Seojung Eun, the Crown Princess Consort, watched her father, his eyes brimming with tears as he held his grandchild. He had abandoned his usual composure, his face alight with joy as he played with the child. She couldn't tell if she had simply forgotten this playful side of him, or if it was a change brought on by age. The child giggled as her grandfather's wrinkled face contorted playfully, his deep-set eyes crinkling at the corners. The baby reached out with her tiny hand, trying to grasp his white-streaked beard. Eun had become a mother with difficulty, and Seojung Kyun had become a grandfather with equal difficulty. He had kept his distance, wary of the King's watchful eye, but since the birth of his grandchild, he had become a frequent visitor to the palace. Today, however, he had come at his daughter's urgent summons. Anxiety gnawed at her, but she hesitated to break the peaceful moment.
Finally, Kyun handed the child back to her nurse. At Eun's gesture, the nurse and the other court ladies withdrew, leaving the two alone. Kyun straightened his clothes, ruffled by the child's playful antics, and spoke.
"So, what brings you to summon me?"
The warmth in Eun's face vanished, replaced by a pallor that alarmed her father. He waited patiently as she struggled to speak.
"Someone needs to be dealt with," she finally said, her voice low.
"Your Royal Highness, what do you—"
"Governor Juyeong Hyo of Hyangdo," Eun cut him off.
Her anxiety was palpable. Her father, startled by her abrupt declaration, instinctively lowered his voice.
"Explain yourself," he urged. "Tell me everything."
Eun hesitated. This wasn't something she could hide or resolve on her own. She told him about the secret letter the Crown Prince had sent to Juyeong Hyo. Kyun's face hardened as he listened.
"Why would you make such a decision without consulting me?" he rebuked.
"There was no time," Eun explained. "Kyeong'ui was about to sail in three days."
Kyun's voice was low and dangerous. "That letter is tantamount to treason. No, it is treason. We finally have a royal heir after all these years, and instead of acting with caution, you're turning your husband into a traitor?"
"With the birth of the royal heir, the King has entrusted Kyeong'ui with a thousand troops!" Eun retorted. "Father, are you truly unaware of what that means?"
"Then you should have acted with even more caution! How could you encourage him so recklessly?"
Eun lowered her gaze. "I didn't expect the situation to escalate like this."
"Is that your excuse?!"
Kyun's anger showed no signs of abating. Eun changed tactics, pleading desperately.
"The situation is spiraling. What's the real reason for sending those reinforcements? Father, haven't you heard anything?"
Kyun shook his head, his anger subsiding slightly. "There's already enough unrest. No one knows anything. Baekyang Seoh must know, but he won't speak."
"Father," Eun pleaded again, "we need to silence the governor as soon as possible. If he speaks carelessly, we'll all be doomed—throne or no throne!"
Kyun's shoulders slumped, and he let out a heavy sigh. Eun grasped his arm.
"Father!" she cried.
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Four sets of footsteps echoed as they crossed the threshold of Yeonghwi Palace's east gate. Seo'oh rubbed his aching lower back.
"I'm exhausted," he groaned.
Both he and Song'un Wu were utterly drained.
"Still have enough energy to complain?" she quipped. "Must not be that bad."
"And you're well enough to criticize," Seo'oh retorted. "Why'd you take this job anyway? You could've just relaxed during your suspension."
"You think I dig for food?" Wu snapped. "Show some respect."
"My life's ruined because of you," Seo'oh grumbled.
"Let's agree to speak only when necessary," Wu said. "Talking to you is giving me a headache."
Seo'oh continued to mutter under his breath as they walked. They hadn't gone far when a small shadow emerged from behind one of the gate pillars and began to follow them. Seo'oh, unlike Wu, noticed the stranger trailing them. They ignored him for a while, but the shadow finally spoke.
"Excuse me, are you Scholar Song'un?" a young girl's voice called out.
They turned to find a tall, slender figure with a youthful face. She stood with a straight posture, her gaze fixed on Wu.
"I am," Wu confirmed. "And you are?"
The girl bowed respectfully. "My name is Gahngyun Seol. I'm a student at the Sanctuary."
"Ah!" Wu's face lit up in recognition, then quickly fell. "I'm sorry, I don't recall... Gahngyun?"
Seol looked flustered. "Well... never mind. I'll just tell you why I'm here. I heard you're going to Birahng at Princess Kyeong'ui's request. Is that correct?"
"Yes, quite suddenly," Wu confirmed.
"My brother, Gahngyun Hyeok, is the Princess's betrothed. He's currently on Birahng with her."
Wu clapped her hands together. "Ah, I remember now! I heard someone rather frivolous was chosen. So that's your brother?"
Seo'oh nudged her with his elbow. "Master!" he hissed.
"What?"
Seol ignored their bickering and continued. "I have a favor to ask. Could you deliver this letter to my brother when you arrive on Birahng?"
She held out a carefully sealed letter.
"Sure, no trouble at all," Wu agreed. "But why the letter? Is it a love letter?"
"Master," Seo'oh interjected, "she just said it's for her brother."
"Oh, right, right. What a close sibling bond. Don't worry, I won't forget to deliver it."
Seol bowed deeply. "Thank you."
Before Wu could reply, Seol turned and vanished into the darkness, melting into the shadows along the palace walls.
"Why would she trust us with a letter?" Seo'oh wondered aloud.
"The recipient is Princess Kyeong'ui's betrothed," Wu explained. "She must be trying to maintain some level of decorum."
"Oh, so you do care about decorum now?" Seo'oh teased. He then sighed dramatically. "Just one more day until we set sail."
"One more day?" Wu exclaimed. "We only have one day left! We need to find those documents and copy them like mad!"
"There's no way we can copy them all," Seo'oh protested.
"I saw a pile of stone and woodblock prints in the corner," Wu said. "If we run out of time, we'll make rubbings of those. It's late. Let's not return to the Sanctuary tonight. Stay at my home."
"Alright," Seo'oh agreed. "But we need to go to the Sanctuary tomorrow, right? I need to pack my things."
"I know, I know," Wu said dismissively.
Wu tucked the letter from Seol deep inside her robes and hurried on with Seo'oh. It was late when they arrived home, and Wu's husband had a late-night meal prepared for them. Their stomachs growled as they sat down, eagerly spooning the steaming broth into their mouths. They had barely taken a few bites when Wu's husband called from the yard.
"There's a visitor here for you."
"A visitor?" Wu grumbled. "Why's everyone looking for me today?"
She opened the door and stepped out into the yard. A young man stood waiting, his attire giving no clue to his profession.
"What brings you here?" Wu asked.
"Ask his name," Seo'oh hissed.
"Oh, right. Who are you?"
The man bowed respectfully.
"Master," he said, straightening up. "I come at the behest of Princess Kyeong'ui."
"The Princess?"
"She instructed me to deliver an urgent message should a scholar be chosen to travel to Birahng. Please accept this."
He held out a silk envelope. Wu, after wiping her hands on her robes, took it.
"Let's see what this is," she muttered, peering inside.
A single sheet of paper filled with tightly packed characters was revealed. It was a list of books, with no preamble or pleasantries.
"She doesn't expect me to gather all these books and bring them?" Wu blurted.
"To accompany you, perhaps, you mean," the man corrected her gently.
Wu frowned. "Do you have any idea how much these books cost? A scholar's salary isn't that generous."
As if anticipating her concern, the man produced a heavy pouch from his robes and offered it to her.
"Please accept this. It should be sufficient. Purchase the books and bring them with you before you set sail."
Wu hesitantly took the pouch and peeked inside. It was filled with silver, but the sight didn't bring her much joy.
"Why send a scholar on such an errand when time is of the essence?" she grumbled. "She could've just asked her father."
"The Princess wishes to keep this matter private," the man explained. "Please ensure discretion."
"If she's so concerned about discretion," Wu countered, "wouldn't it be safer for you to purchase the books yourselves?"
Seo'oh, who had been examining the list, interjected. "Master, these are all exclusive to the Sanctuary."
"Oh, is that so?" Wu turned back to the man. "Alright, I'll take them. Don't worry. I won't see you out. It's late. You can leave."
Without waiting for a response, she returned to her room and finished her meal. Afterward, Seo'oh went to the guest room, unpacked his belongings, and lay down on the bed. He could hear Wu and her husband talking in the main room. He turned away, trying to ignore their conversation, but their voices drifted through the thin walls.
"Can't you back out now?" her partner pleaded. "You don't even know when you'll be back. The child deserves a father present."
The mention of a child made Seo'oh's ears perk up. He strained to hear Wu's muffled response, followed by her husband's continued pleas.
"No, if you're thinking that, then you shouldn't go. How could you..."
Unable to listen any longer, Seo'oh pulled the blanket over his head, covering his ears. The bickering continued late into the night, their voices mingling with his dreams.