Finest Servant

"A remarkable person?" Yi Sun-sin asked urgently, "May I inquire which individual General Lin is referring to?"

"When Master Gu Shunzhang, the Imperial Teacher of our dynasty, traveled through Goryeo, he encountered a remarkable individual. It is said that this person was knowledgeable about both ancient and modern times, foreseeing events five hundred years into the past and future. Even Master Gu, a scholar of immense erudition, couldn't gain the slightest advantage over him."

Lin Wanrong looked at him with a smile, "General Yi, have you ever heard of this person?"

After pondering for a long time, Yi Sun-sin, unable to recall, shook his head and said, "Such a talented individual in Goryeo? Please forgive me, General, I have not heard of this person's name."

Gu Shunzhang once mentioned that this remarkable person was unassuming, even conducting meetings behind a curtain. It was understandable that Yi Sun-sin hadn't heard of him. They could inquire further upon reaching Hanseong.

Lin Wanrong nodded silently, "Then I have another question. In the Goryeo Royal Palace, there's a young palace maid named Seo Jang Geum. General Yi, have you heard of her?"

Yi Sun-sin's expression changed. After hesitating for a long time, he cautiously asked, "Are you referring to Lady Doctor Seo?"

"Yes, yes, that's her! She also prepares medicinal meals!" Lin Wanrong was overjoyed, "General Yi, do you know where to find Miss Seo?"

This was not surprising to Lin Wanrong. He hummed in agreement, gesturing a round shape with his hands over his stomach, "General Yi, when you last saw Lady Doctor Seo, was there anything particular about her?"

Yi Sun-sin looked puzzled, "What do you mean by 'particular'?"

The Eldest Miss was standing nearby, and Lin Wanrong, feeling a bit embarrassed, gestured on his stomach again and winked at Yi Sun-sin.

Xiao Yuruo, seeing his hesitant and uneasy demeanor, couldn't help but chuckle and said, "What he means is, was Miss Seo... pregnant?"

"Oh—" Realization dawned on Yi Sun-sin, and after careful recollection, he slowly shook his head, "At that time, the battle was intense. Injured soldiers were continuously brought in for treatment. I only saw Lady Doctor Seo from a distance. As for whether she was pregnant, I have no knowledge. Besides, I haven't heard any news of Lady Doctor Seo's marriage!"

The Eldest Miss smirked, casting a teasing glance at her husband.

Lin Wanrong chuckled sheepishly, his face heating up slightly. In his two lifetimes, only Seo Jang Geum had ever done such a deed to him.

Yi Sun-sin looked at him, hesitating before asking softly, "Lord General, are you inquiring about Lady Doctor Seo's whereabouts to visit her?"

There was no need to deny it, and Lin Wanrong nodded in affirmation, "General Yi, if I'm not mistaken, Miss Seo's status in Goryeo might be more than just a palace maid, right?"

Yi Sun-sin's face turned pale, and he lowered his head, "What are you implying? I do not understand!"

Lin Wanrong patted his shoulder with a smile, "Goryeo is only so big. What secrets can truly be hidden? The real identity of Lady Doctor Seo is known to not a few in Goryeo. As the Commander of the Loyal and Brave Army, I surely have the capability to know this, don't I?"

His expression was calm, his eyes inscrutable, as if he had already seen through everything.

Yi Sun-sin looked at him in alarm and, after a long moment of reluctance, lowered his head, "This matter is a secret chapter of Goryeo's history. Since you are already aware, I implore you not to disclose it. As you have surmised, Lady Doctor Seo is indeed the direct bloodline of the King of Goryeo."

"Ah?" Though he had anticipated this, Lin Wanrong was still taken aback to hear it from Yi Sun-sin himself.

"Lady Doctor Seo's mother, in her time, was the youngest palace matron in the court. She was gentle, dignified, and beautiful. Spending her days with the King, they gradually developed feelings for each other. When the Queen discovered this, she was furious. Seizing the opportunity when the King was away on inspection, she had the pregnant matron expelled from the palace and ordered her assassination. She then lied to the King, claiming the matron had drowned in a river."

The Eldest Miss, Xiao Yuruo, listened with a tense expression, urgently asking, "And then? What happened next?"

Yi Sun-sin shook his head and sighed, "Fortunately, a righteous civilian saved her, thwarting the Queen's plot. However, to avoid further persecution, the matron had to hide her identity and live in the mountains. The King sent people to search for her for years but to no avail. Stricken with grief, she gave birth to Lady Doctor Seo and passed away two years later, leaving behind a child not yet three."

Unaware of such a tragic backstory, Lin Wanrong sighed silently, "How did this story come to light, then?"

"It seems to be fate," Yi Sun-sin explained, "Lady Doctor Seo was exceptionally intelligent. At the age of four, she could read, recite poetry, and identify medicinal herbs, becoming well-known far and wide. This reached the ears of the palace matron in charge of selecting young maids. She personally visited to assess and verify Lady Doctor Seo's talents, and upon confirmation, chose her as a palace maid for the Goryeo Royal Palace."

"Lady Doctor Seo, like her mother, was beautiful, gentle, diligent, and eager to learn. In knowledge and appearance, she was unmatched among the young palace maids. It seems it was destiny when, on her tenth year in the palace, the King, while inspecting the back garden, saw her and was struck by her resemblance to the late matron. Shocked, he questioned her, and after personally investigating in her hometown, discovered the matron's grave and their love tokens. Only then did the King realize that Lady Doctor Seo was his legitimate daughter, and the truth about the matron's death was finally revealed."

"So, Miss Seo's life was filled with such hardship," Xiao Yuruo shook her head in sympathy, "She should have been a princess of Goryeo, but why isn't her name in the Goryeo royal family registry?"

"That is why we Goryeo people hold Lady Doctor Seo in such high esteem," Yi Sun-sin raised his head, "After learning the truth, the King, consumed with guilt, lavished affection on this daughter who had been adrift since childhood, exceeding that for all his other children. He repeatedly tried to include Lady Doctor Seo in the royal family register as a revered princess, but she refused."

"Refused?" Even Lin Wanrong couldn't help but express his surprise, "Why?"

"Lady Doctor Seo said that she and her late mother came from the common people, and she would never forget that it was the people of Goryeo who saved and raised her. She wished only to be an ordinary citizen, dedicating her life and knowledge to the people of Goryeo. She is a daughter of Goryeo!"

So that's it! No wonder Seo Jang Geum was willing to sacrifice anything to save Goryeo during her plea for aid from Great Hua. Such a woman, indeed, possessed extraordinary strength of character!

Gu Shunzhang's words from the past now made sense to Lin Wanrong. The marriage alliance between Great Hua and Goryeo had indeed been intended for Seo Jang Geum. No wonder that old man kept winking at him, signaling him not to regret his decision! Lin Wanrong couldn't help but smile wryly, his perception of Seo Jang Geum undergoing a significant change.

Knowing from Yi Sun-sin that the young palace maid was safe, he finally felt a weight lifted off his chest, even harboring a faint sense of eagerness to reach Hanseong soon.

They set off early the next day, traveling north from Gwangju through Jeonju, Cheongju, and Cheonan, heading towards Hanseong.

Goryeo, having recently suffered a great war, had lost many of its able-bodied men. The counties they passed through were in decline, the hardship palpable. The Eldest Miss, Xiao Yuruo, initially planned to sell some of the Xiao family's fabrics and perfumes, but seeing the state of things, she had to put her plans on hold.

It wasn't until they passed Cheonan and approached Suwon that the situation began to improve. The population density increased, the city walls rose higher, and the bustling markets hinted at a semblance of prosperity.

The group made a temporary stop in Suwon, where Xiao Yuruo decided to distribute a portion of her goods for free in the busy market.

In post-war Goryeo, resources were scarce. The high-quality silk and fabrics brought by the Xiao family were undoubtedly luxurious items, especially given away for free! This caused a sensation in Suwon, with the marketplace teeming with people, packed so tightly that not even a needle could be dropped through.

The advertising effect was immense, and many, though not receiving free goods, would forever remember the name "Xiao."

In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are needed, and even Lin Wanrong couldn't help but give a thumbs-up to the Eldest Miss's idea.

Suwon was the capital of Gyeonggi Province, only thirty miles away from both Incheon Port and Hanseong.

They hurried along and, by midday, were only six miles from Hanseong.

Lin Wanrong and Shi Changsheng, riding at the forefront, were leisurely admiring the scenery around Hanseong when suddenly, they heard the booming sound of several salutes. A vast procession appeared ahead, a massive crowd of people surging towards them like a swarm of ants.

"What's happening?" Lin Wanrong exclaimed in surprise.

Yi Sun-sin, following behind him, looked up and joyfully announced, "Lord General, it is the King of Goryeo himself, leading his officials, coming out of the city for six miles to personally welcome you!"

Looking ahead, they saw two rows of beautiful Goryeo palace maids and a troop of imposing soldiers leading the way, followed by hundreds of Goryeo officials in red and blue robes. In the midst of the officials, a yellow palanquin, drawn by eight horses, indicated the presence of the King of Goryeo.

Behind them, thousands of commoners, carrying flowers and ribbons, rushed forward, cheering like a tide that seemed endless.

"Goodness, so many people have come to welcome us!" Shi Changsheng exclaimed, sticking out his tongue in astonishment.

Lin Wanrong laughed, "What's the use in just looking at the numbers? Such a formation of ten thousand, Great Hua could form ten thousand of them!"

As they joked, the welcoming crowd stopped before them, the palace maids and guards swiftly making way for the Goryeo officials who escorted the palanquin forward.

The curtains of the palanquin were lifted, and an elderly man in his fifties or sixties, wearing a golden cap and yellow robe, stepped out, eagerly asking, "May I ask if you are General Lin of Great Hua's Loyal and Brave Army?"

The King of Goryeo spoke Mandarin with considerable difficulty, but Lin Wanrong, having traveled far and wide and even understanding the accents of the Turkic peoples, had no trouble comprehending him.

"Indeed, indeed!" Lin Wanrong dismounted from his horse with a smile, bowing with clasped hands, "Is this His Majesty, the King of Goryeo? I am truly honored by your personal welcome, Your Majesty. Such a gesture is more than I deserve."

Thinking of the King as Seo Jang Geum's biological father, Lin Wanrong felt a strange sense of unease, not yet fully accustomed to their connection.

"You are too modest, General!" The King of Goryeo stepped forward, personally steadying Lin Wanrong's shoulder, speaking earnestly, "I have long heard of General Lin's youthful prowess, breaking through the Turkic royal court with just a few thousand troops and capturing their Khan, striking terror into the hearts of the Turks. Your Loyal and Brave Army of Great Hua, known for its bravery and loyalty, has made great contributions in defending Goryeo. Your presence in Goryeo today is a great honor for our people."

Observing the King up close, Lin Wanrong noticed his rosy complexion and warm smile, but the deep wrinkles on his forehead spoke of recent worries.

Lin Wanrong, well aware of the nuances, laughed heartily, "Your Majesty flatters me! Tales of my youthful talent and instilling fear in the Turks are greatly exaggerated. I am the least warlike person. Those victories were fought by my brothers-in-arms; I merely accompanied them."

The King, slightly surprised by Lin Wanrong's humility, which differed from the stories, nodded with a smile, only to hear General Lin continue, "However, assisting Goryeo against the Dongyin invaders is our duty. 'One country, two systems,' as they say. Goryeo's borders are our borders; your land is also our land. Why distinguish between family members, ha ha!"

The King's muscles twitched slightly, his smile turning somewhat stiff and awkward, "Yes, yes, thank you for Great Hua's generosity."

"Look, Your Majesty is being too polite again," Lin Wanrong caught hold of him, speaking conspiratorially, "Before coming here, our Emperor specifically mentioned you. He said, if you have time, please visit our capital city. It's been many years since we last met, and he truly misses you. See, the Emperor still remembers you fondly!"

With narrowed eyes and a hint of a mocking smile, Lin Wanrong subtly implied that Goryeo was like grass swaying on both sides of the fence, opportunistic and ungrateful. The King clearly understood the insinuation.

"Yes, yes," the King responded awkwardly, bowing, "Please convey to your Emperor that next spring, I will personally visit the capital to meet our sovereign!"

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