Chapter 37
A confusing night had passed.
A new day had certainly begun, but her forehead was drenched with cold sweat just like yesterday. Her heart suddenly raced, then she became angry, then felt short of breath.
She ate rice porridge for breakfast. After that, she soothed her stomach with cinnamon punch, which made her feel a bit better.
Only after finishing ventilation and clearing her head through training did her confused emotions seem to settle. Yuseol took a seat on the wooden platform in front of the courtyard. Throughout her life, she hadn’t been one to create many things to regret. When she came into conflict with someone, she chose to yield, and even when she had things she wanted to say, she endured.
Having conversations with Mu-yeong and requesting meetings had been because she had a premonition that she wouldn’t regret doing so even if things went that way. Though his gaze was cold and fierce, she thought he wasn’t just some ordinary scoundrel.
That had been the case until that incident.
“Well, what might I want?”
His tone then had sounded like he wanted nothing. However, his hand that brushed her clothing ties contained unfathomable desire. It was excessively hot and unpredictable. It was fortunate that the situation ended at that degree….
She didn’t want to see him again. But if that happened, there would be no way to get Geon back, which frightened her.
“Then give up that dog.”
Why was he going to such lengths? It would be fine to protect him well and return him at the desired time….
Could there be a reason he couldn’t return him?
Surely… he wasn’t dead, was he?
She shook her head to dispel the ominous thought. God was said to give only the pain that people could endure, so no greater tragedy than this could occur.
Perhaps having kept him, he felt Geon’s necessity and changed his mind about returning him.
But her sister… how should she bring her?
Should she sell the rings to make travel money and go to meet her sister? Since it was the Yu family blacksmith’s house, she already knew the location.
Fortunately, having lived in the palace since age eleven, people other than court officials didn’t know Yuseol’s face well. Using a sseugaechima would reduce the burden, so it might be good to be brave for her sister’s sake….
Yuseol, who had been thinking, suddenly looked up at the old tree beside the platform. Actually, she was waiting for Jiwoon. Though conversing with Jiwoon wasn’t particularly pleasant, she was in a mood to grasp at straws. She wanted to deliver a letter to her sister, but Myoyeon said he had no acquaintances in the capital, so there was no way at all.
By the way, did he have busy matters today?
Noon had passed but there was no sign of Jiwoon appearing. Since her nape was gradually getting chilly, she was thinking of going into her room to wait.
But then, a strange man entered through the gate without any sign at all.
He passed through the courtyard aloof as if he lived in the world alone. He wore a long dopo over silk material that clung to reveal his body lines. His long hair that hung to his waist became increasingly gray toward the ends, and he walked on the dirt floor with bare feet wearing nothing.
Yuseol’s eyes widened. Typically, only criminals or madmen walked on the ground barefoot.
Then was that man who didn’t look like a criminal a madman? For some reason, rather than madness, she felt a sacred energy….
Small birds that happened to be passing circled around the man’s head as if greeting him. The man disappeared toward the inner quarters along with the small birds.
Yuseol, who had been standing as if entranced, unknowingly walked the path he had taken. Somehow her heart became calm and her head cleared. Then gradually her fluttering skirt and jeogori, and rough shoes felt cumbersome, making her want to throw them off. It was a strange impulse to have while following a strange man.
When she suddenly came to her senses, she was entering the side path of the building where she had met Mu-yeong yesterday. She couldn’t understand how she had passed by the soldiers.
After passing the long row of buildings, a modest wooden floor appeared.
Though it was an unremarkable space, she somehow felt overwhelmed by a strong energy. It was like the moment of looking up at a high mountain and realizing one’s own insignificant existence.
At the moment when she even forgot to breathe, the strange man’s voice rang out from inside the wooden floor. Though she wasn’t sure, it seemed angry.
“You haven’t shown yourself properly for years, and now you’ve come with a woman.”
“…….”
“But that woman….”
The man tried to add more but stopped. The sound of lonely wind pierced through the silence.
Yuseol wanted to return because she didn’t want to eavesdrop on other people’s private conversation.
Then the man’s thick voice continued.
“I want to hear the reason you’re going to such lengths to save ‘Sahwa.'”
Immediately another man’s answer was heard.
“There’s no grand reason.”
It was a languid low voice. Yuseol realized the person who answered was Mu-yeong. Her footsteps that had been about to return stopped abruptly.
The strange man’s voice filled the wooden floor again.
“It’s fate decided by God. If you try to change it, you’ll be thrown into hell.”
However, Mu-yeong answered in an unconcerned tone.
“That sounds appealing.”
Then a rough hand snatched Yuseol’s shoulder.
“Who are you!”
It was a soldier guarding this place. Seeing the strange intruder, he placed his hand on his sword sheath.
Then, perhaps recognizing that she was a guest from the outer quarters, he relaxed somewhat. Irritation was evident on his speaking face.
“This place is forbidden to outsiders.”
Yuseol exhaled the breath she had been holding and answered.
“I know that, but I didn’t enter on purpose….”
“I know you barged in thoughtlessly last time too.”
At that moment, the door where the men’s conversation had been heard opened. Mu-yeong came out of the room and, discovering Yuseol standing by the pillar, stopped walking.
Yuseol’s black eyes reflected him frowning. Soon he had an extremely cold expression.
“What’s going on?”
The soldier bowed his head as if troubled.
“While briefly changing shifts, the guest from the outer quarters entered…. It’s my negligence. Please kill me, my lord.”
He crossed the wooden floor and entered toward the corridor, saying.
“Bring her.”
The soldier grabbed Yuseol’s forearm and followed Mu-yeong.
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