Chapter 245
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 245
Chapter Title: Why Do You Say It's Not Possible? (1)
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Eon So-young wasted no time upon arrival. She gathered her own maids along with the existing maids and servants here and immediately set about getting everything organized.
As the only woman among them with real experience managing a great clan, her crisp commands had everyone moving like clockwork. She looked every bit the commanding general.
"Don't say silly things."
She seemed a bit miffed, perhaps interpreting it as some macho remark, but I'd make it up to her later that night.
In any case, Eon So-young worked her people hard. But she secretly sent me a transmission: 'If you make your superiors toil and then reward them appropriately, it's easier to unite disparate groups into one.'
The hired help Tang Hye-won had brought were just a few tight-lipped, capable folks. They were worlds apart from Eon So-young's long-serving maids, who had been with the clan for years. It made sense they'd need some whipping into shape.
Watching her take control, the other three—even Mother herself—were awestruck by how swiftly she seized command of the entire household.
"Even Mother has no experience with such things..."
An escort agency wasn't the same as running a clan, so apparently Father had handled all the staffing.
I'd worried the others might fret over their positions, but they seemed grateful to have someone else handle the unfamiliar chores. What a relief.
But after all that hustle to unpack everything quickly, everyone balked when Eon So-young asked them to hold off on assigning rooms until after tonight.
"Even if you're the lady of the house, making us work all day and then expecting us to do that all night... isn't that a bit much?"
With her apologies for not explaining sooner, the three—who seemed to have been eagerly anticipating it—had no choice but to relent.
And I, who'd been looking forward to some boutique harem action with the event deadline looming, ended up tossing and turning all night instead.
Since it had come to this, I needed to head out early and meet Ju Yak-seon at her clinic.
Ju Yak-seon's mornings started early.
Her apprentices rose even earlier to prepare water and herbs, but she and the other physicians had to make the final checks. Her mornings couldn't afford to be lazy.
Plus, as the one directing the entire clinic, she was busier than the rest.
She'd recruited several other physicians, but none matched her skill. Inevitably, she became the elder stateswoman among them.
But Ju Yak-seon loved it—no worries beyond practicing medicine, day after day.
She was grateful to her many patrons who made it possible, and especially to Kang Yun, who had laid the foundation.
"I see... a private wing..."
So when Kang Yun mentioned opening a private wing for 'several ladies,' Ju Yak-seon didn't bat an eye.
If Tang Hye-won opposed it or showed even a hint of jealousy, that'd be one thing. But as a physician, she saw it as outside her purview.
The timing just wasn't ideal.
"You say it might be difficult... What do you mean? Are we short on preparations?"
"No, preparations are perfect. It's just..."
[You fools! Why do you keep saying it's impossible? I told you I'd pay a fair price!]
[Th-this won't do, ma'am. H-hey! Fetch Physician Ju at once!]
Ju Yak-seon rubbed her furrowed brow as the woman's shouting echoed from the entrance once again, days into this nonsense.
"Young Hero Kang, it'll be faster if you come with me than if I explain."
"...Understood."
The puzzled man rose with Ju Yak-seon and headed outside.
With the man in tow, Ju Yak-seon approached the woman causing a scene at the reception desk near the entrance.
"Lady Seong, what seems to be the trouble?"
"Oh, Physician Ju. Perfect timing. Today, I'll have your promise fulfilled, come hell or high water."
Ju Yak-seon knew next to nothing about the highborn-looking woman.
Only that she was accompanied by a middle-aged martial artist woman, presumably.
And that she was clearly some noble lady unused to bowing her head to anyone—that much she could infer.
"I've told you plainly there's no treatment to offer... Why persist like this?"
"Ha! Nonsense! Do you think my ears don't work? I heard clear as day that a woman who'd suffered for years finally conceived thanks to you..."
The woman lowered her voice, embarrassed.
"Th-thanks to you, she bore a child. You confirmed the rumor yourself."
"From everything I've examined, Lady Seong, your body shows no abnormalities. No issue means no treatment needed, correct?"
"..."
"If I may be so bold, perhaps the problem lies with your husband..."
"...I've told you that's not it! How many times must I repeat myself?"
The same tired exchange dragged on. Then the woman raised her thorniest point.
"I hear that wing is for pregnant women, new mothers, and infants."
"Correct."
"Then let me be treated there too. Why do you say it's not possible?"
"I've explained the rooms are at full capacity..."
"There are empty ones! Why do you say it's not possible?!"
There were, indeed. But they were the 'private wing' the man had requested, left vacant for that reason.
This was precisely why they couldn't accommodate Kang Yun's wishes.
With this woman kicking up such a fuss, he couldn't just fill the private wing without trouble.
The clinic's owners were Kang Yun and Tang Hye-won; who could complain if they reserved it for themselves? But the world rarely bent to wishes so neatly.
A woman speaking so condescendingly to Ju Yak-seon, who was clearly her senior, must wield considerable power.
If such a power player demanded, "Why can you use it if I can't?" there'd be no easy answer.
'This might not be something Young Hero Kang can resolve...'
The woman emanated no internal energy whatsoever.
Unless she was some transcendent master beyond Ju Yak-seon's detection, her influence likely tied to officialdom.
'Having witnessed this, Young Hero Kang should grasp the situation.'
Ju Yak-seon glanced at Kang Yun, only to find him puffing his plump cheeks in exasperation.
He ignored the noisy woman entirely, his eyes fixed solely on the middle-aged martial artist woman.
This clinic was essentially a hideout to conceal my harem for the time being.
We spared no expense on medical supplies as funds allowed, but priority went to outfitting our living quarters.
So when she mentioned potential difficulties and led me outside, imagine my surprise at the familiar face.
[...Ha-jeong? What are you doing here?]
Yang Ha-jeong, whom I hadn't seen in months, stared back in equal shock.
[Wh-what are you doing here...?]
The woman's grating racket annoyed me, but reuniting with Yang Ha-jeong made it bearable.
[Physician Ju here runs the clinic day-to-day, but I founded it, technically.]
The initial funds came from the Tang Family, and Tang Hye-won handled recent management, so my conscience twinged a bit. Still, it was true.
Yang Ha-jeong nodded, impressed yet convinced. Then the woman's booming voice erupted again.
"...Why do you say it's not possible?!"
[What a spirited lady. Who's she, and what brings you here?]
[Th-that's...]
Even in her anger, she exuded refined dignity. Military bearing, almost.
As I scanned her face, one odd detail stood out.
'Yang Ha-jeong seems to be her attendant...? Impossible.'
Yang Ha-jeong, one of the highest-born women in the martial world, attending her?
Not entirely implausible. Her natal Yang Family of Shandong produced many officials; a high-ranking lady from official circles would fit.
[I can't say who she is. Just that she's here for infertility treatment. Keep it secret from others.]
A high official's wife? Royalty wasn't out of the question...
'Nah, no way...'
Too loud for royalty, and odd for her to haggle directly with clinic staff.
Turning back to the woman, I found her staring right at me. Huh?
She strode up boldly and looked me straight in the eye.
"You're the clinic's owner?"
"...Yes. And you are—"
"Ahem! Ahem!"
As I spoke, Yang Ha-jeong cut me off with urgent coughs. Her transmission followed swiftly.
[Pl-please avoid utmost honorifics with her. She doesn't care for such things...]
Fussy, huh.
"Yes, that's right. Ma'am."
"Physician Ju says those spare rooms require your permission. That true?"
While I exchanged transmissions with Yang Ha-jeong, Ju Yak-seon had apparently deferred final say to me.
Her apologetic glance suggested the troublemaker had worn her down. Fair enough.
"Yes, that's correct."
"Good. I've heard this clinic's gaining fame lately, so I came. But all I get is 'no treatment possible'?"
What could anyone do when she demanded treatment for a nonexistent ailment?
"I'll pay fairly, so assign me a room and order Physician Ju to treat me."
Now I saw why Ju Yak-seon called it difficult. Filling our wing with this fuss would be a headache.
"Ma'am."
"Ah, so you'll do it? Young folks are reasonable..."
"I defer entirely to Physician Ju on operations and treatments. She deems you healthy—no need for care here."
"What?!"
The woman's face darkened. Yang Ha-jeong, watching from behind, looked horrified.
'But you said no honorifics, right?'
Yet here she was, flashing status to bully her way in?
No time for randos when my harem needed settling. Beat it while I'm being nice.