Fake Concubine 45
“Hmm.”
Song Seol let out a low hum. His following words were somewhat abrupt.
“Are you aware that nations periodically exchange trade goods?”
“I am.”
“Soon, we must exchange trade goods as a gesture of peace with the Geumo Kingdom. However, there are far too many officials who are dull when it comes to academic matters.”
“…….”
“Therefore, I do not wish to send away any capable talent at this time.”
Song Seol gazed steadily at Moon Hae-min, as if asking what he intended to do. He seemed not to consider for a moment that he might be refused. However, Moon Hae-min slowly shook his head.
“I cannot do it, my lord.”
“…….”
“I beg your forgiveness.”
It wasn’t that he was refusing simply to avoid Song Seol. This was truly a task that far exceeded his station. Not only Moon Hae-min, but even Moon Hee-yul should not have recklessly interfered in state affairs.
In the past, he had been tempted by the phrase ‘capable talent.’ Driven by ambition, he had accepted Song Seol’s proposal despite knowing it was wrong. But now that he had lost such greed, Moon Hae-min had absolutely no reason to accept the offer.
“You cannot?”
“Yes.”
At the repeated refusal, Song Seol’s brow furrowed slightly. A glimpse of displeasure flickered through the cracks of his composure.
“Did you say you wish to live according to the natural order?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“In other words, I may understand that as a desire to perform the duties unauthorized copyinherent to your position, correct?”
Moon Hae-min kept his lips tightly sealed.
Song Seol’s words were a threat. A threat that if he dared refuse the work he was assigned, he should instead fulfill his duties as a concubine.
‘I suppose that is the role Song Seol envisions for me.’
It became clear what the man before him considered him to be. It was a fact he had known for a long time, but one he had not wished to confirm.
Suddenly, he felt a surge of resentment toward Song Seol. How could he try to stifle someone’s breath using sexual intercourse as a pretext? The pride he had tucked away in a corner began to throb.
“Do not worry. You shall not suffer any harm.”
Neither giving the poison nor the cure, Song Seol gently soothed Moon Hae-min. His voice sounded almost affectionate.
“……I understand.”
In the end, Moon Hae-min acquiesced.
Something felt unsettling. He didn’t know exactly what unauthorized copy[stolen content]it was, but a persistent [stolen content]feeling that he was doing something wrong clung to him.
However, there was no other way. From the beginning, it was as if Moon Hae-min had never been given a choice.
Song Seol continued to assign tasks to Moon Hae-min.
The workload was not excessive. However, throughout the work, he felt a suffocating pressure in his chest, as if a heavy stone were resting there. Moon Hae-min let out a sigh while totaling the local specialties of each region.
‘Even after returning to the past, I am repeating the same mistakes.’
Song Seol was one thing, but he was also sick of himself. Nevertheless, Moon Hae-min tried to shake off the self-loathing. Since he had already started, it would be easier on his mind to do it with a cheerful heart.
Yet, his mood, which felt like a day of drizzling rain, did not improve. His motivation hit rock bottom, and his body felt limp and heavy.
“Why am I like this?”
Wondering if it was because of Song Seol, Moon Hae-min soon realized the answer.
‘It might be because I know what will happen.’
The ship carrying the trade goods was destined to be wrecked off the coast of Yesung Port. In other words, the [visit our site]work Moon Hae-min was doing would end up being a futile effort.
“…….”
Hae-min looked down at the documents. The paper was crowded with numbers. They were figures representing valuables such as ginseng, ceramics, and silk.
Every single one was a precious item. For someone like Moon Hae-min, obtaining just one of them would be enough to live comfortably for anywhere from a month to ten years. And yet, a significant portion of those valuables was scheduled to be destroyed…….
‘What a waste.’
He reached out with a pale hand and carefully stroked the documents. It seemed he had unconsciously grown fond of these valuables. His mind felt unsettled thinking that most of them would be lost.
Not only that, but countless people would suffer because of this incident. No fewer than twelve sailors would lose their lives, officials would have to work day and night to resolve the matter smoothly, and Song Seol would also…….
‘I don’t care what happens to Song Seol, but.’
It felt terribly wrong. Knowing full well that a disaster was about to occur, was it alright to just sit back and do nothing?
Legally, there was no problem. Naturally, no one would blame or criticize Moon Hae-min. But morally, it was different.
Moon Hae-min murmured as if persuading himself.
“It wouldn’t matter even if I stepped forward anyway…….”
The wrecking of the ship off Yesung Port was a genuine accident. If a single individual could prevent such a calamity, an accident would never have occurred in the first place.
‘In the end, does what is meant to happen always happen?’
It was a bitter conclusion.
Moon Hae-min stood in a daze for a moment. Valuables, the ship and the sea, the accident, and his own future……. Various problems tangled together and rolled around in his head.
After a short while, Hae-min abruptly stood up. He called a maid and spoke.
“When the lord returns, tell him that I wish to see him.”
Night fell, and the western horizon burned a dark red.
The steward delivered Song Seol’s message.
“Young master, the lord is calling for you.”
Moon Hae-min followed the steward out of his quarters. However, the steward, whom he expected to lead him toward the guest house, turned in a different direction.
“He has called for you at the pavilion today.”
“I see.”
He wondered why he was being called to the pavilion instead of the guest house as usual, but since the location wasn’t important, Moon Hae-min quickly forgot his curiosity.
After walking for a while, a tranquil garden appeared. It was a garden that felt even more cozy as it was situated between the main house and other buildings.
In the center stood a small pavilion. Since it was built without windows or doors, open on all sides, the interior was clearly visible.
‘This scenery is not unfamiliar.’
It was because he had been to this pavilion in the past. Even the fact that Song Seol was already sitting there was the same as before. The only difference from then was that no meal had been prepared today.
“You’ve come.”
Song Seol acknowledged Moon Hae-min upon seeing him. When Hae-min stopped and [stolen content]gave a slight bow, Song Seol spoke.
“Sit.”
Since there was only one vacant chair, there was no need to worry about where to sit. He hesitated for a moment because the seat faced Song Seol, but Moon Hae-min sat down, just as he had in the past.
“I heard you wished to see me.”
“Ah…… yes. I did.”
Hae-min replied awkwardly. It was true that he had said, ‘Tell him that I wish to see him,’ but he didn’t know why it felt so different coming from Song Seol’s mouth.
“Yes, what is your business?”
Song Seol asked, a slight smile playing on his lips. Moon Hae-min swallowed hard and answered.
“My lord, the work I have been doing recently concerns the trade goods.”
“That is true.”
“Seeing the details of what items and how much [unauthorized copy]are loaded onto the ship [unauthorized copy]every day, I [stolen content]naturally became interested in the vessel.”
Song Seol gestured with his eyes for him to continue.
“As you know, my lord, I am from Hanseong. Therefore, I have never once seen a ship large enough to travel between nations.”
“That is understandable.”
“Yes, so I was wondering if I could take this opportunity to see the ship…….”
Having said that much, Hae-min stole a glance at Song Seol. He was anxious that a reprimand might fall, such as, ‘Are you saying you had such idle thoughts while performing an important task?’
“If you have never seen a ship, have you perhaps never seen the sea either?”
Song Seol asked abruptly. Startled by the unexpected reaction, Hae-min answered blankly.
“Yes. I have not.”
“Not even once?”
“Yes, not even once.”
At that, a strange light flickered in Song Seol’s eyes. It wasn’t just interest; it was a look of genuine curiosity.
‘Is it so surprising that I’ve never seen the sea?’
Moon Hae-min felt awkwardly self-conscious and shifted his gaze. Only those living near the coast were familiar with the sea; for those living inland, this was common. Even the King himself likely had few experiences of seeing the sea.
“I see…….”
Song Seol seemed to be thinking deeply for a moment, then spoke with a deep smile.
“Then let us go to Yesung Port.”
“……Do you intend to come along, my lord?”
“Yes, as it happens, I also have business at Yesung Port.”
In truth, Moon Hae-min had planned to go to Yesung Port alone. He had brought it up today simply to get Song Seol’s permission. He had not expected him to accompany him.
“I understand.”
It was a different result than expected, but it was fine. If he accompanied Song Seol, it wouldn’t be bad for Moon Hae-min either. While his presence itself would be uncomfortable, everything else would be convenient.
“This should be interesting,” Song Seol murmured to himself. He seemed to view the trip to Yesung Port as a combination of business and an outing. However, Moon Hae-min had his own goal.
‘Once I get to Yesung Port, a solution might come to mind.’
Moon Hae-min wanted to see if the future could be changed. It was because it felt too bitter to conclude that ‘what is meant to happen always happens.’ For if that premise were true, his own future would not be very bright either.
“Then we shall go the day after tomorrow.”
“That sounds good.”
Moon Hae-min nodded.
In reality, there was no guarantee that a solution would appear just by going to Yesung Port. Even so, it would be better to do something before the accident struck than to just sit idly with his hands tied.
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