Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 90

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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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Chapter Ninety
“He’s strikingly handsome, they say.”
“I’ve never seen anyone so exceptional. And his voice—so deep and resonant.”
“Apparently he defeated Princess Gye-san in a Sparring Match yesterday.”
“My goodness, really?”
The women preparing breakfast in the early morning chattered away gleefully.
A-rang and Ju-hong, who had come into the dining hall for water, showed interest in the gossip.
“Who are you talking about?”
The woman trimming cabbage answered A-rang’s question.
“There’s a new soldier called Wol-ya, and he’s so strikingly handsome that once you see him, you can’t forget his face.”
Gyeonhweon-gun was famous for many reasons.
First, it was the army of Gye-san, the Undefeated General; second, the food was delicious. Third, there were many men of exceptional appearance.
With Gum and Yong-yong stationed there, and Buyeo Hui frequently coming and going, it was strange that the camp women—whose tastes had become impossibly refined—spoke in unified praise.
“But if his name is Wol-ya, he must be of noble birth?”
The woman shook her head.
“Apparently not. It’s just… how do I put it? You can’t speak to him casually. There’s this sense that he’s not someone to be approached carelessly.”
“That’s it—he has such bearing. We happened to make eye contact once, and my heart trembled so that I nearly collapsed right there.”
The woman chopping radish put her hand to her chest and made a theatrical gesture, causing the others to burst into laughter.
Ju-hong, whose arms curved inward, interjected.
“Still, I doubt he’s more impressive than our Crown Prince.”
“You’d change your mind once you see him.”
“That’s right. I saw our lady walking beside him in the morning, and they matched so perfectly. Like a matching pair, they really did.”
At the mention of Sam-cheon, A-rang showed interest.
“…With our lady?”
“Yes. It seems our lady had business in Sabi-seong and he accompanied her for protection.”
Ju-hong and A-rang, who had been drinking water with rapt expressions, froze simultaneously.
“It sounds like quite the affection, if you ask me.”
“I saw them pass by earlier, and our lady was staring so intently at his profile, then smiled so brightly.”
Everyone laughed—ha ha, ho ho—but Ju-hong and A-rang could not join in.
“But… but I’m supposed to be her guard…”
“Smiled… so brightly?”
A-rang’s face fell as though the kingdom had been lost, while Ju-hong set down the wooden bowl with a sharp clack.
Heat blazed in Ju-hong’s eyes.
‘I must return at once and report this disaster to the Crown Prince.’
“Include this item as well. Can you have everything ready by noon?”
Sam-cheon placed her order without hesitation. The clerk at the Sabi branch of the Geumdeong Trading Company showed reluctance over the tight schedule.
“The number of items is too large for noon. Could you perhaps reduce the order?”
It did seem unreasonable. Sam-cheon apologized to Ju-hong for the delay, but they had to reach Ungiin-seong before sunset—arriving much later would be troublesome.
“Which items would need to be cut?”
“Perhaps three or four…”
The clerk about to negotiate trailed off upon spotting the proprietor. The man strode over and struck the clerk’s back of the head, inserting himself into the conversation.
“Of course we’ll provide them. These are for no one else but those of Gyeonhweon-gun. We’ll make it work, no matter what!”
As the proprietor declared this loudly with conviction, the clerk who was rubbing the back of his head wore a troubled expression.
All those items had to be gathered from different warehouses, and no matter how he calculated, time was tight. Sensing the difficulty in the clerk’s expression, Sam-cheon spoke.
“There’s no need to strain. Since we can’t reduce the bulkier items, just exclude the tea.”
The proprietor waved his hand dismissively.
“No, no. Leave it to us, and we’ll have everything ready on time. You won’t be disappointed.”
There was visible determination to make good on this promise.
Gyeonhweon-gun had dealt consistently with the Geumdeong Trading Company. The proprietor was an efficient man who got things done cleanly, but not a particularly kind one.
It was unusual for such a man to insist this strongly, so much so that declining seemed odd.
“Understood. Still, should time become tight, please exclude the tea.”
“As you wish. Please take care on your way.”
The proprietor nodded briskly, then glared at the clerk.
“Aren’t these the people who risk their lives fighting for our Baekje? From now on, do your utmost in all things.”
He spoke loudly for all to hear, and his gaze drifted past Sam-cheon’s shoulder.
It landed on Wol-ya. The proprietor bowed slightly toward him—not merely a gesture of courtesy, but a bow of genuine respect.
After leaving the trading house quietly, Sam-cheon asked Wol-ya a question.
“Do you have a connection to this place?”
“I am the owner.”
Sam-cheon’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“The Sabi branch?”
As she asked, the pieces fell into place.
“The Geumdeong Trading Company.”
“Yes.”
If the entire Geumdeong Trading Company belonged to him rather than merely the branch, the proprietor’s reaction made sense.
One could guess from his appearance alone that he possessed considerable wealth, but she had not known he was counted among Baekje’s greatest merchants.
“Thank you for the assistance.”
“It was nothing. Where next?”
“There’s someone I need to meet privately.”
As she spoke, children ran past in a group, singing, each clutching a piece of candy.
Is it only through bearing that we call them ours?
Child left behind in this distant land,
A mother’s tears know no end,
And the very earth withers beside her.
As the children passed, the gazes of passersby gathered, then scattered. A few hummed along with the melody.
‘It’s proceeding well.’
Sam-cheon smiled faintly and turned onto the main street.
The meeting place was a Tea House. The person she was to meet would either be concealed or in disguise, so it might not be easy to spot them at first glance.
It was just as they entered.
“You spill water on my Silk Robe and that’s the end of it—an apology?”
Found her.
What good was concealing one’s face with cloth when such a sharp temperament made one’s presence unmistakable?
A clerk knelt before Ha-bin, bowing his head.
“I have committed an unforgivable sin.”
“Do you think your wretched life could compensate for my Silk Robe?”
The clerk cried out in supplication.
“Please, please forgive me.”
Sam-cheon covered her face with one hand.
The clerk was suffering greatly at Ha-bin’s hands over the spilled water. The problem was that everyone’s attention was focused on them.
Since she wasn’t perfectly disguised—only her face concealed with cloth—anyone who knew Ha-bin could recognize her without much difficulty.
Sam-cheon turned slightly toward Wol-ya and whispered.
“I’m sorry to ask, but would you smile for just a moment?”
As Sam-cheon stepped aside from the doorway, Wol-ya’s figure, who had been following behind, became visible. The gazes of those fixed on Ha-bin and the clerk began to shift, one by one, toward him.
Realizing his role, Wol-ya curved his lips into a smile. It was neither excessive nor inadequate, and from various corners of the Tea House, gasps of admiration escaped.
Except for the kneeling clerk and the flustered Tea House proprietor, no one’s attention remained unsnared. Sam-cheon approached and called out to Ha-bin.
“Celestial Maiden.”
Ha-bin started and turned to look at Sam-cheon.
“I thought you were at Ungiin-seong, but I’m so pleased to see you here.”
Sam-cheon gazed directly into Ha-bin’s eyes and smiled broadly, then feigned sudden confusion.
“Oh, but I was mistaken, wasn’t I? I’m sorry. Your eyes resemble those of the Celestial Maiden so closely that I was confused. Though the Celestial Maiden would surely never treat a clerk so harshly, would she?”
Only then did Ha-bin realize her mistake, and she pressed her lips together.
Usually she had to pretend to be gentle and couldn’t act according to her true nature. But once her face was concealed with cloth, the reins came loose.
Seeing that Ha-bin understood, Sam-cheon turned to the proprietor and spoke.
“The atmosphere has become too lively. I’ll come again next time.”
As she turned to leave, the back of her neck felt warm.
Once outside the Tea House, Sam-cheon released a small sigh and bowed her head toward Wol-ya, who had followed her out.
“Thank you for your help with that impertinent request.”
“It was a simple matter. But do you have an acquaintance with the Ye Family?”
“This was only the third meeting, so it’s difficult to call it an acquaintance. Both previous meetings were unpleasant. She’s rather difficult.”
“Why do you meet with someone like that?”
There was no other reason.
“There’s a Prophecy I need from her.”

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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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