NABC Book 3: Chapter 15
Book 3: Chapter 15
Book 3: Chapter 15
In the innermost office of the main building of Inner Court.
Here, one could not find any common braziers.
Yet, the office was as warm as a spring day, thanks to the substantial desk situated at the center.
The desk, large enough for two strong men to lie upon, had a top embedded with “heat-sun stone”, radiating a gentle warmth.
When the weather warmed, the desk top would be replaced with “cold-ice stone”.
Near the window, where sunlight filtered through a private garden, a subtle fragrance wafted.
This scent originated from the various bonsai junipers lined along the window.
These were rare “Cheongja” (celadon) pieces even in Haedong, carefully harbored in the bonsais.
[Picture of Cheongja (celadon)
https://pds.joongang.co.kr/news/component/joongang_sunday/2013/08/11011923.jpg]
A black obsidian scissors, adorned with mother-of-pearl, was delicately trimming the bonsai.
The hands holding the scissors were wrinkled yet smooth, without a trace of calluses.
“...The Grand Young Master himself?”
“Yes, he’s currently meeting with the administrator of Wongak Pavilion.”
The obsidian scissors broke.
It was a sign of disturbed equanimity.
Initially, the material was ill-suited for trimming the tough junipers.
The elder clicked his tongue upon seeing the broken scissors.
“Such a pity...”
It wasn’t the loss of the expensive scissors that bothered him but his own disturbed composure.
The middle-aged man’s gaze followed to the scissors.
“It’s a masterpiece of a renowned craftsman, a shame indeed.”
“Is it so...?”
The elder discarded the broken scissors, showing no regret.
“But there are many scissors.”
He opened a drawer in the desk.
Inside, various black obsidian scissors were neatly arranged, each a work of art by famous artisans.
“If needed, we can always get more. These are but replaceable objects, no matter how expensive.”
The middle-aged man listened quietly to the elder’s words.
“So...”
The elder closed the drawer.
“As long as I don’t hurt my hand, as long as the bonsai remains unharmed, that’s all that matters.”
It was a meaningful statement.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
The elder extended his hand, and the middle-aged man respectfully handed him a cane.
He then assisted the elder with his coat.
“I’ll be away for a while, ensure everything is handled well.”
The middle-aged man bowed deeply.
“Yes, Supervisor.”
After the elder left, the middle-aged man remained.
His gaze shifted to the wooden box where the elder had discarded the scissors.
The box was filled with broken scissors.
“Many scissors, indeed...”
On his waist, seven golden tassels sparkled in the sunlight.
***
“Such a delightful fragrance. Excellent.”
Yeon So-Hyeon enjoyed the aroma of the tea and commented.
“...I am humbled.”
A hurried appearance was made by a third-ranked attendant from Inner Court’s Ceremonial Office.
Yeon So-Hyeon chuckled.
“With such fine tea leaves, why do you feel humbled?”
“....”
The ceremonial attendant remained silent and stepped back.
“Hmm. This is tea from Wuyi Mountain in Fujian. Wuyi Mountain is known for its families producing excellent teas.”
In place of the silent third-ranked attendant, a set of triplet maids nodded.
“Indeed, there is no equal to your knowledge of tea, Master.”
“I have heard of Wuyi Mountain myself.”
Yeon So-Hyeon seemed to remember something and spoke up.
“Speaking of Wuyi Mountain’s tea families, the Seomun family was one of them, right...?”
His gaze turned to the Court Lady Seomun sitting opposite him.
“Is that so?”
“It seems I have also heard of the Heavenly Demon from Wuyi Mountain.”
The maids responded naturally in the conversation.
“That’s right.”
The Heavenly Demon was none other than the external kin power of ‘2nd Young Master’.
“Let’s see, shall we?”
Yeon So-Hyeon smiled as he opened the ledger.
Then, he turned to the Court Lady Bang beside him.
“Bang, is this the real ledger?”
Bang nodded hastily.
“Yes, yes. It’s the real one.”
“Really? Let’s take a look then.”
As Yeon So-Hyeon began to flip through the ledger, the Court Lady Seomun, surprisingly, sat down with a smile.
The other attendants also chuckled and took their seats.
A moment later...
Yeon So-Hyeon briskly flipped through the ledger, eliciting internal scoffs from the others.
‘What kind of way is that to examine a ledger?’
‘He should be matching up the accounts, not just flipping through the pages.’
‘Ah! He’s just trying to show off in front of the maids.’
Yeon So-Hyeon closed the ledger.
“Hmm. It seems there is no issue with this ledger.”
At his words, Court Lady Seomun and her aides internally smiled.
“Is that satisfactory?”
“No.”
Yeon So-Hyeon shook his head at Court Lady Seomun’s question.
“This is just a ledger of expenditures from Inner Court to Wongak Pavilion. It can hardly be called a proper ledger.”
Court Lady Seomun’s eyebrows twitched.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Therefore, I must personally go into Inner Court’s ledger archive.”
Court Lady Seomun scoffed at Yeon So-Hyeon’s statement.
“The ledger archive of Inner Court? Aren’t you overestimating yourself, Grand Young Master?”
Il-ryeong intervened.
“How dare you question the authority of our Grand Young Master when he has given an order?!”
Another attendant snidely joined in.
“Girl, don’t be mistaken. The title ‘Grand Young Master’ is just his status. The actual Grand Young Master, currently in seclusion, holds no position in our house.”
“So, it’s only natural that he has no right to access confidential matters in Inner Court, right?”
Yeon So-Hyeon tapped the ledger.
“Then I must ask the chief supervisor of Inner Court directly.”
Court Lady Seomun smiled.
“Go ahead. The chief supervisor of Inner Court won’t grant you access to the ledger archive anyway.”
It was a valid point.
Apart from the possibility of the chief supervisor cutting her off for complicating matters, it was unlikely that he would open the archive where all of Inner Court’s ledgers were kept.
“Well, can’t be helped then.”
Yeon So-Hyeon raised his hands in resignation.
“It seems unlikely that the old man would still be in his office after I’ve come this far.”
Jung-ah asked him.
“Are you going to leave it at this?”
“Yes. It seems we have done all we can.”
‘Finally over.’
Court Lady Seomun and her aides smiled at those words.
“Grand Young Master.”
Court Lady Seomun stood up, bowing respectfully to the Grand Young Master.
“I wish to apologize for everything that has transpired here today.”
Her aides also stood up and bowed formally.
Bang, the court lady, also hurriedly stood up and knelt.
“I apologize to the Grand Young Master.”
Court Lady Seomun spoke gently to Yeon So-Hyeon.
“From now on, I will personally ensure that nothing untoward happens because of Inner Court.”
She smiled softly.
“So, let’s end this matter here...”
Yeon So-Hyeon cut her off.
“No. This is really frustrating. I’m not asking for an apology; I’m asking why you didn’t pay for the books?”
“....”
At the Grand Young Master’s childlike persistence, Court Lady Seomun and her aides were at a loss for words.
Yeon So-Hyeon sighed as he looked at them.
“Since you won’t answer my question and I have limitations in finding the answer myself, what should I do with this matter?”
He turned to Jung-ah.
“Summon the Inspection Bureau.”
The mention of the Inspection Bureau.
Everyone froze in place.