Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: A New Trial
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Not once since he had fallen ill had he felt a moment more triumphant than this.
“The feeling of meeting the greatest physician and becoming a normal person again is quite refreshing.”
Heuk Birang stared intently at his mother, speaking each word with calm deliberation.
*Damn it, I can't get excited here.*
For his niece's sake, he had to suppress his usual temperament and act cool and composed.
Right now, he needed the same cold demeanor his brother had before he lost his memories.
“Ah, but I suppose this is where I should praise the greatness of the young and lovely physician who treated me, correct?”
“……”
“It’s for the best, really. I was disappointed that this infernally brilliant talent of hers was not more widely known.”
Heuk Birang’s eyes curved into a smile.
*I have to protect my niece.*
She was precious, a benefactor who had taught him the simple joys of life, the likes of which he would never find again.
“Today marks the day my niece becomes famous. I intend to dedicate my life as a warrior to protect her from the pointless political battles that will follow.”
A pillar of water shot up beside Heuk Birang.
“So I am requesting, here and now, that you all watch your step.”
Some people shrieked and recoiled as spears of water erupted here and there.
The Family Head, who had remained stubbornly silent, finally spoke.
“So be it. I have no choice but to acknowledge it. To think the sight of my sons acting normal would feel so awkward.”
The Family Head’s eyes, now returned to their benevolent state, curved brightly.
“I hereby declare that I acknowledge the improvement in Heuk Birang’s and Heuk Biwon’s conditions. I will lift the orders of confinement and remove the tracking incense for both of them.”
“Mother!”
“Family Head!!”
The Family Head paid no mind to her daughters’ protests.
Heuk Moran’s attention was already fixed on the small child.
Heuk Biyu.
*To think my family possessed such a treasure.*
If this was the case…
*If only I could present her to the Emperor.*
She could reclaim her lost glory, the glory of the Heuk family, and prosper once more.
For that…
Did her young age, or the fact that she was the daughter of a useless, amnesiac son, truly matter?
It even made her consider pardoning that son for his crimes.
Besides, didn't that very son, afflicted with the incurable disease of memory loss, seem to have regained some of his memories?
“However, all I have seen is the result.”
The Family Head glanced at the flustered vassals, physicians, and apothecaries who didn’t know how to react, and at her children and son-in-law, who were seething with murky anger.
It was an amusing situation.
Especially the impudent child who stared back at her with a composure that suggested she was used to all this.
And her amnesiac son, who stood ready to protect his child, was the most interesting of all.
“Heuk Birang, from this moment on, you will follow the designated warrior and prove how long you can stay awake without falling into an abnormal sleep, thereby demonstrating that your somnambulism has improved.”
“...As you wish.”
“Furthermore, Heuk Biwon and you, Heuk Birang, will both undergo my diagnosis to prove it once more.”
“...We will obey your command.”
The two brothers bowed their heads to the Family Head’s command with reluctant expressions.
“Heuk Biyu.”
Finally, the Family Head’s command was directed at Biyu.
“You, too, are here on the charge of recklessly using the Heuk family name to open a clinic.”
“Yes.”
“But you are correct. There is no reason not to call you a physician.”
Biyu’s gleaming eyes took in the Family Head. A spark of unchildlike intelligence flashed within them.
“I hereby appoint you as an official physician of the family.”
“...F-Family Head?”
Ignoring the flustered reactions of the elderly physicians watching, the Family Head continued.
“However, there is a condition.”
* * *
I held my breath, swallowing a curse.
*If you’re going to acknowledge it, then just acknowledge it. What’s with the conditions?*
This is why stubborn, old-fashioned physicians were the worst.
I’d already produced results. Yet, just because she hadn’t seen the process, she was going to assign me another task.
And after I partially cured my uncles’ illnesses—ailments that no physician, not even the Family Head herself, could solve—all I get is the position of an official physician?
Was she kidding me?
“You will meet with me alone.”
At the Family Head’s words, I heard a sharp gasp from behind me.
*What is she talking about? As if this wasn’t enough. Is she trying to get off easy?*
Currently, the Family Head rarely engaged in external activities.
Public affairs were entrusted to her eldest daughter, Heuk Haran.
Even the elder physicians with considerable experience couldn’t easily meet with the Family Head.
Therefore, a private audience was undoubtedly something that would incite jealousy.
I sensed a faint malice in the Family Head’s words.
An intent to downplay what I had done and provoke a backlash from others.
It was obvious who would protest this matter.
*That third aunt over there, perhaps?*
Of course, the first aunt was a possibility too.
“Yes.”
For now, I remained in my father’s arms and bowed politely to the Family Head. My plan was to be polite first, then put her in her place.
“And.”
*And what? Damn greedy old woman.*
“There is currently a request that has come to the family. The task of treating an epidemic.”
I froze.
*An epidemic? At this time?*
…Why was this coming up?
“If you wish to have the qualifications of an official physician, go and treat the disease yourself.”
“……”
For a moment, I thought I had misheard.
Did this old woman have any awareness that I was three years old?
But considering she was someone who treated her own sons like tools, it was easy enough to accept.
*Come to think of it, in the original novel, she was the type to throw trials at the ten-year-old female lead.*
Besides, this was as good as an acknowledgment.
Renowned families of physicians and apothecaries like the Heuk family were sometimes dispatched on requests from the state or from lords.
However, only official physicians could be sent on such missions.
And among them, only those with the skill to not tarnish the family name on that particular request.
“I will do so.”
This could be considered a pretty decent acknowledgment. Still, the deal was not in my favor.
“Mother, I support all of your decisions, but this is not right…!”
“F-Forgive me, but I share the same opinion, Family Head!”
The first aunt, Heuk Haran, and a gray-haired old man who had been silent until now stepped forward.
He was one of the elders, a man who had made a name for himself as a physician.
“Family Head—no, Mother! That’s right, this is completely out of line! The epidemic request you’re talking about… that’s a post for someone who’s been an official physician for at least eight years!”
“……”
“No matter how much that child claims she did it, we have no proof other than the result that my brothers have improved!”
The third aunt acknowledged the improvement in their conditions while simultaneously trying to discredit me.
“This is what I think: there must be another physician! Let’s find that person instead!”
In a way, it sounded like a desperate struggle.
“They said Bihu’s illness has a high chance of being hereditary! That child might have problems with her memory or intelligence too!”
She denigrated a niece she had never met without a second thought.
Of course, there was no need for me to step in.
It wasn't that I was particularly angry.
Because my father stepped forward for me.
*Crack!*
A fissure ran through the ground. A sharp wind howled, threateningly.
“Gasp, gasp…!”
The third aunt trembled, her face pale.
My father spoke calmly.
“Sister, you’d best watch your words.”