CHAPTER 17

"Thank you for helping us once again", said Yoon.

"You indeed did what you've told me when you were young", said Wook and gave him the tea.

Yoon took the tea and thanked him.

"Sir if you hadn't saved us that day then I might not be here", said Yoon and drank the tea.

"Do you remember our first meeting?", asked Wook.

"In the restaurant....how can I forget? You were the one who told me about the exam and how can a low class like me be dream of a Scholar.... But now I think I should never asked that", said Yoon.

"You give up this early? Yoon, life shows difficult paths to those who want to create a new road for them. I don't think You made the wrong decision..... I had never helped you if you didn't ask me about being a civil servant.....then your life might be different which I don't think would be pleasing to you", said Wook and drank the tea. 

"Ah.....Btw I'm Noh Eunho's older brother. She told me about you then I came to know that such thing is happening again with you. Toady I helped you because I want to see you as a Scholar. I want you to prove everyone that class doesn't matter to reach at such a level", said Wook.

"Yes sir..... Thank you sir for everything you did for me and my sister....I want to be alone for sometime so I should go now", said Yoon.

"Sure...", said Wook.

Yoon walked out of the room. He was walking when he saw a garden and a small lake around that. He walked there and sat beside the lake. 

"Everyone thinks I should be scholar. First mother died and now.....Father.  He is no more and I don't know what will happen in the near future..", murmured Yoon.

"You love to talk alone".

Yoon turned his attention to the voice but he ignored him.

"Still angry?", asked Lee and sat beside him.

"How can I be angry? An incapable being can't do anything", said Yoon and looked at the water.

"Then I'm more incapable than you...", said Lee.

"What?"

"Nothing".

"You love here....what is your father?", asked Yoon.

"You will know soon....", said Lee.

"I think I should leave Sungkyunwan. My sister is alone out there..... Today she was again thrown to that landlord.....I feels pathetic ", said Yoon.

Lee looked at him for sometime and then said, "Yoon life is unfair to all. But look your sister is fine. It's like your mother also wants to see you like a scholar. Your father made sacrifice so that you can be a scholar and protect your sister well. If you hadn't dreamt about this then I don't think some close people would be by your side", said Lee.

"My actual father made my mother into a criminal..... She didn't marry father but he adopted us. Today because of my dream her character is stained too", said Yoon.

"Then it's your time to open the truth before the king. Then all the people who wronged your mother be punished", said Lee.

Yoon looked at him.

"Don't look at me. After an year when power will be in your hand then you can punish the culprits of your mother", said Lee.

"I never thought I can be able to talk to you in this gentle way", said Yoon.

Lee got up from the ground and said, "You should leave now. It's palace and outsiders aren't allowed here" and then he walked away. 

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"Oppa didn't come till now.... I should..", mumbled Hani when Yoon came inside her room.

"Where were you?", asked Yeong.

"Just strolling around.... How are you feeling?", asked Yoon from Hani.

"Oppa we buried father.....why didn't you come?", asked Hani.

"I was busy somewhere", lied Yoon.

"I want to talk something with you alone", said Yoon.

Heading this Sunwo took out Yeong and Sung Tae.

"Oppa what do you want to say?", asked Hani.

"Hani I think I should leave Sungkyunwan. I mean you're alone here....and I can't watch after you when I'll be there", said Yoon.

"Oppa but..."

"I can give the exam again after 3 years. Maybe you will fall for someone in that time period and if you need more time I'll wait till then", said Yoon.

"Oppa what are you saying? For me when you'll drop out from the institute do you think I'll be able to think about someone else?", asked Hani.

"Hani for me you come first.....Your safety is important to me. Both father and mother has died, granny has died too. Do you think I will leave you alone here? Let's go away from here somewhere far where you can live happily. Once I'll be assured your safety then I'll again sit for the exam", said Yoon with a smile on his lips.

"Oppa mother's last memories are in this house. How can we..", murmured Hani.

"Hani you're not thinking rationally. I know mother, father and granny were here but we will return once every thing will be fine. 9 years ago you were thrown to Kisaeng house. I don't want that something like that to happen again", said Yoon with concerning look.

"Okay oppa..... We will leave this place...", said Hani and tightly hugged him...."But oppa after three years you will sit in the ecam....promise me".

"Ok....I promise only if I feel you're safe", said Yoon.

"I'll be safe....just you've to promise me that you'll sit for exam at any cost", said Hani.

"Ok ok", said Yoon and kissed at her forehead.

Yoon came out of the room. 

"You all should go back to Sungkyunwan", said Yoon.

"What about you?", asked Yeong.

"I'll come later.... Hani is alone", said Yoon.

"Okay....see you tomorrow", said Yeong and they walked away.

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"Oppa let's go", said Hani and sat in the cart.

"Hm....", mumbled Yoon and told the cart rider to start.

They almost were out of the city when the cart stopped.

"What happened?", asked Yoon

"There are horsemen ahead", said the rider. 

"Stay here...", said Yoon and walked out of the cart. He pulled out his sword and stepped forward.

"Sunwo, Yeong..."

"I told you that he's leaving the city", said Sunwo looking at Yeong and they climbed down the horse.

"What are you two doing here?", asked Yoon and put the sword back.

"Stopping you from running away", said Yeong and stepped towards him.

"Hani come out", said Sunwo and went near the cart.

"I'll return after 3 years.... ", said Yoon.

"Yoon do you think upper ones will allow you to sit? We don't know what can happen in future. We know you're doing this for Hani but running isn't the way...", said Yeong.

"I know a place where she will be safe", said Sunwo.

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"Kisaeng house?", mumbled Yoon.

"Yes....", said Sunwo.

"Are you nuts?", asked Yoon.

"She will be under the protection of Lady Shin. During day time she can work and at night she will sleep at her house.....where no one is allowed....no one", said Sunwo while fanning himself.

"Yoon Shik I'll assure you Hani's safety", said Shin Hye.

"Oppa this is good.....I will stay here till you studied there", said Hani.

Yoon looked at all of them and then said, "okay.....stay here...and start practicing sword fighting".

"Don't worry about that. Lady Shin knows sword fighting....she will teach her", said Sunwo.

"Thanks you Ms Hye", said Yoon.

"You don't have to worry about her. I'll keep her as my own sister", said Shin.

"Thanks a lot Ms Hye....", said Yoon.

"Let's go back...  oldie will kill us tomorrow if we be late", said Sung Tae.

"Hani take care...Ms Hye you too", said Yoon and walked away.

"Hani I'll come to meet you...", said Yeong and bowed to Lady Shin and walked away.

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"Teacher will kill us if he found us here in the backyard", said Sunwo.

"Why?", asked Yoon.

"Because we weren't suppose to be out today...", said Yeong.

"Baek has changed since he joined the academy", said Yoon.

They stepped ahead with light steps when Baek came in front of them...

"Baek-aa", murmured Yoon.

"Come to the ground", said Baek and walked away.

"Oldie will punish us", said Sung Tae and they all looked at each other.