A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 162

162. The Twelve Flowers of Yewon

A white-haired old servant quietly entered the small pavilion. He bowed respectfully to Hwa-wol and said,

“The guests at the detached residence have gone to Seohodaru [a scenic spot or teahouse] again today.”

Hwa-wol, who was tuning the strings of the seven-stringed zither [a traditional Korean stringed instrument] alone, nodded.

“Lord Noh has always enjoyed tea. Take care of him as before so that he doesn’t feel uncomfortable, but do not step forward without being asked.”

The old servant bowed once more, received her order, and retreated.

Sarak.

Hwa-wol carefully placed her hand on the seven-stringed zither. Her white and beautiful fingers settled on the strings, but no sound came out, even after a long time. It was because she hesitated to play.

—Have we ever met before?

Sa Soo-yeon’s voice echoed in Hwa-wol’s ear.

The look in her eyes as she looked at herself was so welcoming, so familiar. It caught her off guard for a moment.

However, it soon became a terrible pain that dug into Hwa-wol’s heart.

“Hoo.”

A slender sigh escaped instead of the zither’s melody. She quietly moved her red lips.

“I gave my heart and soul, but you left, and all that remains are the lonely zither and flute.”

A low voice, like a sigh or a song, leaked from Hwa-wol’s lips.

“Is the failure to gain love a trick of fate? Resentment or expectation…….”

Tuk.

A drop of tear fell on the seven-stringed zither.

“It is not my will.”

Tears streamed down Hwa-wol’s beautiful cheeks.

But Hwa-wol did not wipe away her tears. While her seven-stringed zither remained silent, a flute without an owner stood by its side.

∴

Sabeok, sabeok [sound of footsteps on leaves].

The leaves rustled under Hwa-wol’s beautiful shoes.

Hwa-wol slowly looked back at the scenery of Yewon [a garden or estate], which had always comforted her. A loyal old servant quietly followed her.

“Kyaa! Really?”

The high voices of young ladies suddenly reached Hwa-wol’s ears. Hwa-wol tilted her head.

‘Who is here…….’

“I’m telling you, it’s true! His performance was truly like a dream! How could he play like that?”

“A dream? Isn’t that too much praise? I heard it from the same spot, but it wasn’t that good.”

“Oh my, what are you saying?”

“I didn’t realize it at the time because I was caught up in the atmosphere, but if you think about it, his technique was clumsy, and his notes were quite shaky.”

Listening to the conversation that sounded like birds chirping, Hwa-wol could tell who the owners of the voices were.

‘It’s them again.’

They were So-hong, Chae-ok, and Hwa-rin, who were learning arts in Yewon.

They were about to be recognized as formal entertainers belonging to Yewon, and they were the most senior among the disciples of Yewon, so their daily schedule was relatively free.

‘I told them not to come here, really.’

She had warned them several times to be careful about coming here, but they were in this garden again today.

She understood that they were feeling stifled, but she thought she should give them a proper warning this time.

Just as Hwa-wol was about to take a step, So-hong’s voice was heard.

“Did such a person cry so much in that spot? I thought the Yangtze River was overflowing with your tears and snot.”

At those words, Hwa-wol unconsciously touched her cheeks to check. She wondered if there were any traces of tears left.

“T, that couldn’t be helped. Old memories came to mind, and I couldn’t help but get emotional…….”

“Enough with the excuses! You’ll never know. Only the person who played with him can know.”

So-hong put her hands together. Her eyes, slightly raised, shone dimly.

“The melody came in so exquisitely that even I, who was playing, was surprised. And suddenly, I was completely immersed……. Ah! I couldn’t hear anything but his and my performance, you know?”

“The performance was with me too, right? And you’re right. I also…….”

Chae-ok interjected. But So-hong didn’t even pretend to listen and continued.

“I felt it at that moment. Ah, this person is really listening to my performance. He’s accepting me. It’s like a big hand gently wraps around me and pulls me up!”

“Right? Right?”

Despite Chae-ok’s enthusiastic reaction, So-hong closed her eyes and said.

“I knew it then. Ah, I can’t hide anything in front of this person. What should I say, it’s like I’m…… naked?”

“Kyaa! Lewd!”

Chae-ok, who was listening, covered her red face with both hands and shook her head. Hwa-rin, who was sitting in front of her, and So-hong, who was talking, also had red faces. Hwa-wol, who unintentionally eavesdropped, also had a slightly flushed face.

“But it’s so comfortable and nice. I wondered if playing was ever this comfortable……. I really felt like I had wings.”

From So-hong’s words, Hwa-wol could not help but think of one person.

The one who responded to her zither with his flute, the one who left such great joy and such deep pain.

“No way!”

Hwa-rin frowned and said. She seemed displeased with her two friends’ fuss.

“Anyway, I can’t admit it. His performance itself wasn’t that great. It was just luck…….”

“Hehe.”

So-hong smiled and looked at Chae-ok. The two’s gazes were quite mischievous.

“You’re jealous, aren’t you?”

“What? J, jealous?”

“Yes. Is it because only the two of us played with Young Master Son? Oh, you poor, foolish, rebellious teenage girl.”

‘Young Master Son?’

At So-hong’s teasing, Hwa-wol thought of a young man dressed as a simple scholar.

A young man with nothing special, whose face was even faint.

Only his name and the fact that Lord Noh was trying to divert his attention remained in her memory.

‘Son Bin…….’

It was Seo-rin who interrupted her question. But it was clear that Noh-gun had ordered it. Noh-gun’s expression could not hide anything.

‘Hehe.’

Hwa-wol smiled. Just thinking of Noh-gun pretending not to know made her smile.

‘Maybe, just maybe.’

Yewon does not ask if Noh-gun does not want it. But the name of that scholar can never be passed over.

“Don’t worry.”

Chae-ok’s voice was heard. Chae-ok patted Hwa-rin’s back and said,

“These older sisters will prepare a duet for you with Young Master Son soon. You have to dress up pretty, okay? It’s your first duet with a man, so it’s your first experience, so to speak.”

“Hehehe. That’s right. What if you get dumped?”

So-hong laughed at Chae-ok’s words, and Hwa-rin’s face turned red.

“Wh, what nonsense!”

But Hwa-rin’s protest was not heard by So-hong and Chae-ok.

“Of course, we’ll use that as an excuse to play one more time. Heeheehee.”

“That’s a good idea! What song should we do this time? Hohoho.”

Sabeok.

Listening to the cackling laughter, Hwa-wol quietly turned her steps. She didn’t have the confidence to give them a stern warning right now.

Sabeok, sabeok.

“So-hong, Chae-ok, and Hwa-rin.”

Hwa-wol said in a low voice to the old servant following behind her.

“Ban them from refreshments for three days and have them retake etiquette education for one hour every day.”

Etiquette education is strict and 까다로운 [difficult/demanding], so everyone hates it. If they heard these words, the three’s expressions would probably be quite distorted.

The old servant bowed and received her order.

“Shall we ban them from entering this place too?”

“There’s no need to go that far.”

Sabeok.

Moving her steps, Hwa-wol said,

“The reason why those children are being punished is because they failed to maintain the dignity of an entertainer. It can’t be helped that they are drawn to it.”

There was something like regret in her voice.

“It can’t be helped that you are drawn to it…….”

Hwa-wol murmured quietly. The old servant quietly followed her.

*

*

*

Sarak.

“We pay our respects to Wonju [Head or Director].”

Four women dressed in splendor paid their respects. Silk clothes embroidered with gold and silver threads rippled softly, and colorful decorations sparkling on their black hair fluttered.

Wonju Hwa-wol, who was sitting in the upper seat and looking down at them, smiled.

“Please rise.”

The women rose, and Hwa-wol offered them seats. The four women moved gracefully and sat in their respective seats.

“You must have worked hard to come all the way here from Beijing.”

Hwa-wol’s voice was soft but had a weight that commanded respect.

“There’s nothing to work hard about. Thank you for Wonju’s consideration.”

A graceful woman in splendid attire bowed lightly and replied.

She, who had paid her respects at the very front a moment ago, looked to be about the same age as Hwa-wol. However, her clothes and decorations were so flashy and luxurious that they seemed excessive compared to Hwa-wol’s.

“I am truly overwhelmed to be back in Hangju Yewon after a long time. It feels like returning to an old hometown.”

Hwa-wol smiled.

“Bi-yeon, you especially will feel that way. Aren’t you originally from here?”

The red lips of the woman called Bi-yeon smiled thinly.

She had a beauty that even young ladies would envy, but the slightly cold feeling was probably due to her sharp voice and eyes.

“That’s a thing of the past.”

“Is the work at Cheongmyeongjeong [Clear Bright Pavilion] difficult? Are there any difficulties?”

Yewon does not reveal itself directly. Therefore, Yewon separately established Cheongmyeongjeong to manage all matters related to the imperial family.

Officially, there is no relationship at all, but in reality, it is like a branch of Yewon. The one who oversees Cheongmyeongjeong was Bi-yeon.

“How can I speak of difficulties in fulfilling my responsibilities?”

Pallak [sound of a fan opening].

Bi-yeon said, covering her mouth with a precious feather fan. She was also one of the only two deputy Wonju of Yewon.

“Fortunately, Cheongmyeongjeong is trusted by the precious people of the imperial family. No entertainer has been able to perform at the imperial Changumgak [Imperial Music Hall] without going through Cheongmyeongjeong, so it is all thanks to the great virtue of the Emperor.”

Official imperial events are naturally performed by court musicians. However, there were also many cases where external entertainers were invited to perform.

Imperial performances are usually a privilege that entertainers can only dream of. Cheongmyeongjeong is the place that monopolizes that privilege. Of course, there are many opportunities to meet members of the imperial family as well as the highest-ranking officials of the imperial palace.

“Well done. But you must always be careful in everything.”

Hwa-wol said with a smile, but in a worried tone.

“We can lose our lives with just one wrong gesture, so you must always keep that in mind.”

The center of absolute power that rules the continent, the imperial family is like a den of demons. What they demand is essentially unconditional obedience. Exceptions are never allowed.

A place where even countless lives can be thrown away with a single gesture. Moreover, the lives of hundreds of entertainers are worth less than dust. That was another reason why Yewon had to put forward Cheongmyeongjeong.

“Hohoho, that’s an excessive worry.”

A young woman sitting one seat away laughed and said. She was one of the three young Soju [a high-ranking entertainer] belonging to Cheongmyeongjeong.

“There are many people in the imperial family who cherish us, and there are even two noble ladies from Yewon, so who would dare to treat us carelessly?”

Hu [Empress], a small number of Bi [Consort], more Bin [Imperial Concubine], and countless Gwiin [Noble Lady]. All are titles that refer to the Emperor’s women.

“Ha! Nonsense.”

Hwa-wol said in a voice as cold as autumn frost.

“Do you think I don’t know that you are ostracized among the noble ladies for being lowly entertainers? How can you not know that if you lose the Emperor’s favor, you will become worse than a street dog, and even your own children will be taken away?”

Hwa-wol’s words were accurate. With the exception of a small number of noble ladies from prestigious families, most of the noble ladies who were maids or entertainers have no power.

Contrary to the perception of a glamorous palace life, it is often difficult to even make a living, so the finances of Cheongmyeongjeong, which are spent to support the noble ladies from Yewon, are by no means small.

“And there are many people in the imperial family who cherish Cheongmyeongjeong? Do you think the world will always praise us? It is foolish to be intoxicated by momentary success.”

Hwa-wol’s voice was firm.

“The world can turn its back in an instant.”

Silence fell. No one could meet Hwa-wol’s fierce gaze.

“Surely, you are not dreaming a foolish dream of catching the Emperor’s eye and enjoying wealth and glory?”

At Hwa-wol’s cold gaze, the young woman flinched and lowered her head.

“H, how could that be?”

As the atmosphere turned cold, Bi-yeon, who was in charge of Cheongmyeongjeong, said quietly.

“We have not forgotten the pride of entertainers. The two noble ladies also entered the harem because they could not dare to disobey the Emperor’s will, and they are always mindful of being from Yewon. So, Wonju, please calm your anger.”

Bi-yeon gave the old servant a slight wink. The old servant immediately held up a tray with thick letters on it and presented it to Wonju Hwa-wol.

“These are the trends of the imperial family, the movements of high-ranking officials, and the research topics of the Hanlimwon [Imperial Academy]. In particular, the research of the Hanlimwon implies future policy changes of the imperial family, so it will be very helpful if you take a look.”

Bi-yeon’s eyes were full of confidence as she spoke. Everything she said was something that outsiders could never know.

Even the contents that are difficult for even high-ranking officials of the court to access are now contained in those letters.

“I’ll take a look later.”

But Hwa-wol’s reaction was different from Bi-yeon’s expectations. Hwa-wol did not even look at the letters that the old servant was holding up.

Even though they are worth thousands or even tens of thousands of gold to large merchants or local powerful people.

“I want to comfort the sisters who have suffered from the long journey first.”

Sarak.

As Hwa-wol gestured lightly, the servants began to bring out food. Each one was a dish with a unique fragrance and beautiful shape that naturally stimulated the appetite.

“Don’t hesitate and enjoy it to your heart’s content. I’m really happy to meet you again like this.”

Yewon’s Wonju Hwa-wol smiled as she looked at Bi-yeon. The smile was as warm as could be, but only a thin smile hung on Bi-yeon’s lips as she lowered her feather fan.

∴

Sabeok, sabeok.

Four women were walking in the garden where darkness had fallen.

Bi-yeon, who had just parted ways with Hwa-wol, and the three Soju belonging to Cheongmyeongjeong. Four loyal old servants held up lights and illuminated the dark path ahead of them.

“Really, nothing has changed.”

Bi-yeon, who had been moving her steps without saying a word, suddenly said in a low voice.

“That bitch.”

The three Soju following behind her did not dare to open their mouths. Only the sound of leaves breaking under the four women’s feet carefully echoed around them.

“She’s a genius. The way she naturally suppresses people like that. And the way she uses the people around her while pretending not to be, pretending to be pure.”

Bi-yeon’s voice was full of sharpness as she spoke.

“If it weren’t for that bitch, I would have become the Wonju of Yewon. She just snatched the Wonju position because she was close to Muje [a powerful figure, possibly a mentor or patron], and then sent me to Cheongmyeongjeong. She probably wanted me to become the Emperor’s one-night stand and rot in the harem?”

No one knows the truth. But for Bi-yeon, that was the only truth.

Sabeok.

Bi-yeon stopped walking. And she turned around and looked at the three young Soju.

“You guys better be on your toes too.”

Bi-yeon’s gaze was cold as she looked at Soju.

“Do you think the world will change if you become a noble lady? There are many beauties besides you. If you lose the Emperor’s favor and we cut off our support, what can you do? Even if you want to curse someone, you won’t even be able to buy the cinnabar to draw a talisman, right? That’s what that bitch wants. Got it?”

“I will keep that in mind.”

The three Soju bowed and answered. Bi-yeon, who was looking at them, raised her head. At the end of her gaze was a small pavilion with lights on. The place where Yewon’s Wonju Hwa-wol stays.

“Why were the people around you, who were said to have met by chance, all so great? And only people with absolute influence on Yewon. And you still say it’s just a coincidence?”

Yewon’s Deputy Wonju Bi-yeon wore a sneer.

“You don’t want anything? You’re satisfied with just being loved by one person? Then why are you in that position now? Why are you still there?”

Adeuk [a suppressed sound].

A rough sound flowed from between Bi-yeon’s lips.

“So, I’ll drag you down now. From that position that you don’t need.”

No one could open their mouths. In the silence, Bi-yeon stared at the pavilion for a moment and turned her head. And she asked the young Soju.

“Why didn’t Beijing Yewon’s Ga-yeon come with us?”

Yewon also exists on the outskirts of Beijing. Ga-yeon was the Soju of that Beijing Yewon.

“She said she would come separately. She said there was no reason to come together…….”

The Soju answered in a small voice. Bi-yeon snorted.

“Hmph, is even that bitch looking down on me now?”

If you think about it, Ga-yeon’s words are also correct. There is no reason for Yewon for foreign affairs and Cheongmyeongwon for the imperial family to move together.

However, Bi-yeon is also the Deputy Wonju of Yewon. Ga-yeon’s actions could be considered to have other intentions.

“Yes, that must be it. She is a Yewon Soju who may be in the position of the next Wonju, and I am a Deputy Wonju who failed in that competition a long time ago.”

Bi-yeon’s voice, which had been laughing in vain, suddenly subsided. But it wasn’t over yet.

“Okay, I’ll gladly put up with it now. But…… just you wait. It won’t last long.”

It has been a long time since Hyeoncheon’s Muje, who reigns over everything, has appeared. His shadow is still huge, but it is also true that it is fading day by day.

Foreign affairs will definitely change. Of course, Yewon will also change. So, the day that Bi-yeon is waiting for is not far away.

“Never.”

Bi-yeon’s eyes shone fiercely in the darkness. But no one saw that look. Only the three young Soju shuddered at her voice.