Born As The Daughter of a Lowly Concubine - Chapter 86

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I was born the daughter of a lowborn concubine.
Chapter 86
You lot like you are exactly why I grow more curmudgeonly by the day. Hm?
It seemed that this young master and his band of scholars had ventured out for entertainment and summoned Gisaengs to join them.
Why men who claimed to cherish refinement could not enjoy themselves without women was a mystery, but given their inferior social station and finances, the Gisaeng had lost her nerve entirely and made no real resistance.
“Come now, I’m offering to play the role of your patron, and still you complain?”
“This humble one, I….”
Not knowing what else to say, the Gisaeng clutched the Gayageum in her arms as though it were a lifeline and tried to distance herself from the man.
And as the young master and several peers of his, seemingly his friends, joined in, amused by the woman’s trembling, I saw a woman still bearing the softness of youth bite her lip while fighting back tears.
In broad daylight, no less.
“Oh, Young Miss?”
Unable to bear it any longer, I—or rather, Jeok-a—stepped forward.
I wish you understood what I was feeling, but you’re just bothered by the sight of this, aren’t you?
Well, so am I.
I stroked the mane of my noble companion, pleased that our hearts aligned so well.
“May I ask which household’s son is harassing a Gisaeng in the middle of the street?”
“…!”
The men flinched at my words, turned to look, confirmed I was just a child, and visibly relaxed. Then, embarrassed by their earlier hesitation, they began admonishing me in a bolder tone.
“What is a mere child doing, interfering in the affairs of adults?”
You’re the one speaking casually to a stranger, and on a first meeting at that.
When I showed no fear, some of them exchanged nervous glances and tried to restrain their companions.
“It appears she’s the daughter of some well-to-do household. Best leave her alone.”
“Then perhaps you gentlemen could simply tell me your names and houses. You there, you servants.”
I addressed the servants following their master. Anyone venturing out for entertainment needed hands to manage the practicalities—no one traveled entirely alone.
The servants, never expecting to be addressed, startled and bowed their heads.
“Yes?”
“Surely you know your master’s name, at least? And of course, his official title.”
“Well, that is….”
It was no mystery why servants grew more arrogant when their master held high rank.
“The King has recently lamented the conduct of young noblemen, and I confess I’m curious which households are so devoted to harassing women in the streets.”
“You impudent child! You dare threaten us by invoking the King?”
I’m simply mentioning my own father—what business is it of yours?
“Besides, making such a fuss over a mere lowborn Gisaeng is excessive. I wasn’t even trifling with a common woman.”
“Indeed. When did accosting a woman in the street become such an honorable pursuit?”
“What?”
They noticed my tone had sharpened and twisted their faces in displeasure.
“I fail to understand when Joseon became a place where harassing women in the street is acceptable. And not by just anyone—by Yuseong scholars, of all people. Or is it permissible to harass a Gisaeng? Why? Does being a Gisaeng make her something other than a woman?”
“What—what are you saying? You insolent little creature!”
Fine, fine.
“What’s more, you appear to be products of a Seowon. Did your teachers instruct you in such behavior?”
“You dare insult our masters!”
In this era, insulting one’s teacher was a grave matter, but frankly, their outrage at being called out felt pathetic.
“It’s not I who insults them—it’s you, their students. Yuseong proudly parading about with Gisaengs doesn’t shame you, and yet you go further, openly groping women in broad daylight without embarrassment? Can’t you see passersby staring?”
“…!”
“If such behavior truly brings no shame, then why not boldly declare your fathers’ and teachers’ names?”
Stung by my words, the young master rattled off his pedigree without hesitation.
“My grandfather holds the rank of Junchu Bu Dongji Sa, my father is a Jeong Nang in the Ministry of Personnel, and my teacher is….”
Well, well. This one certainly had connections to boast of.
“Exactly. If you’re going to accost a woman in the street, you must declare your identity boldly—so she can judge whether you’re worth engaging with or not, don’t you think?”
“What—what’s this? You impertinent little thing!”
While the young master seethed as though ready to charge at me, his companions sensed something amiss and held him back, restraining him.
They must have realized something was wrong when they saw that neither I nor Ga-i and Seong Yoon, who attended me, so much as flinched at the titles he recited.
“Friend, do calm yourself.”
“We don’t know whose daughter this young lady is, but your friend here has simply had too much to drink. Pray, take no offense.”
“What? I’m not drunk!!”
Tch. You owe your life to this one sensible friend, you fool.
Sensing Jeok-a’s urge to charge, I soothed him by stroking his mane.
Why does he hate violent scenes so much?
“Cancel the gathering! Damn it! Go! Go! This strange girl has ruined the mood!”
“Calm yourself. We’ve already summoned all the Gisaengs. What will we do now?”
The scholars and their servants rushed off in a clamor, leaving only the gisaeng behind in confusion. One of them looked so frightened, as though she might burst into tears, that I couldn’t help but feel for her.
She was hardly more than a child herself, barely older than Maehyang.
I dismounted and tried to soothe her—though to anyone watching, it would have looked like a young girl comforting her elder.
“Are you all right? How can you be so tender-hearted?”
“No, no, I’m fine, miss.”
Her companions, who had been regarding the tearful gisaeng with complicated expressions, soon turned to me and bowed, then worked to calm her themselves.
“We’re sorry, miss, for showing you such a sight.”
“It’s their fault, not yours.”
“That’s right, that’s right.”
As I continued soothing her—she was growing more distraught by the moment—the head gisaeng approached me with a bow.
“Please forgive us for driving your guests away.”
“We don’t mind, miss. But we are afraid—afraid that this trouble might cause hardship for you.”
I saw the weight of many worries etched across the head gisaeng’s face, so I winked and smiled at her.
“Don’t worry about that. I come from a far more important house.”
“Do you really, miss?”
“I do. But tell me—where were you all supposed to go today?”
“They said they needed musicians for a boat excursion, so they hired us.”
“Hmm.”
I surveyed the gisaeng and their attendants, then called for Ga-i to check what we’d need, and turned to the gisaeng with a proposal.
“Since you’re already out, why not come somewhere else and enjoy yourselves instead? I’ll cover the cost.”
“I beg your pardon?”
The gisaeng stood slack-jawed for a moment, then quickly composed themselves and bowed with smiles.
“If you would invite us, miss, how could we refuse?”
Their expressions showed a determination to make the best of it—they’d already lost those ruffians, so they might as well earn something and leave with their pockets fuller. And besides, curiosity lit their eyes: where on earth would such a young girl take them?
“Then follow me.”
I mounted Jeok-a again.
Ga-i, holding the beast’s reins, pressed a hand to her chest and muttered.
“Miss, I fear my heart is about to leap right out of me.”
“Then it mustn’t. If it does jump out, I’ll catch it and tie it back on for you. Don’t worry.”
“Oh, miss.”
“These ruffians strut about calling themselves scholars and learned men, and it makes me anxious for Joseon’s future. I don’t know why I’m even burdening myself with such thoughts.”
“Miss.”
While Ga-i only sighed, Seong Yoon had been grinning the whole time.
“You weren’t startled at all, were you?”
“Startled by what, miss? You’ve spoken every word that was on my tongue. I’m satisfied just to hear it said.”
As he spoke, I noticed his hands opening and closing as though they itched for action—he must have found those men as distasteful as I did.
Fortunately, it had all passed without violence.
“Giddyup.”
Soon we arrived at our destination. I dismounted and glanced back to see all the gisaeng staring with wide eyes at the plaque.
“Siyeongwon……?”
“Come inside.”
Gisaeng were always quick to hear gossip; they could hardly be ignorant of what this place was.
I entered first, and those who recognized me stopped what they were doing and welcomed me with smiles.
“Oh, Miss?”
“You’ve come, miss?”
“I brought something delicious…… but who are all these people behind you?”
Upon seeing the brilliant retinue trailing after me, everyone froze, eyes wide and unblinking.
Min hurried out when she heard I’d arrived, but one look at the unexpected crowd I’d brought made her expression go slack with bewilderment.
“Miss, what on earth has happened?”
“I know it’s sudden, and I’m sorry. But there’s nothing important scheduled for today, is there?”
“No, miss. We’re no one to have important business.”
“Then let’s gather everyone and celebrate today.”
“Pardon?”
I gestured toward the gisaeng still standing outside the threshold and spoke again.
“It’s been so long—let’s invite them all to join a celebration. The children here don’t even know what a proper banquet is, do they?”
“Well…… I suppose that’s so……?”
Once Min gave her blessing, the children’s eyes began to sparkle with anticipation.
“Today is a day for singing, dancing, and playing, understood?”
“Yes!”
“Eeee-eee!”
“Wow, Miss is the best!!”
I covered my ears against the noise of children leaping and cheering, then turned to wave the Gisaengs inside urgently.
Once they’d assessed the situation, they all wore expressions beyond description as they stepped into the courtyard.
The Gisaengs instructed the servants who’d followed with luggage to clear the courtyard and set up a stage, and as children and servants scrambled about working, they laughed brightly while sweeping away the baskets and wooden bowls that lay scattered.
‘At least they seem pleased.’
The Gisaengs entered the courtyard and spun among the children bounding about, dancing in graceful circles.
I sat on the porch, listening to their laughter, and felt myself heal.
“But truly, what on earth has happened here?”
“Well… it’s turned out this way.”
I’ll spare the details.
While Min and the other palace attendants with administrative duties hurried to arrange seating, Ji-a and several children who’d come demanding an explanation grew uneasy with the sparse account I offered, exhaling quietly.
“Miss has done something again, hasn’t she.”
What kind of expression was that, anyway.
“My goodness, what is the meaning of all this?”
At the familiar voice, I turned to see Maehyang emerging from behind the building, holding the hands of children, her expression bewildered as she took in the tumult unfolding in the courtyard.
Wait—what are you doing here?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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