Three Thousand Court Ladies - Chapter 77

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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 Seventy-Seven
“Mind the scarring. See that no mark is left behind.”
When Buyeo Hui issued the command in a glacial tone, the Physician’s eyes wavered without focus.
“Your Highness, I shall do my utmost.”
The Physician bowed deeply and replied, then Buyeo Hui asked at once:
“How deep is the wound?”
The Physician, unable to examine it yet, answered with a grimace.
“I shall assess it first.”
He unwound the hair tie wound tightly around Sam-cheon’s hand.
As he peeled away the silk cloth clinging to the wound, Sam-cheon’s shoulders contracted, and a terrible gleam flooded from above.
He felt it.
If the wound festered or scarred, her life would become harder.
The Physician pledged once more.
“I shall do my utmost.”
As color drained from the Physician’s face, Sam-cheon offered a word.
“I trust you will care for me well, Physician.”
“You said your hand throbbed, yet claimed you were fine.”
Watching Buyeo Hui’s rebuke, a smile played at Sam-cheon’s lips.
It hit her then.
She had returned safely to her rightful place.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“What thanks are due?”
“For your care of me.”
“When have I ever failed to care?”
Though his tone was gruff, the corners of Buyeo Hui’s mouth rose ever so slightly.
The Physician applied medicinal herbs to the wound, placed clean cloth over it, and wrapped it carefully. As the two conversed, his manner grew more reverent.
“It is crucial that it does not fester. For now, you must take care. I shall prepare medicinal decoction for a week—do not skip a single dose.”
Having given his instructions, the Physician drew a small ceramic vessel from the bundle he had brought.
“Sleep as you are tonight, and apply this ointment each morning.”
“Thank you.”
Sam-cheon accepted the medicine.
Now she could return to Jahyeon Trading House and rest. A-rang and Nuri would be worried sick.
Buyeo Hui rose first and said:
“Let us go.”
Sam-cheon bowed to the Physician and stood. Following Buyeo Hui, she noticed he was heading inward, not toward the exit.
“Do we have somewhere else to be?”
“From tonight onward, you will stay at the main residence. A-rang and Nuri will arrive shortly. We do not know who commissioned the attack on your cousin—caution is prudent. And there is that fool in the jar as well.”
“That is true. But what of Prince Tae?”
“He has barricaded himself in his quarters and drowns in drink.”
“He has fortune on his side.”
That ease would be because he was a prince.
All this time, the Great King had maintained silence whenever disputes broke out among the other princes. Should he turn a blind eye to this as well, Buyeo Hui would face a threat to his life. The protection of his mother, the Secondary Consort Baek, had its limits. He might have to flee back to Sabi as if in escape.
The thought of Sabi brought Gye-san and the goldsmith to mind. It would be better to inform them of the situation before hearsay reached them. Otherwise, the two would gnaw their fingernails to the bone through the night.
“I wish to send a letter to the Gyeonhwon Army. How much should I explain in it?”
“Why hide anything from Gye-san? Write what you will and give it to Ju-hong.”
“Yes.”
After a few more steps, Buyeo Hui opened his mouth.
“About this matter of you being handed over. Your cousin said that person was courteous, did he not? It could be the owner of the tile-roofed house, or it could be someone else entirely.”
Even without further explanation, the danger was clear. Why could she never catch her breath?
“It seems something ill-fated shadows me.”
Buyeo Hui gave a thin smile.
“Write of that matter too, without fail.”
“Would it not be better to tell her in person when I return?”
“She will worry either way. But she will feel bitter when she learns of it later.”
“Yes.”
Sam-cheon answered dutifully. She would write of it but play down the details.
“But tell me—if there is something you wish to have, speak it. Anything at all.”
“That is not necessary. You have already bought me everything I need.”
Sam-cheon smiled awkwardly and demurred. She had always accepted readily what Buyeo Hui gave her, but it felt as though she could not do so anymore.
“Who asked what you need? I asked what you wish to have. You saved my life—surely I cannot let that pass unrewarded. If you do not wish to be buried beneath gold and jewels, then speak.”
The prospect of being truly buried in gifts if she refused felt very real. He was the sort of man who would arrive bearing every treasure imaginable, claiming he did not know her tastes and had brought items by category.
“Then, please give me a brush. One that is actually usable.”
She had emphasized actual use to prevent him from bringing a brush-shaped ornament.
“A brush? Excellent. It is also the object you use most often, so it carries meaning.”
As Buyeo Hui smiled with satisfaction, Ju-hong appeared beyond his shoulder. Someone approached her with a message, and Ju-hong’s expression brightened at once.
Her face luminous, Ju-hong closed the distance and delivered the news.
“They have found Nuri’s father.”
Perhaps because he had not slept at all.
As Buyeo Hui stepped out of his chamber, he stopped before the painting hanging on the wall. The Flower and Bird Painting that his Maternal Grandmother had given him before she passed struck him forcefully.
Two birds perched upon a plum bough.
‘It is pleasant to see you getting along well with the Princess Gye-san, but in the end, it is only your brothers of the same womb who remain. He has not yet come of age, and so engages in somewhat rash acts—please look after him.’
Buyeo Hui had promised he would.
But.
“This time, I cannot, Grandmother.”
Buyeo Hui took the painting from the wall.
“Are you there?”
The door opened at once, and attendants entered.
“Take it to the storehouse. Hang a suitable painting in its place here.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Buyeo Hui passed the attendants, who treated him with cautious deference, as though he walked on thin ice, and stepped outside. Ju-hong followed close behind and spoke.
“A-rang and Nuri arrived at dawn and I showed them to the separate quarters.”
“Has his arm been examined by the Physician?”
“How could I have the audacity to receive treatment?”
“You collapsed into their hands while I was unconscious. What could you have done? Since it has come to this, receive treatment first.”
“…Your Highness, are you suffering greatly?”
“What?”
“I thought you might tell me to go hungry to save rice.”
“Enough of that. Eat well.”
Buyeo Hui laughed teasingly, but Ju-hong found it unsettling.
While the royal she served had been kidnapped, Ju-hong could not help. Instead, she had been rescued by that very person, and no one reproached her.
Even a thorny cushion would feel gentler than this.
“Would you not scold me instead?”
Seeing Ju-hong’s pained expression, Buyeo Hui let out a soft laugh.
“I scold you enough on ordinary days. That will suffice. But today—you have not asked where I am going?”
Given the circumstances and Buyeo Hui’s early departure, where he was headed was obvious.
“To the separate quarters, are you not?”
“Correct.”
Indeed, Buyeo Hui was making for the separate quarters he had given to Sam-cheon. Ju-hong, reading the signs, opened her mouth hesitantly.
“May I ask a presumptuous question?”
“No.”
Buyeo Hui drew the line firmly, and Ju-hong nodded silently.
His heart might flow toward Sam-cheon, but the Buyeo Hui that Ju-hong knew would not abandon his position and duty.
She was just reassuring herself it was needless worry when Buyeo Hui murmured quietly:
“I cannot speak my heart to you before her, can I?”
Leaving Ju-hong as if turned to stone, Buyeo Hui strode through the gate into the separate quarters.
The first sound he heard was the laughter of a child.
Nuri, crossing the courtyard, spotted Buyeo Hui and beamed.
“Father has come!”

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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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