Chapter 1
Part One: The Female Physician
That troublesome day began with an ominous feeling.
Court female physicians usually start bustling about even before the roosters crow. Among them, Shinbi—who had only just earned the title of caregiver physician—was especially busy.
First, she washed the cloths that would be used on wounds. Normally this task would be given to the water maidens, but since they were known for simply dipping things in water and pulling them back out, the job often ended up falling to Shinbi.
After finishing the laundry, she organized the acupuncture tools and bedding used by the court physicians and senior female physicians. She also gathered frequently used medicinal herbs and decoction tools.
So busy was she that she lost track of time until Senior Court Physician Jahui suddenly spoke.
“Come with me.”
It was time to see a patient. Shinbi immediately dropped what she was holding.
The first patient of the day was a palace maid from the Queen Dowager’s residence.
“I’ve had no energy for days now.”
The maid was around Shinbi’s age, but her expression looked sharp and strained. Her thin frame and protruding cheekbones made her face look harsh.
“My chest keeps feeling tight, and my hearing comes and goes.”
“How have your meals been?” Jahui asked.
“I’m thirsty, but I don’t feel like drinking water.”
“How long have these symptoms lasted?”
“About half a month.”
“You endured it far too long, ma’am.”
“To see a physician, you have to wait forever. I had no choice.”
The maid snapped irritably.
“…My apologies.”
Though it wasn’t her fault, Jahui apologized out of habit.
The Royal Medical Office was one of the three medical offices—alongside the Hyeminseo and the Hwalinseo—and was responsible for the palace. Its highest priority was the king and royal family.
Despite the many people working in the palace, receiving medical care was as difficult as reaching the stars. There were always too few physicians and female doctors.
The Hyeminseo treated commoners who could afford care, while the Hwalinseo dealt with the poorest and sickest, yet both faced similar shortages.
“That’s enough.”
True to her sharp appearance, the maid was impatient.
“I will check your pulse, ma’am,” Jahui said politely.
Then she suddenly turned to Shinbi.
“…In a case like this, where should you examine first?”
“If the spleen qi is weak, you should check the middle burner,” Shinbi answered smoothly.
“Because among the three burners, it is responsible for digestion.”
“Yes, correct.” Jahui nodded.
“But before that, you must examine the patient’s complexion.”
Startled, Shinbi looked again and noticed the maid’s face had a yellowish tint.
“After that, you take the pulse…”
Jahui slipped her hand inside the maid’s jacket.
“How dare you touch me so freely!”
The maid flinched and swatted her hand away.
“I am only checking your pulse,” Jahui explained calmly.
It was an understandable reaction. Women were generally not used to physical contact.
When the maid reluctantly relaxed her guard, Jahui checked her chest area and the pulse at both wrists.
“It appears to be blood stagnation,” Jahui finally concluded.
“That means a large amount of congealed blood has built up in your chest. Poor circulation caused your illness.”
“So what do you plan to do?”
“I will prescribe a Rehmannia Decoction.”
Jahui nodded toward Shinbi again.
“Which herbs are needed?”
“Rehmannia root, rhubarb, peach kernel, finely chopped fresh mulberry leaves…”
Shinbi recited them fluently.
“I will write the prescription as she said.”
Relieved that she was correct, Shinbi quickly took out her brush and wrote it down.
The sharp-faced maid left without a word of thanks. Thus ended the first patient of the day.
“…Do you know who that woman was?” Jahui asked while cleaning up.
“I don’t,” Shinbi replied, tilting her head.
“Jeongga Yi Jeong. There are rumors she’s the Crown Prince’s lover…”
Jahui stopped herself and shook her head.
“No. I shouldn’t indulge in gossip.”
“You can’t just stop like that,” Shinbi grumbled.
Before she could complain further, more patients lined up. The chaos lasted until noon.
By lunchtime, Shinbi was exhausted. She ate clumped millet rice hurriedly with her closest friend, Manduk.
“I didn’t get scolded even once today,” Shinbi bragged while dipping her rice in soy sauce.
“Well, that’s rare,” Manduk replied flatly, wiping off spilled sauce.
It was no surprise she wasn’t impressed. Manduk had been exceptional since her trainee days. She became a caregiver physician with top scores and was expected to rise to head physician someday.
But Manduk cared for nothing except medicine. She was cold and distant, often shunned by others. Only Shinbi stubbornly remained her friend.
“Did you hear they might suddenly hold an exam in ten days?” Shinbi said between bites.
“They say it’ll be really hard.”
“Then just answer correctly,” Manduk replied calmly.
“How encouraging,” Shinbi stuck out her tongue.
“…We can study together at night. I’ll help,” Manduk added.
“That’s fine, but find out when the exam is first,” Shinbi said.
“So I can pretend to be sick and run away.”
“You’re terrible at acting,” Manduk pointed out.
“You see sick people every day but can’t imitate one at all.”
Her scolding stopped abruptly.
“Gather around.”
Jahui raised her voice to the assembled physicians.
“This afternoon, we will attend the royal audience.”
Shinbi and Manduk dropped their spoons.
“His Majesty seems bored and wants to meet someone new,” Jahui said.
“So I will bring one caregiver physician.”
A thrill ran through the room. Meeting the king was an honor to boast about for life.
While everyone swallowed nervously, Manduk’s eyes gleamed.
“…You.”
But surprisingly, Jahui pointed at Shinbi, who stood there with rice stuck to her cheek.
“I already prepared the acupuncture tools for the main hall!” Shinbi protested immediately, used to being blamed.
“That’s fortunate,” Jahui said stiffly.
“But I meant that I’m taking you to the main hall.”
“Why me?” Shinbi asked uneasily.
“His Majesty saw your name on the roster and found it amusing.”
“…Because of my name?”
Shinbi was dumbfounded. Shouldn’t a king be more serious?
“And since you’re the strangest physician here, it works out.”
Jahui turned and walked away.
“Not the most talented, but the strangest?” Shinbi muttered after her.
“Just hurry,” Manduk said, gently pushing her forward while shielding her from jealous looks.
“It’s a good chance. Do well.”
Encouragement from Manduk of all people meant she really didn’t trust Shinbi.
“Okay… what is happening?” Shinbi muttered as she rushed after Jahui.
“His Majesty is as generous as the sea,” Jahui said without looking back.
“But do not forget your place just because he treats you kindly.”
“Yes, ma’am…”
“The king is the supreme ruler. You are merely a lowborn girl who escaped being a palace slave because of some skill with writing and hands.”
“There is an order between you greater than heaven and earth.”
“I know,” Shinbi replied impatiently.
“It means you must know your limits in the royal presence.”
“When have I ever forgotten?” Shinbi shot back.
“Isn’t there no physician more polite than me?”
She was rewarded with a sharp smack to the back.
“Are all polite physicians dead?” Jahui snapped.
“That hurt!”
“You’re friendly and never give up, even in difficult situations,” Jahui continued.
“Is that praise?”
“You even stay friends with someone like Manduk who can’t fit in.”
“So it is praise?”
Shinbi earned another smack.
“Don’t get carried away! Keep some boundaries.”
“…Anywhere works as long as I stick,” Shinbi muttered.
“Stop right there!”
Jahui suddenly halted. Shinbi almost crashed into her.
“What now?”
Jahui’s gaze was fixed ahead.
“Kneel immediately!”
She forced Shinbi down.
In the distance, a red-painted palanquin moved slowly past, followed by eunuchs and court ladies.
Because it was open on all sides, the rider was visible.
In a palace full of bearded old men, it was rare to see—
A young man.
His pale face looked like ice. His graceful body was draped in black robes, embroidered with brilliant silver thread.
“Lower your head!”
Jahui’s urgent hand pressed Shinbi down.
There was no doubt about it.
It was the Crown Prince’s procession.
