Chung-ha in Joseon

Chapter 2

Chung-ha pov:

I was to do my laundry today, noticing that I can only rely on myself now and days...that's how it's always been. I walked outside the gate where my hojang said "be sure not to come back so late" I glanced back and nodded. I continued to walk with my basket resting on my right hip, the main things I needed washing was my underwear and my other hanbok's.

I was wearing my mituri shoes, they weren't meant for me to wear every time I went out, just when I was to do laundry and maybe going to the food market. 

There was a water spring I go to do my laundry, it was an unshaped circle with water entering and water exiting. Clean water coming in while dirty water comes out from the clothes. I reached there; thankfully it wasn't a long walk.  Washing clothes were very methodical. Dip the clothes in water, knead it, get a wooden paddle and pound the dirt off, dip it in water, and repeat.

Doing it works up a riveting sweat, which made my skin glowing.
I only had one more clothing to do now which was my underwear, I usually did it last since it was a small piece of clothing. I had two needing washing...then I heard my name being called, it was Tae-min when I turned around. There he was with his hand around his back, walking towards me.

Other ladies were doing their laundry too, slightly older than me."Ahh, Chung-ha didn't know you had a lover with all those men coming to you" the ladies looked at me with widened eyes and a smirk, ignorance overwhelming her voice. I tried to joke it off "uhh..." I smiled "not unless it's for money" I just thought of something quick, I couldn't let a rumor be known that I found a 'keeper' or a Husband. That would make my business run slow...or maybe none at all. Also, the woman will disdain me for wanting to marry a scholar, a handsome one at that.

"I've been longing for you ever since last night," he said, I put a strand of hair behind my ear, I felt his eyes slowly starting to realize what was in my hands...my underwear. I quickly put it in my basket under the rest of my clothing. He smiled, "Can we walk?"

~~~~

As we were walking with my basket on my right hip I said "I can't stay out long, my hojang will get me if I don't come back soon", he frowned but he nodded "I understand" He mumbled. We were walking in on the outside of the certain village I stayed in, filled with grass and a few trees.
The moment was awkward to me but not to him, his eyes were searching for something to say, "May I meet your family one day?" he stopped turning to me, hands still behind his back. I explained to him my parents died, I did not go into further detail of my mom killing herself because she was shunned from not having a son, and how I had to stay with one of my father's wife and her kids. Even thinking about the memory of how my "step-mom" treated me different from her actual kids made me nauseous.

I never forgave my mother for leaving me.

He saw how my face looked and tried quickly to change the subject, "I brought you something" he smiled revealing a certain box he was carrying out behind his back.

It was wrapped in a red ribbon, with my name written in ink very small on the top right corner, "I would greatly appreciate it if you let me see you open it" I guess that he wanted the satisfaction of knowing he made me happy...I nodded with a soft smile while placing my basket down.

I opened it to find silk rolled up, there were three with different colors. One roll was dark blue, and the others were dark red and lime green. They were shiny so anyone could tell it was very new. Though it was a weird combination.

"I was hoping I could get you into a fitting one day when you are not busy, have it created to your will." He said...but that's the thing, I was rarely free. That's why I take the chance I get to do my laundry when I can.
Many men would come to me to escape their wives, especially older men, they loved to see a young face that is not claimed. 

"What if I am never free?" I looked at in his eyes, "Do you not know where my place stands"

"What do you mean," he asked confused, "My ranking," I said gently, hoping I don't sound too harsh. He still looked confused, tho I did notice how he kept looking down at my breast, and further, he must have been befuddled by my beauty to where he didn't even listen to my words.

That annoyed me, I hate feeling ignored or not listened to...its happened all my life. I couldn't take it anymore, I scoffed and grabbed my stuff, then I stormed off.

"Wait Chung-ha...please let me ask you this at least!?"...I turned slowly...

"Are you pure?"...My face was shocked, how could he ask such an inappropriate thing to someone he barely knows. I threw down his gift "Don't ever visit me again!" With my basket, I continued down the rocky pathway, speed walking so he wouldn't catch up with me.

After walking for some time I  turned to see if he was there...he wasn't. I have to admit...i'd wish he still was, but I will not dread over a male, especially one that I can never be with because of ranking.

Exit pov.

Tae-min was silent for the rest of the day, sitting in the concubine son's quarters in the palace. He didn't eat, just stared blankly at the box that he tried to give Chung-ha. It was dented on one of the corners from when she threw it down. Usually, with any other girl, Tae-min could send guards to kidnap the girl and bring her to the palace for him, but Tae-min wanted to try it differently...the right way as he would call it. Just to find out later that it didn't work in his favor.

He sighed, knowing that he would have to accept her wishes to stay away...