A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 235

235. The Master of the Ceremony (2)

The investiture ceremony of the Hyeokryeon Family was not a small affair. Most of the elders of the Hyeokryeon Family expressed their intention to attend.

Because of this, the modest ceremony with only a few people attending was out of the question. It became a rather large event with most of the family’s elders present.

Of course, external guests were still strictly limited, so the investiture ceremony felt like a family feast, with most of the attendees being family members.

“Wow, Sehwa noona [older sister] is pretty.”

Seorin said, eyes wide. Son Bin smiled and nodded.

Jeok Sehwa, the focus of the investiture ceremony, who would soon become Hyeokryeon Sehwa, was wearing slightly brighter clothes than usual and sat at the front of the investiture hall.

Her attire and decorations were neither too extravagant nor lacking, perfectly reflecting her personality.

Hyeokryeon Gong and Jeok Cheolgwan, the head of the Hoyeon Martial Clan, sat on either side of her. Next to them were the current head of the Hyeokryeon Family, Paegeom Hyeokryeon Ho, and the former Paegeom Hyeokryeon Wi.

“If I had known we could come like this, I would have joined you last time too.”

Seorin pouted and grumbled. Seorin, who attended with only Son Bin, had removed his usual martial arts uniform-like coat and was dressed as a neat young nobleman.

This made Seorin’s beauty shine even more, and every woman at the investiture ceremony glanced at him.

“Last time, we had to greet the guests and introduce ourselves.”

Son Bin explained. The last banquet required them to welcome guests, so they had to actively greet and introduce themselves.

Now, as guests, they could simply remain still and quietly slip away. Of course, some people still tried to talk to Seorin.

‘Still, it’s a relief. It ended well without any problems.’

Son Bin felt relieved as he watched Jeok Sehwa talking and smiling.

The middle-aged man who came as the representative of the Gongson Family said that he had formally conveyed their apology. However, Gongson Ji never apologized and did not attend the investiture ceremony.

Perhaps they intentionally kept him away to prevent any mishaps.

Squeak.

The head of the Hyeokryeon Family, Paegeom Hyeokryeon Ho, rose from his seat. The surroundings immediately quieted, and Paegeom Hyeokryeon Ho said with a faint smile.

“Thank you for being here. I will now begin the investiture ceremony.”

The investiture ceremony began with the head of the family’s words.

The investiture ceremony itself was very simple. Because the Hyeokryeon Family, being essentially a martial arts family, did not value excessive etiquette or formality, and there was no set procedure for such a ceremony.

They would inform the ancestors of the Hyeokryeon Family of this event, then bow to Jeok Cheolgwan and his wife of the Hoyeon Martial Clan to express their gratitude for raising her, and then bow to Hyeokryeon Gong and his wife, who had newly become her parents.

That was the core procedure. However, the investiture ceremony dragged on longer than expected.

This was because more elders of the family than expected wanted to receive greetings from Hyeokryeon Sehwa, who had now officially become a family member.

“Aren’t they overdoing it?”

Seorin frowned slightly and muttered, perhaps because she looked pitiful as she kept bowing, or because she was bored of waiting.

Even though maids were helping her on either side, it was not easy to bow to so many elders one by one.

No matter how much she was the daughter of a martial arts family, a woman’s body would inevitably tire. However, Hyeokryeon Sehwa was smiling calmly without any signs of fatigue.

Son Bin spoke to Seorin in a soft voice.

“Receiving greetings also means they will look after her as an elder of the family. In other words, it’s an acknowledgment of the relationship. So, this isn’t tormenting Sehwa Sojeo [young lady], but helping her.”

More elders of the family than expected were receiving Hyeokryeon Sehwa’s bow. That also meant that interest and expectations for Hyeokryeon Sehwa had increased that much.

Now, everyone in the family would know about Hyeokryeon Sehwa.

“Then does that mean she’s becoming an important person in the Hyeokryeon Family?”

“Maybe?”

When Son Bin nodded, Seorin immediately looked depressed.

“Woong, then I won’t be able to see Sehwa noona often.”

That was an obvious fact that even Seorin could immediately realize.

If she took on family matters, she would inevitably neglect the Seowon [private academy]. Perhaps it would be difficult to even see her face in the future.

But it couldn’t be helped. The small Seowon in Cheongwon and the Hyeokryeon Family were so different that it was difficult to compare them.

“But wouldn’t it be okay if Sehwa Sojeo can do what she wants to do?”

Son Bin’s words were sincere.

If Jeok Sehwa, or rather Hyeokryeon Sehwa, could fulfill her wishes, Son Bin would gladly support her. Didn’t she look so radiant even now, among the people?

“Now, I will pay respects to the honored guests who have joined us.”

After the bows to the Hyeokryeon Family elders were over, it was the guests’ turn.

Of course, Hyeokryeon Sehwa did not bow to the guests. Hyeokryeon Gong was the one who received the congratulations from the guests and expressed his gratitude.

After all, this investiture ceremony was for Hyeokryeon Gong to adopt his daughter.

The families of the Five Great Families, except for the Hyeokryeon Family, presented gifts in turn and offered congratulations first to Hyeokryeon Gong and then to Hyeokryeon Sehwa.

A slightly different event occurred during the turn of the Tang Family.

“Congratulations.”

A middle-aged man with a dignified air from the Tang Family paid his respects to Hyeokryeon Gong. And he also offered congratulations to Hyeokryeon Sehwa.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Hyeokryeon Sehwa bowed politely with a neat appearance.

“Ah, and I have a message to convey to you.”

The eyes of the people were focused on them with puzzled expressions. There was no reason for the Tang Family to speak to Hyeokryeon Sehwa.

“Tang Unyeong Elder and the Chief Military Officer have specially asked me to convey their gratitude for your kindness. Although it was a chance encounter, they said that such a precious coincidence is always a pleasure.”

It was true that Jeok Sehwa had shown kindness.

Old Madam Tang Unyeong certainly had, and Jeok Sehwa was the one who prepared the food when Chief Military Officer Tang Hwaryeon visited the Seowon.

They met Jeok Sehwa because of Tang Wora, so the word ‘coincidence’ was also correct. However, Son Bin, Seorin, and Jeok Sehwa were the only ones who understood all the circumstances.

“The Tang Family’s Chief Military Officer? Are you talking about Seolgeom Tang Hwaryeon?”

“Tang Unyeong Elder?”

There was no way that the people here wouldn’t know those names. People buzzed with surprise.

“Did they meet while traveling the Gangho [martial arts world]?”

“Come to think of it, Hoyeon Martial Clan kept participating in the Gangnam Yongbong Assembly [martial arts tournament]? Did they meet there?”

People wondered about the ‘chance encounter’ between the daughter of a small and medium-sized martial arts family and the Tang Family and whispered to each other.

“When did Sehwa…?”

Her father, Jeok Cheolgwan, also muttered with a puzzled expression.

Leaving behind the murmuring of the people, Hyeokryeon Sehwa bowed her head politely to the middle-aged man from the Tang Family to express her gratitude.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

The middle-aged man from the Tang Family smiled contentedly and continued.

“Hwagun [title for the head of the Tang Family] also asked me to convey his congratulations. He said that he would welcome you in the name of the head of the family if you ever visit the Tang Family.”

The surprise of the people grew even bigger.

Hwagun referred to Tang Okdam, the head of the Tang Family. The head of the Tang Family had made a promise in his own name.

Hyeokryeon Sehwa bowed her head again to express her gratitude once more. The gazes of the people were filled with surprise, and this time, a middle-aged man from the Namgung Family paid his respects to Hyeokryeon Gong.

“Congratulations on welcoming such a wonderful daughter.”

“Thank you.”

Hyeokryeon Gong smiled and expressed his gratitude. The middle-aged man from the Namgung Family smiled as he looked at Hyeokryeon Sehwa.

“I’m surprised that you had a relationship with the Tang Family. In fact, the former Noegeom [title for a respected elder in the Namgung Family] also asked me to convey his congratulations to you separately.”

“Oh oh.”

People exclaimed.

It was surprising enough that the head of the Tang Family had sent congratulations, but it could not be compared to the weight of the former Noegeom Namgungcheon.

The middle-aged man from the Namgung Family who was speaking also had a rather surprised expression. Namgung Hyeok, the young master of the Namgung Family, was speechless. The former Noegeom, who was like the sky to him, was sending separate congratulations to Hyeokryeon Sehwa.

“He said that he received a lot of help from your kindness when you visited Gwangju last time. He hopes that you will visit the Namgung Family at any time. As a guest of the former Noegeom, we will be happy to welcome you.”

Who would dislike words of praise? The faces of the Hyeokryeon Family people were filled with laughter along with a sense of pride.

“Ah, and.”

The middle-aged man from the Namgung Family lowered his voice slightly and said.

“The former Noegeom asked me to take good care of you in the future… What does that mean?”

Even while conveying the message, he couldn’t hide his puzzled expression. What on earth would the former Noegeom ask the adopted daughter of the Hyeokryeon Family to take care of?

Hyeokryeon Sehwa smiled softly.

“That’s an overstatement. Rather, please tell him that I should be the one asking him to take good care of me.”

It sounded like a ceremonial greeting at first glance. The middle-aged man from the Namgung Family nodded, unable to erase his suspicious expression.

With the Namgung Family as the last, the greetings from the families were over, and the people from the Five Great Merchant Groups offered their congratulations to Hyeokryeon Gong.

“Hahaha, congratulations on gaining such a wonderful daughter. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, but you’re still the same as before.”

A middle-aged man with a pleasant impression from the Hwanam Merchant Group grabbed Hyeokryeon Gong’s hand and said. After talking with Hyeokryeon Gong for a while, he also paid his respects to Hyeokryeon Sehwa politely.

“Congratulations, Sojeo. Please take good care of our Hwanam Merchant Group in the future.”

The middle-aged man from the Hwanam Merchant Group greeted Hyeokryeon Sehwa, who was younger than him, very politely.

There was no choice but to do so.

Key figures, including the Chief Military Officer of the Tang Family, and the former head of the Namgung Family, sent their greetings to Hyeokryeon Sehwa.

Moreover, she would become Hyeokryeon Gong’s daughter today and officially become a member of the Hyeokryeon Family.

Since she had formed relationships with three of the Five Great Families, how could they treat her carelessly? The people from the other merchant groups who followed also gave Hyeokryeon Sehwa polite greetings as if it were a set procedure.

With that, the official investiture ceremony ended and a light banquet began.

“Hahaha.”

“Hohoho.”

People constantly gathered around Hyeokryeon Sehwa to exchange greetings. Not only the young people she had met at the previous banquet, but also the people from the merchant groups and families tried to greet her.

Hyeokryeon Sehwa constantly smiled and leisurely greeted the guests and talked to them.

The protagonist of this investiture ceremony, where the world-renowned Five Great Families and Five Great Merchant Groups gathered, was Hyeokryeon Sehwa, no matter who looked at her.

‘That’s good.’

Son Bin watched the scene with a satisfied expression. He felt that this kind of place was the right place for Jeok Sehwa, or rather Hyeokryeon Sehwa.

Then, Son Bin suddenly met Hyeokryeon Sehwa’s gaze.

Hyeokryeon Sehwa bowed her head towards Son Bin with an apologetic expression. She wanted to talk to Son Bin or Seorin, but she couldn’t get out because of the guests.

Son Bin nodded lightly, meaning it was okay. And he turned his head and said to Seorin.

“Shall we go now?”

Because of Old Madam Tang Unyeong’s words, Son Bin decided to be satisfied with this and leave.

“Without saying goodbye? And we have to eat this too…”

Seorin asked with wide eyes. And she looked at the food in front of her with a regretful expression. She had been holding back to keep her manners.

“We already said goodbye. I’ll buy you something delicious on the way.”

Seorin looked a little puzzled, but since Son Bin said so, she nodded vigorously without any doubt.

“Yes, hyung [older brother].”

Son Bin quietly retreated with Seorin.

Just as the two were about to leave the banquet hall, a large shadow blocked Son Bin.

“Are you leaving?”

Son Bin raised his head at the heavy voice that came from above. The former Paegeom, Hyeokryeon Wi, with his huge physique, was standing in front of him.

“Yes. Please take good care of Sehwa Sojeo.”

Son Bin said with a light bow.

It was a shame that he couldn’t see Hyeokryeon Sehwa at the Seowon anymore, but if it was something she wanted to do, it was something to be celebrated.

The former Paegeom Hyeokryeon Wi nodded slowly and said.

“Hmm… See you again.”

Once again, Son Bin bowed to Hyeokryeon Wi. Seorin also bowed to Hyeokryeon Wi with a fairly mature appearance.

“Goodbye.”

Hyeokryeon Wi nodded and returned the greeting to Seorin. Seorin immediately followed behind Son Bin.

In that way, Son Bin left the family, deeply wishing for Hyeokryeon Sehwa’s bright future. Even after the two left, the Hyeokryeon Family’s banquet did not seem to end for a long time.

*

*

*

The next day at dawn, Son Bin got up early as usual, tidied his clothes, sat down, and read a book.

Then, Son Bin raised his head at the sound of someone’s presence.

‘Who is it?’

Already, the outside of the window was brightly lit. But it was still early in the morning. Son Bin turned off the lamp and got up from his seat.

Rustle.

After looking at the black greatsword, Pawol, placed on the wooden support in one side of the room, Son Bin went outside.

Click.

“Who…”

Son Bin couldn’t continue his words as he was about to ask who it was. That was because Jeok Sehwa, or rather Hyeokryeon Sehwa, was standing in front of him.

“Sojeo.”

Son Bin asked with a surprised expression. Hyeokryeon Sehwa smiled and said.

“Good morning, Son Gongja-nim [young master].”

“Ah, yes. Good morning… No, that’s not it, how…”

Son Bin, who had reflexively accepted the greeting, asked again. She answered with a smiling face.

“From today, we have decided to prepare breakfast.”

“We?”

“Yes. Me, Suyeon Sojeo, Wora Sojeo, and Tang Unyeong-nim. Suyeon Sojeo and Wora Sojeo will be here soon too.”

As soon as Hyeokryeon Sehwa’s words were finished, Old Madam Tang Unyeong and Nogun appeared from the next detached house.

“Oh, you’re already here?”

“Are you here?”

Hyeokryeon Sehwa politely gave her morning greetings to Tang Unyeong and Nogun.

“So, what’s going on?”

Son Bin asked. Old Madam Tang Unyeong smiled.

“I’m sorry that I’ve been constantly indebted to you. Sehwa also said that she has time, so from now on, leave the meals to us.”

Until now, Son Bin had been preparing the meals. Sasu Yeon had no experience in that area, and he couldn’t expect anything from Tang Wora from the beginning.

Son Bin, who had experience from his long Seowon life, had no choice but to take on the task. Instead, Sasu Yeon and Tang Wora had been doing the cleaning and washing up.

“Why? Don’t you trust us?”

Old Madam Tang Unyeong frowned slightly.

“It’s not that…”

To be honest, he didn’t trust them. But it would be better since Hyeokryeon Sehwa was there. But that wasn’t the problem now.

“But Sehwa Sojeo, will you be okay?”

“Yes, I’m okay. I’m independent now, you know.”

Hyeokryeon Sehwa smiled.

He didn’t know why she was expressing being adopted as being independent, but it seemed to mean that she was okay anyway.

“It’s chilly. Let’s have some tea.”

Nogun said to Son Bin, who was still bewildered. It was something that happened every morning, so Son Bin nodded.

“Yes, I’ll prepare it soon.”

Son Bin went into the kitchen to prepare the tea, and Old Madam Tang Unyeong smiled at Hyeokryeon Sehwa.

“Is Hyeokryeon Gong Elder doing well?”

“Yes, he coughed in the morning, so I already went to give him my morning greetings.”

Hyeokryeon Sehwa answered. Tang Unyeong nodded and asked again.

“What did Hyeokryeon Wi Daehyeop [great hero] say? Didn’t he say anything else?”

“He told me to take good care of Hyeokryeon Gong Elder.”

“There’s no way he would have said anything else. Hyeokryeon Wi, that guy, just thinks he’s taking in a granddaughter.”

Nogun, who was sitting next to her, said as if throwing it out.

“He’s like a stubborn ox. He doesn’t have any hidden plans or ulterior motives. But every time he moves his feet, he catches a rat.”

Jeok Sehwa smiled, and Old Madam Tang Unyeong also smiled and said.

“That’s the kind of person he is. Other people come up with plans after all sorts of calculations, but Hyeokryeon Wi just executes them without thinking.”

“That’s why Noegeom is going crazy. He’s trying so hard to win Bin’s heart, but Paegeom just ends it in one shot.”

Jeok Sehwa became Hyeokryeon Sehwa. Considering Son Bin’s nature, he could tell what kind of heart he would have for the Hyeokryeon Family without even looking.

Jeok Sehwa added slightly to Nogun’s words.

“He doesn’t even have the intention of winning Son Gongja-nim’s heart. He just did what he wanted to do.”

“That’s why he’s even more scary.”

Nogun grumbled as if he still didn’t like it.

“I even feel sorry for only benefiting from it out of nowhere.”

Hyeokryeon Sehwa said with an apologetic expression.

“Actually, my parents have been quite serious lately. At this rate, I would have had to either quit the Seowon or declare that I would marry Son Gongja-nim.”

Old Madam Tang Unyeong smiled. She was the one who understood that feeling better than anyone else.

“That’s a relief. Didn’t you become independent with this incident, and also properly show filial piety to your parents?”

“Yes. So I’m just grateful. Hyeokryeon Gong Elder, no, Father also told me to do what I want to do.”

“Then Hyeokryeon Gong Elder really has no intention of returning?”

“Yes. His decision is already firm.”

Tang Unyeong nodded at Hyeokryeon Sehwa’s words.

Click.

The door suddenly opened and Sineui came out of the room.

“Oh, Sehwa’s here.”

“Yes, Sineui-nim.”

Hyeokryeon Sehwa gave her greetings, and Seorin’s welcome voice popped out from behind Sineui.

“Sehwa noona!”

“Did you sleep well? Seorin-ah.”

Hyeokryeon Sehwa smiled and greeted Seorin. At the same time, the children’s boisterous voices were heard.

“Hello, Teacher!”

“Teacher!”

Five children, including Cheonga and Honga, ran over. The children were living in Tang Wora’s house. They received separate rooms because men and women were different, but they still always flocked together.

The children greeted Nogun, Tang Unyeong, Sineui, Hyeokryeon Sehwa, and Seorin in a row. Following them, Sasu Yeon and Tang Wora followed into the Seowon and gave their morning greetings.

“Ah, Sehwa Sojeo. Did the investiture ceremony go well?”

“Yes. Thank you, Suyeon Sojeo.”

Hyeokryeon Sehwa exchanged greetings with Sasu Yeon.

Tang Wora only slightly bowed her head as usual. Hyeokryeon Sehwa smiled and returned the greeting to her.

The quiet Seowon suddenly became noisy. Old Madam Tang Unyeong, who was smiling contentedly as she looked at the children, said.

“Well, shall we start preparing breakfast? We’re a bit late today.”

Following Tang Unyeong, Sasu Yeon, Tang Wora, and Hyeokryeon Sehwa entered the kitchen.

Hyeokryeon Sehwa, who was passing by Son Bin, who was bringing out the tea, slightly bowed her head to Son Bin.

“Ah, Sehwa Sojeo.”

“Yes?”

Son Bin, who was passing by, called out as if he had suddenly thought of something. When Hyeokryeon Sehwa stopped, Son Bin hesitated for a moment and asked.

“That, the thing you said you wanted to do back then…”

She had clearly said, ‘It’s something I want to do even if I get cursed.’ So he wondered if it was okay for her to be here. In fact, it was also the last problem that Son Bin, who still didn’t understand even while preparing the tea, had encountered.

“Ah, that?”

Hyeokryeon Sehwa smiled.

“I’m doing it now.”

“Yes?”

Son Bin asked back with a blank expression. But Hyeokryeon Sehwa gave him a bright smile and then went straight into the kitchen.

It was such a bright and beautiful smile, truly more beautiful than a flower.