Chapter 37
“Master of the inn, just a moment. What happened to the letter Madam told you to deliver?”
When Gahwa mentioned the letter she had forgotten about, Cheongju-daek flinched.
“The matter has already been settled, so why bring that up now?”
“Madam said it must be delivered….”
“It’s fine. Wasn’t it only to be shown if the inn refused to let us in?”
“But still….”
Despite Gahwa’s explanation, Cheongju-daek seemed to have no intention of handing over the letter. She feigned ignorance and closed her mouth.
With no choice but to resume looking at the ornaments, Gahwa glanced at the Daoist.
He merely shrugged and shook his head. Things were proceeding according to plan, so there was no need to stir up trouble. He subtly gestured toward the door.
“May I step out?”
“Yes, go take care of your business. I’ll look at the accessories here.”
Though it bothered her that the letter had not been delivered, Gahwa decided to back down as well.
“Then I’ll return shortly.”
Boasting that he would finish the remaining task within two sijin, the Daoist left the room.
And, just as he had declared, he returned before the hour of shin.
No one knew how he had managed it, but in that short time a reply had arrived from the Pyo household agreeing to the arrangement. By then, Cheongju-daek and Gahwa had already enjoyed a hearty meal on the first floor of the inn.
“I’ve never tasted anything so delicious in my life. When would servants like us ever get to eat such food? I noticed you didn’t seem to eat much….”
“I just eat quickly. While you were taking one bite, I secretly ate two.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
The Daoist smiled brightly at the sight of Cheongju-daek’s now-rounded belly. This, too, had been part of his plan. When people were full, they tended to become more benevolent.
When he added that Yong and two inn attendants standing behind him would also accompany them, Cheongju-daek generously agreed.
It was the complete opposite of her earlier prickly attitude.
“Then shall we?”
With a deeply satisfied expression, she led the Daoist’s group to the Pyo residence. From her sleeve, an expensive hairpin rolled lightly as she walked in quick steps. It seemed to make her stride all the lighter.
“Here we are. Please come in. Madam will surely be delighted to receive you.”
Thanks to that hairpin, Cheongju-daek’s goodwill continued even after they entered the estate. She praised the merchant guild endlessly before Lady Kim, and even summoned Pyo Wolsan, asking whether there were items suited for a gentleman.
Hearing that a large merchant guild had come to visit, Pyo Wolsan hurried to Lady Kim’s room.
Though he appeared briefly startled at the sight of the room filled with people, he quickly recovered his smile.
The Daoist’s eyes gleamed as he studied Lady Kim and Pyo Wolsan. Thanks to Cheongju-daek, the stakes had grown larger. He intended to seize this opportunity to find out who was the Mirror Ghost.
“I hear you are originally the innkeeper of Yonghwaru? Cheongju-daek mentioned your guild is quite large. I came with high expectations.”
“You flatter us. We simply carry a wide range of goods. We have many rare and luxurious items, so please take your time browsing.”
The Daoist waved his hands modestly as he bantered. Gahwa narrowed her eyes at him. Truly, even if he fell into water, his mouth alone would float.
“So there are that many rare items? That’s exciting to hear.”
Pyo Wolsan clasped his hands in delight. She hadn’t thought so at first glance, but everyone in this household, it seemed, went wild at the mention of rare goods.
I thought, judging by his gentle disposition, he might be different.
Disappointed, Gahwa watched him uneasily as the Daoist instructed an attendant to lay out the items on the table and floor.
“Now, take your pick. These are bestsellers not only in Gangan but even in Juan. And for you, sir, if you wait just a moment, we will prepare something suitable.”
As the Daoist finished speaking and cast a subtle glance at the attendant, the man bowed and immediately left the room, likely to fetch additional goods from Yangyang at the inn.
“Shall we start with these earrings?”
Lady Kim nodded and began examining the items. Beside her, Pyo Wolsan held up earrings, hairpins, rings, and norigae ornaments against her one by one, praising how well they suited her.
“The quality is truly excellent. Each piece has such beautiful color and patterns—it suits you perfectly, Mother. What about this one?”
Each time, Lady Kim hesitated thoughtfully, yet soon followed his suggestion and purchased them all. By the time they were done browsing, most of the goods belonged to her.
Right on cue, the attendant who had left returned carrying more merchandise. One bundle alone filled her arms, and several strong men followed behind her.
When the bundles were opened and spread out, the room resembled a shop selling fine ornaments.
“Does your guild truly handle so many items? It’s astonishing.”
The Daoist proudly gestured to the goods.
“Yes, and this isn’t even everything. If you have the opportunity later, please visit the guild in person. You’ll see even more.”
“I look forward to it greatly. I’d set a date immediately, but….”
Pyo Wolsan trailed off and glanced at Lady Kim. The Daoist quickly assessed the situation and smoothly interjected.
“That would be wonderful. We can arrange the earliest possible date if you wish.”
“I think the schedule will need some adjustment, so for now, let us look at the items laid out here.”
Hastily wrapping up the topic, Pyo Wolsan began examining the goods again. The uncertainty in his expression soon filled with delight. His eyes sparkled as he selected items, each more splendid than the last.
How could mother and child share such similar tastes? As Gahwa stood quietly behind them, observing, she felt something strange.
I thought Lady Kim was the Mirror Ghost, but could mother and child resemble each other so much even if they are not truly related? Or perhaps the daughter-in-law in the annex is the Mirror Ghost?
Moreover, when Pyo Wolsan chose an item, Lady Kim responded with approval—just like earlier.
If they were truly mother and son, there would be nothing odd about it. But if Lady Kim was the Mirror Ghost, she was exceptionally skilled at deceiving others.
I must tell the Daoist tonight and ask him.
Resolving this, Gahwa looked at them again. The way they praised each other while selecting items simply resembled an affectionate son and a slightly reserved mother.
Only after quite some time did the browsing finally end.
Despite his gentle nature, Pyo Wolsan was extremely particular about the items, trying each one against himself and comparing them carefully—taking nearly twice as long as Lady Kim had.
By the time Gahwa glanced outside, the sky had grown dark.
“Oh dear, I’m sorry. The browsing went on so long that we’ve passed dinner time. You must be hungry—how about dining here before you go? There’s a small pavilion east of the men’s quarters. It’s nothing grand, but I feel apologetic.”
While the Daoist had been searching for an excuse to stay at the estate, Pyo Wolsan made the offer first. Having gained time, the Daoist did not let the opportunity slip.
“I would be most grateful. Even plain rice without side dishes would suffice.”
“We do have some side dishes at least.”
“Is that so? Haha.”
In the end, passing through the men’s quarters, a meal was laid out at the pavilion near the pond garden. After helping carry the table, Gahwa stepped aside and quietly eavesdropped on their conversation. Yong stood beside her.
He seemed bored, his eyes half-closed. When Gahwa lightly tapped his shoulder, his golden eyes widened and turned toward her.
I’m not asleep. Just bored. Wake me when it’s over.
He showed not a trace of tension. Gahwa glanced toward the pavilion. The Daoist was leading the conversation.
With both the Daoist and herself present, there was little need for Yong to step forward anyway.
Sighing, Gahwa moved closer to lean against something, and Yong immediately rested his head on her arm. In moments like this, he seemed nothing but a child.
Come to think of it, he fell asleep early when we crossed the hill as well.
After confirming Yong’s posture, Gahwa focused again on the pavilion. The Daoist joked and lavished praise upon the Pyo household. His main aim was to spend a night here and look around the estate.
“I’ve heard this estate is the most beautiful in Gangan.”
“Not at all. It’s merely large; there’s nothing much to see.”
Pyo Wolsan smiled pleasantly at the compliment.
“Oh, don’t be so modest. Everyone who has seen this pond garden and pavilion praises it endlessly. If we gathered all that praise together, it would fill an entire Gangan.”
“You exaggerate too much. It’s not worthy of such praise.”
“Yet even by night it is beautiful. I regret not seeing it during the day.”
The Daoist deliberately sighed in disappointment.
“Do you regret it that much?”
The one who asked was Lady Kim. Having finished her meal, she set down her chopsticks and dabbed at her lips with a handkerchief as she looked at the Daoist.
