Chapter 09
Invitation (3)
It is said that you can tell a person’s character by looking at their room.
The room of the Minister of Punishments, Mo Yun, was the epitome of neatness.
From the elegant orchid (蘭) on his desk and display cabinet to the antique furniture.
Everything spoke of how much he valued dignity.
Upon entering, Yu Yeop-gyeong looked around and grew tense internally.
‘He seems difficult.’
Though they hadn’t spoken, he could more or less predict his character.
People like this were the most awkward to deal with.
‘What on earth does he want to talk about?’
Yu Yeop-gyeong had been worrying about that the entire way here.
Vice-Commissioner O Ji-gang had surmised that it was related to his eldest son, Yu Jin-seong, graduating from the Changcheon Martial Arts Academy as the Second Scorer and joining the Office of the Censorate.
‘This is worrisome.’
He was concerned that the Minister might apply some absurd pressure on him for no reason.
As they went inside, he saw the Minister of Punishments, Mo Yun, sitting at his desk, writing something with a brush.
His first impression was quite powerful.
Unlike his droopy eyes, his eyebrows were thick and upswept.
It could be called a unique face that held both gentleness and strength.
“Vice-Commissioner O Ji-gang. I pay my respects to Your Excellency, the Minister of Punishments.”
“This humble one, Yu Yeop-gyeong. I pay my respects to Your Excellency, the Minister of Punishments.”
As the head of the Ministry of Punishments, one of the Six Ministries, and a high-ranking official of the Senior 2nd Rank, the two men politely paid their respects.
In response, Minister of Punishments Mo Yun rose from his seat to receive their greeting.
“Welcome. You’ve had a long journey.”
He then gestured for them to sit.
Waiting for Mo Yun to take the head seat first, Yu Yeop-gyeong and Vice-Commissioner O Ji-gang then sat down.
Vice-Commissioner O Ji-gang offered Mo Yun a pleasantry.
“Have you been well?”
“I’m always in the Imperial Capital, so what could happen? It is Vice-Commissioner O, who travels all over the country to personally conduct surveillance duties, who must be having a hard time.”
“Not at all. It is my duty.”
“Hahaha. You haven’t changed. Anyway, is this gentleman here Yu Hak-jeong?”
“Hak-jeong? This humble one was dismissed long ago. Please take back your words.”
Yu Yeop-gyeong lowered his head and humbled himself.
Seeing this, Minister of Punishments Mo Yun smiled and said,
“You were a Scholar who taught the sons of high-ranking officials and talented people from all over the country. Just because you were dismissed doesn’t mean your dignity has gone anywhere.”
“To hear you say so, I don’t know what to do with myself.”
For any other government post, one would not be called by a title from which they were dismissed.
However, due to the unique nature of the teaching positions at the National Academy, it was a sign of respect for a scholar to be called by their former title even after retirement or dismissal.
‘Was I too scared for no reason?’
Seeing how he was being treated, Yu Yeop-gyeong, though unable to completely lower his guard, thought that the Minister of Punishments might be a better person than he had expected.
However, the smiling expression on Minister of Punishments Mo Yun’s face grew somewhat serious.
“That’s enough with the greetings. It’s time to get to the main point.”
“The main point, you say?”
“Yu Hak-jeong. Your son graduated from the Changcheon Martial Arts Academy as Bang-an (Second Place) and became a Censor Inspector of the Office of the Censorate, correct?”
“……Yes, that is correct.”
Mo Yun rested his chin on his clasped hands on the table and said in a low tone,
“Things have become quite difficult. With your son becoming a Censor Inspector and digging around everywhere, that is.”
His sharp gaze was directed at Yu Yeop-gyeong himself.
Yu Yeop-gyeong swallowed hard.
It seemed the pleasantries from before were truly just that.
The one who had summoned him, who had just been pardoned and released from exile, was the supreme head of the Ministry of Punishments.
There was no way he would have been called here without some ulterior motive.
Yu Yeop-gyeong opened his mouth, his voice trembling.
“There seems to be some misunderstanding, Your Excellency.”
“Misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding? With your son running wild like that, my position has become quite awkward.”
“………”
Beads of sweat formed on the tense Yu Yeop-gyeong’s forehead.
It seemed his eldest son had gotten on the wrong side of someone in a high position.
‘Is it because of this father?’
That was the only thing he could surmise.
Hadn’t that young guy cried and wailed when he was sent into exile, making an uproar and vowing to one day make those who did this to his father pay?
‘Jin-seong. Jin-seong…’
His heart ached, but he was truly at a loss.
It seems you were conducting an investigation for this father, but couldn’t you have been a little more discreet?
I don’t know what kind of situation this is, right after my exile has ended.
“Your Excellency… if my son has done something to displease you, it is my great sin as a father for not being there to discipline him properly. Please, your anger…”
“Ha! Do you think that will undo this?”
The atmosphere grew heavier.
Even Vice-Commissioner O Ji-gang, who had brought him here, was fidgeting nervously.
He had not expected Minister of Punishments Mo Yun to pressure and rebuke him like this.
“Anger. Ha. That’s not what’s important.”
“Your Excellency.”
“Thanks to your son, my position has become very difficult.”
Hearing the rage in his voice, Yu Yeop-gyeong felt he had no choice and rose from his seat.
He then clasped his hands and bowed at the waist, saying,
“Your Excellency, this is all my fault. If there is anything that displeases you, please direct it at me, not my son.”
Protecting his son was the only thing he could do as a father.
At that, Minister of Punishments Mo Yun snorted.
And said.
“Do you think that will change the situation? It’s already too late.”
“Y-Your Excellency!”
“How am I supposed to fend off the nagging of my wife and daughter!”
“……..Yes?”
The expressions of Yu Yeop-gyeong, who had been so tense that he was breaking out in a cold sweat, and Vice-Commissioner O Ji-gang, who had been watching nervously beside him, froze.
What on earth was he talking about?
As they looked on, bewildered, Minister of Punishments Mo Yun shook his head from side to side and spoke.
“Your eldest son. He’s become a pointless role model for the youth these days. Are you aware?”
“What do you mean…”
“A son from a literary family with nothing to his name vowed to clear his father’s false charges, became a disciple of a martial family, graduated from the Changcheon Martial Arts Academy as Second Place, became a Censor Inspector of the Office of the Censorate, and proved that his father had no connection to ‘The Incident’.”
!!!
At those words, Yu Yeop-gyeong’s eyes widened in shock.
Did that mean he hadn’t been released simply because of a special pardon for an auspicious national event?
Vice-Commissioner O Ji-gang, who didn’t know the full story, was also surprised.
“It seems you didn’t know. The pardon was said to be based on the severity of the crime. Do you think someone exiled for nearly seventeen years for being involved in that massive ‘Incident’ committed a light crime?”
“Ahh… this humble one truly did not…”
“You’ve got a good son. No, I’m very envious that you have such an accomplished son.”
At those words, the rims of Yu Yeop-gyeong’s eyes turned red.
What father would not be happy to hear that all of this was his eldest son’s achievement?
Watching him, Minister of Punishments Mo Yun snorted and said,
“Thanks to your son, my daughter, whom I raised like a precious child, is making a fuss about entering the Changcheon Martial Arts Academy. How are you going to take responsibility for this?”
“Yes? What on earth do you…”
“Recently, the young daughters of the Imperial Capital, in their admiration for your eldest son, have become desperate to enter the Changcheon Martial Arts Academy. My daughter included.”
“……..”
Yu Yeop-gyeong was at a loss for a different reason.
His son hadn’t caused any particular trouble, so what was he supposed to do about something like this?
To the perplexed man, Minister of Punishments Mo Yun said,
“Take responsibility.”
“Your Excellency. What do you mean by that?”
“The Changcheon Martial Arts Academy is exactly that, a martial arts academy. It’s not enough that I have to send my son to that rough place that trains martial artists, but now my daughter too. Do you think I’ll just feign ignorance and let it pass?”
“H-However, if Your Excellency were to firmly refuse your daughter…”
“Ha! You think I haven’t tried? But that wret… aoh.”
Minister of Punishments Mo Yun clutched the back of his neck.
Whether he truly had a headache or not, the veins on his forehead were bulging.
It seemed he was in a state of anxious worry because of his child.
Mo Yun, who was massaging the back of his neck, spoke again.
“I won’t mince words. This matter is entirely your eldest son’s responsibility, and therefore, you cannot evade that responsibility either.”
‘…….This is absurd.’
Yu Yeop-gyeong and Vice-Commissioner O Ji-gang thought the same thing.
But seeing him so distressed, it was hard to say anything.
Mo Yun continued in a displeased voice,
“I understand that once you enter the Changcheon Martial Arts Academy, you live in the academy dorms for three years. I don’t know if I could send a servant or an escort in with her, but they say that’s not allowed. If only it wasn’t a place founded by the Imperial Uncle, I…”
Mo Yun couldn’t bring himself to finish his sentence.
Then, barely calming his agitated emotions, he said,
“Anyway, your second son is also enrolling in the Changcheon Martial Arts Academy this time, isn’t he?”
“Yes?”
What was this now?
Having just returned from exile, he had no way of knowing.
From what Minister of Punishments Mo Yun was saying, it seemed his second child was also planning to follow his older brother into the Changcheon Martial Arts Academy.
Mo Yun took something out from his bosom.
It was a promissory note from Geumhwa Jeonjang, said to be the best in the Imperial Capital.
“Take it.”
“How can I take this?”
“Though I may be angry, I’m still a man who knows right from wrong. Think of this as wages.”
“Wages?”
“Tell your second son not to take his eyes off my daughter, to watch over and protect her. If anything happens to that child, raised like a precious child, in that muddy water overflowing with menfolk…”
Mo Yun’s hand, holding the promissory note, trembled.
‘Ah…’
It seemed he cherished his daughter with all his heart.
Seeing this, Yu Yeop-gyeong, whose misunderstanding had finally been cleared, let out a sigh of relief and said,
“Your Excellency. A reward is not necessary. If my second son truly intends to follow his brother into the Changcheon Martial Arts Academy, I will instruct him well.”
“You can do that for me?”
“Since you are so worried, how could this humble one turn a blind eye?”
At those words, Minister of Punishments Mo Yun’s expression softened considerably.
He spoke in a somewhat gentler voice.
“Yu Hak-jeong. If you do that for me, I think I can finally rest a little easier. I’m asking you not as the Minister of Punishments, but as a father.”
Hearing this, Yu Yeop-gyeong felt a slight doubt.
Even if it wasn’t his son, with the Minister of Punishments’ personal connections, he should have been able to find more trustworthy people entering the Changcheon Martial Arts Academy.
But he found it questionable that the minister was specifically asking his second son to do this.
Thus, he ended up asking for the reason.
“However, Your Excellency. Surely there must be many others you could ask, not necessarily my son, so why is it that…”
Before the question could even finish, Minister of Punishments Mo Yun spoke displeasedly.
“What can I do when that child insists it must be your second son?”
“Yes?”
“Ah. I’ll say this in advance, just in case. Impress this upon your second son. Tell him not to fall for my daughter, even if she shows interest. Of course, my daughter’s looks are so outstanding that any boy her age might fall for her, but…”
‘Ahh… a classic doting father.’
He didn’t have a daughter, but he could understand treasuring one.
After boasting for a while, Minister of Punishments Mo Yun spoke as if curious.
“Speaking of which, I heard from my butler that you brought your second son with you?”
It seemed he had misunderstood, perhaps because they were of a similar age.
At this, Yu Yeop-gyeong shook his head and said,
“No, that child is my adopted son.”
“Adopted son? You have two sons already, but you took in an adopted son? You are quite peculiar.”
“It just sort of happened that way.”
“Hmm. That’s a pity then. I was thinking of giving your second son a direct warning, but I guess it can’t be helped…”
“Kiyaaak!”
Before he could finish his words, a strange scream was heard.
Hearing this, Minister of Punishments Mo Yun’s eyes widened, and he shot up from his seat.
He then threw open the door and went outside.
Yu Yeop-gyeong and Vice-Commissioner O Ji-gang followed after him.
!!!
Stepping outside, Yu Yeop-gyeong couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
Someone, holding hands with Mumu, was writhing in pain, their whole body twisted like a pretzel.
‘Oh, what a headache. I told him to stay quiet.’
He ended up causing trouble after all.
As he wondered who the person twisting their body was, Minister of Punishments Mo Yun spoke in a trembling voice.
“Yu Hak-jeong… is that your adopted son who is squeezing my son like that?”
‘…….Ahhh.’
Yu Yeop-gyeong’s face aged rapidly.
Of all the people to mess with, he had to pick the son of the Minister of Punishments; it felt like his life was shortening.
