The afternoon sunlight streamed softly through sheer, pale pink curtains. The scent of mokhwa blossoms floated gently on the breeze drifting through the small wooden window. Outside on the balcony, the ginkgo tree's golden leaves began to fall, shimmering like scattered diamonds in the sunlight. The atmosphere was as beautiful as poetry… if one could overlook the complaint piercing the quiet.
"Ugh! Why must this world be so unbearably hot?"
A courtesan's voice broke the stillness from the middle room. It was Hayun, the famed courtesan of the Hall of Spring Breeze, holding a peony-patterned paper fan as she paced around the room like she was performing a fire-worship ritual.
Unse, a young maid, only pouted behind her.
"Unse! Get me some cold water! I'm melting!"
"Hot… or is it just your dry mouth from all that complaining?" Unse muttered under her breath but reluctantly obeyed.
Suddenly, a voice called softly from outside the room.
"Big sister Hayun~ Big sister Hayun!"
The sweet voices of the new courtesans called out with mischievous smiles.
Hayun forced a smile and opened the door, sweeping past the curtain like a painted figure drifting across silk.
"What is it?" she asked with reluctant sweetness.
"The young master Pyeonghwa has arrived to see you. He's waiting in the reception room!"
Before they finished speaking, Hayun's smile broadened, and she forgot all manners. She flicked her sleeves and slammed the door shut with a bang!
The younger courtesans exchanged glances.
"Huh! She acts like she owns the whole hall!"
Hayun paid no mind and hurriedly brushed her hair and reapplied makeup. The name Pyeonghwa alone turned her inner heat to a cool breeze.
Unse returned with the cold water and found Hayun spinning before the mirror.
"Master… here is the cold water you requested."
"Too slow! Do you know my beauty will wither from thirst waiting on you?"
With that, she flicked her sleeve and walked away, leaving Unse blinking in surprise.
"That one… must be Pyeonghwa's precious nectar," Unse whispered with a sly wink.
Hayun entered the reception room without knocking; her closeness to Young Master Pyeonghwa was a perfect excuse to flaunt her status.
But then her gaze froze.
Three other courtesans clustered tightly around Pyeonghwa, whispering and giggling closely.
Hayun narrowed her eyes coldly, smiling with her lips only, eyes sharp like a tigress watching her prey.
"I'll take my leave, Young Master," she said.
The other courtesans politely withdrew as if trained a hundred times before.
Once alone, Pyeonghwa burst out laughing.
"Ha ha ha! Are you jealous of me?"
"Hmph! If you hadn't let those pests flirt with you, would I be jealous?"
"Oh, my dear Hayun, I'm just too lazy to chase them away."
He pulled her into a tight embrace amid their laughter.
"You owe me for that!"
Hayun poked his cheek.
Smack!
Pyeonghwa's lips pressed softly to her cheek, then the other, and another….
"When will you take me away from here? I've been waiting a long time…"
Her voice was soft in the warmth of his arms.
Pyeonghwa paused briefly, then whispered,
"I'm just waiting a little longer… I'm truly not ready yet."
Then Pyeonghwa suddenly pulled away from Hayun's embrace. Hayun felt the change in him, a fading warmth that had been growing weaker over the past few days, like a cold breath slowly seeping into her heart. She sat still, her eyes filled with loneliness as she gazed at the young man beside her.
Without warning, Pyeonghwa stood up abruptly. His strong hand placed a finely carved jade ring on the wooden table, its polished surface gleaming in the candlelight like a treasure in the royal library. He looked at Hayun intently, as if engraving the moment into his memory.
"This... is yours," he said in a cold but clear tone.
Hayun's eyes scanned the jade ring. After a moment's hesitation, she slowly reached out her hand firmly.
"If this is a reward for a courtesan who has served you well, please keep it. For I do not desire it."
Her words fell like a heavy stone crashing into Pyeonghwa's heart.
He froze, never having heard Hayun speak like this before. Overwhelmed by shock and confusion, he dared not reach for the ring again. His hand remained still as he turned and walked out of Buphachun Sa, leaving Hayun alone to weep.
"This is what I knew would come," Hayun thought quietly, tears brimming in her eyes.
How could a courtesan like her ever marry into the household of a nobleman? Even if Pyeonghwa truly cared, it was a dream too distant to grasp, for he was the eldest son of a high-ranking aristocrat. Who would accept a mere courtesan as family?
Hayun felt no anger toward anyone, only a deep sorrow over the social rank that had stolen her future.
Meanwhile, the other courtesans who had been secretly watching Pyeonghwa leave gathered together and whispered harsh gossip about Hayun without mercy.
Wiping away her tears, Hayun stepped out of the room.
Seeing the cluster of courtesans whispering in front of the hall, she took a deep breath and shouted sharply, startling them into scattering in all directions.
"Don't you have anything better to do? Always whining!"
"Uh… H-Hayun-nim…" one stammered.
Before anyone could respond, her sharp voice silenced them completely.
Hayun turned and walked away with a flushed face, the other courtesans chasing after her.
"Ha… Hayun-nim! Please wait!"
Outside, Pyeonghwa stood quietly beneath a maple tree whose leaves had turned a brilliant gold. A gentle breeze stirred, scattering plum blossoms like the changing seasons in his heart.
"Have I truly fallen out of love with her?" he wondered, furrowing his brow, before a sly smile crept across his lips.
"But then again… now I have found the woman I've truly been searching for…"
Soran was working in the palace kitchen, feeling lonely and missing her hometown. It seemed several days had passed, yet she still hadn't received any news from home.
"Huu..." Soran sighed deeply, only to hear a rustling sound beside her ear.
She turned around in surprise and saw a sturdy young man in loose hanbok stuffing dumplings and sweets into his mouth so quickly it was almost hard to keep up!
Soran stood there, mouth agape in shock; she was the only one who had witnessed this.
The young man turned and grinned broadly, his face smeared with crumbs and sugar stuck between his teeth.
"Ugh! Stop smiling like that! It's terrifying!" Soran almost felt like throwing up.
"Ack!" She quickly covered her mouth and turned pale.
"Don't puke, please! Then I'll have to clean it all up again!" The young man jumped over to support her. Luckily, his hands were too sticky with sweets to touch her, so he only managed to catch the air around her.
"Ouch! Give me some water!" He dragged Soran out to sit on a wooden bench behind the kitchen and handed her a bottle of green tea.
Soran rubbed her chest and accepted the water, drinking it quickly.
"This is going too far, you've ruined my appetite for sweets!" the young man complained in a gruff voice, even though he was the one who had secretly eaten nearly all the sweets himself.
"Hey! Sneaking to eat others' food like this is against palace morals and etiquette!" Soran said in an innocent tone, still sipping her water.
"Don't tell anyone, alright? If they find out I'm sneaking sweets in the kitchen, what would they say?" The young man suddenly raised his voice.
"I don't even know you. Why should I believe you?" Soran replied seriously.
"My name's Bunsu. Know me now? You do, right?" The young man quickly introduced himself.
Soran stopped drinking and stared at him in disbelief.
"Bunsu! I'm going to tell Master that you're sneaking sweets from the kitchen and messing with the food with your sticky hands!" Soran said coldly, her eyes sharp as knives.
"You're so mean!" Bunsu scowled, ready to challenge her.
"W-w-wait....." Suddenly, Bunsu dropped to his knees with a loud thud. "Please don't tell Master! P-please!"
Soran gasped, stepping back in surprise as she tried to avoid his firm grip locking around her leg.
"Hey! Bunsu! Don't do that! Someone might see and get us into trouble!"
"If you promise not to tell, I'll let go right away!" Bunsu quickly proposed.
Soran looked at him with displeasure, then let out a big sigh.
"Fine, fine… I promise!" she said, exhausted.
Bunsu beamed like he'd won a prize, slowly releasing her leg as he stood up with a wide smile.
"What's your name… Are you new here?"
Bunsu asked thoughtfully, watching Soran's face as she pondered her answer, though in her heart, she still didn't know what to say.
Soran could only give him a shy, gentle smile.
"Oh! Bunsu, what are you doing, bothering my lady?"
Suddenly, a middle-aged woman with a familiar face hurried in, pushing Bunsu aside and then turning to pull Soran close.
"My lady… mother!"
Bunsu exclaimed in surprise, quickly bowing his head in apology for speaking out of turn and behaving improperly.
"Yes, this is my child," Soran replied with a smile, pointing to Bunsu, who hung his head in remorse.
"If my child has offended you in any way, I apologize," Bosok said, looking at Bunsu before pinching her son's plump belly with all her might.
"Ouch! Mom, that hurts!"
Bunsu cried out in shock, accidentally meeting Soran's eyes and quickly looking away.
"Sorry, my lady! It won't happen again!"
"Y-yes, I'm sorry. I won't do that anymore," Bunsu apologized sincerely, and Soran accepted his apology calmly.
"I have to go now. My work is done," Soran said before walking away.
But only a few steps later, Bunsu hurriedly ran after Bosok.
"Mom! That lady… she's like… well, what is she exactly… like… um…"
Bunsu stammered, the words stuck on his tongue.
"Your lord, your very own lord!"
Bosok answered knowingly.
"No way!"
Bunsu protested loudly, following Bosok into the kitchen.
"Whether it's true or not, go ask your lord yourself. Don't waste my time asking me!"
Bosok waved her hand in annoyance.
"I don't know anything about it!"
Bunsu argued even more strongly. He could hardly believe his own eyes, seeing Soran patiently staying here for so many days.
Bosok entered the kitchen and began preparing food, but then stopped abruptly.
"Sigh… Five of the sweets I made have disappeared!"
Bunsu followed Bosok into the kitchen, eager to coax out more about Soran.
"Bunsu!"
Bosok snapped irritably.
"What is it, Mom?"
Bunsu put on an innocent face.
"Hmph! You little rascal! Did you sneak into the kitchen to steal sweets again?"
Bosok raised the tray in her hands, threatening to strike her younger brother, but Bunsu quickly grabbed her wrist to stop her.
"I didn't eat any, Mom!"
"Then who did?"
"That one! She's the one sneaking bites!"
Bunsu pointed toward the kitchen door, where Soran had just walked away.
Bosok followed his gaze, then swung the tray sharply at Bunsu.
Thwack! Thump! Thud!
"You scoundrel! How dare you accuse our lady like that? You…."
Thwack! Thump! Thud!
The sound of the tray hitting Bunsu echoed throughout the kitchen.
"M-Mom! That hurts! Please don't hit me! Mommmmm!!!"
Bunsu screamed in panic and bolted out of the kitchen in a flurry.
Soran stepped quietly into her tranquil abode. The old wooden door creaked softly at her gentle touch as it slowly opened. Moonlight streamed through the carved wooden lattice, casting her elongated shadow across the silent wooden floor.
Inside, the room was dim, but the soft glow from a small stone lantern illuminated the figure of Yeongwon seated calmly. His eyes met hers, a mix of surprise and restraint shimmering within. Soran felt her heart race as their gazes locked, memories from that morning washing over her, causing her to quickly look away in bashfulness.
Yeongwon also averted his eyes, pressing a hand to his chest as if soothing a still-frightened heart. He sighed deeply, then turned back to her with composed calm.
"My lord... / It's you..."
Both spoke simultaneously, startled by the coincidence.
"Ah..."
They both tried to steady themselves, yet a subtle awkwardness lingered. Yeongwon quickly spoke first.
"You're back. How are you?"
(Oh, what a thoughtless question, she's returned already.)
He frowned briefly at his own words, then softened his expression, awaiting Soran's reply as she leaned against the wooden door.
"I... I'm back, my lord. Shall I wait outside? You seemed busy reading."
Soran replied, gesturing toward the door.
"No need."
His voice sharpened, making her pause. He gently caught her hand to stop her from leaving, closing his book carelessly.
"Don't go anywhere. See? I've stopped reading."
Yeongwon spoke earnestly. Soran blinked wide-eyed and nodded slowly before stepping inside to sit some seven paces away.
His eyes measured the distance between them, feigning indifference but secretly watching every subtle movement with careful attention.
After a moment, he rose to put the book away. Once done, he began spreading out bedding. Seeing this, Soran hurried to help, but her hand accidentally brushed against his.
Yeongwon met her gaze calmly, masking any reaction before gently releasing her hand from the fabric. Soran watched him, feeling a flutter of nervous warmth deep within.
Once the bedding was arranged, Soran turned to see something that made her gasp softly.
"My lord..."
She whispered.
"Yes?"
Yeongwon glanced back, removing his outer robe as if preparing for rest.
Overcome with shyness, Soran let out a quiet scream. Her body flushed, desperate to flee for the cool night air. Though Yeongwon hadn't fully disrobed, the thin cloth draping his form revealed enticing curves that stirred her imagination.
He waited a moment for her to speak, then returned to his private tasks. When finished, he collapsed onto the bedding, sighing in relaxation.
Soran remained standing, mouth slightly open, watching Yeongwon's peaceful smile.
In the quiet room, the sound of his steady breathing mingled with the rustling breeze outside, a lullaby coaxing them both to sleep.
Softly, Soran extinguished the lantern's flame to spare him from light disturbance, then lay down beside him.
She kept a respectful distance, though his warm back tempted her to lean in.
Closing her eyes tightly, she let her mind calm and drift off into the stillness of the starry, moonlit night.
This ancient wooden house rested in a small village surrounded by pines and plum blossoms. Late spring air was cool and gentle, with soft breezes stirring leaves in rhythmic dance. The chirping crickets and distant birdsong blended into peaceful harmony. A faint scent of wildflowers drifted gently, enhancing the serene, cozy atmosphere, perfect for rest after a long day.
On the quiet night, the air was heavy and warm, as if scorched by fire. Yeongwon lay on his side, facing Soran. The silver moonlight bathed her small form, clearly revealing every curve and contour. Yeongwon nearly reached out to touch her waist, but quickly withdrew his hand when Soran turned toward him, just waking.
"My lord, you're still awake?"
Soran asked with a concerned tone, embodying the gentle care of a Joseon-era lady for someone close.
"Well... I..."
Yeongwon faltered, then sat up fully. Soran quickly rose to follow, placing her palm on his forehead to check for fever, then comparing it to her own.
"Huh? You're fine. No fever at all. Or are you feeling unwell? If so, I can go back to my room."
She said kindly, her voice a mix of gentle warning and pleading.
"No need. I'm fine. Soran, could you move to the darkest corner of the room to avoid the moonlight?"
Yeongwon requested seriously, a typical Joseon man, uncomfortable with moonlight shining in his face.
Soran nodded and shifted her bedding to the darkest corner. Yeongwon quickly followed, slipping in close, but the further she moved, the darker it got until he could barely see where she lay.
Sigh... will I accidentally fall asleep holding her or bump into her?
Yeongwon grumbled silently before finally forcing himself to sleep.
Soft morning sunlight filtered through the wooden lattice windows covered with hanji paper, warming the room. Soran slowly opened her eyes to see Yeongwon lying next to her, his arms wrapped around her. Though she wanted to move away, she feared startling him by appearing improper, so she pretended to remain asleep.
Yeongwon turned his face the other way and gently withdrew his hand, as if afraid to disturb her peaceful sleep.
Soran placed her hand over her chest and sighed in relief.
(How strange... why is my heart pounding like this? Could this be the 'heart disease' described in Doctor Qi's medical texts?)
The thought drained her face pale, sweat broke out over her body, and tears welled in her eyes from the fear of her racing heart.
At that moment
Thud!
The sharp sound of footsteps startled them. Pyunghwa stopped in front of the pavilion house where Yeongwon and Soran stayed.
Pyunghwa silently peered through the wooden lattice door. Though he couldn't see clearly, he knew well that this marriage was like a blazing fire, burning his heart with pain.
His hand clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, the smooth skin trembling with frustration.
"Hmph! Your eldest son! I won't let you win so easily!" he muttered, then turned and walked away discreetly.
Unbeknownst to him, his father was watching tiredly from behind a curtain, shaking his head and sighing deeply.
"That son of mine... still needs to learn that sometimes 'love' isn't measured solely by status or bloodline."