I explained to Jin Yeong how to enroll in that academy.
“I’m truly grateful.”
“Not at all. After all the favors I’ve received from the Embroidered Guard, how could I not do at least this much?”
Come to think of it, I should visit that place sometime.
I heard that Brother Jeong-ho is coming with us for Seon-mi’s wedding this time.
Should I go visit together with Brother Jeong-ho while he’s here?
A few days later,
I was heading to Yeonjun Merchant Group.
Seeing people suffering from the sweltering heat and fanning themselves, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there were Windcraft Fans people could carry around so they wouldn’t have to fan themselves with such effort?
I should discuss this with Gong Mil.
Time sure flies.
It’s already been five years since I began living my second life, and now I’m about to witness Seon-mi’s wedding.
“Young Master, the Former Merchant Lord and First Young Master should be arriving soon.”
“Ah, is it already that time?”
I quickened my pace.
It was time for Grandfather and Brother Jeong-ho to arrive at Yeonjun Merchant Group.
Soon we arrived at Yeonjun Merchant Group and saw my aunt and uncle-in-law waiting outside.
They hadn’t arrived yet, it seemed.
“I’m a bit late.”
“No. Since Father-in-law hasn’t arrived yet, it’s fine.”
At my uncle-in-law’s words, I quickly stood beside him.
Perhaps thanks to purchasing the imperial palace land, my uncle-in-law seemed to treat me more warmly.
He’d already viewed me favorably for helping Cousin Seon-il with the civil service exam, but now his eyes were full of goodwill when he looked at me.
Actually, the reason my uncle-in-law had Cousin Seon-il study for the exam was partly because of the Ministry of Revenue officials’ tyranny.
It was a ‘I’m fed up with this, so I’ll make my son an official’ kind of mentality.
And my uncle-in-law likes capable people.
As we waited, we heard the sound of a large group approaching from afar.
Soon several carriages arrived, surrounded by Eunpoong Division warriors.
“Whoa, whoa!”
As the coachman stopped the horses, the carriages halted.
Then the carriage door opened and Grandfather and Brother Jeong-ho stepped down.
Father was originally supposed to come too, but couldn’t make it due to work.
“You’re here?”
My aunt and uncle stepped forward and greeted Grandfather.
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
“Father, the journey must have been tiring.”
“Your father is still full of vigor.”
After exchanging greetings, Grandfather turned his head to look at me.
“Grandfather, you’re here?”
“Yes. I heard the news. Things are progressing well.”
“It’s thanks to your teachings, Grandfather.”
“What teachings? It’s thanks to your hard work. Anyway, you’ve worked hard.”
Meanwhile, Brother Jeong-ho was exchanging greetings with my aunt and uncle.
My eldest sister-in-law didn’t come this time.
Geon-hyeok and Bo-yeon still needed their mother, and it would have been too much for them to travel together.
Grandfather headed to his quarters, and I went to the new Beijing branch construction site with Brother Jeong-ho.
“When Father and the Pavilion Lords heard you’d purchased that land, they were all quite surprised.”
“I just got lucky.”
“Luck…”
Brother Jeong-ho looked at me with an odd expression.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Just, somehow I feel like you’re the type who makes your own luck.”
“I’m not that impressive.”
At my words, Brother Jeong-ho chuckled.
Why is he laughing? Was what I said that funny?
“No matter how I think about it, I’m glad you took on this task. Don’t I know what you’re thinking? You recommended me to solidify my position as the next Merchant Lord, right?”
Ah… Brother knows too.
I couldn’t help but scratch the back of my neck.
We headed to the new building site.
Construction was in full swing at the site where the Beijing branch building would be erected.
“Ah, Deputy Merchant Lord, you’re here?”
“The First Deputy Merchant Lord has come as well.”
The supervisor in charge of construction greeted us, and we nodded to accept his greeting.
“You’re working hard.”
This supervisor was someone who’d operated a shop in Beijing for a long time.
When we established the Beijing branch, he was promoted to branch manager, so he was putting his heart into the construction.
“We’re currently working on the foundation. It should be completed in about ten days.”
“Father has high expectations. Please continue your hard work.”
“Understood.”
After touring the branch, we went to the temporary residence to encourage the Virtuous Wind Department staff working diligently there.
“The main group has hired staff on a large scale this time. Once the new employee training is finished, we’ll assign them to the Virtuous Wind Department as well.”
“Thank you!”
“Thank you so much!”
At Brother Jeong-ho’s words, the staff looked moved to tears.
“Is that for real?”
At my question, Brother Jeong-ho nodded.
“Yes.”
Of course, I was also so moved I felt like crying.
After finishing the schedule with Brother Jeong-ho, we headed back to Yeonjun Merchant Group.
“By the way, when is Seon-mi coming home?”
“Tomorrow.”
Finally tomorrow, Seon-mi returns home.
The next day,
Yeonjun Merchant Group was bustling from the morning.
Not only because Seon-mi was returning, but also because the wedding was just days away.
As soon as Aunt finished breakfast, she went out to the courtyard early.
Waiting for Seon-mi.
We couldn’t let Aunt wait alone, so Brother Jeong-ho and I stood beside her.
Uncle-in-law was very busy.
After waiting about an hour, a carriage emblazoned with Yeonjun Merchant Group’s insignia came rushing from the distance.
Aunt’s expression brightened at the sight.
Soon the carriage arrived in the courtyard, and the carriage door opened.
“Mother!”
With a cheerful voice, she revealed herself.
“Seon-mi!”
Aunt quickly approached Seon-mi and embraced her. It had been a while since we’d seen Seon-mi, and though she was slightly thinner, she looked healthy.
“Ah! I greet my two older cousins.”
Seon-mi turned her head and greeted us politely. She still had a lively appearance, but perhaps thanks to the education from the Grand Scholars’ wives, an air of refinement could be felt in her bearing.
“You really studied hard, it seems.”
At my words, Seon-mi nodded.
“Yes. So as not to waste the opportunity older cousin gave me, I studied and learned diligently.”
“Well done. Honestly, I thought you wouldn’t last ten days.”
“I’m not that weak.”
Right, of course.
That’s why in my previous life she could endure despite being looked down upon by her in-laws.
“It’s hot, isn’t it? Let’s go inside and feel some Windcraft Fan breeze.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Watching Seon-mi walk with Aunt, I felt something tug at my heart.
“She’ll live well from now on.”
At Brother Jeong-ho’s words, I nodded and answered.
“Of course, she has to live well.”
Come to think of it, in my previous life Seon-mi had her wedding a bit earlier, in the sixth month.
This time, the wedding date was delayed due to Seon-mi’s desire to complete her education and the in-laws’ conviction that they couldn’t carelessly receive a girl who’d shared tea with the Empress.
Tap.
Brother Jeong-ho put his hand on my shoulder and spoke.
“Let’s have a drink after all this time.”
“Drinks?”
“Jin-ho hasn’t been drinking with me lately.”
“Huh? Brother Jin-ho won’t drink?”
“Right. These days he shakes his head whenever he sees alcohol. Did something happen when he went to the North Sea?”
Well…
If he drank that much, it’s understandable he’d be sick of it.
I decided to keep protecting Brother Jin-ho’s honor.
“What incident? He’s just thinking about his health. So you should think about your health too and drink honey water instead.”
“Honey water…”
“And it’s not even lunchtime yet.”
Just then.
“Huff! Huff!”
Someone was running toward us urgently from the distance.
Hm? That’s Cousin Seon-il.
Why is he running so urgently with such a pale face?
“What’s wrong, Cousin?”
“Ah, Cousin Jeong-ho, and… huff, Seo-ho. Huff, huff, this is terrible.”
“What’s happened?”
“Senior Yuan Kyung has, huff, gone missing.”
What?
What kind of bolt from the blue is this?
Soon people came from the groom’s family, Vice Minister Yuan’s household, to deliver the news, and we learned that what Cousin Seon-il had told us was true.
Naturally, both families were in an uproar.
“You’ve searched everywhere he might have gone?”
At my uncle-in-law’s words, Vice Minister Yuan answered.
“Of course.”
“Then where on earth could he…”
Since the groom had suddenly disappeared just days before the wedding, the groom’s family was in shock.
“Could it be he ran away because he didn’t want to get married?”
At someone’s voice, everyone’s gaze turned in that direction. It was Lecturer Yuan’s aunt.
“Well, it’s possible, isn’t it?”
“That’s impossible.”
Seon-mi spoke confidently to her.
“The man I know would apologize and call off this marriage if he didn’t want me, not do something this cowardly.”
“Well, people can change when facing a big event…”
“Shut that mouth of yours!”
A clear, ringing voice.
Everyone turned their heads in that direction, where an old man stood.
Seeing him, Vice Minister Yuan quickly rushed over and bowed his head.
“Father, you’re here?”
“Yes.”
Vice Minister Yuan’s father and Yuan Kyung’s grandfather.
He had just scolded the woman who’d mentioned running away.
“If the boy’s missing, you should be thinking about finding him. What? Running away because he didn’t want to get married? Just because you have a mouth doesn’t mean you can spout any nonsense!”
“…”
Everyone frowned at Lecturer Yuan’s aunt. Come to think of it, that woman made Seon-mi suffer a lot in my previous life.
Anyway, she was a woman I really didn’t like.
“So, did you request help from the authorities?”
“Yes. Of course. And His Majesty the Emperor said he would help as well.”
“That’s fortunate.”
I looked at Seon-mi, whose trembling hands were clasped tightly together.
Yuan Kyung’s disappearance…
This never happened in my previous life.
What’s the reason for this incident? Could it be that this happened because of the few things I changed?
That’s why the wedding was delayed.
For no reason… no, that’s not right.
I decided not to blame myself for such things anymore.
I clenched my fists.
This kind of thing, I just need to resolve it.
“I’ll go out and search as well.”
I spoke to my uncle-in-law and went out to the courtyard.
Cousin Seon-il followed behind me.
“Do you have some method perhaps?”
“I’ll just do my best.”
Cousin Seon-il’s eyes were full of worry.
“Please. Not just for Seon-mi, but… Senior Yuan is truly a good person. That’s why I didn’t oppose when I said I’d have Seon-mi marry him.”
“Understood. But, do you have any personal belongings Senior Yuan used?”
“Hm? Personal belongings… there are some in the palace…”
“I need them. Don’t ask why.”
At my words, Cousin Seon-il nodded.
There’s someone with the greatest ability to find missing people. It’s Geumryeong, inside my sleeve.
But to have Geumryeong find someone, I needed something that person had used.
Since it would be awkward to explain this to others, I asked Cousin Seon-il.
A short while later,
Cousin Seon-il brought something from the palace.
“I was wondering if there was a suitable item, but fortunately there was a handkerchief Senior Yuan left behind. Since he sweats a lot in summer, he washes his face often, and he kept it in his personal storage to use then.”
“Thank you.”
I took it and came to my quarters.
After having Palgap stand watch, I took out Geumryeong and placed it on the table.
“Geumryeong, we need to find the owner of this handkerchief.”
“Kui? Kui.”
“You want silver? I prepared it in advance.”
I opened my hand to show the silver tael. Geumryeong quickly swallowed it.
Then it buried its nose in the handkerchief I held out and sniffed around. And then…
Whoosh—!
It dashed away like an arrow, and returned about fifteen minutes later.
The fact that it only took about fifteen minutes meant the location was nearby.
A building.
A man was bound tightly to a pillar there.
Yuan Kyung, the groom scheduled to marry Hong Seon-mi.
He hadn’t been awake long after passing out and regaining consciousness.
He pondered why this had happened to him, but couldn’t think of a reason.
Through the window, he could tell it was getting dark.
Creak.
Just then the door opened and three men entered.
“What on earth is this…”
Thunk—!
Before he could finish speaking, a dagger grazed his face and embedded itself in the pillar.
“…”
“Be quiet.”
The eyes of the one who threw the dagger were cold.
“B-but shouldn’t you at least tell me why so I’ll feel less wronged?”
At his words, one of those holding him captive spoke.
“The reason… right, how about the fact that your family destroyed our family?”
“…?”
“From your face, you don’t understand. Thanks to your grandfather, our family was destroyed. So we thought, wouldn’t it be quite a sight if the grandson about to be married was found dead?”
“We’d like to keep you alive longer to torment you, but too many people are searching for you, so that won’t work.”
He picked up the dagger and approached Yuan Kyung.
Just then.
A strange sound reached Yuan Kyung’s ears.
“Kui!”
–TL Notes–
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