Surviving as Jang Hee-bin's Child Court Lady - Chapter 18

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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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Chapter 18. A Development I’ve Seen Before
“Ugh, so hot….”
That was my first thought the moment I awoke.
My back was warm and sticky. The humid air pressed down upon me.
“Ah. I fell into the Pond.”
The slippery sensation of mud and the icy water temperature came rushing back vividly.
“Then shouldn’t I be cold? Why is it so hot?”
In that instant, memories from the Pond came flooding back.
The Crown Prince’s urgent voice calling my name. Moon the Eunuch pulling me to safety.
But what remained most vividly was the memory of that brilliant scarlet royal robe.
“Right. King Sukjong was there. But…. what happened after that?”
Since I had lost consciousness immediately after being pulled from the water, I had no memory of what came next.
“Nngh….”
I let out a groan without meaning to.
It wasn’t from pain. It was from the unbearable heat.
That was when.
“Bong-bong! You’re awake!”
Han Sang-gung’s voice reached me, trembling with excitement.
“Are you alright? Bong-bong, are you conscious?”
Immediately after, the voices of several Palace Maids, including Seol-hyang, erupted in a clamor.
‘This is strange…. Why would all the Palace Maids gather just because a young maidservant fell into the Pond?’
What was even more alarming was Han Sang-gung’s urgent command.
“Now that Bong-bong is awake, inform Jang Hee-bin at once. Immediately!”
…Why would she go to such lengths?
The situation felt decidedly ominous, and I considered feigning unconsciousness again, but curiosity got the better of me and I cautiously opened my eyes.
One face, two, three, four…. all staring down at me.
‘Who is this man?’
A unfamiliar middle-aged man was gazing at me with a grave expression.
And this man was wearing official court robes?
‘Then he must be a government official.’
The man pressed his hand to my forehead.
“Fortunately, there is no fever.”
Ah. So this man is a physician from the Royal Medical Bureau.
“Since the child is young, she may convulse or develop a sudden fever. Keep the fire burning and administer herbal medicine at the proper times.”
“Yes. Understood, Royal Physician.”
…The moment I heard Han Sang-gung’s words, I could only doubt my ears.
‘Did she just say Royal Physician?’
The person examining my condition was no ordinary physician, but the Royal Physician himself—the King’s personal doctor.
The more I tried to make sense of the situation, the more confused I became.
That was when.
“Bong-bong has awakened?”
Jang Hee-bin rushed into the room.
I quickly imagined several possible scenarios.
1. I would be scolded.
Of all moments, I had to fall into the water when the King appeared. Given King Sukjong’s temperament, he likely rebuked her: “Can’t you even keep watch over a single Palace Maid child?”
2. I would be cast out.
Since my mishap had ruined her carefully planned outing, wouldn’t she throw me out to clean the latrines?
3. She would worry.
After all, Jang Hee-bin had been treating me quite fondly lately.
And the answer was—
“Sob… sob…”
Huh?
“Sniff… Bong-bong. You’re safe. I thought I was losing my precious treasure, and my heart nearly broke with worry.”
…She was crying?
Wait, why are you crying?
‘Did you perhaps give birth to me?’
Such an absurd thought crossed my mind—Jang Hee-bin’s tears were entirely unexpected.
“My child. You must have been so frightened. No matter how much Gwi-in Kim’s words wounded me, it was my fault for failing to look after you properly.”
Jang Hee-bin gently stroked my face.
Her touch was tender, yet her words carried a deliberate weight.
“Your Highness. I shall take my leave now.”
The Royal Physician spoke carefully.
“I will inform His Majesty that the child has awakened. Since complications may arise, the Palace Maids must observe the child closely.”
…What did you just say?
For a moment, I doubted my own ears.
‘Why would he report my condition to King Sukjong?’
I sensed something had gone terribly wrong.
The Palace Maids’ excessive fussing, Jang Hee-bin’s sudden tears, and the presence of the Royal Physician sent directly by the King himself.
‘This development seems oddly familiar…’
A homeless child suddenly monopolizing the attention of the highest authority—a classic setup.
Had I… actually stumbled into the cliché of ‘a child beloved by a tyrant’?
‘No. That’s absurd.’
I quickly dismissed the fantasy.
King Sukjong was a king. Not merely an ordinary one, but a truly fearsome ruler.
Of course, there had been some points of contact between King Sukjong and me.
There was a chance encounter through the cat Geum-deok, and he had said strange things about resemblance.
Yet there was no evidence anywhere to conclude that constituted ‘favor.’
‘King Sukjong is simply someone who finds children endearing. There’s nothing to read into.’
He had seen a Palace Maid child fall into the Pond, so sending the Royal Physician was merely a matter of propriety.
As I organized my thoughts, the Royal Physician departed.
And as I had anticipated, Jang Hee-bin’s tears ceased as well.
‘Am I about to be punished now?’
Please, anything but the cane….
I steeled myself and carefully opened my mouth.
“Jang Hee-bin, I am deeply sorry….”
Yet her response once again defied my expectations.
“Sorry? No, speak no such words. Children are bound to make mistakes now and then.”
Though the tremor had left her voice, it carried surprising warmth.
“I once heard from His Majesty that his sister, Princess Myeong-an, also fell into the pond during her childhood. Such is the nature of children. What matters is that you are unharmed.”
Jang Hee-bin’s eyes held genuine sincerity.
A true sincerity, different from the tears that had seemed somewhat contrived moments before.
“I am grateful, my lady.”
“Rest well. Should you desire anything to eat, simply ask the attendants to bring it.”
“Yes, my lady….”
Jang Hee-bin departed.
When I stirred restlessly and rejected her touch, the Palace Maids who had been massaging my limbs also withdrew.
Now only Seol-hyang and I remained.
“Seol-hyang.”
“Yes, Bong-bong?”
“What happened while I was unconscious?”
Seol-hyang released a deep, weary sigh.
“Oh, don’t even ask. Bong-bong, my heart nearly stopped….”
Seol-hyang’s account unfolded as follows.
Upon losing consciousness, I was not brought directly to Chwisuondang, but rather moved to the Empty Pavilion in the Back Garden, where the Royal Physician who arrived in haste tended to me.
“And His Majesty himself remained watching over you the entire time. Only after hearing that you were safe did he finally leave.”
“…Yes?”
Ah, how bewildering.
Why on earth was King Sukjong showing me such excessive kindness?
Doubt, unease, and concern flooded through me all at once….
‘I’m so terribly exhausted.’
I was overwhelmingly tired. My eyelids grew heavy.
“Sleep a bit more, Bong-bong.”
Seol-hyang adjusted the blanket over me and patted my belly gently.
…It’s a bit warm, but it feels wonderful.
Sleep descended upon me like a gentle tide.
***
The Eunuch’s warning that something might go wrong proved to be prescient.
That very night, fever began to rage through my body.
“Uhhh….”
Severe chills wracked me. My entire body was drenched in sweat.
In the fitful sleep that kept overwhelming me, I dreamed nightmares of the Palace Maids of Chwisuondang dying, and I would cry out in terror.
“Seol-hyang, my lady. Y-you’re alive, aren’t you? You’re still alive?”
“Bong-bong, are you alright? What kind of dream did you have to keep asking such things? Of course I’m alive.”
“Phew…. Thank goodness…. W-what about Suk-jeong…. Has Suk-jeong not come?”
“Good heavens. Here I am practically dying, and you ask about the young lady? She hasn’t come. That young lady really is something. How terrifying she must have been to this child….”
“She hasn’t come?”
“That’s right. Don’t worry.”
“Phew…. What a relief….”
That Seol-hyang was alive.
That Suk-jeong had not come….
Even in my illness, I repeatedly checked whether Suk-jeong would visit.
I knew that the moment the Shin-dang was established, the nightmare would become reality.
Fortunately, Suk-jeong did not appear.
I rose from my sickbed three full days later.
And thus….
When the Palace Maids who had departed for their homes to celebrate the New Year returned to Chwisuondang.
I had become the official “precious one” of Chwisuondang.
***
After the fever subsided, my body recovered swiftly, yet my frustration reached its zenith.
‘I’m absolutely stifled.’
The Palace Maids’ overprotectiveness was suffocating—I was forced to lie about like a corpse all day long.
Eventually, to escape my confinement, I had to demonstrate my vitality before the Royal Physician through jumping jacks, raising my arms in celebration, and sit-ups before I finally received permission to leave my chamber.
‘Freedom at last.’
Inwardly exultant, I stepped outside with a light gait.
The moment I entered the courtyard of Chwisuondang, I encountered a familiar face.
“…Bong-bong!”
It was the Crown Prince.
His expression was far from ordinary.
…Please don’t look at me with those doe-like eyes.
There’s a nine-year age gap between us, and you’re a married man with a Crown Princess, after all.
‘I absolutely despise being misunderstood.’
…That’s what I thought, but honestly, no one would harbor such thoughts about a four-year-old child like me.
Above all, the Crown Prince’s expression was irrefutable evidence.
He wore the face of someone gazing upon a ‘younger sister brought back from the brink of death.’
“Your Highness. I’ve caused you considerable alarm, haven’t I? I’m perfectly fine.”
“How does a child…. You’ve made ‘I’m fine’ your favorite phrase, haven’t you?”
“I truly am fine. Oh, and….”
I bowed respectfully toward Moon (Eunuch) standing behind the Crown Prince.
“Moon (Eunuch). Thank you for saving me.”
“Hehe.”
Apparently unprepared to receive thanks, Moon (Eunuch) laughed bashfully.
‘Now that I see him again, he does have an endearing quality.’
Seol-hyang, you have a discerning eye after all.
“His Highness was about to jump in himself, so I simply acted without thinking. Has your body fully recovered now?”
“Yes. I’m completely well.”
I was deeply moved by the fact that the Crown Prince had tried to rescue me personally, but my gratitude toward Moon (Eunuch) was entirely sincere.
The terror of death I felt in that moment remained vividly fresh.
And so….
“Moon (Eunuch). This is a gift for you.”
I offered him something precious.
None other than the candied fruit I’d received instead of New Year’s money!
“Oh my, I couldn’t possibly.”
“You saved my life. You’re Bong-bong’s lifesaver!”
When Moon (Eunuch) glanced at the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince smiled and nodded.
Crunch, crunch—two pieces of candied fruit disappeared into Moon (Eunuch)’s mouth.
That was when it happened.
Tap, tap.
Footsteps suddenly echoed.
The Crown Prince, Moon (Eunuch), and I turned our heads in unison.
The Crown Prince’s gaze wavered slightly.
“Father.”
…Why. Why do you keep appearing like this, Your Majesty.

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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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