Episode 38: The Arrival of the Governor
Won Seung approached Yang Dae-hyun's group with a bright smile.
"Allow me to introduce myself formally. I am Pung Un-saeng."
"Pung Un-saeng? Sounds like a fake name. Seeing a replica hanging in the art room doesn't inspire much trust."
When Jong Won-bo treated Won Seung like a fraud, Yang Dae-hyun stepped forward and bowed.
"Young Master Pung, I thought you were no ordinary person when I saw you at the Cloud Flower Pavilion that day. It seems I was right. To think you own such renowned works..."
"I've been collecting replicas as a hobby, but I suddenly thought I should share them with others, so I opened a small shop."
"So you're not selling them?"
"I'm embarrassed to say, but I might have to sell a few to pay the rent. However, if I meet someone who truly appreciates the paintings, I might just give them away. Scholar Yang, why don't you pick one?"
"Ah! Young Master Pung, your generosity is indeed extraordinary. But I cannot accept."
Yang Dae-hyun praised him, and Won Seung waved his hand dismissively.
"I'm friends with Yeon Seo. Since you're her brother and older, please treat me like a younger brother."
"Shall I? Somehow, I feel like I can be at ease with you."
Yang Dae-hyun accepted immediately. As one of the top scholars at Cheongsan Academy, Yang Dae-hyun seemed to favor Won Seung, making it difficult for Jong Won-bo to openly show his displeasure. He just glared from the side.
'Why did this guy tag along?'
He wanted to hit him with a poison needle, but business came first. Won Seung led the group to a tea table by the window with a smile.
"Let's enjoy some tea first, then admire the paintings."
When Won Seung asked for tea, Jong Bi disappeared into the inner room behind a partition wall.
"No, I'd like to look at the paintings first. They all seem extraordinary and deserve a proper appreciation."
Yang Dae-hyun's group began admiring the paintings. Though there were only ten, they were works by masters, and it took them quite some time to examine them thoroughly.
Surprisingly, Jong Won-bo knew a lot about paintings, likely influenced by his father, the art-collecting scholar Jong.
"This 'Painting of the Beauty Under the Moon' has a truly sad story behind it."
Jong Won-bo spoke with a serious tone, pretending to know about the painting. It was the same story Won Seung had told Hua Yeo-wol.
Hearing the sad tale, Yang Yeon-seo's eyes welled up with tears.
Jong Won-bo kept glancing at her.
'This guy was flirting with Hua Yeo-wol, and now he's trying his luck with Yang Yeon-seo?'
Won Seung noticed Jong Won-bo's behavior and glared at him, but suddenly, there was a commotion outside.
"What's going on?"
Won Seung turned to look out the window and was startled. The governor's guards had surrounded the shop.
Soon, a disguised guard captain entered the shop.
"Who is the owner here?"
"I am the owner."
Won Seung stepped forward. The guard captain looked him up and down before speaking.
"The governor will be arriving shortly. We need to inspect the premises for security reasons."
"Of course, you should."
Won Seung replied calmly, but inside, he was anxious.
In the back room lay Ohgu, reduced to bones, and the medicine room was filled with all sorts of poisons.
The medicine room was underground, with a cleverly hidden entrance, making it hard for an ordinary person to find. But the governor's guard captain might notice.
He had to block them somehow. Or at least buy some time.
Won Seung called out toward the inner room through the partition wall.
"Mr. Song, please guide the governor's guard captain through the inner quarters. And bring the highest-grade tea on your way. The governor is on his way."
Meanwhile, he subtly blocked the partition.
At that moment, Yang Dae-hyun, who had been admiring a painting on one side, stepped out from behind a folding screen and greeted the guard captain.
"Is that Captain Son? Is the governor really coming?"
The guard captain recognized Yang Dae-hyun's group.
"Ah, I thought I recognized the back of your head... So Scholar Yang is here."
He had noticed a group of scholars admiring paintings beyond the folding screen when he entered, but he hadn't paid much attention.
He planned to inspect the inner quarters and send them out before the governor arrived. But seeing Yang Dae-hyun, one of the Three Talents Under Heaven and the top talent in Xiangyang, he couldn't do that.
The Yang Family was a powerful clan in Xiangyang, with many high-ranking officials in the central government, wielding considerable influence.
"It's been a while, Captain Son."
Jong Won-bo also stepped forward. His personality couldn't stand being outshone, so it was unusual for him not to step up.
"Ah, Young Master Jong is here too."
The Jong Family was also a prominent local power in Xiangyang. Captain Son reluctantly acknowledged him, and outside, a splendid carriage arrived.
The governor's carriage had arrived sooner than expected, making the guard captain anxious.
"You two, inspect the inner quarters."
Captain Son sent two guards into the inner room and went outside.
'Jong Bi, I'm counting on you.'
He hoped Jong Bi had hidden Ohgu while he stalled for time.
Soon, Xiangyang's governor, So Yeong-gwan, and his daughter, So San-san, stepped out of the carriage.
'So that's the governor.'
A slightly thin, stern-looking middle-aged man walked over with So San-san.
Won Seung stood at the door, smiling, but he was worried about the situation in the inner quarters, and sweat beaded on his forehead.
'Oh dear. The women of Xiangyang are so impatient. Why rush over like this? But it's endearing.'
Seeing So San-san smile at him, Won Seung gave a slight wink and bowed to the governor.
"Greetings, Governor."
Won Seung greeted him politely, and the governor looked at him with a blank expression.
Yang Dae-hyun's group also came to the door to greet the governor. The governor's gaze softened when it landed on Yang Dae-hyun.
"Oh, isn't it Scholar Yang? How is your father?"
"He is well. He was planning to visit you soon."
"Hmm. Is that so? Tell him he can come anytime. But..."
The governor looked around the art room and spoke.
"An art room that interests one of the Three Talents Under Heaven, Yang Talent... I'm intrigued."
"Greetings. I am Won-bo of the Jong Family."
Jong Won-bo stepped forward, as if he couldn't be left out, and introduced himself.
So Yeong-gwan nodded with a neutral expression. The Jong Family was a local power that pressured him with their influence, and he wasn't fond of them.
"So you're here too. It's surprising to see Xiangyang's talents gathered in a small art room."
"There are paintings, but they're all replicas... I'm worried the governor might be disappointed."
Who asked you to worry?
Won Seung glared at him. He was the most annoying of the lot. Won Seung resolved to deal with Jong Won-bo later.
So Yeong-gwan smiled benevolently and looked at his daughter, then at Won Seung.
"I've heard the stories. But I came because I heard the replicas are extraordinary."
The governor alternated his gaze between his daughter and Won Seung.
Having dealt with many people over the years, the governor thought Won Seung might appear innocent, but his bright eyes suggested he was cunning.
Though he had a hobby of collecting paintings, he didn't deal with replicas. Yet, his daughter insisted on seeing them, and he understood why.
'Could it be... she has feelings for him?'
But Yang Yeon-seo, who was close to his daughter, also looked at Won Seung with unusual eyes.
It was baffling.
'Is this guy charming all the women in Xiangyang?'
So Yeong-gwan decided to keep a close watch on Won Seung, ready to reprimand him if he tried anything foolish.
Still, as the Father of the People, he maintained a gentle smile and asked Won Seung.
"It's impressive for someone so young to be the owner of an art room. What's your name?"
"I am Pung Un-saeng of the Pung Family."
He couldn't use the name Pung Un-saeng with the governor. There was no prestigious family using the character for wind.
"Pung? Are you from Pachok?"
So Yeong-gwan asked with a slightly surprised face. The Pung Family was a prestigious clan in Pachok, one even the Emperor couldn't ignore.
"I was born in the Imperial Capital, so I've never been to Pachok. Here, I live as Pung Un-saeng, using the character for wind."
It was a clever use of words. Everyone assumed Won Seung was a collateral branch of the Pachok Pung Family and thought there was a complicated story behind it.
Changing one's surname and starting a new family was rare but not unheard of.
It could happen if someone committed a grave mistake and was expelled from their family, or if they wanted to establish independence and chose a new surname.
So Yeong-gwan nodded with a neutral expression but felt annoyed inside.
'Is this guy trying to deceive me?'
Yet, he continued to smile warmly.
"Oh? Why did someone from the Imperial Capital come to Xiangyang? Most young people would want to stay in the capital."
His expression was gentle, but his eyes were sharp, ready to punish any lie.
Won Seung replied with a slightly sad expression.
"I'll share my insignificant story with you later. For now, please enjoy some tea and view the paintings."
Just then, Jong Bi returned with tea and a brazier.
Is this right?
Jong Bi asked with his eyes as he handed the Cheonghyangbaekseon tea pouch to Won Seung.
His hands trembled. He had spent three nyang of gold to acquire this tea. Each tea leaf was as valuable as gold.
He had wondered why they needed such expensive tea, but now he understood.
To win over someone like the governor of Xiangyang, it cost three nyang of gold.
Indeed, the governor's eyes changed upon seeing the tea pouch.
"Cheonghyangbaekseon?"
"It's a tea I enjoy. I serve it especially when esteemed guests visit."
Won Seung spoke nonchalantly.
Cheonghyangbaekseon was a rare tea, even in Pachok, enjoyed only by the nobility.
Most people present, except for So Yeong-gwan, had only heard of Cheonghyangbaekseon and never tasted it.
Acquiring such a famous tea from distant Pachok required a fortune. Since Xiangyang had its own renowned teas, there was no need to go to such lengths.
So Yeong-gwan pretended to be impressed and spoke.
"I tasted it once when I was in the Imperial Capital. I never forgot that taste, and I didn't expect to taste it again here."
Finding such a rare tea in a secluded art room made So Yeong-gwan forget his earlier intention to reprimand Won Seung and feel satisfied.
He immediately sat at the tea table and invited Yang Dae-hyun's group to join him.
"To enjoy such a rare tea with Xiangyang's talents... what a fortunate encounter. Please, everyone, have a seat."
Won Seung opened the tea pouch and skillfully measured out the tea leaves, pouring hot water over them. He then rinsed the teacups with the remaining water and used chopsticks to place the cups in front of each person.
People were inwardly impressed by Won Seung's elegant yet swift handling of the tea and utensils.
After a moment.
"Hmm."
So Yeong-gwan took a sip of the clear tea and closed his eyes. The refreshing aroma soothed his chest, and the clean taste calmed his mind and body.
"Hmm. Your tea brewing skills are remarkable. I tasted Cheonghyangbaekseon in the Imperial Capital, but this has a much deeper flavor."
With So Yeong-gwan's praise, the others also expressed their admiration.
"The fresh aroma and clean taste... it's truly Cheonghyangbaekseon."
Jong Won-bo chimed in, and Moon Yeok-su added sycophantically.
"The harmony of aroma and taste is like being in a fairyland."
Yang Dae-hyun smiled silently as he drank the tea, while Yang Yeon-seo and So San-san kept glancing at Won Seung.
'He has deep knowledge of the tea ceremony, a keen eye for paintings, and now even tea...'
Their gazes were filled with admiration as they looked at Won Seung.