Jang Shiwo was grinding the herbal roots that he had picked up in the forest the other day when Ani took the porcelain bowl from him. "I will do it, appa (Father)," Hani proclaimed. Jang Shiwo gave a tiny smile to her and picked the plate from his left on which some seeds were put.
"Appa, do you know Dae Jung got a job in Food and Supply department. Only 5 people were selected and Dae Jung is one of them," asserted Hani with a smile. "When orabani will return then he will be happy seeing Dae Jung working in that department," Hani further added.
"Yes. His father told me. You should not call him by his name. He is 3 years older to you," Jang Shiwo told Hani.
"I understand," Hani replied and kept grinding the roots till it became a fine powder. Jang Shiwo was smiling looking at his daughter. He was wondering when did Hani grow up to such a beautiful woman. As a father his duties towards his daughter had increased manifolds.
"Hani, do you still go to the Tea House?" Jang Shiwo asked.
"Sometimes I go," Hani replied. "But, why are you asking, appa?" Hani asked. Internally Hani was thinking something else, "Did that oldie told something to appa? I told him not to speak anything related to my story telling job."
"Don't go there. You are now a grown woman. Many men came there and not everyone is good. Are you getting my point? Yoon Shik is not here so, it is better to stay away from such places," Jang Shiwo stated.
Hani gave a nod. "Why there are so many restrictions for women?" Hani thought in her mind and gave a smile to her father. After she was done grinding, she stood up. "Aigoo, my back," Hani said as she lightly pat on her back.
"Come home soon," Jang Shiwo said.
"I will," replied Hani and walked out of her house. She was frisking on the streets as people were walking across her.
"Hani," called out Bong Hee, her friend who lives three houses away from Hani. Hani halted after hearing her name. "So, how was the journey of far north?" Hani asked her.
"Not good at all. It was exhausting. I bought a hanbok dress for you. I will give you in the evening," Bong Hee stated. Hani thanked her and asked her where she was heading to.
"To the market," Bong Hee replied. "Mother asked for some vegetables. I heard about Orabani? So, he has gone to Sungkyunkwan for studies? That academy where commoners like us can't even look at!" Bong Hee said and sighed.
"Yes. It has been more than a week. I am missing him so much," Hani said and huffed. The two started walking towards the market.
"Abeoji was telling how much Yoon Shik Orabani worked hard to pass the exam. He surely made us proud. Soon, he will be like those nobles," asserted Bong Hee said with a broad smile. Hani gave a nod. "Orabani did not enjoy a bit during his childhood days," Hani said.
"Yes. All children used to play but he was always into his books. Orabani deserved this thing," Bong Hee said. Soon they both reached the market. They went to a vegetable vendor and started buying the vegetables when a man came there. From his clothes, he appeared to be from upper-class section.
The people who were around the stall of vegetables, stepped back as another man told them to get aside. Hani and Bong Hee too got aside.
"Your three months tax is still due. I have to send the records to the upper department so, I had to come here myself. Today you have to pay that else this shop will be closed," the man proclaimed loudly.
"Master, please give me two more days. A few days ago, I paid the taxes for the crops. I have only a little money left with me," asserted the seller, lowering his eyes.
"I cannot wait anymore," the tax collector asserted and glanced at his assistant. His assistant stepped forward and searched for money box in the stall. "Master, please. I beg you," said the seller and bent down on his knees. The people started coming over there after hearing the seller cries.
"Please don't take away this money. This is for my daughter's marriage," the seller pleaded as he grabbed one of the legs of the tax collector. The people there started whispering when Hani thought to intervene but at the same time she was scared.
"Senior officer Dan, I counted the money. Still 500 cents are less there," the assistant told his senior.
"Master, please. My daughter is going to be married tomorrow. I promise you a day after her marriage, I will pay you the amount of taxes. Please do not take this money away," the seller lamented and was still on his knees.
"You want me to pay the amount from my pocket just because your daughter is getting married. The remaining amount will be taken tomorrow. If you won't be able to pay then sell your daughter," the tax collector told the seller. Hani stepped forward when Bong Hee grabbed her wrist. "Don't," Bong Hee whispered in Hani's ear.
The tax collector turned to go along with his assistant when Hani stepped forward to stop him. The tax collector looked at her and asked her if she was the daughter of the seller. "Officer Dan," among the crowd a voice echoed. It was none other than Cheung Shin. The people looked at him as he stepped forward.
Cheung Shin halted near Hani. Glancing at her he said, "You may step back, miss." Cheung Shin went towards Dan Jin Sik. "You are using very wrong method to collect the tax," muttered Cheung Shin.
"Master Shin, you are not allowed to intervene in this matter," Dan Jin Sik proclaimed. Cheung Shin laughed slightly and then opened the fan in his hand. He started moving it slightly below his face.
Leaning closer to Dan Jin Sik's ear, Cheung Shin said, "Do you want to let your secrets open to the people as well as the higher officers? How you evaded the tax amount and how did you take extra charges from these innocent people?" They both looked into each other's eyes when Cheung Shin closed the fan in his hand and then leaned back.
"How much tax this seller need to pay? Tell the correct amount only," Cheung Shin muttered. Dan Jin Sik gulped the anger boiling in him and told the amount to Cheung Shin, who put the hand inside his pocket and took out a pouch full of coins. Weighing in his hand, Cheung Shin threw the pouch in the hands of Assistant's hands and glared at Cheung Shin.
"Put back that wooden box," Cheung Shin in said in a commanding tone to the assistant who did so. "Dan Jin Sik, I hope in the future you won't do this anymore else Ministry of Personnel is ready to take the action," Cheung Shin said in a low voice. Embarrassed Dan Jin Sik swiftly walked away from there.
The seller bowed his head such that it touched the ground to thank Cheung Shin. "I will repay your kindness, master. Thank you," the seller said as he was crying. Cheung Shin took a deep breath and then bent on his knees. He grabbed the arms of the seller and made him stand up.
"You don't need to repay me anything. Just keep selling these fresh vegetables," Cheung Shin proclaimed as he patted the arm of that man. He joined his both hands and bowed his head to express his gratitude towards Cheung Shin.
The people were soon dispersed from there except Hani and Bong Hee. The seller went back to his stall while Cheung Shin turned to go when he glanced at Hani. "Miss, do not get yourself involved when any officer is on work. You can get into a danger," saying this Cheung Shin walked away.
Hani blinked her eyes as she looked at Cheung Shin who was joined by another man with him. "Hani, why did you not listen to me? What if that good master had not been here?" Bong Hee worriedly said but Hani did not reply her as she was busy looking at Cheung Shin.