Fake Concubine 23

Ever ​since ​he ​decided ​to have the ​child, ​Moon ​Hae-min ​had ​been searching for a ​way ​for both himself ​and the baby ​to ​survive.

First ​of ​all, ​he ​could not stay ​in ​Songdo. ​That was an ​obvious fact that required ​no further ​thought. Song ​Seol was ​the practical ​master ​of ​Songdo. Song Seol’s ​influence reached ​every alley and every ​corner of the city. ​If he remained in ​Songdo, he ​would ​be captured in less than half ​a day.

However, going to ​Hanseong ​was ​also ​out ​of the question. ​Lord Moon ​was ​there.

‘Even if I ​go ​to my family home, it ​will be ​difficult ​to expect my ​father’s ​help. ​Far ​from ​helping, the ​Lord ​would likely ​pin all the blame on me.’

Lord Moon ​was a man ​for whom Hee-yul ​came before anything else. ​For the ​sake of Moon ​Hee-yul, ​it was clear ​he would discard ​a lowly ​concubine’s ​son without ​batting ​an eye. ​He ​might even ​harm ​a ​child who carried ​royal ​blood.

Therefore, to ​survive, ​he ​had ​to go somewhere that was neither Songdo nor Hanseong. That place was…

‘Let’s leave for a foreign land.’

A foreign country where the influence of Song Seol and Lord Moon could not reach.

As it happened, foreign merchant groups frequently unauthorized copyvisited Songdo. Among the Songdo merchants, there were many who traveled to distant foreign lands. If he could blend [stolen content]in with them, he would be able to safely leave Yeomyeong.

Thus, Hae-min made an earnest request to the owner of the book rental shop. He asked if the man could arrange a place for him in a merchant group. Thanks to having done business in the Namdaemun Market for a long time, the owner had wide connections and was one of the few people Moon Hae-min could rely on.

Fortunately, the owner of the book rental shop did not ignore Hae-min’s request. He secured a spot for Hae-min in the Muam Merchant Group.

And so, on a day when the General Winter reigned supreme, Moon Hae-min visited the book rental shop through the biting wind to finalize the arrangements.

“Are you truly leaving?”

“Yes.”

Since they had made an appointment in advance, there wasn’t a single customer in the shop. Nevertheless, the owner lowered his voice as if afraid someone might overhear.

“Not just you, but a newborn as well. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“To think you would travel such a long distance with a newborn…”

He seemed curious about the story behind it. However, Moon Hae-min could tell him nothing.

Thankfully, the owner of the book rental shop did not pry. He considered that there must be complicated circumstances that could not be spoken of and showed consideration.

“I am truly grateful and sorry… I do not know how I can ever repay this kindness. I should repay it gradually throughout my life, but since I am leaving Yeomyeong…”

“Why are you so overcome? I merely looked into a job for you. I, too, have received much help from you during this time. It is a pity you are leaving for a far-off place so soon, but it cannot be helped.”

“Yes…”

“Do not worry too much. A talented young man like you is bound to live well wherever you go.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

“My dear man, I told you that thanks are enough.”

The owner of the book rental shop patted Hae-min on the shoulder. It was a firm touch, as if telling him not to lose heart.

“In fifteen days, at Yesong Port, the Muam Merchant Group. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“It will be colder then than it is now, so dress warmly.”

“I will.”

That was all the business they had. Finally, Moon Hae-min bowed his head in greeting.

“I wish you continued health and peace.”

“Yes, you stay healthy as well.”

As he turned to leave the book rental shop, the owner added.

“I told you before, didn’t I? Sometimes you seem as if you’ve attained enlightenment. As if you might just vanish into the clouds at any moment.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“You are leaving because you are a person who must leave. So, do not leave any lingering regrets and leave with a peaceful heart.”

“…”

“Physical comfort is important, but peace of mind is more important.”

“I… I will certainly do so.”

Something hot surged up in his throat. He wasn’t usually one to cry much, nor had he heard anything particularly sad, yet he didn’t know why he felt this way. Moon Hae-min’s dry lips trembled, but he stepped out the door without a word.

At that moment, he nearly collided with a customer trying to enter the book rental shop.

“Ah!”

Startled, Hae-min instinctively looked up at the other person. That genial, handsome face was familiar. Similarly, the other man recognized Hae-min and smiled brightly.

“Oh, if it isn’t Young Master Moon!”

“…”

“What brings you to the book rental shop on such a cold day? Aha, is it because of the transcriptions?”

Of all people, why did he have to run into Yoon Seung-hyeok? Though he was utterly unauthorized copyflustered inside, Moon Hae-min acted composed. visit our siteHe gave a quiet nod and brushed past Yoon Seung-hyeok.

A bewildered gaze followed his back. To avoid that gaze, Hae-min quickened his pace.

Just before he was about to leave the Namdaemun Market, his lower abdomen suddenly tightened.

“Ah…”

Moon Hae-min frowned and clutched his stomach.

This had been happening occasionally for some time now. Without any warning signs, his stomach would tighten and pull. The child, whose presence he hadn’t even realized until past the second trimester, was suddenly making its presence known, as if signaling that the time of birth was imminent. Waiting for the pain to subside, Hae-min whispered in his heart.

‘Bok-deong-i, please wait just a little longer. We’ll meet soon.’

Bok-deong-i. This was the prenatal name Moon Hae-min had chosen after careful thought. Regardless of the circumstances, it meant a “bundle of luck” that had come to him, and it was a name given with the hope that the child’s life would be blessed. As he repeated the name, the pain miraculously subsided.

After letting out a sigh of relief, he resumed his walk. Then, a call came from behind him.

“Gukbap Oppa!”

So-hee was the only one who called him that. Turning around, as expected, [Read on Read BL Novels]a young girl dressed in Read on Read BL Novelswhite was standing there. Setting aside visit our sitethe jeogori and skirt, it was a wonder every time he saw how even her outer coat was snowy white.

“So-hee, did you come to the market alone again?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I told you not to wander alone because it’s dangerous.”

It felt somewhat cruel. To run into So-hee, who usually didn’t appear often, on a day like today. Between that and encountering Yoon Seung-hyeok a moment ago, the coincidence of coincidences was uncanny.

Regardless, it was good to see her face one last time before leaving. Hae-min leaned down slightly to meet So-hee’s eyes.

“From now on, try to come to the market with your mother. Understand?”

“…Gukbap Oppa, where are you going?”

So-hee asked with wide eyes. She probably didn’t say it knowing anything, but it hit the mark nonetheless.

“Yes, I have a place I need to go.”

“Then should I help you?”

He didn’t bother to say out loud, ‘How on earth could you help me?’ Instead, he stroked So-hee’s hair and said,

“I’ll just take the thought.”

“Aww…”

“…Ah. Then can I ask one favor?”

“Yeah!”

“You know, to the children I’ve been teaching to read and write… please tell them I’m sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. And tell them to grow up happy and healthy.”

Every single one of them was a lovely and precious child. The fact that Moon Hae-min had been able to live in peace in Songdo was partly thanks to those children. He had been worried about leaving so abruptly, so he was relieved to be able to send his greetings, even if only through So-hee.

“Is that all?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

So-hee tilted her head. Her behavior seemed to ask if that was truly all. To this, Moon Hae-min answered firmly.

“Yes, really, that’s all.”

Finally, the day arrived. The day he was scheduled to leave Grand Prince Byeokran’s private residence.

Moon Hae-min checked his luggage one last time. He had only three or four sets of clothes; most of the items were for the baby. He had collected them one by one, longing for the day he would meet Bok-deong-i.

‘At least I don’t have to worry about travel funds.’

The money he had saved over the year was considerable. He thought this would be enough to get by for the time being. This alone was one major worry cast aside.

After packing his bundle tightly, Hae-min hesitated between two outer coats.

One was the padded garment he had received from Song Seol last winter, and the other was a quilted jang-ot he had commissioned from a fabric shop.

“…”

The padded garment from Song Seol was [unauthorized copy]warmer, more frequently worn, and looked better. Nevertheless, Hae-min picked up [unauthorized copy]the quilted jang-ot he had provided for himself.

‘I really have to leave now.’

As soon as he recalled that fact, tension rushed in terrifyingly. As he left his quarters and passed the servants, his heart beat so fast he felt dizzy.

Fortunately, the servants seemed to think nothing of Hae-min’s outing. Moon Hae-min barely managed to act composed as he stepped out the main gate.

“…Whew.”

It seemed he had passed a major hurdle, but the real beginning started now. With his bundle slung tightly, Hae-min walked hurriedly.

The sequence of bending his knees and stepping on the ground was arduous. It was because his body was frozen from the biting cold. However, the further he got from Grand Prince Byeokran’s residence, the faster Hae-min’s pace became, and his heart grew more urgent.

‘I have to hurry to get out of the center of Songdo within today.’

At a clinic he had visited in strict secrecy two days ago, he was told that childbirth was imminent. With his abdomen tingling, he could feel with his whole body that those words were true.

In truth, in this physical state, even a stroll was too much, let alone long-distance travel. But he had no luxury of moving slowly. Once the labor pains began, he would be stranded on the spot. To reach the inn he had scouted in advance, he had to move now while he was still capable of movement.