(The evening before, at the Gu’s house)

Mrs. Gu: ‘What’s wrong sweety? You’ve hardly touched your food.’

Soondeok: ‘I’m sorry, it’s just that I’ve got a rather bad stomach ache since this afternoon.’

Old Gu: ‘Oh dear! You should’ve told us! Wife, boil some herbal tea for her-’

Soondeok: ‘No I’m fine, it’s not too bad, it comes and goes every now and then. Maybe it’s because I drank cold water this morning.’

Mrs. Gu: ‘Oh sweety, I told you it’s bad for your health if you keep drinking cold stuff! Here, have some more ginger tea to warm your stomach.’

(Soondeok finishes the cup of tea then stands up to dismiss herself)

Soondeok: ‘I should head back now, I still have some more baskets to weave.’

Old Gu: ‘I agree you should go back and get some rest, dear, but leave the weaving till tomorrow. Oh! Heck, how could I have forgotten? I’ve got great news for you! I heard that the merchant’s ship is in sight at last!’

Mrs. Gu: ‘Really? Finally Hyun will be back? Oh how great! That’s a wonderful news, isn’t that right dear?’

(Soondeok’s face immediately brightens up)

Soondeok: ‘Oh I hope he’ll be back safe and sound.’

Old Gu: ‘Of course he’s safe! Not a single red flag was raised from the ship, so they say, meaning no harm was done during their voyage! Now Ran my dear, you should have a good night’s sleep tonight and prepare for his return tomorrow.’

Soondeok: ‘Certainly sir! If I could get myself to sleep with all this excitement! I never did like the idea of sending him away for so long but now that he’s back…oh thank goodness. I should weave more baskets then!’

Mrs. Gu: ‘He’d be back with lots of money, sweety, you don’t need to worry about making more now.’

Soondeok: ‘But you don’t know him, Mrs. Gu, I’m pretty sure he’s spent much of it already during this trip…he…he likes buying things, a hobby of his…anyway, I shan’t keep you guys busy here tonight, I ought to get going.’

Mrs. Gu: ‘Let’s have a nice meal together tomorrow, sweety, I’ll make sure to prepare a feast! Old Gu, remember to buy some nice cuts of meat on your way back from town tomorrow.’

Old Gu: ‘Will do.’

Soondeok: ‘That’d be too much trouble, we can’t-’

Old Gu: ‘Nonsense! You guys are just like our children! Of course we have to celebrate Hyun’s return! It’s decided. Now dear, let me walk you back to your house, you look like you’ll collapse any minute now. If Hyun finds out you’ve become sick because you’ve been working all winter, he wouldn’t be happy.’