A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 232

232. Guests

A few days before Lady Sek Hwa’s betrothal ceremony, Sohn Bin straightened his attire and left the Seowon [a private Confucian academy].

He felt the unique smell of new clothes and a slightly awkward texture, but his mood was refreshed. The small hat he wore was also new, a gift from Lady Sek Hwa as a token of gratitude.

“New attire? There was no need for that.”

Sohn Bin naturally declined. However, the old Madam Dang Woon-yeong shook her head with a serious expression.

“No. If you care for Sek Hwa, you must wear new clothes and a hat—and of the finest quality.”

Sohn Bin understood Madam Dang Woon-yeong’s meaning perfectly. In short, he needed to dress in a way that wouldn’t be overshadowed by the Five Great Families or major merchant guilds.

Sohn Bin didn’t believe that clothes were more important than a person’s heart, but for Lady Sek Hwa’s sake, he had no choice but to pay attention to his appearance.

“Then I would rather prepare it myself. I cannot burden Lady Sek Hwa with such things…”

“It’s alright.”

Lady Sek Hwa said with a gentle smile.

“It’s from the Hyeoklyun Family, so don’t feel burdened. I’ll get you the best attire this time.”

At her words, Sohn Bin couldn’t say anything more. Receiving it from the Hyeoklyun Family was equally unsettling.

“Do as Sek Hwa says. I also want to see you in new clothes.”

At old Madam Dang Woon-yeong’s words, Sohn Bin bowed his head towards Lady Sek Hwa.

“I understand. Then I will gratefully accept it.”

“No, I am the one who is grateful.”

Lady Sek Hwa smiled gently. And a few days later, new clothes arrived for Sohn Bin. They were made of the most expensive and precious fabric he had ever seen.

After touching the collar once, Sohn Bin hurried his steps towards the Hoyeon Martial Hall. It was a short distance from the Seowon.

“Welcome, Young Master Sohn.”

Lady Sek Hwa was already waiting for Sohn Bin in front of the Hoyeon Martial Hall. Sohn Bin bowed to Lady Sek Hwa and said,

“Have you been waiting long?”

“No. More importantly, you look good.”

Sohn Bin smiled. The clothes Lady Sek Hwa sent were luxurious yet not overly flashy, which pleased Sohn Bin.

“Thank you. You look beautiful as well, Lady.”

Lady Sek Hwa smiled slightly and said,

“Let’s go, the carriage is waiting.”

The two got into the carriage and headed to the Hyeoklyun Family estate in Gwangju.

Clatter, clatter.

“Have you ever met Lord Hyeoklyun?”

Lady Sek Hwa asked from inside the carriage. Sohn Bin shook his head.

“No, I haven’t. Have you already met Lord Hyeoklyun?”

The soon-to-be Lady Hyeoklyun Sek Hwa nodded.

“I met him before the official proposal came to the Martial Hall.”

“He is a good person. The sight of the old couple relying on each other was truly beautiful. It made me naturally think that I would like to grow old like that as well.”

Sohn Bin nodded. If Lady Sek Hwa said so, they must be good people.

“Are you alright?”

Sohn Bin suddenly asked. Lady Sek Hwa, who had been looking out the window, turned back with a puzzled expression.

“Yes? Oh, are you asking if I’m alright with accepting the Hyeoklyun Family’s proposal?”

Sohn Bin nodded. Lady Sek Hwa smiled gently. After a moment of silence, she spoke in a low voice.

“It wasn’t easy.”

Clatter, clatter.

Her voice was heard between the sounds of the carriage.

“I felt guilty, as if I was abandoning my family, and I also wondered if I was becoming a snob blinded by wealth.”

“That’s not true.”

Sohn Bin suddenly felt something welling up inside him. There was no way Lady Sek Hwa was such a woman.

“You are a good person, Lady. Such thoughts are absurd.”

Lady Sek Hwa smiled quietly.

“Thank you. But there may be people who see it that way. But what can I do?”

After letting out a soft sigh, Lady Sek Hwa looked at Sohn Bin and smiled.

“Even if I get criticized, it’s something I want to do.”

Sohn Bin sensed something strange in her words, but before that thought could continue, Lady Sek Hwa’s voice was heard.

“And don’t worry too much.”

Lady Sek Hwa shrugged and said,

“It’s a woman’s fate to leave home. Sometimes, we even look forward to it, so it’s not as difficult as you think. I feel a mix of relief and regret. I also feel like I’ve done my duty to my family.”

It was the usual playful expression of Lady Sek Hwa. Sohn Bin smiled.

“I see. Then should I congratulate you?”

“Of course, you should.”

Sohn Bin was somewhat convinced. There was definitely a difference between the position of a man who had to continue the family and a woman who had to leave home.

But it was also clear that it was a comforting remark to ease Sohn Bin’s worries. Regardless of the difference in the positions of men and women, the fact of leaving one’s family did not change.

“Oh, we’re already in Gwangju.”

Lady Sek Hwa said, looking out the window.

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage was already entering Gwangju. Looking at the 모습 [appearance/sight] of the huge city, which was clearly different from the quiet Cheongwon, Lady Sek Hwa murmured softly.

“It’s really close.”

“Yes.”

It was strange to say such a thing now, but Sohn Bin nodded in agreement with her words.

The two arrived in front of the Hyeoklyun Family estate and got out of the carriage.

Passing through the large and splendid main gate, which spoke of the family’s power, and going inside, a small and simple residence with a garden appeared.

Even though it was small, it was only in comparison to the other buildings and halls they had passed, and it was actually larger than Sohn Bin’s Seowon.

“Oh, Sek Hwa, is that you?”

A soft old woman’s voice was heard. Sohn Bin turned his head. A short and elegant old woman with white hair was standing there smiling.

“Yes, Mother.”

Lady Sek Hwa replied with a smile. Even though it was before the betrothal ceremony, it seemed she had already been accepted as family.

“Mother, this is Young Master Sohn, whom I mentioned.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Sohn Bin.”

Sohn Bin bowed politely.

“Ah, so it’s you. It’s nice to meet you.”

As if she already knew about Sohn Bin, the old woman nodded and returned Sohn Bin’s greeting.

Sohn Bin raised his head. The old woman’s eyes were full of curiosity towards Sohn Bin.

“Has Sek Hwa arrived?”

Someone opened the door and came out from inside. Unlike the old woman, the tall and gentle-looking old man was none other than Lord Hyeoklyun.

“Father.”

“Oh, Sek Hwa.”

Lord Hyeoklyun said to Lady Sek Hwa with a smile. The white beard and hair reaching his chest spoke of the years he had lived.

“Dear, Young Master Sohn has also come.”

At the old woman’s words, the gentle old man, Lord Hyeoklyun, immediately showed interest.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Sohn Bin.”

Sohn Bin bowed politely to Lord Hyeoklyun. Lord Hyeoklyun also clasped his hands together and politely returned Sohn Bin’s greeting.

“Nice to meet you. I am Hyeoklyun Gong.”

Lord Hyeoklyun’s eyes were gentle but contained a strong power. It was not due to his martial arts, but rather to his wisdom and insight.

“I heard from Sek Hwa that you run a Seowon in Cheongwon? It’s a very good intention for a young man to have.”

“You flatter me.”

Sohn Bin bowed his head again. Lord Hyeoklyun’s eyes towards him were warm yet somewhat stern.

“I would like to talk with you, but you two have to welcome the guests today, so there is no time. Please visit me later with Sek Hwa.”

“Yes, I will.”

At Sohn Bin’s reply, the old woman suddenly said,

“Wouldn’t it be nice if we went to the Seowon?”

“Oh, that would be good too.”

Lord Hyeoklyun nodded and asked Sohn Bin.

“Would it be a bother if we visited the Seowon?”

“Not at all. You are welcome anytime.”

Lord Hyeoklyun let out a hearty laugh.

“Thank you. Hyeoklyun Wi seems to like it so much, so I was also curious.”

Sohn Bin gave an awkward smile, and the old woman glared slightly at Lord Hyeoklyun and said,

“Dear, that friend? He is still an elder in terms of seniority.”

Lord Hyeoklyun let out an awkward laugh.

“It’s alright. What does it matter between us?”

“Dear, still…”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. There are no elders to say anything anymore. If you think about it, we are the oldest ones in the family.”

Lord Hyeoklyun’s grumbling made Sohn Bin smile. The old woman said to Sohn Bin and Lady Sek Hwa,

“You two should go quickly. You shouldn’t keep the guests waiting.”

“Yes, we will be back.”

Lady Sek Hwa bowed to Lord Hyeoklyun and his wife. Lord Hyeoklyun’s smile as he looked at her was warm.

* * *

Today’s banquet was for the young guests. It was a place to welcome distinguished guests and a chance for the young people of the families and merchant guilds to build friendships.

Of course, the elders of the families did not attend, and Lady Sek Hwa took on the role of the host. Sohn Bin was to welcome the guests with her as her acquaintance.

And the banquet was, surprisingly, prepared on a cruise ship floating on the Gangwi River.

“Is this… the banquet venue?”

Sohn Bin said with a surprised expression. A fairly large ship with red pillars and a golden roof was swaying quietly at the dock.

“I, I guess so.”

Lady Sek Hwa also couldn’t hide her surprised expression.

The Zhujiang River, where the two were standing, was a large and wide river that crossed Gwangju. The scenery was also beautiful, so large and small cruise ships were always floating around.

The ship at the dock was also one of those cruise ships. It was not suitable for going far because it was low in height and wide in width, but it was a good ship for leisurely enjoying the scenery on the water and holding a banquet.

“I’ve often seen cruise ships with curtains to block the sunlight, but this ship…”

Sohn Bin gave a slightly awkward smile. This ship was definitely unique. It had red pillars and a golden roof on top of the ship, making it seem like a banquet hall was floating on the water.

“If you don’t like it, would you like to change the ship?”

The middle-aged captain said politely. He was also working for the Hyeoklyun Family.

“No. Let’s keep it as it is.”

Lady Sek Hwa replied. There was no time to change the ship now.

The two boarded the ship. The servants and maids who had been preparing followed behind them.

“Oh my.”

Lady Sek Hwa looked around the ship with sparkling eyes. Sohn Bin also followed her and looked around the ship.

The cruise ship was a fairly spacious banquet hall. Instead of walls, there were windows that could be closed or opened wide on all sides.

There was a small separate room for preparations, as well as a stage where entertainers could perform, giving it the feeling of a fairly full-fledged banquet hall.

“Can I change the decorations a little?”

Lady Sek Hwa said, looking at the decorations that were as splendid as the exterior of the ship. The captain bowed his head and replied.

“Of course, miss. You can do whatever you want.”

Lady Sek Hwa skillfully instructed the maids on a few things. When she took out the overly flashy items and changed the 배치 [arrangement] a little, it felt even more elegant and luxurious.

“It’s much better.”

Sohn Bin was also impressed by her eye for detail. The captain also seemed slightly surprised.

“Now, shall we welcome the guests?”

Lady Sek Hwa said with a smile. Sohn Bin suddenly wondered who would be attending.

“Who did you say was coming today?”

“Most of them are from the merchant guilds: the Hwanam Merchant Guild, which has a deep relationship with the Hyeoklyun Family, and also the Maun Merchant Guild, Jaebu Merchant Guild, Songam Merchant Guild, and Hoeyang Merchant Guild.”

Sohn Bin had heard their names a few times.

“The 천하오대상단 [Five Great Merchant Guilds Under Heaven] are coming.”

“Yes. They have close relationships with the families and government offices as well as wealth. For example, the Namgoong Family is close to the Hoeyang Merchant Guild, and the Tang Clan has a long-standing friendship with the Songam Merchant Guild.”

“I see.”

Sohn Bin’s reaction was not very significant because he had not usually thought much about the merchant guilds. But for those involved in the merchant guilds, their mouths would have dropped open just by hearing their names.

“Oh, and people from the Namgoong Family, the Jegal Family, the Gongson Family, and the Tang Clan are also coming.”

This time, Sohn Bin was also surprised.

“Then, are all the Five Great Families and the Five Great Merchant Guilds coming?”

Lady Sek Hwa gave an awkward smile.

“That’s how it turned out.”

‘But if it’s the Tang Clan…’

Sohn Bin thought. If it was the Tang Clan, there were two people in the Seowon. He wondered if there was even a need to send them separately, but since it was a matter between the families, there must be circumstances.

“You’re working hard even before the betrothal ceremony.”

At Sohn Bin’s words, Lady Sek Hwa smiled shyly.

“Nothing comes easy.”

It was then. A maid came into the ship, bowed her head, and conveyed the message.

“It seems they’ve already arrived.”

Lady Sek Hwa said. Sohn Bin followed her out.

When they came out to the dock, several fairly splendid carriages had arrived, and young men and ladies were getting off.

“The families have arrived first.”

Even if Lady Sek Hwa hadn’t said it, Sohn Bin quickly realized that they were martial artists.

“Huh?”

“Hm?”

Sohn Bin and Lady Sek Hwa unknowingly made a sound. It was because there was a familiar face among the young people who came from the families.

“The person from the Tang Clan is that lady.”

One of the ladies who got off the carriage was a face that Sohn Bin and Lady Sek Hwa knew. It was the vice commander of the Silver Sword Unit of the Tang Clan, whom they had already met.

Lady Sek Hwa was delighted because she knew her, but Sohn Bin found another lady and slightly hardened his face.

‘That young lady…’

Sohn Bin looked at the young lady with sharp eyes.

She was Gongson Ji of the Gongson Family, whom he had met for the third time already, at the Hwanghak Tower in Wuhan and the inn on the Yangtze River.

“Is it here?”

Gongson Ji, who got off the carriage, frowned and muttered.

If she had been smiling, her beautiful appearance would have shone even more, but unfortunately, Gongson Ji was not in a good mood right now.

“I wondered what they were going to show me by coming all the way to this distant Gwangju, but it’s just a river? And a cruise ship? I’m already tired enough of being shaken in the carriage.”

Her dissatisfaction seemed to be due to fatigue from the long journey, but no matter what, it was clearly rude to openly express such thoughts.

The young man from the Hyeoklyun Family, who had been riding in the carriage with her, openly showed an uncomfortable expression, but Gongson Ji didn’t care.

“Haha, it seems Lady Gongson is very disappointed.”

A tall young man said. Dressed like a nobleman, he said to Gongson Ji.

“But a banquet on a ship is quite elegant, isn’t it? Since your nickname is Dan Sim Hwa [Crimson Heart Flower], you will see flowers on the river today.”

“Tch, don’t say such flattering words. Brother Namgoong always only says…”

Dan Sim Hwa Gongson Ji glared slightly, but because it wasn’t a bad thing to hear, a slight smile appeared on her lips.

“Haha, how can Young Master Namgoong’s words be flattering? Your beauty is like a flower, so this is my true heart.”

Another young man said, not wanting to miss the opportunity.

“Oh, my. Even Brother Jegal… Please stop.”

Dan Sim Hwa Gongson Ji turned her head with a sulky expression. At the same time, she did not forget to glance at another lady.

“How is Tang Unni [older sister]? Are you okay?”

The woman she called Tang Unni was a tall lady with a slender body. It was the vice commander of the Silver Sword Unit.

“I’m fine. And there’s no need to call me Unni, Lady Gongson.”

“Oh my, but you’re older than me. Isn’t that right?”

The vice commander of the Silver Sword Unit frowned slightly.

She knew Dan Sim Hwa Gongson Ji’s mischievous intentions. Gongson Ji wanted to emphasize that she was young and attractive.

‘How childish.’

However, Gongson Ji’s actions were only laughable to the vice commander of the Silver Sword Unit.

The vice commander was already recognized in the Tang Clan and had taken on a formal position. She was incomparable to these young people who had not even established themselves in the family, both in terms of martial arts and influence.

‘Even though it’s a mission, I have to deal with these things.’

The person who gave the order to the vice commander of the Silver Sword Unit was Tang Hwa-ryeon, the general military strategist of the Tang Clan. How could she neglect that order?

The vice commander, who sighed slightly inwardly, smiled awkwardly. Gongson Ji had a smug expression on her face at that 모습 [sight/appearance].

“Welcome.”

In the meantime, Lady Sek Hwa, who had approached the carriage, said with a smile. Gongson Ji, the two ladies, and the three young men looked at Lady Sek Hwa.

It was a very brief moment, but Lady Sek Hwa felt Gongson Ji 훑어보는 [scanning/glancing] her up and down.

Gongson Ji, who had a slight sneer on her face, moved her gaze to Sohn Bin, who was standing behind her, and soon, her eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“Have we perhaps met somewhere before?”

Sohn Bin gave a bitter smile. It was because she was asking without omitting the greetings, and even the content was the same as before.