The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 398

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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 Eun Hae Trading Company Chapter 398

Chapter 398. There Was a Reason (5)

At my words, the Emperor burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahahaha!”
Was it approval? Or disapproval?
Tense moments passed, and the Emperor chuckled softly.
“I’ve never met anyone quite like you. Asking an Emperor to play the role of the Man in the Moon—how audacious.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty. I merely sought to ease your concerns with my humble words. I hope you will not take offense.”
“Then, what is your true intention in speaking to me this way?”
“There is no hidden intention, Your Majesty. I merely….”
“Enough! Speak plainly while I’m still in good humor.”
Oh no!
I lowered my head and confessed honestly.
“To be truthful, I harbored ambitions as well. However, since both Imperial Princes have declined, there is no way to forge a connection with the Imperial Family, is there not?”
“That is true. So I intend to arrange a match between your cousin Hong Su-chan and the Princess. Is that it?”
How… how did you know?
“I’ve already heard the news. Hong Su-chan gifted a necklace to the Princess, and she did not refuse it, I’m told.”
He knows everything from beginning to end.
I need to handle this carefully.
“It was merely a gesture of gratitude for the advice, Your Majesty.”
“Was it truly only that?”
“….”
“Very well. I shall indulge you once more. Besides, it brings me no disadvantage—in fact, it is precisely what I desired.”
“Your benevolence is boundless, Your Majesty.”
“Now, withdraw.”
At the Emperor’s dismissal, I hastily took my leave.
I had obtained everything I wanted. There was no point in lingering and risking being detained in the Imperial Palace.

* * *

Eun Seo-ho withdrew, and the Emperor gazed at the space where he had stood, smacking his lips with satisfaction.
“Truly, a man to be coveted.”
“His skill in striking at precisely the right moment and withdrawing is worthy of admiration. I find myself understanding anew why Your Majesty holds him in such favor.”
The Emperor nodded in agreement.
“He knows exactly where I itch and scratches it with perfect finesse.”
The reason the Emperor favored him was that not only did the Emperor himself benefit, but Eun Seo-ho gained as well.
‘Then he has no choice but to do his utmost.’
The Emperor chuckled softly and spoke to the Eunuch.
“Bring Princess Sinaa.”

* * *

Hong Seon-il was working diligently at the Hanlin Academy.
Though he could barely eat properly and sleep adequately, leaving him exhausted, he had to faithfully carry out the Emperor’s orders.
“Hong Su-chan, would this classification work here?”
“This placement would be better there.”
“Very well. But are you certain you’re alright? I hear you haven’t been eating properly these days. Shouldn’t you see a physician for a diagnosis?”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m genuinely worried you’ll collapse at this rate.”
Hong Seon-il offered a bitter smile. He understood well what his condition was and what caused it.
Lovesickness.
‘If I had told myself from a year ago that I would suffer from lovesickness, I never would have believed it.’
And to him, not long ago, Eun Seo-ho had spoken these words.

“Don’t worry, Elder Brother. Everything will turn out well. What matters is your resolve. As long as that resolve doesn’t break, you’ll be fine.”

As for resolve, he was fine.
He could walk into fire carrying kindling without hesitation.
Just as he was about to set aside his thoughts and refocus on his work.
“Hong Su-chan! Is Hong Su-chan here?”
Remarkably, it was the Eunuch who was searching for him.
“His Imperial Majesty is calling for you.”

A moment later.
He stood before the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, I am Hong Su-chan, presenting myself before you.”
“Raise your head.”
“I am overwhelmed by your imperial grace.”
Hong Seon-il lifted his head, and upon seeing his face, the Emperor shook his head slowly.
I had already heard about it.
That Hong Seon-il had been refusing all food and drink lately.
I had honestly considered teasing him a bit, but seeing his gaunt, skeletal face, that impulse vanished entirely.
‘If I tease him carelessly, I’ll lose a loyal subject. And it would be troublesome if he harbored resentment.’
The Emperor reconsidered.
“Tsk, tsk. Is Princess Sinaa really so precious to you that you would harm your own body for her?”
“Ah! Your Majesty, I have committed a grave disloyalty to you.”
He quickly prostrated himself on the ground.
“That is not a concern.”
The Emperor continued.
“If we were to punish merely the thoughts harbored in one’s heart, how many within this palace would need to be executed for treason? After working hard for so long, everyone has surely entertained the thought of killing me at least once.”
“Your Majesty, I have never harbored such a wicked thought.”
The Emperor’s lips curved upward as he nodded.
“I know well of Hong Su-chan’s loyalty.”
“I am overwhelmed by your imperial grace.”
“Then rise now.”
“I am overwhelmed by your imperial grace.”
Hong Seon-il stood, and the Emperor spoke to him.
“Hong Su-chan. Let me ask you seriously—what exactly do you find so appealing about Princess Sinaa? Honestly, her face is rather plain, is it not?”
“It is true that people tend to place importance on outward appearance. That is why we wrap gifts in beautiful cloth and adorn ourselves with fine, expensive garments. However, I believe such external beauty is merely fleeting. True beauty lies in one’s inner character, which is eternal and enduring.”
He continued.
“Therefore, I find the current tendency to judge the Princess solely by her appearance deeply lamentable and sorrowful.”
“So you are saying that you find Princess Sinaa beautiful?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You are a peculiar fellow indeed.”
The Emperor clicked his tongue inwardly.
If his two sons who rejected Princess Sinaa had possessed even half of Hong Seon-il’s character, it would have been far better.
‘Then I would not have to go through all this trouble. Tsk, tsk. Worthless, utterly worthless sons. Alas, what can I do? Their capacity is simply that limited.’
On the other hand, he felt a sense of relief.
At least he had come to understand the true measure of his two sons before they could cause greater harm.
“Hong Su-chan.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“If you marry Princess Sinaa, you will never be able to take a concubine for the rest of your life.”
“That is only natural, Your Majesty.”
“Good. Then let us proceed with the marriage.”
The Emperor’s words, casually tossed out like that, caught Hong Seon-il completely off guard, forcing him to ask for clarification.
“Pardon?”
“Before summoning you, I already called upon Princess Sinaa and inquired of her intentions. She consented, and now that you have as well, there is no obstacle, is there?”
“Then… that means…”
“By imperial decree, I hereby grant permission for the marriage of these two persons.”
Suddenly, Hong Seon-il found himself seeing Eun Seo-ho standing before his eyes.
And he seemed to hear Eun Seo-ho’s voice saying, “Didn’t I tell you it would work out well?”

* * *

Had I mentioned it before?
That the Emperor’s drive and momentum were nothing short of extraordinary.
On that day when I spoke to the Emperor about the Princess of Marae Seo and my Elder Brother Seon-il.
“Hmm? What did you say?”
“Apparently, an Eunuch came to the Yeonjun Trading Company and delivered the betrothal documents.”
The exchange of betrothal documents marks the beginning of a wedding ceremony.
Wow… they say strike while the iron is hot, but I never expected things to move this swiftly.
My Aunt and Uncle must have been quite taken aback.
A marriage to a foreign princess, of all things, coming out of nowhere.
Well,
Previously, I couldn’t mention it because Elder Brother Seon-il had asked me not to, but I should have at least visited them yesterday to give them a heads-up.
Still, it turned out well.
Now Elder Brother Seon-il won’t have to refuse food and drink.
And I can stop worrying about Elder Brother Seon-il as well.
Since the Emperor has taken on the role of matchmaker, the matter will proceed with absolute certainty.
The fact that the Eunuch brought Princess Sinaa’s betrothal documents means the Emperor has become her guardian in the marriage arrangement.
In fact, drawing the Emperor into this was precisely for that purpose.
And among those I know, the Emperor is the one most thorough in handling affairs.
Aside from his desire to make me his work slave, if I had to entrust someone with a task, the Emperor would be my first choice.

Several days had passed.
The engagement between the Princess of Marae Seo and Seon-il Elder Brother progressed rapidly, and they had already exchanged marriage vows.
Thanks to this, it was said that Seon-il Elder Brother’s face always bore a smile these days.
As if the time when he had refused all food and drink, his frame withering away, had never existed.
Yes, well, good is good.
On such a bright spring day, while I was diligently attending to matters in my office, Palgap entered.
“Young Master, Gwak Pyo-du has arrived.”
“Oh, he’s finally here? Tell him I’ll be right there.”
I quickly finished what I was doing and headed to the guest reception room.
As I opened the door and stepped inside, Master was seated, sipping tea.
“I bow to you, Master.”
“Yes.”
Master acknowledged my greeting and continued speaking.
“I heard from Ha Cheol Pyo-du that you handled the matter concerning the Northern Sea Ice Palace most excellently.”
“Many people provided their assistance.”
“Still, the one who suffered the most was you, the Lord—or rather, the Lesser Palace Mistress, was it not? Those who bear responsibility always endure the greatest hardship.”
Regret seeped through Master’s voice as he spoke.
“Ah, and I informed the Palace Master of the Ice Palace that I had become the Lesser Palace Mistress.”
Now that I think of it, he had said he would give me a gift to commemorate my becoming the Lesser Palace Mistress.
“You did well. But why did you ask me to stop by Beijing?”
“Ah, actually, when I went to the Northern Sea this time, I found something that the Previous Seolpung Palace Master had left in the secret vault.”
“What? A secret vault?”
Master’s expression showed he was hearing this for the first time.
At this, I took out the inkstone and asked him.
“Do you know nothing of this inkstone?”
“I’m not entirely certain, but it bears a striking resemblance to one my father used.”
“This inkstone is the key to the secret vault.”
I explained to Master how I had come to obtain it. After hearing the full account, Master spoke.
“It seems someone among those who attacked and destroyed Seolpung Palace must have sold this inkstone. It then came into the Lesser Palace Mistress’s hands.”
After all, it was an inkstone made of jade stone.
But it was the secret vault, and it came into my hands through a miscellaneous goods shop.
“However, the items that were inside—the Previous Seolpung Palace Master had hidden all of Han Ho-su elsewhere, and I found them.”
I continued speaking.
“What was inside belongs to you, as it was left by your father. However, there is too much to give you now, so I will present it to you when I return to Hubei next time.”
“I would prefer to decline, but circumstances do not permit it, so I shall accept it without shame.”
“You should not think such things. It is a legacy left by your father—something you have every right to receive.”
I continued.
“And the reason I asked you to come is because there is something I must give you without delay.”
“Something I must not delay in receiving? What could it be…?”
I opened the secret vault and took out a box from within, offering it to Master.
This box was left behind by my Master’s father for my Master.
“Here it is.”
My Master accepted the box and gazed at the lid, his face turning rigid and pale.

[To the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace and my son, Myeong Hyun]

“This is….”
My Master’s trembling fingers traced over the inscription. His lips quivered visibly.
His eyes trembled too… and soon his entire body shook with emotion.
How could it be otherwise? This was an object left directly by his father, who had passed away twenty years ago, for his son.
Such a reaction was only natural.
“I don’t yet know what lies inside. Since it was left for you, Master, it would be proper for you to open it yourself.”
“….”
And I naturally rose from my seat.
“My apologies. I’ve forgotten that I have pressing matters to attend to. Would it be acceptable if I took my leave first?”
My Master nodded in acknowledgment.
“It would be best if you finished the remaining refreshments before departing. They are quite expensive, after all. There are no guests expected to arrive today, so please make yourself comfortable. I shall withdraw now.”
I rose from my seat and left the Guest Reception Room. Then I spoke to Palgap.
“Ensure that no one else approaches until my Master emerges.”
“You need not worry, sir.”
I glanced back briefly, recalling the reddened eyes of my Master.
.
.
.
My Master departed the Beijing Branch without a word.
But in place of words, a handwritten letter remained.
Its contents expressed gratitude and an apology for showing such unseemly emotion.
What could have been inside that box?
I found myself quite curious about it.

I am currently on my way to the Imperial Palace.
Today marks the second meeting for foreign trade negotiations.
Upon arriving at the Imperial Palace, I was guided by an Eunuch Official to the Ministry of Rites building.
Hmm…
Certainly, unlike before, tension hung palpably in the air among the Imperial Officials here.
It was because of Son Se-gil, whom I had reported to the Emperor.
An investigation was underway to determine if other officials had also accepted bribes.
While my report had brought scrutiny upon other officials in the Ministry of Rites, I felt no particular remorse.
Those without clean hands deserved to feel the weight of their own transgressions.
I engaged in discussions about trade with the merchant representatives who had gathered.
Yet even as we spoke at length, representatives from one merchant guild had not yet arrived.
The Changhae Trading Company—the very guild that Ji Seok-mun, the Small Merchant Guild Leader of Baekbuik Trading Company, had introduced to me previously.
“The Changhae Trading Company seems to be running late.”
At my words, Ji Seok-mun nodded with a worried expression.
“Indeed. It’s unlike them to be tardy…”
Then I stiffened.
Could it be… this aura…?
“Apologies for our tardiness.”
Shortly after, the door opened and a familiar voice reached my ears.
And upon seeing who entered, I could not believe my eyes.
He was from the Murim Alliance…
No—he was Namgung Kang, the Merchant Guild Leader of Baekcheon Trading Company.

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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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