Based on my experience, that’s never the case.
People have a desire to collect things—whether poor or rich, it doesn’t matter.
And the obsession the wealthy have with collecting goes far beyond imagination.
“In short, there are countless ways we can utilize the self-dancing puppet.”
Even now, dozens of ideas are floating through my head.
Chief Administrator Yu, who had been fiddling with his abacus, spoke up.
“If we handle this well, it could bring in quite a hefty profit for the group.”
“Exactly. And it should.”
Pavilion Lord Yeon chuckled.
“Still, I can’t believe you thought of all this. The future of the Eunhae Merchant Group looks bright.”
She looked at me with gleaming eyes. For some reason, it felt just a little overwhelming.
I avoided her gaze and spoke.
“Father.”
“What now?”
“Would it be alright if I personally looked for the artisan to make the outfits for the puppet?”
“…?”
I continued, seeing Father’s puzzled expression.
“I once saw an artisan who made remarkably stylish and harmonious clothes.”
Perhaps everything I’d said so far had earned his trust, because Father readily gave his permission.
“Then you find the artisan for the outfits, and I’ll find someone who can produce the puppets.”
After Eun Seo-ho left, those remaining in Eunwol Pavilion recalled how confidently he had spoken and let out sighs of admiration.
“Indeed, Young Master Seo-ho was born with a merchant’s talent. He’s only fifteen, yet he thinks that far ahead.”
“I felt it during the secret agreement with Chieftain Jang too. He’s no ordinary child.”
“With a son like that, the Merchant Lord must feel truly blessed.”
At that, Eun Gil-sang laughed heartily.
“He’s even more remarkable than I expected.”
He went on.
“To be honest, I was surprised too. I had no idea the youngest was thinking along those lines.”
“If not for the Young Master, we might’ve been in serious trouble. We could’ve offended the Commissioner of Land Affairs.”
Everyone nodded at External Chief Administrator Go’s words. Then Pavilion Lord Jeok, who had been silent, spoke up.
“A thought just came to me.”
He met the eyes now focused on him and continued.
“I’d like to see how far Young Master Seo-ho can go. And personally… I hope that destination is the greatest merchant group under the heavens.”
Evening.
After working hard again today in the Finance Pavilion, I left as soon as I got off and headed into the market with Palgap and two escort guards.
As Father permitted earlier today, I was searching for an artisan who could create stylish and harmonious clothing.
In my past life, there were two people who made it possible for the Eunhae Textiles I managed to become the finest in all of Hubei.
The Weaver of the Bamboo Grove, who supplied fine silk—
And the woman who tailored stunning garments from that silk.
Her sewing skills were among the finest in the world, earning her the nickname “Seamless Heavenly Garments” (天衣無縫).
I’m going to meet her now.
Perhaps because it’s winter, night has already fallen over the marketplace.
One by one, lanterns began to light up around us.
“Young Master, where exactly are we going?”
“I’ve got some business in the shopping district.”
“Ah, I see.”
Nodding, Palgap began walking south.
I tilted my head and asked him,
“Palgap, where’re you going?”
“Huh? You said you had business in the shopping district, so… Aren’t we headed to South Street?”
“Nope.”
The shopping district of Sunyang County’s main town is largely divided into East Street, West Street, and South Street.
East Street houses relatively inexpensive shops.
West Street is filled with entertainment venues like pleasure houses and brothels.
South Street is lined with high-end shops.
There’s also a North Street, but that’s where the county office is located, so it hardly has any shops.
I told Palgap,
“We’re heading to East Street over there.”
Though he seemed confused, he soon followed my lead toward East Street, and before long, we arrived at a fabric shop.
Compared to the Eunhae Textiles I’d once managed, this place was much smaller.
“Welcome.”
The shopkeeper greeted me warmly.
Of course, he didn’t recognize me.
It’s not like I walk around with a sign saying I’m the son of the Eunhae Merchant Lord, and there’d been no reason for me to come to a place like this before.
“Is there something in particular you’re looking for?”
After glancing at my attire, the shopkeeper added cautiously,
“I apologize, but our shop is quite modest. I fear we may not have anything suitable for someone like you.”
He looked worried, perhaps thinking I’d cause a scene.
It’s true, people of high status don’t usually visit shops like this.
It almost made me feel like I was doing something wrong just by being here—but there’s no helping it.
I had to come here for a reason.
I looked around the store.
The fabric was definitely of low quality.
But that’s not a criticism of this place.
It’s just the reality.
Shops in East Street rarely carry expensive, high-grade fabrics.
Those seeking such goods would go to South Street, not here.
So the shop stocks what customers with tighter wallets are actually looking for.
Ah! There it is!
Soon, I spotted what I’d come for.
Several pieces of clothing hanging in the shop.
Fabric shops don’t just sell cloth—they also provide tailoring services.
They act as intermediaries for seamstresses who do piecework sewing.
The clothes hanging beside the fabrics serve as samples showcasing those women’s skills.
That’s the very reason I came here.
The woman once called “Seamless Heavenly Garments” had worked through an intermediary at this very shop.
I pointed to one of the garments and said,
“That outfit looks quite impressive.”
“You’ve got a sharp eye. That was made by a woman known for her exceptional skill around here.”
“I see. I’d like to have her make something for my mother. Could you arrange it?”
“O-of course. Please wait just a moment.”
The shopkeeper sent someone to fetch her, and I stood there, looking at the outfit, lost in memories of my past life.
One day, while managing the Eunhae Textiles—
I’d gone out briefly on an errand when I was caught in a sudden downpour.
With no other choice, I took shelter under the eaves of a nearby fabric shop.
Before I could stop him, Palgap had run off, saying he’d bring the carriage around.
While I was taking shelter from the rain in that fabric shop, I found a single outfit—and I was stunned.
The needlework was simply outstanding.
At the time, I’d been struggling with what to create and sell using the growing stockpile of high-quality silk in the shop, and it was probably that struggle that made her craftsmanship catch my eye.
The moment I met her through the shopkeeper, I proposed that she join the merchant group.
She looked at me with desperate eyes and said,
“I need money. If you pay me enough, I’ll gladly work for the merchant group.”
I signed a contract with her, offering a generous sum—and she never disappointed me.
But her true talent wasn’t just in needlework.
What made her exceptional was her ability to arrange fabric colors harmoniously and tailor clothes that brought out the best in the wearer’s physique.
She had a fierce desire for money, yet lived frugally.
Curious about why she was so driven to earn money, I quietly ordered Palgap to look into it—and soon found out.
She had a sick husband, and the cost of his care was astronomical.
When I cautiously asked her about her family situation, she confided in me about his illness.
His condition was no ordinary sickness.
He’d been struck by the Sepsis Palm (敗血掌) of a Demonic Sect warrior, and the internal rot had spread through all his organs.
Fortunately, the Black Flute Physician, who had cured my illness, was still staying with our merchant group at the time.
So I asked him to examine her husband.
But after checking his pulse, the Black Flute Physician shook his head solemnly.
“It’s too late. The evil Qi (邪氣) has already penetrated to the bone marrow. It’s a miracle he’s even still alive. At most, he’s got a month left. If he’d taken proper medicine even six—no, five years ago, he might’ve been cured.”
And just as he said, her husband passed away two weeks later.
There are several reasons I came here now to meet her.
The biggest one is that we need to decorate the self-dancing puppet beautifully.
Given its price, it must have strong aesthetic appeal.
Also, in my past life, thanks to her enormous help, Eunhae Textiles became the finest in Hubei.
And there’s one more reason…
Anyway, this time, I intend to help her.
A little while later, a young woman entered the shop.
Thin and frail—just as I remembered her.
“I heard someone was looking to have an outfit made?”
At her words, the shopkeeper gestured toward me.
“That customer over there is asking for you.”
She cautiously approached me.
“Are you the one who made this outfit?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I’m impressed by the needlework. I’d like to commission an outfit for my mother. Would that be alright?”
“Of course.”
“Then please come with me.”
Without much suspicion, she followed along. After all, one needs to take measurements to make clothing.
Before long, she looked at me with a confused expression.
“Um, this place is…?”
It was only natural—what stood before her wasn’t an ordinary house, but the main gate of the Eunhae Merchant Group.
“This is my home.”
“I-I see, but…”
I smiled and introduced myself.
“Let me properly introduce myself. My name is Eun Seo-ho, the youngest son of the Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
“What…?”
She gasped and quickly bowed her head in a panic.
“Y-you’re a Young Master of the Eunhae Merchant Group! I hope I didn’t say anything out of line…”
“You didn’t. If anything, I should apologize. The bit about making an outfit for my mother was a lie.”
I continued.
“There’s something else I’d like to commission, but it requires confidentiality. That’s why I said that. So… would you be willing to talk for a moment?”
Looking unsure, she hesitated briefly, then nodded. We stepped inside.
The Eunhae Merchant Group had several reception rooms for guests.
We received quite a number of visitors each day.
Once we entered one of those rooms, I asked the guards to step out for a bit and offered her a seat.
“You’re probably uneasy, not knowing what I want to ask of you.”
She gave a slight nod.
“I’ll be direct. I’ve invited you here because your skills are needed.”
“My skills…?”
“I saw the outfit you made back in the fabric shop. The stitching was incredibly precise and delicate.”
“Oh…”
“In fact, our merchant group is about to launch a new product—a doll.”
“A doll… do you mean…?”
“Yes. I’d like you to make clothes for the dolls.”
At that, she nodded.
“Alright. I need the money. As long as the pay is good, I’ll sign whatever you want.”
It was the same answer I’d heard in my past life, and I smiled softly.
“Then let’s draw up a contract.”
I handed her the contract I’d prepared in advance.
“I’ll explain what’s written—”
“No need. I’ll read it myself.”
I knew she was literate, but said that just to be polite since this was our first meeting.
She read through the contract slowly, then suddenly widened her eyes.
“You… you’re really offering this much?”
“Yes.”
“W-why are you paying so much?”
To her surprise, I calmly explained.
“That’s also compensation for confidentiality. You’ll be expected to keep everything about the doll strictly secret. And that’s no small thing.”
“…”
“What do you say?”
“I’ll take it.”
After a brief moment of thought, she wrote her name on the contract and signed it.
I took one of the two copies and looked down at the name at the bottom.
Hong Geum-so (弘錦笑).
That was her name.
The next day.
As promised, she came to see me just before the hour of Si (9–11 a.m.).
“Let me show you to your workspace.”
Lady Hong Geum-so’s workshop was located near Gong Mil’s.
–TL Notes–
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