Cheoseo 1787 (13th)
Iseul stared at old master Han in disbelief, an exact mirror of Jeong-hyang's. Their twinned amazement was so charmingly humorous that he was tempted to chuckle. "Master Um has been observed to visit the home of the faction's agent stationed here."
"There's an agent of theirs here?!" Jeong-hyang was horrified.
"Suspicion still lingers because of that incident five years ago. This agent of theirs have been here for a year. He spends much of his time around the painting galleries, keeping an ear to the ground and an eye on business."
"Do they suspect there is some connection to Jeong-hyang?" Iseul said in disbelief. "Such coincidences..."
"...is possible without direct relevance," interjected old master Han. "Master Um could be nothing more than a simple asset. By using his need to travel widely, they wisely spread out their search without exerting too much resources. I doubt they know much about mistress Im."
"Then..," said Jeong-hyang anxiously.
"This concurrence is incidental." Old master Han smiled sympathetically at her sigh of relief. "Master Um can be easily deflected but Chung requires more thorough attention. We can try to remove that painting from his possession but it is a foolish thief who takes no care over his loot."
"We have to focus on the man himself," said Iseul. "Remove favourable circumstances around his position."
"Indeed," nodded old master Han. "If Chung himself is an agent, the intention to seek out Hyewon must be brought to ruin."
"It can be done easily," she said. "He has already vilified himself with his own words and actions. To add more and cloud the issue is of small matter."
"What would you do?" asked old master Han.
"Stoke his pride. How can any man resist it? Especially if his skill is lauded louder than that of Hyewon's? If the painting can be located, would it not be more detrimental if it were to be a fake? Everything that he had said would be doubted."
Old master Han laughed. "Very good." Iseul bowed modestly at the praise. "Indeed, once my old friend is back, we can set about undermining Chung."
"What about master Um, sir," Jeong-hyang asked uncertainly, feeling the need to find out for herself if the man was the uncle has remembered from her childhood. If he was, what had he to reveal regards her sale to the gibang?
"I'm afraid you have to wait," he said regretfully. "If my conjecture is right, he would report no success and cease searching for Hyewon in this town. Until then, both you and Hyewon must not call attention to yourselves. Stay away from Uiryeong until this matter is settled."
Of course he was right. There was no way she would put Yunbok at risk but she could not help feeling anxious that this miracle of an opportunity to link with her past would slip away. Perhaps there would be a chance she could meet this master Um. Shaking herself, she roused to the present. "Sir, it is late, would not the gates be shut by now? If it does not discommode you, sir, I offer the hospitality of this humble abode for the night," she said.
"Indeed," he sighed, "I had intended to visit in the afternoon but was held up. I was hoping Hyewon and my son have found my old friend and returned. It was a vain hope since I know how far they have to go."
"I am sure young master Han is safe and sound, sir," she said encouragingly, hearing the root of his unvoiced concern.
"I do my son an injustice sometimes but I must admit he has improved vastly over the years," he laughed. "My old friend will not mind if I spend the night in his home, I'm sure. My servant will tend to me. I would ask a favor before we all turn in," he added as she was about to get up go over to Suk-kwon's house to prepare the room for him.
"What is it, sir?"
"Will you play another song on your gayageum? I must admit, I enjoyed the piece you played earlier."
"It will be my honor, sir." She got up and moved over to the gayageum.
"And, if you would, something less fiery? I must confess I would prefer a peaceful song lest I dream of angry bees about my head," he added as she smiled in amusement. Iseul hid a grin. He nodded in approval as the gentle strains of the gayageum floated from the strings. Truly, Hyewon was fortunate to have such a wife.
Village Tavern
The smell of prey was illusive but tangible. Eagerly, the dog sniffed along the ground, certain it would soon pick up a more viable spoor. It paused for a moment as its attention was caught by the large shadow standing nearby and dodged just in time as a foot lashed out. Hastily, it retreated and growled in warning. The stooping movement and the raising of an arm was all too familiar an action of pain that it scampered off quickly.
Stupid animal. Chung threw the stone back on the ground. Fit for the pot. Now, where was he? His gaze turned once more to the building. Only a few customers were seated at the tables. He looked through them all carefully. Failing to spot the man he wanted, he looked up at the night sky. It was doubtful he would be able to get back to town before curfew. He might as well try to find a room for the night. Only a room was left, said the tavernkeeper who wanted to show him to it but he asked for a meal instead. At that, the tavernkeeper bustled away.
The wine and side dishes arrived quickly. As he sipped and nibbled at leisure, he began to plan. His prospects were getting more and more rosy by the day. If all went well, he would be settled in wealth. What should he do once he had bought himself a residence? He had yet to decide on a business venture. Perhaps he ought to stick to the one that had brought him luck; painting. A art gallery? The piece of chicken he was chewing was nearly caught in his throat when he spotted a familiar figure walking along the porch. The chopsticks went down with a clatter on the table and he leaped to his feet. As quickly as possible, he hurried after the girl.
"Pardon me, mistress."
The voice was so sudden and unexpected that Soo-jin nearly screamed in fright as she swung around. "What do you want?" she rasped angrily, heart pounding at the scare the man had given her. Her eyes widened in recognition.
"I'm here to present an invitation to master Um." He proferred a letter to her.
"Oh," she said before taking the letter carefully. "He's not in at the moment, I'll hand it to him later." She made to continue on her way but stopped when he put out a hand.
"If I may be so bold. How should I address you?"
"I don't see what it has to do with you, sir," she said, taken aback by his forward manner. "Excuse me," she stopped as he stretched forth his hand again. "Really," she began angrily. If he intended trouble, then she would make it land on his head.
"A gift, mistress. Please accept this." It was then she realised there was a pendant in his palm. "Please, do not cast my pride into the ground."
Pride? He was shameless! A retort rose to her lips that she knew him not but changed her mind. She picked up the pendant gingerly, taking care not to touch his hand at all and walked off. This time, he did not stop her but watched with a light in his eyes. It mattered not to him that she would cast it off soon but that she had heeded his plea. A good step. What was next? Smiling to himself, he returned to his table, ignoring the judging eyes of the other customers who had witnessed the exchange. Fancy approaching a girl so.
Smoke drifted lazily to the ceiling as tobacco gleamed in the smoking bowl of the pipe. Experimentally, Dong-min drew a mouthful and tried to puff rings. The sudden opening of the door startled him not at all but the object that flew through the air and landed on him gave him a moment of fright for he thought it was an extremely large insect.
"Aigoo! What is this?!" he picked it up. A butterfly pendant. "Rather cheap isn't it?" He rubbed his thumb over the threads.
"Oppa, you have such discerning taste." Soo-jin sat down and picked up the jacket where she had left it.
"Who gave this to you?"
"That odious man ajoshi and I ran into in town yesterday."
"What? He's here?"
"He's here to present an invitation to ajoshi." She brought the jacket closer to the open window as she mended the tear. "He waylaid me outside at the porch and gave me that pendant."
"Ahh ... a suitor," he grinned, lifting the pendant. Such poor workmanship! "A threadbare fellow is he?"
"In everything."
"Oh my, that is harsh. Very harsh," he shook his head at the criticism. "Is he still out there?"
"You can take a look at him tomorrow. He should have rented a room for the night."
"Tsk tsk, who's sharper than sharp?"
"Hopefully, enough to make him realise the pain of the chase." They grinned at each other.
The Hills
After everything was cleared away and stored, water was poured on the campfire to put out the flames. Satisfied that all was in order, they set off, returning the glade back to its bucolic state. They took turns at the carrying pole-staff for the venison was heavy. A couple of rabbits that Suk-kwon had found in other traps dangled next to the meat. Rather than releasing them, he had opted to butcher them. A treat for the women, he had declared. Surely the venison was a more than substantial novelty, Yunbok thought as he anxiously eyed the blood seeping through the dripping bundles. The smell would surely attract wild animals.
Without the need to fight an ascending slope, they made better progress with the descent. Suk-kwon knew a shortcut or two which reduced the distance they had to go. By noon, they were already past the midway point. He estimated they would be back at the paper mill within a couple of hours. They stopped by a stream to rest. Young-joon barely had the appetite for cold roast venison. Unaccustomed to such a strenuous march, he was very tired. Suk-kwon encouraged him to drink small sips of water and a few bites of the meat. To chew slowly but not to swallow. If he did not eat, he would feel uncomfortable later when he finally had a meal.
They would rest longer, Suk-kwon decided as he looked at P'ado who was lying down beside the stream. The boy was chewing on his venison and looking at the water, kicking his feet and looked utterly relaxed. Yunbok shook his head at his glance; he was not as exhausted as Young-joon but a longer respite was welcomed as the wound on his lower left leg was aching and itching. Before he realized it, he fell asleep as he sat under a tree and woke up with a start when he thought he heard a call. Sitting up, he looked around as Suk-kwon followed suit. Young-joon snored away beside the stream, having heard nothing.
Worry rose in Yunbok when he saw that the boy was nowhere to be seen. "Where's P'ado?"
"He went off to the bushes to relieve himself," Suk-kwon gestured behind him. "It's not far.," he hesitated.
"I heard something." Yunbok stood up, intending to look for P'ado when there came a yell and the boy came bounding through the bushes. Something heavy was crashing noisily behind him.
"BEAR!" P'ado shouted. The shout jolted Young-joon awake.
"Stop! Don't run!" Suk-kown bellowed as Yunbok grabbed hold of P'ado, intending to carry him away. Young-joon leaped to his feet, staff in hand. "You will only encourage an attack if you run. Stand where you are, don't look directly at its eyes. Speak softly if you have to."
The bear crashed into view as he was speaking and stopped short at the sight of them. It sniffed in their direction and hesitated, its snout wavering back and forth. Its paws shifted.
"What do you suppose it wants?" Young-joon followed Suk-kwon's suggestions to the letter, keeping his voice low. His grip tightened on the staff when he saw that Yunbok and P'ado were closer to the bear than he was. If the bear attacked, they were the nearest targets.
"The meat?" Yunbok did not turn his head. He took a firmer hold of P'ado, ready to toss him out of the way if the bear made a threatening movement towards them.
"It smelled the blood," Suk-kwon agreed. Slowly, he crouched down and untied one of the rabbit carcasses from the carrying pole-staff. "I'll throw this behind him. If he goes, back up and we will leave. Hopefully, the rabbit is enough to satisfy him."
He held the carcass before him, waving it slightly to attract the bear's attention and threw it as far as he could behind it. It heard the noise, looked behind, turned to the front and then back again, sniffing. There was the scent now in two directions, the strongest in front but there were strange animals in the way. It did not like the smell of them. It sniffed again and turned back into the bushes.
"Quick, before it comes back," Suk-kwon said, grabbing hold of one end of the carrying pole-staff as Young-joon tossed his own staff to Yunbok and picked up the other end.
"Wait," Yunbok said, darting forward to remove the remaining rabbit carcass. "I'll hold on to this. If it comes after us again, I'll throw it as a distraction."
"Be careful it does not attack you for it," Suk-kwon warned. "Come, let us hurry."
They hurried off down the trail. Yunbok urged P'ado to keep nearer to Suk-kwon as he glanced behind, deliberately lagging behind so he could cover Young-joon's back. Unlike a tiger, a bear would make considerably more noise so they should hear it before it could attack. When an hour passed with no sign of pursuit, he sighed with relief. They stopped again to rest for a while before setting off again at a slower pace for they were tiring. Before long, familiar landmarks came into sight. They were near the paper mill. As they descend the path down to the creek, Yunbok fancied he heard something behind him and turned to look.
"He's back!" he shouted as a familiar hulk came into sight with a lumbering trot.
"Step into the water and cross the creek!"
Suk-kwon doubled the pace as Young-joon strove to keep up. Water splashed wildly as they waded through. P'ado stumbled, tired by the journey, having valiantly kept pace with the adults. Picking him up by the midriff, Yunbok ran across the stone crossing of the creek, holding the rabbit carcass away from him over the water.
"We'll stop here and see what he does." Suk-kwon wiped off the water droplets from his face when they reached the other side of the creek. Young-joon panted, releasing his end of the carrying pole-staff.
"Aboji, I can't breathe," P'ado wheezed, bent double over Yunbok's arm.
"Oh." Yunbok put him down. The boy promptly dropped to the ground, too exhausted to stand on shaking legs.
"I doubt I can move another step," Young-joon groaned, imitating the boy.
"He's not sure how to proceed since he lost the scent." Suk-kwon pointed to the bear standing on the opposite bank, sniffing around uncertainly. "Better get some pots here, Rascal. I don't want to carry the meat any further."
'Come, let's get you back home." Yunbok slung the rabbit carcass he had been holding back onto the carrying pole-staff, lay Suk-kwon's staff on the ground and picked P'ado up. The boy sighed as he rested on Yunbok's back, arms curled around his neck. "What do you think of this trip out to the hills?"
"It was so looooong!" came the tired complaint.
"Too far for you then." He smiled as the boy yawned. "You did want to come along so you get what you asked for."
Silence answered him. He supposed the boy had fallen asleep and shook his head fondly. No doubt the duration and all that trekking was unexpected but he did not think the boy would be deterred from insisting on accompanying him in future. Reaching the courtyard, he called out as he headed for the kitchen. It was answered. The doors opened. Iseul looked behind him but saw no one. She supposed the rest were at the creek.
"He's just tired," he said to the anxious query on Jeong-hyang's face when she appeared at the kitchen door. "Master Park and Young-joon are down by the creek with some fresh kills so I'll just take some pots down to store them."
"I've already prepared hot water here and at master Park's house. Let me have him so he can be cleaned up, he's so dirty!" she said as he handed a groggy P'ado to her.
"Omoni .. you should have seen the bear," P'ado mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
"Bear? What bear?" Alarm leaped into her eyes as she stared at Yunbok who was collecting empty pots stacked on the cook-top counter near the wall.
"It scented the fresh meat and followed us but we left him behind at the other side of the creek. No one's hurt," he said reassuringly and exited through the kitchen door and returned to the creek to see Iseul chatting to the other two. Yung-chun was examining the rabbit carcass minutely. "Here're the pots," he said as he went up to them. "Did he leave?" he said for the opposite bank was empty.
"Reluctantly, I might add," Suk-kwon said, washing his hands before untying the packages to place the meat in the pots.
"Brother Han, there's hot water to bathe in master Park house," Yunbok said sympathetically to Young-joon who looked ready to sleep right where he was. He looked as dirty as P'ado with both legs muddy to the thighs.
"Aigooo, that's welcome news! I'll just go and drown myself in it." With a groan, Young-joon pushed himself to his feet, wavering slightly. "And after that, a good nap!"
"See that he reaches the house or he might just fall on his face," Suk-kwon said humourously to Yunbok as Young-joon staggered away.
Conceding that he had a point, Yunbok followed after and made sure his friend got to the house without falling down. Suk-kwon and the others were in the courtyard when he returned to his house, discussing, of all things, the type of dishes that could be made with the venision and rabbit. Given that Suk-kwon only knew three dishes, what culinary proficiency could he profess? Feeling hot and uncomfortable, he went to the apt'oe through the kitchen. It was empty so he grabbed fresh clothes from the back room, filled a couple of basins, closed and locked the door and had his bath.
The kitchen was still empty when he passed through it later though he could hear Jeong-hyang talking to P'ado in his room. The daecheong was empty as well. He sat down in the back room, unwound the cloth around his head and spread out his hair to dry. The ache in the injury throbbed as he began to remove the bandage.
"Are you in?" He looked up as Jeong-hyang called softly at the door and got up to unlock it.
"Is he asleep?" he said as he closed it behind her.
"Once I was done." She looked down as a trailing piece of cloth on the floor caught her attention. "Are you injured?!" she exclaimed when she saw the bandage.
"Just a scratch. It's nothing," he insisted as she caught hold of him and pushed him down to sit. "Master Park had a look at it..." he fell silent as she finished what he started and stared at it with anxiety.
"You call this a scratch?!" She pointed to the long gash from knee to ankle. "Stay here and don't move," she ordered and left the room hurriedly.
Really, where did she think he would go? Trying to relieve the itch, he rubbed along the wound as he twisted his leg so he could look at it. It was an angry red with a pinkish amber liquid seeping through the wound. He supposed he had opened the cut during the journey, perhaps during the run across the creek. Jeong-hyang returned with a basin and cloths.
"Ouch, that hurts!" he yelped when she applied a piece of cloth to the wound after wringing it out.
"The wound has opened," she said after examining it closely. "Did you hit the injury again?"
"I don't know ...ouch! I could have, we were rushing to get back here," he said as he recollected their return journey, brushing against bushes as they took short cuts when they could, climbing up and down, leaping across rocks.
"Well, you have aggravated it definitely." she said worriedly, ignoring his low mutterings as she dipped the cloth again in the warm water and cleaned the wound gently. "Stay off the leg for the next few days."
"Hyangya, that's not possible. There are chores and farm work to do!" he protested, wincing at the pain.
"Fine, then let master Park deal with the heavier loads." she said firmly, wishing he would just listen to her.
"Ouch, what are you doing?" he jerked as she squeezed the wound gently.
"There's a little pus here I think, I have to remove it just to be sure. Stop moving around."
To his relief, she stopped after a while, wrung out the cloth for a final time and wiped his lower leg before getting up to remove some bandages from the bandaji. The wound throbbed softly as he examined it.
"What kind of water is that?" he said as he peered into the basin. "It's yellow."
"Herbs and honey," she said, patting the wound dry before applying a fresh bandage spread with honey. "Are you feeling feverish?"
"No, just tired," he sighed as he lay down. "We found master Park just before night fall yesterday. He has a very nice retreat, almost a sanctuary for birds. You should have been there this morning. It was like all the birds in the world have gathered in that one place. He built a sort of house up in the trees too, just so he can be closer to the birds."
"A house in the trees?!" she stared incredulously at him. "Did you see this house?"
"No, we didn't have the time." He sat up as she cleaned her hands on a fresh damp cloth and prodded at him, indicating she wanted to do his hair. "He told us the story between him and that woman, Hyun-ok." He repeated the tale to her. "Did she come again?"
"Yes, she did. In the morning. But she said she will try one more time tomorrow," she said sadly, thinking of what he had told her. "I think it will be her last attempt in whatever she intended."
"I hope she succeeds, master Park need closure," he said, taking the manggeon she handed to him and bound it around his head. "Did anything else happen?"
"Old master Han came by." She related to him the visit and what had been discussed.
"Fancy Iseul being able to figure out who I am from so little." He fingered his false moustache, absent-mindedly checking it was secured. "Su-dae is not going to repeat her mistake again, do you think?" he sighed when she shook her head. "I don't think so too. She won't ever forget what she had done," he frowned. "It's incredible to think this master Um is possibly the uncle you remember."
"I really want to meet him. To see if he is ajoshi Heo but...," she pleated the cloth of her chima.
"If the heavens wills it, you will see him." He touched her hand to comfort her. "Have faith."
"I suppose." There was little hope in her.
"Hyangya, we will see what tomorrow brings." He leaned towards her, gathering her close and feeling her answering hug. Even though they were only apart for a day, neither was used to a separation that had not occurred for quite some time.
"Aren't you tired?" She pushed him away to tap his nose playfully when he began to nuzzle her neck.
"Now that you mention it," he turned away and lay down. "I don't even have to guess what's for dinner. Just don't let master Park make the soup..," his voice trailed off.
"What soup?" she said but there was no answer.
Smiling fondly, she trailed a finger over his face as he slept then threw the quilt over him. She collected the basin and cloths and exited the room quietly to find Iseul and Yung-chun in the kitchen, debating what dish to prepare with the venison. It was a pointless exercise, why not see what other ingredients was available, she pointed out. In the end, they settled on preparing ssam, cutting out a suitable portion before sending the rest to haraboji Yoo and the village elders.
That night, revived by their nap, the adventurers were in better spirits to enjoy the dinner. P'ado regaled the women with what he had seen, expounding in detail about the bear. Young-joon declared he had eaten a fine dinner and thanked the cooks. He couldn't resist voicing his relief that the soup was more palatable than some he could name of and was promptly embroiled in a debate with Suk-kwon as the women listened in amusement. The argument was carried out to the porch as the men left the daecheong so the women could have their dinner. Yunbok saw P'ado to his room for he could tell the boy was still tired. Rather than resist, P'ado was willing to roll into his bedding and fell asleep almost at once.
Although he was tempted to do likewise, Yunbok walked out to the porch to listen to the debate which had changed to the subject of falling asleep in the tub at the expanse of the host. Apparently, his friend had drowsed off and caused no end of annoyance and anxiety to Suk-kwon who had waited and fretted outside the kitchen. He had to resort to shouts and much banging of the door and was contemplating breaking it down when Young-joon finally answered. In the buff. Yunbok hid a grin at Suk-kwon's mock indignation as his friend's face turned red. The topic was dropped when the women came out to join them. Catching Jeong-hyang's eye, Yunbok excused himself and walked with her down to the creek.
"I've been thinking," he said quietly as they passed the woodyard.
"What about?" She reached out for the hand he offered to her. It was quite dark for they had not taken along a chorong but there was just enough light from the moon for them to see where they were going.
"You could visit master Um without saying too much about me." He paused a moment to make sure there was nothing in front of them. "If he is this ajoshi Heo, just reunite with him."
"Have you forgotten? Iseul said he saw me the night we walked her back to the gibang, that means he has seen you too," she reminded him.
"Just say I've gone off on business or something." He grasped her hand tightly to ensure she did not fall as they walked down the slope to the creek.
"I don't think it's going to be as easy as eating dubu," she said doubtfully. "There is so much at stake."
"Hyangya, unlike the tti that come regularly on their rounds, this is the rarest of opportunity..," he stopped when she pulled his hand.
"Painter, not when he can harm you. I'll not lose you just for the sake of an old family friend," she caught him in a tight hug. "No," she insisted when he was about to protest.
"But is there not a family matter he wants to settle?" he said a moment later.
"What can it be when my father has passed away? Painter!" She caught hold of his face to stare into his eyes of which she could see dimly. "Let it go."
"Can you, truly?" he saw her sadness. "It matters not that I may be discovered. What is of import to my heart is your happiness."
"It is only a small stone."
"Even a small stone can hobble. Hyangya, let us do this. He has searched for ten years, he will not give up that easily. Fate might even lead his feet to the paper mill. What would you do then?"
"I wish..," she stopped.
"I know but let us take the initiative while it is still open to us," he said. "Control the situation before it is taken away."
The murmur of the water was barely audible but soothing. He felt some her tension easing slightly as she considered the suggestion. If all went well, the murky questions regard her own family would be answered and settled. Further discussion would be needed with Suk-kwon. If it did not turn out well, the boy would have someone to look after him. They had a good life these several years, he could ask for no more. Something pungent drifted to his nose as he contemplated the gleaming water.
"Do you smell that?" she said, puzzled by the strange odor.
"Stay still." He held her as she made to turn to peer around, seeking the source. Now they could both hear the soft snuffling and thumping of something heavy moving near them. "Whatever you do, do not scream or make any sudden movement," he murmured as he strained to see what it was to confirm his suspicion.
"What is it?" she whispered, turning her head slowly towards the sound as it moved around.
"I think it's the bear. Looking for the meat." Various options came to mind, none of which offered a viable solution out of their predicament. "If it attacks, run up to the house at the first opportunity while I distract it."
"No." Fearfully, she gripped his jacket steadfastly. Injuries inflicted by an angry bear would be horrendous. She was not going to let him take the brunt of it.
"Hyangya, I'll just lead it on a chase, nothing will happen," he said persuasively, tensing as the shuffles became alarmingly louder as the bear roved about.
"No," she stiffened as she imagined the bear leaping on them.
No help for it then. He grabbed hold of her waist, intending to shove her out of the way if the bear pounced. Hoping he would have the time to do that. As if guessing his intentions, she twisted her fingers into the folds of his jacket. A loud snort froze them. The bear sniffed, rumbling audibly. Where was the scent? It was strongest near the water before fading away into nothing. It waffled uncertainly, there was the strange smell of those large animals again. It sat down, licking its paws and smelled the air inquiringly. Rumbling in disappointment, it got up and wandered back to the stone path crossing and returned to the hills, leaving two vastly relieved people behind.
They stood for a long moment, unable to believe their fortunate escape. "Do you suppose it will come back?" she said weakly, heart still racing from the scare.
"I hope not. It's fortunate master Park had the meat stored in the pots immediately when we reached here. If we had carried it all the way to the house.," he shook his head as he imagined the bear breaking in and the chaos that would ensued. For certain, someone would be injured or even killed. "Come, let's go back."
The others were still chatting away when they reached the porch. They were astonished to hear of the encounter with the bear. It might returned again, just to see if it could find the scent of the meat. So the first thing they would have to do was to remove the odor of blood it had been following. A general dispensing of vinegar on both banks of the creek and along the trail to the hills would do the trick. The talk shifted to the forthcoming Chuseok. If the women at the village won the weaving competition, a huge feast was expected. Certainly, he must attend on that day, Young-joon declared. A deluge of teasing followed. On that note, everyone retired for the night.
"Can you stay off the weeding of the fields tomorrow?" she asked as she combed her hair, eyeing him anxiously in the mirror.
"It should be fine, don't worry. It's only till the afternoon, not the entire day," he said soothingly. He was not feeling any pain, just an ache. He doubted there would be any problems. "In several more days the rice will be harvested, hands are needed to make certain of a good harvest."
"If there is the slightest.," she persisted, knowing he tend to dismiss discomforts.
"Hyangya, I promise I will scream and shout if I feel the slightest twinge." He shied away in mock fear from the hand she raised. "All right, all right, I will tell you if I feel any pain." He grinned as he caught her hand and pulled her over to the bedding. "It was cold last night. Do you know what I miss?"
"No," she lied.
"No?" He pulled her closer.
Her breath caught. "Why don't you show me?"
Korean Words
manggeon - horse hair headband
