A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 322

322. The Nameless Vice-Consort

The eunuch stood silently before the Emperor’s private office, eyes half-closed and head bowed, as if deaf to the world.

Yet, at the slightest dry cough from within, he snapped to attention and approached the Emperor.

The Emperor was alone. The eunuch bowed low.

“You summoned me, Your Majesty?”

The Emperor spoke softly.

“He is gone.”

The eunuch waited, unmoving. The Emperor closed his eyes, lost in thought.

The Emperor, a man who rarely lingered even on matters of great import, was now deep in contemplation.

“Did Prince Sun have any children?” he asked abruptly.

Prince Sun was a close relative, residing in a grand residence, a *wangfu* [princely estate], here in Beijing.

“He has no sons, but two daughters.”

The Emperor nodded. The lack of sons placed Prince Sun outside the Imperial family’s power structure.

“Then, adopt Lady Gyeonghui as Prince Sun’s adopted daughter and grant her the title of Princess. As a Lady, her standing would be unequal to the other party.”

A flicker of doubt crossed the eunuch’s face, but vanished as quickly as it appeared.

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

“And Princess Gyeonghui, having received her title…”

*Thud.*

The Emperor rose. The golden dragon patterns on his robe shimmered.

“Record that she was sent to the Northern border. This should suffice as reason for the title.”

Being sent to the Northern border was a sacrifice for the realm’s peace. It would be clear to all that she deserved the title of Princess as Prince Sun’s adopted daughter.

“Who should be recorded as the Vice-Consort [princess’s spouse]?”

The title was noble, but this case was different.

“Is it necessary?” the Emperor asked, a faint smile playing on his lips. The eunuch realized his question was foolish.

“Indeed. I understand, Your Majesty.”

No one cared about the princess’s spouse. The important thing was sending her to the Northern border.

Once the Northern tension eased, the princess would be forgotten.

Therefore, the officially recorded Vice-Consort would be Nameless.

No one would care about the name of a Vice-Consort who was merely a formality, and clearly a member of the Northern barbarians.

Lady Gyeonghui was the same.

She held the title of Lady, but no official position. Few officials knew her face; she existed only in name.

The Imperial family would forget her too. Struggling to survive in this cutthroat environment, they would soon forget her, as she would no longer concern them.

“Send a message to the Northern border: maintain a state of alert and observe the situation. Also, inform them that there is no longer any need to pressure or appease them.”

The eunuch bowed deeply, receiving the command. The Northern border tension was virtually resolved.

“Ah, and…”

The Emperor said, as if remembering something.

“Behead Soha, and all those deeply involved with him. That would be an apology for excessively toying with Gyeonghui, that child.”

It wouldn’t be right to punish Soha simply for betraying Lady Gyeonghui’s trust and siding with the Emperor.

However, with a new relationship established with the ‘One Who Walks the Path of the Emperor,’ those who led the ‘Reversal of Heaven Scheme’ [anti-foreign policy faction], including Soha, were now obstacles.

The eunuch grasped the hidden intention: eliminate any future threat.

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

The eunuch bowed again. The ‘Reversal of Heaven Scheme’ would be as if it never existed.

The Emperor, having casually decided the lives of several people, adjusted his robes and turned away.

“I shall retire for the night.”

He didn’t know if he would sleep. Son Bin’s words still stirred a small fire in his heart.

“What shall we do with the Fire Pills?” the eunuch asked. The Emperor waved his hand lightly, conveying his meaning: remove them all.

Fire Pills were installed throughout the chamber, enough to destroy it in an instant.

The elderly Emperor had ordered such an absurd thing—installing Fire Pills in his own chamber—without batting an eye.

The eunuch was about to pay his respects, but the Emperor stopped as he walked towards the bedchamber.

“That place… was it called Cheongwon?”

The Emperor asked, turning his head slightly. It was a sudden question, but the eunuch understood.

“Yes, Your Majesty, that is correct.”

“Cheongwon, is it…”

The Emperor muttered in the darkness.

“It is far.”

The Emperor turned and headed back to the bedchamber. The eunuch bowed deeply.

*

*

*

The main gate of the Imperial Palace was the Wumen Gate, located to the south. Before the red pavilion atop the gate, a member of the Golden Uniform Guard kept watch.

Then—

*Clang.*

A small metallic sound brushed past a guard’s ear. He turned, spear raised.

“Who’s there!”

The other guards reacted instantly, spears pointing in all directions.

But there was no one. The surroundings were brightly lit.

“What’s going on?” a captain asked, scanning the area. The wary guard replied:

“I heard a strange sound.”

The captain looked down at the guards below the ramparts. No suspicious shadows. The guards held their positions.

He examined the other pavilions. Nothing unusual.

“What kind of sound?”

“It sounded like metal…”

*Whoosh.*

A strong gust of wind blew, causing the guards to squint.

The flags fluttered, the torches flickered, then the wind subsided.

“Tsk.”

The captain clicked his tongue, shielding his face.

Such gusts were common here, due to the high ramparts and walls.

The metallic sound must have been caused by the wind.

“Return to your posts.”

The captain sheathed his sword.

The guards returned to their watch. The guard who heard the sound stared ahead, alert.

*Swish.*

The captain looked at the night sky. The torches obscured the stars.

*Tap, tap, tap.*

Footsteps drew his attention. A guard rushed up and saluted.

“The commander has ordered us to return to normal guard duty.”

“Is that so?”

The emergency was over. The captain sighed in relief. The other guards relaxed.

“Understood.”

The captain redeployed the formation.

The torches were lowered, and some guards left the ramparts.

Silence returned, and the Imperial Palace began to fall asleep.

∴

*Swish.*

With the sound of the wind, the Wumen Gate passed beneath Son Bin’s feet. Held in Geomhee’s arms, he stared at the massive gate.

‘Wumen Gate…’

The main gate of the Imperial City, through which the Emperor entered and exited. The pavilions on the red ramparts were called the Ofeng Pavilion.

Besides the Emperor, only those who achieved the highest positions in the civil service examination—the *Jangwon* [first place], *Bangan* [second place], and *Tamhwa* [third place]—could use the Wumen Gate.

It was a glorious privilege, a symbol dreamed of by all examinees.

‘Ah!’

Son Bin remembered something he’d forgotten to tell the Emperor. He’d been so caught up in giving advice.

‘I should have told him to investigate the examiners of the last provincial examination!’

He still felt wronged. He clicked his tongue, having lost a golden opportunity to expose corruption.

“Why?” Geomhee asked. Son Bin shook his head.

“No, it’s nothing.”

He couldn’t ask to go back now. He smiled awkwardly.

“It’s over now.”

This was the end. He would probably never return to the Imperial City.

“Is that so?”

Geomhee turned her head, kicked off the roof of a pavilion, and soared into the night sky.

*Whoosh.*

‘Ugh.’

A dizzying height. He hadn’t realized it before, but seeing the Tiananmen Gate [Gate of Heavenly Peace] sinking below was a sight to behold.

The pinnacle of power, the forbidden city of crimson light where all the wealth under the heavens gathered.

The Tiananmen Gate, which led into that city, was now slowly passing beneath Son Bin’s eyes.

*Swish.*

In the rough wind, Son Bin raised his head.

Beyond the Tiananmen Gate, the east-west Tianjie Street [Heavenly Street] and the north-south Royal Road.

The wide, unobstructed road revealed itself. Ironically, only by turning his back on the Forbidden City could he see the endlessly stretching road. Watching that road, Son Bin smiled.

The endless night sky, the distant land, and the night view of Beijing, which looked like jewels scattered across the ground, filled his eyes.

*

*

*

Son Bin and his party moved from Cheongmyeongjeong [a brothel] to Yewon [a garden estate] outside Beijing.

The reason they didn’t leave Beijing immediately was Old Man’s insistence that ‘those who engage in politics can’t be trusted, so we need to see how things turn out.’ Shin-ui agreed.

However, staying at Cheongmyeongjeong was too risky.

Son Bin also wanted to leave Cheongmyeongjeong, so they moved to Yewon that night.

“Is this Yewon in Beijing?”

Cheonghye, the Buddhist nun of the Emei Sect, looked around with curiosity. She had led the Jihye Gate from Huangshan and returned to Beijing first.

Old Man frowned as he looked at Cheonghye.

“Why did you come?”

“There was a strange incident near the Imperial City a while ago,” Cheonghye said, gazing intently at Old Man.

“Thanks to that, the sects in Beijing are experiencing unexpected difficulties. Jihye Gate has also decided to close its doors for the time being.”

The suspicion that the mastermind behind the incident was a martial arts expert was natural. There were also rumors that it was the vengeful spirit of a deceased member of the Imperial family, or even a self-inflicted act by Dongchang [Eastern Depot, a secret police agency].

The martial arts schools in Beijing suffered a severe blow. Disciples left, schools closed, and the Emei Sect’s Jihye Gate was no exception.

“Old Man, you must have known about it, right?”

“Ahem.”

Old Man coughed and avoided Cheonghye’s gaze. Cheonghye smiled slightly.

“Well, it’s okay. We were planning to close our doors anyway.”

It was unavoidable since the sect leader, Lady Gyeonghui, was not there. Since there was a good reason, it was fortunate for Cheonghye and the Emei Sect.

Cheonghye turned to Son Bin.

“Young Master Son, I have a request.”

“What is it?”

Cheonghye respectfully put her palms together and bowed.

“As a disciple of the Emei Sect, I cannot ignore the affairs of my junior sister. It may be a burden, but would you allow me to take care of my junior sister for the time being?”

The junior sister was Lady Gyeonghui. Son Bin glanced at his companions.

Old Man shrugged, and Sa Soo-yeon quietly nodded. Seo-rin, Tal-hon, and Hwa-sa were busy eating tea and snacks, as if they didn’t care.

“Please do so.”

“Thank you. Then I will be imposing on you for the time being.”

Cheonghye bowed. Just as Son Bin was about to reply, they heard someone outside.

“Excuse me.”

*Click.*

The person who entered was Ga-yeon, the owner of Yewon. She was an entertainer he had seen at the Hangzhou meeting.

“Ah, welcome!”

Hwa-sa smiled and greeted her. The tall Ga-yeon smiled brightly.

“Is there anything you need?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Ga-yeon’s attitude was easygoing, which was why Hwa-sa liked her, and the two were getting along well.

“A letter has arrived from Cheongmyeongjeong.”

Ga-yeon took a letter from her sleeve. But there was more than one.

“And one from Yewon in Hangzhou.”

“Really?”

Hwa-sa jumped up and took both letters. Then, she handed them to Dang Wol-ah.

“Read them quickly. Hurry.”

Dang Wol-ah looked up at Hwa-sa.

“I’m busy.”

Dang Wol-ah replied, holding a thin brush and a booklet.

For the past few days, Dang Wol-ah had been drawing something. Son Bin was concerned. He had glimpsed a rough sketch of a person.

His heart had dropped, but he was also relieved.

The figure was just a rough oval instead of a face, so unrecognizable that he couldn’t tell what it was.

At this rate, he wouldn’t have to worry about it for years, or maybe never.

“I’ll read it,” Son Bin said to Hwa-sa with a gentle smile.

“Ah, really?”

Hwa-sa handed him the letter. It was addressed to him anyway.

“I’ll bring some more tea and snacks,” Ga-yeon said, stepping back. While Hwa-sa waved her hand in thanks, Son Bin opened the letter.

The first was from Bi-yeon of Cheongmyeongjeong.

“The Imperial family has lifted the restrictions on the Northern border.”

Son Bin nodded as he followed Bi-yeon’s neat handwriting.

“Trade and passage have also resumed, and the border defenses have returned to their previous levels.”

The Northern barbarians’ hunting festival was ongoing. The Imperial army was ready to mobilize in case of emergency.

But the tension was easing.

“And the masters of Dongchang and the Golden Uniform Guard have been disciplined.”

Son Bin smiled bitterly.

The incident around the Imperial City had been dismissed as a strange occurrence, but Dongchang and the Golden Uniform Guard weren’t exempt from responsibility.

They were disciplined with a reduction in salary for several months.

“Really? They didn’t get seriously hurt since they were hit lightly, but…” Hwa-sa muttered.

But the injury wasn’t the important thing. The pride of the masters of Dongchang and the Golden Uniform Guard was shattered.

“They can’t even manage things properly. They get hurt and disciplined… I feel a little sorry for them?”

Listening to Hwa-sa’s voice, the very person who had made them feel sorry for themselves, Son Bin read the next sentence.

“And the Imperial family… Ahem.”

Son Bin cleared his throat. The letter stated that the nobles were looking for ‘Son-ryeo’ [Son Bin disguised as a woman], and that the entertainers of Cheongmyeongjeong were eagerly waiting for her.

In addition, the makeup artists were spreading rumors: Son-ryeo was actually a man, or that she usually dressed as a man because she wanted to become one.

The most credible rumor was that Son-ryeo had a man and had gone back to her hometown to get married.

There were also accusations against the man who had seduced the innocent Son-ryeo, and congratulations for living happily ever after.

“Why? Is your throat blocked? Do you want some tea?”

Son Bin shook his head.

“No. The Imperial family… Ahem, has granted Lady Gyeonghui the title of Princess.”

Son Bin quickly moved on, pretending to ignore Dang Wol-ah’s gaze.

Hwa-sa’s expression crumpled at the name of Lady Gyeonghui, but Son Bin examined the contents with interest.

“As expected, they sent her to the Northern barbarians. And the Vice-Consort… Ahem. Ahem.”

Son Bin coughed again. Then he said to Hwa-sa:

“Could you give me some tea?”

“Yeah, here.”

Hwa-sa handed him the tea. Son Bin drank, avoiding the gazes of Sa Soo-yeon and Dang Wol-ah.

“But you know,” Hwa-sa said, watching him.

“Are you going to marry that girl?”

Son Bin almost spat out the tea. No, he spat out half of it.

“Pardon?”

The tea flowed out, but that wasn’t the problem. Hwa-sa tilted her head, looking at the surprised Son Bin.

“I’m talking about Lady Gyeonghui. Well, I don’t like her, but if that’s your taste…”

“No!” Son Bin shouted.

“It’s not. So please calm down, Miss Soo-yeon. Miss Wol-ah too!”

Dang Wol-ah’s veil, which had been rising, slowly sank, and Sa Soo-yeon’s teacup, which had been spreading frost, stopped.

In the meantime, Cheonghye, who didn’t know the atmosphere, muttered:

“I thought Young Master had come to Beijing to resolve a major issue in the martial arts world…”

Cheonghye frowned.

“No matter how much of a hero you are, it’s a bit much to take my junior sister in this way…”

She was misunderstanding something serious, but that wasn’t important right now.

If things continued, he would become a playboy who didn’t know how to distinguish between public and private matters and took advantage of opportunities to covet women, and he would also suddenly become an unwanted married man.

“How, no, who said that?” Son Bin asked as calmly as possible.

Hwa-sa shrugged.

“Ice cube [Geomhee]. We had a sparring match last night. I thought I should work harder these days… Ah, we did it far away, so don’t worry.”

He felt like he had been hit in the back of the head. He never expected Geomhee to do this.

But when he thought about it, Geomhee had never said that she wouldn’t tell anyone.

“That’s, just, a pretext,” Son Bin said, looking at Hwa-sa seriously, emphasizing each word.

In fact, he was saying it for everyone to hear. He didn’t have the courage to face the gazes of Sa Soo-yeon and Dang Wol-ah, who were still glaring at him.

“Politics is like that. And I have never said that I would marry Princess Gyeonghui.”

“Really?” Hwa-sa tilted her head.

“But Ice Cube…”

“I clearly said, ‘Would you give her to me?’” Son Bin said, making sure that not a single word was wrong.

He was more afraid of the aftermath if he glossed over it here.

“That doesn’t mean I’m going to marry her, it means I’m going to take responsibility for Lady Gyeonghui’s safety. So to speak, it’s like a symbol that the Imperial family and the foreign affairs faction have reconciled.”

To be exact, it was a little different, but it was the same in the big picture anyway.

“Ah, a symbol… So, like a hostage?”

Son Bin smiled awkwardly.

“Similar.”

In fact, he couldn’t say she was a hostage. But right now, that was Son Bin’s way out.

“I see… I thought…”

Hwa-sa nodded, and the sharp gazes of Sa Soo-yeon and Dang Wol-ah also softened.

Son Bin said with a forced smile.

“Miss Geomhee doesn’t know much about these things. So I think she misunderstood.”

Geomhee certainly didn’t know much about the world. That statement was persuasive, and the atmosphere regained the comfort it had had a little while ago.

Son Bin breathed a sigh of relief. He had somehow managed to overcome the crisis of almost becoming the enemy of all the women here.

“Good job,” Hwa-sa said to Son Bin with a smile. It was literally a compliment for his hard work, but Son Bin couldn’t help but smile awkwardly.

“Ah, yes.”

Saying that, Son Bin looked at Old Man.

Old Man already knew. It was because it was what they had discussed together with Son Bin just before entering the Imperial family. But Old Man, who knew everything, had been silent here.

“Ahem.”

Old Man cleared his throat and avoided his gaze. But Old Man couldn’t help it either.

Old Man didn’t have the courage to step into that fierce atmosphere a little while ago. He also thought that it would be better for Son Bin to explain it himself than for him to step in clumsily.

*Slurp.*

Old Man sipped his tea and pretended not to notice. Shin-ui had been silent from the beginning, pretending not to know.

Watching them, Son Bin thought. There was no one in the world he could trust.