Cheongmyeong 1795

For a long moment, no one said anything. Hong-do stared at the far wall while Yunbok gazed unseeing at the floor: each ruminating on that revelation. Why would the King ordered his release? Was it to loose the hare to see what predator would bite? Or was it because the reason lay too close for comfort?

"A weed in the backyard, sir?" Hong-do said finally as Yunbok concurred silently. That was what he surmised too. There was nothing like black goats in the family one had to go through any means to shield. Between obligations of family and governance, blood tend to overweigh the scale.

"He knows too much. It is a choice to decide on his usefulness."

"It is a double-edged sword but it is too risky," Hong-do said, picking his words with care.

"An ambiguous decision needs more consideration. He knows his wife is here, part of the inducement offered to him. His intense passion for her was noted during the interrogation."

"If I may point out sir. Curiosity about his chosen course stays your hand," Hong-do said.

"Perhaps."

"Is there need to make his "release" so public?"

"To see the ripples on the water."

What was that rigmarole on his viewing of a corpse about? Hong-do was put out by the thought he had been dragged through a needless stomach churning task to no purpose. In addition to getting dragged through alleys and climbing over walls. His inward grumbles rumbled to a stop at Yunbok's question.

"What will happen to him, sir?"

"He will not see the sun tomorrow."

There was nothing to be said further. Ui-sik's death would open a fresh page for many.

"There are a few matters to settle. Hyewon."

"Yes, sir." Yunbok's throat went dry. Had the King come to a decision?

"Are you adamant in revealing what you are to the boy?"

"Yes, Majesty. It must be done soon. He already knows there is something of import that will affect the family, our relations. It troubles him too much. He is displaying errant behaviour due to the stress," Yunbok said anxiously, trying to rein in his fear and impatience.

"Enough to cause trouble? How confident are you?"

"As certain as the sun rises the morrow, sir. He may turn away from us but he will not turn us in."

"You know him best, having raise him for fourteen years. Summon him and your companion."

"Sir, one more person should be present."

"Your protector. Very well."

Yunbok bowed before he got up and retreated to the door. It had come. Taking a deep breath, he walked towards the porch. Why was he trembling so? His heart was beating madly. He tried to calm himself. At his appearance, all eyes settled on him. Looking to Jeong-hyang, he beckoned and nodded towards P'ado. Her colour fled. She closed her eyes but got up after a moment. After murmuring something to Pokkot, she prodded P'ado when he did not respond to her. He looked preoccupied. Thinking over his slip of the tongue to Ui-sik, no doubt. Surprised, he got up and followed her.

Meeting Jeong-hyang's eyes as she came abreast, Yunbok tried to offer a little comfort before turning away. He quickly turned back when he realised he had forgotten Suk-kwon. The older man joined them at his soft call, stumbling a little. They made their way down the corridor and into the workroom. After making their bows, they sat waiting. Yunbok returned to his seat. How should they start?

"We come to a crucial point. From here, nothing is definite. Hyewon, this is what you want to do?" said Jeongjo, reading Yunbok's fear all too well.

"Yes, sir," Yunbok said before his courage failed him.

"Mistress Im, I finally see for myself the woman who made such a great sacrifice for Hyewon. Master Danwon pled your stance most convincingly that my opinion is challenged."

"Your Majesty. I only did what I did out of devotion," Jeong-hyang answered evenly, prepared for wrath and whatever else may come.

P'ado was not sure he understood the statement. Master Danwon had to plea for omoni? What did she do? What was this great sacrifice?

"Such as it is. Young man." P'ado gave a start for he was not really expecting to be part of the discussion and bowed. "It is too late to undo what has been done. The crisis has passed. No blame is laid."

"Indeed there is none," said Yunbok. P'ado's tensed shoulders eased slightly.

"It is a lesson well learned, it will not be repeated."

"No, sir," P'ado said vehemently. Was that a warning? It was not needed, he would not speak of Yunbok's talent in painting ever again. It would be kept in his heart and released only at home.

"There is a story to be heard and it concerns Hyewon. Whatever is revealed tonight, in this very room, cannot go beyond."

"Yes, sir." Nervousness took hold of P'ado. Was this the very matter Yunbok had refused to discuss?

"Since it is your story, Hyewon, you may begin."

Tension rose thickly in the room as Yunbok collected his thoughts. "P'ado, do you remember the story of my past I told you last year?"

"Yes."

"I did not tell you everything." Yunbok closed his eyes. "Let me tell it to you again, with truth. There was a small family that lived in Hanseong. Seo Jing was once a royal painter, his wife a gisaeng. They met, married and had a daughter, Seo Yun."

Daughter? Seo Yun? P'ado frowned, why was he telling it in the third person?

"When she was eight years old, Seo Jing was caught in a political mire between factions. Out of desire to cast doubts on the royal ascension, attempts were made to remove the evidence. Knowing his life was threatened, Seo Jing hid clues in his paintings. True to his fears, assassins were sent to kill the entire family. In one night, husband and wife were gone but Seo Yun survived because her mother hid her under the stove. Before her very eyes, her parents were cut down."

P'ado was horrified. Did the girl live, he wondered.

"The murders were discovered the next day. Before long, a family friend came by, Shin Han-pyeong, to check the house because there was no report of a child's body. He found Seo Yun wandering in the courtyard, dazed because she was traumatized by what she had seen."

Shin Han-pyeong .. Seo Yun .. Seo... P'ado's thoughts cluttered to a stop. He stared at Yunbok. What was he saying?

"He knew she had artistic talent. With the death of the parents, he brought in motion a plan he had been contemplating. He adopted Seo Yun and brought her to his home but he did not introduce her into the family as a daughter. He told everyone he adopted a son, Shin Yunbok."

P'ado turned pale. What? He shook his head. No, that was not possible. What was he saying? The others watched him anxiously. Would he break? Suk-kwon readied himself, despite of his unsteadiness, to catch hold of him if he decided to run out.

"For the next ten years, Yunbok was brought up along with her foster brother, Young-bok. Confused and lost, she remembered nothing of her past, who she was, what she was. She only accepted what was told her by her foster father. His intention was to groom her to be an artist whose talent would eventually rise her to the rank of a valued royal painter. Who would bring wealth and prestige to the family name. His expectations were almost fulfilled saved that she began to learn the art of painting under a new teacher, Danwon Kim Hong-do. Master Danwon was a close family friend of Seo Jing but because he was exiled, he was unable to help his friend."

Yunbok paused for a moment and glanced at P'ado who looked confused.

"When they were murdered," continued Yunbok, closing his eyes as he did so, "he could not return to find out what had happened to the daughter. When he was summoned back to Hanseong, he set out to find the truth. With help from his Majesty who also desired to learn the reason behind a missing portrait, he slowly unearthed the clues. Yunbok assisted him. In the course of the investigation, she began to remember her past. One day, certain paintings in the royal library invoked memories of the lost. The truth was eventually recalled. She knew who had her parents killed. The merchant to whom her foster father had sold her to."

"She set out to get her revenge. The conspirators were flushed out but not the masterminds. It was not enough that she achieved her goal. Her anger got the better of her. In all rashness, she confronted the merchant and revealed who she was. The merchant escaped arrest but was later killed by his compatriots. Before he died, he revealed to the Queen Dowager what Yunbok was. Having no proof, the Queen Dowager tried to capture Yunbok but she managed to escape. His Majesty discovered the truth but instead of executing her, he exiled her. She left Hanseong and wandered thereafter."

Yunbok opened his eyes and met P'ado's disbelieving gaze. Was the boy about to faint? His face was utterly white.

"I did not know who she is until much later," said Hong-do, drawing P'ado's attention. "Imagine my relief and happiness in finding the child of my best friend, who I thought lost forever. I was shocked and furious at what she had become. Because of one man's ambitions, her childhood and upbringing was twisted. She can not be what she is."

"She wandered for a year," said Suk-kwon behind P'ado who turned to face him. "A year of attrition that almost killed her. His Majesty desired the painters to be protected because of fears of retribution for their role in reestablishing the royal legacy so agents were sent to guard them. Hyewon was showing signs of deep distress so a plan was hatched to get her to settle down. I was selected to be the one to watch over her because of the paper mill that I own. When she arrived, I had to look for her due to a miscommunication. I rescued her before she was killed by robbers. In the course of treating her injuries, I discovered Hyewon is a woman, not a man. That posed a great deal of problem which I rectified as best as I could by training her to defend herself."

"Why.. why .. didn't she .. just .. assume her real idenity?" P'ado felt it was safer to use the third person reference. For the moment, he could not accept it as reality.

"A woman is disadvantaged," Hong-do said solemnly. "A lone woman travelling about, more so. There are no safe havens out there. Robbers and unscrupulous men wander at will. A man can be attacked for his possessons but he will not suffer the kind of assault a woman will receive."

Thoughts of Song-mi's plight came to mind at this statement.

"There is some form of security and better bargaining power when it comes to such tasks like buying necessities or selling paintings. She had no income, no family, no friends, no shelter. How do you think she survived in that year? Can a woman seat herself out there to paint and sell her own works? Will anyone accept them?"

"She was brought up like a boy and lived as a man for more than ten years. It is difficult to change." Suk-kwon shook his head.

P'ado tried to imagine what it was like. To be brought up as a boy instead of as a girl. It was hard to fathom. As he sat there ruminating, he realised there was one person who had yet to say anything. How? He turned to Jeong-hyang, filled with questions.

"I was a gisaeng, just arrived at Hanseong," she said in answer to his questioning look. "On the day we reached the capital, I met her at a cloth shop. She was hiding from someone. After an unfriendly conversation, I left. I took her for a young brash fellow, very rude and too forward. We met again at the birthday party one of her classmates threw at the gibang. Of them all, she was the only one who understood my music. When the party was over, I returned to my quarters. She was waiting for me by the lotus pond. For five nyang, she wished to hear more of my music."

"It was insulting. I refused. But she insisted. I could see she was in distress so I finally consented. I played my music, she painted and eventually drank herself to sleep. I lost my heart to her that night. After she became a royal painter, she came to visit and I was happy. Until the day I was sold as a concubine to the merchant who was responsible for her parents' death. The parting was painful but we separated nevertheless. Later, she was dismissed from her post after her foster brother's death. A death her foster father blamed her for. That and losing her post. He sold her to the same merchant who knew she had talent. I was secretly delighted and harboured impossible dreams. One night, she arranged to meet me and I went, all unknowing of the terrible pain she would inflict. That night, she revealed what she was. I was shattered. The man I love was not real."

Memories of that pain echoed clearly in her voice. Yunbok sighed softly.

"I felt I could not live," Jeong-hyang continued. "I could not eat. I was in bed all day. Even as I suffered, I was aware she was not happy either. As the days went by, I waited for death until the day she suddenly provoked the merchant with a painting. I was puzzled. I was afraid. Afraid for her because I know what kind of man the merchant was. She did it again with another painting. I did not know it was her plan for revenge. I panicked, he would kill her surely so I went to see her. She would not tell me what she intended. I wanted to get her away, get us away. It was then I realised it matter not what she is, I only know I truly love her. She refused to leave as I suggested so I determined to help her in any way I could. When her revenge was done, out of fear for my safety, she sent me away. We both knew it was impossible for us and so we parted again."

"But you came together once more?" P'ado remembered the story Young-joon had told him.

"It was accidental."

"Ajoshi Han...it was ajoshi Han, he told me the story.." P'ado recalled the conversation he had with Young-joon. "You..."

"Yes. She told me to make a new life for myself but I found I could not. I cannot forget her. She tried to make me choose a more legitimate choice but it was useless."

"This is the sacrifice you made?" P'ado blinked. Sacrifice. By binding herself to Yunbok, she had broken the boundaries that governed the norms of relationships. She would not find a proper partner unless she was divorced. He did not think she was upset by this, he knew only too well of their affections for each other.

"To make a life with her, to share the danger with her, yes. I have no regrets."

Silence fell. Everyone waited as the boy sat there without a word.

"This is just some.. fantasy, isn't it?" he said finally, in a low voice, unable to absorb the truth. Yes, that was what it was. A tall story. It could not be real.

"There is just only one other thing to show you," Yunbok said. He waited for P'ado to finally look at him before he tore off the false beard, wincing as the glue held it stubbornly to his flesh.

It was a familiar face to the boy and yet not. He stared wildly at Yunbok before dropping his face to his hands. It was not true, not true, he repeated to himself. He was dreaming, yes, that was it. Dreaming. He wanted to cry but no tears came. The room felt stifling, he felt he could not breathe, he wanted to get away. Away from them. Another thought struck him. So that was why they had made the arrangements they did to have him stay with ajoshi Han. He groped for any other thought than the shock of revelation.

"He needs some time to himself. He can retire." Sympathy in the voice. "Hyewon, mistress Im, you can go as well. I find the truth illuminating. Danwon, you too. Gunja, remain behind."

The rest paused momentarily in their leave taking, surprised to hear Suk-kwon addressed so. It must be his code name. Yunbok smiled. It was an apt naming. Out in the corridor, he stood awkwardly with Jeong-hyang and Hong-do. Relieved and saddened. P'ado was partly turned away, unable to face them. Yunbok exchanged a sad glance with Jeong-hyang but did not attempt to address the boy. Hong-do whispered he would get P'ado to his room. There was no resistance when he made the suggestion. They walked away. Instead of returning to the daecheong, Yunbok went to his room that was just two doors down with Jeong-hyang. His beard would have to be fixed back or his identity would be truly blown wide open.

"He leaves tomorrow," he said as he sat down with Jeong-hyang, fishing out the implements from within the bandaji to glue back the beard.

"So soon?" there was no protest in her voice as she looked down to prepare the glue. A tear splashed onto her hand.

"Hyangya." He drew her gently into a hug. "There is nothing more we can do. It is over. I am glad it is over and yet ..."

"We will miss him," she sobbed.

"Yes but we have provided all we can to ensure he will be able to take care of himself, with help from Young-joon. At least we will have memories of the fourteen years with him," he said soothingly, feeling oddly removed from her emotions which he should be sharing in. She did not answer but only cried. When her tears finally stopped, Yunbok still could find none of his own to shed. Patting her back gently, he picked up the false beard and began to apply the fresh glue after softening it with water.

"I miss this face of yours." She traced his chin with her fingers, removing the tiny detritus that had remained. "Weren't you planning to get rid of the beard?"

"I can't find an opportunity to remove it." He handed the false beard to her so she could put it on him. After taking another look at him, she fixed it back in place carefully, pressing it lightly so it would take hold. Covering the small pot of glue and tying it up with the other tools, he turned away to replace it in the bandaji.

"I want to stay," she said, not wishing to spend the night alone. "Pokkot can sleep with Iseul."

"All right," he said. "We have to join the rest."

Suk-kwon was not among those sitting at the porch, neither was Hong-do. Probably talking to P'ado. To their surprise, Iseul was missing. Summoned to see the King, according to the servants. Was it over her various missions she had done over the years or did it have something to do with Suk-kown? They could not wait to find out. Pokkot was worried that Jeong-hyang had cried, from the red of her eyes and face, and that P'ado had not come back with them. Her anxiety was placated when informed that he had gone to bed but picked up again. Went to bed when the King was there? She was puzzled but supposed the King did not mind. Tempted though she was to look up when he walked by earlier, she did not so all she glimpsed of him was his boots. Very fine looking boots they were too.

The clear calm happy look on Song-mi's face as she played quietly with Jinjia gave Yunbok much comfort. For surely this was not the countenance of a deranged person, he felt. Still, he would be cautious when he talked to her the morrow. Who knew what she could hiding? It would not be difficult to send her north if he asked Young-joon. His friend had relatives in the region. If he was sending off P'ado tomorrow, Song-mi could go with him. Letters had to be written. He would do that later.

Once his task was finished, they would have to finalise where they wanted to go. Suk-kwon might have a place in mind but would he want to leave the paper mill? Despite his assurance to the older man that they would look after him, he was not sure they could do so if he did not want to uproot. Another thought struck him. He smiled. Jeong-hyang did not understand that smile. What was so amusing in this time of trial? But she too, echoed his smile when he whispered to her.

Time seemed to drag as they sat there until the old couple eventually gathered their courage to ask who was the man held pinion and gagged. Rather than answer them, Yunbok looked at Song-mi who disclosed as much as she could without prevarication. As he listened, his admiration for her endurance grew. What she had gone through the years clearly demonstrated her strength of will to survive.

As if recognizing his appreciation, Song-mi directed most of her words to him. In other circumstances, Jeong-hyang would have identified it as blandishment but she was distracted so she did not pay much attention. The old couple was shocked by what they heard. In the middle of the account, Iseul returned and had to speak to Yunbok twice before he realised she was there. After hearing what she had to say, he left for the workroom, half wondering at the light in her eyes.

"Has he spoken further?" Came the question when he sat down before Jeongjo.

"No, sir. He has had a shock. As such, I feel he will not want to listen further to anything I say."

"What do you intend?"

"I will send him home tomorrow with master Han who will act as his guardian in our absence. He will inform us if the boy's reaction remains negative during the time we are here. Pending such a result, we have already made plans to settle elsewhere."

"You are still confident that he will not betray you?"

"Yes, sir."

"I am returning with him tomorrow," put in Suk-kwon. Surprised, Yunbok looked to him for an explanation. "I have been officially released and I will go home. With Iseul," he nodded as Yunbok raised a questioning brow at him. "We will make a home at the paper mill. We will keep an eye on him as you originally intended."

"That is a far better plan than I could have thought of," grinned Yunbok, pleased that Suk-kwon would finally have his own family.

"Where would you settle, if the boy refuses to accept you?" asked Jeongjo.

"Along the coast, sir. How should I inform the protector?"

"There is no longer any need for that. I intend to release you from your obligations." Yunbok's heart leaped at that. "There are a few reasons why your whereabouts have to be kept at hand. You have already done your outmost in all that have been asked for you, your diligence and loyalty is as profound as those who protect us. The ones who search are finding it not worth their while to keep at it. There is too much misinformation, false leads, false arrests. Too much money and time expended. The brazen embezzlement of military stores and lands are their latest plans to shore up their fortunes. It is most disheartening when their recent attempt to expose Hyewon only brought about scandalous rumors."

On hearing that, both Suk-kwon and Yunbok were hard put not to laugh. They tempered it prudently.

"They will succeed in other endeavors, there is no doubt of that," came the frank assessment. "The most important issue at hand is that you no longer need protectors. I trust you will continue to be prudent. Especially where your paintings are concerned."

"Yes, sir." What a relief it was to hear he was free to do as he would, albeit with caution.

"Once this current task is done, you may go where you will. You have my blessings and my thanks."

"It is my honor to serve, your Majesty."

"This is the last meeting I will have with you, Hyewon. Do take care of yourself."

"Health and long life to your Majesty." Yunbok willed back the tears and bowed deeply.

They bowed as a rustling of robes indicated his intent to depart. They followed in his wake. Those at the porch hastily retreated when Suk-kwon announced the King's departure. They trailed behind more slowly as the royal guards formed up and advanced to the gates. Behind them, another four escorted their struggling prisoner who kept trying to turn about when he saw Song-mi. He was hauled through the gates, never to be seen no more. There came the sound of hoofs and the tramp of boots, gradually fading away. Cheol-yu and the others came in, closing and locking the gates. Those at the courtyard looked at one another, feeling as if they were in a dream. In unspoken consensus, everyone retreated to their rooms to rest and ruminate further over the events of the night.

"The servants' tongues are sure to wag tomorrow," murmured Jeong-hyang, her hand on Pokkot to ensure that the girl was sleeping.

"I doubt if anyone really cares," Yunbok yawned. It had been a long day but tired as he was, sleep eluded him.

"Is he sleeping?" she turned to face him. "Do you think?"

"A few of us will not sleep much tonight," he sighed. "I can think of two who will have no trouble."

"I can't imagine Iseul settling down or who her partner ends up to be," she said contemplatively.

"Well at least he has someone in his dotage and he can look after P'ado. That settles two problems at once," he said quietly before sitting up, flipping back the quilt.

"What is it?" she said, hearing his movement.

"I meant to write letters to Young-joon," he said, carefully feeling for the choktae and lighting the candle.

"Now?"

"I can't sleep," he sat at the desk, pulling out blank pages from the drawers and preparing the ink. "For P'ado, to hold his ceremony," he murmured as she joined him at the poryo to watch him at his task. "For Song-mi, to ensure she is sent to the far north."

"Does it have to be that far?"

"I'm afraid so. For his safety and our own. She will have to be kept under watch for a while too."

"Is there something wrong with her?" Realising he had not told her the story, he related it to her as softly as he could, for he could not be sure Pokkot was sleeping and such tales were not meant for her.

"Oh heavens, how long was she with him?" she said, horrified. "You met her in that year, so that's nearly fifteen .."

"Perhaps fourteen, she did not marry him at once," he corrected without pausing in his writing. "Apparently he treated her very well initially. Perhaps to lull her. It is a wonder she has not gone mad."

"The best way to survive, is to be accommodating," she said as he looked at her for further elucidation. "Such as it is with Iseul. I know she had run into a important customer or two who would not take no for an answer. When she could not persuade them otherwise, she would acquiesce but her heart was never involved. Song-mi would have also been prudent to do the same, flow with the current even if it's terrible to bear. If he is pleased, she could at least look to a better day."

"I'm surprised that she had not secretly tried to do him away," he said, putting the brush to rest on the pilga and turning to her to focus on the conversation. "Would fear hold her hand?"

"She did not know he specialised in poisons, what had she to fear but having the death of a person on her hands," a sudden chill struck and she huddled closer to him. "If she had done so, that would make her a killer. Perhaps she tried other means of poison. He would notice the effects, wouldn't he?"

"That is true, his abuse would double," he nodded, taking her hands. "You are letting it disturb you too much." He rubbed her cold hands but forbore to raise the subject of what was really affecting her. "I'm getting fanciful. I would imagine her taking up a knife and stabbing him in her terror. Perhaps arranging an accident for him. But I'm not her. I can't imagine what it must be like: to live through so many years of persecution and emerged at the end as she did. I must say she has enormous strength of will."

"Perhaps her son gave her strength." She leaned against him. "You admire her."

"Compared to my sole year of wandering," he shook his head. "Her sufferings are immense."

"Perhaps it is fate." She closed her eyes. "Just as we are fated to lose P'ado."

"I have no tears to shed," he confessed.

"I know. It will come later," she stroked his face gently. "Later."