Chapter 53
Bold Moves
Ihwan stood by the window, staring at Lee Young.
His gaze toward Wang Ji-kyung was anything but ordinary. It was clear at a glance that she had changed considerably from the memory he had of her.
Lee Young stepped forward.
“The promised date is still far off. Why did you want to meet now?”
Wang Ji-kyung took a sip of tea before speaking.
“I thought I might propose a mutually beneficial deal, so I came to see you.”
“Are we even in a position to make a deal?”
“Forget the past and just hear me out. It will not cause Her Highness any loss, I assure you.”
“Fine. Let’s hear it and then decide.”
Wang Ji-kyung took another sip of her tea.
Ihwan instinctively sensed that what he was about to say would be difficult. That only made him more curious.
Wang Ji-kyung spoke.
“Connect me with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I’ll accept only the principal amount, nothing more.”
‘This is going to be tricky.’
Just as Ihwan chuckled inwardly, Lee Young’s shout rang through the room.
“How dare you! How dare a mere merchant speak of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!”
“…!”
Ihwan was even more surprised by Lee Young’s reaction.
Her furious, almost abstract shouting continued.
“If you don’t want to be struck, then leave immediately!”
“Your Highness, please remain calm and hear me out to the end.”
“Shut up! I don’t want to hear another word, leave this instant!”
Lee Young’s eyes blazed with anger. Ihwan quietly smiled as he watched her.
‘No need to worry about your sister. You can leave comfortably, young one.’
Even to the very end, the previous owner of his body had thought only of Lee Young. Most of his memories were filled with concern and love for her.
Song Cheon-ho spoke up.
“We will pretend we did not hear the man’s words. Leave now. And as for the accrued interest, pay it on the promised date. Never mention the Crown Prince again.”
‘As expected, she married into a proper family.’
Ihwan gazed at Wang Ji-kyung.
Though he could only see the back of her head, her neck had turned bright red.
It was then.
Lee Young’s scolding turned toward Ihwan.
“And you! How dare you, a mere warrior, have such an attitude! Can’t you stand properly?”
“….”
Ihwan looked down at himself and subtly corrected his posture. Until now, he had been standing with his arms crossed and legs slightly crooked.
“My apologies, Your Highness.”
Bang!
“Damn it! Pretending to be royal while acting all proud!”
Wang Ji-kyung huffed like a wild boar.
Ihwan spoke quietly.
“Did it feel like she gave up too easily?”
“Didn’t you see it too? Her glaring eyes and shouting! What could I have done?”
“To oppose Hwangryong Trading, the only thing to trust is the Crown Prince’s court. Then, no matter what happens, you have to win their favor.”
“That’s why I said I wouldn’t collect the interest! Stop making me angry!”
Wang Ji-kyung’s face flushed as if it might explode.
Ihwan had no intention of backing down.
“How about making a bold move and doing it properly?”
“What do you mean?”
“For someone as wealthy as you, money is the strongest weapon. Try saying you won’t even take the principal. I promise, it will go exactly as you want.”
“Do you know how much the principal is?”
“How much?”
“A whopping 100,000 silver coins! One hundred thousand! And you suggest I give it up? Preposterous!”
It was an outrageous sum, which only made Ihwan more persistent.
Wang Ji-kyung earned hundreds of thousands of silver coins a year from usury.
Ihwan recalled Gomi’s voice and said calmly,
“If trying to save 100,000 silver coins will lead to a greater loss in your business, isn’t it better to pay it now? That’s just my opinion—you can decide as you see fit. I’m merely advising you in hopes of your success, no misunderstanding intended.”
Having finished speaking, Ihwan shouted to his guards.
“Escort the lady to the mansion!”
That night.
Ihwan met Gomi.
“I need you to deliver this to the Song family’s residence.”
Gomi accepted the letter tube and replied,
“Understood.”
“Not curious about what it is?”
“No, I simply follow the orders of the great lord.”
“….”
“Do you have anything else to convey?”
“Tell them I’ll come myself shortly.”
“Understood. Then…”
“Wait!”
Ihwan called Gomi back just as he was turning.
“Stop by the Crown Prince’s palace and deliver this as well.”
“To the Crown Prince’s palace?”
“It’s very important, so it must be delivered.”
“Understood. If the Crown Prince asks where you are, what should I say?”
“It’s all written inside. Just deliver it.”
“Understood.”
Whoosh!
Gomi vanished as swiftly as always.
Late that night.
Wang Ji-kyung sat with her close aides.
True to her reputation as a heavy drinker, empty bottles were scattered about.
One aide cautiously said,
“We should reconsider his words. If Hwangryong Trading relies on backing and enters the usury business, we’ll be severely impacted.”
Wang Ji-kyung listened silently.
The aide continued,
“It’s frustrating, but for now, it seems the best course. If we can somehow connect with the Crown Prince’s court, we can oppose Hwangryong Trading.”
Clink!
Thud!
Wang Ji-kyung silently downed her drink.
The aide remained quiet, waiting for her to speak.
After several more drinks, Wang Ji-kyung finally spoke,
“I’ll go to the mansion again tomorrow.”
“Shall we do so?”
“What choice do I have? How else can I deal with the predatory Hwangryong Trading? Consider the 100,000 silver coins as mere charity.”
“Understood. Then rest for tonight. Drinking to soothe a troubled mind is like taking poison, Your Highness.”
“Go, and rest yourself.”
“Yes. We’ll meet in the morning, Your Highness.”
After the aide left, Wang Ji-kyung emptied her glass, sank deep into her chair, and calmed her gaze.
“Still, a merchant… Coming to borrow money and now acting like a princess! That’s detestable!”
‘Merchant’ was the term she hated most. Before gaining money and power, she’d heard it countless times, but once she held authority, she crushed anyone who dared call her that.
“And that guy can actually wield a sword yet dares to lecture me!”
Her resentment turned toward Ihwan.
In truth, she had felt uneasy when he first advised her, but pride wouldn’t allow her to admit it.
She snorted.
Unexpectedly, Wang Ji-kyung laughed lightly.
“Still, he’s the first warrior to speak to me like that. Before, all the guards would just collect money without saying a word.”
She stood and removed her clothes, and as if on cue, two women appeared from the walls.
“You’re in a foul mood tonight. You’ll calm me, won’t you?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The next morning.
Lee Young and Song Cheon-ho shared tea. Song Cheon-ho asked gently,
“Is it alright to follow the great lord’s wishes?”
“Brother surely has a plan. We should trust and follow him.”
Song Cheon-ho smiled.
“I only follow my wife’s guidance. I always have, and I always will.”
Lee Young smiled and gently held his hand.
“Don’t say that. Our family endured this long because you kept us steady.”
“I am only grateful for your thoughts, my wife.”
At that moment,
“Brother, it’s Cheon-mu.”
Hearing Song Cheon-mu outside, they quickly released hands and exchanged awkward smiles.
“Come in.”
Song Cheon-mu entered. Lee Young stood.
“I’ll prepare tea.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Of course not. A fine tea has arrived; please wait a moment.”
“Thank you!”
Lee Young stepped outside.
When a valued guest arrived, she personally served the tea. Today, the person she most wanted to serve was Ihwan. She had carefully preserved the precious tea for him.
‘You were watching over me. Thank you, brother.’
Having received Ihwan’s letter through Gomi last night, Lee Young had burst into tears, which still left her eyes moist.
“Shall I prepare the tea, Your Highness?”
“No, I’ll do it myself.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Crown Prince’s Palace.
Crown Prince Iso and his general sat together.
The room was thick with the aroma of tea. It was Longjing tea, Iso’s favorite, sent by the Song family. He wouldn’t touch any other kind.
“Prince Ihwang has been quiet lately. Perhaps because he controls the Southern Corps,” said the general.
“That would make sense. Peng Muwi now leads the headquarters.”
“The great lord says not to worry, but I still am. If Peng Muwi acts unpredictably, we may not even have a chance to respond.”
“That’s possible.”
“Should we send more of our men, just in case?”
Iso placed his cup down, smiling faintly.
“Trust my brother.”
“I do, Your Highness. But…”
At that moment,
“Your Highness, the Moon Master of Biwol has arrived.”
Iso and the general exchanged glances.
“The Moon Master? He should be with the Southern Corps.”
Iso whispered to outside,
“Let him in.”
Soon, Gomi entered, bowed to Iso, and handed over a letter tube.
“The great lord asked me to deliver this.”
“Has anything happened to the Southern Corps?”
“No, everything there is proceeding according to the great lord’s wishes.”
Relieved, Iso opened the tube. Inside was a rolled-up letter.
As Iso read, his brows furrowed.
“Where is my brother now?”
“Near Hwangdo.”
“Why?”
“The great lord will explain in person later.”
The general looked alarmed.
“So the great lord has left the Southern Corps?”
“Yes.”
The general stared at Iso.
Iso handed him the letter, and he read it quietly, muttering,
“What on earth is happening…”
Gomi spoke carefully,
“The great lord awaits your response.”
Iso remained silent.
The general watched silently, while Gomi bowed his head, waiting for Iso’s reply.
Finally, Iso spoke,
“Go and tell my brother we’ll do as he wishes.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
As Gomi’s forehead touched the ground, Iso asked,
“What do you think of my brother?”
A question full of meaning.
But Gomi answered immediately,
“He is beyond my judgment.”
“In a good way?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
A smile appeared on Iso’s lips.
“Serve him well. If anything happens to him, I will hold you responsible.”
