4

"Husband?!"

With a shout, Eunha sprang to her, clenched her fists and bravely confronted the situation. Expecting this reaction, Yongi calmly moved, reaching for the pouch of incense on the floor. As she retrieved, the oil inside the pouch burst open, releasing a subtle floral fragrance that vibrated in the air.

It was a perfume used by kisaeng to adorn their bodies. Watching Eunha gingerly search through the water for the pouch, Yongi sighed and took her younger sister's hand, gently guiding her to sit.

"Listen to me, sister! Don't be insolent."

"Why are you trying to marry me off? Did I cause too much trouble? Did I make things difficult for you? I promise, sister, I'll behave better. I'll quietly run errands around the house. So please, just..."

"Eunha, it's too late. If we delay any further, you'll only be able to get a job as a concubine for an old man. I don't want to send you away like that."

Despite Eunha's desperate plea, Yongi remained resolute. As the tension erased from her submerged body, her head spun, whether from the hot water or Yongi's announcement, it was hard to tell.

As each year passed, Eunha behaved like a mischievous boy, acting recklessly. It seemed that if she had behaved differently, the current situation might not have unfolded this way. After all, how many men would want a woman skilled in martial arts and marksmanship, dressed in men's clothing, as their wife? Moreover, she believed that her sister would want to spend her entire life together with her. Yet, now she insisted on finding a husband for her relentlessly.

Eunha hugged her knees close to her chest, resting her chin on them, as tears streamed down like beads.

"I'll never marry and leave my sister behind. If I'm to be sent off, my sister will come with me."

In response, Yongi flashed a dry smile and placed her hand on Eunha's shoulder.

"Stop talking nonsense. You love literature and are talented. A merchant would be a suitable match for you, Eunha, I just wish you could leave this place and live freely, even if it's just you."

"I refuse."

"Why? Are you also intending to become a kisaeng?"

As Eunha lifted her head, angered by the term "kisaeng", Yongi picked up a towel hanging on the chair and gently wiped away the teardrops from her sister's eyes.

"After engaging in these antics for over a decade, I've become more perceptive. Time is running out, Eunha. I'm saying this out of genuine concern for you. So, please, listen to your sister."

━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━

Eunha emerged from the bath when the water had turned cold. She had lost track of how much time had passed, as she had stubbornly persisted until the warmth in the water dissipated and her body shivered. Upon returning to her quarters, she leaned her frozen body against the warm lower bunk and flipped through the pages of the book given to her by the owner of the bookstore.

Normally, she would have been excited and delighted by the fresh and mysterious contents. However, not a single line or character registered in her eyes. It seemed to involve a man and a woman from enemy households falling in love, but she wouldn't know for sure unless she read it to the end.

Feeling frustrated, Eunha stood up and leaned against the wall, noticing that the kisaeng's business had started.

The alluring laughter of women and the husky voices of men swiftly passed by the front of her quarters. Although she heard these sounds every day, today she wishes she could plug her ears. Unable to force herself to read the unreadable plot, Eunha finally took the book and stepped outside.

The entire Buyeongan Hall was as bright as daylight. Kisaengs, clad in thin garments as if oblivious to the cold, danced gracefully, while serving women and attendants hurriedly served food and drinks. Observing the lively atmosphere that resembled a grand celebration, Eunha flipped her woolen cloak inside out, draped it over her shoulders and slipped out of the hall.

During busy times like this, the escorts paid less attention. As expected, no one tried to stop her from leaving and Eunha quickly moved away, almost like escaping.

Rows of items laid out differently from the daytime chaos.

"Sir!"

Eunha called out loudly upon spotting the owner of the bookstore. The owner, collecting dust-covered books, looked up with curious eyes.

"What in the world are you doing here at this late hour?"

"I need a place to read. If you could provide me a spot like before, I'll make sure to pay for it."

"Well, well, getting money from this young girl? Fine. Since it's chilly out, let's go inside first."

Nevertheless, the owner planned to visit Eunha soon because of the daytime guests who had recently visited. A guest with sightless eyes had expressed a desire for Eunha. While it was never confirmed if the guest was truly blind, such a detail was of little importance to the owner.

Recalling the threatening guest who seemed reluctant to make eye contact, the owner shivered involuntarily.

"Just a while ago, you reeked of alcohol, but now you're looking all well?"

The owner, having tidied up the shelves and closed the door of the bookstore, sarcastically remarked. Eunha, seated in front of the warm stove, chuckled as she removed the scarf covering her face.

"Was it that obvious? I filled my stomach with soju."

"Do you think I only smelled alcohol? You reek of gunpowder too, the whole shebang."

"Really? Even now?"

"It's so strong that it could mask the scent of books."

Eunha absentmindedly sniffed her sleeve, detecting a faint lingering scent, possibly the remnants of perfume.

As she covered her shoulder again with the scarf, placing the book she had taken out on her lap, the owner, who had brought a dish of bite-sized pumpkin candies, sat opposite Eunha. Unusually, he lit a fire at the rough, sturdy end of the wooden stick.

"But what brings you here tonight? You used to only drop by during the day since the incident with Yongi."

"It was noisy at her place. I wanted to read my book in a quiet place."

"Why? Did another parakho* attempt to harass Yongi?"

Soon, the smoky scent of the burning incense filled the air. Eunha, her expression turning from momentarily contemplative to slightly gloomy, stopped munching on the sweet candy, covering the book briefly before asking,

"Sir, I have a question... Do you have any idea how much it costs to remove a name from a kisaeng's list, even roughly?"

"Are you trying to remove Yongi from the kisaeng's list?"

"There's nothing I won't do. Do you know why I work myself to death and gather money? I am determined to remove my sister from that list."

The owner, after cleaning the end of the wooden stick, sighed and exhaled, nodding thoughtfully.

"Well, there's that. To free an ordinary courtesan, it costs at least 300 nyang. For someone like Yongi, you'd need at least 1,000 nyang, and it could go even higher."

The owner deftly stroked his bristly beard, scrutinizing Eunha's expression. With her male attire, she used to look like a handsome lad in jeans, but now, with a skirt on, she appeared unusually delicate. Yet, the blind guest couldn't have seen Eunha's face. Whether this was a genuine desire for her, or if there was a need for a jongisu, remained uncertain.

Eunha, taken aback by the mention of 1,000 nyang, wore an anxious expression, lost in thought.

"Do you need money, by any chance?"

"Well, of course, I need money. Besides, I didn't expect it to be such a significant amount, 1,000 nyang."

"Tsk, how didn't you know? There are more than a few people who would offer more gold and silver treasures than that to pick the most beautiful flower in Buyeongan Hall."

"My sister is not a flower, she's a person."

"I know, I understand. People just keep calling her that, that's all."

The owner glanced around cautiously and brought up a topic.

"Eunha."

"Yes?"

"Would you consider trying the job of a jongisu?"

"A jongisu?"

"Yes. There's someone looking for someone who can read books written in western languages, not just any jongisu."

The owner eagerly sucked in the smoke and exhaled slowly, his face filled with anticipation. Judging by her expression, there was a mix of confusion and curiosity. To make sure Eunha couldn't refuse, the owner added a persuasive word.

"They say the compensation is very generous... What do you think? Would you give it a try?"

━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━

Yongi tightened her fist so hard that her nails left marks, wiping the smile off her face.

"Madam, being a kisaeng is not Eunha's fate. How could you...?"

Shimdeok, silently observing Yongi's trembling lips, smiled and took a sip of tea.

"Whether it's her fate or not, it's not for you to decide. Because of her delicate appearance, there are those who covet Eunha. Do you know there are men who come every day, begging me to let Eunha serve them, claiming they would lift her from this life?"

"But forcing a reluctant girl to become a courtesan is out of the question, isn't it? Spare me the threats, Madam. I will never allow Eunha to live like this."

The incident she had desperately wanted to avoid finally unfolded. Madam was the kind of person who would force even a reluctant child to have her name entered into the kisaeng's list, using whatever means necessary. Giving what's wanted and taking what's needed.

Yongi did not shy away from Madam's stern and inscrutable gaze fixed on her. In her youth, those eyes used to terrify her, rendering her unable to utter a single word. Now, however, she felt no fear. Furthermore, she believed that it was she who was sustaining the current Buyeongan Hall, not Madam. Even if she feared losing her, she thought she couldn't easily lay a hand on Eunha.

"Lord Cho Youngho has asked me to make you his concubine. I owe him a lot of favors, so I couldn't refuse him outright and just laughed it off. But I think it's time to give him an answer. If you're so repulsed by the idea, I won't touch Eunha. So make your decision. Whether you take that position or let Eunha walk her path."

Yongi was taken aback by Madam's composed proposal and let out a forced laugh.

"You're asking me to be the sixth concubine of a scoundrel who has seven children and five concubines already? Are you serious? Madam! How can you ask me to do such a thing...?!"

"Decide!"

Shimdeok set down the tea cup she had been holding, glaring at Yongi. Yongi, lips tightly sealed, met the furious gaze of Madame.

"The Young Master is considering taking in a concubine. What do you think about that? I fed you, clothed you and raised you, but what do you think about your sister who dares to take advantage of the Young Master's favor?! I've taught you to draw the line and step back when necessary. Is she really behaving this way without understanding the feelings of Lord Yoon? I am questioning if she truly didn't know!"

Yongi remained silent, with her eyes tightly shut.

No, Eunha doesn't know. It's something she didn't know. An inexperienced girl like her, who still doesn't understand men, could not have acted that way, even if she knew Doryeong's sincere affection.

Gradually suppressing his anger, Madam tilted the teapot and poured the tea. The delicate fragrance of the white tea diffused in the refined atmosphere. It was a clean scent, unusual for this place, spreading in the quiet inner room.

"I... plan to marry Eunha off. I also have been burdened by this matter. However, Eunha hasn't harbored any feelings for Lord Doryeong. She's my younger sister, I would've known. So please, Madam, give me a little more time. I'll send the child away and I will live only by these four walls. I will forget the outside world completely. Please, I beg you."

*Parakho: Refers to a person who is a descendant of a wealthy or powerful family, a libertine who steals all of the family's assets.