Tae So wasn't able to sleep well.
No one had to tell him that his eyes were puffy and probably red. They itched terribly, but he knew he had to greet the Prime Minister and likely share breakfast with him. It was their third day in the village, and as usual, he was kept in the dark. He hadn't seen Woong and had hoped to get answers when his guard returned, but since the day he sent him to investigate, Woong had not been seen. Tae So knew Woong would always come back, and he was also relieved that Song Joo hadn't questioned him about his missing guard, not when they were traveling to the village, nor when they arrived in the village.
His lack of sleep wasn't from feeling unsafe or being in an unfamiliar place, he had slept just fine the first night he woke up to the soothing pipa music. Now, it was because he couldn't get the mute, deaf woman with the pipa out of his head.
Fortunately, Song Joo had not pursued her for slapping him the day they saw her playing. That was a relief for Tae So because, despite his initial shock, he knew deep in his heart that he wouldn't have allowed the Prime Minister to punish her. That thought stirred something inside him, something he never imagined possible. For some reason, he wanted to see her again.
For the past two nights, whenever he closed his eyes, he saw her playing her pipa. Whenever he woke up, he regretted it only to realize he had barely slept at all. The cycle had repeated itself, leaving him with a massive headache.
Normally, he would have ignored a musician playing in the streets. Yet, for reasons he couldn't explain, he didn't want to forget her. He didn't want to stop thinking about her. He knew that forcing himself not to would only make it worse, consuming his thoughts even more. For once, he was grateful that Song Joo had brought him to the village. And now that Woong wasn't around to investigate, he decided he would do it himself. But first, he had to see the Prime Minister.
"Your Excellency, your humble servants are here with water in a basin and your Excellency's meal."
Perfect timing. Tae So almost felt like jumping for joy when the servants came so he could prepare faster. But he didn't understand why they had brought his meal when he had eaten all his meal with the Prime Minister the previous day which means the cycle would repeat. He said nothing, waiting for them to enter. Soon, the door slid open, and four female servants walked in, bowing before setting the table. One of them approached him with the basin, and Tae So washed his face and mouth before gesturing for the water to be taken away. Then he turned to the three servants standing a few feet from the table.
"What of the Prime Minister?" he asked.
"His Esteemed Chancellor went out early at dawn, but this humble servant does not know the Esteemed Chancellor whereabouts," one of the servants replied.
Tae So almost jumped up. This was the perfect opportunity to leave without making excuses to the Prime Minister, and he would take it.
For the past two days, he hadn't heard the music, but he would still go out and look. He wouldn't search too deeply but just enough to satisfy his curiosity by knowing more about her and avoid awkward situations.
The servant who had spoken stepped forward and began tasting the dishes. Tae So observed her. She had fair skin, a full chest, and lips round and rosy. Yet, she was not as beautiful as the woman with the pipa. He had always chosen his bed partners based on looks and had never looked at a servant this way. He preferred gisaengs or older women who lived comfortably, women he could provide for in exchange for their warmth. Some nobles engaged in affairs with their servants, but Tae So had never fancied the idea. Engaging with a lower-class woman would only bring disgrace to his wife. So Ah was a dignified woman, and she would never allow him or any other woman to disrespect her. The last thing he wanted was for a servant to grow bold enough to challenge his wife's position.
Tae So had met his wife, So Ah, as a child when he accompanied his father to a business meeting. Her father, Kim Ji Hwan, was the Minister of Taxation, while Tae So's father, Tae Jin, held the Minister of Environment position before passing it down to him upon his death. Their parents had arranged their future marriage right then, leaving them no choice but to go along with it.
To Tae So, So Ah had always seemed like a fairy, someone he was lucky to have. But he had always loved women, a trait he discovered in his teenage years. Even after visiting So Ah once in a blue moon, he would still indulge in the pleasures of the gibang. He had looked forward to marriage, believing he would remain committed to her. Even on the day of his wedding, he had allowed himself one last bit of fun before the ceremony.
But their relationship had never been close. No matter how hard Tae So tried to bridge the gap, So Ah distanced herself. Even on their wedding night, she refused to let him touch her. It continued for months.
When they finally became intimate, he discovered the truth, So Ah had already given herself to another before him. That night, she told him plainly that she felt nothing for him and never would. He would always be nothing to her. She had not loved the man she had first been with, and she would never love Tae So either. He should stop trying to impress her. She allowed him to take lovers but made it clear they could never be of extremely low status, no woman beneath her would ever have the audacity to think herself her equal.
That night, she conceived their daughter. Seven years later, Tae So begged her for another child, not wanting to grow old without an heir to inherit his wealth. It took two years for So Ah to agree, only because she saw it as her duty. They tried for a year, and when she finally bore another child, luckily it was a boy. That was the last time they were ever intimate. Since then, Tae So had sought pleasure elsewhere.
Those years had been frustrating for Tae So. Despite his wealth, his position wasn't powerful enough to challenge Kim Ji Hwan. If he ever opposed his father-in-law, he might as well present his head on a platter. So he and So Ah lived as strangers. He had long given up trying to win her over. It was better that way, he had never developed any feelings for her, and she had made it clear that trying to was pointless.
But for the first time in his life, Tae So wanted someone. And that someone was a woman with a disability, a woman so poor that So Ah would never acknowledge her. Yet, he didn't care. His heart wanted what it wanted, and he had no control over it.
After finishing his meal, he let the servants dress him in a fine sky-blue robe, wanting to appear youthful. Left alone in his room, he glanced at the mirror and noticed his mustache had overgrown, and his hair was unruly. He ransacked the drawers and found a small shaving blade. Guessing that no one had used it before, he trimmed his mustache, shaved his hairline, and even shaped his eyebrows. When he was satisfied, he chuckled at his reflection. His cheeks were slightly pink, hopeful that he would meet the pipa woman again. He dressed nicely, just in case.
Applying a little lip balm, he took his hand fan and stepped out. Song Joo would know he had left the house, but if questioned, he could always say he went sightseeing.
This was his first time in a village. He had always lived in the capital, and now, for the first time, he found himself stepping onto dirt roads. But he didn't mind letting his shoes get dusty not if it meant finding her.
As he stepped outside, two guards joined him, walking behind him. Tae So adjusted his hat before heading through the small gate. They walked for a while, passing only a few people on the road, their clothing worn and tattered. As Tae So passed, they bowed deeply, their gazes lowered in deference.
"You, is there nothing interesting in this village?" Tae So suddenly asked one of his guards.
The guard hesitated, caught off guard. "There is just one jumak in town and a small market."
A jumak.
Tae So knew at once that the jumak was where he would get news and if he was lucky, she might even be there. It was also likely where the Prime Minister was, but Song Joo's business could wait. He had something far more exciting to do. He was about to tell the guard to lead the way but hesitated when he noticed a small teenage boy staring at him.
"You, where is the jumak?" Tae So asked, watching as the boy blinked almost fearfully and stepped back like he was ready to bolt. "Lead me there, and I will spare you some coins."
At the mention of coins, the boy ran up to him, his companions following closely behind.
"I will lead you, Sir," the boy said in a low voice, so low that Tae So barely heard him, likely out of fear of offending him. But nothing could ruin his mood.
It didn't take long to reach the jumak, and as promised, Tae So handed the boy some coins, which he eagerly accepted before running off.
The jumak stood at a crossroads, its wooden beams worn smooth by years of passing travelers. A faded cloth banner swayed at the entrance, the ink of its calligraphy barely legible. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of rice wine, sizzling meat, and damp straw.
Low wooden tables filled the room, their surfaces sticky from spilled makgeolli and hurried meals. Rough laughter and slurred conversations mingled with the occasional clatter of chopsticks against ceramic bowls. In one corner, a group of merchants huddled over a game of yut, their coins stacked in neat piles, while a lone musician, an old man plucked a sorrowful tune on a worn gayageum.
The innkeeper, a stout woman with sleeves rolled to her elbows, moved between customers with practiced ease, refilling bowls. Near the hearth, a weary traveler slumped against the wall, his straw hat pulled low, savoring the last drops of his drink before succumbing to sleep.
The Prime Minister was nowhere in sight. Tae So felt a mixture of relief and disappointment, relief that Song Joo wasn't there, but disappointment that the pipa woman wasn't either. He took a seat far from the chatter, and as soon as the innkeeper spotted him, she hurried over.
"Your Esteemed Sir, what would you like to have?" she asked, bowing deeply, her voice small.
Tae So pulled out a tiny piece of gold, likely worth a month's wages for running the inn. He had no need for food or drink. "I am looking for a woman who plays the pipa," he said, pushing the gold forward.
The woman snatched it up quickly, as if afraid it might vanish. She leaned in. "We have a famous pipa player at the market. I will have one of my employees lead you." She didn't even hesitate, didn't seem to care that she was selling someone out. "And this will remain between you and me. Giving information is part of my trade." She added.
"Good." Tae So stood, knowing he had no reason to stay any longer. He stepped outside, and before long, a scrawny-looking boy rushed out, bowing deeply before disappearing and returning with a small donkey.
Tae So raised a brow as the boy gestured for him to mount. Soon, the innkeeper rushed out as well.
"Please, Your Esteemed Sir, we only have this small donkey for easy movement," she said.
"Is the market far?" Tae So asked. Riding a donkey through a small village would be like announcing his wealth to everyone. He had seen a few people ride past on horseback, but he had no interest in mounting one himself.
"No, Sir. It is just around the corner," she assured him.
"Then I have no need for this," Tae So replied, starting to walk.
The scrawny boy led the way, but the market wasn't around the corner. They walked for quite some time, long enough for Tae So to feel a dull ache in his legs. Of course, it was nothing compared to walking the vast palace grounds until his legs felt like they would give out. Soon, they reached the market.
"There, Sir." The boy gestured toward an open stall where a woman sat with her back turned to them. "She is the only one in our village who plays the pipa." He hesitated before adding, "This will stay between us, Sir. Do have a good day."
Fantastic
The service had been fantastic. Tae So was glad he had stopped at the inn. Without thinking, he stepped forward, immediately spotting the pipa resting on a wooden pillar beside the woman. It was a very light shade of wood, aged and worn, completely different from the pipa woman's instrument. Tae So frowned.
The woman's back was slightly hunched. Just as he feared, when she turned, it wasn't the person he had been expecting. Disappointment washed over him, and he strode forward with sharp steps, stopping before her.
Her nose was so long he half-wondered if she was inhaling all the air around them.
"Your Esteemed Sir, what would you like to listen to? I play a variety of music, and I have been performing for more than two decades," she said, her voice carrying an unexpected youthfulness. She seemed pleased to have a potential customer.
"Have you seen a woman who plays the pipa? She carried a polished, finely crafted pipa," Tae So asked, his patience slipping.
"Your Esteemed Sir, I am the only pipa player in this village," she said, but then added, "I did hear of a traveler, a woman who played the pipa beautifully as she passed through our lovely village but that is two days ago."
Tae So's expression darkened. He nearly cursed aloud. He hadn't once considered that she might be a traveler, he had simply assumed she lived in the village. Now, it seemed he had lost her completely. All he could do now was wait for Woong to return so he could send him out to search for her.
"I assure you, Sir, that I play beautifully too," the woman offered.
Tae So reached for his pouch and handed her a few coins before turning away. He heard her thanking him, but he kept walking, his guards following in silence.