Chapter 22
Wow, only someone really rich could do this. If it were me, I’d pick one thing after thinking a lot.
But he seemed like he wanted to buy everything on the list first.
“I think you’d be better at choosing a gift for a Gari than I would.”
Well, I’m in a Gari body, but I wasn’t born or raised in Gari.
“I see.”
His big hand suddenly came near my face. I stepped back reflexively, and it moved away.
“Your mouth…”
Prince Jeong gestured as if wiping his own lips. When he touched my mouth, I noticed some dumpling filling had dropped there.
Not a child… what is this?
“…I’m sorry for letting you see that.”
My face went red, and he smiled kindly.
“Ha ha. I guess it was tasty, huh?”
Damn, showing such a mess in front of a handsome man.
The monk was right. Walking around while eating in public isn’t a good idea.
Now I noticed people glancing at us. Wearing rich clothes and stuffing dumplings in your mouth in the street did look strange.
Only Prince Jeong smiled warmly at me, like the kind nun who secretly fed sweets to children.
I quickly finished the dumpling.
“Here.”
Just as I thought I was done, he handed me a Danghoro (a sweet snack).
This was easier to eat in the street than dumplings.
I had passed this place many times without buying it. My mouth watered. How could it taste so good that everyone raved about it?
“Th-thank you.”
I didn’t refuse because I didn’t want to embarrass him. Not because I was curious.
The Danghoro was sweet, with a slightly sour and slightly astringent filling. The contrasting flavors went well together and were addictive.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes. It’s my first time, but it’s good.”
He watched me happily chewing. This wasn’t like an uncle secretly feeding his niece snacks, was it?
Before I knew it, Prince Jeong was looking at other food stalls. I heard Ah-han sigh behind me.
I quietly finished the last hawthorn berry and called him over.
“Your Highness.”
“Just call me Da-in.”
“Yes, Da-in. I think we should start picking gifts now…”
“Don’t you want more? There won’t be any food after this.”
“No, I’m full now.”
He looked disappointed. He wasn’t even eating himself, yet he wanted me to keep eating.
“Then we’ll stop again on the way back.”
No, I’d rather not. I don’t want to spend that much time together.
I couldn’t say that, so I just smiled awkwardly and nodded.
“Shall we start there?”
“Whatever you want.”
And so began a sudden spree of spending someone else’s money. With the prince’s pocket, I could probably buy everything here.
He led me into the shop I pointed to. I had just randomly picked it to escape the situation, but it sold rather expensive fabrics.
The fabrics were fancy and good quality, but compared to what I’d seen in the palace, they seemed slightly lacking.
Thinking that these weren’t for me but for gifts made me even more careful. I’m not sure if I picked them properly, though.
“This one isn’t good… ah, how about that?”
As soon as I picked something, he immediately gestured to the shopkeeper. A small pouch for incense beads was the first on the list.
It was made with gold and silver threads, shaped like a bottle, with jade and pearls attached.
When the shopkeeper placed it on the silk, Prince Jeong’s eyes twitched slightly. Had I picked wrongly?
It might not have been suitable as a gift from a prince…
But it wasn’t really a gift for a high-ranking official either, so maybe it didn’t need to be extravagant.
“You pick well. I’m glad I brought you along.”
Did he mean it? I left the shop with a confused expression.
“Let’s go there next.”
After passing a few shops, I was the one leading him now.
At first, it felt burdensome, but shopping without worrying about the cost was secretly fun. I didn’t even have to think about paying.
While I was picking a bracelet, I felt someone behind me. Prince Jeong was a little off to the side.
I turned reflexively, not noticing I was holding my folding baton inside my sleeve.
“Brother? Or… Sir?”
Jinsu-oh tapped my arm, looking proud.
“You’ve learned to notice these subtle presences. But how did you get outside? And what are you wearing?”
“Ah, that…”
I tried to point to Prince Jeong, but someone reached him first.
It was Wang Ah-seon.
Not surprising. I guessed Jinsu-oh followed Wang Ah-seon out too.
Prince Jeong noticed him and turned, smiling kindly.
“Lord Yangkang?”
“Prince Jeong, what brings you here?”
“I came to buy gifts… And you?”
“I saw one of the royal concubine’s maids. I wanted to ask if there’s any news.”
“Ah.”
Their conversation flowed smoothly, but there was a strange tension. I couldn’t interrupt, and Jinsu-oh whispered to me:
“I followed from over there, wondering what was happening.”
Ah, that explains it. How did we meet in such a huge city?
Jinsu-oh picked up a bracelet I was looking at and examined it carefully.
“You don’t seem interested in jewelry, huh?”
“It’s not for me.”
“Then?”
“I’m helping pick a gift for someone else.”
“For who?”
I shrugged.
“I don’t know. Maybe a Gari woman?”
Hmm. That was the end of his reaction. Not particularly curious.
“Did you bring me out just to pick gifts?”
I glanced at Prince Jeong. Even though I was speaking Gari, it would be bad if he understood.
Luckily, Prince Jeong was busy talking with Wang Ah-seon. I quickly whispered to Jinsu-oh:
“No. He called me to keep the promise to teach archery. But suddenly gave me this outfit and said we should go to the market.”
Jinsu-oh’s expression twisted.
“…Did something happen between you two while I wasn’t looking?”
“This is only the third time we’ve met. The last time was the second.”
Jinsu-oh now looked like a father discovering someone bothering his daughter.
“If he does anything strange, tell me immediately.”
“Yes.”
But even if I told him… Doro-hwa’s guards wouldn’t do anything to the prince. One wrong move or even a disrespectful glance, and I’d be in jail.
I wondered what they were talking about. I peeked over at Jinsu-oh.
Prince Jeong suddenly turned to look at me, and Wang Ah-seon followed him over.
“I’ll help too.”
Prince Jeong stood beside me and subtly put his arm between Jinsu-oh and me.
“You must be busy, Lord….”
“I also need to pick gifts. I want your opinion too, so don’t refuse.”
Prince Jeong reluctantly allowed him to join. He didn’t look happy about the extra company, but I felt more comfortable.
As I casually looked at items, Wang Ah-seon seemed to magically pick the best things and suggest them to Prince Jeong.
At the fifth shop, I naturally felt left out and asked Jinsu-oh what I wanted to know:
“This herbal technique in Gwangpung Fist…”
“Gwangpung Danjo?”
Even a small gesture and Jinsu-oh recognized it.
“I don’t understand how pulling and breaking works. When you pull the opponent, your arm isn’t straight, so the punch won’t be effective.”
“You shouldn’t interpret the book literally. Actually, this stage is a bit difficult for you now…”
He thought for a moment and demonstrated in the corner of the shop.
“See, using internal energy to pull the branch like this…”
My eyes almost popped. That’s a technique only masters use! How did my brother…?
“Wan, what do you think of your brother?”
“What? I wasn’t thinking anything.”
“Ha! Your expression shows everything.”
“J-just show the rest quickly! What if someone sees?”
Jinsu-oh glared, then released his fingers. The branch in my hand snapped perfectly and fell.
