The Last Imoogi

Strangers and Familiar Faces At The Imperial City

The troop to Ming the next day consisted of only four front guards and four rear ones, with Moo Yeon on the lead and Hong at the back while Kwon Jiyong and Sandara boarded the royal carriage and Ryung sat beside the two coachmen. Sandara wondered why Kwon Jiyong left the rest behind but she didn't dare ask, seeing Kwon Jiyong's serious mood. While she made sure to enjoy the autumn foliage along the path and kept the window on her side of the carriage open, Kwon Jiyong remained seated on the other side, still preoccupied with a book he had been reading ever since they left Lijiang, not even giving a single damn to nature, and even to her. Despite his mood swings, she couldn't help but get mesmerized by him. She took a deep breath and sighed as she rested her elbow on the desk in between them, watching her handsome immortal husband longingly as she cradled her face.

Just how many falls had he witnessed that he seemed too uninterested to even pay a little attention to nature's beauty?

"Bored?" Kwon Jiyong asked as he flipped a page. He didn't pay her any attention and kept his eyes on the book. Sandara rolled her eyes. How long must she endure his coldness? Well, he's really not as cold as he used to when they first met, but for a husband and wife who already shared bed, wasn't he being too much? He was so into her yesterday, and suddenly he stopped and left her alone inside the bedchamber again. Why wouldn't he sleep with her these days?

"Yes. I'm so bored I could die." Sandara mumbled all to herself. Truth be told, what was there to be excited about this trip except for new sights and places to see? Every time she remembers that they were entering the dangerous den of a little minx named Zhu Yunhe, it was enough to make her skin prickle in irritation. What more when they cross paths again? Oh well, she reminded herself quickly that she would behave and tolerate the princess. After all, this visit concerns the welfare of the entire Joseon.

"Uncomfortable?" Kwon Jiyong asked again as he flipped another page.

"Both." Sandara answered briefly. "Your Highness, can I ask you something?"

"Mhm."

"How old are you?"

When Kwon Jiyong snapped the book close, Sandara finally grinned. She watched her husband narrow his eyes, his long lashes fanning his soft cheeks as he thought for a moment before asking her back in a very serious tone. "Are you sure you really want to know?"

Sandara nodded eagerly and waited patiently for his answer.

"I just turned nine hundred ninety nine years old two months ago."

Sandara's jaw almost reached the floor as she gasped in shock. She knew Kwon Jiyong had lived for so long but she did not expect he was that old! Well, he mentioned something about Silla before but still, it just would not sink into her mind. Was she blessed or cursed? If her parents learn about this in the future, how would they react? Definitely, things will never be so easy.

Meanwhile, Kwon Jiyong only flipped his book open and went back to reading once more. She was about to nag at him why he didn't even tell her about her birthday when Moo Yeon announced that they were approaching the main entrance to the Imperial City. When Sandara looked out, the huge gates of the fortress wall which was heavily guarded by the Ming army welcomed her view.

While she expected they would head directly to the palace, Kwon Jiyong suddenly ordered a detour towards another estate he owned. Sandara hadn't come down from her shock yet when she was yet surprised by Kwon Jiyong's estate inside the Imperial City. It was like a smaller version of a palace with tons of servants and guards.

"This was gifted to me by the emperor himself. This is where I stay whenever I am at the Imperial City." Kwon Jiyong said as he finally closed the book and inserted it into his robe. "However… I believe the emperor was just being nosy. Everyone working here are Ming people. It would be better for you not to trust anyone inside except the people you knew back in Joseon."