A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 310

310. To Beijing (2)

Sun Bin’s question about how to enter the Imperial Palace was certainly unexpected, especially with the condition of doing so ‘quietly, naturally, and without causing any trouble.’

Nogun glanced at the children and the Twelve Blades of the Northern Sea, who were too busy surrounding Kang Lin and Kang Min, chattering happily.

“Why the Imperial Palace…?”

“If you’re going to kill someone, should I go?”

Hwasa’s clear voice interrupted Nogun. He frowned and looked at her.

Nogun wasn’t the only one looking, so Hwasa lowered her voice slightly.

“You weren’t going to kill someone?”

“What do you think will happen if you kill him?”

Nogun asked with a serious expression. Hwasa shrugged.

“They’d be scared and tremble, I guess. They wouldn’t even dare to do something like this again. In the Demonic Sect, everyone knows to behave if you do that…”

Hwasa glanced at Sun Bin and asked, “…Isn’t it?”

Sun Bin responded with a gentle smile.

*Everyone thinks based on their own standards.* So, it’s not unreasonable for Hwasa to think of the Imperial Family as just a slightly larger Demonic Sect.

However, the Imperial Family, and the nation, are qualitatively different from sects or other organizations.

In fact, the nation is a complex and difficult aggregate that no one can definitively define.

The legitimacy of the Imperial Family, the ideals of the scholar-officials, the righteousness that allows countless people to exist under a single ruling system, and the military force represented by hundreds of thousands of Imperial Guards.

Throughout history, countless thinkers and scholars have discussed this, but no definitive conclusion has been reached.

There are also very diverse approaches to the answer to Hwasa’s question a moment ago.

But what is needed now is a simple and clear answer that Hwasa can understand.

After thinking for a moment, Sun Bin said, “Even if the Emperor dies, the Imperial Family will not yield.”

“Then just kill the entire Imperial Family?”

“Even then, they will not back down.”

Sun Bin continued in a calm tone. “They will find even the most distant bloodline and re-establish the Emperor, and the court will do everything in its power to kill us. Not only the Imperial Guards and hundreds of thousands of Imperial troops, but also the scholar-officials and intellectuals from all over the world, even ordinary merchants and farmers. Literally, the whole world will rise up to kill us.”

Hwasa was speechless. She had never even imagined that such a thing could happen.

“…Really?”

“If that doesn’t happen, it means the country has already failed or will soon fail.”

The Emperor is the pride of the empire and, in some ways, the very legitimacy of the empire itself. The assassination of the Emperor, no matter how justified, is never tolerated.

The world will be fiercely angry and will never yield, unless it is a country that is doomed or has already disappeared.

“If that were the case, we wouldn’t need to move at all.”

Sun Bin said quietly and smiled. Hwasa clicked her tongue. Even she doesn’t think this country will collapse anytime soon.

“Then can’t we do anything?”

“There is something we can do.”

Hwasa’s expression brightened. She looked like she would do anything Sun Bin said, so he smiled.

“It’s the method that Taoist Talhwan mentioned: we cause a commotion and live far away. Wouldn’t the Northern Sea be a good place? Or we could go to the Western Regions [a historical term for the areas west of China, along the Silk Road] altogether.”

“Hmm. The Northern Sea or the Western Regions…”

It was an extreme assumption, but Hwasa frowned and pondered seriously.

“If the Seowon [private Confucian academy] children, no, if all the children here went together, it might be okay…”

Hwasa glanced at the children, as if she had already grown fond of them. Sun Bin smiled quietly.

“You don’t have to worry. I’m going to the Imperial Palace to prevent that from happening.”

“Really?”

When Sun Bin nodded, Hwasa smiled brightly.

“That’s good then. I was worried for nothing… Oh? The food is already coming out?”

Once Sun Bin said there was no problem, Hwasa immediately lost interest. Nogun sighed as he watched her get up and go to the children.

“Is she stupid or wise…?”

“She’s not an idiot.”

Tang Worea said quietly. Sun Bin gave an awkward smile because he didn’t know if Hwasa would be happy or angry if she heard this.

“Ahem, anyway.”

Nogun cleared his throat and turned to Sun Bin with a serious expression. “Do you really have to go?”

“Yes.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Sun Bin answered. Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, he said, “Ah, but if you could help…”

“Then I’ll go.”

Nogun was the first to answer. Other people’s voices poured out as if following his.

“I’ll go too.”

“Me too.”

“Hyung [older brother/term of respect]. Me, me!”

“I’ve been to the Imperial Palace before, so I know it a bit.”

Amidst the voices of Sasooyeon, Tang Worea, and Seorin, Shinui said in a low voice, “If necessary, I can accompany you.”

Shinui wasn’t the only one looking at Sun Bin. Jang Gang Eoeong and Taoist Talhwan, as well as Oruhan, were all looking at him.

“If the Blue Wolf wishes, this one life…”

“No, it’s okay.”

Sun Bin quickly shook his head at Oruhan’s words.

“Master Whaweol, what do you think? Is there a way?”

Sun Bin turned his head and asked Hwaweol. She thought for a moment, then looked up at him.

“Could you turn your head for a moment? Yes, over there.”

Sun Bin was puzzled, but he turned his head and looked to the side as she said.

“Look at me again.”

Sun Bin looked at Hwaweol. Her earnest eyes stared intently at him, to the point of being burdensome.

“Hmm, at this rate…”

Hwaweol, who had been carefully observing Sun Bin, smiled. “There might be a way. A quiet, natural way that doesn’t cause any trouble.”

“Then what about me?”

Nogun quickly said. But Hwaweol said firmly, “No. Not Eoeong, not Taoist Talhwan, and not Shinui either.”

“Then what about me?”

Sasooyeon asked. But Hwaweol shook her head.

“Young Palace Lord, you can’t, for other reasons. And as the Young Palace Lord of the Northern Sea, it’s best not to get close to the Imperial Palace at all.”

Sasooyeon couldn’t hide her disappointment.

“Of course, Tang Worea can’t either.”

Hwaweol said before Tang Worea could even ask. Tang Worea drooped her shoulders without even opening her mouth.

“Then what about me?”

Seorin quickly asked from next to the disappointed Tang Worea. Hwaweol smiled.

“You stopped learning the Seven String Zither [a traditional Chinese instrument], didn’t you?”

Seorin’s expression changed. He had certainly tried to learn the Seven String Zither with Sun Bin, but ended up playing with Kang Min.

“So, Young Master Seorin can’t either.”

At Hwaweol’s words, spoken with a bright smile, Seorin’s shoulders also slumped.

“Um, do we have to perform?”

Hyukryun Sehwa asked. Tang Unyeong, who was sitting next to her, was also looking at Hwaweol with curiosity.

“Yes.”

Hwaweol replied with a smile. “If you can’t perform, how can you perform at the Imperial Palace’s Chang-eum Hall [a hall for musical performances in the Imperial Palace]?”

Nogun immediately understood Hwaweol’s meaning. So did the others.

In other words, she was trying to get Sun Bin into the palace as one of the performers at Chang-eum Hall.

“However, I’m not sure if His Majesty will attend. Even though His Majesty is hosting it, it’s usually for the Imperial Family.”

Chang-eum Hall performances, although they vary depending on the occasion, are basically aimed at people within the Imperial Family. It is an event to comfort the Queen Dowager, Imperial Consorts, and concubines who have difficulty going outside the palace.

Only then did the group understand Hwaweol’s words. Sun Bin was the only one among them who could play a proper performance.

“Um, what did you mean when you said I couldn’t for other reasons?”

Sasooyeon, who hadn’t given up yet, asked. Hwaweol smiled.

“You’re too beautiful.”

“Pardon?”

Sasooyeon looked puzzled, and Hwaweol continued. “In addition to the Imperial Consorts and concubines, many other members of the Imperial Family attend the Chang-eum Hall performances. Not only the Princes and Grand Princes who received royal titles, but also the lords and princes. If Young Palace Lord were to appear at Chang-eum Hall, all of them would try to take Young Palace Lord for themselves.”

Hwaweol smiled at Sasooyeon. “If you’re considering a honey trap, the effect would be certain.”

“Th, that’s not…”

Sasooyeon’s face flushed slightly at the unexpected compliment. She trailed off and couldn’t say anything more.

“Why can’t I?”

This time, Tang Worea asked. Hwaweol’s answer was simple.

“You’re not going to take off your veil, are you?”

Tang Worea nodded slightly. She needed courage even in front of Sun Bin, so how could she take off her veil in front of other people? It was out of the question for her.

“Do you think they’ll let someone with their face covered by a veil into the Imperial Palace? Ah, now that I think about it, it wouldn’t work even if you did take it off.”

Hwaweol looked at Tang Worea and gave a meaningful smile. “For the same reason as Young Palace Lord.”

Tang Worea wasn’t embarrassed. In the first place, other people’s evaluations, even if they were lords who had received royal titles, meant nothing to her.

Except for one person.

“Chang-eum Hall performance… I’ve been there once.”

Shinui suddenly said. He had seen a Chang-eum Hall performance before, having been invited as a guest of the Imperial Family. Of course, Shinui at that time had no interest in it.

Shinui, who was recalling his past memories, frowned and said, “But, were male performers allowed to enter?”

“Come to think of it…”

Nogun also frowned and pondered.

The Imperial Palace is largely divided into the Outer Court, where official business is conducted, and the Inner Court, which is the living space of the Imperial Family.

Chang-eum Hall is a building belonging to the Inner Court.

“Then Bin-ie can’t go in either, right?”

The Inner Court is basically a forbidden area for men. There are some exceptions, such as doctors and relatives of the Imperial Family, but performers are not included.

Of course, Sun Bin can’t go in either. No matter how beautifully he can play the Seven String Zither.

“Ah, haven’t I told you yet?”

Hwaweol said as if she had just remembered.

“You have to crossdress.”

“Pardon?”

Sun Bin doubted his ears. But Hwaweol smiled and said again, “You have to crossdress.”

‘Ah.’

Only then did Sun Bin realize why Hwaweol had examined his face so carefully earlier.

And the meaning of her words, ‘At this rate, there might be a way.’

“Ah, haha. Surely not…”

Sun Bin looked at Hwaweol, just in case. She was still smiling, but he could clearly see it in her eyes.

*This is not a joke.*

“Ahem.”

Nogun cleared his throat and turned his face away. The reason why Hwaweol excluded Nogun, Eoeong, Taoist Talhwan, and Shinui earlier was now clear.

‘Phew, almost.’

Nogun secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Even for Sun Bin’s sake, he didn’t want to do something like crossdressing.

He wouldn’t even be able to stand looking at himself, so how could he enter the Imperial Palace looking like that?

Sun Bin’s awkward expression hardened even more as he saw Nogun averting his gaze and subtly backing away.

“Um, even so, that’s…”

Sun Bin looked around for help. But the eyes of the women looking at him were already the same as Hwaweol’s.

Sparkling eyes filled with anticipation and excitement, even a faint heat could be felt.

Was it just his imagination that Hyukryun Sehwa’s eyes seemed to be shining particularly brightly among them?

“Ah, haha, hahahaha.”

Sun Bin gave an awkward laugh.

But that laughter didn’t last long.

* * *

Sun Bin’s group was divided into two. Hyukryun Sehwa and Old Madam Tang Unyeong decided to stay in Hangzhou with the children and the Twelve Blades of the Northern Sea. Oruhan and Jang Gang Eoeong were also with them.

“You must not go to Cheongwon before I return. Understood?”

At Sun Bin’s request, Hyukryun Sehwa nodded.

“Yes. Don’t worry. And I’ve already sent a letter to the Hyukryun Family, so you don’t have to worry about Cheongwon.”

The children will be in Hangzhou until everything is over. Furthermore, Cheongwon will also be emptied. This was to prepare for the worst.

“No one will be able to refuse an invitation from the Hyukryun Family. Moreover, Hoyeon Martial Arts Center and Soeun Escort Agency will also be happy to cooperate.”

Even though it’s a small local city, emptying an entire village is not an easy task. But the Hyukryun Family could do it.

“If we say it’s a village festival in a scenic place a little far away, there won’t be much trouble.”

In Cheongwon, the name of the Hyukryun Family exerts absolute influence.

Moreover, Hyukryun Sehwa, who is the daughter of the Hoyeon Martial Arts Center and the adopted daughter of the Hyukryun Family, is the pride and envy of the village.

With her name, although there will still be some difficulties, it is still possible.

“Thank you.”

Sun Bin sincerely thanked Hyukryun Sehwa.

He had already realized deep in his bones what kind of results his carelessness could bring. Even if it’s excessive, he had to prepare for the worst.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad I can be of help.”

Hyukryun Sehwa smiled brightly. Then she glanced at Princess Gyeonghui’s group.

“Those people, will they be okay?”

Princess Gyeonghui’s group also remains in Yewon, Hangzhou. Sun Bin replied, “With Oruhan and Eoeong, they’ll be fine.”

Princess Gyeonghui has already given up all resistance. In preparation for the worst, there are Oruhan and Jang Gang Eoeong, as well as the Twelve Blades of the Northern Sea, so there’s nothing to worry about. In addition, the defenses of Yewon are not easy to deal with.

“Not that… No, it seems like it’ll be okay.”

Hyukryun Sehwa shook her head and smiled again.

“Have a safe trip.”

Sun Bin had to go to Beijing. First of all, Cheongmyeongjeong, which oversees the performances of Chang-eum Hall, is in Beijing. Of course, the Imperial Palace is also in Beijing.

The people who went with him were Nogun, Seorin, Sasooyeon, Tang Worea, Hwasa and Taoist Talhwan.

Shinui also decided to go with them, saying that his connections and influence might be needed in case of emergency.

“I really wanted to see it, it’s a shame.”

Hyukryun Sehwa said with a truly regretful expression. Sun Bin didn’t ask what she wanted to see. But she didn’t back down either.

“I thought it would suit Young Master Son well if he dressed up prettily.”

“Ahem.”

Sun Bin cleared his throat, averting his gaze. He wanted to pretend he didn’t hear it, but Tang Worea suddenly said from behind, “Shall I draw a picture of it?”

Hyukryun Sehwa’s face immediately lit up.

“Can you draw?”

Tang Worea shook her head.

“No. But I’m confident in remembering.”

The painting can be commissioned to a skilled painter. If Tang Worea’s memory is clear, it’s not difficult to get satisfactory results.

“Um, I’m a little…”

Sun Bin tried to protest, but Hyukryun Sehwa and Tang Worea didn’t hear him. The two were already talking about the size of the painting, the desired color scheme, and the composition.

Sun Bin decided never to show Tang Worea his crossdressed appearance.

‘I don’t know how it might be distorted…’

Memory seems accurate, but it is actually very easily modified and overwritten. Exaggeration, beautification, or distortion, of course.

If he’s not careful, a portrait of a beauty with rosy cheeks smiling with her head slightly bowed while holding flowers might pop out.

‘Ugh.’

Sun Bin shuddered at the thought alone. Moreover, Tang Worea has a tendency to not listen to Sun Bin’s words. It’s best to block the possibility from the beginning.

“You can depart anytime.”

Head Nun Hwaweol of Yewon said. She had already finished preparing for Sun Bin’s group to go to Cheongmyeongjeong in Beijing.

However, there was something Sun Bin had to confirm with Hwaweol.

“Master Nun, will it be okay? What if Cheongmyeongjeong…”

Sun Bin trailed off.

He had said that in the worst case, they should also consider the possibility that Cheongmyeongjeong had been handed over to the Imperial Family. That’s why Yewon should cut off all relations with the outside world and hide for the time being.

“Biyeon is my old friend.”

Hwaweol said quietly. Biyeon is the Deputy Head Nun of Yewon, who oversees Cheongmyeongjeong. Sun Bin had also seen her, Biyeon, at the meeting of the Twelve Young Masters of Yewon.

At the time, Biyeon was wearing luxurious clothes that looked like they could only be seen in the depths of the Imperial Palace, and had a rather haughty expression.

It was quite a contrast to the unconventional attire of Deputy Head Nun Hyoseol of Pungweolru, which revealed her shoulders.

“If Biyeon abandoned Yewon…”

Hwaweol’s voice was trembling slightly.

Biyeon of Cheongmyeongjeong, Hwaweol, and Hyoseol of Pungweolru grew up together in Yewon, literally old friends.

Although a gap has been created as they were divided into Head Nun and Deputy Head Nun, Hwaweol believed that her friend’s true feelings would remain the same as before.

But trust is sometimes betrayed. Hwaweol, who was always unreserved, couldn’t continue speaking and bit her lip. But the conclusion had already been decided.

“Then, at that time…”

“Will you leave it to me?”

Sun Bin’s gentle voice interrupted Hwaweol’s words. She looked up at him, and he smiled.

“I know very well that it is not right for me to interfere in the affairs of Yewon. But if an artist I admire so much is saddened by this, I would like to step in a little.”

Hwaweol’s eyes became moist. Her throat was slightly choked, but her answer did not hesitate.

“…I’ll leave it to you.”

Hwaweol said in a trembling voice. She entrusted the judgment and disposition of Biyeon to Sun Bin. But it was no longer the anxious and painful voice like before.

“Then shall we go?”

Sun Bin said, looking back at his group.

“It will take quite a while to say goodbye to the children.”

He had barely managed to persuade the children last night, but if he just disappeared like this, he wouldn’t be able to handle the complaints.

Sun Bin and his group walked towards the garden where the children were gathered. But Hwaweol stood there for a while, unable to move.

Only her tightly clasped hands were telling her heartbreaking sincerity.