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Chapter 07
It had been four days since the secret treatment began. One day remained until the arrival of the envoy from Ming.
Since the second remedy had been administered, the signs of decay had ceased. However, because faint traces of death still lingered, no one was permitted to approach His Majesty’s royal countenance—except for Soheon and Jeong Hak-yeon.
“Head Court Lady, it is Soheon.”
“I heard you went through hardship. Are you all right?”
“Yes. Thanks to the Crown Prince’s consideration, I am well.”
“Come in and tend to His Majesty.”
The head court lady watched Soheon as she skillfully treated the king’s royal visage. Gone was the trembling woman who, on her first day here, had not even dared to lift her head.
“Have they said anything to you at the Royal Infirmary these days? The Royal Physician came yesterday and left after quite a fit of anger.”
“He has not reprimanded me directly—yet.”
“That is fortunate.”
The head court lady could not be unaware of the rumors spreading through the Royal Infirmary. Since word had spread that a lowly female physician dared to lay hands upon the sacred royal body, she must have become an outcast there. And yet—how could she remain so composed?
After finishing her duties at Gangnyeongjeon Hall, Soheon was summoned at once to the Royal Infirmary council by the cold voice of the youngest medical officer. She felt exhausted just thinking about how she should address them.
Inside the council chamber, the physicians sat in heavy silence. Though the midday sun streamed in, its warmth seemed unable to reach them. Only chilliness lingered.
The air was thick with the mingled scent of medicinal decoctions and old books—and with tension. They had heard from Court Lady Kim that Yun Soheon had been entering the king’s chambers without the infirmary’s authorization. It was nothing less than a challenge to their authority.
With a creak, the door opened and Soheon appeared. The physicians’ gazes glittered with jealousy, resentment, and contempt for someone they considered base-born. Humiliation washed over her beneath their stares.
Royal Physician Park Won-gil flipped through the medical records Soheon had written, then let out a deep sigh. There were many entries, but none that addressed the core of the king’s condition—only formal notes assessing his usual health. He tapped the stack sharply with his palm.
“Yun Soheon! How dare you act on your own without reporting this matter?”
“I merely followed the Crown Prince’s command.”
“A mere female physician replacing the Royal Physician? What could the Crown Prince be thinking? His Majesty is said to be gravely ill, and yet he entrusts him to someone like you!”
“Or perhaps His Majesty suffers from an illness that must not be known? Perhaps that is why he avoids us and instead uses a female physician—someone who could be silenced without a trace should she speak carelessly.”
Their accusations battered her. Her head spun. It was a time of agony, both physical and mental.
“Enough with baseless speculation,” Park Won-gil snapped. “The fact that we do not know His Majesty’s condition is a serious matter. We must personally examine him before it is too late. Tomorrow morning, we will request an audience. However… there is an obstacle. Since Yun Soheon enjoys the Crown Prince’s favor, perhaps she should convey the infirmary’s intent to His Highness.”
Soheon’s eyes wavered.
“That is impossible. His Majesty requires absolute rest. Even the slightest disturbance from an examination could endanger his recovery.”
“Are you daring to instruct me, the Royal Physician? Then I shall act immediately.”
At once, the physicians rose to their feet. Calling Soheon here had merely been a pretext. If they moved now, none could dispute their claim that her arrogance had forced their hand.
What should I do? The Royal Physician must never take His Majesty’s pulse. I have to stop this. But how?
Before she could stop them, the physicians gathered in the courtyard before Gangnyeongjeon, gripping medicine chests and acupuncture cases, tension etched into their hands.
“Is it truly right to enter like this?” a young physician, barely bearded, asked anxiously.
“Did I not say this can no longer be delayed? His Majesty’s health is tied directly to the nation’s stability,” Park Won-gil declared firmly, fixing his gaze on the tightly shut bedchamber doors.
“But Yun Soheon advised against it—”
“Are you suggesting she is more capable than we are? We have safeguarded the royal family’s health for decades. It is our duty—and our right—to attend to His Majesty.”
Though the others nodded, unease lingered on their faces. None dared take the first step. The bedchamber door was not merely a door; it was a wall where the Crown Prince’s command, the ministers’ influence, and their pride collided.
Park Won-gil himself trembled despite his bravado. Just as he stepped forward—
Footsteps echoed.
All breath ceased. They instinctively knew who approached.
“What is the meaning of this gathering at such an hour?”
“Your Highness, His Majesty’s illness prolongs. We wish to examine him personally—”
“Have you forgotten that I forbade it?”
“Then how long must we wait, unable to confirm His Majesty’s condition?”
The Crown Prince sighed, shaking his head, disdain in his eyes.
“Last autumn, when His Majesty collapsed with a fever, was it not you who insisted on absolute rest and barred all external stimuli? The situation is the same now. His fever has subsided, but he has yet to regain consciousness. Even the slightest disturbance could worsen his state. Under Yun Soheon’s judgment, he remains in complete repose.”
Park Won-gil fell silent. His own past directive had returned as a blade against him. Humiliation tightened his lips. It was difficult to accept that the king’s life now rested in the hands of a woman of humble birth.
“Your Highness, at least allow us to check his pulse—if not see his face.”
“Did I not say I have already done so? Do not force me to repeat myself!”
His voice thundered. One physician flinched. In the Crown Prince’s eyes there was no room for compromise.
“Furthermore,” he stepped closer, his shadow engulfing Park Won-gil, “with the Ming envoys arriving tomorrow, what would happen if rumors spread that His Majesty is gravely ill? If your concern is truly for the nation, you must act with greater caution. At such a critical diplomatic juncture, your actions are unwise.”
“We are deeply ashamed. We shall obey Your Highness’s will.”
“Then withdraw. When His Majesty recovers sufficiently, I shall summon you myself.”
The physicians bowed and retreated hastily. Once they were gone, the Crown Prince sagged against a pillar, cold sweat beading in his palms. He had appeared resolute before them, but in truth his heart pounded at its limits.
His father’s illness, the ministers’ pressure, the responsibility to protect Soheon—all bore down upon him at once.
From afar, he saw Soheon running toward him.
“Your Highness! The physicians from the infirmary—”
“Shh. It is resolved.”
“You knew the Royal Physician would come?”
“No. I merely came to check on Father. It was fortunate timing. Leave such worries to me and focus on recovering your strength.”
“What a relief. Truly a relief.”
Her face was still marred with wounds, her eyes brimming with tears of relief. On impulse, he pulled her into an embrace. He felt he must comfort her—felt compelled to.
“It is fortunate the Royal Physician remembered last autumn.”
Holding her close, he spoke softly. At his voice, her heart trembled. She finally understood—this warm, subtle trembling. It was a feeling she had never known before.
“But it is too soon to feel secure. Tomorrow, Father must appear as though he has regained consciousness.”
Soheon lifted her head and looked straight into his eyes—an act improper by court decorum, yet in this moment she wished to see them. In his gaze, she felt unwavering trust. The knowledge that he relied solely on her resonated deeply within her heart.
“Yes, Your Highness. I will prepare. I shall ensure His Majesty appears conscious. I will succeed in the third stage of the secret treatment.”
