The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 246

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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 246

Chapter 246. Seon-mi’s Wedding Ceremony (1)

I informed Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster about the admission procedures for that academy.
“I’m truly grateful.”
“Not at all. How could I fail to do even this much when I owe the Geumui Guard such a tremendous debt?”
Now that I think about it, I really should visit that place once.
Eun Jung-ho mentioned he would be coming for Seon-mi’s wedding ceremony this time.
Should I go together with him while he’s here?
.
.
.
A few days later,
I was heading toward the Yeonjun Trading Company.
Watching people struggle in the oppressive heat while fanning themselves, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
Wouldn’t it be better if everyone had a portable fan they could carry in their hands instead of laboring with those large fans?
I should discuss this with Gong Mil.
Time really does fly, doesn’t it?
Five years have already passed since I began my second life, and now I’m witnessing Seon-mi’s wedding ceremony.
“Young Master, the Former Merchant Lord and the First Young Master should be arriving soon.”
“Ah, has it already gotten to be that time?”
I quickened my pace.
It was time for my Grandfather and Eun Jung-ho to arrive at the Yeonjun Trading Company.
Soon we arrived at the Yeonjun Trading Company, and I saw my Uncle and Aunt had come out to greet us.
It seemed they hadn’t arrived yet.
“I apologize for being somewhat late.”
“No matter. The Father-in-law hasn’t arrived yet, so it’s fine.”
At my Uncle’s words, I quickly took my place beside him.
Perhaps because of the matter of purchasing that Imperial Palace property, my Uncle seemed to treat me somewhat more warmly.
He had already looked upon me favorably because I had helped Seon-il Elder Brother when he was preparing for the civil service examination, but now his eyes were filled with genuine affection.
In truth, my Uncle had encouraged Seon-il Elder Brother to study partly because of the tyranny of the Ministry of Household Affairs officials.
It was a matter of not wanting his son to become a corrupt official.
And my Uncle favors capable people.
As we waited, I heard the sound of a large group approaching from far away.
Soon several carriages arrived, surrounded by Eun Pung-dae Warriors.
“Whoa, whoa!”
As the Coachman reined in the horses, the carriage came to a halt.
The carriage door opened, and my Grandfather and Eun Jung-ho stepped out.
Father was supposed to come as well, but something came up and prevented him from attending.
“Welcome.”
My Aunt and Uncle stepped forward to greet my Grandfather.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”
“Father, the journey must have been taxing.”
“Your father is still spry and vigorous.”
After exchanging greetings, my Grandfather turned his gaze toward me.
“Grandfather, welcome.”
“Yes. I’ve heard the news. Things are progressing well, I understand.”
“It’s all thanks to your teachings, Grandfather.”
“Nonsense. It’s thanks to your own efforts. In any case, you’ve been working hard.”
Meanwhile, Eun Jung-ho was exchanging pleasantries with my Uncle and Aunt.
My Elder Brother’s Wife had not come this time.
Geon-hyuk and Bo-yeon were still at an age where they needed their mother, and it would have been difficult for her to make the journey with them.

My Grandfather headed toward my Quarters, while I set off with Eun Jung-ho toward the new construction site of the Beijing Branch.
“Everyone was quite astonished when they heard you’d acquired that land—Father especially, and all the elders as well.”
“I was simply fortunate, that’s all.”
“Fortunate, you say…”
Eun Jung-ho regarded me with an enigmatic expression.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s just that somehow, I have a feeling you’re the type to create your own fortune.”
“I’m not that remarkable.”
At my words, Eun Jung-ho chuckled softly.
Why was he laughing? Was what I said really that amusing?
“No matter how I think about it, I believe it was fortunate that you took on this responsibility. Don’t you think I know what’s on your mind? You recommended me because you wanted to solidify your position as the next Merchant Guild Leader, didn’t you?”
Ah… he knew all along.
I couldn’t help but scratch the back of my neck awkwardly.

We headed toward the new construction site.
The new construction site where the Beijing Branch would be built was actively under construction.
“Ah, Small Guild Master, you’ve arrived?”
“The First Small Guild Master has come as well.”
The Coachman overseeing the construction work greeted us, and we acknowledged his bow with a nod.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
That Coachman was someone who had operated a shop in Beijing for a long time.
When establishing the Beijing Branch this time, I promoted him to Branch Manager, and perhaps because of that, he was genuinely committed to the construction.
“We’re currently in the foundation phase. It looks like the foundation work will be completed in about ten more days.”
“Father has high expectations as well. Please continue to work hard.”
“Understood.”

After inspecting the branch like that, we went to the temporary residence and encouraged the employees of Hyun Pung Bureau who were working diligently.
“This time, the Main Headquarters has hired a large number of new employees. Once their training is complete, I’ll have them assigned to Hyun Pung Bureau as well.”
“Thank you so much!”
“We’re truly grateful!”
At Eun Jung-ho’s words, the employees looked as though they might cry from emotion.
“Is that really true?”
At my question, Eun Jung-ho nodded.
“Yes.”
Of course, I too felt moved enough to shed tears.
After finishing our schedule with Eun Jung-ho like that, we headed back to the Yeonjun Trading Company.
“By the way, when is Seon-mi coming home?”
“Tomorrow.”
At last, tomorrow, Seon-mi returns home.

The next day,
the Yeonjun Trading Company bustled with activity from morning.
It was the day Seon-mi would return, and the wedding ceremony—now only days away—added to the frenzy.
My Aunt had ventured into the courtyard early, right after breakfast.
She was waiting for Seon-mi.
I couldn’t let her wait alone, so Eun Jung-ho and I stood beside her.
My Uncle was far too occupied with other matters.
After waiting roughly half an hour, a carriage bearing the Yeonjun Trading Company’s emblem came racing toward us from the distance.
My Aunt’s expression bloomed with joy at the sight.
Soon the carriage arrived in the courtyard, and its door swung open.
“Mother!”
A cheerful voice rang out, and she emerged from within.
“Seon-mi!”
My Aunt hurried forward and embraced her. Though Seon-mi appeared slightly thinner than before, she looked remarkably well.
“Ah! I greet you both, Elder Brothers.”
Seon-mi turned and bowed respectfully to us. She retained her vibrant spirit, yet the education from the Great Scholar’s wives had instilled in her bearing an unmistakable grace.
“You’ve studied quite diligently, it seems.”
At my words, Seon-mi nodded.
“Yes. I have studied and practiced earnestly so as not to waste the opportunity you gave me, Elder Brother.”
“Impressive. Honestly, I thought you wouldn’t last even ten days.”
“I am not so weak as that.”
That’s right.
That’s why, even in her previous life, she could endure the contempt of her husband’s family with such steadfast resolve.
“You must be hot. Come inside and catch some breeze from the fan.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Watching Seon-mi walk alongside my Aunt, my heart swelled with emotion.
“She’ll live well from now on.”
At Eun Jung-ho’s words, I nodded in agreement.
“Then she must live well.”
Come to think of it, in her previous life, Seon-mi had held her wedding ceremony in the sixth month, somewhat earlier than now.
This time, the wedding date had been postponed due to Seon-mi’s determination to receive her education to the very end, and the groom’s family’s unwillingness to treat lightly a child who had even shared tea with the Empress herself.
Pat.
Eun Jung-ho placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke.
“Let’s share a drink after all this time.”
“A drink?”
“Jin-ho hasn’t been drinking with me lately at all.”
“What? Jin-ho won’t drink?”
“That’s right. Whenever he sees alcohol these days, he just shakes his head. What happened to him when he went to the Northern Sea?”
Well, that makes sense.
After drinking that much, anyone would grow weary of it.
I decided to continue protecting Jin-ho’s honor.
“Work? No, I’m saying this for your health. So you should drink some honey water too for your health.”
“Honey water….”
“And it’s not even lunchtime yet.”
That was when it happened.
“Huff! Huff!”
A figure came rushing toward us from a distance in great urgency.
Huh? That’s Seon-il Elder Brother!
Why is he running toward us in such a panicked state?
“What’s the matter, Elder Brother?”
“Ah, Eun Jung-ho, and… *panting*, Seo-ho. This is terrible.”
“What happened?”
“Won Gyeong… *panting*… has gone missing.”
What?
What kind of sudden calamity is this?
.
.
.
Soon, someone came from the groom’s family residence to deliver the news, confirming that what Seon-il Elder Brother had told us was true.
Naturally, both families fell into chaos.
“Have you searched all the places he might have gone?”
In response to my Uncle’s question, the Vice Minister answered.
“Of course.”
“Then where on earth….”
With the wedding only days away, the groom’s family was in a state of panic.
“Could it be that he ran away because he doesn’t want to marry?”
At someone’s voice, all eyes turned in that direction. It was Won Si-gang’s Younger Mother, the groom’s stepmother.
“Well, that could be possible, couldn’t it?”
“That’s impossible.”
Seon-mi responded to her with confidence.
“The husband I know would apologize and withdraw from this marriage if he disliked me, but he would never do something so cowardly.”
“But people can change when facing something momentous….”
“Silence!”
A sharp, commanding voice rang out.
Everyone turned their heads, and there stood an Elder.
Seeing him, the Vice Minister quickly rushed over and bowed.
“Father, you’ve arrived?”
“Yes.”
He was the Vice Minister’s father and Won Si-gang’s grandfather.
He rebuked the woman who had just suggested the elopement theory.
“If the child has gone missing, you should be thinking about how to find her, not spouting nonsense about running away because she doesn’t want to marry! Do you think you can say whatever comes to mind just because your mouth is loose?”
“….”
Everyone frowned as they looked at Won Si-gang’s Younger Mother. Now that I thought about it, in my previous life, that woman had caused Seon-mi considerable suffering.
In any case, she was a woman I thoroughly disliked.
“So, did you seek help from the Imperial Official?”
“Yes, of course. And the Emperor himself said he would provide assistance.”
“Well, that’s fortunate.”
I watched Seon-mi, whose trembling hands were clasped tightly together.
Won Si-gang’s disappearance….
This never happened in my previous life.
Why did this occur? Perhaps some of the changes I made caused this situation.
That’s why the wedding ceremony was delayed somewhat.
Needlessly… no, never mind.
I had decided not to blame myself for such matters anymore.
I clenched my fists tightly.
Such matters could be resolved and forgotten.
“I will go out and search as well.”
I spoke to my Uncle and then stepped out into the courtyard.
Seon-il Elder Brother followed behind me.
“Do you have some method in mind?”
“I will simply do my best.”
Seon-il Elder Brother’s eyes were filled with worry.
“I’m counting on you. Seon-mi is important, but… Won Senior is truly a good senior. That’s why I didn’t object when I said I would hold the wedding ceremony with Seon-mi.”
“I understand. By the way, do you happen to have something that Won Si-gang used to wear?”
“Hmm? Something he used… there is something at the Imperial Palace….”
“I need that. Please don’t ask why.”
At my words, Seon-il Elder Brother nodded.
There is one creature with the greatest ability to find missing people. It is Geumryeong, who is hidden in my sleeve.
However, to have Geumryeong find someone, I needed something that person had used.
Since it was difficult to explain the reason to others, I had asked Seon-il Elder Brother.

A short while later,
Seon-il Elder Brother returned from the Imperial Palace with something in hand.
“I wondered if we had anything suitable, but it turned out Won Senior had left behind a towel. Since summer brings profuse sweating and one tends to wash up frequently, he kept it stored in his personal locker for such occasions.”
“Thank you.”
I took it and returned to my quarters.
After instructing Palgap to keep watch, I retrieved Geumryeong and placed him on the table.
“Geumryeong, you need to find the owner of this towel.”
“Squeak? Squeak.”
“You want silver coins? I’ve prepared some in advance.”
I opened my palm to show him the silver coins. Geumryeong quickly swallowed them.
Then he pressed his nose against the towel I offered and sniffed intently. And then….
Whoosh—!
He darted off like an arrow and returned roughly an hour later.
The fact that it took only about an hour meant the location was relatively close.

* * *

A building.
Inside, a man was bound tightly to a pillar.
It was Won Gyeong, the groom-to-be betrothed to Hong Seon-mi.
He had only recently regained consciousness after fainting.
He racked his mind trying to understand why this had happened, but the reason eluded him.
Through the window, he could see that dusk was falling.
Creak.
The door opened and three men entered.
“What on earth is the meaning of this….”
Thunk—!
Before he could finish speaking, a dagger grazed his face and embedded itself in the pillar.
“….”
“Be quiet.”
The eyes of the man who had thrown the dagger were cold and piercing.
“At least tell me the reason—surely that would make this less unjust?”
One of those holding him captive spoke in response to his plea.
“The reason… Yes, because of your family, our clan was utterly destroyed?”
“…?”
“From your expression, it seems you don’t understand. Thanks to your grandfather, our family was ruined. So we thought—wouldn’t it be satisfying if your grandson were found dead before his wedding?”
“We wanted to keep you alive longer and make you suffer, but there are quite a few people searching for you, so it won’t work.”
He approached Won Gyeong, dagger in hand.
It was then.
A strange sound reached Won Gyeong’s ears.
“Squawk!”

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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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