Yoon Shik enjoyed his last day in the village a lot. All the village people gifted him an expensive silk robe which was brought from China. Yoon Shik thanked them and told them he would come to meet them whenever he would get off from the academy. Village headman, Dong Hyun told Yoon Shik that in the morning he has to come to Hyun House and from there they will go to the palace. Yoon Shik nodded and then turned towards his father and sister.
"Abeoji, you should take Hani home. I have to go somewhere," asserted Yoon Shik.
"Yoon-aa, it is late at night. Go in the morning," suggested Jang Shiwo. Hani too agreed with his father. Yoon looked at the sky and found that indeed the night was fallen. "Let's go home then," said Yoon Shik with a smile. They then left for home. As they were walking, Yoon Shik told Hani not to stroll till late in the market, not to get involved with any fights, and not to disturb father.
Hani made a pout and said, "Orabani, you do not worry too much about me. I will come home early- before evening." Jang Shiwo smiled hearing their conversation. "When did these two grow up?" wondered Shiwo when Yoon and Hani turned back. "Abeoji," they both called at the same time.
"Abeoji, what are you doing behind?" Yoon Shik questioned.
Jang Shiwo replied, "Nothing" and walked to them. Hani grabbed Jang Shiwo's arm and they started walking. They reached home when Yoon Shik told Hani to go to the bed. Hani gave a nod and walked inside her room.
"Yoon Shik, you should sleep too," stated Jang Shiwo.
"Abeoji, I am still feared. I qualified for the exam and now I have to stay there for almost a year. I am feared about your and Hani's safety," stated Yoon Shik.
"Son, you do not need to be worried about us. I will take care of Hani," assured Jang Shiwo to Yoon Shik. He caressed his head. "I know you are worried about what is someone like that night attack us. I do not know why it happened years ago but now things have changed. So many years have passed and see nothing happened. So, do not fear. Now, go to your room and take a good sleep," stated Jang Shiwo. Yoon Shik gave a nod and walked in towards his room.
Jang Shiwo closed the front door of the house and then walked in. As he went towards his room, he saw the candlelight which was coming from Yoon Shik's room. "He is still studying," murmured Jang Shiwo and went to his room. Yoon Shik in his room was sitting beside a wall, holding the notebook in which her mother had drawn some beautiful drawings. When he first came here, he found this book on the bookshelf.
Looking at his face, it can be depicted that Yoon Shik was missing his mother, Yoona today. Looking at the drawings for a few seconds, he put the notebook on the table. He closed his eyes and the tears rolled down his cheeks. "I wish I could save you that day," mumbled Yoon Shik.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Do Yeong reached home when a servant came to him and informed him that his father, Lord Jangeum was asking for him? Do Yeong sent the servant away and left for his father's room when he saw his stepmother was coming there. His mother passed away because of an illness when he was 5 years old. Since then Do Yeong made himself aloof from his family. Although he listens to his father deep inside he has drifted himself away from them.
As a child, his life was no good because his step mother never showed care towards him. She was busy with her children and forgot the existence of Do Yeong in that house. Seeing Do Yeong, Honglua, who is his stepmother, went towards him.
Park Do Yeong wanted to ignore her presence but when she came in front of him, he could not avoid her. "So, you have returned," remarked Honglua.
"I have been in the house for a week," said Do Yeong.
"I think you have forgotten your manners. Should you not greet mother formally first?" voiced a man who was none other than his elder brother, Park Sil Yeol. Yeong chuckled upon hearing this and stepped to leave when Sil Yeol told him to spit the anger out.
"I am not angry, brother Yeol. I would love to talk with you but father has called for me so I have to leave," stated Yeong, bowed his head slightly, and then left from there.
"He has returned. Your father must be telling him to do well in Sungkyunkwan. Lord Jangeum cherishes his late concubine's son a lot so he will do everything to give him a good position in the court," opined Honglua.
"Mother, do not worry. He will not be given good position. Moreover, the first prince's support is with me. I will soon be given the post in the department of law and justice as a senior officer. By the time, Yeong will come out of Sungkyunkwan, I will be in a much higher position," muttered Sil Yeol.
"Lady Lua, we should head back to your chamber. The night has fallen," spoke softly her attendant, Boa Choi. Honglua nodded and left from there.
Do Yeong on the other hand reached outside his father's room. He greeted Eunuch Nim before going inside his father's room. As he went in, he found his father was seated in front of his study table on a mattress. He was writing something on the paper when he gestured to Yeong to take the seat. He greeted his father before seating on the mattress.
Park Jangeum put the brush down and looked at Do Yeong. "You stood onto my expectations and achieved good results in the exam. His majesty is impressed with you. He might give you a special royal position in the court shortly," declared Park Jangeum.
"Abeoji, I do not want a post in the court. I want to give service to the department of law." Yeong expressed his desire. Hearing this, Park Jangeum's expressions darkened.
"I do not want to listen to anything. Court's position is much bigger than a mere department's post. I will pretend that I did not hear anything. You may leave. I have some important work to do," stated Jangeum. Yeong opened his mouth to speak when his elder brother, Sil Yeol entered in.
Yeong stood up from the mattress, bowed his head slightly in respect before his father when Park Jangeum said, "One more thing you have to keep in mind. Stay away from that Sangmin boy. I do not want to be the talk of the town because of you."
Sil Yeol looked at them and asked, "What do you mean, father?"
"Nothing. Have a seat," said Park Jangeum, averting his gaze from Yeong. Yeong bowed and then left the room. As he came out of the room, eunuch Nim came to him. "Young master, in the day when that Sangmin-"
Yeong cut his words and said, "Eunuch Nim, the boy has got a name. Please call him by his name that is Yoon Shik." The anger in his showed that he did not like the way people treat Yoon Shik.
"Forgive me for my behavior. But, young master, you should keep in mind that your involvement with him who is from the lower class is not a good thing. Many upper-class men can take it as a negative point for you and Lord Jangeum," opined Eunuch Nim. Yeong did not give any response to this and walked away.
~~~~~~~~~
Hello Dear Readers!
Forgive me for the updates after 6 days. I have 3 other ongoing books so it is difficult to update all at the same time. I hope you will understand me and keep voting for the story.
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