A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 267

267. Evening at Yewon

Son Bin was able to return to the inn late at night.

The old coachman had already received his fare and refused more, but Son Bin pressed a few more coins into his hand. Leaving the coachman’s bright smile behind, Son Bin went up to his room.

“You’ve been out?”

No-gun, who had returned earlier, frowned as he asked.

“If you had been any later, I would have gone looking for you.”

“My walk just got a little longer.”

Son Bin said, glossing over the truth with a smile.

“Have you had dinner?”

“No.”

No-gun said curtly.

“That’s perfect. I haven’t had dinner yet either, so shall we go out to eat something?”

“Hmph. Well, if you’re buying.”

“Of course.”

Son Bin smiled brightly at No-gun’s slightly sulky demeanor. Even No-gun’s frown was welcome.

“Why is this guy suddenly smiling like this?”

No-gun grimaced, but still obediently followed Son Bin out of the inn.

“You didn’t go to Yewon?”

No-gun asked, following behind.

“No, I didn’t. Where would be a good place to eat?”

Hangzhou’s streets were lined with places to eat. From cheap eateries to brightly lit pavilions, various restaurants tempted customers.

“Hmm. Now that I’m out, there’s nowhere that really appeals to me… Should we just go to Yewon instead? No need to waste money unnecessarily.”

“It seemed like they needed something other than money there.”

The first time he visited the Yewon in Xi’an with Sa Ja-hyeok, he had clearly said that he had ‘paid the price’.

That meant Sa Ja-hyeok revealing his presence and what he was trying to do. Son Bin could understand that now.

“That’s true. Yewon doesn’t ask for anything directly, but that doesn’t mean it knows nothing.”

Yewon is the only place where knowing about the Outer Affairs [unofficial, often clandestine activities and information networks] is permitted. That alone is as good as having a huge vested interest.

“But for you, just going there is price enough to pay.”

“Still, today I wanted to relax… Ah.”

As he spoke, Son Bin suddenly turned to look at No-gun as if something had occurred to him.

“Shall we go to Yewon?”

“What, why the sudden change of heart?”

No-gun frowned. Son Bin smiled.

“I thought the food there was neat and quite good.”

“Hmm, well, I do agree with that.”

Son Bin already knew that No-gun would agree. Hadn’t he been talking about Yewon several times already?

“Let’s go then. Shall we get a carriage?”

Son Bin grinned at No-gun’s suspicious frown.

*

*

*

The Hangzhou Yewon, which he visited after a long time, was no different from before.

A carriage stopped in front of the mansion located in a quiet residential area, and a white-haired old servant greeted the two men. With a welcoming expression, he bowed to Son Bin and No-gun, then led them to an elegant pavilion in the garden.

“The Lady Head will be out soon.”

It was already dark, but the stone lanterns lit in various places softly illuminated the garden.

The lanterns hanging in the pavilion also lit the surroundings without being too extravagant. It was a place that felt cozy with the cool night breeze.

“There was a place like this?”

Son Bin exclaimed in admiration. He had lived in this Hangzhou Yewon for over a month. Yet this was his first time seeing such a place.

“It’s because it’s night. Light is truly magical, making the same thing look completely different.”

“Indeed.”

Son Bin nodded and said.

“So, perception of things depends on the point of view…”

“So, don’t just like it because it looks pretty at night, but make sure to check again in broad daylight.”

No-gun said with a serious look.

“A faint light can make even an ugly woman look like a beauty. And if you add a drink or two…”

“What are you talking about?”

A woman’s voice, mixed with a sigh, was heard from the garden entrance. Son Bin raised his head.

*Sapak, Sapak* [sound of footsteps].

An elegantly dressed, beautiful woman walked towards Son Bin and No-gun. Her graceful figure approaching under the soft light of the stone lanterns was like a painting.

“Don’t say strange things to Young Master Son. It sounds like I deliberately brought you to a place like this.”

She, Hwa-wol, frowned slightly. No-gun stared at her, who was also the Lady Head of this Hangzhou Yewon, with a serious expression.

“Well, now that I think about it, you’re also at an age where you need to cover up a lot…”

“Elder!”

Hwa-wol was startled and stopped No-gun’s words. No-gun laughed as if satisfied with her reaction.

“Just kidding, just kidding. There’s no one in the world who would deny Hwa-wol’s beauty. *Keu keu keu* [a hearty chuckle].”

Hwa-wol sighed at No-gun’s playful words.

“Really, I heard you were married, but you’ve become even more impossible to deal with. Well, who in the world could win against you with words?”

Hwa-wol, who had spoken as if complaining, gave a soft smile. Then, she straightened her body and bowed to No-gun and Son Bin.

“I’m glad to see you again. Elder No-gun, and Young Master Son.”

As if the playful conversation from earlier was a lie, Hwa-wol’s bow was elegant and beautiful. Her refined appearance exuded the poise of a mature woman.

“Have you been well? Lady Head.”

Son Bin also stood up from his seat and returned her bow. Hwa-wol smiled quietly.

“Yes. You look well too, Young Master.”

Son Bin smiled at her words. But Hwa-wol’s words were not over yet.

“It seems you’re doing well with Lady Sa?”

“Yes, yes?”

Son Bin was startled. Hwa-wol tilted her head.

“Is that not the case? Your complexion is unusually bright, so I thought the two of you were doing well…”

“W-Well, I…”

While Son Bin was stammering, No-gun stepped in.

“Ahem, isn’t it an unspoken rule that Yewon doesn’t ask anything? Even for you…”

“I’m disappointed that you would say that. Can’t I even ask this much between us?”

Hwa-wol looked genuinely hurt.

“Between us?”

Hwa-wol placed her hand on her chest as if it were obvious.

“It’s not just the heart. You can’t perform such a duet unless your body and mind become one for that moment. That sense of unity is something that only an artist can understand.”

Hwa-wol had once performed a seven-stringed zither duet with Son Bin. As she said, such a performance would not have been possible if their hearts had not been connected.

“Isn’t that right? Young Master Son.”

Suddenly, the arrow was aimed at Son Bin.

“Ah, well, that’s…”

Son Bin, flustered, stammered and couldn’t answer properly. He felt sorry if he said no, but No-gun’s gaze was ominous if he said yes.

“Is that so?”

No-gun also glanced at Son Bin’s reaction. Since she said that only an artist would know, No-gun had nothing to say.

Son Bin didn’t know what to do under the gazes of the two, and Hwa-wol, who was watching, soon smiled softly.

“I’m just kidding.”

Hwa-wol said with a warm smile like an older sister.

“I must have gone too far with my teasing because I was happy to see you. Please forgive my rudeness, Young Master Son.”

She apologized in a calm voice and bowed politely. Only then did Son Bin breathe a sigh of relief.

“Rudeness? Thanks to you, I feel lighter.”

“Thank you.”

Hwa-wol expressed her gratitude with an elegant gesture.

“Would you like me to prepare a meal if you haven’t eaten yet?”

“Oh, yes.”

No-gun said.

“No alcohol, and bring just enough without being too extravagant.”

“That’s a bit of a shame.”

Hwa-wol said with a slight smile.

“It was a chance to look a little prettier.”

No-gun’s brow furrowed, and Son Bin gave an awkward smile. Hwa-wol still remembered what No-gun had said earlier.

It didn’t take long for the maids to bring out the dishes. They were not fancy or stimulating, but all were neat and carefully prepared. It was probably tailored to No-gun and Son Bin’s tastes.

Hwa-wol stayed by their side, explaining the dishes to the two or having the maids bring tea. She gratefully accepted Son Bin’s offer to eat, but hardly ate anything.

“I happen to have children who are good at the zither and flute. Would you like to listen?”

Hwa-wol said as the meal was coming to an end. No-gun looked at Son Bin, and Son Bin shook his head.

“No. I would like to talk with the Elder now.”

“I see. Then I…”

Son Bin said to Hwa-wol, who was about to get up.

“You can stay.”

Hwa-wol’s eyes changed slightly. She guessed that Son Bin was about to say something important.

Hwa-wol, who sat down, ordered the maids to bring new tea and had them all leave.

“So, what do you want to say?”

No-gun, full from the meal, asked with a more relaxed expression. Son Bin took a teacup and replied.

“Actually, I met someone from ‘that’ Imperial Family.”

No-gun’s expression, who was about to lift the teacup, hardened instantly.

“What? How?”

“It was a coincidence. No, not exactly a coincidence.”

If the person from the Imperial Family had not been the Grand Princess Gyeong-hui, the two would not have been able to meet. Even if they had brushed past each other.

However, if it was Grand Princess Gyeong-hui, it was almost inevitable that the two would meet. As she said, she wouldn’t have just passed Son Bin by.

“Really? You met the mastermind behind Baek In-rok?”

“Yes. I didn’t give a definite answer, but I think it’s certain.”

Hwa-wol’s expression, who was beside them, also hardened. She already knew about Baek In-rok, but she didn’t know that the mastermind behind it was someone from the Imperial Family.

“Who is it? Some corrupt official…”

“She identified herself as Grand Princess Gyeong-hui. And she was someone I already knew.”

No-gun frowned.

“She identified herself as Grand Princess Gyeong-hui? You said she was someone you knew? Does that mean she was hiding her identity from you?”

“I just didn’t know. In fact, I was a person of no significance to the Grand Princess. And the Grand Princess was the same to me.”

Son Bin fiddled with the teacup. The memory of the day he first met her flashed before his eyes.

He couldn’t have imagined that such a thing would happen back then. He had thought that the martial world or such a group of beauties were completely unrelated to him.

“Hmm, so what is she trying to do?”

“She didn’t say anything specific, but she told me what she ultimately wanted.”

“What is it?”

“She said that those who wield swords should be under the control of the Imperial Family.”

*Kung* [sound of a cup hitting the table heavily].

No-gun’s hand, which was holding the cup, slammed down on the thick wooden table.

“These bastards…”

Flames flickered in No-gun’s eyes.

“Control? What have they done to talk about control? Are these guys out of their minds? They can’t even do their own jobs properly, what did they dare to say?”

No-gun did not hesitate to use harsh words as if he was really angry.

“I understand.”

Son Bin said quietly.

“From the Imperial Family’s point of view, the martial power in the private sector is ultimately just a risk factor.”

“You…”

“But I don’t agree.”

Son Bin continued in a calm tone.

“The Emperor should rule the people, but that means taking care of them, not binding them. Moreover, trying to achieve their goals by inciting such chaos is by no means the right way.”

“Of course!”

No-gun fully agreed with Son Bin’s words.

“Are we the Imperial Family’s servants? I shouldn’t be doing this, I should be storming the Imperial Palace right now…”

“No.”

No-gun’s words about storming the Imperial Palace were an exaggeration. However, Son Bin said with a serious expression.

“Grand Princess Gyeong-hui already knew about the Outer Affairs. This also means that the Imperial Family is wary of the Outer Affairs. If we act rashly, the situation could become really serious.”

No-gun was silent. He frowned and stared at Son Bin for a moment before saying.

“So that’s why you can’t make up your mind.”

“I have made up my mind. But it doesn’t seem as easy as I thought. Besides, I don’t know what will happen yet, so I have no choice but to be careful.”

“This is just great.”

No-gun continued, as if grumbling.

“At this rate, the Talhon is just as that guy said. Why do bad predictions come true so accurately?”

No-gun’s expression was not good. He realized that things were getting more serious than he thought.

“Lady Head.”

Son Bin turned his gaze to Hwa-wol. Hwa-wol, who had been silent to avoid disturbing the conversation between the two, raised her head. She was also very surprised by the content of the conversation.

“I heard that there is a place in Yewon that is related to the Imperial Family.”

That was what No-gun had told Son Bin. He said that some artists are invited to the Imperial Family to perform, and there is an organization that manages them.

“Yes, it’s called Cheongmyeongjeong [Clear Sound Pavilion]. If you need it, I can tell you about the Imperial Family’s situation…”

“That’s not it.”

“It’s not?”

Lady Head Hwa-wol, who thought Son Bin would ask for information about the Imperial Family, looked puzzled. Son Bin looked at Hwa-wol with a serious expression and said.

“If the Imperial Family knows about the Outer Affairs, there is a possibility that they are aware of Yewon. Please be especially careful so that the artists do not get hurt. Or it might be better to avoid being involved with the Outer Affairs for the time being.”

Hwa-wol’s eyes wavered slightly. But she soon hid her agitation and said.

“Thank you for your concern. But we also have the power to protect ourselves. Yewon was established to prevent the will of the artists from being *kkeokgineun* [꺾이는 – broken or bent] by unreasonable coercion.”

A smile spread across Hwa-wol’s lips as she looked at Son Bin.

“And I’m not a child anymore, so I can’t meet the people I want to meet just because someone else tells me to? Meeting Young Master Son and Elder No-gun is really enjoyable for me.”

“Ah, that… Thank you.”

Son Bin, a little embarrassed by the unexpected words, bowed his head and expressed his gratitude. It wasn’t unpleasant to hear that she enjoyed meeting him. Especially if the other person was Lady Head Hwa-wol.

“But this is definitely a serious problem.”

Hwa-wol bit her lip slightly and said in a low voice.

If Son Bin’s guess was true, there could be danger to Bi-yeon, the Deputy Lady Head of Yewon who oversees Cheongmyeongjeong, the three Sojus [high-ranking courtesans], and the related artists.

“And one more thing.”

Son Bin said in a low voice with a firm expression.

“You should also keep in mind the possibility that the Imperial Family has already taken over Cheongmyeongjeong.”

Hwa-wol’s complexion changed in an instant.

“That’s…”

It was something she couldn’t accept at all. The two Deputy Lady Heads and the twelve Sojus were more precious to her than blood-related sisters.

Even if they had *seopseophan* [섭섭한 – disappointing or regrettable] points with each other, she couldn’t imagine turning her back on them.

“Maybe it’s just my excessive worry. But please be especially careful. Lady Head is also a precious person to me.”

Son Bin’s worried eyes as he looked at her were very warm. Like the warm hand that had protected Hwa-wol from Geom-hui’s momentum in the past.

Hwa-wol’s wavering eyes calmed down.

“Yes, I will be especially careful.”

Only then did Son Bin smile.

“What about the Outer Affairs?”

No-gun asked as if throwing a stone.

“Can’t we say anything to those guys? There will be guys who are *kkumteul kkumteul* [꿈틀꿈틀 – restless or twitching] because they think this is the time? Especially among the Four Great Sects or the Five Great Families.”

The Outer Affairs are indifferent to politics, but not everyone is like that. With the Cheonoe Saseong [Heavenly Outer Four Sages – a position of leadership] virtually vacant, there will be masters of the Outer Affairs who will see this as an opportunity.

“I’m not interested in the affairs of sects or families.”

Son Bin said quietly.

“They’ll take care of it themselves. As they have done until now.”

“*Keu keu* [chuckle].”

No-gun laughed.

“Take care of it themselves, it’s somehow scarier than saying don’t do it. *Keu keu keu* [chuckle].”

Son Bin, who had spoken, also averted his gaze with an awkward smile as if he was embarrassed for some reason.

But both No-gun and Son Bin knew.

Son Bin’s words would soon spread to the Outer Affairs through Yewon. And the masters of the Outer Affairs, no matter what they had in mind, would think again.

That Son Bin was in front of them.

“*Keu keu keu keu* [chuckle].”

No-gun’s laughter continued for a while, as if he was very happy about something. Son Bin fiddled with the teacup with an awkward expression. A smile did not leave Hwa-wol’s lips as she looked at the two.