Behind Five Willows

The Five Willows secret book-lending shop had become a second home not only to Haewon, but to many others. After leaving Mistress Wol’s little workroom, she rejoined her sister and wandered the shelves, all the while observing the quiet hum around her.

Patrons of various ages flipped hungrily through pages of prohibited books by Joseon and Chinese writers, of Catholic literature and controversial history books.

Most of the customers were men, many of whom were husbands or brothers sent by their female relations to borrow a book for them.

But there were also a few bold girls, like the pair standing a few paces away, who came of their own accord, their maids wringing their skirts nervously, urging their mistresses to hurry.