Cheongmyeong 1795

A rush of footsteps came thumping down the corridor.

"Any change?" a breathless Hong-do nearly fell into the room when he opened the door. The sight of a motionless Yunbok was all the answer he needed. "Nothing?" he sat down beside Yunbok and heaved a sigh.

"I dare not try anything," she said, without looking up from her task. "Not knowing exactly what is wrong, what was given to him. I might worsen his condition."

"There are no physicians nearby, I asked the servants." He thumped his fist on the floor. That was one of the drawbacks to this mountain retreat, secure but lacking in many ways if one happened to be ill. If only they were nearer that physician's home who had tended to Yunbok years ago. But no, what would he say if he saw Yunbok again?

"We can't send for one," she reminded him, "even if there is a healer nearby."

"With his life at risk?!" he regretted his outburst as soon as it popped out and waved it away. "No, I'm sorry, that is uncall for." He frowned as he stared at Yunbok. "Do you suppose she did it? Is it out of hate? Revenge for his running way?"

"If he did not run away, if he had summoned up the courage to check, he would have found her alive. Then ..," she put down the tongs speculatively, glad for the distraction. "He would have tried to find shelter for her before moving on. If that had happened, the assassin would not have found her. There would be no years of persecution."

"I doubt if there would be any changes if Yunbok managed to do all that," said Hong-do. "That fellow specifically went back to get her. If she was not there, he would search. Something about her attracted him or he felt there was an opportunity to indulge in his sadistic predilection."

"You do not think he could have felt remorse for his actions?" she suggested.

"I'll believe that if I find all the paintings completed on the morrrow," snorted Hong-do. "It must seem a gift to him from the heavens when she failed to recognise him. Given what he revealed of himself, he was a person who enjoyed inflicting fear. He went back for her to satiate his desires."

She was repulsed. It reminded her of someone; Kim Jo-nyeong. Did he not enjoy the fear his presence brought to those weaker than him? Though he had treated her well, she had sensed he enjoyed seeing the fear she tried to hide from him.

"The thought of such a man is making me ill," she swallowed the bile that rose at the memories and hurried to switch the subject. "Why would the assassin be running around with highwaymen?"

Firing up fresh charcoal would bring about too much smoke so she got up to open the windows.

"If those highwaymen also worked for the faction, his presence is obvious. There is nothing so convenient as to blame mysterious disappearances and deaths on bandits." Hong-do reached to touch Yunbok's cheek with the back of his hand. Perhaps it was slightly less cold but he was still unconscious.

"Omoni, here are the coals," came Pokkot's voice. Hong-do opened the door for her. The girl walked in gingerly, holding a small brass mokpan with glowing red charcoal which Jeong-hyang quickly placed into the hwaro with tongs, working up the fire with a buchae. "Ajumoni Jung says dinner is ready," added Pokkot as she watched the fresh charcoal come to life, "and if ajoshi Kim would like to have it now?"

"To worry on an empty furnace is ill done," Hong-do said to Jeong-hyang, "it will be a long night. Pokkotya, please tell her to bring mine to the workroom. I've to clean up the brushes or they'll be ruined." He left for the workroom, chafing for something to do for he could not bear to sit there feeling helpless.

"Ask her to send our dinner after his," Jeong-hyang said to Pokkot who ran off once more to the kitchen.

She turned her attention to the hwaro. Satisfied that the charcoals were all lit and glowing, she moved it nearer to Yunbok. It might be too warm for her but it would be far better to keep the environment about Yunbok toasty for the moment. "Painter," she called hopefully as she checked him again. No answer. Grasping his hand, she closed her eyes. Everything about him was so still, was he hovering at the edge? Where was he?

When dinner arrived, she hardly had any appetite but forced herself to eat for she did not wish to lack the efficacy should it be needed later. The old couple came to see what they could do but there was nothing. After bringing in a teapot of hyangseolgo they retired to their quarters to gossip between themselves. Hong-do returned to share the silent vigil with her. Pokkot leaned against her before clasping her about the waist.

At every hour, Jeong-hyang examined Yunbok. Other than the slow return to near normality of his pulse, everything else remained unchanged. As the night drew on, Pokkot fell asleep. Hong-do tried to persuade her to take a nap to no avail. There was no way she would do so. If he woke up the next morning, all would be well. If he did not, she prayed fervently that it would not turn out that way, she would not want to spend the last moments senseless.

The moon sailed on. The candle flickered as the wick almost drowned in melted wax. Hong-do removed the remnants of hot wax into a small bowl before fixing in a fresh candle. Both he and Jeong-hyang were drooping with weariness but neither one wanted to go to sleep. He checked Yunbok again. Warmer and did he look less pale? Ah, but he was so motionless, he had to bend closer to hear his breathing.

"I wish I have my gayageum," said Jeong-hyang, rubbing the limp hand she was holding. "It might encourage him to wakefulness."

"Ah .." he smiled as a thought struck him. "That reminds me." He left the room and swiftly returned with a long stick in his hand. As he came closer, she realised it was a daegeum. "I've never played this in his presence. Perhaps it could help him wake up." He lifted it to his lips. Would it work? Soft vibrating notes filled the room, lifting flagging spirits and moved them through the realms of the player as he relived memories of years past.

What joy they had, painting the Immortals, roaming about the city in their search for inspiration, peeping at women at laundry, the outrageous ideas they came up with, painting each other's faces, arguments, drinking. So young, she was so young...watching her as they discussed various aspects for the Hwaseong Fortress paintings, whimsically charming in her man's guise and yet a dignified gentleman. So different, so much older but that light in her eyes still shone with her passion.

Spring, summer, autumn, scent of mugunghwa... flowers for her, singles, bouquets... How many fields had they walked through? Quiet nights looking at the sky sprinkled with a different kind of flower. Shining so steadfastly bright. Peaceful snatches of time with each other. No words were needed, the light in his eyes said it all, warmth and shared presence everyday. The dance of the brush as she played her gayageum, in memory of that night they rekindled that spark, every year, he would paint solely of her.. his passion flared bright, never dimming.

"That was beautiful, master Danwon," she said, a long moment after the last notes had vibrated into silence. "Have you never played a song for him?"

He lowered the daegeum. "Painting has always been our first passion. Not music," he chuckled. "Can a aspirant hope to sit at the same place as the master?"

"Indeed, there is hope," she smiled.

He grinned at her before nodding at Yunbok. "Was it not music that two kindred souls are made one?"

"That is so." She paused as something occurred to her. "Have you ever wondered ... what would have happened if you had played as you did to him?"

"He'll probably throw his brush at me," laughed Hong-do after a startled silence.

The question kindled curiosity in him however. If he had played his heart through the daegeum, would everything have been different? At every social gatherings, the daegeum was the not the means through which he shared of himself. It had always been the brush. Daegeum, he touched it reflectively, the bearer of his moods when he was alone. A flash of understanding crossed between them when he looked up and caught her eyes.

"Yes, that he will. With a bowl of paint to follow through for the caterwauling," he said.

"Will you play another song?" she said softly.

"Something light. Perhaps it will awaken him." He put the daeguem to lips. A thrilling note struck the air and they were away once more.

Standing by the panjangmun, Jong-gwan smiled as the lilting notes floated into the cool air of the morning. It reminded him of the gaiety of village festivities at home. Once this current assignment was over, he hoped to be able to return home for a while. Work the vegetable patch, be with his parents, his children, eat the food his wife would prepare for him. He missed the dainty touches she would add specially. His mouth began to water as he thought of them. The sound of hooves outside shook him out of his daydreams. Hearing Suk-kwon's voice he quickly opened the gates.

"Has anything else happened?" was the first question thrown at him as the tall figure strode through the gates.

"No, sir.. they...," he found himself talking to Suk-kwon's back.

The older man hurried away just as he was about to offer him the chongrong. His colleague, Ban-gung coughed. He turned to see him guiding the woman, Song-mi and her son. There was no sign of Cheol-yu or the others.

"I'll take care of the horses, you bring her to the house, Jong-gwan," he said, giving the signal that he was to be cautious.

"This way, mistress." Jong-gwan gestured to the house and lighted the way for her with the chongrong, watching her carefully. If she was aware of the scrutiny, she gave no sign.

Suk-kwon stilled the impulse to run, choosing to trot as quietly as he could towards Yunbok's room. To his amazement, he could hear music coming forth. Someone was playing the daegeum. Did that mean he was all right? Without bothering to call, he opened the door, startling those within. A note broke off. Hong-do stared back at him. He was playing the daegeum? Suk-kwon's eyes shot to the figure on the floor. He was beside Yunbok in a flash. The others remained silent as he examined Yunbok. When Song-mi came in with Jinjia. Jong-gwan opted to stay outside, in case he was needed.

"Did you find any sign of injury?" Suk-kwon looked at Jeong-hyang who shook her head.

"He was unconscious, cold to the touch, his pulse was uneven," she said. "Master Danwon said he looked pale but did not vomit. I thought he might have ingested something that did not agree with him so I checked the soban that was left at the workroom." Her eyes went to Song-mi who looked bewildered. Was that put on? "He drank the namulguk, the other dishes were untouched."

"Did you try giving him anything?"

"Nothing."

"How long?"

"Since ..," she looked at Hong-do.

"Mid-afternoon," said Hong-do.

"His breathing and pulse have been steadily improving," Jeong-hyang added.

"The rest of you stay here. Hyangya, come with me," said Suk-kwon, leaving the room. "We need to look at the kitchen," he said, grabbing the chongrong from Jong-gwan but signaled to him to stay.

"What are you expecting to find?" she said as she followed him. "If she had poisoned him, would she leave it there?"

"Before we start pointing fingers, we need to make sure we are justified in doing so."

"I know. If there is food poisoning, surely the rest of us would be affected? Why only him?" she protested.

"We both know how hard he drive himself these days. What happened with P'ado make him more perceptible to falling sick." He stopped when they reached the kitchen and turned to face her. "My suspicion also falls on her but Hyangya, we must give her a chance, not instantly condemn her just because of her past with Yunbok."

"Still, among us here, who bears the most ill will towards him? How do we know she does not harbor rancor all this time?" Jeong-hyang knew Suk-kwon was right but so was she.

Suk-kwon decided to put off arguing with her. "Let's look around. You helped to prepare the food, you will know if there is anything amiss."

The kitchen had been cleared up, everything was neatly back in place. All three of the sots atop the puttumak were empty. Bowls, containers, baskets, strainers, calabashes, crockery, suyeo and several kitchen utensils were hung on the wall or lined properly on the chantak. Nothing was out of place. The keys to the twiju (rice chest) was with halmoni Jung so it was pointless to look there. Other grains and vegetables were in the storeroom. Her eyes lighted on the condiment jars. Lifting the cover of each jar, she smelled and examined the contents. Nothing. Quelling her impatience, she glanced around the kitchen again before going to the storeroom, not expecting to find anything. The room was indolent with the smell of herbs as she went from one container to the next.

"Were these used in the soup?" Suk-kwon bent to examine a basket, bringing forth a handful of mushrooms.

"No." She picked one from his hand, spotless creamy bulbous cap. Grabbing a handful from the basket, she looked through them. There was nothing untoward as far as she could see for they were edible.

"A moment." He stopped her as she was about to put back the mushrooms. Putting the chongrong on the floor, he grabbed an empty basket off the wall. "Let's check these through."

"You think it's mushrooms?" she said doubtfully.

"It will only take one." He shifted the chongrong nearer as he placed the baskets on the floor.

"That's not possible..," she muttered, going through the fungi in her hand carefully before tossing each one into the second basket. Silence fell as they went through the mushrooms.

"Look." he showed her a small cream coloured mushroom with a round cap but with smudges of black on top. "This will cause vomitting, vision distortion, delusions, convulsions, sleepiness and unconsciousness in some people if too much is ingested."

"That's impossible," she shook her head in disbelief. "How did it get in there?"

He placed the errant fungi aside. "When were the mushrooms harvested?"

"A few days ago. They were checked, I'm sure of it." She picked up the fungi. It was less than the length of her last finger. "Are there any more?" They went through the entire basket, unearthing a couple more of the poisonous fungi. "It's impossible for these two to be harvested together."

"Who went on the trip?"

"The servants, Pokkot, P'ado.," she paused before adding, "she did not come along,"

"The servants will not make such a mistake. That leaves the children." He gathered up the errant fungi in his hand. "And you, of course," he said jokingly.

She did not laugh at his jest. "Pokkot was with me all the time because I wanted to check what she was gathering. There was no such mushrooms in what she picked."

"P'ado then ... the other possibility is she already have these and added them after."

"P'ado!" she began in deny before halting. "I can see where he would be distracted and picked the wrong ones but he could not be adding it into Yunbok's bowl of soup!"

"No," he conceded, considering other options. "Has the soban been cleared away?"

"I don't think so. There was too much distraction." They made their way to the workroom where the soban was exactly as she had left it earlier.

"Hmm." He lifted the soup bowl and took a sniff before uncovering the side dishes. The bap was hard but he dug into it with the spoon, leaving behind gaping holes. There was nothing to be found. Putting it aside, he examined the other dishes. Using chopsticks, he picked up the pieces of garnishes about the grilled fish. "Hold the light closer will you?" he said as he peered at the thin strips of namul and egg, shifting and separating.

"What's this?" He lifted out an uneven piece of white which looked torn. He dropped it on his hand holding the errant fungi. It looked somewhat like cooked egg white until closer examination. "What does it look like to you?"

"Somebody tore up the mushroom?" she said, picking it up. It did not look cooked to her.

"Nobody does that when they cook mushrooms, do they?" he said musingly. "Let's go wake the servants."

"You're not saying someone drop in raw mushrooms into his food?" she said as they crossed the courtyard to the servants' quarters built next to the wall by the gates. "The taste is obvious, he'll spit it out."

"Let's see what they have to say." He knocked on the door of the servants' quarters where the old couple resided and called softly. He repeated again and waited patiently. It was a while before soft shuffling steps approached the door. The old man peered out.

"Ah sir, you're back," he said, opening the door wider.

"My apologies, haraboji but can we speak to halmoni Jung? It's important," Suk-kwon said.

"Oh .. and I've just gotten her to settle down ... a moment, I'll get her," said the old man. He disappeared behind the door. "Please overlook any spurious remark she might make," he said when he reappeared. "I don't know what's gotten into her tonight ..."

"What do you mean, you old goat? Spurious remarks, when have I ever done so?" came a peevish voice.

The old woman shoved the old man to one side to appear at the door. From someone who was always polite and mild, it was extremely unusual. Both Suk-kwon and Jeong-hyang gaped at her.

"Yes?" she asked brightly, looking at them inquiringly. "Ah, sir, you came back? But where is that woman of yours?" she looked about. "Is she not with you? Has she left you? How can you just leave her, poor woman that she is. She is not some item to be used and discarded. She has her dignity you know. You should do right by her, not leave her hanging about as you like! Speak up like a man! Don't stutter, say what's on your mind...," she made to jab at Suk-kwon who was slowly retreating as she bulled her way forward to emphasize her point. Her husband hastily grabbed hold of her hand.

"You see what I mean ...," he said helplessly.

"Mean! What do you mean? Men!" the old woman snorted. "Talk loud and brag as they like and then failing to keep their promises."

"Ahhh ... halmoni, would you happen to know if mushrooms were added to the namulguk," Jeong-hyang said, putting herself before Suk-kwon before he was run to ground by the old lady.

"Mushrooms! That's not what was planned for lunch. Namul, it was. I told you to pick more minari." She turned on her spouse who stood his ground. "But you ended up with more chilgyongi, never listen do you? ..."

"But was mushrooms added later?" Jeong-hyang put in before the old woman could continue.

"No mushrooms was added at all. I have to say this. It is a waste! Yes, it is a waste when a young one should go about so, thinking mushrooms are tops! Boys should not be in the kitchen! I held my tongue, seeing she has lost a husband and without support but she should take that child in hand. Went to the storeroom he did and ruined half the mushrooms. If that was not enough, he had to treat them like toys..."

Suk-kwon finally opened his mouth to ask, deeming it safe since she was on another topic. "So Jinjia went to the storeroom and was in the kitchen with the mushrooms?"

"Fling them around he did, they went everywhere before he upset the ganjang I was dishing out. Your husband had not had his lunch. I know how troubled you have been," the old woman patted Jeong-hyang's arm. "Family trouble is it? I was preparing his table when this child had to upset everything. Mistress Na offered to do it and clean up up the storeroom so I let her. Oh ... I forgot to collect the table too, I should do it right now."

"No, it's all right, halmoni, I'll do it later. It's very late, you should rest," Jeong-hyang said hastily, putting out a hand to halt the old woman.

"But I don't feel sleepy..," said the old lady and would have continued on to the house if Suk-kwon had not spoken up.

"Halmoni, do you happen to have drank the soup after serving up master Seo's table?" Suk-kwon paused when she glared at him. What was it now?

"Of course!" she said indignantly. "Such a waste to throw the remainder! Never waste food, has your omoni never taught you? I had it for dinner, it is still good. Soup will always be good if you care for it. Just as you should for that young lady of yours..."

"Yes, halmoni, I'm sure he knows that," Jeong-hyang said, trying to divert the old woman.

"He knows? What does he know? Men! They never know, always hiding when things need to be done. You need not think she can shield you," this to Suk-kwon looking over Jeong-hyang's shoulder. "You should chide your husband. Locked in that room the whole day long, neglecting you and the children. We women get the worst of the bargain, running after them the whole day long. They never seem to appreciate how hard we work ..."

"Yes, halmoni but it's late now perhaps we can discuss this another day..," Jeong-hyang said placatingly.

"Come, come, let's go to bed..," said the old man, pulling the old woman's sleeve but she turned on him instead.

"Go to bed! I'm not ready to go to bed. Is bed the first thing and last thing on your mind? Don't you think I don't know how you..."

"Rest! Rest! We need to rest," the old man said desperately, pulling at her. "There are chores to do tomorrow ..."

"Chores? What chores? I want to sleep late, you do the chores yourself!" the old lady stamped her foot and pouted. The sight was so comical the other two turned away.

"Fine, I will do them myself, Soon-joo can help. Now let's get some rest!" The old man opened the door and pushed her into the room, turning to bob his head apologetically at Jeong-hyang and Suk-kwon before shutting the door firmly behind him. Her voice could still be heard, complaining of his impatience.

"Did I mention that the affected person will also feel lively?" Suk-kwon chuckled. "The mystery is solved."

"Does it? Granted, the boy may have been the cause the mushrooms in the soup. Wouldn't she have noticed them?" Jeong-hyang said reflectively. "We still have to determine how the wrong mushrooms ended up in that basket."

"If she was busy cleaning up instead of tending to the soup, she wouldn't have noticed," he said musingly. "Where were you when it happened?"

"I was in the backyard, pounding steamed rice to make tteok for P'ado," she said. "I heard nothing from the kitchen." Would it have made any difference if she were there to witness the incident?

"Excuse me," a voice said behind them. They turned to see it was Soon-joo, the old couple's daughter. "Is omoni all right? I heard the commotion."

"There is a problem with the mushrooms in the namulguk. It's not fatal," Suk-kwon hastened to assure the young woman. "She might be difficult to wake later. Just let her sleep until she rouses. When she does, she will be confused. Let her rest for a few days and feed her food that is easy to swallow. She will recover."

"I see. We always go to the same place every year to harvest mushrooms, so how...," Soon-joo said, puzzled.

"It was an accident, someone was not paying attention to what he was doing," Suk-kwon looked wryly at Jeong-hyang. "The wrong mushrooms have been removed but I'd advise another check tomorrow."

"That I will. Thank you, sir." She turned and made for her parents' room, to make sure they were all right, no doubt.

"I still find it improbable," Jeong-hyang said as they headed towards Yunbok's room. "Jinjia has always been well behaved, why would he suddenly go to the storeroom to play around with mushrooms? She cleaned up the mess in the storeroom so she must have seen the bad ones. Do you think she could have deliberately added them in?"

"A well behaved child does not necessary mean he will be that way all the time." He stopped at the daecheong. "He may be young but he would recognise his father that night. He would not understand what was going on. It could be stress that dictated his actions. As for Song-mi, we can ask her what happened in the kitchen today but if she did deliberately add them in, we cannot accuse her of it since no one witnessed the act."

"Unless she admit it herself," she said doubtfully. "He will recover, won't he?"

"It's not fatal. His current constitution is weaker and his low spirits contributed to his unconsciousness. If he has been his usual self, no doubt, he would exhibit behaviour akin to halmoni Jung's, perhaps more delusional in other ways."

"That would be interesting," she smiled and belatedly realised something else. "Why did you only return with her?"

"By the time Ban-gung's message reached us, we were already at the Sohn residence. Curfew was in effect. We would have been here earlier but we have to be careful in our movements. Too big a group will attract attention so I only brought her. P'ado is the only one who does not know what had happened."

"Why?"

"Hyangya, I know how he will react. I do not wish him to have to make a choice and regret it. It might exacerbate the relationship. Whatever future action he takes in regards to the both of you, it must be done with a clear decisive mind."

"Have you thought that the situation might be dire with him?" she nodded towards Yunbok's room. "Not telling him..if.."

"I know. I took a gamble." He looked away when she stared incredulously at him. "There would be time to get him here if it was otherwise."

"But you are not sure, are you?" Anger rose in her but she fought it down. Having trusted Suk-kwon for so long, she had to have faith he knew what he was doing but how horrible it would be if the situation had turned awry.

"I was also afraid for you." A flicker of astonishment crossed her face. "You will not stay.. I know that and.., " he stopped, unable to continue.

"Master Park..," she touched his arm lightly, deeply moved. "Thank you. It was difficult for you I know."

"Let's see what she has to say, shall we?" he cleared his throat and headed down the corridor, making sure she was able to see where she was going.

A brief word with Jong-gwan at the door sent him off. He gratefully retired to his own room to rest for he had been up most of the day and the night. Within, nothing had changed. Song-mi eyed them warily as they sat down. Impassively, she listened as Suk-kwon explained what was going on. Tension ebbed out of Hong-do when he realised Yunbok would be fine.

"It is as halmoni has said, my son made a mess at the storeroom." Song-mi looked down at the boy sleeping in her lap. "I make no excuses for us. I should have kept a closer eye on him since he always thinks mushrooms are tops to play with. Knowing how busy halmoni Jung was, I offered to bring master Seo's lunch to him and did not notice anything amiss. Because we were leaving soon, I placed the soban in the workroom and left to prepare my belongings."

"I'm sorry to have to bring you back but we had to find the reason for his collapse. Only those who worked at the kitchen today would have a clear idea of what happened," Suk-kwon said blandly. "I'll have one of the men escort you back tomorrow."

"No," she shook her head. "Since master Seo fell ill because of my son, I will stay to make sure he recovers."

"It is well," Jeong-hyang answered quickly before Suk-kwon could say anything. "And much appreciated. We can take turns to watch over him. You must be tired, rushing to and fro, I'll show you to your room to rest. They can keep an eye on him." She got up and picked up the chongrong Suk-kwon had left by the door. Gathering her son up, Song-mi picked up her pack and left with her.

"Why are you just sitting around, playing the daegeum?" demanded Suk-kwon of Hong-do once the women had left. His arm bumped against something. He looked down to see it was Pokkot, curled up sleeping on the floor. Pulling a quilt off the bandaji, he drew it gently over the girl.

"I'm too tired to think," admitted Hong-do, rubbing his eyes. "Too little sleep the last few days. All I can think of is to stay by his side, make sure he's breathing. The rest is just too much for me. I know you'll come so I prefer to leave the investigation to you. You're better at it than me."

"That's not what I heard. You flushed out and outwitted that crooked merchant years ago. Surely you can ferret out what's wrong with him?" Suk-kwon shifted to Yunbok's side to check him over again. Still a slight irregularity in his pulse. Warm to the touch.

Hong-do shook his head as he gestured to himself, "I'm just as exhausted as he is. I'm getting too old for such a undertaking."

"If you think you're old, you will be," scolded Suk-kwon, "but you do have a point. Is it time for you to do nothing?"

"With you here, I can sleep more easily," Hong-do laughed before getting up. "I'll see you later but I'll get you though, if he does not wake tomorrow," he threatened with a grin before he left.

Suk-kwon tugged the quilt further up over Yunbok and settled down to keep vigil. In another few hours, it would be dawn. If he was right about the effects of the mushrooms, he should be waking up sometime in mid morning. If he did not. Suk-kwon began to plan out the best time to send one of the men back for P'ado. Come to the worst, he might have to send for a physician. That would involve a lot more complicated maneuverings. A thought struck him. This was not exactly the retirement he was envisioning. He chuckled.

Korean Words

buchae - hand held round shaped fan

hyangseolgo - peeled munbae fruit stuffed with black peppercorns boiled in ginger tea

namulguk - vegetable soup

puttumak - cooking countertop

twiju - rice chest