2

"You got hurt again today. I told you not to continue tiger hunting."

A snowflake, dislodged from a tree branch, landed on Eunha's nose.

Observing the deep wound between her middle and ring fingers, Doryeong took out a handkerchief. Despite his scolding tone, his eyes were filled with concern.

"This isn't something as simple as mere scratch. Young lady, you slipped on the ice earlier. Are you not hurt? Why do you keep doing such things?"

Even though she had sustained a considerable injury, Doryeong couldn't help but sigh at Eunha's usual brave demeanor.

"Forget all about that embarrassing moment. You'll never see my pitiful side again."

"It wasn't embarrassing at all. In fact, I was worried."

"Really? You were worried about me?"

"Of course. You sprained your ankle last time and got a big scolding. So, think about yourself as much as you think about me."

She wiped the blood off her wounds and hurried over to the hunting leader, nodding her head as a greeting. Although they hadn't successfully hunted a tiger today, they found traces of its hiding place. They marked the spot and set a sturdy trap, so at least there wouldn't be any tigers coming down to the village for the next few days. However, not earning much money from this venture left her feeling dissatisfied.

Fortunately, they had managed to catch wild boars while chasing the tiger, which provided some consolation.

"Here, take this. It's ten nyangs."

Eunha's mouth widened in surprise as she accepted the pouch offered by the hunting leader.

"Ten nyangs? Wasn't it five nyang If we didn't catch a tiger?"

"Didn't you catch the biggest one by yourself? So you can take ten nyangs."

"Really? Oh, that's a relief."

"Next time, let's make sure to catch a tiger and get a gold coin. You'll come back, right?"

"Of course. Just call me anytime."

Eunha laughed brightly as she tucked the money pouch away and turned around. Since she had received ten nyangs, she could use some of it to pay off the outstanding debt at the bookstore, and the remaining amount could be discreetly added to the savings she had been collecting. Saving a penny here and there might eventually lead to a miracle that could rescue her sister from the kisaeng house and live a simple life without worries.

Eunha eagerly ran towards Yoon Doryeong, who was waiting with the other servants in the distance. A tender smile spread across his face when he spotted her. Then, with a courteous and affectionate tone, he spoke.

"I'll treat you to some gukbap* today. Drink as much takju as you like."

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They stopped by the tavern, enjoyed two bowls of gukpab and then washed it all down with some takju. As the tension eased, a sense of lethargy washed over them with the filling combination of alcohol and food.

There were two reasons why the hunting leader had involved Eunha, a woman, in the dangerous tiger hunt. She skillfully handled the musket better than most hunters, and her light frame allowed her to approach the tiger quietly by eliminating any possible noise.

The lively chatter of the people gathered in the tavern flowed into one ear and out the other for Eunha, whose face was flushed from the alcohol.

"Thanks to you, Young Master, I'm able to make a living like this."

Doryeong tilted his glass, laughing at the modest expression.

"It's not because of me, no. It's because you're talented. I can't surpass you in hunting anymore."

"No, I still have much to learn and improve. That's why I'm always grateful to you. You're my benefactor."

"That term 'benefactor' will keep ringing in my ears like an annoying bug."

"But you still appreciate it, right?"

Smiling warmly, Eunha nodded, recalling her sister as she looked at the rice stuck to the brass spoon.

Her sister, Yongi, was called the flower of Buyeongan Hall and became a kisaeng due to poverty. She had no parents like others, lacked the skill to earn money and was young. Moreover, she had a younger sister to take care of.

She was a responsible child. Even when she herself couldn't have a sip of water for three days, she somehow managed to put a piece of potato in Eunha's mouth.

It was all because Eunha followed their aunt, who worked as a maid in Buyeongan Hall to earn some money, that she met Madame. She was dazzled by Yongi's beauty and offered her silk clothes and a warm room to persuade her to become a gisaeng.

Ten years after becoming a gisaeng, Yongi had surpassed the age limit and all she could do was either enter a nobleman's concubine room or walk through a different path to become a Madame herself. Eunha wished to rescue her sister from this life as soon as possible. Her dream was to live as an ordinary woman, neither someone's concubine nor an elderly courtesan.

"Well then, I should get up now. I'll get in trouble if I stay up any later."

Eunha had kept her decision to go on a secret tiger hunt early in the morning. By now, her sister would have heard the news, waiting anxiously for her return.

"Are you heading straight to Buyeongan Hall?"

In response to Doryeong's question, Eunha tapped a few cheaply bound books with a cloth and replied,

"I'll stop by the bookstore, exchange these books for different ones, pay the outstanding debt and then go back."

Doryeong pulled out a few coins from his pocket, placed them on the table and stood up to follow Eunha. Both their faces were flushed like ripe persimmons from the alcohol they had been drinking since midday.

The glances directed at the woman in men's clothing and the Young Lord in silk robes were less than flattering, but it was a gaze they were already accustomed to. A chilly wind swept by, brushing Eunha's exposed neck and, despite the shivering cold, she casually called out to Doryeong to hurry up and follow her towards the bookstore.

Continuous white breaths escaped from their mouths and the swaying vision from the effects of alcohol was evident. Although there were times when the words became a bit slurred, today the intoxication seemed to set in strangely quickly.

"Excuse me."

Eunha forcefully opened the door of the bookstore and was greeted by the scent of incense. Surprised by the rushing cold wind, the owner, whose eyes widened unusually, snapped back with grumbling sound.

"Why did you open the door without any warning?!"

The owner looked pale and was fidgeting while glancing somewhere. Eunha remained composed, stepping inside to place a few cheaply bound books on the counter.

"Why are you acting so strangely? Don't you want to receive the payment for the books?"

"Oh, lower your voice!"

"Huh? You seem strange today. Anyway, can I return these books and borrow new ones? The one I asked for last time... Oh, here's the money and the books."

The owner, who had been anxiously eyeing the inner shelves, reluctantly took the money Eunha handed over and then unfolded the handkerchief she brought. After confirming the pristine condition of the books, he retrieved another book hidden in a corner and offered it.

"Since you're the only one who understands western languages and there's no one else to read it anyway, you can keep this book. Take it with you."

The owner seemed different today, he usually treated her kindly and even offered her sweet treats. It made Eunha uncomfortable, as if he were trying to drive her away, despite receiving a gift.

"If you insist, I'll gladly take it. But, sir, are you okay? You're sweating a lot, is everything alright?"

"I'm fine. Just go. It's cold here."

"No, there..."

"Oh, come on. Hurry up. It seems that Lord Yoon is also here, don't make him wait."

The owner kept pushing Eunha, who kept asking questions, out of the bookstore. While he was pleased to have a guest, there was no time for leisurely conversation with Eunha right now.

Closing the door behind Eunha, the owner, with a tense expression, walked towards the place where the two men were waiting.

"Um... I apologize for causing a disturbance. If you let me know what book you're looking for, I'll assist you."

At the direction where the owner nodded, two men were standing. The man in silk attire with a hat and the man in plain clothes with a robe were obviously not ordinary individuals.

The man with a fair and handsome face browsed through the books on the shelf and asked,

"Do you have any books written in western languages?"

The owner, suppressing a breath at the somewhat lethargic yet imposing voice, found the book Eunha had brought earlier and handed it to the man.

"There were a few books in western languages, but they all sold out and now only these two remain."

"So, there are two people who know western languages here?"

"Yes, yes, there are exactly two."

"Two, huh."

The man nodded with considerable interest. Then, the silent companion behind him took the book the owner offered.

"Yulke, it seems we've found a suitable person."

"I'll check, my lord."

Satisfied, the man nodded and walked past the frozen bookstore owner, heading back to where Eunha had been standing earlier There, a money pouch that the owner hadn't had a chance to collect yet lay untouched.

On the pouch made of silk, a red seal caught his eye.

The seal read.

"To Catch a Tiger"

He was certain it was a woman's voice. However, the woman was offering a money pouch commonly used by tiger hunters. What could be the reason for such a thing?

The man's eyes, fixed on the money pouch, sparkled with intense interest and his lips, as red as rose mallow flowers, drew a charming curve.

"The woman who was here a while ago. If you introduce me to her, I will reward you generously."

Startled by those words, the bewildered owner hurriedly approached and asked.

"How can I...? She's not a noblewoman's servant."

"I know. A slave wouldn't visit a bookstore to borrow a book."

"So, why are you looking for her? Do you happen to know Eunha?"

As the man pondered the name Eunha, he lowered his hat and his sharp eyes gleamed.

"My eyes don't see, so I need someone to read for me."

"What? Y-You mean you can't see?"

"Why, is it hard to believe?"

The owner looked directly into the man's eyes, trembling with disbelief and lowered his head slightly. No matter how bewitching the man appeared, like someone descended from the heavens, the madness in his gaze could not be hidden.

If the man was blind, then he was blind: if he was disabled, then he was disabled.

The owner cautiously nodded, lowering his head deeply and responded to the inquiry.

"Um, Eunha is a child raised in Buyeongan Hall. If you let me know a suitable day, I will take the child and come visit you, sir."

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*Gukbap: Hot soup with rice.

*Takju: Korean white alcoholic drink made from rice.