The Terminally Ill Youngest Daughter of a Medical Dynasty Is a Genius Physician - Chapter 32

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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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Episode 32
An Applicant standing nearby selecting medicinal herbs glanced at the Huang Jing Root in my hand and his eyes widened.
“Huang Jing Root for a patient with abdominal pain?”
I heard the low murmur but paid it no mind.
If the only goal were to eliminate the pain, that herb wouldn’t be necessary.
But considering the Patient’s condition, it was absolutely essential.
‘I can’t let his Vital Energy drain further.’
Crackle, crackle.
I peeled the bark from the Zi Mu Cao thinly and sliced it to a uniform thickness.
The Hei Lian Shi I didn’t crush completely—only scored the shell lightly.
It was to prevent the medicinal properties from flooding out all at once.
I placed the Huang Jing Root into the Decoction Pot first and steeped it slowly over low heat.
After a moment, when a subtle sweetness rose into the air, I added the Zi Mu Cao.
I raised the flame slightly and waited until the liquid had drawn out enough color and essence.
Finally, I added a small amount of Hei Lian Shi.
Beneath the rich, mellow root fragrance came the warm scent of Zi Mu Cao, and at its edge, the distinctive bitter note of Hei Lian Shi mingled faintly.
I examined the light and aroma of the decoction.
‘Perfect.’
I lowered the flame and strained the liquid through clean cloth with a small ladle.
Carrying a full adult-sized Decoction Pot with my current small frame was impossible.
If I forced it and spilled, I’d have to start from the beginning.
It was better to take my time and do it the way I could most accurately with this body.
One ladle.
Then another.
The clear liquid rose gradually into the Medicine Bowl.
Ju Yeon-seok, watching this, narrowed his eyes.
“He’s not forcing himself to move the entire pot.”
Heo Un-baek’s gaze also followed the movement of my hands.
“It seems he planned from the start a method suited to his own frame.”
Ju Yeon-seok nodded slightly.
“Despite the time pressure, he doesn’t rush carelessly. He knows what can be sacrificed and what must be preserved at all costs.”
“Composure hard to believe in a seven-year-old.”
Yet I, standing before the Preparation Station, heard none of their conversation.
All my awareness was concentrated on the sensation at my fingertips and the liquid falling into the bowl; the sounds around me had already faded beyond hearing.
‘Just a bit more…!’
Cold sweat had already formed on my brow.
The moment the final ladle of decoction passed through the cloth.
Plop.
At the end of the incense stick marking time, ash that had hung suspended fell to the ground.
“Done…!”
I exhaled softly.
It had been close.
Then the Examiner’s voice rang out across the courtyard before the Main Hall.
“Applicants who have completed their Herbal Compounding, bring your medicines to the Verification Station!”
I accepted the finished Medicine Bowl in both hands.
A faint wisp of steam rose toward my face.
As I moved carefully forward, the gazes of those who had whispered at first sight of me began to follow the Medicine Bowl one by one.
But I didn’t look back at them.
Upon reaching the Verification Station, I set down the Medicine Bowl and bowed.
“I diagnosed Acute Indigestion compounded with Cold Qi, blocking the Spleen-Stomach Qi. I prescribed Zi Mu Cao to warm the interior, Hei Lian Shi to open the blockage, but since the Patient’s pulse showed weakness, I added Huang Jing Root to restore his Vital Energy.”
Ju Yeon-seok picked up the Medicine Bowl and inhaled its fragrance.
He examined the light of the decoction, then checked the strained herbs and their preparation in turn.
After a moment, a faint satisfaction flickered across his stern expression.
“Why so little Hei Lian Shi?”
“The pain was severe, but the Patient’s pulse lacked strength. If I increased the amount, the blockage would clear quickly, but his Vital Energy would be depleted along with it.”
I answered at once, and Ju Yeon-seok turned to Heo Un-baek.
Heo Un-baek, too, examined the Medicine Bowl and remaining herbs before nodding slowly.
“Both the Diagnosis and the prescription are sound.”
His gaze settled on me.
“The Patient may take it.”
A brief permission was granted.
I received the medicine bowl in both hands again.
“Thank you.”
Then I headed straight to the third tent.
The patient was still leaning against the bed, pressing his belly.
But the moment he saw me returning, he lifted his head as if he’d been waiting.
“Doctor.”
There was less wariness in his voice than before.
I set the medicine bowl down in front of him.
“I’m sorry for the wait.”
“It’s fine.”
“The elders have verified it. You can drink it slowly now.”
The man’s gaze dropped to the medicine bowl.
Through the wisps of steam, a deep brown decoction was visible.
He hesitated for a moment, then accepted the bowl with both hands.
“It’s still warm.”
“Your interior is in a chilled state, so it’s better to drink it before it cools too much. Just don’t swallow it all at once.”
“Yes.”
The man nodded slightly.
He brought the medicine bowl to his lips.
Then, the moment he raised the bowl near his nose as if to check the medicinal scent—
“Ugh—!”
The man quickly covered his mouth with one hand.
His shoulders heaved sharply.
His throat convulsed repeatedly, and his body bent forward as if he might retch at any moment.
“Patient!”
The attendant standing nearby stepped forward in alarm.
Several applicants watching the situation from beyond the tent entrance all turned to look at once.
The final medication-taking stage had been arranged with the tent entrance rolled back so all could observe.
As a result, the man’s convulsing frame and dry heaves instantly drew the attention of everyone in the examination ground.
“Look at that. He’s retching?”
“If the patient can’t even take the medicine, what use is a perfect prescription?”
“Surely there’s nothing wrong with the medicine itself?”
Whispers spread rapidly.
Then someone muttered mockingly, low enough to carry.
“Maybe he never wanted to drink it in the first place? That patient probably wasn’t eager to swallow medicine made by someone with a terminal diagnosis.”
“Right. I suppose—”
The sound of teeth-sucking came from all around.
The suspicion that had quieted moments ago began to raise its head once more.
The atmosphere in the Great Hall hardened instantly.
My father leaned forward as if ready to rise from his seat at any moment, and my grandfather too stared at me with furrowed brows.
All four elders’ gazes turned toward the patient at once.
There hung a palpable tension, as though any one of them might intervene the moment they judged the situation to be unusual.
And a little distance away.
Yeon Hui-cheon watched silently from where he stood.
His eyes, cold and settled, showed no sign of disturbance.
As if he had been waiting for this very moment to unfold.
But I did not snatch away the medicine bowl in haste. I did not cry out in panic.
I supported his back to keep his waist from bending further, then checked his breathing first.
“It’s all right. Set the medicine down for now.”
“Ugh—!”
“Don’t force it. Just breathe slowly. Come now. One, two—”
I gently stroked his back until his dry heaves subsided.
Once.
Twice.
Soon the ragged, broken breathing began to lengthen bit by bit. The convulsions in his throat gradually eased.
Only then did he wipe the sweat beading on his forehead with the back of his hand and exhale softly.
‘As expected.’
There was nothing to panic about.
No—it was close to a reaction I had already anticipated.
I turned to the Attendant beside me and spoke with certainty.
“Bring me some warm water, if you would. And just a touch of honey.”

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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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