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Chapter 39
After hesitating for a while, Na Hyuk-jin finally answered.
“Isn’t carp considered one of the finest nourishing dishes? I caught this carp with the heart of serving my parents.”
It was a somewhat clever response.
Next was the biology PhD. He drew a carp on paper with ink and presented it.
“This is a picture of a carp that cannot swim. It cannot swim anywhere. I believe His Majesty’s question was meant to reflect the value of respecting life.”
It was an answer that targeted Na Hyuk-jin, who had brought a dead carp.
Seo-jun clicked his tongue inwardly.
If the wind blows, the paper carp will look like it’s swimming. That’s not the right answer either.
The examiners quietly continued grading on their tablets, encased in traditional dancheong-style cases.
Only three people remained.
“Did the three of you not bring a carp?”
At this, the researcher of traditional culture stood up and spoke.
“I carried it in my eyes. I believe the answer is the roof ridge tile ornament on Gyeongnyeongjeon Hall. Carp have long symbolized success. Becoming a State Document Keeper is no small success. The phrase deungyongmun (the dragon gate of ascension) also comes from carp. Since I could not possibly bring down the roof tile, I carried it only in my sight.”
Seo-jun’s eyes widened slightly. That was the same answer he had brought.
Not bad at all.
It was an unexpected strike from a man he had not paid much attention to until now. His name was Ahn Chi-soo.
Several examiners nodded. He was sure to get a high score.
“Alright, next candidate.”
The next was Park Won-young.
“As expected of a scholar, that was very well said. Carp become dragons. So I brought the twin dragons of the mural at Sajongjeon Hall! Isn’t this the kind of spirit His Majesty expects from us?”
The examiner took the book Park Won-young handed him. It was titled Various Aspects of Gyeongbokgung.
As the examiner read the chapter describing the mural, his face did not brighten.
Seo-jun clicked his tongue inwardly.
Dragons symbolized kings in Joseon. Park Won-young’s words could easily be taken as claiming kingship himself. Fool. And wasn’t the Sajongjeon mural criticized for being painted in a Japanese style?
Given that history, it was unlikely they would accept such an answer in this selection exam.
It was admirable that he even went through the trouble of obtaining the book… But still, where had he gotten it?
Did the Gyeongbokgung archive even have such a book?
It needed to be checked.
There was even the possibility that someone from outside had provided it to him.
That’s something the examiners and supervisors will look into properly.
Finally, it was Seo-jun’s turn.
“Last candidate, Kang Seo-jun, please present your answer.”
Seo-jun took a deep breath and pointed to the camera.
“Turn it on.”
Inside the camera was the same carp ornament that Ahn Chi-soo had mentioned.
The examiner’s eyes lit up with interest.
“Eoran-to-bung — it means ‘when fish rot, the soil crumbles.’ It refers to how the people suffer when those in power become corrupt. I took this as a message that, as a State Document Keeper, one must do one’s utmost for the stability of the royal family.”
The moment Seo-jun had seen the carp ornament at Gyeongbokgung, he too had thought of deungyongmun, the dragon gate. But he had guessed that the elders of the royal household would not set such a simple riddle merely about “success.”
After all, a State Document Keeper was technically an outsider.
So it made more sense that the message was not encouragement for promotion, but a warning not to act rashly.
Or perhaps a teaching — to live rightly as another leader.
The supervisor gave a light nod.
“The exam results will be delivered to your quarters this evening. Well done.”
The other candidates scrambled to say a few more words to the examiners and supervisor.
But Seo-jun stood up without regret. He had done his best, so he would wait for results befitting that.
It was the confidence of someone truly assured.
That night, Seo-jun received his graded sheet with the word “Daetong (大通)” written on it.
This was the evaluation system used in the state exams of Joseon. Daetong meant first place — a perfect score of 100.
As Seo-jun smiled as if it were only natural, Court Eunuch Oh entered.
“Congratulations, Candidate.”
“Thank you.”
Seo-jun placed the sheet with Daetong written on it into a silk envelope and set it aside.
But Eunuch Oh still did not leave, standing before him.
“I have no questions. Nor do I have any requests.”
In other words, telling him to go. But Eunuch Oh remained where he was.
Seo-jun’s eyes narrowed.
“Do you have something to say?”
“It is good to take a walk after a meal.”
It was a rather odd suggestion at 10 p.m., hardly after dinner.
“You must be too nervous about tomorrow’s exam to sleep, aren’t you? Walking a bit will help you rest.”
When Seo-jun didn’t respond, Eunuch Oh continued to persuade him.
“And the night scenery in this courtyard is quite splendid.”
He placed both hands over his chest in a pleading gesture.
Seeing such earnestness, Seo-jun smiled.
So someone is waiting for me outside.
Whoever it was, they had clearly sent Eunuch Oh.
Seo-jun rose to his feet.
“Thank you for the advice, Eunuch Oh. I was having trouble sleeping anyway.”
“I shall accompany you.”
Seo-jun led, while Eunuch Oh followed a few steps behind.
Outside was much darker than indoors.
There were lanterns, but it was nothing like the brightly lit streets of modern Seoul where it was hard to tell night from day.
Even though Gyeongbokgung was still in Seoul, this place felt like a different world altogether.
“The path is dark.”
Eunuch Oh brought a small lantern to light Seo-jun’s steps.
“Give it to me and go back inside.”
“I cannot.”
“I prefer to walk alone.”
“Even so, I cannot.”
Seo-jun understood, after just two days, why Yeon had felt so stifled living in the royal household.
With a faint sigh, he offered a compromise.
“Give me the lantern, and follow five steps behind.”
Eunuch Oh handed him the lantern and stepped back.
Seo-jun gave a slight nod and began walking.
He didn’t need to ask where to go — he already knew.
From beyond the wall came a faint voice.
It was Yeon’s. Warm and welcoming, the kind of sound that naturally made him smile.
“Seong Sanggung, walk faster.”
Yeon was urging Shilan.
“Why on earth do you insist on taking walks all the way to Gyeongbokgung?”
Shilan wheezed, scolding her.
“Because it’s nice to walk here.”
“Don’t lie. You’re not hoping for some secret lover’s tryst, are you? If you get caught meeting Candidate Kang Seo-jun, it’ll be a disaster. Absolutely not!”
Seo-jun chuckled quietly on the other side of the wall.
The way she said ‘absolutely not’ — firm and stern — was exactly like Eunuch Oh.
“Of course I know. And I don’t even know where Kang Seo-jun is staying. Really, I don’t.”
Feigning ignorance, Yeon kept her poker face, even though she had clearly sought him out.
That surprised him.
She had even kept Seo-jun’s residence a secret from Shilan. That showed just how important security was.
Seo-jun followed Yeon’s voice as he walked.
Even though the wall stood between them, hearing her voice gave him the feeling of walking together.
Was she here to cheer him on?
If that was the reason, he would have to tell her not to come again.
Seo-jun didn’t need her to risk getting caught just to offer encouragement.
But how should he tell her that?
Should he put on a little play, like Yeon had done — like Eunuch Oh had just now?
He didn’t quite like the idea. As he thought this, Yeon suddenly spoke again.
“Seong Sanggung, do you know the saying about ‘three years of marriage life’?”
An out-of-nowhere topic — but it was Yeon’s way of giving him a hint for the selection exam.
“Three years of marriage life?” Seo-jun repeated.
“Three years mute, three years deaf, three years blind. It means no matter what you see or hear, don’t speak of it. Isn’t that essential advice for an outsider who may enter the royal family, Seong Chief?”
Seo-jun remembered the rule of the first exam — to remain silent.
So today’s test was related to being ‘mute for three years.’ Then perhaps the next exam will be about being ‘deaf for three years.’
As his thoughts settled, the footsteps beyond the wall stopped. Seo-jun also stopped in step.
“This is far enough, Seong Chief. Let’s go back.”
Yeon bid her farewell.
Seo-jun placed his hand briefly on the cold wall, then let it go and turned away.
He gestured to Eunuch Oh, who hurried to his side.
“You’ve worked hard. Now let’s go back and rest. Sleep well.”
At this sudden remark, Eunuch Oh’s eyes widened.
“Were those words meant for me?”
Seo-jun only smiled as he turned away, giving no answer.
Because those words of parting were not for Eunuch Oh, but for Yeon beyond the wall.
