Surviving as Jang Hee-bin's Child Court Lady - Chapter 67

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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 67. A Secret Emerges
The Northern Forest welcomed summer.
A fresh breeze carrying the scent of new growth swept through the crystalline green leaves that glimmered in the sunlight.
The forest was breathtakingly beautiful, yet Prince Yeonning’s presence drained all the joy from my expedition.
I had absolutely no desire to expose the location of the stone tomb to Prince Yeonning.
‘I’ll abandon this attempt for today.’
I made a swift decision.
Today, I would pretend to search for Geum-deok in the forest and return early.
“Geum-deok? Where did Geum-deok go?”
I was halfheartedly calling out for Geum-deok when it happened.
Peep—
‘What was that sound?’
Hearing an unfamiliar cry for the first time, I glanced down at my feet.
‘…A bird?’
A young bird sat alone in the middle of the forest.
It was not particularly cute.
Its body was jet black with fluffy dark down, and its appearance resembled an underdeveloped chick….
“Oh my. A young crow.”
“A young crow?”
“Yes. It looks quite different from a fully grown adult.”
“I see….”
“Since it’s early summer now, it’s breeding season for crows. It must have fallen from its nest.”
Prince Yeonning was not devoted solely to history and classical studies.
He possessed miscellaneous knowledge about all manner of animals and insects.
Considering that Prince Yeonning was only seven years old, this was hardly surprising.
Children in the modern era memorize the names of countless dinosaurs by that age as well.
Prince Yeonning was no different.
Sparrows, magpies, brown-eared bulbuls, water magpies, varied tits, wood pigeons, hawks….
Whenever he saw a bird, he would recite its name and characteristics.
“Crows are omnivorous. They have long been regarded as ill omens, but in reality, they are quite intelligent. I’ve heard that people from the Eastern lands consider crows auspicious….”
Another display of knowledge was about to commence.
I quickly interrupted him.
“But why is the baby bird separated from its mother and alone?”
“I wonder. Shall we take a look?”
Prince Yeonning carefully lifted the baby bird.
Peep.
The baby bird offered no real resistance.
The bird’s legs dangled limply in Prince Yeonning’s hands.
“It must be injured somewhere, or dying.”
“…Dying?”
“That’s right. I picked it up, but it showed no response whatsoever. So the mother crow must have abandoned it. Crows are remarkably intelligent, after all—she likely judged the chick beyond saving.”
“….”
“Among beasts, such things are inevitable. The weak are cast aside.”
Chirp….
Prince Yeonning set the baby crow back down on the ground.
“Come now. We must find Geum-deok, must we not?”
“Yes….”
Though I answered, my feet seemed reluctant to move.
The tiny crow’s body hung limp, as though it had surrendered to all hope.
Its eyes dimmed, bereft of any will to survive….
My heart grew heavy with concern, yet there was nothing to be done.
Chirp….
As I walked away from the weakly crying bird, I posed a question to Prince Yeonning.
“Your Highness, what will become of that bird?”
“It will die.”
“….”
“Unable to forage for itself, it will either starve, or if not, it will soon fall prey to another beast. Geum-deok might even catch it.”
Gasp.
‘Our dear Geum-deok would never do such a thing….’
…or so I thought.
‘Do you know how filial a cat Geum-deok is?’
‘Filial… you say?’
‘Indeed. Just this morning, she brought a sparrow and left it before the Royal Chambers. Roasted sparrow has long been celebrated as a delicacy. That she caught such a delicious morsel to present to me—surely you understand the depth of her devotion?’
At the memory of the King boasting of Geum-deok’s hunting prowess with such pride, I found myself at a loss for words.
“Hwang Bong-bong, what occupies your thoughts?”
“Ah, I was thinking we should return now. Geum-deok does not seem to be here. Perhaps she has already returned to Changdeok Palace?”
“Perhaps so. Indeed, my reading time grows short as well. We should head back.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Chirp.
As I took a step forward, the cry of the bird echoed once more from afar.
I left the forest with a hardened expression.
Throughout, my heart ached with an inexplicable heaviness.
***
After parting ways with Prince Yeonning.
I lingered aimlessly at the forest’s edge, unable to return to Chwisuondang.
How pitiful…
The image of the young crow refused to leave my mind.
Its feeble cries echoed persistently in my ears.
There was a reason for my hesitation, of course.
It stemmed from my older brother in my previous life.
Back when he was still healthy.
One afternoon while walking with him, I had witnessed a flock of crows cawing raucously.
How magnificent.
You find crows magnificent? Why?
Despite their dark appearance, they’re splendid, aren’t they? Large, pitch-black, intelligent, with powerful voices. Look at them. I wish I could fly as freely as they do.
…
I was in my adolescence then.
His words about wanting to fly freely sounded to my young ears like a complaint about the burden of caring for me, so I had sulked petulantly.
After my brother left this world, I came to wish for nothing more than that.
That he could now fly freely.
That his wings would never break, even in the heavens…
***
In the end, I returned to the Northern Forest.
I hadn’t made any grand plans or steeled myself with solemn resolve.
I simply came back.
I couldn’t bring myself to abandon the young crow and leave.
It would surely be devoured by another beast soon. Geum-deok might even eat it.
Prince Yeonning’s warning echoed in my ears like a prophecy.
His words quickened my pace.
A weary sigh escaped me. I had arrived.
Near where the narrow path bent sharply.
I had reached the spot where I’d left the young crow.
Rustle—
A sound came from within the dense undergrowth.
A small fox appeared before my startled eyes.
Its size wasn’t particularly threatening, so I felt some relief, but there was a problem.
I realized the fox’s gaze was fixed on the young crow.
The fox glanced at the crow while gauging my reaction.
No, you don’t.
I didn’t hesitate.
I drew the slingshot I always carried at my waist, quickly aimed, and fired.
Whoosh—
Screech!
The stone struck the fox squarely in the ribs.
The fox yelped and bolted away in a panic.
Chirp….
Chirp chirp….
Perhaps sensing the commotion,
the baby crow let out a faint cry.
“What am I going to do with you…?”
Uncharacteristically, I had come to this place on pure impulse, with no plan whatsoever.
I couldn’t stand guard over the crow with a slingshot indefinitely.
If I lingered too late and actually encountered a beast like a tiger, it would be catastrophic.
“….”
I crouched on the forest floor and stared at the baby crow for a long while.
Perhaps noticing my gaze, the crow weakly lifted its head.
Our eyes met—those black, gleaming eyes.
Eyes devoid of vitality.
Eyes fading toward death….
My heart grew heavy.
“…Let’s go.”
The words tumbled out unexpectedly.
Once I spoke the words that had lingered on my tongue all along, I felt oddly relieved.
I carefully lifted the baby crow.
The crow’s body was cold to the touch.
Wanting to share my warmth, I wrapped the chick in the folds of my jeogori.
Then I began walking briskly out of the forest.
The small creature nestled in my arms let out a soft chirp.
‘But… where am I going?’
I had brought the crow with me, but….
The question was where I should take it.
As Chwisuondang drew nearer, my anxiety grew, and my mouth went dry.
‘Should I tell Jang Hee-bin honestly…?’
No. That was madness.
No matter how much I was treated as a ‘lucky charm,’ there were lines I could not cross.
In our people’s eyes, crows were considered deeply inauspicious omens.
Moreover…. Though it pained me to say it of the creature, the baby crow was rather hideous in appearance.
One might say it resembled a young chicken with an absurdly oversized head.
For that reason, I abandoned any thought of seeking permission from anyone.
In that moment.
A sudden flash of inspiration.
‘The West Side of Chwisuondang…!’
“West Side of Chwisuondang…!”
That’s it. There it was!
The West Side of Chwisuondang, left vacant at Suk-jeong’s request.
Though more than a hundred days had passed since Suk-jeong’s footsteps ceased to visit, the western wing remained an empty expanse.
‘Yes. I’ve made my decision!’
Standing at the entrance of Chwisuondang, I first composed my expression.
Then, keeping my arms crossed to conceal the bulging fabric of my robes, I strode boldly inside.
‘When committing mischief, you must always push through with sheer audacity.’
Recalling this precious lesson learned from that mad Young Nobleman, Park Moon-soo, whom I’d encountered outside the palace—
“I’m back!”
I announced loudly, lest the chick’s squeaking sounds escape.
“Ah, Bong-bong has returned? Where have you been that your cheeks are so flushed?”
“The outhouse is urgent! I’ll explain later! Oh dear, this is terrible!”
Fearing Seol-hyang might call me to a stop, I bolted forward with all my might.
“Phew….”
Upon entering the West Side of Chwisuondang, I exhaled in relief.
My destination was the most secluded corner of the western wing—a small storage room.
The room was crammed with unused household items and tattered clothing.
I found an empty wicker basket, lined it with old garments to make it soft, and carefully placed the baby crow inside.
Peep.
A feeble sound, yet the chick still lived.
‘First, I need to find food. Prince Yeonning said crows are omnivorous, didn’t he?’
I considered feeding it the candies I always carried, but even for an omnivorous bird, such food seemed unsuitable, so I chose another method.
…Theft, to be precise.
Creeping stealthily into the Nae-so Kitchen, I glanced about as if searching for Seol-hyang, then swiftly snatched a lump of cold rice.
Peep.
Peep peep.
When I formed a few grains of rice into a ball and offered it, the chick opened its beak wide.
I had thought it was dying, but the baby crow ate the rice grains quite eagerly.
Peep….
Watching it open its beak wide to receive each morsel was both poignant and endearing.
Was this how my older brother in my past life felt, and how Hwang Jin-gi, Hwang Bong-bong’s brother, felt when caring for me…?
After feeding it a handful of rice grains, the chick’s belly became remarkably round.
“That’s enough for now. I’ll give you something different this evening.”
A balanced diet would help it recover quickly and grow strong.
“Don’t be frightened by the darkness. I’ll be back soon.”
Peep.
As drowsiness seemed to overtake it, the black-eyed chick let out a soft cry.
After leaving the storage room, I carefully closed the door.
Fortunately, the chick’s cries did not escape beyond the walls.
Thus began my secret, solitary venture into raising a bird.

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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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