Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 287

287. Studying Abroad, Studying Abroad

Gwangju, Hacheong Merchant Group.

“Oh, miss. Please reduce your luggage.”

Hayoungyeong paid no attention to the maid’s grumbling.

Hayoungyeong slowly wandered among the hung clothes, holding them up to her body and checking their condition.

As if spending time with a friend she hadn’t seen in a long time.

“This dress is still good. Pack this one too.”

“Oh, come on. You’re packing this too?”

The maid grumbled as she accepted the clothes Hayoungyeong handed her.

In front of her, there was already a pile of neatly folded clothes.

“Where are you going, miss, that you’re suddenly packing so many clothes?”

“I’m going to study abroad.”

“Study abroad? Where are you going to play?”

Hayoungyeong looked at the maid as if she was dumbfounded.

“I’m not going to play; I’m going to my aunt’s house. I’m going to study to become a proper lady.”

The maid stared at Hayoungyeong with surprised eyes.

“No, your aunt’s house? That’s in Nanjing, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

Hayoungyeong said, not slowing down her hand picking out clothes.

“I decided to do that. Instead of calling off this marriage proposal… Oh, this dress was still here?”

Hayoungyeong was delighted as she took out a dress with colorful patterns.

“I used to like wearing such funny clothes; I was so young back then.”

The maid laughed, shaking her head.

Well, even if it was the year before last, she was younger than she is now.

“By the way, miss, you’re amazing. You called off the marriage proposal. How did you change the elder’s mind?”

“It’s simple.”

Hayoungyeong said, looking at the clothes as if it was no big deal.

“What father wouldn’t change his mind when his daughter is shedding tears?”

“You cried?”

The maid asked with a surprised face.

Looking at Hayoungyeong’s usual appearance, it was hard to imagine.

“Yeah.”

Hayoungyeong nodded.

“Rather, my father got angry. He asked why I didn’t say anything sooner if I hated it so much. Would I like it then? Geez, such obvious things…”

Hayoungyeong, who let out a hollow laugh, continued.

“Anyway, he sent the chief manager to the Unga Merchant Group right away to call off the marriage proposal. Haa, this is a secret weapon, so I can’t use it often.”

Hayoungyeong shrugged her shoulders.

“I can’t help it. If I want to use it again next time, it’ll have to be three or four years later…”

The maid clicked her tongue.

Hayoungyeong crying, shedding tears.

It was hard to imagine. Wouldn’t that be an action that Hayoungyeong wouldn’t do even if a knife was held to her neck?

‘Did she hate that man that much?’

While the maid was tilting her head, Hayoungyeong held another dress to her body.

“Hmm. I’ve grown a lot. My waist is… still the same?”

“It doesn’t fit, does it?”

Hayoungyeong’s eyes turned fierce at the maid’s words.

The maid pretended to be oblivious.

“Anyway, that’s how it is.”

Hayoungyeong said, throwing the clothes she was holding into the corner.

There was already a pile of clothes piled up haphazardly there.

“I’m going to my aunt’s house in Nanjing for the time being. Isn’t traveling the best way to soothe a fragile heart hurt by love?”

“So, in the end, it’s confinement?”

“It’s not confinement; it’s studying abroad.”

After glaring at the maid who didn’t agree with her at all, Hayoungyeong continued.

“I think my reputation in Gwangju is too bad these days, so it would be nice to go to Nanjing for a while. I can also take bride lessons from my aunt.”

The maid knew that was an excuse.

Originally, Hayoungyeong didn’t care about rumors.

“Oh, my, your aunt’s personality is said to be very picky…”

“She wouldn’t eat her niece, would she? And you’re there too.”

“Me?”

The maid stopped packing her clothes and looked at Hayoungyeong with surprised eyes.

“Am I going too?”

“Then why wouldn’t you go when I’m going?”

“Wow! Really?”

“Yeah.”

When Hayoungyeong nodded, the maid jumped up from her seat.

Her face was filled with amazing joy.

“Miss! Thank you!”

The maid ran to Hayoungyeong in one breath and hugged her tightly around the neck.

Although Gwangju is a bustling city, it cannot be compared to Nanjing, which has been known as a city of culture since ancient times.

Besides, Nanjing was close to Hangzhou and Suzhou, which are famous for their scenery, wasn’t it?

It was like a dream for the young maid.

“Oh, it’s nothing…”

She said as if it was nothing, but Hayoungyeong’s lips also curled into a smile at the maid’s happy appearance.

“Oh, my, look at my mind. This is not the time to be doing this. I need to pack my luggage quickly. Quickly, quickly.”

The maid started packing her clothes in a flurry.

However, Hayoungyeong felt a sense of emptiness in one corner of her heart.

‘……I’m really leaving.’

She had never left Gwangju since she was born.

Although it was only for a while, various thoughts went through her mind as she thought about leaving Gwangju for real.

On one hand, the memories of that night on the Zhujiang River [Pearl River], his clumsy appearance and embarrassed expressions, came to mind.

“Hmph.”

Hayoungyeong smiled without realizing it.

The memories of that night still vividly flashing by.

슥.

With her white fingers, Hayoungyeong gently touched her red lips.

It was just a fleeting moment, but it felt like the sensation was still there.

Suddenly, Hayoungyeong realized that her face was turning red.

Hayoungyeong quickly turned her head, afraid that the maid would notice.

“Oh, I should take this too.”

Hayoungyeong said in a seemingly cheerful voice.

But she couldn’t help but feel sentimental.

‘Maybe I’ll never see him again?’

Hayoungyeong, who had become depressed, soon shook her head.

These thoughts don’t suit her.

Isn’t she always the confident and progressive, and therefore attractive, Hayoungyeong?

“Let’s cheer up, Hayoungyeong! Aja, aja!” [Fighting! Fighting!]

“Yes?”

The maid looked at her with surprised eyes at Hayoungyeong’s sudden words.

But Hayoungyeong said without paying attention.

“Oh, by the way, you. Get me a sword. A cool and sleek one.”

“A sword?”

The maid frowned.

“Why suddenly a sword…? Are you going to do martial arts?”

“No.”

Hayoungyeong smiled and replied.

“I’m going to use it to pick a man. It turns out that it works well.”

“Yes?”

The maid was dumbfounded.

What sword are you going to use to pick a man?

But Hayoungyeong started packing her clothes again, even humming.

Her eyes were shining beautifully.

***

Gwangju, Unga Merchant Group.

After the dignitaries left, Woonhyeon was finally able to have time to talk with his uncle, Woon Ilpyeong.

Chief Manager Kang and his aunt, as well as his cousin Woon Huiryeon, were also present.

There was not much explanation needed.

Everyone had seen how things had turned out, and Woonhyeon had nothing to say about the inside story.

“So, are you going to work for the court again?”

Uncle Woon Ilpyeong asked.

The reason why he expressed it as working for the court rather than an official position was because he also roughly guessed the nature of the work.

“I don’t know the details, but I think so.”

Accepting Eunuch Park’s invitation also meant that he would follow his will.

The exact details will be known after meeting him.

“Yes, I see.”

Uncle Woon Ilpyeong nodded.

He also knew the physiology of the government.

Isn’t power something that can rise to the sky overnight and fall into the abyss in an instant?

“Thank you for taking care of me all this time.”

“No. What have we done…”

Woon Ilpyeong shook his head at Woonhyeon’s words.

“No, that’s not true.”

Woonhyeon said sincerely.

The only place to go in the wide world was here.

The only people who accepted him when he was like a disabled person and waited for him to get back on his feet were these people.

Perhaps it was only a small act of kindness, or it could be said to be natural because they were blood relatives, but it was so precious to Woonhyeon, the person involved.

“Thank you so much.”

Woonhyeon politely bowed to his uncle, aunt, and Chief Manager Kang.

Woon Ilpyeong nodded as if he was proud, and his aunt replaced her apologetic heart with a small cough.

Chief Manager Kang also conveyed his heart with a polite reply.

“Are you leaving right away?”

Uncle Woon Ilpyeong asked.

“Yes. I think I should.”

Inspector Jo Gwan had already told him about the schedule.

“Oh, right.”

Woon Ilpyeong said as if he suddenly remembered something.

“Someone from the Hacheong Merchant Group came. They said they would like to call off the marriage proposal.”

Woonhyeon was not very surprised.

He knew that Hayoungyeong would make it happen.

Rather, the people who were surprised were his aunt, Chief Manager Kang, and his cousin Woon Huiryeon.

“The head of the Hacheong Merchant Group formally apologized, saying it was their fault. It seems that the trade relationship with them will also improve.”

Everyone knew what Woon Ilpyeong’s words meant.

The Hacheong Merchant Group is apologizing and compensating in the way of the Gwangju Merchant Group.

It was a fortunate thing for the Unga Merchant Group.

“So you don’t have to worry about us. You should only focus on your work from now on.”

His uncle’s consideration was always the same.

Whether it was when Woonhyeon was no different from a disabled person, or when he was suddenly treated like a distinguished guest.

Perhaps that is what it means to be a blood-related family.

“I’ll keep you updated.”

Woon Ilpyeong smiled at Woonhyeon’s words.

“Do that.”

That was the end of the conversation.

Woonhyeon got up from his seat to pack his luggage.

***

Woonhyeon, who had packed his luggage simply, went out through the main gate.

Aside from spare clothes, the only luggage he had was the sword given by the chief manager, so in fact, it was almost nothing.

Woonhyeon, who had left through the main gate, saw that many people were waiting for him than he had expected.

Heeheehing.

Woonhyeon asked with a bewildered expression as he heard the horse’s neighing.

“What’s going on?”

In front of the main gate, about a hundred soldiers and cavalry, and a carriage were lined up.

The sharply shining spear blades resembled the departure of an army.

“This is the escort sent by the Doji Commandery [regional military command].”

Inspector Jo Gwan replied in a polite manner.

Woonhyeon sighed softly.

He could see that it was necessary. But he thought it was too much.

“Can you reduce it? As little as possible.”

Inspector Jo Gwan thought for a moment and then replied.

“We can reduce it to thirty soldiers, ten cavalry, and three carriages.”

That was still too much for Woonhyeon.

Jo Gwan said politely.

“I understand your intention, but I cannot help but prepare for the worst.”

Woonhyeon, understanding the position of the official who received the order, nodded.

“I understand. Then let’s do that.”

With this, the size of the group that would be with him until Beijing was determined.

While Inspector Jo Gwan was preparing again, Uncle Woon Ilpyeong, Chief Manager Kang, and Woon Huiryeon came out to see him off.

“Be careful on your long journey.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

Woon Ilpyeong handed something to Woonhyeon.

It was a small coin pouch.

“Uncle, this kind of thing…”

“Your aunt is giving it to you.”

Woonhyeon could no longer refuse at Woon Ilpyeong’s words.

Perhaps it was her own way of apologizing.

Woonhyeon also greeted Chief Manager Kang.

“Thank you. Chief Manager Kang.”

“Please be careful, young master.”

Chief Manager Kang had his usual solemn expression.

But he couldn’t hide the fact that his eyes were moist.

“Even if you had entered the merchant group, you would have done well, young master.”

Woonhyeon tried hard to hide his tears.

If it hadn’t been for Chief Manager Kang, he would still be living like a disabled person.

Woonhyeon nodded silently and said goodbye to his cousin Woon Huiryeon.

“Thank you for everything, Sister Huiryeon.”

Woon Huiryeon had a somewhat dissatisfied expression.

She looked up at Woonhyeon and said.

“It must be nice to suddenly get ahead?”

It was a sharp tone, but Woonhyeon smiled.

“Yeah, it’s nice.”