HLCOB C57

Chapter 57

Huaseo.

Merely to speak those two syllables was enough for certain people in Luoyang to chatter three days and nights without rest. That was how many rumors swirled around Jaheon in the city.

Yet among the common people, his reputation was not so poor. Was he not the beautiful lord who had cast down the eunuchs? Even among the literati untouched by court, the same held true. One who could earn the recognition of Cai Yong for his verse and prose—what fault was there in such a man winning the Emperor’s favor?

What was more, since meeting Jaheon, the Emperor’s indulgences had markedly lessened. And contrary to the talk that Jaheon was the Emperor’s catamite, he was rarely seen with him at all.

To those literati who knew nothing of the inner truth, Jaheon seemed a transcendent being, come down to save the Han.

But they were only rumors.

“I still do not know you well, my lord.”

For among the ministers of court, the tales were different. They called him a fox surpassing Zhang Yang, a new fox whose coming robbed even the old fox of his strength. A face that had bewitched not only the Emperor but even the Empress herself. Such were the whispers.

In truth, none truly knew Jaheon.

Thus Sun Yu could not understand why his grandfather, Sun Shang, had taken Jaheon’s side after only a few words.

‘Perhaps it is age clouding his judgment.’

Did not age dim discernment? Perhaps this beauty had beguiled his grandfather. Harboring such unfilial thoughts, Sun Yu addressed the flawless man before him.

“So, no matter my grandfather’s request, I cannot rashly follow you.”

At his words, Jaheon reached for his cup of tea.

Horok—

He sipped, then answered lightly, “Is that so?”

“…?”

Taken aback, Sun Yu stared. But Jaheon only smiled.

“Is it not natural? You and I meet for the first time today, Young Master Sun. Such thoughts are only to be expected.”

Sun Shang’s trust in Jaheon came from years of judgment, from words spoken heart to heart. Without knowledge of those depths, Sun Yu’s doubt was natural.

“And the same holds for me.”

“….”

“I too cannot so easily place faith in you. After all, it is only today that I first laid eyes upon you.”

At that, Sun Yu thought, then nodded.

“That is true. If I think so, it is only natural you should think the same.”

“….”

At his reply, Jaheon’s modern memories stirred. Quietly, he asked, “Might you be a T?”

“…? What is that?”

“It is a certain sort of thing.”

He brushed it aside vaguely and continued,

“In any case, I understand your thoughts.”

“…Do you.”

Then Sun Yu fell silent.

“….”

For he had lost his words. He thought Jaheon would strive to persuade him—but Jaheon made no such attempt.

As silence stretched, Sun Yu’s eyes grew hazy once more, sharpness fading. At last, it was he who spoke.

“Will you not try to persuade me?”

At the sight of those clouded eyes, Jaheon chuckled softly.

“Is there need to persuade one who already knows right from wrong?”

In truth, Sun Yu held no lofty ideals. He did not dream of saving the Han, or reshaping the realm. His creed was simpler: what was wrong was wrong, what was right was right. If it did not sit with him, he said no. That was all.

And to one of such nature, what was the way to move him?

“Instead, grant me your time, Young Master Sun.”

“…?”

Show him.

“While you remain in Luoyang, judge with your own eyes.”

Jaheon spoke as though reading Sun Yu’s heart.

“If you find me unworthy, you may leave me whenever you wish.”

At this, Sun Yu understood why his grandfather had told him to follow Jaheon.

“….”

For Jaheon was unlike any he had met in the Han. He did not lean on rank, on creed, on pretext to crush another. Now he began to see why his grandfather found hope in him.

“…Hoo.”

Exhaling, Sun Yu spoke.

“…Call me Gongdal.”

“…?”

“And speak to me without formality.”

Loosened at last, he gazed at Jaheon with eyes emptied of sharpness. Even the faint madness seemed gone.

“Hahaha!”

At the sight, Jaheon laughed aloud.

“Very well.”

And as if giving his word, he said,

“Then I shall strive to win Gongdal’s heart.”

Meanwhile, Sun Yu was dazed.

“Young Master.”

The flood of Choseon’s questions had left his head spinning.

“You said you came to see my brother, did you not?”

Suddenly, Sun Yu realized he had quite forgotten.

“Then may I ask why you came to see him?”

This girl, who so resembled Jaheon, was indeed his sister. Though her eyes curved gently downward, her round black pupils gave her a softer look, she was still his sister.

Which meant she, too, was as mischievous as Jaheon.

“…Could it be you came because you like my brother?”

“My lady…!”

At once, Sun Yu’s face flushed hot.

“I only came out of respect for him….”

His polite tone faltered, for his lashes trembled and his face still burned.

“…Hmm?”

So Choseon did not believe him.

For many had once worn that face, trailing after her brother in childhood, bewitched regardless of age or sex.

Though, among them, Sun Yu was by far the most handsome.

But he had no mind for Choseon’s gaze, which picked apart his features as if weighing them. All he could do was press his hand again and again to his neck, trying to cool the heat.

‘It is the truth….’

Yet the more he spoke with her, the stranger his feelings grew.

“What is it about my brother that you respect?”

Indeed, he respected Jaheon. That was why he had come. But asked to name the reason, his lips would not open. Lowering his eyes, he thought of Jaheon.

But oddly, the scene that surfaced was the moment Jaheon had first addressed him.

—Young Master.

The sound of that voice made the back of his neck blaze. Ashamed of his own foolishness, Sun Yu clenched his fists.

“Choseon.”

At that moment, Jaheon’s voice filled the room.

“…!”

Sun Yu raised his head with a start.

There stood the one he longed to see. Jaheon stepped to them, ruffled Choseon’s hair fondly, then turned to Sun Yu.

“Were you uncomfortable while waiting, Young Master?”

“Not at all, my lord. The lady treated me with kindness.”

He bowed courteously.

“And I heard from Gongdal. That you will follow Grand Master Sun down to Yingchuan….”

That he must leave Luoyang. At Jaheon’s words, Sun Yu bit his lips shut.

—I too wish to remain in Luoyang…!

He remembered stubbornly telling his grandfather so, only to be ignored. Crestfallen, he murmured,

“I too wished to stay with Gongdal, to aid you, my lord….”

At this, Jaheon chuckled softly.

“It is well. You are still young, so Lord Sun worried for you.”

“But my lord! I am not so young…!”

He began to protest—then realized. It would not stand.

“….”

All day, from Gongdal to Choseon, he had only acted childishly. Even the day he first met Jaheon, he had been childish. Though he was known for his brilliance, before Jaheon he became clumsy.

So at last his voice sank.

“…No. I suppose I am still young.”

He looked up at Jaheon, reproaching himself. His smaller stature felt like a curse. Seeing it written plain upon him, Jaheon laughed.

“Young Master.”

“….”

“Do you not trust me?”

For this Sun Yu was not the one Jaheon remembered from history.

“Did I not tell you I would wait for you?”

Sun Yu managed to answer.

“It is not that I mistrust you, my lord….”

Truly. He did not doubt Jaheon. But the thought of someone else standing at Jaheon’s side while he was away filled him with inexplicable gloom.

And so—

“Then….”

Hesitating, Sun Yu at last yielded to a small desire.

“Will you grant me one promise?”

“…What promise?”

Shame and hesitation surged, but he knew.

“After my coming-of-age, I will surely serve by your side….”

If he did not speak now, he would regret it all his life.

“So please, keep my place for me.”

His face red as fire, Sun Yu grasped Jaheon’s collar without realizing, pleading with all his heart.