Myung Yu entered the herb shop politely, her eyes scanning the shelves with interest. It was a humble place, filled with jars and bottles of various sizes, and dried herbs hanging from the walls. The scent of grass and earth mingled in the air, giving it a fresh, earthy feel.
"We're closing..." a woman called out from the back, a polite but firm reminder. However, when she noticed who had entered, she immediately bowed.
"Gongju!"
"Rise, it's fine..." Myung Yu said gently, helping the woman to her feet and brushing some dirt from her clothes.
"Why didn't you tell me you were visiting?" the older woman asked.
"It wasn't planned," Myung Yu replied with a warm smile. "One of my trusted entourage convinced me to visit the market. I thought of stopping by to see you."
Just then, Uk appeared at the entrance. His eyes scanned the room before meeting Myung Yu's. The woman bowed slightly to him.
"Wesungmo, this is Gisa Ahn Uk. Uk ssi, this is Wesungmo Woo, my late uncle's wife."
"How are you, ahjumonim..." Uk greeted respectfully.
"I'm well, thank you," the older woman smiled. Then, with a twinkle in her eye, she whispered, "He seems quite fine, if you know what I mean..." Her comment made Myung Yu chuckle softly.
"No, wesungmo, it's not like that!" Myung Yu said, shaking her head. "I brought him to the North because he's familiar with the area." She glanced at Uk, who remained composed and unreadable.
"Jeonha wouldn't just let you travel with a gentleman like that, gongju jaga... Not over his dead body—may Heaven prolong his life..." Woo said, guiding them to a small table. Myung Yu shook her head slightly, smiling as she took a seat across from her.
"What brings you here at this hour, gongju?" Woo asked. Myung Yu bit her lip, choosing her words carefully.
"I've heard there are problems with the new governor's administration. Rents have spiked, and they're taking food supplies without the people's consent. I've even heard they've seized farms that were bestowed upon the people by the kingdom. I came to see if it's true."
Woo's face darkened. She sighed as she slowly poured tea into Myung Yu's cup.
"It's true. This new governor is nothing but a leech. All he cares about is his own interests, not the people's." Woo's voice was calm but heavy with frustration. "I've heard so many complaints, but without proof, there's not much I can do. And what can an eighty-year-old woman like me accomplish?" She gave a small, wry smile, but Myung Yu could see the sadness beneath it.
Myung Yu's heart sank. She knew Woo cared deeply for the people but felt powerless. The only thing the old woman could do was offer free healthcare to those in need.
"Have they ever bothered you, wesungmo? If they have, I can report it to Jeonha."
Woo shook her head. "No, they don't trouble me. Maybe they remember who your uncle was, or maybe they just don't see an old woman as a threat."
Myung Yu glanced at Uk, her eyes filled with concern. Uk gave her a reassuring nod, his calm presence grounding her.
"Wesungmo, may I ask for your help?" Myung Yu asked hesitantly.
"Of course, anything for you, gongju."
Taking a deep breath, Myung Yu lowered her gaze. "I want to end this, once and for all. But to do that, I need to see the records from all the shops in the market—rent payments, raw material purchases, everything. Could you help me gather them without revealing my identity?"
Woo looked puzzled. "What are you planning to do with them?"
"I'll study the documents and pass them to the appointed auditor. I've already sent word home, and they should be on their way. If the allegations are true, we'll take action." Myung Yu gently placed her hand over Woo's. The old woman's eyes softened, seeing the determination in the princess's gaze.
After a moment, Woo nodded. "I'll help you, gongju. Don't worry."
***
Dan and Sun An rode past the border, their horses trotting steadily. They had been traveling for three days, stopping briefly at a pit stop, but otherwise resting in the forest along the way.
"I hope the others are doing well," Dan said, his voice thoughtful. "I've heard the road isn't easy."
"Why's that?" Sun An asked, glancing at him.
"The auditor lives in the middle of the forest. It's not the best place to settle, but..." Dan grinned, clicking his tongue, "it's a great place to hide!"
Sun An looked confused, his forehead creasing. "They hide things there?"
"More like storage. According to Indra, evidence often turns up in places you'd never think to look. Like a small garden behind the house." Dan chuckled, watching Sun An's innocent expression as the younger man nodded.
"Indra ssi seems like a good investigator! Very details and full of knowledge. He is indeed the right choice to send on this hunt!" Sun An smiled.
"And sending me to guide you was a good idea too," Dan quipped. Sun An laughed and nodded in agreement. Dan had traveled extensively—north, west, east—you name it. He knew the rules of the road and had plenty of connections.
"How much longer until we arrive?"
Dan glanced at his map and then at the sky. "Two days, if there's no snowstorm."
"Can we get there faster?" Sun An asked eagerly.
Dan looked around, assessing their surroundings. "Maybe half a day earlier if we pick up the pace."
"What are we waiting for?" Sun An grinned, snapping the reins and speeding up. Dan chuckled, shaking his head as he followed behind.
***
The morning at the inn was unusually quiet. Too quiet for Uk's liking. He woke slowly, debating whether to go downstairs or wait.
Just as he reached for his hair tie, a loud knock startled him. He quickly fixed his robe and opened the door cautiously.
"Uk ssi! We need to leave! Now!" one of the royal soldier appeared like a storm in front of Uk, making him shocked.
"What's wrong?"
***
Uk practically flew down the stairs, heading straight for Myung Yu's room. The princess was calmly fastening her traveling robe when he burst in.
"Gongju, we need to leave the inn immediately!"
"What's happened?" Myung Yu asked, her face innocent and calm. Uk didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed her bag, hastily shoving her belongings inside, and pulled her by the hand.
But they were too late.
Without warning, a group of men stormed the inn. Their presence was menacing, and the royal convoy quickly realized the gravity of the situation. Screams echoed through the hall as panic set in.
"What do you want?" Uk demanded, positioning himself protectively in front of Myung Yu.
"There was a riot in the market this morning. Our investigation led us here, to a woman who started it," one of the men said.
"She hasn't left the inn all day!" a brave court maid shouted, but she was quickly silenced as one of the men pinned her to the floor. The panic grew as wails filled the air.
"Everyone, stay calm!" Myung Yu commanded. She studied the intruders, trying to gauge their intent.
"Ma'am, you'll have to come with us."
"Not like this! She's not going anywhere!" Uk stood his ground, his voice unwavering.
"At least ask properly!" one of the men retorted.
"She's not leaving without a warrant!" Uk's voice was firm.
"You leave us no choice, then."
Swords were drawn, and the tension in the room spiked. Uk pulled Myung Yu closer, his eyes sharp and ready.
"Come and try, if you dare!"