A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 315

The Changyin Pavilion is a three-story building. Performances are typically held on the spacious first floor, while the second and third floors are used for special effects or musical accompaniment needed for the play.

These performances are usually viewed from a nearby two-story pavilion built opposite the Changyin Pavilion. Naturally, only key members of the imperial family are permitted on the second floor.

“Brother!”

The Fifth Prince, dressed in imperial robes, greeted him with a beaming smile. A robust young man, also in imperial robes, returned the greeting.

“Oh, you’ve come too.”

With keen eyes and a gentle smile, this was the Second Prince, the second of the current Emperor’s five sons.

As the Empress’s legitimate son, and with the First Prince, born to a concubine, living a semi-exiled life due to his dissolute behavior, he was currently the most likely candidate for the throne.

“I’ve always enjoyed these performances.”

The Fifth Prince, still somewhat youthful in appearance, smiled brightly. He was a prince born to another concubine but had admired and followed the Second Prince since childhood.

Click.

The Second Prince sat in a nearby seat. The Fifth Prince quickly took the seat next to him. Since he originally had his own seat, the Second Prince looked at him questioningly, but the Fifth Prince simply smiled.

“Is it alright if I sit here?”

The Second Prince chuckled. He noticed the Third and Fourth Princes glaring at them from across the way, but he didn’t react.

“Of course. Who would stop you from sitting where you please? Besides, we should occasionally display such brotherly affection.”

“Though the people who really need to see it aren’t here.”

As the Fifth Prince pointed out, today’s performance was a routine one, so neither the Emperor, the Empress, nor the Dowager Empress were in attendance. In a way, it was a performance to be enjoyed casually, or one with no political significance at all.

Of course, all the imperial family members currently residing in the palace, except for the Empress and the Dowager Empress, were present.

No one would dare skip a performance held in the Emperor’s name, no matter how routine it was.

“But, 형님 [older brother/term of respect], what brings you here? Didn’t you usually dislike these performances?”

The Second Prince smiled and replied.

“I don’t particularly like them, but I had no choice. The Emperor is on edge because of the situation in the North.”

With the tension in the North unresolved, the palace was under unprecedented 警戒 태세 [gyeonggye tae-se, state of alert].

The very act of moving the capital to the north was a declaration of intent to protect the North. Even though the conflict was confined to the border, the palace had no choice but to maintain a state of high alert.

“If I were to go out to play, even for hunting, in this situation, even I would have a hard time dealing with the fallout. Hahaha.”

He said it as a joke, but the atmosphere in the palace was indeed grim. Not only were the officials on emergency duty, but security had also been significantly tightened.

No matter how much the Second Prince enjoyed hunting, he couldn’t risk it in the current climate. Especially considering the First Prince was living a semi-exiled life due to his indiscretions, it was even more imperative for him to be cautious.

“Haha, so that’s why you came here, 형님.”

“Yes. I’m tired of being cooped up in my room. It’s almost comical that they continue with these performances even in this urgent situation.”

The Fifth Prince laughed at the Second Prince’s shrug. Then, he said with a smile.

“What can we do? If we cancel even the usual performances, everyone will become truly 불안해 [buanhae, anxious/uneasy].”

“그래 [geurae, right/I know].”

The Second Prince said with a wry smile.

“We have to warn the officials to stay alert, and at the same time, we have to show an unwavering 모습 [moseup, appearance/image], so in the end, we can’t help but display 자기모순적인 행태 [jagimosunjeogin haengtae, self-contradictory behavior].”

The Fifth Prince nodded in agreement with the Second Prince’s use of the word ‘자기모순 [jagimosun, self-contradiction]’.

Perhaps they were the ones who felt the weight of that word most acutely, having survived in this 황실 [hwangsil, imperial family/court] that was like a 복마전 [bongmajeon, den of evil spirits/intense power struggle].

“But……”

The Second Prince suddenly lowered his voice and asked the Fifth Prince.

“The Emperor seems to be hiding something. Do you have any idea what it could be?”

The Fifth Prince tilted his head.

“Well? The Emperor doesn’t confide in me about state affairs.”

It was strictly forbidden for princes to interfere in state affairs. Even if a successor had been chosen, such interference was not permitted.

The sky could never have two suns, and transferring power to a prince would inevitably cause serious political 혼란 [honlan, chaos/confusion].

전부 아니면 전무 [jeonbu animyeon jeonmu, all or nothing]. This was the absolute nature of absolute power.

“No, it’s not about state affairs.”

The Second Prince shook his head.

“There’s definitely something more. Something very big, something that could 좌우 [jwau, sway/influence] the fate of the world.”

The Fifth Prince’s expression turned serious. But even after pondering, he couldn’t think of anything.

For one thing, it wasn’t unusual for the Emperor to keep secrets.

Besides, what secret of the Emperor’s wouldn’t 좌우 [jwau, sway/influence] the fate of the world?

After thinking for a while, the Fifth Prince shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.

“I don’t know. Let’s stop dwelling on such complicated matters and enjoy the performance today. I heard that 청명정 [Cheongmyeongjeong, a place] sent some pretty good 예인 [yein, entertainers/artists]. I heard there are many 미인 [miin, beautiful women]?”

The Second Prince laughed at the Fifth Prince’s sparkling eyes.

“You know, there are even more 미인 [miin, beautiful women] in the 기루 [giru, courtesan house/brothel].”

“Then take me with you, 형님.”

The Fifth Prince pleaded. But the Second Prince could only offer an awkward laugh. If he took the Fifth Prince to a 기루 [giru, courtesan house/brothel], he didn’t know what kind of scolding he would receive later.

The Second Prince turned his head and looked down at the 창음각 [Changyin Pavilion]. Eunuchs and maids stood in the corridors surrounding the 창음각 [Changyin Pavilion] and around it, awaiting the performance.

During large-scale official performances held during the Spring Festival or major holidays, the 조정 [jojeong, royal court]’s officials would be seated there.

But for a small performance for the imperial family like this, the maids and eunuchs were also allowed to watch. For them, living within the confines of the 황궁 [hwanggung, imperial palace], the 창음각 [Changyin Pavilion] performance was a truly unmissable 유흥거리 [yuheunggeori, entertainment/amusement].

“Ah, it’s starting.”

At the Fifth Prince’s words, the Second Prince turned his gaze to the 창음각 [Changyin Pavilion].

A graceful beauty stepped forward to the front of the first floor and gave thanks, along with an introduction to the performance.

‘Is that woman the 예인 [yein, entertainer/artist] in charge of 청명정 [Cheongmyeongjeong, a place]?’

He didn’t know her name, but he could quickly tell that she was quite a 미인 [miin, beautiful woman].

The clothes, with their subtly fancy embroidery that was both old-fashioned and elegant, and her words and demeanor, which were natural and didn’t deviate from 황실 예법 [hwangsil yebop, imperial court etiquette] at all, added to her 품위 [pumwi, grace/dignity].

‘I’d believe it even if she were a member of the imperial family.’

He could see why the Fifth Prince trusted 청명정 [Cheongmyeongjeong, a place]. How could he 함부로 무시 [hamburo musi, carelessly disregard/ignore] her as a mere 예인 [yein, entertainer/artist] at that level?

The 예인 [yein, entertainer/artist] in charge of 청명정 [Cheongmyeongjeong, a place] finished speaking with an elegant 인사 [insa, bow/greeting]. And the lights on the first floor went out.

Since it was long after sunset, the 창음각 [Changyin Pavilion] was soon plunged into darkness. And soon, the lights came on on the second floor. There, several 예인 [yein, entertainers/artists] were already finishing their preparations for the performance.

The Second Prince and the Fifth Prince leisurely savored the music that soon filled the air.

The Second Prince found it merely ‘괜찮군 [gwaenchanhgun, not bad/decent]’, but the Fifth Prince leaned forward, 집중 [jipjung, focusing] on the performance with sparkling eyes.

‘후훗 [huhut, chuckle].’

The Second Prince smiled contentedly as he looked at the Fifth Prince, hoping that the 황궁 [hwanggung, imperial palace] like a 복마전 [bongmajeon, den of evil spirits/intense power struggle] would not shatter this small 우애 [uae, brotherly love/affection]. The Second Prince then turned his eyes back to the performance.

매혹적인 [maeheokjeogin, captivating/charming] melodies and beautiful 예인 [yein, entertainers/artists]. The brightly lit 창음각 [Changyin Pavilion] 펼쳐 내고 [pyeolchyeo naego, unfolded/displayed] a 화려한 모습 [hwaryeohan moseup, splendid scene] that seemed otherworldly.

But why did the dark shadow of the 황궁 [hwanggung, imperial palace] seem even darker in contrast?

That’s how the Second Prince 느긋하게 감상 [neuteuthage gamsang, leisurely enjoyed] the music.

The performance continued alternately on the first and second floors, and it was around the time when the Second Prince’s initial interest began to wane.

‘응 [eung, huh/hmm]?’

One 예인 [yein, entertainer/artist] caught the Second Prince’s attention. It wasn’t because she was 빼어난 [ppae어나ㄴ, outstanding/exceptional] in beauty. Compared to the other 예인 [yein, entertainers/artists], she seemed rather plain.

The reason why the Second Prince looked at her was because her 걸음 [georeum, gait/steps], as she walked to the center of the second floor, seemed quite awkward.

Unlike the other 예인 [yein, entertainers/artists] who moved like flowing water, her 걸음 [georeum, gait/steps] was clumsy. Because she was tall, the awkwardness seemed even more pronounced.

“It seems like it’s her first 창음각 [Changyin Pavilion] performance.”

The Fifth Prince suddenly 중얼거린다 [jungeolgeorinda, muttered] from the side. It seemed like the 예인 [yein, entertainer/artist]’s movement looked awkward to him too.

“It often happens. There are 예인 [yein, entertainers/artists] who are 과도하게 긴장한 [gwadohage ginjanghan, excessively nervous] for the first time. I hope she doesn’t make a mistake in the performance……”

A performance that makes the listener 불안 [buan, uneasy/anxious] is disqualified from the start. How can you enjoy the music when you’re 조마조마 [jomajoma, nervous/anxious] about when she’s going to 틀릴지 [teullilji, make a mistake]?

Maybe as soon as the first mistake comes out, 안타까운 탄식 [antakkaun tansik, regrettable sigh] will 튀어나오 [twieonao, burst out] from here and there. And because of that, the mistakes will be 더욱 빈발 [deouk binbal, more frequent].

Looking at the 예인 [yein, entertainer/artist], who seemed 유독 [yudok, particularly/unusually] tall, walking towards the 칠현금 [chil hyeon-geum, a traditional Korean zither with seven strings], not only the 황실 [hwangsil, imperial family/court] members but also the maids and eunuchs couldn’t hide their 불안한 시선 [buanhan siseon, uneasy gaze].

The Second Prince gave a 쓴웃음 [sseunuseum, bitter smile]. No, he was about to, if he hadn’t seen the 예인 [yein, entertainer/artist]’s eyes at that moment.

‘호오 [hoo, oh]’

Instead of seeking sharp teeth or threatening horns like a beast, 직시 [jiksi, directly looking at] the eyes was a habit of the Second Prince, honed by long hunts.

The eyes cannot lie.

The 예인 [yein, entertainer/artist] reflected in the Second Prince’s eyes didn’t even have a hint of 긴장 [ginjang, tension/nervousness] from the start. The 예인 [yein, entertainer/artist]’s eyes, 바라보는 [baraboneun, looking at] the people who were 주목 [jumok, paying attention to] her, were rather 여유롭기까지 [yeoyurobgikkaji, even relaxed].

The Second Prince could tell that the 예인 [yein, entertainer/artist] was 전혀 당황하지 않았음과 달리 [jeonhyeo danghwanghaji anasseumgwa dalli, not at all flustered/unlike what it seemed from the outside].

“제법 괜찮은데 [jebeop gwaenchanheunde, quite interesting/not bad]?”

The Second Prince 중얼거렸다 [jungeolgeoryeotda, muttered] without realizing it. The Fifth Prince 돌아본다 [dorabonda, turned around] at that word.

“네 [ne, yes]?”

“아니, 저 예인의 [ani, jeo yeinui, no, that entertainer’s]……”

It was the moment when the Second Prince was about to 대답 [daedap, answer] something. The 예인 [yein, entertainer/artist]’s 시선 [siseon, gaze] on the second floor of 창음각 [Changyin Pavilion] met the Second Prince’s on the second floor of the opposite pavilion head-on.

Thump.

There was no sound, but the moment the Second Prince saw those eyes, he felt a shock as if a loud noise was ringing in his ears.

‘That is…….’

A shiver ran down the Second Prince’s spine. He had seen that exact same gaze before.

The great tiger, almost a mountain god in its own right. During that hunt where they relentlessly pursued the great tiger with hundreds of beaters, the Second Prince had faced the tiger once.

The majestic figure of the enormous tiger, looking down at the Second Prince from a cliff covered in pure white snow, was truly like a mountain god.

The Second Prince could never forget the look in the tiger’s eyes as it looked down at him then.

There was no anger, no hostility. Certainly not murderous intent. The Second Prince felt a chilling shock in the face of that intense gaze, as if looking at a tiny creature struggling on the ground.

In the end, the hunt failed because no one saw even the shadow of the great tiger except at that time.

However, the gaze of that great tiger was vividly alive and wriggling in the Second Prince’s heart.

Swish.

The moment their eyes met was fleeting. The entertainer soon lowered her gaze to look at the zither.

“……Impressive.”

The Second Prince said in a slightly trembling voice.

“Yes?”

The Fifth Prince frowned. He turned his head to look at the entertainer, but he couldn’t find the charm that the Second Prince spoke of. Her tall stature also didn’t appeal to the Fifth Prince.

“Where are you going?”

The Fifth Prince asked, turning his head, but the Second Prince still couldn’t take his eyes off the entertainer. He smiled and muttered, seemingly to the entertainer.

“I haven’t seen such eyes, even in Princess Gyeonghui.”

Princess Gyeonghui was quite famous within the Imperial Family. Anyone who faced her intense and challenging gaze would not forget Princess Gyeonghui’s name.

Moreover, if they knew that she was receiving the Emperor’s trust and favor, even more so.

“Why are you talking about that woman? You know I hate it.”

The Fifth Prince immediately frowned. His undisguised feelings were revealed in calling her ‘that woman.’

After letting out a small sigh, the Fifth Prince looked at the entertainer again. She was now sitting in front of the zither, preparing to play.

From the way she placed her hand on the strings and closed her eyes, he could feel the entertainer’s quite serious aura, but he couldn’t find any charm that the Second Prince would fall for.

“I really don’t understand your taste, Brother.”

The Fifth Prince said, shaking his head. But soon he smiled and said to the Second Prince.

“But that’s a relief. It seems like I won’t have to compete with you over a woman.”

“That woman.”

The Second Prince repeated, still with his eyes on the entertainer.

“What’s her name?”

The Fifth Prince tilted his head.

“I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”

With a light gesture, he signaled a eunuch to come forward immediately. The Fifth Prince whispered something to the eunuch, and the eunuch bowed deeply and hurried away.

“I’m glad you found an entertainer you like, but you can’t touch her. Cheongmyeongjeong [presumably a place or organization under protection] is…….”

“Shh.”

The Second Prince raised his hand to interrupt the Fifth Prince.

“It’s starting.”

The Fifth Prince gave a bitter smile but didn’t feel bad because the Second Prince liked it so much.

Turning his head, the Fifth Prince looked at the second floor of Changyin Pavilion [a building or hall].

In the quiet silence, the fingers of the entertainer, sitting gracefully in front of the zither, were just beginning to move.

Ttang, ttadang―.

At that moment, everyone held their breath—the Second Prince, the Fifth Prince, the nobles of the Imperial Family, and the eunuchs and maids alike.

Because a single note had completely captivated their hearts and eyes.

Ttang, ttararang, ttang.

The melody continued endlessly. People couldn’t take their eyes off the melody that started so desperately, as if it would break.

Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes brilliant, and sometimes clear.

The melody of the zither flowed, embracing the hearts of everyone in Changyin Pavilion.

It was like a small stream or a turbulent wave of emotions like a huge river—a beautiful and sweet, but ruthless wave that no one could resist.

Ttararang, ttang.

The melody that had raged like a storm gradually subsided. The slowly fading melody finally left behind a small note and drifted away.

Ttang―.

A single last note, like a precious memory or an unabandoned attachment.

Until Changyin Pavilion was once again submerged in silence, people couldn’t say anything.

Rustle.

The entertainer who finished playing got up from her seat. The unusually tall entertainer quietly bowed her head in gratitude.

And only then did people come to their senses. The women who were already shedding tears and the eunuchs who were blinking their red, bloodshot eyes realized that the performance was over.

Clap, clap, clap.

Someone started clapping amidst the sobbing cries.

It was clearly not the etiquette of the Imperial Family. It was clearly rude to start before even the nobles of the Imperial Family.

However, just as children unconsciously clap their hands when they are impressed, it was an unavoidable reaction.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

The applause was spreading uncontrollably. Applause also erupted from the second-floor pavilion where the nobles of the Imperial Family were seated. No one pointed out the rudeness.

Someone even mixed in a sobbing voice of admiration from time to time.

In the face of that enormous applause, like the sound of many waves, the tall entertainer couldn’t hide her slightly embarrassed expression.

But only for a moment, the entertainer smiled slightly and bowed politely.

The appearance that had seemed awkward until now was now only fresh, and the figure bowing gracefully was like a lonely flower swaying in the wind, giving even a fleeting beauty.

“Hoo-ah.”

The Fifth Prince let out a long sigh.

“That’s really amazing. How can someone…….”

“Name!”

The Second Prince said in a trembling voice. When the Fifth Prince turned around, the Second Prince said without taking his eyes off the entertainer.

“The name. That woman’s name!”

“Ah, the name…….”

The Fifth Prince quickly looked around, but the eunuch who had disappeared earlier was still not visible. If it had been before, he would have already returned and told him the results.

In the meantime, the entertainer quietly retreated and disappeared inside Changyin Pavilion. The maids came out to collect the zither, but even they were busy following the entertainer’s back.

“Did you find out?”

The Second Prince turned his head and asked the Fifth Prince urgently. Just in time, the eunuch came running in a fluster. He must have also been captivated by the melody of the zither, as his eyes were red.

The eunuch whispered something in the Fifth Prince’s ear. The Fifth Prince immediately conveyed the results to the Second Prince.

“Her name is Sonryeo.”

“Sonryeo?”

The Second Prince’s eyes sparkled.

“Sonryeo, Sonryeo……. A very good name.”

In fact, it was a bit unique for an entertainer’s name. Usually, they use completely different stage names such as Biyeon or Hwawol.

Other nobles and princes around them were also busily instructing their eunuchs to do something. Perhaps they were now trying to find out the entertainer’s name.

“I’ve really never heard a performance like this before.”

The Fifth Prince said with a pure heart of admiration. His cheeks were red as if the excitement of the performance had not yet subsided.

“If it’s an entertainer like that, I really want to…….”

But the Fifth Prince’s words could not continue any further.

Ting, ting, ting, ting.

A sharp bell rang. The atmosphere surrounding Changyin Pavilion froze in an instant.

“What’s going on?”

The Fifth Prince asked with a bewildered expression at the sudden disruption.

“It’s an emergency signal.”

“Yes?”

The Second Prince’s face, answering, was hardening.

“Something has happened in the Imperial Palace.”