Ipchun (eul) 1795
"She sends you her regards."
Han-pyeong held out Jeong-hyang's letter to Yunbok who took it wordlessly. He turned away, tearing open the envelope hurriedly to get to the letter. Like melting ice, the strain dissipated as he read it.
"This is for you." Han-pyeong handed another letter to Suk-kwon who was less hasty than Yunbok.
"Hmm ... mmm."
The long drawn out noncommittal sound that issued from him conveyed nothing to his companions. Yunbok returned to his seat with a happy light in his eyes, going over the letter in his hands again. Hong-do did not dare to speculate aloud from Han-pyeong's demeanor if all was not as well with Jeong-hyang's condition as the letter purported. It was enough that the clouds had lifted from his young companion.
"Well?" inquired Hong-do and glanced at Yunbok when Suk-kwon flicked his eyes towards him. "Has your agent anything to say?" he pressed on nevertheless despite the hint for he was sure whatever details that would upset Yunbok could be bypassed.
"The Uigeumbu agents over at Siheung had noted his activities and suggested he lay low at the moment. Matters are starting to look rather uncomfortable for their target." Keeping his eyes to the letter to hide his worry over the news of Jeong-hyang's accidental stabbing, Suk-kwon pretended to read further.
"Who is their target at Siheung? The magistrate?"
"Hmm ... he will comply since our own sources indicate that whoever is behind the magistrate has apparently abandoned him," continued Suk-kwon.
"Abandon?" Hong-do exclaimed in astonishment. "Has he fouled up so badly that he's cast aside?"
"It is possible. Whoever is in charge knows when to mimimise their losses. In cutting him loose, it also means that they will also be covering their tracks. We'll never have the net to catch the larger fish." Suk-kwon thumped the floor in disappointment. "Every criminal activity will point to him."
"Would they attempt to do away with him?" Yunbok asked curiously.
"If I were them, I would keep a very close eye on the magistrate in the event an "accident" happens to him." Suk-kown slowly folded away the letter, hiding his misgivings beneath lowered eyes. "They should move against the miscreants soon. If our friends are caught, I'll be there to get them out," he said, anticipating Yunbok's question.
"They will have to move quickly. Tomorrow is the last day of the King's visit. The procession will set off after the final archery contest which is scheduled to end after midday, we should follow," said Hong-do as he sipped his bowl of wonsobyeong. "I still have to decide how I want it to be depicted. The usual layout will not work."
"A wider perspective is required but there is only so much space on the paper," said Yunbok, popping a seunggeomcho-dasik into his mouth, turning to face Hong-do. "If you want to do it on one block, we are restricted within the frame."
"What did you say?" Hong-do frowned, wondering why that last statement should sound so familiar.
"I said, we are restricted within the..," Yunbok froze, staring at Hong-do who gazed back as the same idea struck them both. "That's it. Three lines!"
"Hold that thought." Hong-do leaped up excitedly, nearly upsetting the soban. "I should have remembered it. That was one of the questions I tossed out to your class in the first lesson." He rushed to the desk, rummaging for a piece of paper. Yunbok joined him, looking among the brushes for a piece of charcoal. "Horizontal?" he said, looking at the horizontal lines Yunbok drew on the paper he spread out. The lines ended at both ends of the paper. He shook his head. "That will not do. There must be continuity otherwise there is no cohesion, no essence."
"Diagonal?" Yunbok said as he drew again, quickly adding small notations to represent the procession along the lines.
Neither painter noticed the low voice conversation between Suk-kwon and Han-pyeong. With Yunbok thus occupied, Suk-kwon took the opportunity to question the old man, desiring to know more about Jeong-hyang's condition. His worst fears were laid to rest when he heard she was making a good recovery. It was prudent of her to write to Yunbok. She must have realised Han-pyeong's word alone was not enough. He opened the door when he heard Cheol-ju and was surprised to see him bearing a soban for Han-pyeong. Cheol-ju explained he ran into the maid earlier and volunteered to bring the dinner since he was heading the same way. Handing Han-pyeon his dinner, Suk-kwon stepped outside, closing the door behind him for he could see Cheol-yu had something of import to tell him.
Alone. Was there no word of thanks? A wave of resentment surged within Han-pyeong before ebbing away. Occluded since the first day, what should he be expecting? Granted, he was not assuming a effusive response but surely some acknowledgement? He regarded the two at the desk, totally absorbed in the draft. Why did he agree to this task? He blindly regarded the food before him, removed the bottle of wine and cup before getting wearily to his feet. There was no one in the corridor when he stepped out. Slowly, he made his way to his room and found solace in the bottle, pulling up memories that he had failed to lay to rest. Combined with wine, his weariness soon overwhelmed him and he fell asleep, his last image that of his son.
Within the mansion, after a quick interview with their host, Suk-kwon roused the twenty soldiers and posted them at intervals along the walls of the mansion. Three of the five agents with him were sent out to watch the paths leading to the residence, the other two he stationed at the gate of the back garden before returning to the room. To his surprise, Han-pyeong was not there. The food on the soban was untouched but the bottle of wine and a cup was missing. Gone to drown his sorrows. That would keep him out of the way. The two painters were too absorbed to notice his presence.
"If the both of you could listen for a while?" he coughed meaningfully and knocked on the space between the two when they paid him not the slightest heed. Really, let them loose with paper, brush and ink and they were totally oblivious to everything else. "He's coming within the hour," he said when they finally looked at him. Their faces remained blanked. "You do know who I'm talking about?" he emphasized heavily. That sparked a rush of words.
"Tonight?"
"Really?"
"We have only finished a draft."
"He'll think we're slacking."
"Who has the time to do everything with all the running about?"
"Throw him the sketches, hopefully that will satisfy him."
"I can't think of a better way to rouse his ire than showing him those awful sketches. Have you seen the "headgear" you doodled on the exam passers?"
"Those are not "headgear", those are flowers."
"Will the two of you be serious?" Suk-kwon could hardly believe his ears. This was not the time to banter about! "I need you with me out there." He nodded to Yunbok.
"Now?" Yunbok looked at the rough sketch of the procession, desiring to finish the concept with Hong-do.
"Now. Let Danwon finish it, that's what he's supposed to be doing."
"It's still not exactly what I have in mind ..," Hong-do began and sighed when Suk-kwon turned an annoyed look on him. "By all means, I can spare him," he said with exaggerated courtesy.
Biting back a retort, Suk-kwon grabbed Yunbok's paegeom he had left leaning against the wall in the corner and tossed it to him. He waited for him to belt it on before going out to the front porch to get their boots then to the back garden and out to the path.
"Was there any advance warning at all?" asked Yunbok curiously as they stood outside the gate. The surrounding was empty but he knew better.
"None. I only received the message a little while ago. Likely a whim on his part." Suk-kwon took a deep breath. "I informed our host to have all members of his family and servants stay in their rooms. They are not to leave them without my say so."
"Does he know who is coming?"
"It is no secret the King favours Danwon."
"How many will be accompanying him?"
"His personal guards, that's all. Bringing too many would attract attention. To all others, they will look like any other patrol."
"Why not just summoned Danwon to the Haenggung? I can just go with him," Yunbok said musingly. "Why go through all this trouble?"
"Don't tell me it never occur to you until now?"
"What?" Yunbok stopped short. "You mean ..." Did everything that happened deliberately planned that way? But, that was impossible.
"For everything we do since we left Uiryeong, there is a purpose, a reason."
"But.." Yunbok stopped as a soft whistle carried across to them.
"They're coming."
A small troop of twelve came into sight round the corner. Leading the soldiers were two officers. Which was he? Yunbok peered in the moonlit night, the torches held by the troop were casting too many shadows. The piece of jade atop a jeollip, shining in the light, was the clue he was looking for. Following Suk-kwon's cue, he bowed when the officers came nearer.
"I trust everything is prepared?" That was certainly a familiar voice. Yunbok's ears twitched but he did not lift his head.
"Yes, sir. Please follow me," Suk-kwon gestured towards the gate, about to lead the way when there came a series of whistles that sounded urgent. Before he could rap out any order, two running figures in uniform appeared round the corner. As one, the royal guards leveled their spears and formed a barricade. Even though the two looked like soldiers, the fact they were running was clear all was not right. More soldiers with an officer came into sight behind the running pair. This group skidded to a halt when they saw what was before them.
"What is going on here?" Suk-kwon made his way through the barricade. "Report! Who's the officer in charge?"
"Help us!" one of the running soldiers in the forefront said, grabbing his byeongnip and tossing it aside before pulling his companion nearer to him, away from those behind them.
"They're wanted fugitives," said the officer from the pursuing troop. "They disguised themselves as soldiers in an attempt to escape ..."
"No. They are treasonous men who want us to commit a heinous crime..," the fugitive soldier contradicted angrily.
"Silence! How dare you try to make yourselves out to be innocent! For running..."
"He is innocent!" The soldier pulled the byeongnip off from his companion to reveal a boy.
P'ado! Yunbok started forward but an arm stretched forth to block his way. Startled, he looked up but Jeongjo was watching the scene unfold before him. At that, Yunbok stayed where he was and watched anxiously. Who was the man with P'ado? Was that Ui-sik? Where was Young-joon?
P'ado was almost beside himself with joy when he realised they had run into Suk-kwon. If he was there, then Yunbok was about. He searched eagerly among the soldiers behind Suk-kwon, noting there were more behind them. A few officers. His eyes lit up when he saw the the slight figure, almost hidden from view by the troop and a tall officer just standing in front.
"You should know better than to involve a boy in your schemes!" reprimanded the pursuing officer. "As you can see, we have to..."
"I am no soldier, neither are you. I am willing to let myself be arrested but not by you!" The fugitive backed towards Suk-kwon, pulling P'ado with him as the officer and the second troop followed.
"We have our orders, sir. We have to carry them out," said the officer to Suk-kwon, moving towards the pair.
"I'm afraid I cannot allow you to do that," said Suk-won. The surprised officer pulled up short. "I will ask you and your men to lay down your arms until this matter is fully looked into."
"What? You believe him?" the officer snorted his incredulity, shaking his head and turning away.
There was a sound of drawn metal and a flash of steel as the officer drew his sword and lunged towards the fugitive who pushed P'ado aside. The stroke was countered by Suk-kwon. The second troop charged, silently. Shocked, Yunbok drew his own sword and stepped forward. This time, Jeongjo did not stop him. With the other officer of the royal guards, they drew together and provided another shield.
Yunbok wondered the rogue troop were that bold. Did they not know who they were attacking? Were they planning to rebel? Utter madness! Cheol-ju and the others dropped down from their perches on the roof and walls to surround Jeongjo. At that, Yunbok waded into the melee. To find P'ado. It was impossible to wield any weapon credibly in such confine spaces and with so many men, the troops were simply locking spears and trying to force the other down. It was complete chaos for he could not tell friend from foe since they were all strangers to him.
Ducking and evading the struggling men, he made his way to where he last saw P'ado and found him with his friend, flattened against the wall. Out of range of the fight. They were watching the battle between Suk-kwon and the rogue officer, he realised. Were they still fighting? Surprised, he looked towards the combatants. Surely Suk-kwon would have taken him down by now? As he watched, anxiety crept in. Suk-kwon was countering the strikes but it seemed to him the older man was slowing. Why?
"No!" he shouted in horror when the rogue officer struck Suk-kwon's sword arm and ran forward as the older man fell from a kick. "No!"
"Aboji!" P'ado suddenly realised who had been standing beside them.
"Don't!" Ui-sik pulled him back as he made to follow. "You will only impede him. Quick, let's help him," he said as Yunbok drove back the rogue officer as he was about to deal another strike on Suk-kwon.
"Ajoshi." P'ado held the older man up as Ui-sik tore off a piece of his own jacket to bind the wound.
"I'm all right, it's just a cut," Suk-kwon said. "I'm getting too old for this."
"Do you feel dizzy?" Ui-sik asked apprehensively. "Nausea? Did he cut you anywhere else?" he took Suk-kwon's pulse.
"No," Suk-kwon shook his head. "You think his blade is poisoned?"
"One moment," Ui-sik said, feeling his pulse before trying to look at Suk-kwon's eyes. "I need more light," he muttered, looking about him.
"I know the effects of poison, I don't have any of the symptoms," said Suk-kwon, craning his head to see how Yunbok was doing.
"It is vital you have a thorough check," said Ui-sik, turning to look as well.
For a slightly build man, P'ado's foster father was proving to be too fast and agile. The close infighting tactics he employed to offset his lack of brute strength was effective. The scabbard he held acted more of a shield as he used whatever openings there was to score a hit with is sword. An arm, a leg. It was proving too much for Dae-hyun who was struggling to counter his opponent. His clothing were ripped and torn from several slashes, blood was beginnning to soak through. Still, he fought on stubbornly.
The noise attracted the posted soldiers near the garden gate. They rushed up to put down the struggle between the two troops. There was some confusion as they tried to differentiate who was who but the miscreants were finally disarmed and put under guard. The rest approached the remaining combatants cautiously. A glance was all Dae-hyun needed to know that all was lost as he staggered back against the wall, his jeonnip ripped off by a slash, a cut down his brow and cheek. He held his sword in defiant readiness. He panted and cursed his opponent, his eyes sought a way out through the crowd.
"Get him into the house and send for the physician," Jeongjo said, indicating Suk-kwon as he walked up with Cheol-ju and the rest. The order was quickly obeyed but Ui-sik and P'ado stayed where they were, for they had not been cleared. "Surrender unless you are willing to lay down your life for a lost cause."
"Who are you to tell me so?" sneered Dae-hyun, eyeing Yunbok with ferocity.
"It is treason to disobey a direct order from the King." Yunbok watched Dae-hyun's face turned shallow in the light of the torches. Why did he look so shocked? Did he not know who he was attacking? There was a clank as Dae-hyun dropped his sword. He did not resist when the soldiers pinoned his arms and hauled him away to join his companions who were terror stricken by the statement.
Ah! His guess was correct! Ui-sik's heart leaped when he heard that.
"Your Majesty! Please, I have..," he stopped when the soldiers pointed their spears at him in warning not to approach.
"All in good time. I want these two brought to the house, under guard," Jeongjo said to Cheol-ju who bowed. "There are matters to attend to," he coughed gently in Yunbok's direction.
"Aboji... ajoshi Han," P'ado said urgently, despite knowing it was extremely rude to speak up without leave. "He's being held hostage."
Yunbok bowed apologetically in Jeongjo's direction. The King gestured he should answer. "Where is he?"
"The house is east of the creek," Ui-sik replied. "I can ..."
"Offer those men, except for their leader, a choice. They can help to secure the release of the hostage, thereby winning themselves some reprieve." Jeongjo gestured towards the prisoners.
"Yes, sir." Cheol-ju hurried over. The anxious chorus from the prisoners showed their desire for clemency. He chose a couple and with approval from Jeongjo, left with a few soldiers to carry out the rescue.
Just then, several men turned up; the Uigeumbu agents. Hot on the heels of the miscreants they had been keeping their eye on and chagrined to learn that they were late in discharging their duties. They escorted the rest of the prisoners away for questioning. Another cough propelled Yunbok to get the remaining men of his troop back to their posts, bringing P'ado and Ui-sik along with them and to lead Jeongjo to Hong-do, who having heard the ruckus, decided it more prudent to stay where he was than to see what was going on.
When they reached the door of Hong-do's room, the commander of the royal guards requested for Yunbok's paegeom (double edged sword) but Jeongjo countermanded it. An inaudible murmur from Jeongjo sent the officer to detail the guard to opposite ends of the corridor and a few to watch that no one left their rooms. Ui-sik and P'ado were told to sit at the daecheong until they were summoned. That done, he himself stood outside the door of the guest room next to Hong-do's.
Within the room, all was spick and span. Yunbok's eyes roved about, waiting with Hong-do for Jeongjo to seat himself behind the desk. Spread across it was the completed draft of the fortress drill. A rustle as the drawing was picked up. For a long moment, there was no other sound saved for the rustling of paper as the drawing was examined closely.
"Sit," came the command. "No." They halted when they made to place themselves to one side. "Sit before me." A soft flap of paper as the drawing was replaced on the desk. "As one is presented, I presumed this is the only draft that is completed."
"Yes, sir," Hong-do said apologetically. "I can only ask pardon for my deficiency."
"What other themes have been planned?"
As Hong-do recited the list of paintings he had in mind and elucidated further, Yunbok tried to hide his fretfulness. How was master Park doing? Was it really his age the cause of his sluggishness? The duel replayed itself in his mind as he pored over the details. There had been no initial wound, of that he was sure, before the stroke that swept across Suk-kwon's arm. His parries were slackening. Was there not a look of strain on the older man's face? A nudge at his side shook him out of his innermost thoughts. Startled, he looked across to Hong-do who frowned at him for his distraction.
"Do you have any suggestions?" Hong-do prompted, knowing Yunbok had not heard a single word of the discussion. "To add to the list I've just recounted."
"Uh ... no, no, I don't," Yunbok stammered, ears flushing red.
"I have in mind to publish and dispense copies to participants of this momentous occasion." Jeongjo's amusement was evident. Yunbok's ears turned redder. "Wonhaeng eulmyo jeongni uigwe. Although illustrations can be portrayed using the records of the Historians, I asked the two of you to specially make this journey so you can see for yourselves the actual procession and events to facilitate the best interpretation for the uigwe."
"Sir, such a uigwe would require more than the two of us," pointed out Hong-do
"Indeed, Danwon, the uigwe is of import. I am placing you and the other court painters in charge of this project. However, Hyewon's main contribution will be towards the Wonhaeng eulmyo uigwedo." A faint shuffling from the desk. "On a eight fold screen." Startled, Hong-do and Yunbok looked at each other. Eight fold?
"Such a piece will take some time sir. Where is he to stay for the duration of this work?" By his estimation, it would take at least two months, Hong-do thought. Yunbok frowned. Did the idea for the eight fold screen come before or after Hong-do revealed the themes? There had been no number specified initially so he had thought it had been left to Hong-do to decide.
"Kim Han-tae has vast holdings."
"Indeed he does, sir," Hong-do affirmed. The King intended that they stay at one of his patron's holdings? On second thought, why not? Kim Han-tae owned a few pieces of land scattered in nearby provinces. "I...presumed arrangements have already been made?"
"On my return to Hanseong, both of you will be taken to another location which will be left unspoken at this point. And..," a pause as Yunbok was about to open his mouth. He closed it as he waited for the statement to be completed. "Our young friend would be wondering where his... companion and family will be."
"Sir, I ..," Yunbok winced as his throat seized up in anxiety. The censure in the King's voice was clear.
"Assuage my curiosity, Hyewon. How is it that you are able persuade her to play such a role. What wiles did you use? Such an arrangement is against the core principles of this nation."
Hong-do wondered if Yunbok was going to faint for he went absolutely white. Jeongjo's tone was crisp and reproving. What would he do if Yunbok's answer prove unsatisfactory? But then, what answer could he give? For he could not deny his relationship with Jeong-hyang was unconventional. For a moment, Hong-do contemplated interceeding but held back. Jeongjo would have something sharp to say if he interfered without letting Yunbok have his argument on his stance.
"I used no wiles, sir," Yunbok said softly. "Our initial meeting was accidental. It moved into a deeper degree over which I had no choice but to perpetuate in light of the... identity I was given. Given my confusion and selfisness, I ... I was guilty of lulling her into ... believing she could have a future." He swallowed the lump in his throat but no one said anything. "When I discovered who I was later," he continued, "I found I could not continue with the falsehood and told her the truth. It hurt her deeply. Later, I took up the competition challenge in order to free her from the clutches of Kim Jo-nyeon and I sent her away."
"But you ended up with her again."
"Perhaps it's fate but yes, we found each other in Uiryeong four years later. Our feelings for each other had not changed. I tried to turn her attention to more suitable candidates but to no avail. In the end, we decided to stay together. Because I had already established myself in a village, we had to conform to customs so there would be no backlash against her."
"An opportunity was created for your settlement and you took it. Why did you choose to continue with an identity that is not yours?"
"Sir, having being fostered for ten years under a false role and name, I found it difficult to return to what I was. Given the disadvantages and the need to survive when I left Hanseong, I chose to continue," Yunbok stated matter of factly.
"Present your paegeom."
What did Jeongjo want to do with it? Stilling the chills in his limbs, Yunbok unbelted the sword and handed it over with both hands. He did not look up when there came the scrape of metal against scabbard.
"She made this maedeup." A soft thump as the scabbard was put on the desk. "What does it signify?"
"Yes sir. It's a dongsimgyeol maedeup."
There was a moment of silence which hung heavy on Yunbok. He waited for the axe to fall.
"I had but a simplistic interpretation when I heard of your nuptials. Your protector did not elucidate much except that you found a close friend, a companion or sister as he put it who is willing to play a support role to sustain the facade you have put up. The bond is as close as blood. I find it intriguing that this woman apparently does not find it remiss she will not be able to marry unless you choose to "cast" her off. She is bound the moment she ties herself to you. From what you have just revealed, from her handiwork here, it is not as simple as being siblings, is it?"
The sharp censure in the voice further weighed down Yunbok's distress. He tried to still the trembling in his limbs. Hong-do made as if to speak but Jeongjo forestalled him.
"It goes against every creed we know of." A soft rustle and a rush of air. Neither one looked up when the sound of footsteps rounded the desk to stop behind Yunbok. "It is anathema. When a man is found to have unnatural inclinations towards his own ilk, punishment is meted out if he is caught. Such as it is with your own transgression. Be silent, Danwon." A rebuke as Hong-do made a sound of protest. A metallic clink as the tip of the paegeom hit the floor. "Unacceptable. I give you two choices, Hyewon. Cease this relationship, release her to her own life. Or.," a pause. "Accept due punishment once your task is done. You will be exiled. Permanently. To a place of my choice."
"Sir! That is..," Hong-do burst out with horror. The edge of a sword tip on Hong-do's shoulder silenced him momentarily. "With all due respect, sir. You can take my life but I will have my say before I die," he said vehemently. "That is an unjust ..."
"I choose neither."
The determined but clear declaration cut across Hong-do's protest. He stared at Yunbok who gazed unseeing at the floor.
"I have a third choice, sir. Neither of us can live without the other, to separate us is no different than killing us. Grant the freedom of death to us. My passing will also absolve this thorn that has always been a constant worry and trouble."
"You speak for her?"
"I do. One heart, one mind. It is not that we have not tried. We knew we are not meant to be. We attempted to live our own lives in the years we were separated. We have both gone through much impediments and soul searching to finally come to the realisation that we prefer death to separation. Even in death or after, we will still stay together."
"Such as it is..," a pause and the sword shifted. "It shall be as you said."
Korean Words
seunggeomcho-dasik - pressed sweets made of anglica sprouts, pine pollen flour and mixed with honey
wonsobyeong - beverage of water, honey and glutinous ice cake balls with stuffing