Gyeongchip / Chunbun 1795
Down at the picnic area, the group was enjoying themselves with drinks and rolling up more ssam, exchanging poems and listening to the fortunes of the year from the old couple. The cow had eaten cooked grain instead of vegetables, the signs from the Pleiades, the colour of the moon, the shadow of the wood all portend a year of plenty. The good news brightened the day further.
In the midst of the merry making, Suk-kwon tried to catch Iseul's eye to try to get her aside. Somehow or other, her eyes never met his. Short of approaching her there and then, he couldn't think of a way to get her attention. All his attempts in the past several days were no successful. If he did not know better, he would have thought she was slow-witted but the glint in her eyes dispelled any such notion. He watched as she tended to the children with Song-mi, stifling impatience and irritation. Uncertain on the current state of her temper, he wondered if he should just forget about trying to engage her in a dialogue.
Picking up the dirty crockery, Song-mi moved to the stream to wash them. Iseul went with her, murmuring to halmoni Jung and Soon-joo that they could handle the washing up. For a while there was silence, each absorbed in washing and drying. As she stacked up the bowls, Iseul realised Song-mi was speaking to her.
"I'm sorry, my attention was elsewhere," she said apologetically.
"I'm not surprised," Song-mi dimpled. "How long are you going to continue to ignore him?" She dropped her eyes to the task at hand, as if abashed for speaking aloud.
"It depends on how determine and sincere he is. His efforts are half-hearted," said Iseul. How outraged he would be if he heard that. "I expect better of him."
"To expect little may bring surprises."
Iseul had to strain to hear the softly worded advice. The woman was ebullient for a moment and muted in the next. The swinging contrast from the self-effacing manner she adopted whenever she was addressed made it difficult to interpret her frame of mind. Coupled with her tendency to keep herself away from the others, trying to grasp her personality was like chasing after slippery fish.
"To abandon an embroidery because of a small fault is improvidence," Song-mi said softly when Iseul remained silent.
"Abandonment is prudent when there is no foundation to the embroidery," said Iseul, intrigued by the woman's desire to offer her opinion on the issue between her and Suk-kwon. "There is an understanding between us, no promises, no dreams. Much as I want it otherwise." She sat down on the grass and gazed at stream. "There is someone he holds close. I cannot compete with that. I have no intention to. What little he offers is already a blessing."
"Then..," Song-mi began to say before she stopped.
Was that a movement to express sympathy from her? It halted so quickly that Iseul wondered at the tight control Song-mi was exerting over herself. Why did she have to do that? Was it out of fear? What did she have to fear?
"It's his sense of duty that's moving him now. That is not what I want; his obligation because he feels he needs to make amends. Perhaps I'm too harsh," Iseul said sadly. "Maybe I misread him. It is for my own concern right now that I must be stringent with myself. Disillusionment and disappointment can be hard to bear."
"That is true," murmured Song-mi. "They can hurt very much."
That was the most revealing statement from the woman in all their conversations. Iseul wondered if she realised it. How long would she remain engaged in the discussion?
"Our hearts are weak," Iseul said frankly. "As a gisaeng, I know where I stand. Affairs is inevitable in our profession. Unlike many of my sisters, I held myself apart because I know they do not end well. Now that I older, I am more vulnerable. Should I let myself fall into the pit, the rest of my days would be spent with much sadness and regret."
"Is it even possible to recover from such pain?" From her inward gaze, it was obvious Song-mi was not referring to Iseul.
What pain was she referring to? Who did it concern? "In time," Iseul said carefully. "Now you see why I am cautious."
"You are fortunate it is only this one stab you try to shield yourself from. Can you imagine how it is like many times over?"
"It has happened to you?" Iseul said sympathetically. When Song-mi nodded, she wondered how far she could probe before the woman withdraw. "How did you overcome them?"
For a brief moment, pain and sorrow shone clear in the other women's eyes. There was also something else. A searing emotion Iseul could not interpret.
"By holding on to a dream." Song-mi shook herself, as if aware she had spoken too much. "That reminds me," she looked at Iseul. "How long am I suppose to remain here?"
"Is there somewhere you wish to go?"
"I wish to return to the Sohn household since mistress Im has no further need of tending." Song-mi turned to look to the three-some sitting at the slope, deep in conversation. "Unless there is still some concern over whether I can be trusted."
"Why do you think that?" Iseul said evenly. Who was she looking most intently at? She had a feeling she knew who was drawing the woman's attention.
"There are servants here and you are skilled in healing. I'm just deadwood." Song-mi turned back, her gaze direct and frank before smoothing into a bland mask. "Why is there suspicion about me?"
"Your husband," Iseul said without hesitation. To pretend that she knew not what she was talking about would only insult the woman's intelligence. "His connections are serious matters master Sohn and master Han have to contend with. They do not believe you are involved in any of his activities but they are worried that his associates may come in search of you for their own purposes."
"The safety of their families is at stake," Song-mi nodded. "Why offered me shelter and a job if ..."
"You are alone with a son to care for, how could they turn away?"
"It is obvious I will continue to pose a danger. How can I go back?" Despair crossed Song-mi's face to vanish immediately when she looked to the children, sitting on the mats contentedly sharing out candy.
"Arrangements are being made." Seeing doubt on Song-mi's face, Iseul added, "They have no desire to cause undue alarm to further your burdens. After mistress Im has recovered, if the proposals are to your satisfaction, they will carry it out."
"They are too kind and generous, I feel I cannot.." Tears welled in Song-mi's eyes. None trickled down her cheeks. As fast as they appeared, they vanished without a trace.
"You are alone with a child to support. Please don't refuse their kindness out of guilt. Think of your son," Iseul nodded towards Jinjia. "You can always repay them later when you have settled down."
"That is the only thing I can do." Song-mi blinked as she bent to collect the cleaned crockery, signalling the end of their dialogue.
Picking up the utensils, Iseul trailed after her, thinking over their conversation. In those brief moments when Song-mi smiled, Iseul could see it was genuine. Tantalising glimpses of the personality behind the screen. Why was there a need to hide? The emotional control the woman exhibited was disturbing. Was it due to fear? Of what? Of whom? If it was an act, why was she dissembling? It was a conundrum she hoped to solve soon.
Hanseong
The booming of the drums at Namdaemun and Seodaemun echoed through the city, heralding the dawn of a new day. Night watchmen yawned and put away their clubs. Within the palace, the young crown prince had to be coaxed and flattered into getting up to pay his respects to his parents. Palace servants scurried about to prepare the royal bath, the royal raiments, the royal meals. Outside the palace, parts of the sluggish giant stirred. Women got up almost at the first strike of the drum, to be about their chores. Duty bound to the households, their in-laws, their husbands, their children. Beyond the city walls, farmers were already up and about their fields. Peddlars took stock of their wares.
As the day slowly grew brighter, stalls and shops opened. Traffic began to flow through the Unjongga. In the residential areas, all was still relatively quiet. A beggar silently shuffled down the streets, passing a few peddlars on their first circuit of the morning, to make his way to Jungchon after squirreling away the night. At Namsangol, more of his brethen gathered at the stream. As the first man reached the water, he stopped in annoyance. Turning to his fellows, he angrily shouted to them. Who had been inconsiderate?! Shaking their heads, they joined him. Grumbles and complaints filled the air. Hands reached out to pull the body from the water. When they turned it over, they were not surprised to find the face of the corpse was marred by cuts and bruises.
Was it one of them? They examined the clothing. Although soaked through and through, it was well made. Not of silk however. Murmurs of disappointment. There was no possibility of income. They stood about, in careless apathy as they stared down at the body, looking at one another. One of them would have to inform the authorities, there could be some payment. Disgruntled at having his morning ablution disrupted, the man who first discovered the body loudly announced he would do it and shuffled off as the rest made their way further upstream, leaving the body lying where it was.
As more people gathered at the stream, the corpse proved to be a hindrance so it was moved further away from the foot traffic. By the time the constables arrived, it had all but disappeared in some back alley of the rows of huts that clustered the landscape. The officer queried the man who reported the find but he could provide no answer. Used to the ways of the poor, the officer gestured to the constables to conduct a search. Veterans, they quickly turned up the corpse, covered in mud and dirt with the jackets undone. A brief examination revealed no personal belongings. The officer was not expecting to find any. From the cuts and bruises, the man was beaten up. There were marks around his neck as well. It looked like another typical murder that usually occurred around the poorer residential zones.
Pursing his lips, the officer frowned as he recalled the alarm of the night before. Gesturing to the constables, he watched as they wrapped the corpse up in cloth and carried it away before turning to the beggar waiting patiently behind him. A grin flashed to his face as a few coins were dropped into his hands. After clarifying that he knew very little, the officer went to the stream, scrutinizing the upstream banks. There was too much mud about to determine where the body had been thrown in. Glancing about once more, the officer left.
At Jungchon, gates of various households were opened as servants swept and cleaned the paths. A servant stood waiting at the panjangmun for his master to set off. A small group of maids gathered, ready to move off to the Unjongga to acquire provisions or looking into the wares peddlars were selling. Calls of the birds added themselves to the hum of voices and hundred other noises. All of which was just a murmur to the sleeping man in his bedding. The persistent call at the door finally roused him.
Rubbing an aching head, Hong-do sat up wearily. He yawned. Was it morning already? He blinked sticky tired eyes, struggling to get himself into some semblance of animation but sleep threatened to overwhelm him. The person called louder. Whatever it was, must be important. Heaving a sigh, he answered. The door opened to reveal Hak-soo, his protector when he was in Hanseong.
"Must you be so dogged this morning?" Hong-do complained before Hak-soo could say anything. "What's the crisis?"
"I'm sorry sir but a message arrived. Your presence is required."
"Where?" Rubbing his eyes, Hong-do threw off the quilt.
"A body is discovered this morning in Namchon. There is some problem identifying the corpse."
"What does that have to do with me?" Hong-do paused in the middle of folding the bedding.
"A prisoner escaped last night." Hak-soo nodded as Hong-do turned and voiced an unasked question. "The relevant authority has difficulty confirming the identity."
"I shouldn't be showing my face at all since..," began Hong-do.
"The body is held at another location before it is released for official investigation. We will set off after you have seen the corpse." Hak-soo turned and placed a basin of water and towel for Hong-do's ablution in the room.
"I cannot linger." Hong-do nodded. "I'll be as fast as I can." He began to pull out his clothing from the bandaji before a thought struck him. "What about breakfast?"
"Here, sir," grinned Hak-soo as he placed a soban beside the basin. "I'll wait for you at the courtyard." He closed the door as Hong-do abandoned his packing to head for the basin. He paused momentarily. Did he want to eat a meal if he was to view a corpse later? Grimacing, he hoped the sight would not be revolting.
When they headed out later, there was more traffic along the Jungchon. More peddlars were making their rounds, shouting out their wares as loudly as they could so the surrounding households could hear. Servants were out on errands. The Unjongga was teeming with people that they had difficulty making their way through. Progress was so slow that Hong-do wondered if they would be mired in the human traffic. Like a tortoise, they inched their way west. To Hong-do's surprise, Hak-soo headed towards the Ihyeon. Here it was even more crowded. A veritable battleground of men and women who fought over prices that would put ssireum veterans of many victories to shame. Like ants, men crowded around the stalls that were stacked with leftover winter greens and freshly picked spring greens, seeking the best for the household of their employers.
Hong-do had never felt more isolated in that expanse of assorted high pitched voices engaged in chatter and chaffer that drowned the low rumble that seemed strangely muted. It was as if the men were overwhelmed by the stallowners who did their outmost to pitch the best sale. Chimas and jangots fluttered about the few maids out in the morning, baskets drapped with greens. Children hung on to their mothers or wound themselves in and out of the jungle of chimas and bajis. He wished they had taken some other route. Where were they going? Surely they would not put a corpse among the stalls. He tried to imagine the uproar if it were discovered.
Hak-soo eventually turned right into the Yeonhwabang, then into a small alleyway before stopping. Hong-do wondered what he was about when he looked up and down the alley. It was empty saved for a few beggars slouched on the ground several feet away. Their heads were bent or turned away, seemingly asleep. Bending down, Hak-soo cupped his hands and nodded to Hong-do. Over the wall? What was it with agents and their favourite past time of making him climb over walls? He wished he had Yunbok's luck. Nobody seemed incline to make him crawl, climb or run.
Heaving a sigh, Hong-do put his foot into the cupped hands and steadied himself on the giwa before climbing over. He hoped Hak-soo would not make him run later as the man dropped down beside him. Beckoning, Hak-soo led him to the door of the nearest building as Hong-do tried to figure out where he was. A few raps on the door produced footsteps. The door opened to let them into a small bare room with closed windows. There were no furnishings. A shrouded figure lay on the floor. A lit candle stood nearby. The door closed. The man who opened it crouched over the body and pulled back the cloth covering the face. Wincing at the ugly bruises and deep cuts, Hong-do bent to take a look.
"Well?" said Hak-soo after a moment.
"Was it the assassin who escaped last night?" Hong-do did not look up from his visual examination.
"Yes. Is this him? The interrogator is unable to make confirmation but he thinks it's not him."
"He's right. This is not the assassin. The brow's too high, the nose a little too broad and this man has a round face," Hong-do pointed out the relevant features.
"That settles that," Hak-soo said noncommittally. He nodded to the other man who covered the body again. "We can set off now." He opened the door for Hong-do. Instead of climbing over the wall as Hong-do expected, they went through a small courtyard, a vegetable patch and another door that led them to the back path that wound along residences. Could not they have used the door earlier? Hong-do bit back the question. It was pointless to ask about it.
"So what ...," he began but Hak-soo gestured to him to be quiet, pointing to his ears and their surroundings.
His meaning was clear so Hong-do remained silent as they made their way to the Bukdaemun where horses were being held for them outside the main gates. The northen road was populated with all manner of vehicles and travellers. Clouds of dust and chaff floated about in the tracks of their passage. Gradually, there was less bustle and the sounds of nature became more discernible as they turned north-west and reached the foot of Deokyangsan.
"You have something to ask?" Hak-soo pulled the reins so his horse slowed down to stay abreast of Hong-do.
"Any idea who is responsible?" Ah! Hong-do breathed deeply of the air. There was nothing like the fresh air to be found out in the mountains and hills. It could get too stifling in Hanseong, overflowing with people.
"When the chickens are missing, it's always the fox," said Hak-soo. "Perhaps they intend to use him for another purpose."
"Where do they intend to loose the tiger?" Hong-do wondered.
"Accounts of his confessions is missing from the archives."
"They took that too?" Hong-do was dismayed. Now there would be no evidence to bring forth against the faction. "Perhaps you are right. He is afterall, a trained and skilled poisoner. Such talent will go to waste if they left him to his fate. Given that he had refused them before, he could not do so at present."
"He owes a debt," Hak-soo nodded in agreement.
"Still, he has some loyalty to the King," Hong-do said reflectively.
"It's a moot point. We will never know how true he is unless he shows up again," Hak-soo sniffed, turning his gaze back to the trail before them. "Someone will meet us at the pavilion. I'll turn you over to him and return to Hanseong. How long did you say you will be away?"
"About six weeks." Hong-do laughed when Hak-soo whooped. Six weeks in which his protector wouldn't have to trail after him.
The path continued west before it turned north, bringing them higher and higher up the mountain. It forked at a plateau but they continued to head north. It dipped and they came to a valley where a pavilion stood beside a stream. A man was waiting for them; Cheol-yu. He waved when he saw them.
"Late as usual," he said when they reached him. "Lunch is cold."
The word lunch was ambrosia to Hong-do who could not get off his horse quickly enough. "Who cares if there is food to be had," he said. "Your compatriot is a terrible protector if he allows his charge to go hungry. I should complain about him," he added.
"I'm afraid that will do no good, sir," grinned Cheol-yu as he tied the reins of Hong-do's horse to one of the posts of the pavilion. "You can't pick and choose." He handed a chanbap to Hong-do as he sat down. "It's not as if you are buying clothes."
"You are all cut from the same cloth! He made me climb over the wall of a residence, you'll turn me into a thief in no time." Ignoring their chuckles, Hong-do opened the chanbap to see chaltteok, juak and sukchae.
"Aigoo, don't leave me out!" Hak-soo exclaimed when Hong-do began to eat and dived for his share.
Lunch was speedily consumed with water from the spring to quench their thirst. Promising he would be back in six weeks, Hak-soo took his leave. Cheol-yu and Hong-do continued on to the mountain residence of his patron, Kim Han-tae. The air became cooler and cooler as they ascended the trail, talking casually on what had taken place in his absence. Yunbok, apparently had not resumed work. After recovering from that unfortunate accident, he had spent the days teaching the children. Mistress Im had recovered too. She was up and about, doing light tasks. There was nothing untoward either on the woman, Song-mi. A grin flashed on Cheol-yu's face as the subject turned to Suk-kwon. His former chief was apparently having trouble with Iseul. Hong-do chuckled as Cheol-yu described the cold shoulder given to Suk-kwon when he tried to converse with her.
Hard as he tried to hide his approaches, his intention was obvious to everyone though they pretended not to see. It was uncertain why Iseul would want to make it difficult for him. Cheol-yu thought she was just playing hard to get. Hong-do thought otherwise because that did not seem like her. From Yunbok's occasional comment on her in his letters, she was a practical woman. Definitely not given to frivolous affectations. Perhaps Suk-kwon was not sincere enough in his approaches. They arrived at the mountain retreat in fine humor. The servants were waiting at the gates. Leaving the horses to them, Hong-do made his way into the house. Yunbok should be in his room, he thought. Sure enough when he stopped by, he found the children with him.
Pokkot was painting while P'ado was reading a book. They greeted him with delight when they saw him. Pokkot showed him her paintings immediately, eager for his opinion. To his surprise, he found she had some talent in her work. His sincere praise made her very happy. She resumed her drawing with determination. After watching her for a moment, he turned to catch a frown on P'ado's face. To his query, P'ado answered that he was merely revising his work. There was a shadow of reserve about him that was not there when he first came in. What had brought it up? Before he could question the boy, Yunbok wanted to know the reason for his delay. To which Hong-do brought out the notes he had taken and showed them to him. They should continue with the screens the next day since there was now a confirmed dateline. He left for his room to rest after giving the notes to Yunbok to read.
Dinner that night was filled with much discourse on the news and gossips he heard in Hanseong though he made no mention of Ui-sik's escape. Taking out the candy he had bought, he shared them out. The topic turned to food and festivities. An impromptu poem recital sprang up. P'ado was elected as the main entertainment of the night. Flushing red, nevertheless, he tried his best to recall what he had learned.
Busy exchanging the new year's greetings
I had new year's food of different families to the full
Rice cake soup, pheasant and sweet cake puffs
Are served in an instant and I happily enjoy them
When jujubes redden first and chestnut burrs open
Freshly harvested rice and taro soup are cooked
Every household visits the ancestor's grave as they do on Hansik
The Full Moon Festival is full of warmth
Till the deepest night I visited a neighbour or friend
And freely stroll on the street lined with lamplights
Egg-shaped dumplings and flower-shaped beef brochettes
Are abundantly served along with special affection
His voice wobbled when he looked at Yunbok and Jeong-hyang. The underlying emphasis was lost as the rest lauded him: Suk-kwon looked away, half-hearted in his praise. Hong-do swallowed his sigh. Iseul and Song-mi were obviously puzzled at the boy's unhappiness. Cheol-yu and the rest missed it completely and decided to add their own poems, providing the diversion Yunbok and Jeong-hyang needed. It came to an end at second watch when the two sentries on patrol returned. Cheol-yu went off with his men to take up their duties. The women retired with the children while the rest continued to sit in the daecheong.
"Thoughts?" Suk-kwon said, without preamble after Hong-do revealed Ui-sik's escape.
"Useful or not, he's too dangerous alive," Yunbok said immediately. "He turned against them once, he can do it again. Are they willing to take that chance?"
"He knows too much," agreed Hong-do. "There is no way to stop him from betrayal."
Yunbok frowned. "They took too long in releasing him. That or eliminating him. What are they waiting for?"
"Perhaps they have difficulty getting to him?" suggested Hong-do.
"They are waiting for something," Yunbok wondered at Suk-kwon's silence. "How did he escape?"
"Someone snuck in and knocked out the guard at his cell. They overpowered the guards at the main doors and fled." Suk-kwon put up a hand as Yunbok was about to speak. "The place was not guarded as tightly as it should have been. The lack of tighter security is suspicious."
"Is this the way the Uigeumbu operate?" Hong-do was incredulous at the bungle by the supreme investigation department. "Or ..."
"Something smells bad," Yunbok said blandly, eyeing Suk-kwon who nodded. "Do they have him or not?"
"It's hard to tell." Suk-kwon was glad the problem was not his but Cheol-yu's. "If he is loose, sooner or later, he will leave his mark."
"I don't suppose he followed you," Yunbok said to Hong-do who looked blank.
"Cheol-yu would have said something. Why would he be following me?"
"His wife and son are here..."
"Yes but why suspect I would know her whereabouts? The only time we met was at that audience at Hwaseong. We were not introduced."
"But your presence at the audience implied your importance, that you know a lot more. Someone could have told him who you are."
"That applies to you too, doesn't it? P'ado was there. He knows the boy is your son. You are even more likely to know her whereabouts."
"I'm not so prominent as you," Yunbok pointed out wryly.
"Have you talked to her yet?"
Yunbok shook his head. "She has kept to herself. If I didn't know better, I'd say she's avoiding me."
"Then we are left with conjectures, there is nothing else we can do," said Hong-do.
"Our immediate problem now are the paintings. I looked through the notes, they are mostly what you have drafted."
"We start tomorrow then. Your days of freedom are over," Hong-do grinned wickedly at Yunbok who made a face. "We better get our rest since we will begin early tomorrow."
They got up and made for their own rooms. As Suk-kwon walked down the corridor, he thought he heard a noise and looked about the daecheong. Was that a moving shadow? He made for the porch and glanced about keenly but nothing moved nor was there any other unusual sound. Perhaps it was his imagination. He turned away and headed for his room. Behind him, a shadow detached itself and disappeared into the night.
Korean Words
juak - a kind of tteok stuffed mushrooms, chestnuts, etc and covered with sugar or honey
sukchae - parboiled or stir-fried vegetables mixed with seasonings