A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 311

311. Biyeon of Cheongmyeongjeong (2)

The carriage provided by Hwawol, the head of Yewon, wasn’t extravagant but quite comfortable. The horses from Bukhae, ever-present with the group, pulled the new carriage, and as always, No-gun held the reins.

Fortunately, the main road stretched directly from Hangzhou to Beijing. It made sense, as the main road originated from Beijing. Thanks to this, the group entered Beijing without much difficulty despite the long journey.

“B, Beijing.”

“Wowwww.”

“It’s huge.”

Sa Su-yeon stuttered, unlike her usual self, and Hwa-sa stared at the tall buildings passing by with her mouth agape. Seo-rin was also busy looking around. Even Dang Wora’s eyes sparkled behind her veil.

“Ahem, it is quite big.”

No-gun cleared his throat. Actually, Seo-rin, Sa Su-yeon, Dang Wora, and Hwa-sa were the only ones who had never been to Beijing before.

However, even No-gun, who had been there a few times, couldn’t hide his admiration in front of the immense city of Beijing. Even Tal-hondon, who was sitting silently, seemed indifferent but was subtly taking in the scenery outside.

“Have you been here before?”

Shin-ui, the only one who seemed unfazed, asked Son-bin. Son-bin gave a bitter smile.

“Yes, I came to take the civil service examination in the past.”

How could he forget? He thought he had completely buried the memory, but returning to Beijing vividly brought back the pain of the day he failed the examination.

‘The pain of failing the past examination is like being stabbed by a sword…’

His chest ached as if the old wound had reopened.

Son-bin avoided looking outside. He barely remembered anything fondly anyway.

“Sometimes you have to wait.”

Shin-ui said in a calm voice.

“But eventually, the wound heals. Scars will remain, but that’s proof that you overcame difficult times. So what you need to do now is move forward.”

Shin-ui said, looking at Son-bin with profound eyes.

“Because you are not alone anymore.”

His voice was gruff but full of deep affection. If it wasn’t for Shin-ui, no one else could have said such words to Son-bin.

“I see.”

Son-bin smiled gently. Somehow, it felt like a soft cloth was covering the wound in his heart.

“Thank you, Shin-ui.”

Shin-ui turned his head without a word, as if it was nothing. Only then did the scenery outside the carriage catch Son-bin’s eye.

“Hyung [older brother/term of endearment for a male friend]! What’s that? I’ve never seen anything like that before!”

Seo-rin tugged at Son-bin’s sleeve, and Hwa-sa and Sa Su-yeon’s exclamations followed. Dang Wora’s eyes were also sparkling as she looked outside.

“Wowwwwwww.”

Hwa-sa craned her neck, following a particularly tall building on the street, and let out a very long exclamation. Son-bin smiled without realizing it.

“Let’s go there later, okay?”

Hwa-sa, who was engrossed in sightseeing, suddenly said to Tal-hondon. Tal-hondon looked at Son-bin, silently asking for permission, since they hadn’t come to Beijing to play.

“Let’s go.”

Son-bin shrugged and replied.

“Since we came to Beijing, isn’t it a waste not to explore a little?”

“Wow!”

Hwa-sa raised her arm and rejoiced, and Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wora’s eyes also sparkled with excitement. Son-bin smiled at the sight.

Clatter, clatter.

Suddenly, Son-bin turned his gaze to the window.

The sprawling city, the bustling streets of Beijing, unfolded before Son-bin’s eyes.

*

*

*

Cheongmyeongjeong was a large, ancient mansion located in a residential area of Beijing. The scale was smaller than Yewon in Hangzhou, but the buildings visible over the walls exuded a classic charm.

As Son-bin’s group’s carriage stopped at the entrance of the mansion, Biyeon, the vice head of Cheongmyeongjeong, came out with an old servant to greet them.

“Welcome.”

Biyeon bowed her head to greet Son-bin’s group. Her elegant presence was reminiscent of a classic beauty from the imperial palace.

Although her beauty wasn’t quite on par with Sa Su-yeon or Dang Wora, her head ornaments, clothing, and even her accessories were all classically elegant, adding to her dignified air.

“It is an honor to have you as our guests. A small place has been prepared inside; if you are not uncomfortable, I would like to invite you to join us.”

Biyeon’s expression and demeanor were calm and composed, reflecting the refined atmosphere of Cheongmyeongjeong, which had dealings with the imperial family.

“Thank you for the welcome. I will gladly accept.”

Son-bin expressed his gratitude for Biyeon’s kindness, and the group entered the mansion.

The interior of the mansion was full of restrained and elegant atmosphere. However, the rigid feeling was stronger than the natural one, so the group also spoke less.

When they entered a large room, a banquet was prepared to match the number of people in the group. Since they didn’t know how many people would come, they probably adjusted the seating arrangements while the group was traveling from the entrance.

“Please, sit down.”

Biyeon indicated their seats. No-gun and Shin-ui were seated at the head table with Son-bin, Sa Su-yeon, Dang Wora, and Seo-rin on the left, and Hwa-sa and Tal-hondon on the right.

It was clear they knew the relationships within Son-bin’s group to some extent.

“Thank you.”

As Biyeon took a seat next to Son-bin, the banquet began. Dishes that were different from the simple southern cuisine, but rather splendid and slightly salty, were presented, and several entertainers from Cheongmyeongjeong came out and played music.

Biyeon, who was sitting next to him, briefly described the origin of the food or explained the song or performance.

Son-bin also praised the food and complimented the entertainers’ performances so as not to be rude.

But that was it; he didn’t say anything else. He didn’t ask about how to enter the imperial palace, nor did he talk about Hwawol, the head of Yewon, or what happened in Huangshan.

After the light banquet was over, Biyeon said to Son-bin.

“It’s a little early, but if you wish, I will tell them to prepare your quarters now.”

“No.”

Son-bin replied to Biyeon with a gentle expression.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to Beijing, so I’m thinking of taking a look around with my group.”

Hwa-sa, who had been uncomfortable all along, was delighted. Biyeon asked calmly.

“Then shall I prepare a carriage and people?”

“No. I want to go around lightly with my people.”

“I understand.”

Biyeon bowed her head to accept Son-bin’s wishes and said,

“The performance at Changeumgak is scheduled for the evening two days from now.”

Biyeon looked at Son-bin with calm eyes.

“I’ll see you in the morning two days later. Rest comfortably.”

*

*

*

Biyeon did not show up for two days. During that time, the old servant who had greeted them served Son-bin’s group.

“Will it be okay?”

Sa Su-yeon was worried at the breakfast table, implying that Biyeon’s absence was suspicious.

“I’m comfortable. I don’t like her because she seems to be showing off.”

Hwa-sa said she preferred it when Biyeon wasn’t there. Did Biyeon’s presence make her lose her appetite? Son-bin remembered that she ate quite well even at the first banquet when Biyeon was present.

“I think the food is a little salty. Well, it’s all delicious though.”

Seo-rin said, picking up a dish. Son-bin doubted if there was any food that Seo-rin didn’t like, but he was glad that she said it was delicious anyway.

“I don’t care.”

Son-bin wondered, ‘Does Dang Wora mean that she can eat anything regardless of the dish?’ at Dang Wora’s words.

Dang Wora continued in a low voice.

“If necessary, we can just go out with force.”

Son-bin was wondering what she meant for a moment but soon realized what she meant.

“Ah. I, I see. But that’s…”

“Are you saying we should use force in the middle of Beijing? Might as well tell them to invade the imperial palace instead.”

No-gun grumbled, putting down his teacup.

“Anyway, at this point, we are already holding a knife to the enemy’s throat by entering Beijing like this. The disadvantage is on their side, and the advantage is on our side, so there’s nothing to worry about. No, rather, they should be worried, that is, if they know this fact.”

No-gun smiled and said to Son-bin.

“So, if someone tries to play tricks on you, tell them this: ‘Then, shall we really go all the way?’ It would be better if you smiled like a villain. Then I’ll be happy to run wild.”

The children and Cheong-won are safe. No-gun, who had nothing to hold back, smiled like a villain.

“Me, me too!”

Hwa-sa immediately raised her hand, and Tal-hondon next to her let out a hollow laugh as if he was dumbfounded.

Son-bin also gave an awkward smile. Wasn’t he here to prevent that ‘going all the way’ situation?

However, he couldn’t help but understand No-gun’s feelings. Son-bin said, ‘I understand,’ and tried to end the conversation.

Rustle.

Before any sound could be heard from outside the door, the group’s eyes and ears were already focused on the door. The voice of the old servant who was serving the group outside was heard.

“The vice head has arrived.”

Son-bin replied.

“Come in.”

Swish.

The door opened, and Biyeon, the vice head of Yewon and the head of Cheongmyeongjeong, entered. Her clothes had changed a little, but the atmosphere was the same as two days ago.

“Have you finished your meal?”

Biyeon asked, bowing politely. Son-bin got up from his seat and returned her greeting.

“Yes. Thank you.”

Biyeon bowed her head as if to say it was nothing.

“I would like to start preparing for this evening’s performance now. Is that okay?”

“Already?”

It was just after finishing breakfast. Since it was an evening performance, there was still half a day left, so it was a natural question for Son-bin. But not for Biyeon.

“It’s never too early to start now. Besides, Young Master Son needs special preparation.”

Son-bin could guess what that ‘special preparation’ was. The eyes of Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wora were particularly sparkling.

“Um, if we go together…”

“No.”

Biyeon cut off Sa Su-yeon’s words firmly.

“Entertainers never show their appearance to guests. That is a promise, and it is also etiquette for each other.”

Biyeon continued in a calm voice.

“You wouldn’t want to show your bare face to your loved ones, would you?”

For Biyeon, that was a perfect logic that did not allow for further rebuttal. But unfortunately, not here.

“Ah, I don’t usually wear makeup…”

“I’m okay too.”

Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wora said.

“I don’t do it these days either. But, um… is it good to do it?”

Hwa-sa asked, looking at Tal-hondon. Tal-hondon smiled.

“It doesn’t matter. You’re pretty whether you do it or not.”

Hwa-sa laughed happily, and No-gun, who was listening next to her, frowned.

But No-gun himself would have thought the same if it were Dang Un-yeong, so he didn’t say anything to Tal-hondon out of conscience.

Biyeon, who had been standing with a dumbfounded expression for a while, quickly composed herself and said to Son-bin,

“If you’re okay, I’ll guide you now.”

“When you’re done preparing.”

Dang Wora’s low voice was heard.

“Can I see it?”

Dang Wora’s shining eyes were conveyed even beyond the veil. Biyeon unknowingly tried to nod her head.

“No.”

This time, Son-bin stopped her. Son-bin quickly left his seat and walked towards Biyeon.

“Let’s go quickly, because there’s no time.”

Son-bin said, ignoring the openly disappointed looks of Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wora.

“Ah, yes.”

Biyeon, who was a little embarrassed, soon hardened her expression and bowed to the group. Son-bin followed her out of the room where they were eating.

Rustle, rustle.

Walking alongside Biyeon, Son-bin looked at the garden of Cheongmyeongjeong passing by. As always, it was restrained and neat to the point of being burdensome.

Son-bin was wondering if this was the typical atmosphere of Cheongmyeongjeong when he suddenly heard Biyeon’s voice.

“We must never be caught with flaws.”

Son-bin turned his gaze. Biyeon stopped and was looking down at the garden with cold eyes.

“There are many who look down on entertainers. They try to justify themselves by finding our flaws. So here at Cheongmyeongjeong, even the placement of one stone or one flower in the garden has a perfect, pre-prepared answer.”

Biyeon turned to Son-bin.

“Being associated with the imperial family means just that. I don’t know about Hangzhou.”

Son-bin saw a sharp emotion flash in her eyes for a moment.

“I have made the noble guest uncomfortable. I’m sorry.”

Biyeon bowed politely to Son-bin and started walking again. The place they arrived at was a small room. As soon as they entered, a faint scent of powder lingered in the air.

“Please sit down.”

There was a small chair in the middle of the room.

The backrest was unusually tilted back, and Son-bin sat down in the chair as Biyeon instructed.

He had to lie down halfway to lean against the back, so he sat upright without leaning against it. Meanwhile, Biyeon closed the door they had entered through.

Click.

At the same time as the door closed, another door in the back opened. When Son-bin reflexively turned around, several elegantly dressed young ladies entered in an orderly fashion.

Swish, swish.

There were seven people in total. Three of them were Sojus [high-ranking courtesans] belonging to Cheongmyeongjeong that he had seen at the Yewon Twelve Soju meeting before. The others were young ladies he had never seen before.

The ladies who entered carefully lined up on Son-bin’s left and right. Then, they lowered their eyes slightly and waited quietly for Biyeon’s command with their hands clasped.

“You already know what to do, right?”

Biyeon said. It was a sharp and cold voice, different from when she was interacting with Son-bin’s group.

“Yes.”

The seven ladies replied in a low voice. They raised their heads and approached Son-bin.

Rustle, rustle.

“Um, excuse me…”

Son-bin, who felt a strange pressure, turned to Biyeon, but it was already too late.

“I’ll see you later.”

Biyeon’s back, leaving the room with a familiar voice, was the last thing he saw.

Thud.

The door closed, and Son-bin realized that there was no one to help him now.

“Then first…”

One of the Sojus said with a smiling face. It was so different from just now when even her expression was restrained.

“Shall we take off your clothes first?”

Son-bin, with a pale face, couldn’t answer. Resistance was already futile.

∴

“Wow, it suits you so well.”

One of the ladies holding a brush said with a surprised expression.

“Look at this. Your skin is so good. I wish I was like this. Look at this color coming out?”

Another lady holding makeup tools also admired sincerely.

“Really, aren’t you prettier than me at this point?”

“Anyone is prettier than you.”

“What? Really!”

The ladies’ laughter and conversation never stopped.

And Son-bin, who was sitting in the middle of it all, was making a hollow expression as if he had already given up.

Fortunately, he was wearing clothes. The word ‘take off’ meant to change.

There was a simple screen and comfortable clothes prepared in the room.

But the screen was not tall enough for Son-bin, so the area above his eyes and below his calves was all visible.

Besides, even if he covered it with a screen, it was awkward because seven young ladies were watching.

The comfortable clothes that were prepared were only a little longer than underwear, so it was just as embarrassing.

Son-bin wanted to run out right away, but thinking about it, entering Changeumgak was inevitable.

‘I can’t help it.’

Son-bin endured the embarrassment and forced himself to change his clothes.

But the real embarrassment started then because the seven ladies touched Son-bin’s face as much as they wanted.

“No matter how great the makeup is, it’s all useless if it’s not clean.”

The ladies brought water in a small brass basin and washed Son-bin’s face cleanly with their hands. He said he would wash it himself, but they said, ‘Then it won’t be done properly’ and were adamant. The water with flower petals had a subtle fragrance.

Son-bin was nervous when they shaved the fine hairs on his face with a sharp knife, but the ladies were familiar with it and even finished it off by applying cosmetics.

And after resting for a while, the full-fledged, endless makeup began.

The ladies brought all kinds of cosmetics and tools that he had never seen before and moved in an orderly manner. In the meantime, Son-bin’s face, neck, shoulders, and upper chest were inevitably exposed.

At first, he flinched and resisted, but now he had completely given up.

“But that performance at that time was really amazing.”

One of the Sojus, who was patting powder on Son-bin’s cheek, said with a wistful look.

“I, I was completely smitten.”

“Me too. I didn’t really like Hwawol Wonju [another term for head courtesan] until then, but after that performance, she looked cool.”

The Soju who was applying cosmetics to Son-bin’s hands next to her also said.

“Of course, Young Master’s performance was even more amazing. Really, to play such a performance with these fingers…”

Her touch, stroking Son-bin’s fingers, was somehow unusual, so he tried to resist, but she gave him strength in the opposite direction, only adding to the stimulation.

“Why don’t you come to Cheongmyeongjeong?”

Suddenly, another Soju said.

“It’s good here. Even the imperial family respects us. We may earn a little less money than Pungwollu, but you can feel pride as an entertainer here.”

“That’s right. And if Young Master comes, the atmosphere here will also improve. Biyeon also treats Young Master specially, right?”

They don’t know that Son-bin is ‘the one who walks the path of the emperor.’ The Sojus who were at the Yewon Twelve Soju meeting were the same.

At that time, they took refuge with the intrusion of Geomhee, and they only know Son-bin as an excellent entertainer. Son-bin could see that Biyeon had not told the ladies anything.

“That’s right. If Young Master comes to Cheongmyeongjeong, Biyeon will also be happy.”

“That’s right, that’s right. Then Biyeon’s prickly personality will also be a little…”

Click.

The ladies’ voices subsided at once at the sound of the door opening. The person who entered the room was Biyeon.

Swish.

The ladies all took a step back at once, then put their hands together and lowered their eyes.

Rustle, rustle.

Biyeon returned to the room and looked at Son-bin. It was around the time when Son-bin became awkward at her gaze that looked at Son-bin as if she was carefully examining him.

“Haa.”

The ladies flinched at the low sigh. Biyeon turned her head towards the ladies.

“…You’ve worked hard.”

But everyone could tell that it wasn’t very pleasing.

“But did you say Changeumgak? Shouldn’t you have done it according to the imperial family’s etiquette, not your taste?”

The ladies lowered their heads at Biyeon’s cold words.

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I, I’ll do it again.”

Biyeon shook her head at the lady’s words, who was half crying.

“No.”

Biyeon said.

“It’s okay. I’ll finish it.”

The ladies’ eyes widened at those words.

“Biyeon, directly?”

Son-bin doesn’t know, but that was really surprising to the Sojus and ladies.

That Biyeon would do makeup herself, and even touch the face of a young man, was truly unimaginable.

“Yes. Why?”

As Biyeon’s eyebrows went up slightly, the lady immediately backed down.

“No, it’s not.”

Biyeon, who stared at her for a moment, turned her head and asked another Soju.

“What about the clothes?”

“It’s here.”

Elegant and beautiful clothes and coats were prepared on one side of the room, along with various accessories. Biyeon looked at them carefully and nodded.

“It’s okay. You’ve worked hard. Everyone, please step back.”

The ladies bowed their heads and stepped out all at once.

Click.

When the door closed, the only people left in the room were Biyeon and Son-bin, who was wearing comfortable and disheveled clothes and sitting half-lying down.

Rustle, rustle.

Biyeon picked up small makeup tools and brushes and approached Son-bin. Was it just Son-bin’s feeling that her gaze looking down at Son-bin was particularly cold?

“Stay still.”

Son-bin tensed up without realizing it at her words.