Chapter 9: An Unwanted Courtesy

Moon Hae-min stopped by a fabric shop and ordered a thick quilted overcoat.

“It will take about three days to finish.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“I’ll try to hurry as much as possible. The real winter will arrive soon.”

At the old shopkeeper grandmother’s words, Hae-min clicked his tongue in disbelief.

He already felt as though he might freeze to death in this weather, yet she said the real winter was still coming.

Did that mean this was only a fake winter?

It was something he would rather not believe.

After taking his measurements and paying the price, he already felt as warm as if he were wearing the quilted coat.

Of course, that illusion vanished the moment he stepped outside the shop.

“Ugh, it’s cold…”

Shivering in the biting wind, Moon Hae-min hurried along with quick steps.

The next place he intended to visit was the street where stationery for scholars was sold.

Thanks to having already researched which shops carried the finest goods, he didn’t need to wander around aimlessly.

Hae-min pushed open the door of one particular store and entered.

“Ah, Teacher! Welcome.”

The shop owner greeted him warmly.

Ever since he had started teaching children how to read and write, there were occasionally people who recognized him like this.

They often called Moon Hae-min Teacher.

It was a title far too grand for him, but Hae-min didn’t bother correcting them.

“Please show me paper, an inkstone, ink, and brushes. The finest quality you have.”

“Just a moment.”

At the words finest quality, the shopkeeper’s eyes changed.

He confidently brought out the requested items.

“This is an inkstone made from Nampo black stone. The paper and ink are also top grade. What do you think?”

“They look good.”

Although Moon Hae-min was a commoner, his eye for quality rivaled that of any noble.

After all, he had grown up in the main household of the Geumcheon Moon clan.

He inspected each item carefully before nodding.

“There are many kinds of brushes, so choose from these.”

Hae-min selected three brushes.

All were similar in size and shape to the ones he had borrowed from Song Seol.

“I’ll take these.”

He was about to pay when something caught his eye on one side of the shop.

It was a small paperweight shaped like a turtle.

Made of celadon, it shone with a smooth glaze and looked rather adorable.

“You have a good eye!”

Noticing Hae-min’s interest, the shopkeeper began boasting proudly.

“That paperweight is the finest among the finest. Celadon paperweights may seem common, but such a clear color is rare. Besides, the turtle is a symbol of longevity and loyalty.”

While only half listening to the explanation, Moon Hae-min thought to himself.

‘Simply returning what I borrowed isn’t proper etiquette, is it?’

When a neighbor gave you a bowl of rice cakes, you at least returned the bowl with a cucumber or something inside.

He had borrowed such fine writing materials, surely adding a paperweight would be the bare minimum to preserve his dignity.

In truth, considering the generous pay Song Seol had given him, a paperweight was nothing.

He should be offering a whole jacket in return.

Picking up the turtle paperweight, Hae-min said,

“I’ll take this as well.”

“A wise choice. But how will you carry all this?”

“Good question.”

He had been worrying about that himself.

Setting aside the difficulty of carrying them, what if he accidentally dropped something?

The precious inkstone would shatter.

“Ah, right. Just tell me where you live. I’ll have my son-in-law deliver them.”

“Wouldn’t it be difficult for him to carry something this heavy?”

“If he’s taken my precious daughter as his wife, he can manage that much. Don’t worry, he’s a strong fellow.”

“Then I’ll trouble you.”

When Hae-min gave his address, the shopkeeper started in surprise.

“That place wouldn’t happen to be…”

“Yes, it is Prince Byeokran’s residence.”

The shopkeeper looked both astonished and curious.

At this rate, he might ask, “What relation do you have with Prince Byeokran?”

The thought of answering with “I am his concubine” made Hae-min want to die from embarrassment.

He quickly paid and left the shop.

It was only some time after leaving that he realized he was still holding the turtle paperweight in his hand.

****

Late in the afternoon.

When Song Seol returned home from the Songdo Provincial Office, he noticed an unfamiliar man standing by the gate.

The man carried a bundle on his back and looked around nervously.

Song Seol approached him.

“What is your business?”

“Ah- greetings. I came to deliver some goods to the owner of this residence.”

“I am the owner of this residence. However, I have not ordered anything. What goods do you claim to deliver?”

“Ah- then you must be….”

The man’s mouth fell open.

This was Prince Byeokran’s residence, which meant the person standing before him was Prince Byeokran himself.

He had occasionally encountered distinguished customers while learning the trade at his father-in-law’s shop, but he had never faced someone as noble as Prince Byeokran.

And that dignified appearance, along with the intimidating aura surrounding him.

The man felt utterly overwhelmed and quickly bowed his head.

“Well… a teacher ordered some stationery from our shop. Brushes, an inkstone, and such.”

“What teacher are you referring to?”

“A young gentleman, around twenty years of age.”

At the word young gentleman, Song Seol immediately thought of Moon Hee-yul.

His pale skin, as if he had never done a day of labor in his life, and his delicate appearance.

Truly, among all the young gentlemen Song Seol had seen, Moon Hee-yul suited the title young master the most.

“Come inside.”

Song Seol led the man into the reception hall.

The man apologized repeatedly as he opened the bundle.

“This is an inkstone made from Nampo black stone, my lord.”

Then came paper and brushes.

As the man explained the items, Song Seol only half listened while sinking into thought.

‘So he intends to repay what he borrowed from me.’

Song Seol’s eyes narrowed slightly.

True to his upbringing in a prestigious family, every item Moon Hee-yul had chosen was of fine quality.

They could not compare to the tribute goods used in the royal palace, but they were more than adequate for a noble household.

Despite receiving such useful items, Song Seol felt oddly displeased.

Why was that?

Rather than the displeasure itself, Song Seol found it somewhat interesting that he felt displeased at all.

“You may leave now.”

“Yes, my lord.”

After sending the bothersome man away like a buzzing fly, the reception hall fell silent.

Song Seol sank into that quiet and analyzed his own thoughts.

It was the first time he had experienced such feelings in a situation like this.

After pondering for what might have been a short time or perhaps a long one, Song Seol reached a conclusion.

‘Moon Hee-yul has the nerve.’

The brushes and paper had been given as a favor.

Yet who did Moon Hee-yul think he was, daring to repay them?

Perhaps Moon Hee-yul believed that repaying borrowed things was proper etiquette.

But that wasn’t the whole truth.

When a superior gave something, it was also proper etiquette for the subordinate to accept it obediently.

And that wasn’t all.

Even though Song Seol had provided him with work, Moon Hee-yul had not stopped copying books.

Apparently, he was even copying all sorts of trashy novels.

Just today, Yoon Seung-hyeok had prattled on about it.

“I obtained a new work from that copyist. Ah, the handwriting is so beautiful… though the content is somewhat vulgar…”

So it was perfectly reasonable for him to feel displeased.

“…”

Song Seol had been tapping the table with his index finger without thinking.

He suddenly stopped.

He ought to see Moon Hee-yul first.

Whether he would scold him or let it pass could be decided afterward.

****

On the way home, Moon Hae-min happened to meet some market children and ended up playing with them.

By the time they parted ways, the sun was already setting.

After the children returned to their homes, Moon Hae-min hurried toward Prince Byeokran’s residence.

“Young master.”

Just as he passed through the gate, someone called out to him.

It was the steward.

“What is it?”

“His Highness the Prince has summoned you.”

“Me? …For what reason?”

“How should I know?”

The steward added curtly,

“He said to come to the reception room as soon as you returned.”

From Hae-min’s experience, summons like this usually meant bad news.

What could it be about?

He didn’t want to know, but ignoring Song Seol’s summons wasn’t an option.

“Understood.”

Without even changing his clothes, Hae-min headed for the reception hall.

Light leaked through the crack in the door.

He could vaguely see Song Seol’s silhouette inside.

The shadow looked like a massive rock that would not budge no matter what happened.

Seeing it made him nervous for no reason at all, and Moon Hae-min spoke in a small voice.

“My lord, you called for me?”

“Come in.”

“Yes.”

Hae-min carefully opened the door.

As he entered the room, Song Seol’s gaze followed his quiet movements.

“A man knocked on the gate earlier.”

“…”

“He said he brought goods that had been ordered.”

Song Seol’s voice was low.

Focusing on it, Moon Hae-min realized a moment too late what lay on the table.

The familiar writing materials were neatly arranged there.

“But I never ordered such items.”

“I did.”

They were the very materials Moon Hae-min had purchased earlier that day.

It seemed the shopkeeper’s son-in-law had already delivered them.

“Then they are yours?”

“No. They are yours, my lord.”

Song Seol stared at him.

Sensing that an explanation was required, Hae-min spoke.

“Previously, I borrowed writing materials from you. I am simply returning them.”

“That is excessive.”

“Excessive?”

“I lent those materials without expecting them to be returned. Yet you insist on repaying them.”

“…”

“Even if paper and ink are consumables, there is no need to replace the inkstone and brushes with new ones.”