Chapter 26: Treating the Daughter of a Noble [5]
– **Thwack!**
Dolseok stopped fanning and slapped the floor.
“Damn mosquito!”
“Dolseok, your turn isn’t over yet…”
“Yes, young master.”
Dolseok resumed fanning.
“By the way, when will it be your turn, young master?”
“I told you, I’ll do it after the treatments are done.”
“But with so many patients waiting, you’re going to keep at it, aren’t you?”
“Why don’t you do it instead, then…”
Summer in Joseon was truly hellish.
There were no fans, no air conditioners, and the heat was unbearable.
It was impossible to survive without keeping the windows open.
‘Insect screens are really a precious invention,’ Kang-hyuk thought, glancing alternately at a dead mosquito stuck to the wall and the itchy mosquito bite on his hand.
‘Damn it.’
He wished he had some steroid ointment, but unfortunately, his medical kit only contained antibiotic ointment, which was useless against bug bites. It would prevent a secondary infection, but that was it.
“A nice iced Americano would hit the spot right about now,” Kang-hyuk muttered, glancing at the dwindling line of patients.
Dolseok stared at him blankly.
‘There he goes, mumbling weird stuff again. Has the heat finally gotten to him?’
Although the young master was generally a good person, he sometimes did strange things.
Dolseok’s eyes wandered to a hen tied up in the yard.
‘I should make some **chilhyeonggye** (medicinal chicken soup) since a few more chickens came in today.’
There were many summer delicacies known to boost stamina, but Dolseok believed chicken was the best.
Taking advantage of the brief lull in patients, he approached Kang-hyuk.
“Young master, how about some chicken today?”
“Chicken?”
“Yes. That gentleman seems to like chicken, too.”
The “gentleman” referred to Yi Sun-shin. Though Kang-hyuk found it a bit irreverent, there was no better way to address him.
Sun-shin was currently staying at Kang-hyuk’s house since it wasn’t practical to keep him at the clinic. Though the household had grown with another mouth to feed, Seungmun didn’t mind at all. In fact, he seemed pleased, as Sun-shin’s knowledge extended beyond military strategy, making conversations enjoyable.
“That sounds good. Let’s make enough for Father and the servants as well.”
“Shall we, then?”
Dolseok thought about the crowded chicken coop back at the main house. Thanks to Kang-hyuk’s growing medical practice, people had been offering chickens in payment, turning them into unintended poultry millionaires.
“Yeah. It’s been too noisy every morning lately. Let’s get rid of them all while we’re at it.”
“Understood. I’ll send word.”
“Make sure to send some to the tavern as well. Our gang deserves some, too.”
“Yes, young master.”
Dolseok peeked outside the clinic.
“Where did everyone go?”
With the growing revenue from Kang-hyuk’s practice, they had hired several new servants. Naturally, Dolseok held the highest rank among them, making him their de facto leader.
Dolseok called out to a young servant who was wandering nearby.
“Tell the house to prepare ten chickens.”
“Yes, sir.”
Dolseok watched the servant scurry away and smiled, satisfied with how quickly his orders were being followed.
Still smiling, he turned back to Kang-hyuk.
“Young master, shall we close the clinic and head home now?”
“Yeah, but let’s stop by Magistrate Chang-gwon’s house first.”
“Oh… Young master, nothing really happened back there, right?”
“I told you, nothing happened. Do you want me to roll you up in a mat?”
At the word “mat,” the nearby servants flinched visibly.
Dolseok shivered and waved his hands hastily.
“No, no, I believe you. Of course, I believe you.”
“Go fetch Yeon.”
“Why Yeon?”
“I can’t go inside that room. I need someone to check the patient.”
“Ah… Yes, understood.”
Dolseok ran off toward the tavern across the street, but not before shouting orders to the remaining servants.
“Get the young master’s things ready! Load the carriage and clean the place!”
“Yes, sir!”
Though Dolseok often complained, it was clear that he was Kang-hyuk’s most trusted servant. The other servants followed his orders without hesitation, which Dolseok found quite satisfying.
‘I like not having to say unnecessary things.’
Kang-hyuk walked leisurely toward the stable. One servant approached, holding a horse by the reins.
“Shall I saddle the horse, young master?”
“No need. I’ll walk. You don’t have to follow.”
Though he could ride, he preferred walking short distances. Crowds annoyed him, especially in the stifling heat.
‘And it smells bad, too…’
Though Dolseok had started bathing more regularly thanks to Kang-hyuk’s insistence, the others weren’t as diligent. The stench reminded him of the humid odor among new recruits during summer training.
“Phew.”
Just a brief whiff was enough to make him sigh.
But at least the smell seemed to deter mosquitoes.
“Let’s go.”
With a heavy medical bag in hand, Kang-hyuk left the clinic. No one dared offer to carry the bag for him—they all knew he rarely trusted anyone else with it, not even Dolseok.
As he strolled along, Dolseok came running back, panting.
“What about Yeon?”
“She said she needs time to change into her disguise. She asked us to wait.”
“Disguise? Isn’t dressing like a woman just… being herself?”
“Well, Yeon is practically a man,” Dolseok muttered, shuddering as he recalled the time Yeon had beaten up a thief.
“And women should have a bit of flesh on them, but she’s so thin…”
Kang-hyuk nodded in agreement. From a Joseon man’s perspective, Yeon wasn’t considered beautiful. Even Pyeonsu, the troupe leader, was critical of her appearance.
‘Her complexion is tanned, but her features are sharp, and her figure is slender.’
Compared to Yeon, Dolseok looked almost pitiable, and Makbong wasn’t even worth mentioning.
“There she comes, with Makbong in tow. That guy’s always loafing around.”
“Don’t be too hard on him. He might be the busiest among us.”
“Makbong? All he does is sleep.”
“There’s probably a reason for that.”
Kang-hyuk chuckled to himself, recalling Makbong’s side hustles.
Yeon approached and greeted them politely. With her hair neatly tied, she looked unmistakably feminine.
“Apologies for the delay, young master.”
“No problem. Why’s Makbong with you?”
“Just tagging along.”
“I see.”
Though unspoken, it was clear Makbong had come to keep an eye on Pyeonsu’s daughter. If trouble arose, he wouldn’t only protect Yeon; Kang-hyuk had also earned his loyalty by treating Pyeonsu.
“Let’s get going.”
Chang-gwon’s house wasn’t far from the marketplace. As long as they avoided patrols, they’d get there quickly.
Kang-hyuk, being the tallest, spotted the house first.
“There it is.”
“Think the magistrate will be home?”
Yeon asked with a frown.
Kang-hyuk stood on tiptoe to peer over the wall.
“Don’t know. But the horse is still here.”
“Then he must be home.”
“Probably. You’ll have to play the part of a medical woman.”
“Sigh… All because of you, young master.”
In Joseon, female medical practitioners, or **euneo**, were intelligent slaves who had learned medicine and obtained certification—a sort of “professional” status.
Medical texts, like all scholarly works, were written in classical Chinese, so these women had to be literate. Yeon would need to act as if she had some education, which was daunting for someone whose life revolved around tightrope walking and martial arts.
Though Chang-gwon’s attitude had shifted dramatically, it was still nerve-wracking.
“Oh, Kang-hyuk, you’re here!”
Chang-gwon greeted him warmly, like a long-lost son. The transformation in his demeanor was astonishing.
‘Fixing their children really is the best way to win people over.’
Kang-hyuk bowed with a smile.
“Yes, sir.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“How is the patient doing?”
Kang-hyuk knew the answer, but he feigned ignorance out of politeness.
“Much better, thanks to you. You truly have a gift.”
“We’ll need to keep monitoring the condition. I’ve brought a medical woman to assist.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“No problem.”
“I have to leave now—urgent business with the magistrate. Take your time and finish up here.”
“Understood.”
With that, Chang-gwon rode off with a servant holding the reins. He must have trusted Kang-hyuk completely to leave him alone with his daughter.
“It seems there’s only the patient and her maid left,” Yeon observed.
“Perfect. Let’s head in.”
“Yes.”
Yeon opened the door and entered the room, greeted warmly by the lady of the house. Kang-hyuk followed but paused to give instructions.
“Makbong and Dolseok,keep watch outside.”
“Yes, young master,” Makbong responded promptly, while Dolseok hesitated.
“You’re not going to do anything weird, are you, young master?”
“Makbong, hit him.”
“Yes.”
“Ouch!”
As Dolseok clutched his head in pain, Kang-hyuk entered the room.
“Greetings, Young Master Baek Kang-hyuk.”
The lady greeted him with a radiant smile. Her fair skin, untied flowing hair, red lips, and perfectly aligned white teeth marked her as a classic beauty.
“How are you feeling?”
“Much better, thanks to you.”
“That’s good to hear. Yeon, could you take a look?”
“Yes.”
Yeon carefully removed the lady’s socks. The previously swollen, reddened leg had returned to its normal, pale, slender state.
“It looks excellent.”
“Wonderful. It seems there’s no need for further visits. Congratulations, you’re fully recovered.”
Kang-hyuk chuckled and stood to leave. Just as he was about to step out, the lady called after him softly.
“Young master.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“I’ve heard a rumor.”
“What rumor?”
“That there’s a renowned physician in the market who treats patients with unconventional methods.”
Kang-hyuk smirked, realizing she was talking about him.
The lady smiled as she continued.
“I’d like to see for myself what makes your methods so unique.”
“See for yourself? Your father wouldn’t approve.”
“Do you know why my father was summoned by the magistrate?”
“No, I don’t.”
He wasn’t particularly interested, either.
“My father has been appointed to oversee education at the new Confucian academy. He’ll be staying there for several months.”
This piqued Kang-hyuk’s interest. With Chang-gwon away, the risks would be minimal.
But there was still one major problem.
“So what?” Kang-hyuk asked, shaking his head. “Why should I let you into my clinic?”