Bab 34: Planning something

Do Yeong, Park Sunwo and Hani were now in the city. "Go home. Don't worry about Yoon Shik," Do Yeong told her. Hani nodded but before leaving, she took out something from the pocket of the dress she was wearing. "Give orabani this. He will like it," Hani stated. Do Yeong looked at the ink brush.

"Did you make it?" Park Sunwo asked her.

"Yes," replied Hani. "I will wait for Orabani. Thank you for the help and sorry for the troubles I have you," Hani said, lowering her eyes and then left from there.

Yeong put the brush inside the pocket of his robe and then looked at Sunwo. "Let's go," he told him and the two left for Kisaeng house. To be honest, Do Yeong had come out of Sungkyunkwan because he heard from his assistant eunuch that his half elder brother was meeting the court men in the Kisaeng house.

"Is something going on with you? You hardly go to Kisaeng house," Sunwo stated as the two were walking.

"Hyung- nim (Elder brother in Korean) is planning something," asserted Yeong.

"He wants a position in the court that too a minister level post- rank 1. I have heard many Nobles are in his support and his majesty can bestow him ministerial rank post. But I am curious to know why your father is not opposing it. Your father and your elder brother's ideologies are different. Could it be because of a father- son relationship?" Sunwo queried Yeong.

"My step mother's family, Choi family, is quite powerful family in Joseon. Father favors both of his sons but he wants Hyung- nim to wait for better opportunity which is the reason of conflict between them. So, he is doing things on his own- gathering the support of some court nobles. But I don't want him to be in ministerial rank. Like his mother's family, he will indulge in more corruption which he still does," Yeong proclaimed.

"You should leave it. We don't know if your father is in it or not. Remember, after Prime minister your father is the most powerful minister of this kingdom. If he objects on a decision, entire court agrees with that. Even his majesty is not able to defy the words of Minister Jang. Do you think he is as righteous as he seems?" Park Sunwo questioned Yeong who stilled walking.

Turning his head towards Sunwo, Yeong asked, "What do you know? Have you found something against him?"

"I don't know anything. You and I both know how much your father loves this position. Do you think he is a righteous person?" Sunwo queried him.

"I just do not want to find the truth because if I will find the truth then I might leave my father. My mother loves him until her last breath that's why I respect him and will always," Yeong pronounced.

The two again started walking and in thirty minutes they reached the Kisaeng House. They found the entire Joseon men had reached there just to see Lady Su. Even her one glance was sufficient for them. "Look at these poor sight! The admirers of Lady Su are flooding here," stated Sunwo, looking at all those people.

"Lady Su is like a jade beauty. Her lotus like eyes are enough to melt your heart even if you are in extreme anger," Sunwo and Yeong heard a man saying that.

"Idiots! Can't control their desires," Sunwo commented. Yeong smiled and asked him, "Why are you here? What do you want to know from Lady Su?"

"Nothing. I just came here to see her," Sunwo replied.

"Isn't that a kind of desire?" Yeong queried him.

"I don't desire for women. Lady Su is like a friend to me. I came here to greet her and there is something more but I won't tell you about that now," Sunwo stated and smiled at him. "Meet me here after two hours," Sunwo stated and walked to the right. Yeong on the other hand, found his eunuch there.

"Did you find him?" Yeong asked.

"Yes, in the middle section of the house, young master," Yeong's eunuch told him.

"You can leave," Yeong ordered him and then walked in. Yeong tightened the knot of his gat (a Korean hat) under his chin and climbed a few stairs to go inside the house.

Yeong was one of the most charismatic man in the city so, whenever he used to come Kisaeng House, Kisaengs usually tried to make him agree to come to them to spend time with them. But Do Yeong used to ignore them. Today he did the same and went straight to the middle section when a Kisaeng named, Nam Min, followed him.

"Master Yeong is here after a long time. Please give this Kisaeng to serve you today," asserted Nam Min.

"I do not want anyone to serve me. You should leave," stated Yeong as he turned to the left corridor.

"Master Yeong, just a tea would be sufficient with me. I will not disappoint you," Nam Min asserted as she was gracefully walking behind Yeong.

Yeong halted, so was that lady. He turn to her and spoke, "Maybe some other time I would like to have a tea with you. One more thing, I don't see women as a pleasure toy. Even if you're Kisaeng and your duty is to serve men but I am not the man you need to serve. Hope you will understand, Lady," Yeong asserted. Nam Min's eyes became tearful as no one had ever said this to her. But before she could thank Yeong, he had gone away.

Yeong reached the middle section of the house and asked a servant about his Hyung- Nim, Park Sil Yeol. The servant told him that Master Yeol was in the room third. Yeong nodded and left for the room but his fell eyes on something so, he halted.

His father was coming from the front along with Lady Su. Forthwith, he hid behind a pillar there before his father could notice him. "Minister Jang, you did not need to give those expensive gifts to me. I am privileged to serve you. I wish you could stay by the night here," stated Lady Su. Her voice was indeed melodious and soft as described by Sunwo.

Yeong fisted his knuckles upon hearing her words. "Those gifts are nothing. I have the power to gift you the entire Joseon," Park Janguem told her.

"I know, my lord. I am happy that I got to meet you first as soon as I come here. Please this way," Lady Su stated.

"I will go myself. Nobles are flooded outside the Kisaeng House so, I do not think you should come out. I will come tomorrow to you. Thank you for today," Park Janguem stated and walked away followed by his Assistant eunuch.

Lady Su turned to go when Yeong stopped her. He stepped towards her when Lady Su turned to look at him. "Do you not know that I am not available for the nobles who are not on ministerial rank. Still, I will forgive you for stopping me as you are quite good looking," Lady Su declared.

"Minister Jang come here often?" Yeong asked her.

Lady Su chuckled. "Why shall I tell you? It seems he is someone close to you. Father?" Lady Su questioned.

"I asked a question so, reply me first," Yeong asserted.

"I do not remember," Lady Su answered.

"Then try remembering," Yeong told him sternly.

"First, tell me who are you?" Lady Su asked him.

"I am his son. Now, answer my question," Yeong told her, this time he was fierce in his tone.

"For more than ten years I am serving Lord Janguem. Now, you have got your answers so, you may leave. Do not worry, I will not tell your father about our sudden meeting," Lady Su assured Yeong and then turned back. Gracefully picking her dress a little up, she walked away.

Yeong punched at the wooden pillar beside him in anger. "He never loved mother and came here," muttered Yeong and walked away in anger.