The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 369

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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 369

Chapter 369. Yongning Hall (1)

“That is the Beijing Branch of our Eunhae Trading Company.”
The voice of Seo-woo Warrior came from beside the carriage.
We had left Shandong and arrived in Beijing once more.
Of course, we could have gone directly to the main headquarters of the Eunhae Trading Company in Hubei, but we had matters to settle in Beijing first.
And my parents needed some rest as well.
No matter how comfortable traveling by carriage might be, the act of traveling itself is exhausting.
“The scale is quite impressive.”
“Wow….”
“It’s ridiculously huge?”
Following Ship Captain Yong Eung-wan’s exclamation, admiration from the others echoed as well.
The crew that Captain Yong had brought numbered nearly fifty.
It seemed like quite a lot, but considering each person’s necessary role in operating a large vessel, it was not excessive.
Operating a large ship required that many hands.
And we would not be operating just one ship.
Among those Captain Yong had brought this time was a sailor who had persuaded the captain himself.
His name was Song Juk.
When I saw him, I was inwardly startled.
He was the navigator who had served as Captain Yong’s right hand in my previous life.
His specialty was reading the stars.
He possessed the ability to determine direction by reading the stars and could even predict weather patterns.
In any case, the maritime trade of our Eunhae Trading Company was proceeding smoothly from the very beginning.

“Welcome.”
When we arrived at the Beijing Branch, the Branch Manager greeted us.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”
At our words, he cupped his fist and bowed his head respectfully.
“Please, don’t mention it. Come inside at once.”
And so we entered the Beijing Branch, and I asked him to arrange lodgings for Ship Captain Yong and his crew.
“Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
At that moment, a woman approached me.
Lady Zaling—no, Seo Hyang.
“Did you have a safe journey?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Fortunately, you don’t seem terribly exhausted.”
At her question, I nodded.
A journey of this length wasn’t enough to tire me anymore.
But I should not have nodded just then.
It was a mistake.
“Then….”
I realized it too late, but the moment had already passed.
“Please review and approve the documents right away.”
Behind Seo Hyang, Yeochang’s Vice-Lord from Hyun Pung clenched his fist and cheered silently with his expression.
I asked desperately, clinging to my last hope.
“Must I go now?”
“Of course, I understand it pains me to see you work immediately after such a long journey, but I’m afraid there are circumstances beyond our control.”
“And this is one of those unavoidable circumstances?”
“Yes.”
She was resolute.
“Young Master, it would be best to go at once.”
At Palgap’s words, I looked at him with a wounded expression, but….
“What can we do? After all, aren’t you the one responsible?”
I had nothing to say.
.
.
.
By the time I finished reviewing and approving the backlog of documents, the sun had already set.
“Now what remains….”
The letters that had arrived in the meantime.
I examined those letters, and….
“Hm?”
There was one letter I needed to read immediately.
A letter from the Guizhou Provincial Governor had arrived.
I quickly broke the seal and opened it.

[I am heading to Beijing for a regular report to the Imperial Palace. I expect to arrive in early December.]

Early December? Today is the first day of December?
That means the Guizhou Provincial Governor will be arriving very soon. Which means….
I lifted my head and looked at Seo Hyang.
“Why do you look like that?”
“A letter has arrived for the Guizhou Provincial Governor.”
“…!”
Seo Hyang’s eyes widened.
“It appears he will be visiting very soon.”
At my words, her eyes grew beautifully bright.
“Then very soon, snow will fall.”
It seemed she had foreseen the future related to this.
.
.
.
After dinner, I made my way to Father’s office.
The Beijing Branch had an office prepared for the Merchant Guild Leader as well.
“Father. It’s Seo-ho.”
“Come in.”
I entered Father’s office and bowed respectfully.
“Yes, what is it?”
“It appears the Guizhou Provincial Governor will be visiting very soon.”
“The Provincial Governor of Guizhou, you say….”
Father asked.
“Does Seo Hyang know about this?”
“Yes. I told her myself.”
“I see.”
After a moment of thought, Father spoke.
“There is a secluded place nearby where others cannot eavesdrop. Take the Provincial Inspector there for a brief outing. It would be good if you went with your Deputy Officer as well.”
Father’s words were filled with consideration for the two of them.
.
.
.
A few days later, a letter arrived.
It was news that the Guizhou Provincial Governor had arrived in Beijing.
I handed over a reply I had prepared in advance and spoke.
“I sincerely hope you will not refuse the Small Merchant’s request.”
“Yes, I will convey it as such.”
The reply to my response arrived that very evening.
After reading that reply, I summoned Seo Hyang.
“Gwak Vice-Manager.”
“Yes, Small Guild Master.”
“Tomorrow I will have a brief meeting with the Guizhou Provincial Governor. Please accompany me.”
“Understood.”
Her voice trembled with anticipation as she answered.

The next morning.
We boarded a carriage and headed toward a nearby mountain.
To be precise, it was the foothills of the mountain with a forest path winding through it, and the scenery was beautiful—an ideal place for a leisurely walk.
It was also a place my father had recommended.
As we approached, I noticed soldiers stationed around the perimeter, keeping watch.
The Guizhou Provincial Governor held a high position, but more importantly, he was of imperial blood.
Even accounting for that, the security seemed excessive…
As I pondered this, I glanced at Seo Hyang beside me and nodded knowingly.
He simply wished for their reunion to proceed without interference.
We descended from the carriage and walked toward the entrance.
“Welcome.”
“It is good to see you again. Have you been well?”
Yeon Gyeok Baek-ho, who served as the Guizhou Provincial Governor’s escort, greeted us.
“Indeed. And who might this person be?”
Since Seo Hyang was currently wearing a veil, Yeon Gyeok Baek-ho did not recognize her.
“She is my deputy officer. I received permission in writing to bring her along.”
Upon hearing that permission had been granted, he allowed Seo Hyang to pass inside.
She followed me without a word.
As we walked, I glanced back discreetly.
Surely he hadn’t noticed.
Continuing forward, a pavilion came into view, and standing upon it was a middle-aged man.
The Guizhou Provincial Governor.
We approached, and I bowed respectfully.
“Small Merchant Eun Seo-ho pays his respects to the Provincial Inspector.”
“Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
I glanced to the side and nodded, and she lifted her veil slightly.
Upon seeing her face, the Governor’s eyes glistened with tears.
Though neither spoke, the tender affection between father and daughter was palpable.
Ah, my own eyes were beginning to well up too.
“Ah… ahem, please be seated.”
“Thank you.”
We sat facing each other across a table arranged on the pavilion.
The Provincial Governor picked up the kettle warming over the brazier and poured the tea himself.
He had deliberately not brought in a Maidservant for this reason.
“So, how have you been?”
“Well, thank you.”
“But… a Deputy Officer?”
His eyes narrowed slightly. It seemed he had overheard our earlier conversation.
Oh no! I need to handle this carefully.
“Well, about that…”
“I requested it first.”
Seo Hyang spoke up beside me, offering an explanation instead.
“I judged it would be the best way to dispel any suspicion from those around us.”
“Ah, that makes sense.”
The Provincial Governor nodded in understanding.
Thank goodness.
I bowed slightly to Seo Hyang as a gesture of gratitude.
“In any case, you appear far healthier than before, which puts my mind at ease.”
“Is the household at peace?”
“Yes, quite peaceful.”
“I’m relieved to hear it.”
As we sipped tea and exchanged various pleasantries, the Provincial Governor spoke.
“This area is quite pleasant for a walk.”
“So I’ve heard. Have you visited before?”
He gazed outward as he spoke.
“When I came to Beijing in the past, my elder brothers and I would often stroll through here.”
“A place filled with happy memories, then.”
“That as well, but it’s also a place where others cannot easily approach.”
So Father had good reason for recommending this location.
“Shall we take a walk for a moment?”
“Of course.”
We rose from our seats and began walking along the path.
As we walked quietly along the path.
Hmm?
My energy seemed to stir with a peculiar vitality.
Tap.
Something cold touched the bridge of my nose.
“Oh? It’s snow.”
“Indeed, it’s snowing.”
Snow was falling from the sky.
It was the first snow of the year.
“Lady Seo Hyang, it’s snowing.”
“So this is… snow falling from the heavens.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
One flake, then two—soon the snow was falling thick and heavy.
Within moments, the surroundings turned white.
A beautiful sight.
Lady Seo Hyang welcomed the falling snow with her entire body, her joy unmistakable.
“At last… that child’s wish has truly come to pass.”
“Now that I think about it, her real wish was simply to witness snow falling from the heavens.”
“Indeed.”
He withdrew a handkerchief and wiped away his tears.
“Of course, she has lost her name… but regaining her health and fulfilling her wish—all of that is thanks to you.”
I felt oddly embarrassed.
“Soon enough, she will recover the name she lost.”
“By then, she will have already passed the age of marriage.”
“…”
“Which is why I have a request for you.”
“Yes?”
Suddenly, an uneasy feeling crept over me.
“Marry my daughter.”
Why are my ominous premonitions always right?
“That is too much of a jest, Provincial Inspector.”
“It is no jest.”
His expression was resolute.
But I had no choice but to persuade him as best I could.
“However, there are many other sons of high officials. Should you not seek a match befitting her station?”
“Given her current status, the only match available would be as a concubine to one of them.”
“…”
That was indeed the harsh reality.
Her status now was not that of the daughter of an imperial official, but merely my deputy officer.
“I cannot accept that. My daughter as someone’s concubine!”
“I trust you do not intend to thrust the position of primary wife upon me.”
“Of course not.”
He nodded.
“The position of primary wife is important, certainly. But what matters far more is a man’s character. And you, from what I have seen, possess greater virtue than any man I know.”
In other words, he was praising me.
This was troublesome.
I was in no position to marry.
I had my own goals—to exact vengeance upon the Murim Alliance and the Baekcheon Trading Company.
I cannot allow my lady wife to walk such a path of hardship for that goal.
At that moment, Seo Hyang, who had been gazing at the snow falling in the distance, turned to look at me.
And she offered a smile both knowing and enigmatic.
As if she had witnessed this very expression of my predicament before.
In such circumstances, I could hardly refuse outright.
I exhaled a weary sigh and deferred my decision.
“I shall give it careful consideration.”
“Then I await a favorable answer.”

* * *

Magistrate Dong Hui of Guizhou Province had returned to his quarters.
He maintained a residence in Beijing where he could stay during his time there.
“Phew….”
He released a breath of relief.
His daughter was faring better than he had anticipated. This brought him considerable peace of mind.
Eun Seo-ho was protecting her admirably, just as he had requested.
Though he was somewhat displeased at having to employ him as a deputy officer, the reason his daughter herself had revealed was sound.
In any case, his request to Eun Seo-ho to marry his daughter had been sincere.
From his perspective, the safest place for his daughter to dwell was at Eun Seo-ho’s side.
Therefore, to keep her from parting with him, marriage was the most prudent course.
Society would certainly gossip about imperial blood marrying a merchant, but that was a concern for later.
For now, his daughter was merely a woman of humble origins and Eun Seo-ho’s deputy officer.
Besides, if his daughter could live safely and happily, what did the world’s judgment matter?
Suddenly, the image of his daughter watching the falling snow with a joyful expression came to mind.
‘Could that child have foreseen even this?’
It was impossible to know.
“Your Excellency, it is I, Yeon Gyeok.”
At those words, Magistrate Dong Hui straightened and spoke.
“Enter.”
The door opened, and Yeon Gyeok, who served as his guard, stepped inside.
“You called for me?”
“Yes. I wish to postpone our departure date by a few days.”
“Understood. When do you intend to depart, then?”
“Let us delay by a day or two only.”
“Very good. I shall see it done.”
.
.
.
Yeon Gyeok, emerging from the Magistrate’s chamber, smiled.
This confirmed his suspicion as truth.
The Provincial Governor had completed his business here, so there was no reason for him to remain any longer.
Yet he was allocating two full days for this visit.
When Eun Seo-ho and the Deputy Officer had headed toward where the Provincial Governor was staying earlier, he couldn’t help but doubt his own eyes at the sight of the woman called Gwak Vice-Manager walking.
That silhouette was unmistakably Dong Ja-ryeong’s.
‘Whatever the circumstances, she hadn’t passed away after all. What a relief! Truly….’

* * *

Upon returning to the Eun Hae Trading Company Beijing Branch, I immediately met with my Father.
“Well, did you meet the Provincial Inspector properly?”
“Yes.”
“I’m curious what was discussed between you.”
At those words, I lifted the teacup and drank.
My throat was parched.
“Well, we simply exchanged various pleasantries. And… he’s requesting that I marry Seo Hyang.”
“Pfft!”

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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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