I Became the Eldest Daughter of a Fallen Family - Chapter 83

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

Chapter 83. Antibiotics and Antipyretics (3)
In truth, choking incidents—a morsel lodged in the throat—were quite common occurrences.
And the number of people who died from such accidents was considerable.
In that regard, So Yeon-hui’s swift intervention in saving Lady Baek’s life was certainly noteworthy.
But Wi Cho-yeon appeared to have taken such offense already that she turned her hostility even toward Ju Ha-yun, who had been dogging her footsteps so faithfully, and countered sharply.
“Your Highness, this is a family matter. My mother’s life hangs in the balance. No matter how you address me, to speak so carelessly about it seems rather excessive.”
Though her defensive, sensitive tone was not welcome, given that her mother’s life was in mortal danger, it was entirely understandable.
So Yeon-hui held back Ju Ha-yun, who was about to protest again, and stepped forward willingly.
“I understand your anxiety, Miss Wi. The appearance of this medicine differs from other things, so suspicion is natural. But Miss Wi, this very peculiar form is precisely what symbolizes the potency of this remedy.”
“Ha! Nonsense. How could the appearance of that small stone-like thing possibly relate to the medicine’s efficacy?”
“It’s because we extract the essence from medicinal materials, concentrate it very densely, then dry it thoroughly to make a powder, which is then formed into these small pellets. Roughly tens of pounds of medicinal materials go into each single pill.”
In this place, medicine extraction followed quite traditional methods—primarily by steaming or boiling to draw out the medicinal components.
Naturally, since poison and cure mingled together, careful calibration by an expert was necessary when prescribing.
But modern medicine had progressed beyond that stage, isolating only the efficacious compounds and employing chemical synthesis.
This is why over-the-counter medicines could be widely distributed, allowing even the medically ignorant to take them without worry and improve their symptoms.
However, given the knowledge level of people in this place, explaining chemical synthesis or molecular-level analysis would likely be difficult to grasp.
So Yeon-hui used a relatively more comprehensible modern pharmaceutical method as an example to explain how the pills were created.
Fortunately, people here also made a concentrated, paste-like form called Herbal Paste by simmering medicinal liquids.
Both Wi Hyo-gwang and Lady Baek quickly grasped So Yeon-hui’s explanation.
“Indeed. If it is medicine made by thoroughly drying and forming Herbal Paste, then its efficacy being several times greater than ordinary decoction is self-evident.”
“And how. Now I see that Miss So has brought a most precious medicine.”
Lady Baek stepped forward slowly, her expression considerably softened.
Wi Cho-yeon hastily caught her arm, but Baek waved her hand lightly to dissuade her.
Then, looking around the room, she opened her mouth with a clear voice.
“Let us use Miss So’s medicine.”
“Grandmother!”
Wi Cho-yeon’s face hardened.
“How can you decide so easily? We don’t even know if that medicine is truly safe……!”
“Cho-yeon.”
Lady Baek’s voice remained gentle, but the weight behind it had shifted.
She revealed the authority of a grand dame of the Wi Family in Cheongpyeong.
Wi Cho-yeon, unable to dare undermine her grandmother’s authority, held her tongue despite the displeasure festering in her heart.
After gently stroking Wi Cho-yeon’s head once, Baek continued.
“I am already indebted to that girl for my life. I, this old woman standing at death’s very door, was saved by her—how could she then fail to save your mother? Trust me in this. If I am wrong in reading people, I will never speak about family matters again hereafter.”
That calm declaration rendered the room silent in an instant.
Wi Jung’s face grew stern; his gaze fell away. After a long silence, he reluctantly spoke.
“……If that is Your grandmother’s will, how could I dare oppose it? As you wish.”
And with that, there was no further objection. Even Son, the new concubine recently brought into the Wi Family, merely bowed her head quietly before the force of Baek’s gaze.
Thus unburdened, So Yeon-hui quietly approached Gyo’s side.
With a servant’s help, she raised Gyo’s body slightly, then pressed the area beneath Gyo’s nose to rouse her from her semi-conscious state so that she might swallow the medicine.
“Madam. Can you hear me?”
Gyo’s eyelids trembled faintly. With effort, she opened her eyes a crack and met So Yeon-hui’s gaze dimly.
‘Good, she’s conscious. I should get the medicine down her quickly while I can.’
So Yeon-hui brought two pills to Gyo’s lips and asked carefully.
“You need to take the medicine. Can you swallow?”
Gyo’s lips moved faintly. So Yeon-hui accepted this as assent and placed the pills directly into her mouth.
“It will taste a bit bitter, so swallow it down with water.”
As she brought the water cup close to Gyo’s lips, Gyo opened her mouth with effort. Then, carefully, her throat moved in small, deliberate swallows as she took in the water.
‘Good. It went down well.’
She’d worried what she would do if Gyo couldn’t swallow the medicine. If she could take it this readily, there was nothing to fear.
So Yeon-hui breathed a short sigh of relief.
“The medicine should take effect within the hour at least. In the meantime, if you place a damp cloth on her forehead or gently wipe her limbs with a dampened cloth, the fever will drop more quickly. Thank you in advance for your care.”
“Yes. We shall do so.”
The servant attending Gyo nodded, wiping back tears at So Yeon-hui’s instruction.
Wi Jung also knelt beside his mother, gripping her hand tightly as he prayed.
He said nothing, yet his earnestness was plain to all.
Meanwhile, Gyo’s husband and the irresolute head of household, Wi Hyo-gwang, was……
“You step back now. If your presence delays my wife’s recovery, what then?”
“Master! I came because I’m worried about you and Madam……! This is too much!”
Unable to resist the urge, he began quarreling again with the concubine.
‘Good heavens. Who in the world said watching a quarrel is more entertaining than watching a fire? If I watch couples fight twice more, my heart won’t survive.’
So Yeon-hui quietly withdrew, leaning her back against the wall where she would not draw attention.
And she prayed quietly.
For Gyo’s symptoms to ease as quickly as possible, so she could escape this burdensome, uncomfortable space.
* * *
Gyo’s breathing began to settle evenly less than an hour after the medicine was administered.
The flushed color of her face gradually returned, and the eyelids that had trembled intermittently grew still.
All those who had been watching Gyo’s condition in hushed tension could not hide their astonishment at the change.
“Her breathing has truly stabilized, Lady Baek. The fever is breaking.”
“Yes, yes. I can see it myself. Our daughter-in-law looks a bit easier now.”
Even as she heard Lady Baek’s marvel, So Yeon-hui placed her hand lightly on Gyo’s neck and forehead, and after confirming that the fever had indeed dropped considerably, she nodded.
“Indeed, it seems we’ve passed the critical juncture.”
At those words, Wi Hyo-gwang collapsed to the floor. A long sigh—whether of relief or exhaustion—escaped his lips.
“Miss So. I truly……don’t know what to say to thank you.”
“Think nothing of it. I’ve simply done what ought to be done.”
“Even if you say that, my heart cannot rest easy. I must repay you. What would be appropriate?”
Wi Hyo-gwang’s gaze on his wife, eyes glistening, made him appear quite the devoted lover, which left So Yeon-hui’s expression ambiguous.
‘But if he loves his wife so much, why on earth did he bring in that courtesan?’
Yet what business was it of hers to comment on another family’s affairs?
So Yeon-hui, unwilling to become further entangled with the Wi Family, waved her hand in refusal.
“There’s no need for a reward. I didn’t do this in hope of gain.”
“That can’t be! I am not so shameless as that!”
“It would only make me more uncomfortable to receive payment. Your wife’s illness hits close to home.”
“Does your household suffer from illness?”
At Wi Hyo-gwang’s question, So Yeon-hui, who had spoken without thinking, hastened to clarify.
“Not now—it’s fine these days. But there was a spell before. At any rate, I struggled greatly with the cost of medicine then. When family falls ill, it brings sorrow; when you lack money for medicine, it brings even greater anguish. I carry that memory, so how could I accept payment for such work? It would trouble my heart.”
At her artless confession, Wi Hyo-gwang opened and closed his mouth repeatedly.
He felt some embarrassment at the refusal, but with her own sorrowful circumstances evident, it was awkward to press his intentions further.
Just then, Wi Jung deftly interjected.
“Still, for the Wi Family’s sake, we cannot send you away empty-handed. What if we did it this way?”
“How so?”
“Your current shop is rather cramped and sits at the far end of Seosi. Instead, we could prepare for you an estate with an attached shop on this side, toward Gwando. Then you wouldn’t need to travel far for business, and you’d be closer to us—wouldn’t that make visiting more convenient?”

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