The Terminally Ill Youngest Daughter of a Medical Dynasty Is a Genius Physician - Chapter 19

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

Chapter 19
I froze.
My mother, who had left this world from an unnamed illness when I was very young.
My memories of that time were hazy.
All that remained were fragments—my mother always lying on her sickbed, and my father standing beside her with a terrible expression etched on his face.
My father continued slowly.
“I thought if I stayed by her side and bolstered her will, she would recover. The patient’s determination is important in fighting illness, after all.”
……
“But I was wrong. Your mother died before my eyes, and I could do nothing. Nothing, despite being a physician.”
My father clenched his teeth, as if restraining his emotion.
“That was when I understood. That simply being present is not enough to save a person.”
He attempted a smile.
Yet it was so bitter it looked ready to crumble at any moment.
“So this time, I could not waste a single day. I refused to have regrets again.”
My father’s gaze fell upon me.
“To save you.”
I had no words.
My father’s absence had never been rejection.
While I struggled to survive in this place, my father had been equally desperate—to save me.
“So that was it.”
Only after hearing it from his own lips did the truth finally sink in.
He had never resented me.
He had neither abandoned nor forgotten me.
Before I knew it, tears spilled down my cheeks.
“Ryeong Hwa.”
My father carefully spread his arms wide.
“Come here.”
I could not move at once.
Those broad arms.
A place I had believed was never meant for me.
Through countless lives, I had never been held by my father.
I did not know where to place my hands, or how close I was allowed to come.
When I took a step forward and then stopped, my father did not push me.
He simply held his arms open, as if he could wait as long as it took for me to come to him of my own will.
Carefully, I took another step.
And very clumsily, I leaned into his embrace.
In a rush—
His great arms wrapped around me.
It was warm.
So much warmer and firmer than I had imagined.
As I pressed my cheek against my father’s chest, I heard the slow, steady beat of his heart.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The sound of a living person.
The sound of my father, whom I had longed for so deeply, now here beside me.
Something strange stirred in my chest.
Comfort mingled with ache; joy tangled with bitterness.
Why had it taken so many lifetimes circling round and round before I could know this embrace?
In the end, I could not hold back. I wept silently—once the tears broke free, they would not stop.
Without a word, my father slowly stroked my back.
He did not urge me to stop crying, nor did he try to pull me away from his arms.
How much time passed?
“So Ga Ju.”
A hesitant voice came from a distance.
Turning my head past my father’s shoulder, I saw a servant hurrying toward us on quick steps.
Though he had rushed so hastily he was breathless, he did not dare come closer, only watching the moment carefully.
My father did not answer at once.
He continued to pat my back until my crying subsided, then asked quietly.
“Ryeong Hwa, are you all right now?”
I steadied my breath a few times before giving a small nod.
“Yes……”
Only then did Father turn to look at the attendant.
“What is it?”
The attendant stepped forward and bowed deeply.
“The Ga Ju requests your presence.”
I reached up to wipe my eyes with my sleeve.
Father lifted his hand first, gently brushing away the tears that remained on my cheeks.
It was a clumsy gesture, but tender.
“We can wait a moment longer if you need it.”
I shook my head.
“No. I can go now.”
Father extended his hand.
This time I didn’t hesitate, placing my hand in his.
His large hand closed around mine with quiet resolve, as if promising never to let go.
* * *
When we entered Grandfather’s Quarters, the faint scent of medicinal herbs brushed against my nose.
“So you’ve come. Sit.”
Grandfather tapped the cushion with his walking stick.
Father dropped into his seat first, and I settled down beside him with proper composure.
As attendants filled the teacups, Grandfather sipped his Green Tea and studied me.
“Ryeong Hwa, how is your body?”
“I’m fine.”
“Fine, indeed. Your complexion is ashen. How did you come to fetch that letter yourself in such a state?”
Grandfather reproved me gently, then cooled a sweet Quince Tea and handed it to me.
“Drink this. It will restore your strength.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
Father waved his hand beside me to cool the tea, and Grandfather clicked his tongue in disapproval.
“There has been quite a commotion today.”
The turmoil that had unfolded moments ago in the Sa Rang Chae flashed before my eyes again.
Yeon So Taek and Yeon Do Pyeong dragged away, physicians and elders murmuring anxiously about what would come next.
“There is much to repair, but first we must address what happened at the Marketplace. Baek Gang.”
“Yes.”
Knowing what was coming, I gripped the teacup tightly.
‘He will surely say that I violated Clan Rule by treating a patient when I’m not yet a Physician Apprentice.’
Just then Grandfather placed his hand on my head.
“Ryeong Hwa. Straighten your shoulders. You did well.”
“I… beg your pardon?”
“It was excellent treatment, or so I’m told.”
“But I am not yet a Physician Apprentice…”
“The patient comes first.”
Grandfather spoke with quiet certainty.
“Is that not the first Clan Rule of the Yak Ryeong Ga?”
I blinked for a moment, then nodded firmly.
The tension that had lingered in my chest finally began to ease.
“I will remember that always.”
“Then what is the problem?”
At Father’s offhand remark that followed, Grandfather sighed and rubbed his brow.
“The problem is you, Baek Gang. The So Ga Ju of the Yak Ryeong Ga seized someone’s vital points like a ruffian, you say?”
“Am I to sit idle while men speak thoughtlessly of my daughter?”
Father laughed with a sinister edge.
“Now that I think of it, this may not be where it ends. We should exact a proper price from that household…”
“You’re not about to cause more trouble!”
Grandfather seized his own neck as if his blood pressure were rising.
As color drained from my face in turn, Father belatedly withdrew his killing intent.
“Surely you don’t think I’d beat anyone else. I have that much discretion.”
“You must not overreach. The honor of the Yak Ryeong Ga depends on it. Remember that.”
“Yes, understood.”
Father gave a careless answer, then abruptly turned his gaze toward me.
“But Ryeong Hwa—what is wrong with your body?”
“Pardon?”
Father grasped my wrist and pressed his fingers to my pulse.
His playful expression sobered in an instant.
“I checked you while you were asleep as well, and you’ve certainly improved. Your pulse is far stronger than before.”
“I’m not fully healed yet. My vital energy is still distorted.”
Father nodded at Grandfather’s words.
Then, keeping hold of my hand, he asked, “Do you truly have no idea which herbs Ryeong Hwa used?”
“None. I checked all the tasks Do Pyeong passed on to me, but Ryeong Hwa was the one who made the medicine. There’s a possibility other things were mixed in among the herbs, so I’ll need to verify directly.”
“There are thousands of medicinal plants alone. How could you possibly verify them all?”
“That’s precisely why I’ve summoned you here.”
Father’s eyes widened slightly.
He fell silent in thought for a moment, then spoke.
“At first light tomorrow, I’ll go to the Central Medicinal Herb Storage with Ryeong Hwa.”
This time it was my turn to widen my eyes in surprise.
I never imagined an opportunity to enter the Central Medicinal Herb Storage would come this quickly……!
Meeting Father at the Marketplace had been chance, but I was grateful I’d gone there.
I cast a cautious glance toward Grandfather, wondering if he might object.
“Very well.”
To my surprise, Grandfather consented immediately.
“Ryeong Hwa, check each herb you consumed and bring me a list. And Ryeong Hwa, you look at the herbs directly and recount everything you remember in detail.”
“Yes!”
It seemed that as the So Ga Ju, Father could grant us entry to the Central Medicinal Herb Storage.
I was so delighted I felt like jumping from my seat at that very moment.
But Father was not finished.
“And since Ryeong Hwa’s body is recovering well, what do you think about holding the Formal Initiation Ceremony properly?”
“…?!”
My mouth fell open.
What?
Father, isn’t this too soon?

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