Chapter 29: Growing Years

1495-1497 - Minji ages 4-6, Jinwoo ages 2-4

Time moved differently once there were children.

Days crawled by in exhausting detail—the endless negotiations, the repetitive tasks, the constant demands. But years flew past in a blur of growth and change, each child transforming so rapidly that Jisoo would sometimes look at them and wonder when her babies had become these complicated, fascinating people.

Minji at Four

Minji was learning to read and write with the fierce determination that characterized everything she did.

Her tutor—a patient scholar named Master Kim—reported that she was exceptionally bright but also exceptionally stubborn.

“She argues with the texts,” he said, equal parts exasperated and impressed. “Yesterday I was teaching her a classical poem, and she said, ‘But that doesn’t make sense. Why would he compare his beloved to a flower? Flowers die quickly. That’s not romantic, that’s depressing.’”

Hyeon had to suppress a laugh. “What did you say?”

“I said she had a point, but that poetry often uses symbolism rather than literal meaning. She said that seemed inefficient and she would write better poetry when she was older.”

“She probably will,” Jisoo said.

“Undoubtedly. But until then, I have to convince her that learning classical forms has value even if she plans to improve upon them.”

Minji’s calligraphy was surprisingly good for her age—her hand was still childish, the characters uneven, but there was a natural grace to her brushwork that reminded both Hyeon and Jisoo of someone else.

“She has Jiwon’s talent,” Hyeon said quietly one evening, watching Minji practice.

“Do you think so?”

“Look at the way she holds the brush, the confidence in her strokes. She’s four years old and already writing more beautifully than many adults.”

Jisoo saw it too. And it didn’t hurt the way she’d once feared it might—seeing echoes of her sister in her daughter. Instead, it felt like a gift. Like Jiwon’s brilliance continuing, transformed into something new.

“She’s her own person,” Jisoo said. “But I’m glad she has some of Jiwon’s gifts. Jiwon would have loved to teach her.”

“She would have spoiled her terribly and encouraged every bit of her stubbornness.”

“Absolutely.”

Jinwoo at Two

Jinwoo was a quiet, thoughtful toddler who preferred observing to acting.

Where Minji had started talking early and never stopped, Jinwoo was economical with his words. He would watch carefully, process what he saw, and only speak when he had something specific to communicate.

“Jin quiet,” Minji would announce, as if this were a character flaw.

“Jin is thinking,” Jisoo would correct. “Not everyone needs to talk constantly.”

“I like talking!”

“We’ve noticed.”

But when Jinwoo did speak, his observations were often surprisingly insightful for his age.

“Flowers sad,” he said once, pointing to wilting blossoms in a vase.

“Yes, they’re dying,” Jisoo confirmed.

“Need water?”

“It’s too late for water, little one. They’ve already wilted too much.”

He considered this seriously. “Next time, water sooner.”

“That’s very wise.”

He also had a natural gentleness that made everyone who met him smile. He was kind to smaller children, careful with animals, patient when things didn’t go his way.

“He’s going to be a good man,” Hyeon predicted. “Kind and thoughtful. The world needs more of those.”

“Like his father,” Jisoo said.

“I’m not sure I was kind and thoughtful at two. According to my mother, I was a terror.”

“Then he’s better than both of us already.”

Sibling Dynamics Evolving

As they grew, Minji and Jinwoo developed a relationship that was equal parts affectionate and contentious.