Fake Concubine 9

Stopping ​by ​a ​fabric ​store, Moon Hae-min ​ordered ​a ​thick, ​quilted ​jang-ot.

“It will take about ​three ​days to complete.”

“Yes, ​I understand.”

“I shall ​hurry ​as ​much ​as ​I ​can. Real winter ​will ​be ​here soon.”

Hae-min clicked ​his tongue at the ​old shopkeeper’s ​words. He ​felt as ​if he ​had ​been ​freezing to death ​until now, ​yet ‘real’ winter was ​still on its way. ​Did that mean the ​current weather ​was ​a fake winter? It was a ​thought he didn’t want ​to ​believe.

Once ​the ​measurements ​were taken and ​the payment ​made, ​he felt a ​warmth ​as if he were already ​wearing the ​quilted ​coat. Of course, ​that ​illusion ​shattered ​the ​moment he ​stepped ​out of ​the store.

“Ugh, it’s cold…”

Moon Hae-min shivered in ​the chilly wind ​and hurried his ​pace.

His next stop was ​the street ​where the Four ​Treasures ​of the Study ​were sold. Thanks ​to having ​researched ​beforehand which ​shops ​handled high-quality ​goods, ​he didn’t ​have ​to ​wander aimlessly. Hae-min ​opened ​the door ​to ​one ​such ​shop and stepped inside.

“Ah, it is the teacher. Welcome.”

The shop owner greeted him warmly. Since he had started teaching the children to read and write, there were occasionally people who recognized him. They often referred to Moon Hae-min as ‘Teacher.’ It was a title he felt he didn’t deserve, but he didn’t bother to correct them.

“Please show me some paper, an inkstone, ink sticks, and brushes. The highest quality you have.”

“Wait a moment.”

The owner’s eyes changed at the mention of ‘highest quality.’ He confidently brought out the items Moon Hae-min had requested.

“An inkstone made of Nampo black stone. The paper and ink are also top-grade. How do they look?”

“They look good.”

Although Moon Hae-min was a commoner, his eye for quality was as discerning as any nobleman’s. It was thanks to being born and raised in the main house of the Geumcheon Moon clan. After examining the items meticulously, he nodded.

“There are many types of brushes, so please choose from these.”

Hae-min selected three brushes. They were all similar in size and shape to the ones he had borrowed from Song Seol.

“I will take these.”

Just as he was about to pay, a paperweight Read on Read BL Novelsin a corner of the shop caught his eye. It was a tiny turtle-shaped paperweight. Made of [Read on Read BL Novels]celadon, its smooth, glossy sheen made it look quite cute.

“You have a keen eye for beauty!”

Noticing Hae-min’s interest in the turtle paperweight, the shop owner spoke in a proud tone.

“That paperweight is the finest of the fine. Celadon paperweights may seem common, but such a clear color is rare. Besides, is the turtle not a symbol of longevity and faith?”

While letting the explanation drift past him, Moon Hae-min thought to himself: It wouldn’t be polite to return only what I borrowed.

Traditionally, if one received a bowl of rice cakes from a neighbor, it was proper to return the bowl with at least a cucumber inside. Moreover, since he had borrowed precious writing materials, he felt that adding a paperweight was necessary to save face. In truth, considering the wages Song Seol had given him, a paperweight was nothing; he should have practically sewn him a new jeogori.

Picking up the turtle paperweight, Hae-min said, “I’ll take this as well.”

“A wise choice. But how do you plan to carry all this?”

“I was wondering that myself.”

He had indeed been worried about how to transport everything. Setting aside the difficulty of carrying it, if he were to accidentally drop it, the precious inkstone would be shattered.

“Ah, that’s right. Just tell me where you live. I’ll have my son-in-law deliver it for you.”

“Wouldn’t it be too much trouble for your son-in-law to move such heavy things?”

“If he took my precious daughter, that’s the least he can do. Don’t worry, he’s a yang-person, so he’s sturdy.”

“Then I shall ask this favor of you.”

When he gave the address, the shop owner asked in surprise, “Could it be…?”

“Yes, it is indeed Grand Prince Byeokran’s private residence.”

The shop owner looked surprised and curious. It felt as if he were about to ask, ‘And what is your relationship with Grand Prince Byeokran?’

Hae-min would rather die than answer with something like, ‘I am his concubine.’ He hurried to pay for the items and left the shop.

It was only long after leaving the store that he realized he was still holding the turtle paperweight.

Late afternoon.

Song Seol, returning home from the Songdo Government Office, discovered an unfamiliar man standing before the main gate. The man was looking around, carrying a bundle on his back.

Song Seol approached the man and asked, “What is the matter?”

“Y-yes, hello. I have come to deliver some items to the master of this residence.”

“I am the master of this residence. However, I have no items to receive. What is it that you wish to deliver?”

“Uh, then the Master…”

The man’s jaw dropped. This was Grand Prince Byeokran’s private residence, which meant the person standing before him was Grand Prince Byeokran himself.

While he had occasionally met distinguished guests while apprenticing at his father-in-law’s shop, this was his first time facing someone as noble as Grand Prince Byeokran. Moreover, that commanding appearance and terrifying Chromatic Scent… Immediately overwhelmed, the man bowed his head low.

“The thing is… a teacher ordered stationery, including brushes and an inkstone, from our shop.”

“What teacher are you referring to?”

“H-he is a young master, around twenty years of age.”

At the words ‘young master,’ Song Seol instinctively thought of ‘Moon Hee-yul.’ With skin so pale and features so delicate it seemed he had never performed a day of labor in his life. Moon Hee-yul was truly the person who best suited the title ‘young master’ among all the young nobles Song Seol had ever seen.

“Come in.”

Song Seol led the man into the guest house. Looking extremely apologetic, the man unpacked the bundle.

“This is an inkstone made of Nampo black stone, My Lord.”

Next came the paper and brushes. While half-listening to the descriptions of the items, Song Seol sank into thought.

‘It seems he wishes to repay what he borrowed from me.’

Song Seol frowned slightly.

As expected of a young master from a prestigious family, every item Moon Hee-yul had chosen was of the highest quality. While they couldn’t compare to the tributes used in the palace, they were more than sufficient for any noble household.

Despite receiving such useful items, Song Seol felt strangely displeased.

Why on earth was that?

More than the displeasure itself, Song Seol felt a slight curiosity at the fact that he was feeling displeased.

“You may leave now.”

“Y-yes, My Lord.”

Once the annoying man, who had been like a buzzing fly, was gone, the guest house fell silent. As if sinking into the stillness, Song Seol analyzed his inner feelings. It was the first time he had felt such an emotion in a situation like this.

After pondering for a time that was short yet long, Song Seol reached a conclusion.

‘Moon Hee-yul is insolent.’

The writing materials and the wages had been favors he had bestowed upon him. Why, and who did Moon Hee-yul think he was, to dare repay them?

Moon Hee-yul seemed to think that repaying what was borrowed was the only form of etiquette, but he was wrong. It was also the etiquette of a subordinate to simply and gratefully accept what a superior gave.

Not only that. Despite the fact that Song Seol had provided him with a job, Moon Hee-yul had not stopped his transcription work. He even seemed to be transcribing all sorts of trashy novels. Just today, Yoon Seung-hyeok had been rambling, saying, ‘I’ve obtained a new work by that transcriber. Ah, the handwriting is so beautiful… though the content is somewhat vulgar…’

Therefore, it was only right that he felt displeased.

“…”

Unconsciously tapping his index finger on the small table, Song Seol stopped.

He felt he should see Moon Hee-yul first. Whether to give him a piece of his mind or let it slide could be decided after meeting him.

On his way home, he had happened upon some children from the market and played with them, and before he knew it, the sun was setting. After the children returned to their respective homes, Moon Hae-min also hurried his steps toward Grand Prince Byeokran’s residence.

“Young Master.”

Just as he passed through unauthorized copythe main Read on Read BL Novelsgate, someone called out to stolen contenthim. Turning around, he saw the steward.

“What is it?”

“The Grand Prince has summoned you.”

“Me? …For what reason?”

“How should I know?” the steward added bluntly. “He told me to have you come to the guest house as soon as you returned from your outing.”

In Moon Hae-min’s experience, ten times out of ten, such summons were for bad news. What on earth could it be? He didn’t want to know, but he couldn’t exactly ignore Song Seol’s call.

“I understand.”

Without even having time to change his clothes, Hae-min headed to the guest house.

Standing before the room, light leaked through the gaps in the door. He could faintly see Song Seol’s silhouette. A shadow like a massive rock that would remain unmoved by anything. Seeing this, he became suddenly terrified despite having committed no crime, and Moon Hae-min spoke in a small voice.

“My Lord, did you call for me?”

“Come in.”

“Yes.”

Hae-min cautiously opened the door. As he entered the room, Song Seol’s gaze followed his hesitant movements.

“A moment ago, a man knocked at the main gate.”

“…”

“Saying he had brought items that were ordered.”

Song Seol’s voice was low. Because he was focusing on that voice, Moon Hae-min realized a bit late that the familiar writing materials were placed upon the table.

“However, I have never ordered such things.”

“I ordered them.”

They were the materials Moon Hae-min had purchased. It seemed the man who claimed to be the shopkeeper’s son-in-law had delivered them already.

“Then, are they yours?”

“No, they are the Grand Prince’s.”

Song Seol stared intently at Moon Hae-min. Sensing that he required an explanation, Hae-min spoke.

“Did I not borrow writing materials from you before, My Lord? I am returning them.”

“This is excessive.”

“Excessive?”

“I gave you those materials without expecting them to be returned. Yet you insist on repaying them.”

“…”

“Furthermore, while paper and ink are consumables, there was no need to replace the inkstone and brushes with new ones.”