Chapter 51 - Note

“That also does not sound bad.”

When Gyeonghwi looked around, there were too many people in the streets. He was anxious about leaving Geonwon behind, but he figured it might be all right because his Eyes were around. “There are too many people, so stay here for a moment. I will be right back.”

“Yes.”

“You have to wait here. Do not go anywhere.”

“Do I look like a three-year-old to you? I will stay right against this wall, so do not worry.”

Finally relieved, Gyeonghwi smiled. Geonwoon stared at Gyeonghwi and looked around. It was still bustling—he did not know why all these people were outside instead of sleeping. Geonwoon had eaten a few more dumplings from the bag when a strange man loitered in front of him with some dried meat.

Geonwoon glanced at the stranger. Then, the stranger started speaking. “Those dumplings look very tasty.”

“Yes. I mean, they are.”

“This jerky is also good…”

Geonwoon did not know how to respond. The man sifted through his bag. “How about we trade?” he asked.

“Oh… sure.”

Taking the chance, the man proffered a piece of jerky immediately, making Geonwoon take it like he was offering money. Geonwoon inspected the meat in his hands. Then, he realized that the man had given him a note along with the jerky. When he looked up to ask about the note, the stranger had already disappeared.

…What was that? Geonwoon frowned, not comprehending what had just happened.

He was about to open the note when he spotted Gyeonghwi approaching, so he hurriedly shoved it into the dumpling bag instead.

“I took longer than expected. There were more people than I thought.”

Sweat glistened on Gyeonghwi’s forehead. Geonwoon rolled up the opening of the paper bag, holding it in one hand. Then, he took the candied fruit Gyeonghwi offered with the other. Soon, the sweetness of the candies overwhelmed his mouth. “It is sweeter than I imagined.”

“That is why you eat it.”

Geonwoon shook his head.

“It is so sweet that I am already sick of it. When do we go back?” Geonwoon asked, curious about the note in the bag.

“Are you tired?”

“Yes. Besides, are we not staying here tomorrow as well?”

“If you insist. We will be able to enjoy a different landscape in the daytime. There will probably be more things to see then.”

“It is lively now, but you say it is livelier in the morning. I look forward to it.”

Geonwoon was saying a lot of out-of-character things. Thinking that Geonwoon felt different after arriving at Handan, Gyeonghwi believed he did well. “Since you say that, I feel like it was worth bringing you to Handan.”

The two returned to the inn. Noticing that the window they exited from was closed, Geonwoon asked, “How do you plan on getting back inside, Head Merchant?”

“I will use my agility to jump.”

Geyonghwi looked proud of himself. Geonwoon pouted. Gyeonghwi was too much of a show-off. Gyeonghwi was born an Extreme Yang—even if he did not master any techniques, his natural talents were extraordinary, so leaping into a window was probably not a big deal for him. However, the situation was different from before.

“The window is closed—is that all right? You are not one to vandalize others’ property, so you must have a different method, right?”

“Well, that is…”

“How about we march in? I have too many things in my hands.”

“I carried you in my arms several times. Do you still feel shy?”

Geonwoon scowled, making his annoyance with Gyeonghwi apparent. Meanwhile, Gyeonghwi was having fun teasing him. He pouted and turned around abruptly, running toward the inn. Gyeonghwi was so surprised that he blinked dumbly in place before chasing after Geonwoon, but it was too late—he encountered Eunuch Jang. 

Eunuch Jang looked at them with astonishment. “Y-Your—no, Head Merchant. My Lord.”

Geonwoon nonchalantly handed the candied fruit to Eunuch Jang. “I went on a walk with the head merchant.”

Eunuch Jang looked between the two men. Then, with a pale, fearful face, he said, “W-w-without taking anyone along?”

This time, Gyeonghwi stepped forth. “Nothing happened, so worry not. Besides, even if something happened, I could probably handle it, no?”

“Eun—no, Muk Ahn said that you were spending quality time together, but—”

“Well, it was quality time.” Gyeonghwi grabbed one of Eunuch Jang’s shoulders squarely. His vice grip elicited a short groan from the man, making one shoulder drop. Geonwoon shook his head, heading upstairs.

Gyeonghwi watched the other leave before he threatened his eunuch. “If I say so, just take it as it is. You would not dare to badger me, would you?”

“Y—Head Merchant!”

Gyeonghwi let go of the eunuch and clicked his tongue indignantly. Then, he patted the eunuch’s shoulders. “You must know what I mean.”

Just in time, the captain of the imperial guard ran toward them, looking perplexed. Gyeonghwi spotted the captain and said to Eunuch Jang, “Explain that to this guy. If you do not, you can expect a punishment tomorrow.”

“B-but!”

“Do you like being punished?”

Eunuch Jang shook his head fervently. “Y—Head Merchant, I understand.”

“Then, I will forgive you, so I leave you to deal with the aftermath.”

“My apologies, Head Merchant.”

* * *

Entering his room first, Geonwoon told Muk Ahn to bring him a glass of water. He opened up the dumpling bag and pulled out the piece of paper he received from the stranger.

Will help if you follow the person with a cornflower-blue wristband.

Geonwoon could not comprehend the message. It was simple, without a time or place.

What is this? Whom exactly is he telling me to follow? No matter how he thought about it, this was completely random. Who was this stranger, and what were his motivations? However, the note purported to offer aid, so if Geonwoon could find this person with the cornflower-blue wristband, they might help in one way or another.

Geonwoon might as well give it a shot since he was living as a concubine anyway. On one hand, he thought about King Yeong. Many innocent people almost died, so would punishment await him once again?

But not many accompanied us this time. If I eventually return, I can just claim I was kidnapped.

To begin with, the emperor might not kill Geonwoon’s people since he needed them to coerce Geonwoon. He swallowed nervously. The note was still dubious.

Is this a trap? For Gyeonghwi’s trap, this is… The emperor was always nearby, and the imperial guard lurked out of sight. Was a trap like this truly necessary?

Thinking of that, Geonwoon grew conflicted. His deeply buried feelings started to bubble to the surface again. He wanted to escape; he had to run away. 

Just then, he heard footsteps. He burned the note in the candle, opening the windows. Thankfully, it was Muk Ahn with water. “Place it on the table and leave,” Geonwoon said, glaring at Muk Ahn. Then, he sighed before looking out the window. 

The lanterns were still illuminating the world, and drunkards staggered down the street humming and laughing. Nevertheless, Geonwoon was disturbed. He recalled the contents of the note over and over. Even though he looked up from here, he would not be able to spot a cornflower-blue band.

I do not know why they are trying to help me, but one has to experience the unknown to know…

Even if he got caught, all Gyeonghwi had to do was kill him—if he would even do such a thing. As bitterness overcame Geonwoon, he felt another presence. Jumping at the tender hands stroking his hair, Geonwoon turned around; to no surprise, it was Gyeonghwi.

“I thought you said you were tired.”

“I was only… looking outside.”

“If I had known that you would enjoy it this much, I would have gone out with you, undercover or not.”

Gyeonghwi’s eyes were full of boundless affection. Surely, all the consorts and Yin individuals would want the emperor to look at them that way. At times like these, Geonwoon recalled the weight of his sins. He was doing wrong to Gyeonghwi and many other people.

“I felt stuffy and simply opened the window. No need to be concerned.”

“If that is what you say…”

Geonwoon’s feelings must have been obvious on his face, which made his heart race. He averted his eyes. “I should really wash and go to bed now.”

“Yes—we still have a lot of time. Even if it is not at Handan, I plan on touring the surrounding areas of the secondary palace. I hope you enjoy it too.”

Geonwoon nodded. Then, he prepared to go to bed. He was tired, but he could not fall asleep.

“You look like you cannot sleep.”

“Perhaps it is the different location and bed.”

“How about you close your eyes a bit longer?” 

Gyeonghwi grabbed Geonwoon’s arms, pulling the other man toward him. Geonwoon naturally relented. Gyeonghwi closed his eyes, stroking Geonwoon’s back with his large hands. Geonwoon stared at the other’s face, struck with an odd feeling.

Geonwoon did not know since when, but he had been living day-by-day in Gyeonghwi’s embrace, sleeping with him as if they were long-time lovers. Resigned to his fate, Geonwoon allowed the other man to pull him along.

What should I do…? 

Geonwoon closed his eyes. Oblivious to Geonwoon’s perturbed thoughts, Gyeonghwi merely patted Geonwoon’s back tenderly.