this private meeting."
How would the Emperor react to my words?
"Your Majesty, please change the procedure for this exam's presentation."
* * *
Hong Seon-il let out a sigh.
I have to go...
It was the day of the presentation, the final stage of the civil service exams.
He wondered what meaning there was in even taking the exam.
No matter what, he couldn't perform to his true ability.
Because of what his longtime friend Dujin had said.
"For this presentation, change the name on your answer sheet. There's someone I serve. He needs to place someone in the palace. With excellent exam results."
And then,
"Help him, and he'll greatly aid your Yeonjun Merchant Group. Refuse, and he'll ruin it in an instant."
Soon after, news came that a trading partner had cut ties with the merchant group. Hong Seon-il made his decision.
No matter how important conscience was, it couldn't compare to his merchant group and family.
He stood up.
He had to go take the presentation, even if just to proxy the exam as instructed.
"Do well."
"Don't be too tense."
"No pressure."
"Oppa! Good luck!"
Normally, their cheers before an exam made him feel so supported.
But not today.
Today, his shoulders felt heavy.
His steps were leaden.
"Seon-il hyung."
"……?"
Looking up, his distant cousin Eun Seo-ho stood before him.
Beside him were Kwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song, whom he'd taken as little brothers.
He'd planned to leave early but stayed longer due to circumstances.
"Please get good results, hyung."
"You'll do great, hyung."
He nodded silently at Kwak Hyeong-jin and Seok Il-song's encouragement, then ruffled their hair.
Then Eun Seo-ho said,
"Nice weather today, huh, Seon-il hyung?"
"Yeah."
The weather was perfect. He almost wished for rain.
"Feels like something good will happen today."
"Nonsense. I'm off."
He forced a composed expression and headed to the palace.
Upon arrival, he went through the procedures and entered the exam hall.
Sat at his assigned seat.
Moments later, the Emperor appeared in the hall, and he quickly stood to bow.
The Emperor sat on the jade throne and spoke unexpectedly.
"We'll conduct this presentation differently."