The Better Ending, part 4
Eugene knocks on the door to the large complex where his wife’s family has set its roots in Manchuria. From what little communication Aeshin had with her family, they maintained a rather cushy life-style thanks to the donations from the once-tenant farmers who now owned Lord Go Sahong’s properties. The complex is built with western-style architecture and beautiful. They’d gotten a report a few days ago that the Japanese were watching the house, and they’d timed their arrival exactly to avoid the spies. It’s early in the morning, but it’s the only time he and Aeshin can spare to greet her aunt and cousin. Aeshin had warned him the meeting might take a while, so he may have to leave without her. Eugene, of course, has more than half a mind to miss his train than leave his wife alone in Manchuria as she cannot speak the language. Eugene reaches up to knock again, when the front door swings inwards. A young servant girl answers the door, gasping at the sight of her mistress and a man in western clothes. She immediately raises a cry that echoes through the house, gesturing wildly for them to come inside. “My Lady! My Lady! The young lady has arrived! The young lady is here at last!”
The house falls into utter uproar as more servants pour out of the woodwork, sobbing and welcoming Aeshin after their long separation. More than three years have passed since they saw her last, and the entire house soon has them surrounded. It doesn’t even take a minute for hurried steps to be heard, as Lady Cho and Aesoon run out of their rooms. Lady Cho reaches them first, wrangling Aeshin into a tight hug as she berates her and compliments her for arriving at last. “I’ve been waiting for you,” the older woman wails, “I waited for you every day!”
Aesoon picks up her younger cousin’s hand, holding it tightly. “You did well in coming to us! You did well!”
Eugene allows the women their privacy, as he asks for the servants to take his and his wife’s coats. As they do so, Aesoon notices the white and rose gold band on his finger… and realizes that Aeshin is wearing one, too. “What’s this?” She asks, holding Aeshin’s hand up to light. Lady Cho squints at the ring, unfamiliar with the practice of wearing metal bands around one’s finger.
Aeshin smiles, stepping back from both women. “In America, married women wear a matching ring with their husbands.” She reaches and Eugene is at her side, nodding in greeting to his in-laws. “This is my husband, Eugene Choi.”
Eugene bows more formally, introducing himself. “I am Eugene Choi,” he says, much to the confusion of both women. When Lady Cho recognizes him, she steps back, gasping.
“Were you not the American Acting Consul from the legation? The Joseon-looking man who was from America?” She reels, staring. She’d seen him very little around town, and twice in her very own home, visiting her late father-in-law. Neither time had she been introduced to him, but gossip around town was generally in his favor. He had once saved a young girl from Japanese thugs, and then later saved a Japanese Geisha when she had been assaulted by the same officer. Her father-in-law had never liked talking about him, as it offended him that a person whose native land was Joseon could ever fight against it under the flag of a different country.
Eugene nods, smiling slightly. “You have a very good memory, madam. I was, though I no longer work there, as the legation was shut down.” Both he and Aeshin had agreed not to mention the reason he was no longer an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. It would only upset the Lady to know Eugene had been imprisoned for three years and given a dishonorable discharge for protecting his wife from Japanese swordsmen.
Lady Cho starts, remembering her manners and ordering the sitting room to be tidied and a tea tray to be brought to her guests. “I’m afraid my daughter and I have only just had breakfast, you’ve come so very early. Will you please follow me?”
Aesoon stares at the couple as they walk past, looking suspicious. She knows her cousin was a woman unwilling to marry. Aeshin had fought against her engagement enough times that everyone in the Go household had known. This new development, after almost four years without seeing her, is more than a little hard to believe. Even the servants look confused, staring after the handsome, broad shouldered gentleman attentively guiding his wife.
As they sit down, Aesoon, with all of her elegance, blurts out her thoughts. “Did you bring him so you won’t have to live with us? Is your marriage a sham? Are you even married?”
Lady Cho glares at her daughter furiously, looking ready to beat her with a broom. Aeshin, however, had expected the question.
“Not at all,” she says smoothly, taking the cup of tea the servants offered her. Eugene stood a little behind her, already sipping his tea and completely calm. His wife was briefed him on her cousin’s rather brusque temper, and he was actually surprised she hadn’t asked them this while out in the hall. “My husband and I were married by American law three years ago. However, he had to leave for New York. It was only until a week ago that he came back and we were married through a proper ceremony.”
Eugene says nothing, even as the Go Family women look at him expectantly. He’d agreed to let his wife to the talking. Instead, he entertains himself by looking around the bookshelves lining the sitting room. It seems the house had been decorated in a western style, but he could spot the odd knick-knack here and there that gave away the true origin of the homeowner. The books are soft cover, of a sown binding, and they have been neatly arranged. He makes his way to them, reading their titles and smiling at the well-worn copies of Confucius and Mencius sitting close at hand. It’s until he steps closer and he spots a childish signature in wobbling English reading “Go Ae Shin” that he realizes these clearly beloved books belong to his wife, and not her aunt. Lady Cho must have missed her niece very much.
“You did not think to invite us?” There is a clear perceived slight, especially since a week had passed. Lady Cho is a very understanding woman, but even she has her limits. Aeshin looks sheepish, blushing in shame. In fact, they had planned to visit the remains of the Go family since their arrival in Manchuria, but Joonyoung’s wound had held both Eugene and Aeshin back. The young man had gotten an infection the day of the wedding, and they had spent most of their time taking turns nursing him back to health. Eugene especially, had spent many a sleepless nights with the young man.
“I’m afraid it had to be done in secret and quickly,” Aeshin says, hoping her aunt would understand. “We came here pursued by Japanese soldiers. And you know the Manchurian officials have sided with Japan since 1904. One of our own was wounded, and we had to lay low. Song Yeong, my mother’s cousin, insisted a wedding ceremony had to be had; even if it had to be in secret and rather small. I hope you don’t mind, he insisted.”
She shakes her head, forgiving Aeshin everything. “No, he did the right thing in having you hold a ceremony. If you hadn’t had one yet, it was necessary.” As the rest of what Aeshin said registers, Lady Cho gasps, looking around her own sitting room as though expecting a Japanese soldier to jump out at her from behind her embroidered cushions. “You aren’t still being pursued, are you? Do you need a safe place to stay?”
Eugene grins, this time taking the lead. “No, my Lady; we’re quite alright. We’re heading northward, toward Harbin, to meet with a colleague from New York. Our train leaves in an hour.”
Lady Cho nods, and appears thoughtful. “Then, do you need company? I’m a fair decent shot with a rifle now, I’ve been practicing.” She stands, looking altogether warlike, holding her teacup as though prepared to bludgeon any Japanese soldier with it.
Aeshin seems a bit alarmed, surprised by this change in her aunt. Lady Cho had always had an interest in martial arts, especially when it involved a bow. Her readiness to fight is not the surprise, though her weapon of choice certainly is. Lady Cho had always expressed a certain degree of disdain for gunners. Perhaps that day at the temple had taught her aunt of the usefulness of guns. “No, aunt, please. That’s not necessary, though thank you for your kind offer.” She reaches out to hold her aunt’s hand, grasping it tight. “I also brought a bit of news.”
Aesoon, despite her usual lack of attention to detail, jerks upright. “Where’s Haman-daek? Where’s-?”
Aeshin’s expression is pained. Lady Cho’s hand tightens around hers, looking tragic. “Tell me everything.”
But it’s Eugene who takes up the tale, speaking in his smooth tenor voice of the bravery of Haman, Haengrang and the palanquin bearers. He relates the events that lead to the horror of dead bodies strewn across the streets of Hanseong after the Japanese disbanded the Royal Military Academy. How Officer Jang gave up his life to save the precious few students Eugene had taught during his stint in the Academy. How the boys had survived and found their way into the ranks of the Righteous Army. Eugene retells the treachery of the Japanese interpreter and his subsequent guilt. He tells them of how they were discovered by Aesoon’s husband. He tells them of how a little boy spotted the Japanese scouts in the woods. He talks with beautiful eloquence about how the elders of the group had decided to do what they could for the survival of the young. How the deaf-mute had not been deaf-mute at all, and had deceived the Japanese, smiling as he died.
How Haman and Haengrang had chosen to lead the contingent, fearlessly walking into Hanseong despite knowing they would die. How Aeshin carried out her mission to kill Lee Deokmoon, just before the shower of gunshots struck the streets like firecrackers. How the Japanese opened fire on a busy street and shot a multitude of innocent bystanders. Eugene tells a tearful Lady Cho, almost without mercy, about the Japanese soldier who kicked in the palanquin door, and cursed upon finding it empty. How the soldier walked away, ignorant of the importance of the bodies at his feet. How Aeshin came upon them to find Haman still alive, despite the shower of bullets, because she’d played dead until the soldiers had left. How the people around the square had realized Lady Go Aeshin was on her knees, sobbing. How she was holding what amounted to her mother dying in her arms. How they could not allow the returning Japanese soldiers to even touch a single hair on her head.
Aeshin is crying silently as she listens, reliving the moment in her head. She remembers the kindness of those around her only through the blur of tears. Eugene had witnessed it all from afar and with a clear head. Her experience of that night is mired with grief and pain. Lady Cho doesn’t bother to wipe her own tears as she cries, thinking of the faithful servants who had been with her since well-before her daughter had been born. Her beloved drinking buddy Haman, who listened to her every complaint. Her dearest Haengrang, who carried out her every whim. The cherished palanquin bearers, who protected and cared for her niece and daughter as though they were their own children. All who then lay, cold and dead, in the sad and lonely street. For a moment, Aeshin interrupts her husband’s narrative to speak haltingly of Haman in her arms, of that last exchange they shared. Aeshin puts a hand over her mouth and whispers the quiet horror of watching Haman’s eyes slide shut and her lips part around her very last breath. She falls silent, staring at the ground, feeling grief saw at her heart.
Eugene continues, telling them of how the people rallied. How Joseon itself rallied, because of its love for one young woman who had done them all much good. How the Japanese commanding officer could not believe his eyes and lowered his gun, ordering retreat out of respect for the people and their bravery. How their actions had saved Aeshin and proved the unbreakable spirit of Joseon. How it reminded him of a letter from 1871, when Joseon suffered defeat, but never surrendered under the weight of America’s might.
His story takes a bit to tell, but it leaves the three women in the room in tears. As they dab at their eyes, remembering the people they loved, one hiss is heard across the room.
Aesoon looks murderous as she glares out the window. “I should have killed him when I had the chance,” she says, touching her cheek slightly. She’d always known her husband’s greed would eventually hurt her family. She hadn’t thought, however, he’d outright kill someone.
Aeshin touches her hand gently, and the cousins smile at one another. They may have never seen eye to eye, but they both agreed on one thing. “He died by Go Family hands,” they both declare, sounding resolute. Lady Cho snorts, wondering how she raised such enthusiastic killers, before she gasps, looking stricken. “They’re watching the house!” Even her letters were being riffled through on a daily basis. It makes sense, as their arrival had coincided with the vigil on her home by the Manchurian officials. “If they know you’re a member of the Righteous Army, it’s a small wonder they’ve been keeping an eye on us! How will you get out of here unnoticed?”
Eugene puts his teacup down on the low table, nodding to the window. “We’ve arranged for a distraction. Don’t worry. They’ll clear the path for us in time.” At Lady Cho’s obvious discomfort, Eugene smiles. “Have some faith in our comrades.”
The Lady nods, still looking dubious over this supposed distraction; still, the Righteous Army had saved her family before. Her gaze wanders around the room and lands on the clock hanging by the leftmost bookcase. “You only have twenty minutes to get to the station!” she exclaims, to the shock of everyone in the room. Even the servants jump, having been wiping their own eyes at Eugene’s tragic, well-told tale. As they race to the entrance of the house, jamming their feet into their shoes, Lady Cho pulls her niece aside for a moment.
“If he’s as good in bed as he is telling stories, you’re going to live a very happy married life!” her laughter echoes after them as Mr. and Mrs. Choi rush headlong down the street.
Aeshin refuses to answer Eugene no matter how many times he asks, blushing red and looking mortified.
