A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 485

485. A Warm Evening at Yewon

Sunbin and his group headed to Yewon in Hangzhou by carriage. It was a leisurely journey they hadn’t enjoyed in a while, allowing them to appreciate the changing seasons. However, their eagerness to see the children kept them from lingering too long.

The further south they traveled, the more distinct the climate became. By the time they arrived in Hangzhou, lush green trees enveloped everything.

Clatter, clatter.

“Hangzhou is such a beautiful city, no matter how many times I see it,” Sasu-yeon said, gazing at the streets of Hangzhou through the window. It wasn’t just bustling; the city’s long history and charm were truly captivating. Having visited several times, she had grown quite fond of it.

Lost in the charm of Hangzhou, the carriage soon entered the old residential area where Yewon was located.

“Nothing has changed here,” Seorin murmured, leaning out of the carriage.

“Even the number of roof tiles is the same as before?”

Sunbin turned to look at her, wondering if she had been counting. Seorin smiled.

“The shape is the same as before.” So, she hadn’t actually counted the tiles, but noticed that the overall shape and outline hadn’t changed, allowing her to recognize that the number was the same as before. It was quite an impressive observation, but Sunbin suddenly thought that Dang Wora might have actually counted them.

However, Dang Wora seemed absorbed in the passing scenery, gazing intently at the old residential area.

“That’s what’s good about it,” Old Gun said in a relaxed voice. “In a world where everything changes so quickly, isn’t it nice to have something that stays the same?”

Sunbin nodded in agreement.

Clatter, clatter. The carriage soon arrived in front of Yewon. The gate opened, and the familiar old servant came out and bowed respectfully.

“Welcome.”

Old Gun looked at the servant and suddenly said, “May you live a long life, too.”

The gray-haired servant looked at Old Gun with a puzzled expression. Old Gun chuckled.

“I feel reassured when you’re the one who greets me when I come to Yewon.”

The servant gave a gentle smile and bowed his head, guiding the group inside.

“This way, please.”

The garden of Yewon was tranquil and full of seasonal charm. Sunbin was once again struck by how well-maintained the place was.

“Now that I see it, this garden is really well-designed. This layout is from the past…”

“Have the children arrived?” Old Gun interrupted Sunbin, asking the servant.

“Yes. They are currently taking lessons with the Head and two Deputy Heads of Yewon.”

“Deputy Heads?”

“Lessons?”

“Deputy Heads” was what Old Gun had said, and “lessons” was what Sunbin had said. Instead of answering, the servant turned his head and looked towards the detached building. The children’s voices could be heard coming from the large detached building in front of them.

“Kids!” Seorin shouted. At that, the door of the detached building burst open.

“Ah! It’s hyung [older brother/term of endearment for a male]!”

“The teacher is here too! Teacher!” The ones who popped their heads out were Jau, the leader of the neighborhood kids, and Jung-oh, the third of the Hoyeon Martial Arts School.

“Really?” Soso’s face also suddenly appeared. Hong-ah, who was always cheerful, was there, as well as Hwang-ah, who was always quiet.

Then, someone’s sharp voice was heard from inside.

“Who’s moving around without permission? It’s etiquette class right now.”

“That voice is…”

Old Gun frowned and muttered to himself. Then, a woman dressed in antique clothing appeared from inside the room. The beautiful woman, with an elegant appearance that seemed like she belonged in the imperial palace, was none other than Bi-yeon of Cheongmyeongjeong [a renowned music hall], the Deputy Head of Yewon in charge of the imperial Chang-eumgak [music academy] performances.

“Lady Bi-yeon,” Sunbin said in surprise, almost as a murmur. However, Bi-yeon maintained a flawless demeanor and simply bowed her head slightly. It was truly like a living textbook of court etiquette.

“It’s been a while, Young Master Sunbin, and everyone.”

“Ah, yes,” Sunbin quickly returned the greeting, clasping his hands together. Bi-yeon raised her head and quietly continued, “My heart is filled with joy to see you all, but please forgive me for not being able to leave my post, as it is currently etiquette class.”

Her expression was so calm that it didn’t seem like she was happy at all, and Sunbin hesitated about what to say. Hwang-ah, who had been quiet, said softly,

“Teacher’s voice was trembling just now.”

Bi-yeon turned her head and looked at Hwang-ah with a sharp gaze. Then, she said quietly, “What are you doing? Now, let’s start again from the sitting posture.”

“Ueee.” The children’s voices echoed, but Bi-yeon closed the door without paying any attention. Thud.

“Oh, so now…” Seorin said with a flustered expression. Old Gun chuckled.

“It seems Bi-yeon is teaching etiquette. But where are the other children?”

Old Gun, who had identified the children in the room in the meantime, asked. The servant who had guided the group answered.

“Some of the children are learning about commercial law, and others are receiving instruction in etiquette and music.”

“Is that so?” Old Gun shrugged. “It seems Hyo-seol will be teaching commercial law, and Hwa-wol will be doing etiquette and music. Am I right?”

The servant bowed his head to indicate his agreement. Old Gun chuckled.

“Keu keu keu, I thought it was just a Seowon [private academy] where they play around all the time, but look at this. It’s a lesson you can’t buy with money. Is this Se-hwa’s idea?”

Old Gun seemed pleased, but Sunbin gave an awkward smile. Learning from Hwa-wol, Bi-yeon, and Hyo-seol was indeed a great opportunity. But coming all the way to Hangzhou for lessons, it was a situation where the children would naturally feel it was too much.

“Well, since everyone is in class, let’s wait. We can’t disturb the lessons,” Old Gun said cheerfully. The group followed the servant’s guidance to a small garden next to the detached building. There, the old woman Dang Un-yeong, Hyeonryeon Se-hwa, and Hwa-sa were already sitting and drinking tea.

“Young-mae [term of endearment for a younger sister]!” Old Gun said with a surprised expression. The old woman Dang Un-yeong, who had been drinking tea with an elegant demeanor, almost dropped her teacup. Hwa-sa also smiled brightly when she discovered the group, and Hyeonryeon Se-hwa’s eyes, always composed, immediately welled up with tears.

“Soon-rang!” Clatter. The old woman Dang Un-yeong stood up. And without any hesitation, she ran and hugged Old Gun.

Thwack.

“Soon-rang.”

“I’ve come, Young-mae.” Old Gun hugged Dang Un-yeong and gently stroked her beautiful white hair. Sasu-yeon and Dang Wora also approached Hwa-sa and Hyeonryeon Se-hwa and embraced each other. In the beautiful garden of Yewon, where flowers were in full bloom, Sunbin and his group were able to joyfully reunite with those they had missed.

***

“So, the Head of Yewon called the two Deputy Heads,” Sunbin’s group was sitting in a classic banquet hall with the children that night. At Sunbin’s words, Head Hwa-wol smiled.

“Yes. I mentioned that Young Master Sunbin might come, and they rushed over here. They never listened when I told them to come visit.”

“It’s not because of Young Master Sunbin.” Bi-yeon of Cheongmyeongjeong, dressed in antique clothing, raised her teacup and said in a firm voice. “I simply judged that it was time to visit as the Deputy Head of Yewon. Do you think I would leave Cheongmyeongjeong for such personal reasons?”

“What’s wrong with leaving it for a few days?” Hyo-seol, holding a teacup in one hand, shrugged. She was still wearing an outfit that revealed half of her shoulder, but it was less revealing than before. “Judgment is ultimately influenced by emotions. You do it if you like it, and you don’t if you don’t. And if a place doesn’t function properly just because you’re gone for a few days, it’s already a failed organization.”

Bi-yeon, who had been savoring her tea, frowned slightly. “Hyo-seol, you’re always so impulsive. Have you ever thought that it might harm others?”

“For subordinates, being overly attentive like you, Bi-yeon, is more harmful. You need to know how to delegate appropriately.”

“It’s not that I don’t delegate?” As Bi-yeon and Hyo-seol’s argument broke out, Hwa-wol wore a troubled expression. “Now, Young Master Sunbin is here, so please stop…”

“Stop pretending to be nice.”

“Hee, are you trying to look good to Young Master Sunbin even in this situation?” Hwa-wol’s forehead slightly creased from the joint attack of Bi-yeon and Hyo-seol. Thud. Hwa-wol put down her teacup.

“If you don’t stop, I’ll kick you both out.”

Bi-yeon and Hyo-seol flinched. The two cleared their throats and subtly turned their heads. Their behavior was like a chat between close young ladies, and Sunbin smiled contentedly. The fact that these people, who had been strictly observing etiquette, were now talking so freely meant that their relationship had improved that much. It also meant that they had originally shared a very deep friendship.

“Well, shall we listen to a performance?” Hwa-wol said with a gentle smile. At those words, the gazes of those sitting in the banquet hall all turned to the front. The banquet hall was quite full of people. In addition to Sunbin’s group, who had gone to Mount Tai, the old woman Dang Un-yeong, Hyeonryeon Se-hwa, and Hwa-sa, as well as the old fisherman who had gone fishing, had returned. Talhondo had returned to the Gangbuk Black Serpent Society and was not present, but with all the children, the small banquet hall was quite full.

Rustle. The door at the front opened, and a beautifully dressed girl entered.

“Wow.” A soft exclamation flowed from the children’s mouths. Holding a black chilhyun-geum [a seven-stringed zither] and entering with her eyes closed, she was none other than Gang-rin. The children who had already seen Gang-rin seemed to want to greet her, but they couldn’t say anything and just waved their hands at Hwa-wol’s stern gaze. But Gang-rin wouldn’t be able to see them anyway. Gang-min, who followed behind, also saw Sunbin’s group and the children, but she didn’t say anything and sat down.

Rustle.

“This performance is being held at the request of special guests,” Hwa-wol said in a stern tone. Her voice echoed clearly in the quiet banquet hall. “This is not an opportunity that would be given to you, who is not yet a formal artist, but this time, we will make a special exception.”

Gang-rin nodded, holding the black chilhyun-geum preciously. She seemed nervous, but her posture was unwavering.

Hwa-wol smiled. “Then, begin.”

Gang-rin sat down and plucked the strings for a moment. Placing her slender, white hands on the black chilhyun-geum, Gang-rin quietly took a breath.

“Hoo.” Her breath could be heard in the quiet banquet hall. And after a while.

Thud. At the same time as her white hand moved, a sound rang out. And soon, the melody of the chilhyun-geum filled the entire banquet hall and began to overflow. Ttarang, ttadang. It was a truly beautiful and warm sound. It was such a great melody that even the children, who didn’t know much about music, were mesmerized, filling not only the banquet hall but also the hearts of those who listened.

Hwa-wol smiled. And Sunbin, too, was immersed in Gang-rin’s warm tone that permeated his heart.

Ttarang. The last note rang out. But no one opened their mouths. The children, as well as the adults, were unable to wake up from being intoxicated by Gang-rin’s melody.

Rustle. Gang-rin got up from her seat. And she quietly bowed her head.

“…Very well done,” Hwa-wol said softly. Only then did the children clap wildly and cheer.

“Wow! Awesome!”

“Amazing! Amazing!”

“The best! The best!”

Gang-rin seemed startled by the sudden noise and flinched. But she soon recognized the children’s voices.

“Ah, those voices are…”

“It’s us! We came again!”

“Nice to see you!”

The children, including the lively Soso and the cheerful Hong-ah, as well as the always quiet Aeng-aeng and Hwang-ah, were all applauding, showing how much they enjoyed Gang-rin’s performance.

“Th, thank you,” Gang-rin stammered, smiling.

She finally realized the meaning of the words ‘special request’.

“Um, so does that mean Young Master Sunbin also…”

“Yes. I’m here,” Sunbin said with a gentle expression. “It was a really good performance. You’ve worked hard, Miss Rin.”

Sunbin always calls Gang-rin, who is still a girl, ‘Miss’. He tried to call her ‘Teacher’ because he had learned the chilhyun-geum from her, but she adamantly refused.

“Th, thank you,” Gang-rin blushed and was happy.

“She’s quite good. But she’s still not a formal artist?” Hyo-seol of Pungwolru [a famous courtesan house] said with interest.

“Not bad. It was a decent performance,” Bi-yeon of Cheongmyeongjeong also said with a somewhat calm expression. But their interest in Gang-rin didn’t end there.

“If it’s Gang-rin, did you write ‘Manghyangdohwaga’ [a popular song]? Then…”

“Manghyangdohwaga?” Hyo-seol interrupted Bi-yeon with a surprised expression. “That song that’s so popular these days? This child wrote it?”

As if surprised, Hyo-seol looked at Gang-rin again. Gang-rin and her younger sister Gang-min were busy talking to the children and Seorin.

“The lyrics were written by our Cheongmyeongjeong. More than that, that child…”

Cutting off Bi-yeon’s words, Hyo-seol suddenly said, “I want to take that child to Pungwolru.”

At those words, Bi-yeon frowned. “I was speaking first. And it’s better for that child to come to Cheongmyeongjeong. She’s already this good, so if she learns proper court music…”

“Both of you stop it.” Head Hwa-wol sighed softly. “Rin still has a lot to learn here.”

“But…” The voices of Bi-yeon and Hyo-seol, which came out at the same time, couldn’t continue.

“You two, you’re not trying to take that child away with some ulterior motive, are you?” At Hwa-wol’s sharp words, Bi-yeon and Hyo-seol closed their mouths at the same time.

“What ulterior motive… Hahaha.” Hyo-seol mumbled, and Bi-yeon turned her head with a sulky expression. But Hwa-wol didn’t miss Bi-yeon clicking her tongue slightly.

Hwa-wol sighed softly. “Gang-rin.”

At Hwa-wol’s voice, Gang-rin, who had been talking to the children, raised her head. The chattering children also became quiet.

“As an artist, what do you want to do?”

“I want to become a performer,” Gang-rin’s answer was without any hesitation. “I want to become an artist who is not ashamed to perform with anyone. So…”

Holding the black chilhyun-geum tightly, Gang-rin said, “I definitely want to learn from you, Head.”

“Good,” Hwa-wol smiled. “I’ll make sure you can do that. Are you prepared?”

Gang-rin nodded. “Yes!”

At that answer, Sunbin also smiled. Gang-rin looked towards where Sunbin was, even though she couldn’t see.

“Excellent, Miss Rin,” Sunbin said to Gang-rin. He thought that Head Hwa-wol was indeed an artist who was in no way lacking for Gang-rin to aim for. Sunbin knew more accurately than anyone else how great Hwa-wol’s chilhyun-geum was, as he had performed with her.

“As Miss Rin’s first disciple, I will gladly support you.”

Gang-rin gave a bright smile. Gang-rin and her younger brother Gang-min started talking to the children again, and Sunbin asked Hwa-wol cautiously.

“Is it okay?”

“Yes,” Hwa-wol said. “That child will do it.”

If it was Hwa-wol’s words, who had been watching Gang-rin, it would surely be true. Sunbin nodded and asked again, “I would like to sponsor Miss Rin, but is there any funding left in Yewon that I can use?”

Sunbin had already been allowed to use the funds by Princess Gyeonghui. That’s why he asked just in case, but Hwa-wol’s expression was somewhat strange.

“Funding?”

“Yes. Is there not much left?”

“No, it’s not that,” Hwa-wol replied with a gentle smile. “There’s a lot of money. There’s a lot.”

It wasn’t just a lot. A portion of the profits earned by the Ohdae Merchant Group through trade in the North Sea came in regularly, and the amount that came in through horse trade in Seojang was also enormous. Considering Sarasvati’s maritime merchant group and Princess Gyeonghui, the funding would increase even more in the future. Even now, Yewon’s funding had increased several times compared to previous years.

“That’s a relief,” Sunbin breathed a sigh of relief. “Then, would you make sure that Miss Rin doesn’t lack anything in learning the chilhyun-geum? If you need more…”

“No, it’s okay.” Lacking here, there would be no such thing even if you made the chilhyun-geum out of gold and strung the strings with silver threads. Of course, such a chilhyun-geum would be useless for playing.

“Don’t worry, Young Master Sunbin,” Hwa-wol said. Sunbin smiled as if relieved at those words.

“Thank you. And, that’s a relief.”

“Yes?” At Hwa-wol’s question, Sunbin looked at Bi-yeon and Hyo-seol. “It seems like you’ve become friends again.”

Only then did Hwa-wol understand Sunbin’s meaning. “Yes. Really.”

Restoring their old relationship was instantaneous. The three people, who had resolved their long-standing grudges, were able to laugh and talk again as if they had never been on bad terms. To the point where they couldn’t understand why they had spent such foolish times hating each other.

“Thank you, Young Master Sunbin,” Hwa-wol’s eyes were slightly teary as she spoke. Sunbin smiled. But Hwa-wol’s words were not over yet.

“But you should still be careful, okay?”

“Yes? Careful about what…”

“Those two, they’re secretly very competitive. You’ll have to maintain a good balance.”

“Me?” Those were truly unexpected words. As Sunbin wondered, Old Gun chimed in. “Balance is important.” Old Gun, who had been quiet until now, said with a calm expression. “Especially women are sensitive to such things. Who cares more about whom, things like that.”

“That’s right,” Shin-ui didn’t stay still either. “Medicine is the same. It’s not that balance is achieved just because the amounts are the same. You have to consider not only the efficacy but also the compatibility.”

“That’s right,” Old Fisherman nodded. “Understanding the mind of the crucian carp and not letting go of the taut tension is the true balance. If that breaks, the crucian carp goes over the water.”

Sunbin couldn’t understand what was going on at all.

“Ah, and,” Head Hwa-wol said again. Sunbin turned around, wondering what else there was, and Hwa-wol said with a smile. “Who is Son-ryeo?”

Sunbin’s expression hardened instantly. Hwa-wol’s words continued towards Sunbin, who was frozen stiff while holding his teacup.

“Bi-yeon said that she wanted to see Son-ryeo when she was drunk. It was the first time Bi-yeon had said such a thing, and Hyo-seol was completely bloodshot after hearing what she said. To the point where I started to want to see her too.”

Hwa-wol, who spoke in a clear voice, looked at Sunbin with a knowing gaze and said, “Who is Son-ryeo?”

Even though it wasn’t a hot day, Sunbin felt sweat flowing. Sunbin wiped the sweat and gave an awkward smile. “Ah, ha ha ha.” Just glossing over it like that was the best course of action for Sunbin. For some reason, the thought that this situation was more difficult than dealing with Gongson Geuk suddenly flashed through Sunbin’s mind.

(Author’s words) Black history never disappears in a lifetime. Have a healthy and happy Lunar New Year holiday.