Chapter 23: Treating a Thief [2] Was this not an age when oil was precious?
Especially in a poor household like Changgwon's, it was obvious oil would be even scarcer.
There was only one servant, and he was an old man.
To Kanghyeok, it did not seem likely at all that they would be caught.
And he did not want to lower himself by pleading with Changgwon.
He was the kind of man who stubbornly held his ground even in front of the Busa earlier. There's no way he'd listen to me.
Though he viewed things from the doctor-patient angle, Kanghyeok was still someone who had dealt with countless people.
At a glance, he could size up what kind of person someone was.
Not that he read faces or anything.
Arguing with him would be a pain too… I'll just come back after the bell rings.
Kanghyeok turned to look at Yeoni, who was standing behind him.
If he himself was not going to lay a hand on the woman, then one way or another, he needed Yeoni there.
Someone like her would have no trouble vaulting over a wall of this height.
Right. Let's do that.
Once he made up his mind, he felt much more at ease.
Seeing Kanghyeok smile, Changgwon tilted his head.
"Do you know what illness it is?"
"Ah."
Kanghyeok quickly fixed his expression and answered with a serious face.
Given the fever and leg pain, there was definitely an infection.
He did not know what kind, but for the moment, giving antibiotics could not hurt.
"First…"
Kanghyeok took out antibiotics, an anti-inflammatory, and a narcotic painkiller from his bag and handed them to Changgwon.
"Please have her take these. She should improve considerably."
And she would sleep soundly too.
That would make it easier when he came and went again at dawn.
Not knowing Kanghyeok's true intention, Changgwon lowered his head with a flustered expression.
"Thank you. If my daughter recovers, I will never forget this favor."
"It is nothing. I will come again tomorrow."
"You would do that?"
"A physician has to check the patient's progress. Then, farewell."
Kanghyeok quickly left Changgwon's house with Yeoni.
The yard was so cramped that it did not take long at all.
Yeoni hurried after him.
"Young Master, you really are incredible."
"Hm? What is?"
"How could you tell the illness exactly without even seeing her face?"
Yeoni looked genuinely impressed.
It would have been nice if what she said were true.
Kanghyeok gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
"I'm not a god. How could I possibly know?"
"…What? Then the medicine just now?"
"The medicine won't be completely useless. But it won't cure her entirely."
"Then what will you do? Judging from her voice, she sounded half-dead."
Separate from her bold and rough manner, she really did have a kind heart.
Kanghyeok looked around, then whispered into Yeoni's ear.
His breath tickled the edge of her ear.
Yeoni shrank slightly, but Kanghyeok paid it no mind.
"Your specialty is jumping high, isn't it?"
"…Pardon? Yes…"
"I need to come back here later."
"Here? When?"
It was already dark enough as it was.
In other words, the time for going anywhere had long passed.
"After the bell rings."
"The bell? You mean during curfew?"
"That's right."
"Why… Don't tell me?"
"I think I'll have to see her in person after all if I'm going to treat her properly. I'll need your help. Will that be alright?"
At that moment, Yeoni felt as though even the last traces of alcohol had completely left her system.
She already knew Kanghyeok was unusually unconcerned with propriety for a yangban.
But she had never imagined it would be to this extent.
What kind of yangban would even think of barging into a young woman's room in the middle of the night?
"So… you mean a bossam?"
"No, no. Of course not, bossam?"
Even Kanghyeok had never considered abducting a noblewoman to treat her.
If he got caught doing something like that, with Changgwon's temperament, he would surely roll him in a straw mat first and ask questions later.
Even if he was the only son of Seungmun, who enjoyed the Busa's favor.
"Then you mean just entering her room? What if she screams?"
"It's fine. One of the medicines I gave her causes mental fogginess."
"Even so, if a man touches her, there'll be an uproar."
"Hm? But you'll be the one touching her."
What kind of nonsense was that supposed to be?
Yeoni stared at him wide-eyed as she asked,
"Me?"
"Yes. There shouldn't be much of a problem if it's you, right?"
"I… have never treated anyone before."
That was only natural.
Though she had probably had plenty of experience causing people to need treatment.
"It's fine. I'll teach you beside you."
Kanghyeok nodded with a face full of confidence.
"…What?"
"Not only am I good at treating patients, I'm also good at teaching."
"Hah."
What shamelessness, to boast about himself like that without the slightest change in expression.
Yeoni lowered her gaze to the ground.
She could not dare openly show a look of disbelief.
But it seemed Kanghyeok interpreted it differently.
"What, you're not confident?"
At Kanghyeok's provocative tone, Yeoni bristled.
She was a woman, and one who had even donned men's clothing and mastered acrobatics.
Naturally, her pride and spirit were no ordinary things.
"Why would I lack confidence?"
"Then that settles it. Once the bell rings, we're going. Understood?"
"Ha…"
She felt completely swept along.
Just the thought of going about during curfew made her vision darken.
Yeoni let out several more sighs before looking at Kanghyeok.
"Then please bring Makbong too."
"Makbong?"
By reflex, Kanghyeok pictured Makbong's build.
Short and stubby, with thick muscles.
He might be good at vaulting things, but he somehow looked slow.
"What for?"
"Makbong is good at sneaking around at night."
"Really…? Why would he have any reason to wander around at night?"
"Well…"
Yeoni hesitated for a moment while staring at the tips of her feet.
Was she not someone bolder than most men?
Kanghyeok was sure there was something behind it and waited.
Fortunately, the silence did not last long.
"There's a widow village nearby."
"A widow village?"
"Makbong goes there to do work and gets paid."
"Work? At night? Ah, that kind of night work?"
Kanghyeok nodded with a look that said he understood.
Well, judging by the way Makbong swung on that swing, his lower back strength is no joke.
Was it not terrifying even from a man's point of view?
For widows who had gone a long time without a man's touch, it was more than plausible that they would be tempted.
There was probably no need for promotion or advertising either.
Joseon nights were quiet, and soundproofing was dreadful.
"Right, then he must be excellent at avoiding patrols."
"Yes, well… they do say even dog dung has its medicinal use. This is exactly that kind of moment."
Perhaps because the conversation had grown entertaining, the two soon reached the market.
Kanghyeok patted Yeoni on the back and said,
"Come over once the bell rings, whenever the timing feels right. I'll stay awake."
"Ah, yes, Young Master."
Yeoni bowed politely to Kanghyeok, then went into the tavern.
Kanghyeok slowly made his way toward the clinic.
Now then… I wonder if those two have been alright.
Surely Dolseok had not acted cheeky toward Yi Sun-sin.
The boy had extremely sharp instincts.
He would know exactly when to stretch his legs and when to tuck them in.
Creak—
The sound of the wooden gate shifting echoed through the whole yard.
At the same time, Dolseok came running out barefoot.
"Oh, Young Master!"
His manner was so urgent that it almost seemed as though something had happened to Sun-sin.
But then Yi Sun-sin's perfectly calm voice followed.
"You are late."
He did not sound like an injured man at all, so Kanghyeok was able to relax a little.
He asked the breathless Dolseok,
Judging by his face, he looked like someone who had been dragged straight out of hell.
"What the hell's wrong with you?"
"Ah, dear me, dear me."
Dolseok shook his head for a long time before finally speaking.
"Don't even ask. He's so rigid and exacting."
"Why?"
"Just now I got scolded even while emptying the chamber pot."
"The chamber pot?"
"Even during meals too… Ah, Young Master. You must not leave me alone with him tomorrow."
It seemed he really had suffered harshly.
He was even clutching at his master's trouser leg.
It was pitiful, but Kanghyeok still had to leave him behind one more time.
Clicking his tongue, Kanghyeok shook his head.
"What should I do? I still have somewhere else to go."
"…What? Right now?"
"Yes. Ah, let go of this. I have to check on the patient before I go."
"No, but in the middle of the night… Ah, dear me. Young Master, I can't sleep alone with that gentleman."
Dolseok clung to him with his ugly little eyes turned plaintive.
Since it was not a pretty face, it did not move Kanghyeok in the least.
Instead, it gave him a different kind of rising emotion.
Kanghyeok shoved between Dolseok's brows and said,
"There has to be someone to look after the patient, you idiot."
"A patient? Go look for yourself. He's not a patient."
"He had surgery yesterday, how is he not?"
When Kanghyeok went inside, Dolseok had not been speaking nonsense.
Yi Sun-sin was seated at a low desk with his right leg stretched straight out.
In both hands he held a book that looked difficult at a glance.
Beside him, several similar books were piled in layers.
"You've come?"
"Yes, yes. And where did all of these come from?"
At Kanghyeok's words, Sun-sin pointed at Dolseok with his chin.
"I had him bring them back from the market."
"From where?"
"From all over."
When Kanghyeok turned around, Dolseok answered with his lips jutting out.
"We went to every yangban house I knew."
It seemed he really had gone through hardship.
Then again, if he can't even do this while attending Yi Sun-sin of all people, what use is he?
Even if he were ordered to copy out books, he ought to be grateful.
The truth was, it was Kanghyeok who was lax; Sun-sin did not actually seem overly demanding.
It looked more like Dolseok had simply become too spoiled lately.
Kanghyeok turned back to Sun-sin.
"How is the wound?"
"Your skill is good. As long as I do not move, it does not hurt."
A satisfied smile spread across Kanghyeok's face.
Pain was one of the best indicators for inferring a patient's condition after surgery.
If I told anyone I performed that kind of operation in a place like this, nobody would believe me.
Before actually doing it, even Kanghyeok had thought it was impossible.
As expected, I'm a genius.
Laughing inwardly to himself, Kanghyeok removed the bandage from Sun-sin's leg.
Sure enough, the condition was quite good.
Even the area that had burst open that morning was lying quiet now.
"This is very good. Just in case, I'll disinfect it again and wrap it with a fresh bandage."
"Thank you."
"Dolseok, lift the leg."
"Yes, Young Master."
Whatever else he might be, Dolseok was a loyal servant.
He was also a fairly decent apprentice.
By now, he had even grown used to the posture for wrapping bandages.
Well, I have been teaching him one-on-one.
He ought to be able to do at least this much.
"That's it. No, stop there. The toes need to remain visible."
"Ah, yes. You said the color of the toes is important, right?"
"That's right. You've improved quite a lot too."
"Thank you."
Thanks to Dolseok's rapid progress, wrapping the bandage was finished in no time.
"The condition is good, so if things continue like this, you'll slowly be able to walk before long."
"Thank you. And the sword, when might I—"
"I'll speak to you about that separately. For now, please take this medicine first."
"Mm. Very well."
Sun-sin looked disappointed for a moment, then swallowed the medicine.
Because of the sedative effect, it did not take long for Sun-sin to fall asleep.
Dolseok, who had already laid out the bedding, crept closer.
"Young Master, please just sleep, yes?"
"No. I have somewhere to go."
"No, where are you going alone during curfew?"
"I'm not alone."
If not alone, then who in the world was he going with?
Dolseok rolled his eyes around, then turned pale and whispered,
"Don't tell me… with that Yeoni girl? No, Young Master. If Madam finds out—"
"Yeoni is coming, yes, but it's not what you're thinking. Makbong is coming too."
"Makbong?"
What in the world was he planning to do with those two lowborns?
While Dolseok was entertaining outrageous thoughts, a light thumping sound came from the yard.
When he cracked the door open slightly, Yeoni and Makbong were there.
It seemed they had climbed over the wall.
"Young Master, let's go."
"Right. Alright."
Kanghyeok picked up his house-call bag and prepared to leave.
From outside came the conversation between Yeoni and Makbong.
"How high is the wall over there?"
"Even lower than this one. I'll go over first, and then you help the Young Master across."
"Easy as eating porridge. What sort of young lady is it that has the Young Master acting like this?"
"I don't know. Her father was some kind of Gyosu, wasn't he? You're confident you won't get caught by the patrols, right?"
"As long as you and the Young Master do your parts."
Makbong laughed heartily, while Dolseok looked like he was about to cry.
He turned a resentful face toward Kanghyeok.
So now that gentleman is abducting women too!
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