Fake Concubine 8

“My ​Lord, ​that ​person ​is….”

The clerk trailed ​off. ​Song ​Seol ​replied ​nonchalantly, just as he ​had ​a moment ago.

“He ​is my concubine.”

For ​a ​split ​second, ​a ​gloomy ​shadow flickered across ​Moon ​Hee-yul’s ​face. It vanished ​in the blink of ​an eye, ​but it ​left Song ​Seol wondering.

Why ​did ​Moon ​Hee-yul dislike being ​called his ​concubine?

It wasn’t that he ​completely failed to understand. ​Song Seol had brought ​Moon Hee-yul ​in ​as a concubine specifically to humiliate ​Lord Moon. He knew ​well ​enough ​that ​Moon ​Hee-yul, the party ​involved, would ​find ​it loathsome.

Thus, it ​was ​only natural for him to ​hate being ​called ​a concubine. It ​was ​natural, ​and ​yet… ​for some ​reason, ​it felt ​as though what Moon Hee-yul truly hated ​wasn’t being called ​a ‘concubine,’ but ​being called ‘his’ concubine. ​And if ​the latter were ​true, ​then it wasn’t ​natural at all.

In ​truth, it ​didn’t ​matter to ​Song ​Seol either ​way. ​Moon Hee-yul’s ​role ​and ​abilities were what ​mattered; ​what did ​such ​a ​trivial ​sentiment matter?

Even knowing that, a streak of spite—stiff and stubborn like hair licked by a cow—refused to subside. He felt as if a kitten that had been purring obediently in the palm of his hand had suddenly bitten his finger and bolted away.

Song Seol was right.

‘It will feel different to see in person what I have only encountered in documents.’

Just as he had thought, Moon Hae-min returned after fully enjoying that different feeling. The sea, the ships, precious items he had never seen even in the markets, and people of unfamiliar professions….

The world that unfolded where he followed Song Seol was one he had only glimpsed through books. Moreover, he finally realized what it was that he had been dealing with as mere numbers all this time.

There was only one thing. The only grievance was that whenever someone asked about his identity, Song Seol would answer, “He is my concubine”… but since this was only natural, it wasn’t something Moon Hae-min was in a position to complain about. However, after the situation repeated several times, and feeling that Song Seol was subtly being spiteful each time—was he simply being oversensitive?

‘Even if he is, it can’t be helped.’

Shaking off the grievance, Moon Hae-min returned home clutching only the good memories.

And the following day.

Song Seol summoned Moon Hae-min early in the morning.

“Take this.”

“Pardon?”

Without any explanation, Song Seol held out a bundle of Read on Read BL Novelsbrass coins. As he took [visit our site]them instinctively, he felt a heavy weight.

“This is….”

“Your pay. Did I not say I would give you double whatever you received from the rental bookstore?”

“I remember your words, My Lord. But this is more than double.”

His voice trailed off, feeling unnecessarily embarrassed to talk about money. Song Seol, on the other hand, replied calmly.

“If it is not enough, tell me as much.”

“I—I didn’t mean it was lacking, but that it is excessive.”

Song Seol raised an eyebrow and asked.

“Did you not work yesterday as well?”

“That… is true.”

Based on the documents he had written, he had supervised whether there were any items not loaded onto the ships, so it was technically work. Whether he had actually been helpful, however, was a separate matter.

“Count it, and if it happens to be lacking, let me know.”

“I doubt it could be lacking….”

“You have no need to speak up if the reason is that it is excessive.”

“…….”

“Hurry.”

At Song Seol’s urging, Hae-min had no choice but to start counting the coins. However, he found himself unable to perform the calculations he was usually so good at; his mind was cluttered with other thoughts.

‘Is it alright for me to receive this much?’

While it was certainly nice, it was also puzzling.

Though it was government business, the tasks he was assigned were trivial. Tasks that any of Song Seol’s numerous subordinates could have handled. It was surprising enough that Song Seol insisted on giving the work to him, and even more surprising that he paid him so generously. In short, Moon Hae-min could not understand anything about Song Seol.

‘Does he have some ulterior motive? Or is it a trap…?’

But why would Song Seol bother setting a trap for him? Moon Hae-min, and even Moon Hee-yul, were of lower status compared to Grand Prince Byeokran. If he wanted to harm them, he could simply do as he pleased; so why on earth….

“Now you can finally get some cotton clothes tailored.”

Lost in thought, Hae-min did not hear Song Seol’s mutter.

“Moon Hee-yul.”

“…….”

“Moon Hee-yul.”

“Yes?”

When Song Seol raised his voice, Moon Hae-min jumped as if pricked by a needle. In truth, he had heard the first call. He had simply forgotten that he was ‘Moon Hee-yul.’

“Grand Prince, do you have something to say to me?”

“No. Have you finished counting your pay?”

“Ah, yes. But My Lord, as I said, it seems excessive….”

“As long as it is not lacking, it is fine. You may leave now.”

“……Yes.”

Moon Hae-min stood up.

Song Seol always sent Moon Hae-min away the moment their business was concluded. Was he dissatisfied with this? Of course not. Regardless of his gratitude, Song Seol was always a daunting person to deal with.

“I shall take my leave.”

After bowing to Song Seol, Hae-min left the guest room. The cold but refreshing outdoor air greeted him.

Moon Hae-min walked briskly toward the Namdaemun Market.

He had more to do today than usual. Thanks to the pay from Song Seol, he had suddenly become affluent, so he planned to buy writing brushes, ink, and paper, and get some cotton clothes tailored.

Before that, Moon Hae-min decided to stop by the rental bookstore.

“Hello.”

“Welcome, welcome.”

As he entered the bookstore, the owner greeted him warmly. Moon Hae-min handed him the completed transcription.

“Here it is.”

“Yes, good work. You’ve written it beautifully.”

The bookstore owner paid him. Moon Hae-min took the money and tucked it safely into his pouch. The clinking sound of coins hitting each other rang out cheerfully.

Even after he started working for Song Seol, Moon Hae-min did not stop transcribing. This wasn’t solely for the money. Transcription was interesting, the bookstore owner kept asking him to continue, and it was a good way to spend his spare time.

“I’d like to ask you for this one this time. It’s the most popular novel lately….”

The owner leaned in close to Hae-min and whispered.

“It’s absolutely vulgar.”

“…….”

“Meaning it’s exciting.”

A satisfied smile spread across the owner’s face. Though he didn’t know for sure, it seemed the owner had made quite a bit of money from this novel.

“……I understand.”

He was curious, yet not curious, as to what the content stolen content[visit our site]was that made it popular despite being called [unauthorized copy]‘vulgar.’ Still, Moon Hae-min took the book.

“Oh! Look at my mind. I forgot to tell you something important.”

“Something important?”

“Do you remember the young master who came here last time? The one who asked about buying a scroll of yours.”

“Ah….”

Hae-min nodded slowly.

“I remember.”

He had heard it from the bookstore owner. A high-born guest, upon seeing the books he had transcribed, had said, ‘I wish to buy a scroll by this transcriber.’

“That young master has made the same offer again.”

“Even though I refused?”

“I’m telling you. Even though I politely declined several times, he insists he must buy a scroll. So, I was wondering… do you really have no intention of selling?”

“Yes.”

Hae-min answered without a moment’s hesitation. The bookstore owner clicked his tongue in disappointment.

“Do you know who that young master is? He is the grandson of Old Man Yoon, one of the three wealthiest men in Songdo. He has a hobby of collecting master calligraphers, and he is famous for buying any book or scroll that meets his aesthetic standards, regardless of the price.”

“…….”

“To be honest, it would be far more lucrative than transcribing dozens of these trashy novels. Do you still refuse?”

“Yes.”

“Why on earth? You could use this as an opportunity to make a name for yourself.”

“I have no interest in such things.”

“Is that so….”

When he answered firmly, the bookstore owner pressed no further. He only muttered to himself.

“Sometimes I think you’ve reached enlightenment. You seem so uninterested in worldly affairs that you’re like a mountain hermit. I feel as if you might just vanish into the clouds one day.”

“Haha, that’s impossible.”

“Anyway, I understand. I’ll politely decline the offer again this time, so don’t worry.”

“Thank you.”

Having finished the conversation, it was time to go. Moon Hae-min bid farewell to the owner and left the bookstore.

The moment he did, he wiped away the smile he had been forcing. His face became as gloomy as a grey sky just before a snowfall.

‘To others, I look as if I’ve reached enlightenment.’

In reality, it was the opposite. Moon Hae-min had not reached enlightenment; he had resigned himself. He also possessed a desire to make a name for himself. That was precisely why he had refused the offer to sell the scroll, even knowing he could earn a great sum of money.

‘If I were to sell a scroll, I would have to press Moon Hee-yul’s seal next to my writing.’

He hated that. Since he would never be able to make a name for himself anyway.

Having been born as a concubine’s son, no matter how well Moon Hae-min performed, he could never be recognized. All the light would only shine upon Moon Hee-yul. He was just….

He was satisfied living as he was now. He had to be satisfied.