Changyeong Palace
"Your Majesty have been so busy with the management of the country and you've become so thin. You're making your grandmother feel heartache." Within the imperial palace, Queen Dowager Jeong-soon was sampling the Longjing tea of the finest quality brought back from the imperial mission group to China. The beautiful face which seemed to have a smile etched to it forever, did not seem to show the wickedness within. Only that pair of eyes betrayed the coldness which seemed able to send shivers down people's spine.
"Yes indeed, Grandmother. Since minister Jo Youngjung and Hanyang's district's mnister Kim Guijoo retired, I seem to be like a child without proper support. I have to attend to many things personally and now I'm preparing something quite big and important and I am just wanting to announce it to you," the King was at ease, an air of elegance and calm hovered around his person. He smiled at this 'family' of his. He was not afraid at all of those eyes.
"Oh, what's the matter, your Majesty? I just had some good news to inform you too." a hidden spar in this conversation.
"Oh, then please tell your grandson what is the good news first. I'm quite curious. News conveyed personally by her majesty must surely be really good news."
"Ah," Jeong-soon was not in a hurry. She smiled slightly and had another sip of tea. She put down the tea cup demurely, and took out a roll of drawing block from behind her.
"Your Majesty, do you still remember that I mentioned about liking the painting of a special painting official? That official was certanly unique. Previosuly, the world of arts had rumours going on that he's actually a woman and I even thought that the rumours were true. Haha, the one who was one of the painting officials who helped draw your father, Crown Prince Sado's portrait, Hyewon Shin Yun-bok," Jeong-soon said gently. But both of her eyes were observing the King's every gesture, action, emotion and expressions.
"Oh, you've thought about him. I've always felt that his painting skills are really not bad but he's really too wild and untamed. He even destroyed the royal painting which I've been looking forward to a few years back and made a mess out of the rules of the royal painting bureau. However, since he had helped me with the portrait of my father, I only got rid of him from the painting bureau and I even made an imperial decree that it's not allowed to mention this person ever again. But why are you mentioning him now, your Highness?" the King was still talking in a cheerful manner and he even looked as though he was quite curious and seemed to be eager to continue with this topic with Jeong-soon. There was not even a hint of panic in his eyes.
"Oh, it's quite a coincidence actually. My nephew knows that I love paintings, and he also knows that I really like Hayewon's paintings. He went looking for Hyewon amongst the commoners. He managed to collect a good piece of painting in the market. The person who was selling the painting even offered to bring my nephew to meet Hyewon since he saw that my nephew admired Hyewon so much. I wish to let his Majesty and Danwon have a look at the painting first and identify if it's an authentic work of Hyewon's. If it really is, I wish to bring him back. If it's not, then just forget about it," Jeong-soon was still wearing her smile while observing the King and Danwon from the corner of her eyes.
"Oh, it seems that you still seem to be thinking of Hyewon after all these years. If you really still like Hyewon's paintings so much, I shall summon him back and let him draw just for you. What do you think? Take it as a token of my respect and being filial to you. But first of all, why don't we let Danwon examine and see if it's really the work of his apprentice," the relaxed tone of the King affected the Jeong-soon's confidence but she showed no sigh of that visibly.
"Danwon, you have to check carefully and in detail, is this really Hyewon's work?" she ordered.
"Yes, your Majesty." Danwon who had been kneeling behind the King stood up lightly and received the drawing block handed over by the queen's close servant girl, and with utmost respect and gentleness, he smoothed out the painting without haste in front of himself.
"Ha, it really is, your Majesty. This painting is definitely drawn by Hyewon though it's just a custom painting. It really is of the highest quality," Hongdo said while looking at the painting very carefully. He kept on nodding with an expression full of admiration and happiness.
"Danwon, have you seen and checked clearly, are you sure this is in fact drawn by Hyewon?" Danwon's reaction was not at all what the Jeong-soon expected.
"Your Majesty, there certainly is no mistake to this. Please do have a look. As you can see from the lines in this painting, they are all very fine and smooth. That's Hyewon's specialty. The colours used are also light and elegant. As for the content of this painting. It really bears Hyewon's usual style. Haha, it is again about the love between men and women or even private meetings they have together. That's why it's always been said that his paintings are not suitable for halls of great elegance. The people in this painting also have phoenix eyes, the face is shaped small and sharp with delicate feature. It's really similar to how he draws them. And look at this stamp. It's the one I carved personally for my apprentice, how would I not recognise it? And also, this inscription written here. There's no mistaking the hand writing. That's why I am sure and can guarantee that this is in fact a drawing of Hyewon Shin Yun-bok, your Highness," Danwon explained in minute detail slowly, without any urgency to prove that this painting is in fact by Hyewon.
The Queen Dowager listened on and used her sharp eyes to observe the King who was still enjoying his tea with a smile. And when she turned her attention to Danwon who was explaining patiently, she could not find any flaws, 'Why, his Majesty doesn't even look the least bit panic, and that Danwon is so firm with his judgement that this is Hyewon's authentic art work, isnt he worried that I might find him? Don't tell me I've really been cheated by Kim Jonyeon? That worthless servant, he really deserved to die,' as she thought of that, all the keen anticipation she had a while ago vanished into thin air, as if being beaten down by something. She sat quietly while sipping her tea.
"It seems that it's really Hyewon's painting, Highness. Since you really like Hyewon's painting so much, why don't I bring him back, and have him as your personal painter?" the King continued, laughing gently.
"Oh, I'm just joking. Since he has been rid from the painting bureau, how is it possible to summon him back again? You are the ruler of a whole country, how could I ask you to go against your own words? I think we shall leave it at that. I shall enjoy Hyewon's custom paintings with you in the future. It seems that I've really lost in this round. Don't tell me that Hyewon really is a man? And he even gave up his life for a woman? Never did I thought that he is a person who harbours such deep feelings and since he's already dead, where am I suppose to get him back for the painting bureau?" Jeong-soon rejected the King's offer.
"Oh, Grandmother really loves me. No matter, when you wish to summon him back, please feel free to do so. I won't go against your wishes," the King said calmly, as composed as ever.
"Ah yes, didn't you have something important to tell me? What is it?" Jeong-soon wondered what kind of battle Jeongjo had in mind this time.
"Oh, it's like this. I wish to move my father, Prince Sado's tomb from Hanyang's Donggureung royal tombs to Mt. Hwasan of Suwon in Gyeonggi Province. At the same time, I wish to build a tomb for myself beside father's tomb so that I can keep him company even after I die. The project for the fortress is a large and complex one, and I need useful skilled people to handle this job specifically. But the thing is, there isn't anyone suitable for the post, which is why I'm thinking of scouting for talented people from the common people of our country. What do you think, grandmother?" whenever Jeongjo thought of how his father had died a horrible death in the rice cabinet after being framed by the officials with the Kim family as the main conspirators, he reminded himself constantly to be more determined and strong to snatch back the right of the true royal family.
"Family members which have passed away are to remain buried. Why do you want to disturb his peace? Though I know that his Majesty is a filial son, but things had passed, can't you just let him go in peace? Why do you always need to think about it?" Jeong-soon said, with hidden meaning in that sentence of hers.
"Grandmother, I see father's portrait everyday. It is as though he had not left me even for a second, how could I forget about it? Even if there's one day when I'm dead, I'd want to accompany my father," of course, the enmity which have been accumulated throughout these many years, how could it be just erased like that?
"Fine then, your Majesty, do as you planned. How could I not understand what you are feeling?" Jeong-soon said with her usual composed elegance.
'Since you want to battle right to the end and I don't have a path for me to retreat, I shall be involved in this till the very end. For the sake of my family, and my life, I'd be strong till the end, because I've promised that person. No matter what I'd continue to live, have to live,' at this moment, an intense solemn and tragic feeling stirred within Jeong-soon's heart.
"Good, I'd like to thank you first. Please do take good care of your health, otherwise, I as the grandson would be very worried. Your highness, I'll take my leave for today." Jeongjo's tone was happy and relaxed, savouring the victorious moment.
"As always, the only one who is concerned about me is his Majesty. Please don't worry. I'm very healthy. I shall always be, always keeping his Majesty company, don't you worry about that, please feel free to leave."
After going through such a conversation where hidden meanings were slotted in every sentence, and each word uttered had an impact towards their future lives, the King prevailed in the end. However, is this really the final result? Who would know till how long this battle will produce a victor? Upon reaching King Jeongjo's study, Hongdo remained silent and introspective.
"Danwon, are you quite fine?' the King was quite worried as he observed Hongdo. There was a shadow hovering over the painter.
"Thanks to his Majesty, I'm alright." Jeongjo got even more worried as he finally saw that Hongdo was hiding his agitation.
"Your Majesty, I sincerely hope that you could allow me to go, to go to a place," Hongdo requested.
"I know where you want to go, however, you must come back. I've lost a friend who helped me. I can't lose another friend like you. In future, there will be more battles. I still need your help. And it's also for the sake of this country which has been retrogressing, you really have to come back, do you understand?"
To Jeongjo, the two painters who had risked their lives to get back his father's portrait years ago and found proof that his father was framed, were not only faithful officials to him. They were also not just painters whom he admired and they were not just decent men who were determined and strong. They were trustworthy friends to him. For this, Jeongjo who had been facing obstacles and hardship all along, really appreciated this friendship. Which was why years ago, though his reign was at risk, he lied to protect his friend and was not willing to take her life.
"Majesty, I do understand. It's just that I really need to have a look personally. I really have to go. However I promise you, Majesty, I will return for sure," Hongdo said determinedly.
"That painting, is it really Hyewon's work?" Jeongjo sighed.
"I'm very sure that painting is indeed the work of Hyewon," Hongdo said neutrally.
"This means that the rumours are true. Is it true then that she's dead?" Jeongjo felt it was a pity that this extremely talented woman had to go through such hardship in her life.
"Your Majesty, it depends on one's point of view. That painter Shin Yunbok who had helped in the painting of the crown prince's portrait is in fact dead, isn't it? This is her way of thanking you for sparing her life. Making it possible for you not to have to look behind your shoulders everytime you decide something. She meant well, please, don't blame her for surfacing again after all this time, Majesty," Danwon said calmly.
"Danwon, go. If she's really dead, pay respect to her on my behalf," Jeongjo said thoughtfully while nodding.
"Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of Hyewon." Danwon bowed himself out of the study. There was no time to lose.
It was night time, under the clear moonlight. On the road from Hanyang to Pyongyang, a middle aged man was riding a horse swiftly. As he urged the horse to go faster, the feeling of panic was surfacing now. That feeling tortured Hongdo, "Yuna (Yunbok), I want to see you. I have to see you. I don't want you to die. I want you to live. I just want you to be alive."
Shin Yun-bok
Thirteenth Painting - Poison
The morning sunlight, accompanied with the chirpings of the birds, shone onto Yunbok's face. It had been so many years since he had a chance to sleep so soundly. He was not disturbed by any nightmares. Not sure if it was due to the fact that he had unloaded the burden he had in his heart or is it because of the woman who was accompanying him. He felt that he had a really good sleep and the glowing feeling left him with a sense of happiness. He pushed back the covers that were suddenly too warm.
"You're awake, why don't you sleep a little longer?" the sunlight was quite bright to the eyes so Yunbok turned his face sideways before opening his eyes. Jeong-hyang was sitting beside him, looking as if she had been awake for quite some time as she had a clean and refreshed look.
"Aigoo, you're really diligent. You're awake so early? Don't tell me you've been looking at me all this while?" Yunbok said indolently.
"Master, my mother said that she wanted to prepare medicine and breakfast for you which is why she had to wake up early," little Bok's little head appeared from her back and smiled cheekily as he talked to Yunbok.
"It seems that Yeombok's up early too. Hehe, much hardworking than Master," Yunbok winked at little Bok teasingly.
"Come, wipe your face." Jeong-hyang had a wet handkerchief in her hands. Yunbok looked at her with consternation when it looked like she was going to do it for him. He reached out for the handkerchief,
"I can do it myself. I'll do it myself."' no matter what, he was very well aware that little Bok was just right beside him. To little Bok it seemed that his Master felt shy all of a sudden.
"Don't you move," Jeong-hyang ordered, not giving any chance for Yunbok to object. "Hey!" the warm and wet handkerchief wiped over his face and both hands gently. It left him fully refreshed. He flushed slightly while little Bok hid his giggles.
"I'll get the medicine. Bokya, keep an eye on your Master and don't let him simply move around." Jeong-hyang ordered sternly.
"Yes, mother," little Bok nodded with a serious expression. Holding that basin of warm water, Jeong-hyang smilingly shook her head and walked out.
"Your mother really shouldn't be taken lightly. Are you afraid?" Yunbok joked and laughed quietly with his little apprentice.
"I'm not afraid of course. My mother loves me the most. Oh yes, Master, my mother is really beautiful, isn't she? I didn't lie to you, did I?" little Bok boasted triumphantly.
"Ah, yes indeed, your mother is in fact the most beautiful lady," Yunbok recalled the scene where both of them first met. It was as clear as if it was happening right in front of his eyes. It was just that at that time, he did not expect that the beautiful lady who had crossed the bridge would have shared such a twisted story with him. And never did he think that the lady would have become a person whom he would be willing to give his life up for. Little Bok broke into his reverie. "Master, have a drink of water. You have to recover faster," he said and held out a cup of tea.
"Don't you worry. Master will get better very soon." It might be because he had been lying down for too long but when Yunbok pushed himself up, he felt debilitated. He clenched his teeth and bore the pain as he exerted himself. He felt that his head was spinning and his chest was being compressed.
"What's happening?" he was disturbed by the surge of agony. He felt a gurgle of blood rushing up, he could taste it as it bubbled up. "Aah!" with that, Yunbok spat out a mouthful of blood into the tea cup little Bok was holding.
"Master!" little Bok was horrified to see the fresh blood and when he looked at his Master again, there was a trickle of blood oozing from the corner of his Master's lips as Yunbok slumped forward weakly.
"Ma-, Master, you... are you fine? You, …" he dropped the cup and grabbed on to his Master's hand, not knowing what to do.
"Don't... don't be afraid, Bokya. I'm fine. I'm fine, I'm.. I'm sorry," Yunbok gasped, struggling to open his eyes and held on to little Bok's hands, trying to assure the boy and knew he was failing. He saw the fear in little Bok's eyes and knew that the child must be terrified. Though he tried his hardest to smile and calm the child down, he blacked out. Little Bok could get no response when he called. Tears sprang to his eyes and he ran out of the room.
"Mother! Mother, come quickly, come quickly!' he screamed.
"Painter, Painter," Jeong-hyang who was just turning to the inner rooms with the tray of medicine rushed in as she heard her son's cries. She was also scared witless when she saw the unconscious Yunbok.
"Yeombok, go quickly, go get that aunty. Get her to come here quickly, quick!"
Little Bok ran off at once as she set down the tray and rushed to Yunbok. Her heart seized when she heaved him up and saw the blood trickling from his mouth. Fearfully, she lay him back down and bent down to listen. He was breathing, she wiped away the blood and tried to get him to wake up.
"Why, why is this happening? Painter!"
Lady Min came running in then. She quickly checked his vitals.
"This, this, how could this be? How could it be poison? This is a symptom of poison!" she said disbelievingly. "Look, the white of his eyes are turning yellow. The spot between his eyebrows are turning black, his breathing is getting shallow and his pulse is so unstable. It's because he's been poisoned! What did he eat? What did he drink?"
"I've prepared everything for him from drinking to eating. How could he be poisoned? How could this be possible? Painter, Painter!" he was unresponsive to her shakes. To Jeong-hyang, the world has darkened horribly, descending to a place where danger seemed to be lurking everywhere.
"Don't panic," exhorted Lady Min, trying to gather her thoughts.
"Wait for a while. Let me think, think of a solution, don't panic," she consoled Jeong-hyang before hurrying out, calling out for Joongho.
"What's the matter sister?" Cheonsang who was practicing his swords skills in the courtyard, came rushing in as he heard his sister's urgent cries.
"What's the matter? What happened?" Joongho walked out of his study and saw how panic strickened his wife was.
"Just now when I was just going to have a look at Brother Seo, I met little Bok right at the door and he was saying that his Master was throwing up blood. He's unconscious at the moment. Husband, what kind of plan did all of you actually use? How did he end up getting poisoned?" Lady Min got straight to the point.
"Nothing! We didn't use any kind of poison in that plan of ours," Cheonsang was taken aback at this turn of events. Joongho stood stock still, face darkening as he thought of his restless unease and suspicion.
"I knew it! It wasn't that simple. Brother Seo was set up by boss Ryu. That day during the painting event, the wine that boss Ryu offered must have been poisoned." his fears that something was wrong had become a reality.
"What can we do, sister, isn't there an antidote?" Cheonsang was upset and furious that he had not had the foresight to prevent boss Ryu.
"I also thought that the poison couldn't possibly be part of your plans. The main point is that I do not know what kind of poison it is. The only thing now that I can do is through trial and error," Lady Min turned and went back into the room hurriedly. Joongho looked at Cheonsang.
"Cheonsang, I don't care what kind of methods you need to use, go to boss Ryu's place and see if there's any kind of antidote or at least try to find out what kind of poison we are dealing with."
"I was thinking of the same thing. That boss Ryu is really a lowly and worthless scum. I have to really give him a lesson today," Cheonsang scowled fiercely, wishing the crook was before him so he could take his head off. Gripping his sword, he took his leave, calling for the retainers and his horse.
After double checking Yunbok's vital signs, Lady Min sent the maids to brew medicine which she fed to him slowly, dribbling it spoonful by spoonful down his throat as Jeong- hyang supported his body in an upright position to better facilitate swallowing. Little Bok watched anxiously as his Master was lowered back to the bed. He was fidgetting restlessly, impatient for Yunbok to wake up. It took quite a while before there was any visible signs of movement from him.
"Awake. He's awake. Painter," Jeong-hyang said when she saw that Yunbok's eyes opening slowly.
"That's good. It seems that I hadn't guessed wrongly. After drinking this medicine, it seems that there are some positive effects. It's just that, for this time being, it can suppress the attacks from the poison but I'm not sure how long that can last." Lady Min let out a breath after she busied herself with laying out the needles for acupunctures. She knew that she could only prolong Yunbok's life just for a short period of time. It would be beyond her skills if she wanted to save it.
"'I'm poisoned, am I?" muttered Yunbok as he came to his senses, vaguely recalling overhearing the conversation both of them had as he was regaining consciousness.
"Painter...," Jeong-hyang began and then stopped, she could not utter another word.
"I've already noticed that your heartbeat wasn't regular yesterday, but never did it cross my mind that you were being poisoned," Lady Min felt awful at her oversight and sighed in her heart. Why was Yunbok's life so hard and miserable?
"Heh, it seems that. I wouldn't have much longer to live, is it, sister-in-law?" Yunbok asked weakly. Little Bok who had been silent, started to whimper when he heard that.
"Painter," Jeong-hyang could not bear to listen any more. Lady Min lowered her head without a word.
"Sister-in-law, there must be a way you could save him. Save him!" pleaded Jeong-hyang, the pain in her voice making Yunbok feel very sad. He had lost the gamble. His road was ending and he was sorry it had to happen then for he knew his death would crush Jeong-hyang. He had an inkling of what she might do if matters did not go well ever since that night she played the gayageum for him. He did not want her to make that choice. There was something else that would give her the strength to go on, if he could convince her of it.
"Sister-in-law, I, I wish to talk to her for a while."
Lady Min looked at both of them and sighed. She turned to console the crying little Bok while guiding him out silently, looking at Yunbok's pale face. His lips had gone purplish. He struggled to sit up but his whole body was trembling and beads of sweat were forming on his forehead. Jeong-hyang pulled him up against herself, wrapping her arms around him.
"Painter, why, why are the gods treating you this way? Treating me this way? Why?"
He smiled lightly and said, "You're such a silly. Hasn't my fate always been this way? It seems that I still couldn't avoid what lies ahead of me. There isn't much time left, let me have a good look at you." He turned to look at her, his hand lifted and dropped again as if he had not an ounce of strength left, she pulled up his hand gently and placed it on her face.
"Why is it so beautiful, so beautiful?" he felt a sense of longing as he looked into her eyes.
"Painter." She held onto his hand tightly, afraid.
"Don't you cry anymore. You don't know that the thing I'm most afraid of is when I see your tears. I'll be upset every time I see your sorrows, but I'd feel very happy each time when I think that you are crying for me." he caressed her face tenderly. "I'm sorry. I've always wanted to make you happy but I keep on bringing sadness to you, could you forgive me?" Her eyes flashed with anger.
"No, if you are to leave me just like that, I will never forgive you, never!"
"Please don't cry anymore. If you cry again when I'm dead, I wouldn't be able to feel the sadness again if I can't see it." No longer able to bear it anymore, Jeong-hyang wailed uncontrollably, Yunbok could not help but used what strength he had left and hugged her tightly.
"No, you can't be that heartless. You haven't repaid me your debt. You've promised me so you can't lie to me, you can't die."
"I do not wish to leave as well. I wish to listen to you play your Gayageum, eat what you prepare, teach Bokya how to draw, hold on to your hands when I'm sleeping every day. I have no desire to leave you even if it's for a second. I don't want to leave." he whispered.
"I don't care, wherever you go, I'd follow you, even if it's death." He grimaced at her vehement reply.
"Don't be like that. If I'm not here anymore, you still have Bokya to accompany you. You can't abandon him. He needs you."
"I don't care. I don't care about anything else. I don't want you to die. I want to be with you. I only want to follow you, even if it is death. You can't just leave me like that. There must be, must be a way, I don't want you to die." She knew what he was advising her to do was right and yet she could not contemplate living in a world without Yunbok. Fear of losing him, fear of the void she would face almost overhwelmed her.
At that, he pushed her away gently, so tight was her hold that he had to exert some effort. He cupped her head in his hands to look searchingly into her eyes. When they parted those many years ago, there was no sense of fear and lost in Jeong-hyang. But now, he saw the wretched melancholy of her soul. All the hardships she had gone through the past eight years had made her stronger and determined but this latest blow was a cut too deep to her. He knew for certain then if..when he died, she would suicide as well. And that was wrong, wrong. He wavered as his head swam, he tried to speak but could not. His arms trembled and he fainted, the last vision before him were her eyes.
"How did it go, Cheongsang? Have you captured that boss Ryu?" Joongho had been busy poring over volumes of medical books in his library, searching for the slightest clue to pinpoint the exact nature of the poison which might save Yunbok when his brother-in-law came stamping in angrily. Lady Min looked up from the medical book she was reading.
"It's too late. He fled last night, only bringing along his favourite concubine and a servant he trusted. The house was a mess and the only things left were a few of his concubines fighting over some family properties. No one knows where he is," Cheonsang growled angrily, slamming his sword on the table. Joongho looked down, disappointment etched clearly on his face.
"One day I'll find him, when I do, I'd peel his skin off and pull out his veins!"
"Don't waste your energy venting your anger. The priority now is to think of something to save Brother Seo. There must be a solution," Lady Min put down her books and consoled her husband, holding on to his hands.
"Since I don't know what kind of poison it is, I can only prepare antidotes as the symptoms appear but these are all just to control the attacks of the poison. With his injury, the most he had would be around ten days. We really have to think of something."
"Why don't I seek help from other doctors?" Cheonsang suggested.
"If even your sister couldn't do anything, other doctors couldn't possibly have any better ways," Joongho shook his dead, forestalling Lady Min's reply. It was just as well she did not have to think of an excuse as to why other doctors could not be consulted.
"There's only one thing to do now. Husband, tomorrow, I'll go and look for my Master. He must have some solution for this," Lady Min said after a moment of thought. Joongho nodded.
"Alright, but your Master is always travelling. If he's not at the temple, then Brother Seo will be...," Joongho trailed off, looking away.
"As how things are looking now, I can only try my luck on this. There's no other way," Lady Min said, thoughts whirling, 'Since the gods had seen fit to reunite both of them after so much hardship, are they just going to let both of them be separated forever? Even if there's the slightest chance, I must help them.' She felt time was running out for them.
"I'll have a look at Brother Seo. Tonight. I'll make a move tonight," she said determinedly.
"Good, sister. I'll accompany you to look for your master. I can drive the carriage fast. I'll get the preparations done now," Cheonsang leapt up, eager to do something rather than sit around feeling helpless.
"Alright then, let's do as you suggested. I'll continue to search for that scumbag with Min Dae's help. Let Cheonsang accompany you to have a safe and fast journey to and fro." Joongho said, saying a silent prayer as his wife left the study.
Yunbok was unconscious when she looked in on him, carrying the bowl of medicine she had concocted.
"This is the medicine for today. Let him finish it quickly. I've left instructions with the servants on what medicine to brew for these three days. Don't you worry, the poison is currently controlled, he'll be awake in a while. It's really beyond my capabilities however, to try and get rid of the poison completely. I will seek help from my Master. Two days, three at the most, I hope to bring back the treatment," Lady Min said quietly to Jeong-hyang who looked vulnerable and lost.
"Sister-in-law, both of our lives are in your hands. I'm grateful," Jeong-hyang knelt and bowed deeply before Lady Min. "that you are going through all these trouble." Lady Min was once again touched as she helped Jeong-hyang up. "Please take care on the journey."
"I will. And you must look after yourself too," Lady Min said with concern. "Who will take care of him if you fall sick?" she touched Jeong-hayng on the arm in encouragement before leaving. The sound of the carriage faded away as Jeong-hyang sat down with a quiet little Bok beside Yunbok. He was still unconscious. Jeong-hyang hugged little Bok, silently looking at Yunbok. At this moment, she felt empty even though there were tears flowing. Memories of the past flowed past her eyes, from the first glimpse they had of each other at the bridge those many years ago till the present hardships they had been through. All those pain and sorrows, is it all over so soon?
Little Bok reached out tentatively to touch Yunbok's shoulder. "Mother, Master, what exactly is wrong with him?" he had been terrified by what he had seen and heard that day. He was almost afraid to hear his mother confirmed his fears that he would never see his master forever in future and yet, he had to ask because he did not want to believe it. She looked at little Bok with tenderness and caressed his little face while she smiled at him,
"Bokya, you're already eight years old. You're a big boy now, isn't it?"
"Yes, mother, Yeombok is grown up now," he had no idea why his mother was changing the subject but he answered nevertheless.
"If mother is not by your side, you have to listen to the adults and be obedient. Don't be reckless and naughty. Eat things when they are warm. Remember to wear more layers of clothes when the weather is cold. Don't fight with others. Don't lust for other people's things. Study well and be a decent man when you are an adult. Do you understand?" she had a farway look as she spoke. Little Bok was puzzled.
"Yeombok will be obedient but mother, are you going anywhere? Why can't you stay beside Yeombok? Can't you bring Yeombok along as well?" he asked in confusion and fear. His mother spoke as though she was going somewhere far away and she would not be bringing him.
"Bokya is a good boy. The place mother wants to go, I can't bring you there. You'll understand when you're a little older. You have to remember how mother looks like. Remember everything what I've told you. You have to remember that I love you," she looked down at his sweet face, unable to keep back the trickle of tears.
"Mother, why are you sad? Are you worried about my Master? Don't be afraid," he used his small hands to wipe away the tears on his mother's face.
"Bokya, you have to always remember. Mother hates to part with you. You have to always remember mother. Don't ever forget mother's face, and please don't, don't ever hate mother," she hugged her son tightly and sobbed through closed eyes. Little Bok became more and more agitated.
"Mother, where are you going? Don't leave me alone," he said fearfully.
A voice broke in, startling both mother and son. "Bokya, be a good boy. Your mother will not leave you." Yunbok had woken up a while ago and had been listening to the conversation. He turned his head to look at the boy,
"Bokya, could you help Master with something?" he smiled at little as he said that. Little Bok's face lit up when he saw Yunbok was awake, he was eager to abandon the frightening exchange with his mother.
"Eh? Master, you're awake. What do you want me to do?"
"Help your Master bring in your mother's gayageum alright? It is in Master's room. You just have to ask the sisters around the house and you'll know where it is. I really want to hear your mother play the gayageum."
"Alright, I'll be back soon," little Bok said determinedly, wriggling down from his mother's embrace and running out of the room. Jeong-hyang avoided Yunbok's eyes as he stared at her.
"How could you bear to tell Bokya those kind of things? Are you willing to let that child be sad?" he asked with some asperity. "You are terrifying him with burdens he is not ready for. Whom will he turn to if you leave him behind? Yeombok reminds me of myself at that age. Unlike me however, he has you to provide a warm, loving, stable and balanced home. Can you really bear to inflict such a greivous wound?"
"I couldn't bear that but I can't let you who have been alone all this while because of me to leave just like that. Even more, no, I can't possibly do that," she said with her expression set, finally turning to look at him. Her eyes shone with strength and tenderness. "You can throw away everything for my sake. It is the same for me. The place you are heading to is dark, cold and lonely, how could I not stay by your side? Without you with me, what hope will I have? I've promised you before that I'd follow you, no matter where you are headed to, I'd follow you."
"You..." Yunbok started, thinking he had to knock some sense into her when there came the sound of some one puffing at the door.
"Aigoo, it's so heavy, mother, your gayageum." little Bok came in with the instrument. Yunbok looked like he was going to finish his arguement, one way or another but Jeong-hyang interrupted him, using little Bok's presence to forestall him.
"Don't say anything else. You have to drink this medicine." He looked annoyed but his eyes promised her they would finish the discussion later as she helped him up. The bowl trembled in his hand and he hastily brought it to his lips when little Bok looked from it to him in consternation. He grimaced at the awful taste and watched as she arranged the gayageum properly.
"Let me play the gayageum for you," she lowered her head calmly and started playing. Little Bok crept to Yunbok's side, looking intently to see if his master had recovered. Yunbok smiled at the boy, putting his arm across his little shoulders to assure him. They looked at the woman sitting behind the gayageum.
Her fingers danced across her instrument and the notes played were ever so beautiful. The rhythm was fast and strong, reflecting the emotions of the player. Anger and a string of sorrow, as if a woman was asking heaven, 'Why, why are you so unfair? There are so many evil people in this world but they're not dead. Those who steal are not dead. Those who look down and bully others are not dead. Those who have sinned are not dead. Why do you want to torture this person who is kind hearted and full of compassion? Why the wish of just keeping him company cannot be fulfilled? What is the meaning of living and what is the meaning of death? Are you telling me that both of these are enough to separate two people?' Her anguish could be heard through her music. Yunbok was shattered. The rhythm of the tune went faster and faster. 'Dang,' one of the strings on the gayageum snapped and it whipped across the back of her hand, a line of blood formed instantly on the fair skin.
"Mother," a shocked little Bok shouted.
"I'm fine. I'll continue,' she did not even look up as she continued to play a new piece with even more vigour and urgency. Both of her hands looked as if they were two butterflies flying around the instrument. 'Dang,' another snap of another string, not being able to withstand the pressure exerted by her fingers. The second line of blood went even deeper than the first, Yunbok felt that slice as clearly as if it was inflicted on him.
"Stop! Stop playing!' he reached out quickly and pressed on the strings of the gayageum. She looked up at him as her tears came falling down on his hands. With both of her hands trembling, she moved his hand away, "I won't be playing this anymore. No one else will get to listen to my music other than you. If this gayageum falls into the hands of someone who doesn't know how to appreciate it, it will be better to just destroy it."
He grabbed her hand, tugging on it to force her to look at him when she stared down at the gayageum. "No, we still have time. There's still a string of hope, isn't there? Sister-in- law will surely do her best to save me. Don't give up. We can live together till a ripe old age, alright?" he stared hard at her, willing her to be strong and brave.
"Alright, Painter, as long as there's a slightest chance, we shall wait. But you have to promise me as well, no matter what is the outcome... you must not, must not ever let me leave you." She looked back at him steadily.