“Looks like I really have to see the Tang Family Head’s face at least one more time.”
I expected to meet with the Tang Family Head again. After all, it’s not unusual for a child who has shown up after twenty-some years to want to meet, especially after just a brief encounter in a public place.
I don’t know what Tang Baek-ho wants to say when he calls for me, but I have things to gain from meeting the Tang Family Head too.
“I need to get permission for the next volume of The Rise of the Tang Family.”
I’ve achieved the primary goal of acquiring the poisonous substance known as the inmyeonji. Now that I have some leeway, it’s time to focus on my masterpiece as well.
Even if I return to Yichang safely, shouting that “the publication of The Rise of the Tang Family is over” won’t cause uh? Really? nods from the members of the Tea and Book Club.
From that day on, the Tea Bookstore will probably burn down, and I might have to change Ho Pil’s pen name, writing it off entirely too.
No matter what happens, I must get permission for the publication of The Rise of the Tang Family.
Once I get the approval from the Tang Family Head, who is also a model for Tang Jung, there would be no reason for issues to arise from the Sichuan Tang Family.
“Let’s go.”
I left the room with the person sent by the Tang Family Head.
————-
“Before meeting the Tang Family Head, you need to tidy yourself up. I will guide you to the bathhouse. After bathing, please change into new clothes.”
I thought I would meet the Tang Family Head directly, but that was not the case. The attendants seemed to have received prior notice, bowing their heads at me as they spoke.
“Just looking at my face is enough; it’s not like I’m meeting my woman, so why should I need a bath and new clothes?”
“It’s a command from the Tang Family Head.”
As I tried to push my way into the building where the Tang Family Head was, the attendants surrounded me and blocked my way.
Is it necessary to be presentable to meet a superior? I considered forcibly making my way out, but everyone seems too determined.
“Let’s go then.”
——-
“I will attend to you during your bath.”
“Huh?”
I replied, confused as I couldn’t comprehend the words. Attending a bath? Isn’t that something done in noble or wealthy households?
Ah! Now that I think about it, this is the richest household in Sichuan.
“I’ll prepare it while you soak in the tub.”
The middle-aged attendant seemed accustomed to the confused expressions of guests, as he busily directed other attendants without responding to my question.
No matter how I look around, there are no scrub-men in sight. While it would be nice to have someone attend to me, it would be inconvenient right now.
The ones coming in to attend to me are all women. Only one middle-aged attendant, who might get offended if I called her an old lady.
Moreover, the humid air in the steamy bathhouse clung to their clothes, gradually accentuating their figures. Visually appealing, but it’s problematic for me, who needs to act cautiously inside.
“I’m fine. I can do it myself.”
I shook off my embarrassment and spoke firmly.
“It’s a command from the Tang Family Head…”
“I came here to bathe as ordered. I’m from Joseon, so this kind of attendance makes me uncomfortable.”
“It won’t be uncomfortable; I’ll make it comfortable for you.”
“I don’t doubt your skills, but I feel uncomfortable mentally. I’ve never shown myself to my woman. I’d rather not expose myself to other women. That wouldn’t be respectful to my ailing partner.”
What I said at the conference likely spread subtly within the Sichuan Tang Family. Especially the attendants skilled in gathering information would know.
For love, I came to the Sichuan Tang Family and don’t want to show my body to an outsider. A good excuse.
“…Then I’ll wait.”
“Thank you.”
Whether they found my reasoning credible or not, the attendants left the tub. Only after everyone disappeared did I peacefully submerge myself in the water.
Ah, the warm tub feels nice.
Even though I’ve showered consistently, it’s been a while since I sank into a warm tub. If it weren’t for meeting the Tang Family Head, I might have wanted to take a quick nap.
“Did you just hear that?”
With my mind still hazy from the warm water, as I pondered if the herbal ingredients in the tub were beneficial, I heard the gossipy voices of women outside.
“Seems like he really is a romantic as the rumors say.”
“He doesn’t want to show himself for his woman. I wish my boyfriend would learn from that.”
Ah, so it was a good excuse after all.
“But did you see what was covered by the towel? That size?”
“That? Wasn’t it just an arm?”
“This one has arms attached above, but that attaches below too.”
“No way?! Then, for real?”
“I guess the saying that women with black hair can never come back holds true.”
“How lucky is Lady Hwa-rin?”
“What are you talking about?!”
“Hohoho.”
I can hear all of it! I stood up in the tub to shake off the mounting embarrassment and pride, splashing cold water on myself.
“This is clothing made from Shu Brocade. Once you’re dressed, I’ll apply some fragrance oil for you.”
Emerging from the tub, shaken off with dirt and embarrassment, I found new clothes prepared for me.
The clothing prepared was so splendid, it evoked admiration. Shu Brocade, one of Sichuan’s specialties. It’s no empty boast that Sichuan silk can be traded for gold of the same weight.
“I’m not sure if I can wear such clothing.”
“It is a gift from the Family Head. You need not return it even after returning to your room.”
With the silk shimmering and the exquisite embroidery of a majestic pattern, this truly was a top-tier clothing piece.
“It feels as though I’m looking at the Tang Family Head in his youth.”
The middle-aged Head of Guards entered and, after inspecting me in my new attire, said with a tone mixed with admiration.
While I appreciate the compliment, the rich surely aren’t my thing. I had to maintain my image of a disliked illegitimate child, so I just nodded begrudgingly.
The Head of Guards seemed content with my unimpressed demeanor and kindly smiled as he took me to the Tang Family Head.
“Master Yoon Ho has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
—————
“Sit.”
The Tang Family Head gazed at my transformed appearance, showing a fleeting look of surprise before returning to his reading.
What book could it be? Looking closely, it seemed to be The Rise of the Tang Family.
“I’ll bring in the tea. What would you like to drink?”
“Just give me any coffee.”
“It’s almost bedtime; I don’t think coffee is a good choice. Let me bring chamomile tea for myself and ginseng tea for that boy.”
“Good ginseng just came in from the Murong Family, so I’ll bring it right away.”
I appreciate the consideration, but why chamomile and ginseng tea? Why not something more expensive like premium Longjing tea, befitting a martial arts romance?
Of course, ginseng tea is extravagant in this world too, as it serves as an elixir, but I’ve tasted ginseng tea in modern times as well.
The Tang Family Head read The Rise of the Tang Family silently until the tea arrived and then began to speak.
“My fiancée wasn’t called the most beautiful in Sichuan, but she was indeed a beauty. However, she was not as beautiful as your mother.”
Is he trying to start by complimenting my mother?
“Is that so?”
I intentionally interrupted with a disinterested tone. It seems he wants to talk about Hyang-a, but he shouldn’t expect to give me something right from the start.
Silence ensued for a moment due to my disinterest.
“Do you have nothing you wish to say to me?”
Could I ask for some honey for the ginseng tea?
“I thank you once more for allowing the Tang Family’s treasure to be entrusted to my woman.”
I stood up from my seat and politely expressed my gratitude to the Tang Family Head. Even if I’m a prickly son, I must maintain the image of being gentle to my woman.
“Is that all you wish to say?”
Because what the Tang Family Head truly wanted to hear wasn’t just that, he asked again.
Did he call me for a conversation, or did he want to talk about the father-son relationship? I thought there would be some grand reason behind it.
“I would prefer it if you could leave soon, as I don’t know when Hwa-rin will awaken.”
I’m not comfortable being here. She could awaken at any moment.
“I will inform you of her news as soon as it reaches me. You needn’t be so anxious.”
“Understood. Then.”
———————–
Another prolonged silence passed.
To be honest, our relationship is uncomfortable enough to be lethal with just a brush.
For the Tang Family Head to invite me without any special purpose and to attempt to continue our conversation must’ve taken quite a bit of courage.
‘From the way he mentioned Hyang-a, he must still have lingering feelings.’
I must dig into the matter of Hyang-a to obtain permission for The Rise of the Tang Family.
As a writer, I’ve had success once; I have no wish to bear the title of a seasonal writer or change my pen name to Shiyu (紙友) to start anew.
‘I’ve established an image of a prickly illegitimate child who dislikes my father. I must use this image to gain permission for the serialization of The Rise of the Tang Family.’
The prickly illegitimate child and a father who doesn’t know what to do about it. Yet, a way for them to bond does exist—through a common woman, no, Hyang-a.
Having repelled him once, it’s now time to reel him in.
I avoided looking at the Tang Family Head and, while staring towards the window, quietly began speaking as if to myself.
“I grew up listening to my mother’s tales of the heroes of the Central Plains.”
I took a sip of the ginseng tea, waiting for the Tang Family Head’s reaction. Bitter. Ginseng tea should be soaked in honey. The raw flavor is too strong.
“Heroes?”
“Heroes who do not retreat from injustice, who fight against evildoers, and sacrifice everything for the woman they love. My mother told me stories of the heroes of the Central Plains as if she had seen such a hero before.”
Of course, this refers to him. If he has a clue, he should readily understand what I’m saying.
Upon hearing my words, the Tang Family Head’s expression darkened slightly, just as I’d anticipated. Inside, I rejoiced at his reaction and spoke with a wistful expression as if recalling old memories.
“I admired those heroes since childhood. I would pester my mother to tell me hero stories whenever she had the time. Each time, my mother would seem a little happy, yet a little sad too while narrating them. I was puzzled as to why she wore such a face while telling me tales of marvelous heroes.”
I imbued my words with bitterness, reminiscent of ginseng tea.
“…….”
The woman he abandoned told those stories to their son. How about that? No matter how much he tries to maintain his calm, he won’t be able to. For a moment, I notice his cheeks twitch slightly.
“As I grew older and learned about love, I realized that that face must have been one of longing for someone. The heroes I heard about in childhood were, in fact, stories about a man in Sichuan.”
With that, I stung a wound inside the Tang Family Head, declaring it firmly again.
“Did Hyang-a say that…?”
Sadness and longing flickered in the Tang Family Head’s eyes.
“I’ve heard from the Guard Unit Chief that it was to write The Rise of the Tang Family.”
“I heard it was for seeking help.”
“That’s correct. But there was another reason as well.”
“Another reason?”
I silently gazed at the Tang Family Head.
The characters of The Rise of the Tang Family are fictitious. However, the Tang Family’s secrets are indeed real.
They will draw someone knowledgeable about the Tang Family’s secrets to them. They will protect Hwa-rin, whom Tang Geoh is targeting.
The purpose for which I spoke to the Guard Unit Chief about writing The Rise of the Tang Family. However, if I conclude my purpose with that, I will no longer be able to serialize The Rise of the Tang Family.
If the reason to serialize The Rise of the Tang Family disappears, they can prevent me from continuing it, as it contains the Tang Family’s secrets.
So, what should I do now?
Now, it’s time to package it up.
“I want to include the hero my mother spoke of in The Rise of the Tang Family.”
The weak point of the Sichuan Tang Family Head.
Let’s include the will of Hyang-a, whom the Tang Family Head loved, in The Rise of the Tang Family.
