The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 232

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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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The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 232

Chapter 232. Jin-ho’s In-laws (2)

I blinked my eyes in surprise.
She had come to invite me?
Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master smiled softly at my reaction and replied.
“Oh? Did you forget? I mentioned it before. I said I would invite you properly later.”
“Ah… of course, I haven’t forgotten.”
I simply hadn’t anticipated it would be today.
First things first… let’s eat and think about it later.
“Are you perhaps in the middle of a meal?”
“I ordered noodles.”
“If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind if we dined together?”
I glanced at Jin-ho and asked.
“Is that alright?”
“Of course. Please, come this way.”
When I checked with the kitchen, they said the orders were backed up and they hadn’t even started preparing the noodles yet.
So I cancelled the noodle order, and the three of us sat down at the same table.
Soon, the lotus root spare rib soup and other dishes we had ordered arrived, steaming and fragrant.
“Please, help yourselves.”
“Then, let’s eat well.”
I ladled the lotus root spare rib soup into a bowl and began eating.
Mmm, it tasted wonderful after so long.
It tasted even better knowing Jin-ho had ordered it for me.
As I ate, I glanced at Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master. Already, a considerable pile of bones had accumulated in front of her.
It was pleasant to see her enjoying her meal so much.
At that moment, our eyes met, and she tilted her head curiously.
“Is there something on my face?”
“No. I was just impressed by your appetite. I was worried the local cuisine might not suit your palate.”
She laughed at my words and replied.
“I’m not particularly picky about food.”
“I see. I’m relieved it seems to agree with you.”
After we finished our meal, we made our way together to the Eunhae Trading Company.
It was best to have our conversation in a more private setting rather than in public.
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I guided Bing Hae-rin to the Guest Reception Room of the Eunhae Trading Company.
“The garden view from here is truly beautiful.”
“That’s why we bring our honored guests to this room.”
“Thank you for treating me with such courtesy.”
Bing Hae-rin, Young Palace Master, and I sipped tea while exchanging pleasant conversation.
“Are all the disciples of the Yangyang Martial School doing well?”
“Yes. They’re all doing fine.”
“I’m already missing the children.”
“The children miss you as well. Especially one named Mi-yeon—she wishes to marry you.”
“Cough!”
I nearly spat out my tea at those words.
“I, I see.”
Bing Hae-rin, Young Palace Master, set down her teacup and spoke.
“As winter has passed, the snow storms have nearly ceased. If we depart now and reach the Northern Sea by the time we arrive, the snow storms will still blow, but only periodically, making it safe. So the Palace Master commanded me to bring you back.”
“….”
“Now I can finally offer you the generous hospitality that was owed to my benefactor from before.”
“I see.”
“Actually, the Palace Master said she would send disciples from the Ice Palace to escort you, but I refused.”
She smiled softly and continued.
“Because I’m here.”
In her gaze, I could sense a powerful confidence.
“And I suspect you wouldn’t be particularly pleased with that arrangement either.”
“You understand well.”
I pondered for a moment before speaking.
“Actually, I was planning to go to the Northern Sea Ice Palace anyway.”
“Really? Is there business at the main palace?”
“Yes. My Second Sister-in-law’s mother is originally from the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
As I explained the full circumstances, she nodded.
“I see. It was fortunate that you departed as soon as you received the letter from the Palace Master. It seems I can travel with you.”
That put my mind at ease considerably.
As the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, she would be familiar with the terrain, and with her abilities, our safety would be far more assured.
“Before that, I must ask your permission for something. I have several matters to attend to on the way to the Northern Sea. Would that still be acceptable?”
“That’s fine with me.”
Just then, Palgap’s voice came from outside.
“Young Master, the Merchant Guild Leader has arrived.”
At those words, I quickly rose from my seat and spoke.
“I’ll introduce you to my father.”
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Preparations for the journey to the Northern Sea Ice Palace were progressing smoothly.
Thanks to my previous experience visiting the Northern Sea, the preparations were not particularly difficult.
What I paid special attention to were leather pouches for carrying drinking water, dried provisions, and clothing made from animal hides.
It would have been nice to have heat-generating artifacts, but such items are not easily obtained.
The reason I’ve been able to acquire artifacts thus far is because I retained memories from my previous life.
Fortune has also smiled upon me.
Among them, the pouch I possess, the Hwa’s Jade Pendant, and the silk made from heavenly silkworms were all gifts from the Emperor.
Those items… come with a price.
Since we’re passing through Beijing this time, I should pay my respects. Otherwise, he might take offense.
And there are matters I need to report.
Before long, the day of our departure arrived.
Since Jin-ho served as the commander of the Sixth Unit of the Eunpung Corps, I requisitioned a portion of the Sixth Unit for his escort.
There were arguments that we should take the entire Sixth Unit, but I stepped in to prevent it.
Our group’s martial strength alone was already formidable enough, and requisitioning an entire unit for an extended period would burden the Merchant Guild.
So I decided to requisition only five men to serve as escorts for Jin-ho and his wife.
Thus, those heading to the Northern Sea Ice Palace were myself, Palgap, and four other guards.
Jin-ho and his wife, along with five guards.
And finally, Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master.
Father handed me a letter just before our departure.
“Deliver this to Master.”
“Yes.”
“Then travel safely.”
Thus we set out, seeing off by our family.
We all rode horses without carriages.
Everyone in our party was trained in martial arts.
Traveling by horse alone was faster, and once we entered the grasslands beyond Beijing, carriages would become mere burdens.
As I rode, I reflected on the tasks I needed to accomplish.
First, I need to deliver a letter to our branch office in Henan.
Then I must visit my Aunt’s residence in Beijing and also call at the Imperial Palace…
I mustn’t forget to express my gratitude to the Gwangjun Merchant Lord for the horses he sent previously.
The horses we’re riding now are the fine steeds he sent us.
Ah, I’ll get to meet Bok Yun Sub-leader after a long time.
We agreed to meet at the Top Hundred Merchant Guilds gathering, but it seems we’re meeting sooner than expected.
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We made our way toward Beijing, attending to various matters along the way.
Things were completed faster than expected, allowing us to arrive in about two weeks.
“While we’re in Beijing, we’ll be staying at my Aunt’s residence.”
At my explanation, Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, nodded in acknowledgment.
“I see. May I also impose upon your kindness?”
“Of course. We’re traveling together, after all.”
Upon arriving at Yeonjun Trading Company, my Aunt welcomed us warmly.
“Welcome, welcome. It’s wonderful to see you so frequently these days.”
Jin-ho stepped forward first to receive her greeting.
“I hope you’ve been well. I must thank you once more for attending our wedding ceremony.”
“Of course I had to come.”
After exchanging greetings with me, my Aunt drew close and whispered.
“The young lady who came with you… is she…?”
My Aunt’s eyes gleamed with interest, and I quickly waved my hand.
“It’s not what you’re thinking, Aunt.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Her disappointment was evident, and I felt oddly apologetic.
“She’s the young lady I mentioned before, Yeon-i. We’re traveling together due to circumstances.”
“I see. How lovely to meet you.”
“I apologize for the imposition.”
“Don’t think of it that way—make yourself comfortable. Though it’s impertinent to ask upon first meeting… are you perhaps unmarried?”
“I am unmarried.”
“My goodness, is that so?”
My Aunt seemed far from ready to abandon her line of inquiry.
I’m afraid I have no intention of marrying at present.
That’s right—before I take revenge against Baekcheon Trading Company and the Murim Alliance, I cannot marry.
My Aunt prepared quarters for Bing Hae-rin, Young Palace Master, in the separate pavilion where I would be staying.
“How could I let the young lady stay alone in the outer quarters? I’ll give you the separate pavilion so you can stay together there.”
She said this with clear intention.
Her reasoning made sense, so I readily agreed.
Though I sensed her underlying motives, Bing Hae-rin, Young Palace Master, would surely find it more comfortable to stay with me than with strangers.
Besides, the separate pavilion had more than one room and was quite spacious.
After washing with warm water for the first time in ages, I emerged refreshed.
The separate pavilion came with a beautifully maintained garden.
As I strolled leisurely through it, the familiar fragrance of orchids drifted on the breeze.
Looking in that direction, I saw Bing Hae-rin, Young Palace Master, dressed in comfortable clothes.
“It seems you’ve come out for some fresh air.”
“Ah, yes.”
She nodded.
“I must say, the journey has been so comfortable it almost feels undeserved.”
Indeed, except for the unavoidable nights we had to sleep outdoors, we stayed at only the finest inns.
And we covered her lodging expenses as well.
“Once I return to the Ice Palace, I’ll settle the inn expenses with you.”
“That’s unnecessary. The Eunhae Trading Company is not stingy with its generosity. So please don’t concern yourself with it.”
It’s true that our Eunhae Trading Company doesn’t stint when it comes to hospitality. And the cost of her inn stay isn’t particularly burdensome either.
Yet she seemed uncomfortable, her expression troubled.
“I’m being hosted by my benefactor, but somehow it feels as though the roles have been reversed.”
“What does it matter?”
I continued.
“Truly, you needn’t concern yourself. So please, don’t speak of repaying the inn fees.”
“But….”
“Lesser Palace Mistress, to press this matter further would be discourteous to us.”
At that, she said nothing more on the subject.
Yet I couldn’t help but feel somewhat shameless about it all.
The Northern Sea Ice Palace is a wealthy place.
She likely thought she could repay the inn fees later, but since I had refused, she found herself at a loss.
There’s a reason I spoke to her this way.
I wonder if Elder Brother Jin-ho knows how hard his younger brother works his mind for his sake.
“I understand. Then I shall accept your kindness.”
“Yes.”
“And, it seems I must go out briefly tomorrow.”
“Please go at your leisure. I also have business outside tomorrow and will be stepping out.”
I too must visit the Imperial Palace tomorrow.
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The following morning.
Because Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master was present, we took breakfast separately in the pavilion.
And I paid my respects to Uncle and Aunt.
By the way, how is Seon-mi faring?
It had already been nearly five months since she went to the Apricot Flower Academy Master’s residence.
When I asked Aunt, she answered with a bright face.
“Seon-mi is doing wonderfully. At least once every five days, a letter arrives.”
“I’m relieved to hear she’s doing well.”
Still, a cousin’s encouragement would surely be welcome.
What could be better?
Just then, Palgap came rushing toward me urgently.
“Young Master! Young Master!”
Ah, someone from the Imperial Palace had come.
“A messenger from the Imperial Palace has arrived.”
As I headed to the Guest Reception Room, I saw a face I’d grown so accustomed to seeing that it was familiar now.
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster of the Geumui Guard.
“This humble merchant greets the Great Swordmaster.”
“Good to see you. By the way, you said you’d be leaving, but I didn’t expect it so soon. I was quite disappointed.”
It referred to the incident that had occurred upstream on the Yangtze River.
“My apologies.”
“Ha ha. I was only jesting. Wasn’t this something I had already permitted?”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster smiled.
“Thanks to you, it seems the Emperor’s trust has returned to me.”
“That is fortunate.”
I continued speaking.
“And thanks to the Great Swordmaster’s consideration, I too was able to receive a reward from the Emperor. I am grateful for this.”
“That was something you rightfully deserved. But enough of that—prepare yourself. The Emperor has summoned you.”
Soon I made my preparations and followed Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster.
On the way to the Imperial Palace, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster gave me a subtle hint.
“The eunuchs have taken considerable interest in you because of the recent incident.”
“Is that so?”
I couldn’t help but sigh at those words.
This was precisely why I had tried to avoid drawing attention.
Alas, there’s nothing to be done. The water has already been spilled.
I’m doing my best to be cautious, but because of the Emperor, it’s… not easy.

A moment later,
I was granted an audience with the Emperor.
“Your humble servant Eun Seo-ho bows before Your Majesty, the Emperor of Ten Thousand Virtues. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live forever!”
As I prostrated myself with proper courtesy, the Emperor spoke.
“You may rise.”
“I am overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s grace.”
“Indeed.”
The Emperor spoke with a satisfied expression.
“I have reviewed your improvements to the wind-powered mechanism. You may proceed with implementation as planned.”
“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s approval.”
Formally speaking, since the wind-powered mechanism belonged to the Emperor, I needed his consent.
Of course, I had anticipated his approval.
“So then, are you pleased with the rewards I have sent?”
Did he just say rewards, plural?
That meant it included not only the rice but also the heavenly silk that had been sent through the General Store Elder.
“Your Majesty’s benevolence is as vast as the sea itself.”
“There is no need for such formality. I gave it because I was truly grateful. Thanks to you, I was able to use this opportunity to eliminate those who had been scheming to creep into my favor.”
I wonder what happened. I should look into it.
“So then, is there anything else you might need?”
I was about to say there was nothing when something suddenly came to mind.
“Then, Your Majesty, I have one request to make.”

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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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