Blooming even in the mud - Chapter 53

Hong Ok-geum had been quite anxious that Gyeong Won-ui might end up marrying her sister-in-law.
While she felt a subtle sense of relief at the cancellation of their engagement, she was also curious about the reason.
‘Could something have happened between him and Her Highness?’
Now that she was actually facing Yoo Seo-hwa, the words failed to leave her lips. It was no easy task to ask about Gyeong Won-ui to a woman who was living a grueling life at the Gyeong Clan Residence.
“It is nothing. I was just harboring silly thoughts for a moment.”
“I do not know what it is, but regarding Master Gyeong’s affairs, it would likely be faster to ask your husband rather than me.”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
“Madam, I have brought what you requested.”
Just then, the maid returned, and the conversation was naturally interrupted.
In addition to the two bolts of Cotton Fabric, the maid also brought a large food box wrapped in a bundle cloth, packed to the brim with banquet dishes.
“What is all this?”
“Since you visited a house holding a feast, it will not be seen as a flaw even if you share the food with those around you. I also included the dishes Your Highness used to enjoy, so please accept them.”
At those words, she could no longer decline. Yoo Seo-hwa gratefully accepted the Cotton Fabric and the bundle before bidding farewell to Hong Ok-geum.
Since it was a rare banquet, the Inner House was bustling with visiting guests and the maids they had brought along. To avoid crossing paths with any noblewomen she might recognize, Yoo Seo-hwa quickly left the residence with brisk steps.
She felt a pang of regret for not being able to meet Seol-i, but she comforted herself.
‘If that child saw me as I am now, she would be confused. She’s still young, so she’ll forget me soon.’
As the years pass and people forget her one by one, would there eventually be no one left?
That was likely what she desired. With only Yoo Seo-hwa’s sins remaining, the woman known as Princess Sukjeong would quietly fade into oblivion.
Probably.
And to Gyeong Won-ui as well.
 
For Wang Jeong-mun, who was not used to waiting for someone indefinitely, this period was quite an ordeal. It was even more so because the street did not have much pedestrian traffic, and the area was surrounded by many residences of the nobility.
He kicked at the ground with the tip of his shoe, and found himself making excuses to those who cast suspicious glances at his idle presence.
‘She’s taking much longer than expected. I hope nothing bad happened. If I at least knew her business, I’d be less anxious…’
After an awkward amount of time had passed, Yoo Seo-hwa was finally seen emerging from the back door.
“Uh…”
He almost greeted her in delight but quickly swallowed his words. After all, he had followed her in secret.
Whatever her business had been, when Yoo Seo-hwa emerged, she was holding a bolt of Cotton Fabric tucked under her arm and cradling a large bundle, unlike before.
Wang Jeong-mun intended to follow her from a distance, just as he had on the way here, to prepare for any potential danger.
‘What’s in that bundle? It looks heavy.’
It was a rare gift. Thanks to Hong Ok-geum’s instructions to fill the food box to the brim, the bundle was quite heavy.
Yoo Seo-hwa walked with short, quick steps, occasionally setting the bundle down to tap her shoulders, then picking it up again to massage her arms.
Having likely received advice at the residence, she took a back alley this time, unlike the route she took to get there. It was a narrow path used by servants.
Wang Jeong-mun grew slightly concerned.
‘There might be sketchy bastards around here…’
Sure enough, just as the Gyeong Clan Residence came into view in the distance, a few rough-looking men surrounded Yoo Seo-hwa.
Because of the distance, he could not hear their words clearly, but the vibe was quite threatening. Wang Jeong-mun intentionally stomped his feet loudly and walked fast.
“What is going on here?”
The men checked Wang Jeong-mun’s familiarity with Yoo Seo-hwa and the sword at his waist before hurriedly turning back.
He considered threatening them further but desisted. Inciting a needless commotion would not bide well for Yoo Seo-hwa, given her status as a slave.
“Ah, Byeoljang.”
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I was startled, but thanks to your help, I am perfectly fine.”
Wang Jeong-mun reached out toward the bundle.
“It looks heavy. I will carry it for you.”
“It is fine. I can manage.”
“It rained this morning, so puddles of dirty water have gathered on the streets. It would be a disaster if you tripped while carrying such a heavy load.”
“Still…”
“The Cotton Fabric might get soiled as well.”
While Yoo Seo-hwa looked down at the Cotton Fabric, which was already crumpled from being tucked under her arm, Wang Jeong-mun quickly took the bundle. It was as heavy as he had anticipated.
As he strode ahead, Yoo Seo-hwa had no choice but to follow. Turning a corner, they emerged from the back alley. The residence was just around the corner now.
Wang Jeong-mun glanced at Yoo Seo-hwa, who was following silently, and subtly made up a lie to excuse himself.
“I happened to visit a residence nearby after receiving a request, and it seems Your Highness also had business here.”
“I met a friend.”
“Ah, I see.”
As they conversed, his gaze inadvertently drifted to the bundle in his hand, and Yoo Seo-hwa explained.
“The contents of the bundle are also a gift from my friend.”
“Then are you returning straight home now? Do you have any plans to stop elsewhere?”
“No.”
“How fortunate. I am also on my way back.”
“I am grateful to you for carrying my luggage, but I worry it might cause trouble for you, Byeoljang.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Surprised by the sudden remark, he even halted his steps. How could carrying luggage cause trouble?
Yoo Seo-hwa tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she spoke. Her voice was incredibly low and serene.
“Are you not someone who holds an official post? If you carry a slave’s luggage in their stead, there will be those who speak ill of you.”
At those words, Wang Jeong-mun suddenly looked around.
There were indeed glances from onlookers who found it strange that a man of his standing was conversing with a slave instead of dumping the luggage onto her. They were glances he had not noticed until now.
A slight heat rose to his face.
It was not because he found his belated realization humiliating or embarrassing.
It was because something welled up inside him at the sight of her—a woman who must have been incomparably noble—humbly lowering herself, and doing so with a calm expression that didn’t even flicker.
‘But to Her Highness, I am nobody. We’ve just exchanged a few words by chance a couple of times…’
He felt that he must not dare to give voice to the emotion welling up inside him.
Wang Jeong-mun chewed on his lip helplessly before forcing a smile.
“My father was an emancipated gwanno.”
“…Is that so? I had no idea.”
“Because this is the first time I am telling you. It happened a few months after His Majesty began ruling Qiheng Province as King Ning. He was ambushed by assassins, and my father shielded His Majesty, taking the blow in his stead.”
“I knew the political situation was unstable back then, but I did not know such an event occurred to His Majesty. Surely, your father did not…”
“No, he did not pass away. He hovered between life and death, but he made a full recovery. In recognition of that merit, His Majesty emancipated my father and even bestowed royal grace upon me.”
Feeling his words getting tangled, Wang Jeong-mun stammered slightly.
Though emancipated, he had implicitly faced discrimination for being the child of a slave. However, it was not a past he felt ashamed of or wished to hide. His father was someone he respected and was proud of.
He just never imagined he would confess it to Yoo Seo-hwa in this manner.
“Um, so… I do not care how others view me. Therefore…”
He could not bring himself to utter the following words: ‘Therefore, I hope Your Highness will not regard yourself as lowly either.’
There was no way Yoo Seo-hwa would know his true feelings, which he had barely managed to swallow. Yet, reluctant to meet the eyes that gazed at him intently, Wang Jeong-mun stared far off into the empty air.
Yoo Seo-hwa blinked slowly. A faint sense of déjà vu rippled through her.
The image of this young, clumsy, and awkward man, whose nervousness was fully on display, overlapped with that of a youth.
It was a boy who resided in a piece of gentle memory deep within Yoo Seo-hwa’s heart—a memory she had sealed away, vowing never to look back upon.