episode_0033

“Then? Should my father, who is now old, go? To that far away?”

“Even so, if you ride a carriage, wouldn’t it take less than half an hour?”

“Oh my, I have to die when I get old…”

“If he had nothing to say, he always said it that way.”

“Kuhm···.”

“In the first place, didn’t you have a good time when the new prefectural governor took office last year?”

‘hmm? wait for a sec···.’

As I speak, something feels a little strange.

That’s right, it was last fall that a new mayor was appointed to Chohyeon. That’s according to the scenes that unfolded before my eyes while waiting for the skip to end.

And since it is now January… simple calculations show that less than half a year has passed since the new prefectural governor took office.

But at this point, it’s a new prefectural order.

Considering that the typical term of office for a prefecture is about one year, this was too early.

“Have the existing county officials committed some kind of serious crime?”

“Hmm? Why are you suddenly asking that?”

“It’s only been 4 months since I took office, but I feel a little strange when I hear that a new prefectural government is coming.”

“Well, does that matter? It’s an age where you can buy even the top of the three kingdoms with 10 million won.”

It’s just that someone paid more.

I internally laughed bitterly at my father’s actions as he added that in a cold voice. Honestly, there was nothing wrong with what he said.

Anything is possible with money, and this is the current Han Dynasty. It’s not like a large supermarket, but the prices are strictly set for each official position.

The funny thing is that the prices of government positions that can directly touch taxes, such as governors and governors, are twice as expensive as those of the Three Dukes, which can be said to be the highest-ranking government office in this era.

For the position of a third official like an apostle, 10 million jeon is all that is required, while for a position like a governor or governor, you start with at least 20 million jeon.

And since the people who bought public positions in that way and took the positions were squeezing the people like rags to get their money’s worth… it made me feel brave that there had been no uproar so far.

Well, considering that this year is 184, it will be soon.

“Anyway, make sure you know that before leaving. Make sure to take this with you on the way.”

“What is that again?”

“This is an invitation to a banquet. I don’t know what the author is doing, but he wrote a lot of useless information. To be honest, I feel like the paper used here is a waste.”

Since he said that, I thought it would contain words requesting a bribe under the guise of a gift.

I definitely thought so… but when I returned to my room and opened the invitation, it was full of unexpected information.

‘Do you want me to wear blue clothes with gold thread embroidery or dark blue clothes…?’

Is this the dress code? No, but was there such a culture even in this era?

I was more skeptical than anything else, but I soon decided to do it. Rich people do unusual things. It’s not that unusual.

If you think about Rahee in real life right now, even though she is one of Korea’s representative gold diggers, doesn’t she have an unusual eccentricity of hiding her identity and doing masturbation broadcasts? Compared to that, wouldn’t just specifying the attire of those participating in a banquet not be considered one of the most eccentric things?

Compared to the outright request for ‘repayment’, this level of demand was really cute.

So there’s nothing I can’t listen to.

It may be a bit bothersome to embroider the sleeves with gold thread, but if you tell the maids to do it, they will do it for you.

But did I have clothes of that color?

Just in case, I personally visited the place where the clothes I usually wear are stored, but there were only black or white, and I couldn’t find anything like blue or navy blue.

Thanks to you, I felt like I needed to get a new set.

So, it must have been the moment when I left the palace where I usually stayed and headed towards the bedroom.

Was it something like a light walk to kill time? A wild cheese cat, or rather Join, has appeared.

“Huh? Where are you going in such a hurry? Disciple?”

“Ah, join.”

“Not a joiner, but a teacher!”

For a moment, he was puffing up his fur, or rather his orange hair, like an angry cat. Was it because he was embarrassed that he had behaved in such an indecent manner in front of me, his student?

Jo-in cleared his throat slightly and pretended to be his usual self as if he had never done that before.

“So where were you going?”

“I was on my way to my bedroom… but was Master even taking a walk? Or maybe… come see me?”

As he said that with a sly smile, Jo In’s cheeks turned slightly red.

From my point of view, this was something I just threw out as a joke, but I guess it was true that he was actually walking to see me.

Is that why it was like that?

“Hmm, I was just wandering around the manor while I had some free time. Also, the sun is nice today…”

A slightly rambling voice continued.

“Isn’t this the time to study military history? But you’re here, so you’re just fooling around because you hate studying…?”

“No joke! Just because I took a moment to clear my head, could you please stop treating me like I’m the same person as your student?”

“I always respect my teacher and live my life thinking that I want to be like him… but hearing you say that makes this student sad.”

“Eight…! Anyway, why are you walking into the bedroom all of a sudden? Are you planning on making something else?”

Join’s eyes, which were asking me that question, were already sparkling with anticipation. Did you think that when I told you I was going to the bedroom, there would be other convenient items like the sandals I was wearing or the Chinese dress I was wearing right now?

‘By the way, you dress very well…’

At first, I was going crazy wondering how I could wear such ridiculous clothes, but after wearing them a few times, I guess I secretly started to like them.

Well, when I think back on the clothes I wore before, they were all just casual clothes that hung loosely here and there. As Jo-in, who is already short, it must have been quite inconvenient.

I don’t know if that’s why, but I feel really sorry for Jo-in, who has already been immersed in expectations, but there were no plans to create something new for the time being.

“No, that’s not it. I think I need a new set of clothes.”

“Clothes?”

“Yes, this time I participated in the banquet on behalf of my family.”

“Is it a banquet? Disciple? Aren’t you an elderly person?”

“Have you already forgotten? I am also an adult now.”

“Ah, that’s right. It was like that. I was momentarily mistaken because he was a whopping two years younger than me.”

Why do they put so much emphasis on the two-year age difference?

As I was looking at Jo-in shrugging his shoulders as if this was the difference between you and me, a thought occurred to me. Since I was going to attend the banquet anyway, I thought, why not take him there too?

You probably won’t know anyone when you go anyway, so if you’re going to return home after standing lonely in a corner for a few hours, wouldn’t it be better to have at least one person you know with you?

So I tried to make a suggestion, but Jo In immediately expressed his disapproval. The reason was that it was burdensome.

“Are you sure you won’t regret it? I’m sure there will be a lot of delicious food at that kind of event, right?”

“Ugh, um…!”

“There may be a mountain of dishes like Gyeongjang Yuksa or Gungbo Gyeokjeon that you like…”

“Gulp···.”

“There’s nothing I can do if you don’t feel like it. As a disciple, you cannot just force the teacher…”

“Ha, but I wasn’t invited to that event.”

“Why are you worried about that? All you have to do is just accompany me.”

There was no specific limit on the number of people in the invitation, so bringing one person along would not be a problem.

If it doesn’t work out, you can call me my escort.

“Also… I don’t have clothes suitable for such a situation…”

I wondered why he was being so hostile, but that was the real reason for his hesitation.

“It worked out better.”

“E…?”

“I was just about to put on a new ball gown.”

After saying just that, he reached out and grabbed Jo In’s wrist.

Then, as I started to walk towards somewhere, Jo-in, who was attracted to me, hurriedly followed behind me with the sound of ‘Oh…!’

“Woman, isn’t this the road to the bedroom?!”

“I looked at the invitation and it said that those who would participate in the banquet should wear blue clothes with gold thread embroidery or navy blue clothes. So, let’s start by looking for fabric that meets those conditions.”

“Ahh…!”

“But now that I think about it, I don’t know if there is any silk dyed blue or dark blue.”

“Rain, silk is too expensive!”

I was able to see the results of running around here and there with Join, who was starting to get a little flustered, a few days later.

“It’s my first time wearing clothes like this… so it’s awkward…”

Did it feel strange to wear soft clothes like this after always wearing stiff clothes?

Jo In, who was looking down at his body and muttering those words, had a blush on his face.

Seeing Jo In like that, I applauded lightly. It was a kind of tribute to the maids who worked in the manor’s bedrooms.

Isn’t everyone professional for no reason?

I was worried because I didn’t have that much time, but I was surprised to learn that I was able to make such nice clothes in just a few days.

Even the clothes made in that way were a perfect match for Jo In, who could be said to be the owner.

It may have been inspired by the Chinese dress I gave Jo In, but by boldly blowing off the sleeves, it had the effect of doubling her health and cuteness, which are her charm points.

“I didn’t realize that you always wear clothes of similar colors, but blue also looks good on you.”

I’ve heard people say that I’m great at martial arts or that I’m good at fighting, but how many times have I heard someone compliment my appearance?

Jo-in’s face, which was already flushed, became even redder.

And then-

“My student, you are cool too…”

He spoke in a hushed voice, which was unusual for someone who always spoke in a lively voice.

“Then, shall we go?”

“Yes…”

So, with Jo In by his side, he arrived at the prefectural office, the venue for today’s banquet, in a carriage prepared in advance.

“Hmm? You came from Yoon Ga-jang?!”

The soldier’s reaction upon hearing my identity was strange.

“Oh my! Please tell me sooner! I’ll take you here, this way.”

“Hmm? Isn’t the banquet hall over there, not over there?”

” Well, actually… the newly appointed county magistrate, Nauri, would like to meet with me separately before the banquet begins…”

Oh, what is it, is it really collection time?

Then yes.

There’s no way it could go over so easily.

“If you say so, Master, please go to the banquet hall first.”

“Yes? But…”

It must have been the moment when I followed the soldier into the back yard of the county office, leaving behind Jo-in, who was hesitant as if he was worried that something might happen to me.

‘···hmm?’

A floral scent that I felt like I had smelled before somewhere passed under my nose.