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Chapter 04
“…I shall attempt it.”
When her low but resolute voice settled in the air, Ham and Lord Jeong Hak-yeon released the breaths they had been holding at the same time. Relief flickered in their eyes—only to be replaced by a new tension as Soheon continued her explanation.
“The secret method consists of three stages. The first is acupuncture and a medicinal decoction. The second is acupuncture and a medicinal bath. The final stage requires forcing a special pill into the body. With each advancing stage, the chance of failure increases. If it fails, it will not end with mere decay of the flesh. Even if it succeeds, once the third stage is complete, the body will inevitably begin to decompose.”
A complicated mixture of hesitation and hope crossed Ham’s face, while in Lord Jeong’s gaze cold calculation and unyielding resolve coexisted. The decision of these three would become the seed of a great storm just beginning to gather.
Lord Jeong broke the silence first.
“What herbs are required for the first stage? And how urgently are they needed?”
Soheon felt his eyes on her, but there was no room left for hesitation. In her mind, the contents of the secret manual her grandfather had once recited to her flashed past. Like searching for light in darkness, she summoned the list of necessary ingredients.
She immediately drew out ink and brush from the medicine chest. With practiced movements, she ground the ink and moistened the brush, then carefully wrote the names of the herbs upon the paper. Each character that flowed from her brush felt like a step into forbidden territory.
“Seoljung-hwa, thousand-year he shou wu, borneol, clove, gastrodia, licorice… For today, borneol and clove alone will suffice to put out the urgent fire.”
Though her hand remained steady, her heart churned like a storm. Her grandfather’s warning echoed in her ears.
This method may save the lives of those around the deceased—but it may also bring about their deaths. It must never be used lightly.
It was not a simple caution. It was the weight she would bear the moment she chose this path. Yet before her lay the King of Joseon. And she had been given the desperate mission of concealing his death. She clenched her fist, then slowly released it.
Lord Jeong nodded and took the paper. A flicker of tension crossed his face as he scanned the list, but his voice remained calm.
“If it exists anywhere in this world, I will obtain it by any means. The royal apothecary stores, and if necessary, even private clinics. Do not worry.”
“But, my lord, if too many people learn of this, it may be dangerous. Procuring such unusual herbs all at once may arouse suspicion.”
“I will handle that. You, Left State Councilor, focus only on acquiring the medicines. I shall prepare a suitable excuse so that none in the palace grow suspicious.”
“Your Highness, then I shall depart at once to secure the herbs.”
Ham answered only with a nod. A deep fatigue lingered on one side of his face. Only now did the weight of guarding the secret of the King’s death seem to settle fully upon him.
There was no more time to waver. As Lord Jeong hurried out, heavy silence once again filled the royal bedchamber.
Soheon let out a long breath and approached the King’s bed. His skin had grown cold and pale like moonlight. The aura of death was deepening.
“We do not have much time.”
First, I must completely halt the circulation of blood. Only then can decay be delayed. But if I pierce too deeply… No. I must be precise.
Her hands were cautious yet firm. From the case she selected the finest needle, its tip glinting silver in the candlelight, and searched for the first acupoint.
“Baekhoe first.”
Thus began the first day of the secret method.
Whispering, she located the crown of the King’s head. Just as the needle was about to touch the Baekhoe point, her fingertips trembled slightly.
It was not mere nervousness. It was reverence for her grandfather’s teachings intertwined with fear of the taboo she was about to transgress. She closed her eyes and drew a steady breath.
The needle hovered just before the skin. A breath alone could not dispel her hesitation. Yet only this forbidden method could lighten the heavy burden resting upon Ham’s shoulders. Her expression was firm, but her trembling would not cease—until Ham reached out and gently clasped her hand.
“It is all right. Do not tremble. The responsibility for all of this lies with me.”
Was it the warmth of his touch? Or the kindness in his words meant to ease her heart? Whatever the cause, her trembling stopped. The warmth he offered became courage. The needle slid deep into the acupoint. Quietly, she drew another and moved to the next position.
“Second, Shenmen… Third, Yongcheon.”
When all the needles were in place, the King’s lips seemed faintly flushed—no, perhaps it was only the illusion of redness. It was not the return of life, but a carefully calculated deception.
She brushed lightly over the needled areas. Within the cooling skin, she imagined she felt the faintest warmth spreading. Cold sweat gathered on her brow. After completing the acupuncture, she paused to steady her breathing.
Night deepened. The door creaked open. Lord Jeong entered with the head eunuch to avoid suspicion and displayed the herbs he had obtained.
“I have secured borneol and clove first. Seoljung-hwa is scarce even in the royal stores.”
A trace of regret crossed his face, along with a faint hope for success. Soheon nodded and examined the herbs. Their quality was better than she had expected—especially the borneol, clear and fragrant, promising strong effect.
“The quality is excellent. This will suffice, my lord. I shall begin the first treatment at once.”
“Then for the next seven days, you must remain at His Majesty’s side.”
“That cannot be, my lord. It is too dangerous. For me alone—who am not even the King’s appointed physician—to guard the bedchamber continuously would seem strange.”
Sensing her unease, Ham stepped slowly toward her. Startled, she lowered her head.
In the brief meeting of their eyes, she saw more than consolation for one compelled to obey orders—she saw deep apology for drawing her into this burden. The comfort in his gaze and the weight of his heart left her chest tight once more.
“Physician Yun, thanks to you we can keep Father’s death secret until the envoys depart. I am sincerely grateful. But I am also truly sorry to have placed such a heavy burden upon you.”
“No, Your Highness. I spoke foolishly. Please disregard my words. Since I have begun this, I shall see it through to the end.”
She steadied herself, her resolve hardening once more. Ham could only look at her in silence. Not understanding his gaze, she bowed even deeper.
“Physician Yun, lift your head and look at me.”
At his low voice, she cautiously raised her eyes. The moment he saw her face, his heart pounded fiercely. It was a feeling beyond gratitude or guilt—something unfamiliar.
Had he been wrong to draw her into this? Had he forced too cruel a burden upon her? But the die had already been cast. There was no turning back. From now on, he could only remain by her side and shoulder the responsibility together. He told himself this racing heart was nothing more than a sense of duty toward a physician with no hunger for power. Yet despite his reasoning, his pounding heart refused to calm.
Feeling his face flush against his will, he found himself unable to speak further, stealing only glances at her.
Under the lamplight, her pale face—drained by tension—seemed both familiar and strange. The bright, cheerful girl he had once known was gone. In her place stood a woman stronger and more responsible than anyone.
Does she not remember me? She was so lively as a child… and now she has grown into such a composed lady.
And at the door of the bedchamber, just before dawn, a shadow flickered.
