Chapter 351. Okjeong Welcomes Youngwoo Back
Youngwoo mounted his horse in front of the temple gate.
The moment he slipped a foot into the stirrup and settled into the saddle, something cold touched his cheek.
Snow.
At first, only a few flakes drifted down.
Then the snowfall thickened over the darkened streets.
Light from houses seeped faintly through doorways and beneath the eaves, and white flakes fell silently through that glow.
The night streets of Liaoyang slowly turned pale, as though the snow meant to cover the blood and turmoil of the previous night.
The monk stood beneath the temple gate with his palms joined.
Youngwoo bowed from horseback.
When he drew the reins, the horse began to walk.
Its hooves made soft sounds as they pressed into damp earth and the thin layer of gathering snow.
Youngwoo glanced back.
The gate of Guangyou Temple was sinking into darkness.
Beyond it, the faint outline of the White Pagoda floated amid the falling snow.
The high pagoda, the low streets, and the desires of men alike lay beneath the same snow tonight.
When Youngwoo returned to the estate, Okjeong came running out to meet him.
"You're finally back?"
The sight of her hurrying out to welcome him caught him by surprise.
He doubted even a wife would come running out like that.
"Hm?"
But there was no mistaking it.
Okjeong had clearly been waiting for him.
Catching her breath, she asked,
"Where have you been?"
Youngwoo dismounted.
"I inspected the city's defenses. I made one circuit outside the walls and another inside."
Okjeong tilted her head without answering.
That alone could not possibly have taken this long.
Even a full circuit around the outside was barely more than ten li.
Youngwoo continued.
"I climbed the watchtower and looked over the whole city, then started around from the north. I came across a temple, so I went in. Guangyou Temple—the one with that tall pagoda. I sat there for a while, and somehow it became this late."
"You haven't eaten, have you?"
"I had a temple meal. I even stayed for the evening service."
Okjeong's eyes widened slightly.
"I didn't realize you were such a devout Buddhist."
Youngwoo laughed.
"I'm not. It's just a habit. Maybe I'll receive a little blessing, maybe say a prayer. I have no idea whether any of it actually works, but afterward my mind feels a little more settled."
"What did you pray for today?"
Youngwoo held out the reins.
A servant stepped forward to take them.
It was Deoki.
He gave a deep, proper bow, even more formal than usual now that he was standing before his own mistress.
Youngwoo answered,
"I prayed that this ridiculous lot would stop doing foolish things that only hurt innocent people."
Okjeong burst into laughter.
"Hohoho! Foolish things?"
"Exactly. They started talking about founding a country and deciding who should be king, so I walked out."
"So that has been bothering you."
Youngwoo brushed the snow from his cloak.
"It has. I don't understand why they do it. They cannot distinguish devotion to their homeland from the lust for power buried deep in their own hearts. No—perhaps they know perfectly well and simply use one to disguise the other. Shameless men. They turn their faces away from such an obvious truth... honestly."
Okjeong slowly nodded.
"That is how it is. It isn't easy."
"Your father?"
"He is still in the meeting. It sounds like the argument has become rather heated."
Youngwoo looked at her.
"General Go intends to become king, doesn't he?"
Okjeong did not answer immediately.
She pressed her lips together, then made a low sound of discomfort.
"...I don't know. Hmm."
That answer was enough.
Youngwoo did not ask again.
Okjeong changed the subject.
"Would you like some tea?"
"If I drink tea now, I won't be able to sleep."
"Already? You're young. Why would that bother you?"
Youngwoo hunched his shoulders slightly.
"I know. It must be because I'm a country bumpkin."
Okjeong did not bother asking for his opinion again.
She simply turned and led the way toward the detached residence.