I Became a Hotelier at the Goryeo National Hotel - Chapter 49
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Episode 49
Seo Rin thought this was perfect and began listing out the things she had been thinking about.
As she was explaining with gestures and movements, Jeong Yeon Hwa, who had finished shopping and was heading toward the market entrance, witnessed this scene.
‘Why is she suddenly at the blacksmith shop out of nowhere?’
Jeong Yeon Hwa saw Seo Rin having an animated conversation with the blacksmith, then opening her pouch to try to pay.
Jeong Yeon Hwa quickly approached and grabbed Seo Rin’s arm.
“Wait.”
“Huh? Deputy Manager?”
“Where do you think you’re going, carelessly spending your personal money?”
Jeong Yeon Hwa asked reproachfully.
“It seems like you’re making something to bring into Hyeeumwon, so naturally it should be processed with public funds.”
“But… this is something I was trying to make on my own… initiative.”
Come to think of it, she had proceeded arbitrarily without consulting with Hyeeumwon.
“I’ll speak well of it to the General Manager. Master Metalworker, put the production cost on our tab.”
“Yes, I’ll bill you on the day I deliver the items to Hyeeumwon.”
“…That’s amazing. How do the market people know that we’re from Hyeeumwon?”
Then Jeong Yeon Hwa pointed to the small wooden plaque hanging at Seo Rin’s waist.
“Do you wear that name tag as decoration?”
“Ah…?!”
Seo Rin looked down at the Hyeeumwon name tag she had received on the day she became Won Ri.
‘Ah! It’s thanks to the name tag. I thought it was just like an ID card!’
She held up the name tag as if she had found a treasure and marveled at it.
Nasim found Seo Rin’s appearance cute as she looked at the name tag like a precious jewel, and smiled warmly.
And Jeong Yeon Hwa happened to see this.
‘…Hmm?’
After completing the satisfactory transaction, Seo Rin headed to the horsehair shop with the group.
“Huh? Come to think of it, where is the Middle General?”
“He said he had personal business to attend to. He’ll return to the entrance on time.”
“I see…”
As Seo Rin left the market, she picked up and bought various things here and there.
‘Dried bean stalks, castor beans, and walnut oil…? Why on earth those things…’
Jeong Yeon Hwa was tilting her head while watching Seo Rin, when she spotted a shop and suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Seo Rin looked at Jeong Yeon Hwa with confusion as she suddenly stopped walking, then followed her gaze and gaped.
“…Wow, what is this place?”
“It’s a cosmetics shop called Hyangbang.”
As if entranced, Jeong Yeon Hwa grabbed Seo Rin’s hand and dragged her into the shop.
Unlike the other rough shops in the market street, this place had a uniquely glamorous and luxurious feel.
On the shelves inside the shop, colorful face powder and rouge were displayed in pretty porcelain containers, along with charming accessories and beautiful glass bottles filled with cosmetic water.
A luxurious space meant only for the precious few, enough to captivate any woman’s footsteps.
‘It’s like a Korean cosmetics shop. …The containers are fancy, but there aren’t that many types of cosmetics. It would be nice if there were things like lotion or cream.’
As Seo Rin looked around the shop, she spotted Jeong Yeon Hwa with a flushed face, sweeping cute accessories into her arms.
It was an unfamiliar sight rarely seen from Jeong Yeon Hwa, who was often mistaken for a young male official or military officer due to her appearance that made it difficult to easily guess her gender.
However, she wasn’t the only one absorbed in shopping. Nasim and the Dashi Kingdom guards were also busy selecting items from this place as souvenirs for the families waiting back in their homeland.
Thanks to this, the middle-aged lady who appeared to be the cosmetics shop owner was grinning from ear to ear.
While everyone was distracted, Seo Rin quietly slipped outside and headed toward the horsehair shop that the woodworker had told her about earlier.
As she peered in front of the shop, an elderly man who appeared to be the shop owner came out with a kind smile.
“Excuse me, is this the shop that sells horsehair?”
“Welcome. But why do you need horsehair? For a brush? Bowstring? Tell me what you’ll use it for. Different hair is used depending on the purpose.”
“I’m looking for bristles to attach to a tool for cleaning teeth.”
The old man’s eyebrows rose slightly with interest.
“Hmm? Bristles for cleaning teeth?”
“I don’t know if I can make it well yet… but I want to try making one.”
At Seo Rin’s answer, the old man fell into deep thought for a moment.
“…Then it needs to be soft but also have adequate strength to clean well.”
He went to the market stall where horsehair was piled up, checked the thickness and elasticity of each hair one by one, selected appropriate ones, and offered her a bundle.
When Seo Rin took out her purse to pay, the old man waved his hand.
“No need for money.”
“What? But…”
When Seo Rin looked flustered, the old man smiled and said.
“Instead, if that thing is made properly, give me one too. My teeth aren’t very good now that I’m old. Who knows, if what you make turns out quite good, I might even sell them for you.”
There was subtle anticipation in his eyes. Seo Rin gladly accepted the old man’s proposal.
“Yes! If it turns out well, I’ll definitely bring you one. Thank you, sir!”
Seo Rin bowed and carefully took the horsehair, then returned to the cosmetics shop. She could see her companions coming out with their hands full of gifts.
Jeong Yeon Hwa quietly checked the time. They had purchased all the items the head cook had requested, so they had plenty of time left.
“We have time left, shall we look around before we go?”
The group, who felt reluctant to return just like this, all seemed pleased with Jeong Yeon Hwa’s suggestion. And as if by agreement, the group headed toward where the food market was located.
From somewhere came the fragrant smell of oil and delicious pancakes being fried to a golden brown.
[Ooh…!]
Seeing Nasim’s gaze fixed on the golden pancakes, Seo Rin quickly approached the shop owner and said.
“Please give us one pancake.”
The merchant glanced curiously at Nasim’s group, then put the pancake on a plate and handed it over.
Nasim quickly took the plate Seo Rin offered him and took a big bite of the pancake.
[Ah, hot…!]
It was so hot he almost burned the roof of his mouth, but at the savory taste spreading throughout his mouth, he looked at Seo Rin with wide eyes.
[…This is really delicious!]
When Nasim quickly finished the pancake and reached for other types of pancakes on the market stall, the merchant held out his palm to Seo Rin.
As Seo Rin quickly opened her purse, Nasim waved his hands with a flustered expression.
[How can you make me into a pathetic man who lets a woman pay! I will pay for it myself.]
Then he pulled out a heavy silver ingot from his chest and thrust it toward the merchant.
“Wh, a silver ingot?!”
The merchant’s mouth fell wide open.
“No, you’re buying a few pancakes with a silver ingot! I don’t have that much small change!”
“What? Yes! Ah, that’s right! I’ll pay for it instead.”
Seo Rin quickly paid the merchant. Nasim apologized to Seo Rin with an embarrassed face.
[…I failed to prepare small change. I’m sorry.]
[It’s fine. You treated me to delicious tea last time, so this time I’m returning the favor.]
While she was at it, Seo Rin bought one pancake each for her companions to share.
“Well, alright, we’ll eat well.”
Jeong Yeon Hwa couldn’t bring herself to refuse seeing Seo Rin’s delighted face.
Watching her companions eat deliciously, Seo Rin bought more pancakes and had them wrapped.
“Why are you buying more?”
“Ah, I bought them for my colleagues to taste.”
Jeong Yeon Hwa looked at Seo Rin with fond eyes as she took care of her fellow colleagues.
On the other hand, Nasim felt deeply troubled that Seo Rin had paid, and couldn’t hold his head up. He whispered quietly to his personal guard standing beside him.
[Do you happen to have any small change?]
The guard made a troubled expression and answered in a small voice.
[I… spent all the money I received at the cosmetics shop earlier…]
Nasim frowned for a moment, then pulled out another silver ingot from his chest and pressed it into the guard’s hand.
[Somehow exchange this for small change. As quickly as possible!]
The guard who received the order ran to a nearby shop, bought one expensive item, and quickly returned with a pouch full of small change.
‘I must somehow save face with this money!’
But the owners of the nearby food stalls ended up witnessing this money pouch!
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————