Born As The Daughter of a Lowly Concubine - Chapter 79

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Born the daughter of a Concubine of Low Rank.
Chapter 79
“No, what is…?”
I don’t know. I’m scared.
What is she doing here?
Gia noticed my peculiar reaction and asked with a puzzled expression.
“Do you know her, miss?”
“Not really. I barely know her.”
I’d heard her name before, but knowing a name and a face hardly makes someone an acquaintance.
‘Surely she didn’t follow me all the way here?’
This can’t possibly be…
“A stalker?”
“Pardon?”
I caught myself murmuring something anachronistic and closed my mouth.
‘What would they call a stalker in this era? And besides, she couldn’t have actually followed me, could she?’
My expression must have been sufficiently discomfited, because Gia quickly stepped forward.
“You don’t seem to have any business in such a place. What brings you to Siyeongwon?”
“I’ve come seeking the young lady here on a matter of importance.”
I’m not the one she needs to see.
But I disliked causing a fuss, so I sent the murmuring attendants back to their duties and had Gia bring tea.
“What on earth is all this commotion?”
“But she’s so incredibly beautiful!”
“Her name is Maehyang. Don’t you know who Maehyang is, miss?”
The youngest children simply seemed delighted that a beautiful woman had arrived, while the older ones clearly knew who Maehyang was.
I had nothing better to do, so I finally managed to peel away the persistent children by promising them something delicious later, and sat beside Maehyang.
“You must go to great trouble here.”
“It seems you’re the source of much of that trouble. How did you manage to follow me all the way here?”
“I made inquiries in the surrounding area and barely managed to track you down, so please don’t be too wary. I simply have something I wish to ask of you, miss.”
“I told you—I don’t know anything.”
“I haven’t even asked yet.”
“Regardless, I know nothing. There’s nothing I can answer for you.”
As I refused desperately, Maehyang smiled beautifully and asked.
“Is it because the young lady was once a courtesan?”
“If that were the case, I wouldn’t be seating you beside me and serving tea—I’d have thrown you out.”
……
Maehyang fell silent, as if my response surprised her, and just then Gia returned with the tea.
“Siyeongwon doesn’t turn away those who seek us out, but you haven’t come here to become one of us either.”
“That is correct.”
“Then while you’re here, why don’t you entertain the children? They seem so pleased that they might cry if you simply leave.”
“Very well, miss.”
Her compliance was too easy. That, in itself, made me uneasy.
In any case, I had my own business at Siyeongwon to attend to first.
Once I stepped away, the children, who had been watching cautiously, swarmed around Maehyang. I thought she might be difficult, but surprisingly, she seemed quite skilled at conversing with the children.
‘I can’t tell if it’s an act or her true nature.’
Thanks to the children preventing Maehyang and me from being alone, Gia came to my side and whispered.
“Miss, do you not know of Maehyang?”
“Who is she?”
“She’s a courtesan famous for her singing. The nobility are apparently sending wagonloads of money to hire her for their feasts.”
“That’s probably exaggerated.”
If they’re sending it by the wagonload, wouldn’t it be better to send it as Jeohwa?
“But truly, she really is incredibly famous.”
“Sure, sure.”
That has nothing to do with me.
“Anyway, since it looks like she’ll entertain the children, I should attend to my own business first.”
“Your business, miss?”
“Yes. Is there anyone among the children currently at Siyeongwon with anything urgent they’re working on?”
“No, miss.”
“Then have the ones who’ve finished the Thousand Character Classic and are studying the intermediate course come to me.”
I turned away from the sharp gaze that had been fixed on me and went inside.
‘I sent word to Min beforehand, so she probably already informed them.’
Setting aside matters of national policy and other complexities for now, I summoned those who seemed to be studying diligently and questioned them. It made no difference whether they were servants or beggars.
“I’m thinking of training physicians. Is there anyone here interested in the practice of medicine?”
“You speak of us, my lady?”
Those who had been called away from their work showed bewilderment at my words, though their interest was evident.
“Of course it would be good to have physicians within Siyeongwon, but I believe the common people need far more female physicians. So the more people willing to learn, the better—and I’m not limiting this to women alone.”
Among the servants I’d received were several young boys still in their youth, children born to noble families who had been driven by their mothers’ relentless pressure not to fall behind their peers academically—and they studied quite well because of it.
Though the path to the civil service examinations was naturally closed to them, training them as physicians seemed a promising alternative.
Unlike the servants, who murmured uncertainly among themselves, the commoner children asked their questions without hesitation.
“Isn’t it difficult to become a physician?”
“Of course it is. There’s much to memorize, much to learn, and you’ll face multiple examinations. But when you’re dealing with human lives, shouldn’t it be difficult?”
…….
My serious tone made them all fall silent. Work like this wasn’t something to approach with levity.
I hadn’t failed to wonder whether they truly wanted to become physicians.
Yet these children had been studying steadily for the past several years, and they knew, to some degree, that they were clever.
They would not wish to let their abilities waste away due to discrimination of birth and gender, to end as mere woodcutters or common servants.
“But if you become a physician, you’ll never have to worry about your livelihood. Besides, you’ve studied hard all this time—there aren’t many ways to put that knowledge to use, are there? If you have the ability, you can gain recognition through your own strength, regardless of gender or station.”
“Begging your pardon, but is it even possible for people of our status to become physicians?”
The children born to noble families, who had learned to read even before becoming servants, naturally learned faster than the others.
But precisely because they understood their circumstances so well, they were even more cautious in their bearing.
Of course, I had given this thought myself.
“If you become physicians, you’ll work in a clinic established by the Princess herself. So you needn’t worry about your status. And of course I’ll provide you with a salary, and if later you wish to save and become independent, that’s your choice to make.”
……!
The title of Princess certainly proved useful.
With a master of high standing, no one would dare to mistreat his servants.
Those who had felt this truth in their bones over the past years, the moment they heard my reassurance—that I, the Princess, would protect them—their eyes brightened and they rushed to cry out.
“We will! Please let us!”
“I wish to learn as well!”
“Me too!”
And several of the children, caught up in the fervor, raised their hands.
‘Most of them will likely drop out along the way anyway.’
Whether past or present, whether traditional or Western medicine, the practice required so much to memorize and practice.
By my own standards, one would need a strong constitution besides.
“Well. I’m glad to see such enthusiasm. For now, we’ll build up their foundational knowledge and work on their character.”
The foundations had already been laid to some degree, it could be said.
The basic curriculum could follow what Hyemin-seo uses when training female physicians, but I would need someone capable of teaching them properly.
I recalled the ‘physician sister’ I’d been discussing with Gia earlier.
“Gia. Come here for a moment.”
“Yes?”
When I called to Gia, who had worn a serious expression as if contemplating whether to pursue the study of medicine, she hurried over in confusion.
“What was the name of that female physician we spoke of before? Heo Seongji, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s correct. But why do you ask about her so suddenly?”
“I need someone—a physician or female physician—to teach the children. I was wondering if she might suit the role.”
If I mentioned teaching servants and beggars, many would scoff and dismiss the notion—so the character of the teacher was paramount.
“Well, to be honest, we don’t really know much about her either.”
“You don’t?”
“No.”
“But you said she comes to Siyeongwon often. You don’t know much about her?”
“We only talk about the children’s ailments. We haven’t really discussed personal matters.”
I’d expected them not to have crossed paths with me often, but I’d thought they were close with the children.
“I heard her parents passed away, and she lives with her uncle. It’s an uncle’s house on her mother’s side, and it seems that uncle is a physician himself.”
“That seems like enough to say you know something about her.”
“To truly know a house, you’d need to count the spoons.”
“Mm.”
Is that so?
‘Perhaps I’ve misjudged these children’s aptitudes.’
What good would it do to recognize their talent for gathering information?
Still, from what I’d seen of them caring for the children all this time, I could tell they were good people.
Moreover, from what I’d heard, their medical skill was considerable.
‘Mm. Couldn’t she serve as a role model for the children? If the teacher is someone the children already know, it would be easier for everyone. And their character is trustworthy.’
I’ll have to visit her sometime.
With that thought in mind, I made my way out to the courtyard.
‘I’d heard the sounds before, but it’s definitely different now.’
In the courtyard, among the children’s bright, ringing voices, a single voice soared out like a crane among chickens.
Same song, different feeling?
Gia, standing beside me, seemed to share the same impression—she’d been staring blankly for a moment before catching herself and laughing awkwardly.
“She does sing well. Unmistakably.”
“She really does.”
A renowned singer, they’d said—and it showed.
‘That’s refreshing to hear, truly.’
But the song she was singing now seemed uncomfortably like one I’d carelessly let spread, and it left me uneasy.
At Siyeongwon in particular, the songs I’d thoughtlessly scattered were so widespread among the children that I worried they’d become more familiar with them than with folk songs or classical pieces.
For that reason, I didn’t especially want to run into Maehyang, so I called for Soi and decided to slip away in another direction.
Gia, who’d come to see me off as I mounted the horse, gave me a puzzled look, but I couldn’t be bothered to explain.
“Is something troubling you?”
“Nothing like that—just a bit of bother. Besides, I was thinking of visiting that physician’s daughter while I’m at it.”
“If you’d like, I can show you where she is.”
“You have your studies too. Speaking of which, aren’t you interested in Medicine?”
“I’m not sure yet.”
Gia shook her head. It was only natural that she should be thoughtful about choosing a path.
“That’s fair. You still have plenty of options, so don’t rush….”
“Miss!”
“Let’s go!”
Hearing Maehyang’s voice call out as she spotted me, I urged Soi along.
Soi, who knew what I was doing, quickly climbed up behind me and pressed the horse forward.
“Let’s ride!”
“Miss!!”
I let out a breath as I heard her voice fade behind us.
‘Phew. That was close.’
I hadn’t done anything wrong, so why did it feel so frightening?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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