The Jang Residence
Beside the Jang residence, a calm river flowed, sparkling in the fading sunlight. This cozy spot was where Eun Sook practiced her swordplay, moving with the same grace as the water around her. Even with her extraordinary skills, she kept training, her movements sharp and beautiful, casting a glow around her.
Watching from a distance was her maid, Na Bi. Na Bi, a pretty eighteen-year-old with a calm demeanor, observed her friend with pride. Suddenly, Eun Sook's guard, Na Mu, rushed up, looking serious. He had been raised alongside with his sister, Na Bi after the Jang family took them in a decade ago. He leaned close to Eun Sook and whispered urgently. Instantly, her expression shifted. She handed her sword to Na Mu and told Na Bi to get ready to leave.
Meanwhile at the Magistrate's Office
Seo Jin was focused, looking through years' worth of death records with Officer Ki Tae's help. They'd begun to notice a pattern in the assassinations of noblemen that seemed to link back to one individual over the last five years. Just then, another officer entered, bowing respectfully before delivering a message. "Lord Seo, Prince Wang Yul wants to see you at Cheongjeonghan."
Curious, Seo Jin put the records aside and headed out, his mind racing with questions.
At Cheongjeonghan Inn
As dusk settled, three masked figures on horseback arrived at the entrance of Cheongjeonghan Inn. Dressed in black, they were Eun Sook, Na Bi, and Na Mu. The inn's owner, Madam Jung, a warm-hearted woman in her fifties, greeted them inside.
"Welcome, My Lady. How can I help you this evening?" she said, her voice smooth.
"We need a private room," Eun Sook replied firmly.
"Of course, right this way," Madam Jung responded, guiding them through the lively inn and left for her office to tend to other matters.
Not long after, Seo Jin arrived and was led through the maze of hallways to a room where Prince Wang Yul awaited him.
Madam Jung opened the door to find a stunningly beautiful woman seated inside. Eun Sook entered first, followed by Na Bi and Na Mu. The woman's eyes grew wide as she recognized Eun Sook.
"My Lady…" the woman started, but Eun Sook interrupted, brandishing her sword.
"Why are you here, Hye Jin? We had an agreement didn't we?" Eun Sook demanded coldly.
Hye Jin, the gisaeng thought to be dead, pleaded, "I just wanted to see my daughter one last time. Please, she's only two years old."
Eun Sook tightened her grip but slowly lowered her sword. "You'll leave at dawn and never set foot in Goryeo again. I'll help you reunite with your daughter, but you must be patient."
Hye Jin nodded, tears glistening. "Thank you, My Lady. I will wait for you to tell me."
"But if I see you again in Goryeo, don't expect to see your daughter anymore. That will be the last day of your life. Go and live as if you are dead." Eun Sook warned sharply.
"Prepare for your journey, you leave at dawn" Eun Sook instructed Hye Jin who nodded, accepting Eun Sook's instructions. "I'll be going to discuss with Madam Jung concerning your journey, don't think of doing anything funny." Eun Sook warned. "You two! Keep your eyes on her out be back soon," Eun Sook instructed Na Bi and Na Mu, as she left for Madam Jung's office.
Meanwhile, in Another Part of the Inn
Seo Jin was ushered into a room with Prince Wang Yul, who had a bottle of wine in front of him. The prince smiled as Seo Jin entered.
"Jin! Join me for a drink," Wang Yul said, pouring some wine.
Seo Jin took a seat, though his mind was still on the records. "Your Highness, is there something urgent?"
Wang Yul chuckled. "Must everything be urgent, my friend? You've buried yourself in work for weeks. Lighten up!"
Seo Jin forced a smile. "I appreciate it, but there's too much to do. Lord Jo's death is still unsolved."
The prince's demeanor shifted. "I get it. But tonight, let's forget about our burdens for just a moment."
"I am sorry to say, my burdens can't be easily forgotten. I have a lot on my plate Your Highness. I'm sorry but I must return." Seo Jin replied kindly refusing Wang Yul's offer.
" I'm sorry for being jobless and offering you to have fun once in a while. I'm sorry for being inconsiderate ." Wang Yul teased Seo Jin playfully, trying to coerce him to have some drinks with him. "Fine I will stay for just one drink and then I'll go" Seo Jin replied to Wang Yul who was already smiling at him for agreeing.
After some light conversation and a few sips, Seo Jin thanked the prince and prepared to leave. As he walked through the inn, he couldn't shake off an uneasy feeling, as if something significant was on the horizon.
Just as he was leaving, he spotted Eun Sook. Her masked face caught his eye, making him pause. A servant approached him. "Your ride is ready, my lord."
Recognizing his voice, Eun Sook's heart raced. She quickened her pace, trying to stay away from him. Not wanting to let her slip away, Seo Jin followed, moving through the bustling inn, where Eun Sook blended with the crowd effortlessly while he struggled to keep up.
He finally spotted her entering a guesthouse. Na Mu, stepping out for fresh air, noticed his master being followed by someone. The guesthouse was large, filled with numerous rooms. Suddenly a Gisaeng appeared out of nowhere holding a bunch of hanboks to help Eun Sook hide.
"Right this way, my Lady,"the Gisaeng said as she directed Eun Sook to a room. She quickly took away Eun Sook's sword and hid it in a vase in the room.
The gisaeng, quickly handed over a hanbok to Eun Sook to changed into. Eun Sook changed, letting her hair down and preparing to transform her disguise. She hoped this would be enough to evade Seo Jin.
Seo Jin searched frantically through the rooms, growing frustrated. Just as he approached the one where Eun Sook hid, Na Mu confronted him, sword drawn. Quickly, Seo Jin used Na Mu's momentum against him, flipping him over and pointing his sword back.
"Who are you? Who is behind this door and why are you protecting them?" Seo Jin demanded.
Na Mu ignored the question, scrambling to rise. Seo Jin pushed the door in anger and found a breathtakingly beautiful woman (Eun Sook) just in the midst of changing, accompanied by a Gisaeng. His cheeks flushed as he quickly averted his gaze and shut the door, apologizing profusely.
"I'm so sorry, lady!" he stammered, his face burning. Turning to Na Mu, he added, "You really should have said it was your mistress."
Na Mu shot him a glare but said nothing. Seo Jin resumed his search, but his mind kept wandering back to the incredible woman he had just seen. Anyone would easily assume from the scenerio, that Eun Sook was a lady buying a hanbok.
As Eun Sook settled into her disguise, she waited for the noise in the inn to die down, aware that her escape wasn't over yet. The game of shadows was just beginning, and the stakes were rising.
Once Seo Jin left the room, Eun Sook maintained her focus. She turned to Na Mu sharply. "Na Mu, go get Na Bi. We need to leave right now. Our business here is finished."
Na Mu nodded and left quickly. Madam Jung walked in just as he exited, her expression a mix of concern and apology.
"Young Lady Jang," Madam Jung said softly, "I had no idea until it was almost too late. Luckily Tae Hee arrived on time to help you."
Eun Sook shot her a cold glance, despite being unmasked. "How did he find out? Who was the man that dared to follow me?"
Lowering her gaze, Madam Jang responded respectfully, "It was Lord Seo, my lady. He came on the prince's business. Maybe a coincidence, but he recognized your sword and chased after you."
Eun Sook's brow furrowed at the mention of Lord Seo. She hadn't expected him to be so sharp-witted. "Lord Seo," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Who is he? Tell me more about him."
Madam Jang nodded. "He's incredibly determined and skilled. A loyal Officee, well-known for his keen intellect and strong sense of justice. That's all about him for now."
Eun Sook processed this, her mind racing. "Find out more about him and report to me when next I visit, Madam Jung."
"Yes, My Lady," Madam Jung replied, bowing deeply."
Just then, Na Mu returned with Na Bi. "My lady, Na Bi is here," he announced.
Eun Sook signalled them to get things ready as they were leaving since their business there was done..
The trio moved quickly, their steps light and silent as they exited the inn. The night air was crisp, carrying the fresh scent of the river nearby—a sweet reminder of the tranquility awaiting them at Jang residence.
As they mounted their horses and rode off, Eun Sook's thoughts swirled around the night's events. The run-in with Seo Jin had been too close, but they had succeeded. Hye Jin would leave Goryeo by dawn, and her daughter would be united with her.
Back at the inn, Madam Jung watched the trio disappear into the darkness, sighing as the weight of their secrets pressed down on her. She had helped protect Lady Eun Sook, but she knew that the palace intrigue was far from finished.
As Eun Sook, Na Mu, and Na Bi rode through the peaceful streets, they remained alert, knowing their success depended on keeping everything hidden. The Jang residence awaited them, offering refuge from the dangers of the night.
Eun Sook understood this was merely the beginning. The risks were higher now, and she needed to be even more clever and cautious to safeguard her loved ones while uncovering the hidden truths in Goryeo's shadows.