I drank with the Doje and heard quite a bit of talk.
He said he had been under a lot of expectations from his family since he was young, and because of that, he had been preparing for arranged marriages here and there.
But after building a deep bond for a long time, he couldn’t just abandon his current wife who had taken care of him.
That’s why he trained hard to overcome his family’s directives and eventually reached the realm of a superhuman to laugh back at those who mocked him.
“Sometimes, insignificant fools babble on. But isn’t it a man’s duty to see through one’s will?”
A hundred percent true words.
What I do isn’t easy either. But am I not also pushing forward to see our will through?
So, I couldn’t deny the Doje’s words about his intentions.
Nor could I possibly deny them.
“Indeed, Teacher Yu is a man. I thought you would understand my intentions, my friend. Come. Let’s have a drink.”
He raised his cup, and I raised mine too. We downed it in one go, and he chuckled.
“Ah, you drink quite eagerly! It seems the liquor is quite strong for you?”
“Haha. After all, I run an inn. How can I serve guests without knowing the taste of the drinks I sell?”
“Fufu. I’m extremely happy to have found a good drinking companion after a long time.”
Saying this, the Doje grabbed a bottle. We had drunk quite a bit already, but somehow it felt like the drinking session was far from over.
“Ah, if you’re feeling tipsy, you can stop drinking.”
“I’m fine.”
“Hehe. That’s good. Good.”
He didn’t use his internal energy to shake off his drunkenness. He just happily laughed and drank more.
As the night grew late and the prepared drinks ran dry, he licked his lips in regret and pulled out some tobacco from his pocket.
“Are you okay with this?”
“I also enjoy it.”
“Haha. Then let’s smoke together.”
We stepped outside with the Doje. In the spot arranged in the garden, we lit up some tobacco and took a puff.
With a face reddened by alcohol, the Doje casually remarked.
“I heard from Ryun that you’re trying to develop Seomhwa Village?”
“That’s right.”
“Are you planning to raise Hongseong?”
“I won’t deny it.”
“I see.”
Hongseong and Moonjeong are rivals. So, helping Hongseong is somewhat like implying I’m going against Moonjeong, yet the Doje just kept laughing.
“I look forward to your support.”
“You’re not going to scold me?”
“I need strong opponents to grow stronger myself.”
He chuckled and flicked off the ashes from the tobacco.
“But… let’s have a drink occasionally.”
“Next time, I’ll host you in Seomhwa Village.”
“Hahaha! That sounds promising! Oh, by the way, I have a secret brew with me. Would you care for just one more drink?”
Laughing at him, I nodded my head.
Looks like I really didn’t have any true drinking buddies.
“Ugh…”
A groan escaped involuntarily.
With heavy eyelids barely lifting, I finally recalled the events from yesterday.
As I got up, I could barely recall the events of yesterday.
Just wanted one more drink, but ended up downing quite a few bottles.
Even after all that drinking, having no hangover must mean they served some seriously good liquor.
I’ll have to open up the secret stash when I bring everyone to Seomhwa Village later.
Anyway, at the usual time, after Ogeumhee and Chae practiced Tai Chi, I had just finished washing up when a maid came into my room.
“I will guide you to the dining room.”
Following her, I found Hongryeon, Hyunhwi, Sayoon, Chaejin, and Chaeran seated at the dining table.
“Please sit here.”
Hongryeon waved her hand, and I took the empty seat. A moment later, the Doje stepped out through the door.
“Uh, Yu Seonsaeng. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“…You’re quite the drinker, huh?”
Seeing he didn’t just disperse his drunkenness with his energy, I guess he’s a true connoisseur.
The Doje chuckled, and breakfast began.
“Today, Hongryeon, you will have a break.”
“Huh? Why?”
“I plan to focus on training Hyun Soje, Sayoon, Chaejin, and Chaeran. And tomorrow, Chaejin, you will rest.”
“Got it.”
As breakfast progressed, the Doje explained the schedule. Today it’s Hongryeon, tomorrow Chaejin, then Sayoon, Hyunhwi, and Chaeran.
Thus, everyone would take turns resting, and the final day would be for sparring.
Since this training is led by the Doje, there’s not much to be done about it.
“But what about the other students…”
“They’re away on a martial arts journey. I’ll train them separately, so you needn’t worry, Seonsaeng.”
With that simple notification, breakfast ended, and the Doje headed off to the training grounds. Left alone, I returned to my room.
Alright. Now, with some time left, what should I do…
– Knock knock.
While I was considering breaking into the trade network for the merchandise sold only here, I heard a knocking sound.
Is there anyone coming?
“Come in.”
“What are you doing?”
It was Hongryeon. With a bright smile, she entered, and I responded with a grin.
“Seomhwa Village is growing, and since I want to expand the merchandise from our store, I was thinking of doing some market research here.”
“That’s great! I also need to go to the market. Today is my rest day, so I want to head out for a bit.”
“Are you buying some fabric?”
“Yes. So…”
Slightly, Hongryeon looked at me.
“Would you like to go together?”
“Sure.”
“T-then let’s meet at the entrance of Moonjeong in a bit.”
Hongryeon quickly spoke and dashed out of the room. I got up, savoring the lingering scent of the heavenly plum blossoms left behind.
Alright. Let’s get ready to head out.
Stepping outside Moonjeong and waiting a bit, Hongryeon appeared. She was dressed in a white ceremonial attire, unlike her usual Hongseong outfit; it seemed prepared by Moonjeong.
“How do I look?”
As she lightly held her long skirt and asked, I paused for a moment before answering.
“You look great together.”
“I’m not joking. The flowing white outfit really matches well with your long red hair.”
Seeing her lightly made-up face, I genuinely admired her, and Hongryeon smiled bashfully and nodded.
“Thank you.”
“I’m just stating facts. Now, let’s go.”
I cleared my throat and headed to the market with Hongryeon. It was a bit chilly since it was winter, but it wasn’t cold enough to stop us from walking.
And to prove that, the market was quite lively with many people around.
“I’ve been here before, but it’s still crowded.”
“The Seomhwa Village market has grown too, but it’s still nothing compared to Cheongho. Now, shall we start by checking the fabrics?”
“Sounds good!”
I knew a place. Arriving at the fabric shop where I had gone with Chaejin before, I noted the increased items inside.
“Shall we look together? Or…”
“It’s better to look together, right? You’re planning to check out the fabrics anyway?”
“True. Then let’s go together.”
I entered the store with Hongryeon, and as soon as we arrived, the shopkeeper smiled at us.
“Welcome! What a lovely couple you are.”
“Thanks. We came to check on fabric imports; may we have a look?”
“Oh, wholesale? Then please come this way. And you, miss…”
“Oh, I’m planning to make the clothes separately…”
“Then you can browse over here. If it’s for bulk purchase, what do you need?”
“If you have Jinho wood, I’d like to see that.”
“Ah, Jinho wood? You have a good eye. Please wait a moment.”
While Hongryeon looked nearby, I checked out other fabrics.
“Wow. This fabric would look great for a Sayoon outfit, don’t you think?”
The fabric Hongryeon picked up was a bright yellow, perfectly suited for spring.
She cheerfully chatted while examining more fabrics for the other sisters, and I gazed at her quietly.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
She looked cheerful, but there was a slight shadow on her face. Was she hiding something with her makeup?
“You seem a bit off. Have you been having a hard time lately?”
“…Does it show?”
“It does. You seem to be overdoing it trying to make clothes for the other sisters.”
After a moment of thought, Hongryeon nodded.
“You really can’t be fooled, can you?”
“Given I’m watching you so closely, it would be strange if I didn’t notice.”
“Ugh…”
After a brief groan, Hongryeon slightly nodded.
“When I came to meet Doje before, I couldn’t grasp Yuseongrak. And I still haven’t managed to… I feel like I’ve grown, but it worries me a bit…”
She mumbled in a quiet tone and smiled.
“Hehe. So, can you cheer me on a little?”
I replied with a smile to Hongryeon’s request.
“Feel free to do as much as you want.”
Chun-ho had quite a few fabric shops since they specialized in local goods. We had to check out other places besides the first shop we visited, so we just did some research and left right away. After visiting several shops, we arrived at a large daru next to Chun-ho.
“This daru, Hoyun-daru, is the most famous in Chun-ho. Did you know that?”
I did know.
It’s mentioned in Heavenly Bright Moon, after all.
I entered the daru with her and went up to the third floor.
As we sat in a spot with a clear view of Chun-ho, Hongryeon smiled brightly while gazing at the scenery.
In the meantime, when tea and snacks were served, Hongryeon cut the snacks and enjoyed the landscape of Chun-ho.
“It’s nice. Sometimes, it’s good to relax like this.”
“You always work hard, don’t you? You need to unwind once in a while.”
Hongryeon smiled back.
Always smiling, it seems.
“Working hard… you’re the only one who does that, right?”
“Not really, but…”
“Then how come you’re flat on your back now?”
When Hongryeon teased, I shut my mouth.
As a man, getting knocked out by a mere cold was quite embarrassing.
“By the way, I should be thankful for what you did then.”
I remembered. It stuck in my mind how I had collapsed into her arms.
I had wanted to mention it and thought this was a good chance.
“That was nothing really. It was actually nice. I always lean on you, but it felt like you leaned on me for once.”
“Still, I want to apologize and say thank you.”
“Ahaha. You’re so serious. Then I’ll sincerely accept that apology and gratitude. Next time I’m struggling, you just need to lean on me.”
“I’ll be here whenever you ask.”
“Really? Hoo-hoo. I’ll be counting on you.”
She took a sip of tea and winked with one eye.
It was a pretty enjoyable outing, and perhaps that’s why Hongryeon seemed energized.
After our chat and a bit of tea, we strolled around Chun-ho and returned as the sun was setting.
“Tomorrow begins serious training. Work hard.”
“Yes. Since you’re helping and cheering me on, I have to give it my all.”
She smiled and slightly turned her body.
“Well, then I’ll see you at dinner later.”
Waving her hand, Hongryeon departed. I was staring blankly as she walked away when—
“Huh? Where have you been?”
I ran into Chaejin, who was approaching with her sword in hand.
She looked all sweaty, probably just finishing her training, as she brushed her damp hair out of her face and asked. I replied nonchalantly.
“I just went out for a bit with Hongryeon. I was checking into some item import issues for Seomhwa Village.”
“Oh, with Hongryeon. Speaking of which, she’s off today.”
With that, Chaejin smiled brightly.
“Did you see everything? Chun-ho has so many shops.”
“Not yet.”
“Then you should go out with me tomorrow. You wouldn’t just want to go with Hongryeon, right?”
With such a request, how could I refuse?
I stared at her and nodded.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
