Jang Seokryang and Baekri Paehyeok did not leave immediately after stepping out of the room.
Suppressing their presence as much as possible, they settled briefly in the adjacent room.
And they heard everything.
“This problem won’t end unless Grandfather accepts me.”
Without realizing it, Jang Seokryang let out a sigh.
Of course, it was one of admiration.
“‘What’s the problem with bringing a child from outside? How wonderful, I have a new granddaughter, hahaha.’ If he said that, wouldn’t that be stranger?”
When he heard those words, he nearly burst into loud laughter, forgetting entirely that they were hiding.
“Kh—kh.”
But under Baekri Paehyeok’s sharp gaze, he quickly composed himself.
And then, the final words.
“Because Grandfather is Father’s father.”
“What?”
“I’m happy because I have Father. But if Father loses his father because of me, that would be sad.”
Jang Seokryang could no longer laugh.
“……”
“……”
In the silence, he glanced sideways at Baekri Paehyeok, whose expression was unreadable.
Baekri Paehyeok spoke in a low voice.
“It seems to be over. Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Baekri Paehyeok flicked his sleeve and left, and Jang Seokryang hurried after him.
It had been Jang Seokryang who suggested eavesdropping. He had been worried that Baekri Uigang might go straight to confront the lady of the house. That was why he persuaded Baekri Paehyeok, who had been reluctant.
But what they heard had been entirely unexpected.
After walking in silence for some time, Baekri Paehyeok suddenly asked,
“Do you think the child’s words are correct?”
“Shall I answer honestly?”
Jang Seokryang, reading his intent from his gaze alone, answered frankly.
“Yes.”
“……”
“I am speaking honestly.”
“She is only six.”
“All the more impressive, then. The child sees the situation clearly. Her thoughts are deep, and her filial devotion to her father is even deeper.”
“……”
“When she asked that question in the central hall with such clear eyes, even I felt as though I’d been struck.”
Jang Seokryang’s voice grew more animated.
Baekri Paehyeok twisted his lips slightly.
“You seem quite taken with that child.”
“Haha, I also have a granddaughter about her age. That child cries loudly the moment she trips while walking, and it takes her nanny, her mother, and even her father to calm her down.”
Baekri Paehyeok also recalled another granddaughter of the same age as Baekri Yeon.
He didn’t want to compare them, but he found himself shaking his head.
Even while trembling under the deliberate pressure he exuded, she had not once averted her gaze.
The boldness to firmly say she did not need the Cheonmyeong Geumhondan that everyone coveted.
Though he didn’t want to admit it, she resembled Uigang.
And Uigang was the son he cherished the most…
The scale in his heart began to tilt.
Jang Seokryang continued,
“Like father, like daughter. It is truly a pity. If only Uigang had been ten years older…”
“Nonsense!”
At Baekri Paehyeok’s sharp rebuke, Jang Seokryang quickly bowed his head.
“I misspoke.”
Baekri Paehyeok spoke in a somewhat softened tone.
“The Baekri family is still a sandcastle. We must not stir unnecessary internal conflict!”
Though they were counted among the Ten Great Families, that reputation would only last while Baekri Paehyeok, one of the Eleven Under Heaven, remained as head.
They could not yet be compared to the Namgung or Jegal families, which had long stood firm even before such rankings existed.
In fact, those families were sometimes grouped separately as the Five Great Families.
For the Baekri family to maintain its current standing, it needed a solid foundation that would not waver for at least another generation.
If internal strife broke out now, the title of one of the Ten Great Families would become nothing more than a fleeting illusion.
That could not be allowed.
Jang Seokryang spoke carefully, watching his expression.
“Then all the more reason to show leniency. Hasn’t the Fourth Young Master always respected his elder brother and served the Grand Madam, following your will?”
They had arrived at their destination.
Standing before the door, Jang Seokryang added,
“And what fault does a child have?”
“…Let us go in first.”
Baekri Paehyeok lifted the curtain and entered.
Inside the tranquil room, one wall open to a wide view, a half-gray-haired man was being served tea.
“Physician Seok.”
“You’ve arrived.”
“I kept you waiting.”
Baekri Paehyeok sat opposite him.
Placing his teacup down, Physician Seok said,
“It’s quite alright. The tea is excellent; I lost track of time.”
“I heard you favor white tea, so I had it specially prepared. If you like it, I shall have some sent with you when you leave.”
“I would be grateful.”
After that, Physician Seok quietly drank his tea. Jang Seokryang then spoke.
“…How is her condition?”
At the question, Physician Seok showed a hint of puzzlement.
He was experienced and had served in the imperial court.
From hearing the circumstances of Baekri Yeon’s collapse alone, he had already grasped how she was treated in this household.
A neglected granddaughter of the Baekri family.
And yet, the head of the family himself had come to ask about her condition?
So this wasn’t merely a matter of saving face by calling him?
Physician Seok gazed out at the wide garden.
“You said it has been about a month since she recovered from qi deviation?”
“Yes.”
“And the child walked alone from her residence to the central hall?”
“…Yes. That is correct.”
“Hm… the child’s endurance is remarkable.”
“Is it that serious?”
“I don’t know how she managed to kneel. It must have been difficult just to endure.”
In other words, how could they expect a sick child to kneel on cold ground and be fine?
Feeling a pang of guilt, Jang Seokryang coughed.
“Ahem. She looked pale, but she seemed so composed that we thought she might be alright.”
The more he spoke, the more it sounded like an excuse.
He quickly changed the subject.
“So, is treatment possible?”
Physician Seok sighed.
“It is already a great stroke of fortune that she survived qi deviation. She is still young, so with time, she may live an ordinary life. Though minor illnesses will be unavoidable.”
In other words, do not expect too much.
Jang Seokryang had already known this, yet a renewed sense of regret filled him.
At that moment, Baekri Paehyeok spoke.
“There is the Cheonmyeong Geumhondan.”
“The Cheonmyeong Geumhondan?”
For the first time, Physician Seok looked surprised.
“Can it restore her dantian?”
The answer came immediately.
“I do not know.”
“……”
“I have never heard of such a case. It is indeed a remarkable medicine. If she takes it, her current internal injuries will certainly heal. She may even become healthier than most.”
After a brief pause, he spoke firmly.
“But restoring a shattered dantian is another matter entirely.”
“Then what do you think the chances are?”
“Less than ten percent.”
“Only that much?”
“There has never been a case treated by medicine. As far as I know, there is only one case of someone recovering from being crippled in internal energy.”
Jang Seokryang exclaimed,
“The Divine Physician!”
“Yes.”
The Divine Physician was said to have reached a godlike level in medicine.
It was said he could diagnose illness just by looking at someone’s complexion, even predicting the remaining days of the terminally ill.
He was especially skilled in treating qi and internal injuries, and his curing of an energy-crippled person was legendary.
“But the Divine Physician…”
Jang Seokryang glanced at Baekri Paehyeok.
It had been over ten years since he disappeared. Before vanishing, he had sworn never to involve himself with martial artists again.
“……”
Impossible.
The moment that conclusion was reached, Baekri Paehyeok felt a deep sense of regret.
And he was surprised that he felt such a thing.
After finishing their conversation, Baekri Paehyeok stepped out and turned to Jang Seokryang.
“Call Chief Steward Go. And… have him bring a list of items suitable for a child.”
Jang Seokryang smiled brightly and bowed.
“An excellent idea.”
