episode_0011

If this were Joseon land, one might expect a decline in influence, but being on Ming territory, that was not possible.

“It’s strange how smoothly things get resolved when this military official steps up.”

One of the guards chuckled and remarked.

Even when covered with a hood, does charm still exude because of it?

Was this also the effect of microtransactions?

“We should use bribery appropriately.”

“We did. But it didn’t work. It’s odd how the Ming people seem weak towards this military official.”

“I must be good at understanding their words.”

The interpreter who accompanied the envoy remained in Beijing, so I was now handling the interpretation.

“Ugh, stop pretending to be sick all the time.”

“Hehe. My apologies.”

After some time, we left the capital, and bruises remained on our faces.

#

As more time passed, we reached the Aplok River.

All three women and I had recovered well.

However, traces of bruising remained on our faces.

Perhaps due to my healthy body, I had strong resistance, so the bruising wasn’t severe for me.

Han Shi was lucky as her bruises weren’t severe either.

But anyone could tell they had experienced the ordeal just by looking at their faces.

I wanted to offer Han Shi some comfort and tell her she still looked beautiful, but I had to hold back to avoid any misunderstandings.

It’s worth noting that none of the guards were affected by the bruises.

This demonstrated that the bruises from the “Indu method” were almost non-infectious.

Of course, no one acknowledged this except myself.

“I find this situation favorable.”

I had stopped covering the carriage, and suddenly Han Shi approached me.

“Yes?”

“I have returned.”

“Oh…”

“But now I must live alone for the rest of my life, right?”

“…..”

“May I harbor some affection? I have admired you greatly all this time.”

A sudden confession?

In this situation?

It was a confession like none I had received before.

From what I had learned online, Han Shi was quite intelligent and kind-hearted.

During the ‘Eo-yeo Rebellion’ in the Ming royal family, while Huang Shi dragged many innocents to their deaths, Han Shi endured the suffering alone, saying, “It’s the same whether I die or not, how can I drag others into this?”

“My name is Gyemi. Han Gyemi. My younger sister is Gyeran, and when we were young, she teased me, saying I’m an ant, not a spider.”

Ha! Eggs teasing ants?

It’s even funnier when eggs are involved?

“Please forget what I just said.”

“You were teasing me?”

“No, it was affection. Now that I think this is the end, my heart weakens… So please just forget it.”

Can you really forget if it were you?

It was a confession I had never experienced in this life or the previous one.

Although I became more charming and attracted more attention from women, this was my first formal confession.

“But it feels unfair. Is this the end?”

It felt too empty to think it was over before it even began.

Upon arriving in Pyongyang, I disbanded the guards.

From then on, only the three women and I traveled to Hanyang, and it was February 1418 when we arrived.

It had been a challenging journey over the past few months.

Upon our return, the court’s response was icy.

While I hadn’t expected a welcoming ceremony, the coldness was overwhelming, causing deep sorrow.

Even if they were to give me a bonus, it would be insufficient.

“I believe we must part ways here.”

“May you fare well.”

With these words, Gyemi headed back to her family estate with her maidservant and handmaiden.

Watching the three women leave was truly poignant.

My heart ached.

Something rose from the depths of my chest and pressed against my heart.

“Should it end like this? She is a precious woman. Moreover, if my younger sister becomes Seondeokje’s concubine in the future, she will surely become a significant figure.”

Considering my ambitions, I would undoubtedly try to send my younger sister as a concubine to the Ming Emperor in the future.

According to the original story, the younger sister who becomes Queen Seondeok’s concubine is treated as a royal figure from the time of King Jeongjong to King Seonghwa without facing any hardships after Queen Seondeok’s death.

Knowing this future, if one were to marry Gemi, whether in Joseon or Ming, they would gain significant power and influence.

Setting aside such matters, Gemi is beautiful, kind-hearted, and even confessed her feelings to me.

‘Um. I want to marry her…’

After receiving the confession, my mind was filled with thoughts, making it difficult to sleep at night.

As a reward(?) for my long-awaited return, I was granted a month to visit my hometown.

Although I didn’t get to go to Beijing and returned home, I decided to make the month-long round trip to satisfy my parents’ curiosity.

‘There are things to say when I get there.’

That is…

#

“No way!”

Upon hearing this, my father immediately raised his voice in protest.

Naturally, I expected him to react this way, so I wasn’t disappointed.

I reluctantly decided to resort to extreme measures.

“But she’s already carrying my child.”

Here, ‘she’ refers to Gemi.

After our separation, I pondered many thoughts, leading to this decision.

‘If I leave things as they are according to my parents’ wishes, although the household may prosper, who knows what kind of woman might become my wife. Where can I find a beauty like Han Shi, with a temperament already proven? She’s the perfect match for me.’

The mark left by smallpox wasn’t extensive due to inoculation. Since I also had marks from inoculation, we were in similar situations.

Lastly, if things follow the original history, Han Shi’s younger sister will become Queen Seondeok’s concubine and will eventually thrive in the future.

‘If that happens, as her brother-in-law, I’ll rise to great heights as well.’

Although it may be challenging now, a golden future awaits with a little patience, I concluded.

However, at that moment, I did not anticipate the extent of the difficulties that would unfold, as the effects of the twisted history were stronger than I had imagined.

To the point where they denied me an official position.

“What? You scoundrel!”

Smack!

Who else has ever been punched by their second father born through reincarnation?

It’s unlikely, given how difficult it is to reincarnate.

Anyway, I was hit.

Claiming to be pregnant without mutual consent was a lie.

I worried about how Gemi would react once she found out the truth.

‘In these times emphasizing chastity, she might even consider suicide.’

Oh, come on, that’s unlikely!

I quickly shook off the thought.

‘Just like Hwang Si, there are strong women who endure and live as court ladies despite accidents. Gemi isn’t weak enough to die.’

Moreover, it’s still early in the Joseon era.

Since not much time has passed since the fall of Goryeo, it’s not a time when Neo-Confucianism is heavily emphasized.

Gemi had already endured countless insults.

The rumor circulating that Doochang was brought back by Gemi had people saying it was Gemi’s curse, and some even mentioned “Gemi-Doochang.”

I don’t know who started spreading the rumors first, but I wanted to kill whoever did.

Considering the timeline, even before Gemi and I returned to Joseon, Doochang had already spread in the northern regions.

However, the power of false rumors was so strong that having a child paled in comparison.

“When did you impregnate her? Was it on the way back from Beijing?”

“Do you think I would do such a thing to a woman destined to become the emperor’s concubine? I comforted her on the way back because she was too sad.”

“Ugh. You fool!”

“If you allow me to marry her, I will work diligently as an official to bring honor to our family!”

“Are you telling me to welcome a woman who makes me feel dirty just by speaking as your daughter-in-law?”

Thud!

“It’s my son’s wish. Father!”

Kneeling down and prostrating myself, I pressed my forehead against the ground.

The grounds of this house were thought to be auspicious, but it turned out not to be the case. How could I have known that someone like you would be better!

My hometown had become a place of mourning because of me.

Mother had passed away, and although my father’s abuse continued, he was old, and with my robust physique, I didn’t feel much pain.

I don’t know if news had reached my brother in Hanyang, but my younger sibling just looked at me pitifully without saying a word.

After days of struggle, I went to see my father again.

“Father, I will not return until I become a monk at Changgyeong before undergoing a transformation. So please allow me to marry.”

It was a declaration that I would become a child who would leave home and not see my parents until I achieved great success.

“Fine!”

Permission was granted, and my father arranged a marriage proposal at the Han family’s house.

But marriage wasn’t immediate.

Mr. Han’s father had passed away early, and Mr. Han was currently leading the household.

Therefore, it took time for the marriage to happen as Mr. Han’s brother, Hanhyuk, who was in Beijing, had to return first.

I thought there would be no opposition from the Han family.

No one else would want to marry her.

“I will go up to Hanyang and wait there.”

“If they agree up there, we will hold the wedding in Hanyang, so there is no need for you to come back!”

This meant that they didn’t want rumors spreading in Yangsan.

My father’s demeanor seemed like he was going to disown me.

Unlike when I left my hometown, I was alone this time.

My father was so angry that he didn’t even assign a servant to accompany me.

With no choice, I set off for Hanyang with determination.

When I returned to Hanyang, the sound of mourning echoed through the palace.

It was because Crown Prince Lee Jong had died by his own hand.