Written stiffly from the very beginning with not even an awkward greeting, to the point of unfolding — the letter's entire contents gave off the scent of Wonggyeong's character. Reading the letters written neatly one by one Yunseo's eyes grew moist.
There is an urgent story for the sake of the family's future and if you know of a genuine person please let me know — was the content. And it specified a time and place — this very day, * 해정亥正, a village situated near Manguwon.
He had read the letter multiple times but there was no other meaning hidden in it. What had changed for Sobaeguk? Or perhaps something had happened with his father? Or something Wonggyeong had been up to himself?
Coming out of Manguwon late at this hour was ultimately a rumour of a secret meeting, and Yunseo had no intention of meeting Wonggyeong privately face to face. If something were the matter with the person, learning about it and drawing up countermeasures was enough.
With Hwi's side to guard and the countless eyes watching here — what on earth was he thinking proposing such a meeting……. Yunseo could not fully erase the prickling feeling and folded the letter and put it in his sleeve.
"Your Majesty, the peaches are very ripe."
Yeondeok came back having eaten the peaches stuffed to the brim and Yunseo sharing the fruit with him quietly asked.
"Have you by any chance heard any special news from the private residence?"
"News? No, why? What does the young master say?"
"Nothing…… have you heard anything about the father?"
"After the incident the household has been whispering that the father died — have you heard that mentioned before?"
The sight of the father dying — he had not even imagined it let alone wanted to imagine it. Yunseo suppressed his bitter smile and nodded his head. In any case quietly find out about the private residence and to the place Wonggyeong mentioned send Jungju to check if there are any changes — it seemed best to grasp the situation.
"But by the way Your Majesty, your complexion has improved since reading the letter."
"Really?"
"Yes. I think the flesh has risen and the colour is good."
"It's probably because there are many fireflies in summer."
"Your Majesty is becoming more learned."
"If you eat more you would grow bigger."
"What? Do you want to grow bigger Your Majesty? You are already sufficiently large."
"Compared to the Emperor it is nothing."
"How can you make that comparison Your Majesty."
Yeondeok laughed with a flustered expression. Yunseo also felt he was a little taller than ordinary men but looking at those around him from Hwi to Yongrin and Mugwan who were all lined up there he had grown numbed. Moreover Hwi was always urging him to grow bigger by another round.
"The summer is almost over."
Yunseo took a peach and bit a mouthful and looked out the window. A summer having passed and the heat had somewhat broken but outside the scenery was blooming all the more lively.
"Good as a peaceful season."
Yeondeok chuckling agreed and Yunseo leaned in to listen to the summer sounds. The pungent and fresh peach scent floating up with it filled Yunseo's mood too with sweetness.
Around when it was getting dark Yunseo came outside the residence and was slowly strolling along the quaint stone path. Hwi was expected to come and since the other was him, he was going to be right there. Soon footsteps from not far away were heard. He turned his head and then Hwi came up to him with a smile on his face.
"You were waiting for me."
"Yes."
"Why. Seeing you I don't want to leave."
"To leave? Where to?"
Hwi took Yunseo's hand and led him into the residence. Then as if confirming Yunseo's temperature he swept his forehead and cheeks in turn and gave a delayed answer.
"The fireflies are blossoming apparently so I intend to go to the institution."
"Fireflies?"
"The forest we came to together is in blossom, and from there following the reed field there is a concern it could spread to the village."
"That forest……"
That beautiful forest full of fireflies — his chest that had been sinking came back up in an instant. The moment Yunseo's face was drained Hwi saw it and pressed his cheek.
"Don't worry. The Yongrin have set out so it will quickly be resolved. Come back before the sun sets so don't wait and go ahead and request sleep."
"Yes. You must take care of your body."
"Then. Shall I kiss you before going?"
Yunseo readily put his arms around Hwi's neck and brought his lips together. Hwi softly squeezed Yunseo's lower lip and pulled and then dampened it lightly before pulling back.
"I'll come back."
"Come back."
Hwi's lips drew a round curve. He gently stroked Yunseo's soft cheek with his hand and then turned around.
Yunseo watched until Hwi was completely out of sight and let out a sigh. The damage must not be great. The human damage of course, and the forest animals too he could not ignore.
His heart being unsettled, a gloomy feeling stretched deeply over the horizon where he had been resting his eyes — Yunseo's brow gradually lifted. Truly strange. That Hwi would vacate Manguwon for a thing like this — moreover this was the day Wonggyeong had mentioned in the letter and Wonggyeong proposing a meeting — could this truly be a coincidence?
"Jungju."
Yunseo called Jungju and went inside. Jungju followed after him and Yunseo took the letter from his sleeve and handed it to him.
"Can you go?"
Reading the contents briefly and lifting his head Jungju nodded.
"There is no need for that."
"What is it?"
"The previous time the young man had me investigate — he has had a meeting with Inchinhwang."
Jungju's gaze was pointing toward Yunseo's face. 'That' would mean Inchinhwang — the letter's sender was Wonggyeong so it meant those two had met. Inchinhwang and Wonggyeong meeting separately was truly unsettling. What reason did they have to meet together.
"……I will have to go myself."
Originally Jungju had intended to go covertly but now that he had come to know Inchinhwang and Wonggyeong's connection, going out directly and grasping the situation seemed more sound.
"Your Majesty, that is not a good idea."
"If my elder brother is planning something that must be whatever it is I must first know. And there might also be an opportunity."
Without the family hiding their ambition, rather falling into frustration and getting tangled up was worse. Moreover he did not truly hope for that, but if Inchinhwang had contacted Wonggyeong and was connected — this time there could be a clue gained.
Not being able to pass it ahead to Hwi beforehand weighed on his heart. But Hwi and his own brother being involved — as much as that he wanted to grasp the results in hand and then reveal the facts.
"He will not permit it."
"But go carefully."
"An obvious snare will be laid."
"You cannot always guard me."
Jungju kept his mouth shut silently and watched Yunseo. Because he had a brother — but his eyes were as if looking down at a younger brother. Yunseo stood up from his short robe seat and headed toward the outer chamber.
"It seems they also know about this over there."
He put his feet to the floor two times and a thumping sound rang out. Jungju soon lowered his head.
"I will do my best to guard you."
The only light was the single torch he was holding. From deep in the dark alley the sound too was only his own footstep sound. Bumping and returning against the walls and ceiling the eerie atmosphere settled in. A silver escape, they said — more accurately speaking, it was a place where it was impossible to maintain one's spirit for those not accustomed.
Stepping on the somewhat bright wall of light coming up from ahead Yunseo came out looking in front. A thick lattice-shaped iron bar was blocking the path. The destination was not far away.
Yunseo put his back down and looked behind him. The small darkness guarding his back — Jungju's form slightly looking at this side entered his view. Yunseo without making a sound lit his steps toward the stairway.
The door was nothing. Finally the door above his head flipped upward as the dust fell and piled up. Yunseo suppressing his voice crawled nimbly upward.
The surroundings were as dead quiet. One night's large bamboo grove was all kinds of chatter filling the air and could be enough to make one giddy. Truly alone he would have been scared but the fact of Jungju not far away watching this side was reassuring so without haste he lit torches around him.
Without any footstep sounds there was a machine. Outside apparently he should have already left the palace since Wonggyeong had directed the place to be 해정亥正 near Manguwon. He walked slowly. His heart was such that he just wanted everything to be an accident and nothing to happen, and the lingering wish that his doubts and questions would end in empty nonsense were following him — but the attached feelings followed deep behind him.
He had been walking for a while when the end of the bamboo grove came into view. Following that long path his heart was coming out. Yunseo with his nerves on full alert was conscious of his surroundings.
Just then, the sound of stepping on a tree branch rang out sharp. Hurriedly turning his body in that direction — when he did a person who had unexpectedly appeared was quickly covering Yunseo.
A thick hand stuffed his mouth and a rounded finger was pressing the neck's blood vessels. Yunseo reflexively grabbed the dark man's arm and kicked and struggled.
'Jungju……!'
Hurriedly seeking Jungju — at that moment Yunseo's field of vision showed Jungju quietly standing there, watching this side.
Why are you……
His vision went blurry and his consciousness was growing distant — Yunseo stared blankly at Jungju holding the vague question.
And soon Yunseo's body was jangling like a puppet and all sound went as if from the beginning it had never existed and was silenced.
* 해정亥正: ten o'clock in the evening.