chapter 10

"Where were you?", asked Yoon from Hani.

"Oppa I was in the ground....", said Hani.

"Hani come with me....."

"Oppa where?"

"Just come", said Yoon and dragged her with him.

"Hani why were you at Kisaeng house?", asked Yoon.

"Oppa...", said Hani in a low voice and looked at him. Then she narrated him the entire incident.

"Did you forget what happened 9 years ago? What if the guy on whom you threw dung wasn't Yeong? You know that I can't protect you when I'm here in this institution", said Yoon with teary eyes.

"Oppa I'm sorry. Don't be angry. I'll never go there....", said Hani and hugged Yoon tightly.

Yoon caressed her hair lovingly and said, "Hani you're my life. After mother and granny only you and father are left in my life. Do you think oppa will be happy seeing you hurt? So always tell me whenever you're in trouble. Don't even hesitate", said Yoon.

"Oppa I promise you", said Hani still hugging him tightly. He released her when he saw Yeong there. Hani felt awkward but acted normal. 

"Let's go....we've to return back before the dawn", said Yeong.

"Hani go now. Take care of father and yourself", said Yoon.

"You too Oppa", said Hani and walked away.

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"Teacher has said we can go toady outside....it will be fun", said Sunwo while smiling.

"When did you change into this getup?", asked Yoon.

"An hour ago...", said Sunwo and started fanning himself.

"Then I can go home.....", said Yoon.

"Your home is far from here. Why don't we all hangout with each other?", asked Yeong.

"But...."

"No ifs and buts....", said Sunwo and dragged Yoon with him inside the room.

"So where are we going?", asked Yoon.

"At the Teahouse....", said Sunwo and winked.

"Lee Eunshi do you want to come with us?", asked Yeong. Yoon and Sunwo turned to him.

"No thanks", said Lee and walked away.

"He seems to be in a different world", said Sunwo.

"Let's go", said Yeong and they walked out of their room.

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"I've never been to this place but this is a unique place", said Yoon.

"Guys I'm going over there.....someone is waiting for me", said Sunwo around whom many girls and women were lingering.

"Here you will find every type of tea.....do you want to taste?", asked Yeong.

"Hm.."

"You should try special white tea of Tang", said a voice. They both turned towards the person and saw Noh Eunho.

"Eunho you here?", asked Yeong.

"Yes...why can't I be here?", asked Eunho while eating some fruit.

"You both know each other?", asked Yoon.

"Yes....our fathers are in close service with king", said Yeong with a smile.

"Hey Yeong-aa when did you master the sword skills to this level?", said Eunho while hitting at his arm lightly.

"I learnt during my school days", said Yeong.

"Sir here's your tea", said the lady. He thanked her and turned to Yoon but he wasn't there.

"Where has he gone?", asked Yeong.

"I didn't notice", said Eunho."Let's find him".

Yeong nodded with her.

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Yoon was looking around the tea house when he reached near a room where he heard some conversation.

"Do you think that your cousin can be kicked out that easily?", said a man.

Yoon tried to look through the window....."Wang Soo", mumbled Yoon.

"You're saying right. I never thought that he will reach this level..... Moreover Sunwo is with him, that son of a lowly class", said Wang Soo. Yoon clenched his hand in anger.

"He has the support of Yeong and Sunwo who are the sons of powerful bureaucrats. It will be impossible to do something to him", said Chan Sul while drinking the wine.

"Hh....it doesn't matter. Yoon is a Sangmin. While we're upper ones. His mother ran with them a long time ago....I'm surprised whom she married that even department didn't notice the fact. He's a Chungin by birth but I think his mother married a lowly person after betraying her own husband", said Wang Soo while drinking his wine.

Yoon couldn't control himself and walked towards the door when someone held his hand.

"Eunho leave my hand", said Yoon angrily.

"I won't... Come with me", said Eunho and dragged him.

"I don't want to....", said Yoon and jerked her hand and in the event she got hit against a flower vase outside the room and it fell on the ground with a loud bang.

"Who's there?", shouted Chan Sul.

"Do you think someone was...", mumbled Chan when Wang immediately got up from the warm and soft mattress and quickly opened the door. But to his surprise there was no one. He looked here and there....

"Shh...", whispered Yoon while covering Noh's mouth with his hand. 

Wang Soo and other were coming towards them (they were hiding behind the pillar).

"Don't...", whispered Yoon and got close with Eunho which made her heartbeat raise. 

"Wang a cat was here", said Chan Sul showing a black cat to him. He stepped back and walked inside the room.

Yoon sighed and take breaths.

"Mmm"

"Oh sorry.....", said Yoon and released his hand from Noh's mouth and stepped back.

"That was close", said Eunho while taking oxygen.

"What were you doing here?", asked Eunho.

"I was just looking around....what are you doing here?", asked Yoon. 

"Yeong and I were looking for you....", said Eunho.

"Let's go", said Yoon and walked ahead. Eunho followed him and said, "You didn't win today I want to the go with you to the Lenten festival".

"What? Why?", asked Yoon.

"Because I want to", said Noh.

"Okay you can....", said Yoon.

"Really?", said Eunho with glowing eyes.

"Hm.....my sister will be there. She will be happy to see you...", said Yoon.

"But....I want to...", said Noh.

"What?", asked Yoon looking at her.

"Nothing.....I'll come...yes I'll come", said Eunho.

"Where are you both going?", asked Yeong.

"Nothing....she just wants to come along with Hani and me in the lantern festival", said Yoon.

"Then I should also join you", said Yeong and encircled his arm around Yoon's shoulders. 

"Okay....", said Yoon.

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"Lady Shin you wanted to see me?", asked Sunwo while looking at her.

"Yes.... I want to ask about Kim Yoon shik....I mean I want to meet him", said Shin Hye.

"Why? Lady Shin never had shown any interest towards men", said Sunwo while drinking the fragmented tea.

"He's the one who makes me feel like a dignified woman", said Shin.

Sunwo looked at her and said, "Lady Shin I want to tell you something. Don't get too much hopes from him..... The time which I've spent with him made me realize that he isn't interested in women for now...."

"Hh....I'll wait for him", said Lady Shin. Sunwo looked at her and after a pause said, "You're lucky because he's here....in this tea house. You can meet him..... I know a part of your heart beats for him", said Sunwo.

Shin Hye passed a smile to him and said, "many upper class men came to me but they never see me with those eyes as sir Yoon has seen me..... I just want to be by his side and if I couldn't I'll protect him with my life".

"What do you mean?", asked Sunwo.

"I heard in the Kisaeng house from a woman that some aristocrats aren't happy with a layman rising to such a level...", said Shin Hye.

"Okay.....I'll look into that", said Sunwo while sipping the tea.

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"I'm going back....see you tomorrow", said Eunho and walked away.

"Where is Sunwo?", asked Yoon.

"I'm here", said Sunwo with a smiling face.

"Lady Shin", said Yeong.

Yoon looked at them. She bowed before Yoon...."it's not needed", said Yoon.

"Sir Kim it's my pleasure to see you again", said Shin Hye.

"You're much older than me....just call me Yoon Shik...no need to say sir", said Yoon.

Yeong gestured at Sunwo who gestured him to leave them alone so they both walked away.

"Will you like to drink some tea with me?", asked Shin Hye.

"Yeah why not....", said Yoon and looked for Yeong and Sunwo but they weren't there.

"Lady Shin you shouldn't drink tea with a low class", said Jeong Su who was with Wang Soo and Chan Sul.

Yoon didn't say anything. 

"I'm also a low class... You're not only insulting the person I respect most. So Indirectly you're insulting me.... Don't you know insulting me can lead you to death", said Lady Shin while keeping smile on her lips.

"I apologize for my behaviour Lady Shin.... I just want to tell you should keep distance from such people who doesn't suit you. You're the respected lady of this kingdom after the queen dowager", said Jeong Su.

"I've good conscience to select the people", said Lady Shin...."Yoon Shik please this way", said Shin Hye and they left from there.

"You shouldn't stand for me. I mean I can handle them", said Yoon.

"Do you know why I'm most respected in the kingdom?", asked Shin.

Yoon refused.

"The great king is the first man who saw me with the similar eyes as you saw me on that day. He is like a big brother to me.... But because I'm a Kisaeng he can't help that much but he did the most beautiful thing to me, giving me the protection from many bad people. 

You also did the same. I want to serve you and by your side", said Shin Hye.

" Ms Hye.... I appreciate you think me that way but I'm sorry. I mean you're good in every aspect but right now I can't show love to any woman apart from my family... Moreover you are like an older sister to me. The way you protected me outside surely reminds me of an older sister. 

I got raised without such care except mother but today your expression were same. I see you as an older sister. So I should also complete my duty as a little brother. I promise I will release you from the Kisaeng house so that you can live your life in joy and freedom", said Yoon with a smile. They drank the tea.

"I'm happy that you think of me in that way.... I'll wait for you", said Shin Hye and served the tea to him.

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"Ms Noh", called Lee.

"Lee Eunshi... I mean Prince", said Noh and bowed.

"You recognized me", said Lee.

"It's obvious by looking at your elegant clothes that you're royal Prince..... I never thought you will be defeated today.... He cheated by throwing dust to you else today's winner would be you..... No one can defeat you in that not even Yeong", said Eunho.

"Hh...it doesn't matter now...", said Lee.

"You too wasn't fighting with full might with Yoon", said Lee looking at her.

"How can I?", mumbled Noh.

"Why? Do you like him?", asked Lee.

"What?"

"Don't because I'll make you my princess", said Lee and walked away.