Volume 6 Chapter 25 – Sixteen Imperial Capital Families (5)
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Translated by Rain
Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Present.
Luoyang, Mount Beimang, the Gongsun family mansion.
The former patriarchs, who were taking turns examining the documents received from Yeon So-hyeon, nodded.
“…Thus, the authority to select operators for the two aforementioned projects is granted to Yeon So-hyeon, the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family, as follows.”
“Hmm.”
“At least looking at the documents, it is certain.”
Yeon So-hyeon smiled faintly.
“Would I dare present fake documents in front of you lords?”
Returning the documents to Yeon So-hyeon, the former patriarchs spoke.
“Good. But Eldest Young Master.”
“This alone is insufficient.”
“‘A document with just stamps on it’ is insufficient.”
Gongsun Na-gang stroked his chin, looking at Yeon So-hyeon with sharp eyes.
“Eldest Young Master, tell us the entire story of how you laid hands on this.”
They must know the entire process so that they could make a judgment after finishing all examinations.
If they were ordinary people, they would have entered negotiations to take over the project rights immediately.
But the old devils were different.
Even if they were in a situation where they would starve to death immediately, they were people who would suspect and confirm first before putting ‘food given by others’ into their mouths.
The patriarch of the Lu family licked his lips slightly.
“Clearly, we heard that it is related to the Eldest Young Master protecting the Tea Fan Maidens.”
Yeon So-hyeon lightly clapped his hands.
“Yes. Then let us start the explanation of the circumstances regarding the project rights from the Tea Fan Maidens as well.”
* * *
About two months ago.
Around when winter was ending.
A situation where the Emei Sect’s wickedness toward the Tea Fan Maidens grew worse by the day.
Governor of Chengdu, the father of Sangwan Nan-hwa, shuddered at the agony of not being able to help the children.
To him, a letter arrived.
‘I can protect the Tea Fan Maidens for you.’
At the moment he began reading the letter, he thought of it as someone’s bad prank.
But upon seeing the next line, his thoughts changed slightly.
‘The evidence will arrive later. Yeon So-hyeon, the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family.’
* * *
“Wait…!”
The former patriarch of the Yang family waved his hand.
Recalling the information he knew, he asked Yeon So-hyeon.
“Wasn’t that before those kids called the Tea Fan Maidens even departed from Sichuan? Are you saying you had already begun to intervene in the Tea Fan Maidens’ affairs since then?”
Yeon So-hyeon looked at the former patriarch of the Yang family with a gaze containing puzzlement.
“What do you mean? Naturally, to accomplish something, one must make preparations in advance.”
Yeon So-hyeon’s words meant that a plan was already in place and in progress from long ago.
“…That is true. Please continue the story.”
Another former patriarch chimed in.
“If so, how did you deliver the letter?”
Yeon So-hyeon’s clear voice echoed in the garden.
“This matter absolutely must not leak outside, and the letter could not be delivered through a person of the Sword Family. Since no one knows how far the gaze of the Sword Family’s intelligence departments extends.”
The former patriarchs, who knew the prestige of the Luoyang Sword Family’s intelligence departments well, nodded.
“Therefore, I delivered the letter through an information broker I had just recruited.”
* * *
Immediately after the Black Bone Gang vanished.
Se-ah, who presented the sword to Yeon So-hyeon, smiled.
“I am the first person to see the Swordless One grip a sword.”
Yeon So-hyeon snorted.
“Your younger sister was first for this ritual.”
“…What?!”
Smiling at her, Yeon So-hyeon took out a tightly sealed letter from his chest.
“Let the Governor of Chengdu lay hands on this letter without anyone knowing.”
* * *
Although winter passed and spring arrived, the ‘evidence’ mentioned by the one who claimed to be the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family in the letter did not arrive.
Before long, the Tea Fan Maidens prepared to head to the Luoyang Sword Family together with the investment delegation from Sichuan.
The Governor of Chengdu paced inside his office with anxious steps.
“…Come to think of it.”
The Governor of Chengdu also felt as if he had heard that his mentor had a connection with the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family.
Recalling that the mentor, who had been wandering the Jianghu since retirement, happened to have returned to his home in Chengdu, he sought out the mentor in one bound.
“That child… the Eldest Young Master of the Sword Family sent this letter?”
Scholar Ju, who had served as a Great Scholar of the Two Schools in the Imperial Court and retired.
The mentor, whose long white eyebrows drooped and covered his eyes, laughed loudly.
“If so, your worry is as good as resolved already!”
Although he heard various stories about the Eldest Young Master of the Sword Family from his mentor, there were many somewhat unrealistic stories, so the Governor of Chengdu could not be certain.
However, he wanted to say something, anything, to his daughter, who had made up her mind along with her friends never to return to the land of Sichuan.
“If by some chance such a thing happens, though I do not know…”
The Governor of Chengdu continued his words toward Sangwan Nan-hwa, who wore a puzzled expression.
“If you have an opportunity to meet the Eldest Young Master of the Sword Family, make sure to try to meet him.”
“The Eldest Young Master…?”
And not long after the Tea Fan Maidens left for Luoyang along with the investment delegation, the ‘evidence’ sent by the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family arrived.
* * *
Present.
‘Thanks to Elder Ju, the trouble of leading the Tea Fan Maidens to Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment was much alleviated.’
Yeon So-hyeon continued.
“So, I escorted Prince Hyeon to Chengdu, protecting the Tea Fan Maidens’ families and employees, who were as good as hostages to the Emei Sect…”
“No, wait! Wait a moment!”
The former patriarch spoke in a panicked expression.
“No, why does Prince Hyeon suddenly appear in this story?!”
“Is he not the paternal uncle of His Majesty the Emperor?!”
As questions poured out, Yeon So-hyeon smiled and waved the Imperial Edict held in his hand.
“That is precisely where this Imperial Edict appears.”
* * *
On the day when the confinement ended and Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment began to receive guests.
“Ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!”
Having finished the ritual, Yeon So-hyeon respectfully received the Imperial Edict.
“There is someone who wishes to meet you.”
The Deputy Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, who delivered the Edict, left only those words and turned back to join those who had come with him.
As they headed toward the reception room guided by the maids, only a well-built middle-aged man, who had slipped in wearing the same official uniform as the others, remained there.
“How old are you, yet your size is still only that much? If your mother saw this, she would be saddened.”
At the sight of the middle-aged man clicking his tongue, Yeon So-hyeon smiled brightly.
“It has been a long time, Prince Hyeon.”
* * *
Present.
Gongsun Na-gang, who as the Emperor’s right arm in the past controlled the information of the Imperial Court, stroked his chin.
“Certainly… I have heard stories that in the past, Prince Hyeon helped the Medicine Fairy secretly.”
Another former patriarch asked Yeon So-hyeon.
“But he is someone whom it is impossible to meet through mere personal friendship…?”
Yeon So-hyeon agreed.
“Certainly. Even if I had dared to visit in person, I would not have been able to meet him.”
* * *
After Yeon So-hyeon’s confinement was lifted.
The outskirts of Luoyang, a certain manor.
The Medicine King was placing acupuncture needles on the back of a middle-aged man who lay face down.
“So-yu’s son, So-hyeon, will move soon.”
At those words, the middle-aged man’s back stiffened noticeably, then relaxed again.
“…It is something to celebrate. Isn’t he like a grandson to you, Elder?”
“What about to you…?”
The middle-aged man snickered.
“Although what I serve for my lifetime is ‘that person,’ that person’s son is merely that person’s son.”
* * *
Present.
“…I see.”
“Certainly, even royal family members look forward to meeting the Medicine King.”
“We also made a reservation, but there are still several years left before our turn comes.”
The gaze of another former patriarch turned toward Yeon So-hyeon.
“Then did the Eldest Young Master move Prince Hyeon? How?”
Yeon So-hyeon smiled.
“That is a secret.”
* * *
Prince Hyeon, whose solid and large build reminded one of a general on a battlefield.
Even if the clothes he wore were mere official robes, his dignity was not obscured.
“It has been a long time, Prince Hyeon.”
At Yeon So-hyeon’s greeting, Prince Hyeon snorted.
“There is no need to be glad. I merely heard news while passing nearby and dropped by for a moment.”
The blunt tone blended with his dignity, carrying a subtle sense of intimidation.
But even so, Yeon So-hyeon’s smile did not cease.
“Tsk, tsk.”
He scanned Yeon So-hyeon up and down, he wore a displeased expression.
“Indeed, I did not like the way you picked at your meals since childhood. And what is with that pale face? Even if you do not hold a sword, physical training is basic…”
Yeon So-hyeon cut off his words.
“You have arrived at just the perfect time.”
“Hm? What are you doing right now?”
Flustered by the force with which Yeon So-hyeon pushed him, he shouted.
“Aha! You rascal, your strength is indeed tremendous! W-Wait, where are you dragging me?”
Yeon So-hyeon laughed, pushing him into the office.
“Haha. Do not worry. There is a very important and wonderful task matching your dignity, Prince Hyeon.”
“W-Wait, this fellow?!”
Prince Hyeon shouted.
“You rascal! I am a Prince! Do you not know?! If I get involved in a grave matter, it will bring trouble to His Majesty the Emperor!”
Yeon So-hyeon smiled and shook his head.
“I told you not to worry. You only need to snoop around here and there as usual, and sit quietly receiving hospitality.”
“But…!”
Yeon So-hyeon’s eyes sparkled.
“Furthermore, this is a task to rescue the suffering people.”
At those words, Prince Hyeon shut his mouth.
* * *
After the Tea Fan Maidens left for Luoyang, the residence of the Governor of Chengdu. a banquet was in progress.
“Hmm.”
Prince Hyeon let out a somewhat uncomfortable sound without realizing it.
At that sound, the ‘families of the Tea Fan Maidens’ gathered around were startled and approached him.
“Oh, Your Highness. Is there anything uncomfortable?”
“His Highness’s cup is empty! Hurry and pour wine into His Highness’s cup!”
“Please accept this, Your Highness!”
Drinking the wine poured by the common people here and there, and chewing the food put into his mouth, Prince Hyeon muttered inwardly.
‘You rascal, Yeon So-hyeon! Just what on earth are you plotting?!’
* * *
Prince Hyeon, who said he had come to commend the Tea Fan Maidens on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor for achieving excellent results at a young age.
However, because they were absent, Prince Hyeon was protecting the Tea Fan Maidens’ families under the ‘pretext’ of commending their families instead.
Watching his appearance from afar, the Governor of Chengdu clicked his tongue.
‘To think he moved Prince Hyeon…!’
The evidence mentioned by the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family, saying he could protect the Tea Fan Maidens.
That evidence was precisely Prince Hyeon.
‘I do not know what kind of trick he played, but with this, the families of the Tea Fan Maiden children have become safe for the time being at least.’
The Governor of Chengdu wiped the sweat flowing on his forehead, and unfolded the next letter from Yeon So-hyeon received from Prince Hyeon.
‘And next is…’
His gaze moved busily, reading through the instructions from Yeon So-hyeon written in the letter.