Genius Physician CH 7

Every gaze in the main hall instantly fell upon the medicinal pill resting in my palm.

“You made this…?”

Grandfather’s eyes narrowed.

I silently nodded.

Watching us, Yeon Sotaek’s expression twisted.

Yeon Hwicheon, whom he had raised as the family’s successor, had prepared nothing for Grandfather’s long-awaited return. Even after tasting a decoction made from precious ingredients, he had merely exposed his lack of ability.

The situation must have infuriated Sotaek beyond reason.

“Father, what could Ryeonghwa possibly know about making medicinal pills? This is nothing more than a child’s game. Therefore—”

“Silence.”

After cutting Sotaek off, Yeon Baekyu slowly picked up the medicinal pill.

He first examined its fragrance, then crumbled a small piece between his fingertips.

The instant he placed the powder upon the tip of his tongue, his eyes wavered ever so briefly.

“This is…”

Yeon Baekyu’s voice lowered, becoming far more serious.

“Did you truly make this yourself?”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“How could a child who has spent her entire life bedridden possibly…”

I did not avoid his gaze for even a moment.

“The main ingredients are astragalus and Snow Soul Herb. I used three parts of each, then added one part licorice.”

After briefly catching my breath, I continued.

“Finally, I added a very small amount of Mystic Spirit Root.”

The moment I finished speaking, the noisy main hall fell silent as though someone had poured cold water over it.

“Do not lie! How could you have obtained such precious medicinal ingredients in the first place?”

Yeon Sotaek was the first to raise his voice.

“Enough.”

But Yeon Baekyu immediately interrupted him.

“Father, this is not something we can simply overlook. Even if she is only a child, she must not be allowed to lie about medicine.”

“She is not lying.”

Sotaek froze at Yeon Baekyu’s answer.

Grandfather slowly raised his head.

Unconcealed astonishment filled his eyes.

“This medicinal pill possesses the same effects as the decoction I prepared.”

The moment Grandfather spoke, I cheered inwardly.

It worked…!

I had tasted that decoction in one of my previous lives.

Its name was the Blood-Warming Decoction.

Grandfather had only recently developed it and had not yet revealed its existence to anyone.

Much later, after Father returned, Grandfather allowed me to drink the Blood-Warming Decoction.

It could not cure my illness completely, but my condition noticeably improved for a while.

Afterward, I immediately began researching it.

I analyzed its effects and experimented with numerous combinations of medicinal ingredients until I successfully recreated those same effects in pill form.

This will be the first step toward demonstrating my abilities and earning his trust.

I swallowed dryly and clenched my fist.

Grandfather continued examining the pill in disbelief before asking,

“How did you create this? The formula should not appear in any existing medical text.”

I remained silent for a moment.

I had spent a long time considering how I should answer that question.

In the end, I reached a single conclusion.

I would not reveal everything yet.

I would conceal what needed to remain hidden and reveal only what would benefit me.

Throb.

At that moment, pain spread from the wound that had just been treated.

As though clinging to the sensation, I wrapped my other hand around the injury.

Then I quietly answered.

“Because I… wanted to live.”

The words emerged despite my attempts to suppress my emotions.

I felt everyone around me freeze.

I spoke clearly to the members of House Yakryeong who had already abandoned me.

To those who regarded me as nothing more than a burden that would soon be discarded.

“I wanted to live, so I studied medicine by myself… Then I created it by chance.”

I was alive.

I was still here.

“Are you saying that you created an entirely new medicine on your own?”

“Yes. The medicines that already existed couldn’t cure my illness. I thought I had to try something—anything.”

Grandfather’s gaze wavered.

His lips parted as though he intended to say something.

But in the end, he closed his mouth without uttering a word.

I don’t know what he wanted to say, but…

At the very least, I was certain that he had not dismissed my words.

“And…”

I tried to explain the true reason I had prepared the medicinal pill and come all the way to the main hall.

At that moment, however, my vision suddenly swayed.

What?

The floor rippled beneath me, and the entire room began to tilt.

It can’t be.

I tightly clenched my freezing fingertips.

Is the medicine wearing off already…?

The medicine I had taken was only a temporary prescription created from ingredients I could immediately obtain within the estate.

Since it was still incomplete, its effects inevitably faded quickly.

But because I had pushed my body particularly hard today, it seemed to have worn off even sooner than usual.

No. I can’t collapse now…

There were still things I needed to tell Grandfather.

Sway.

The world spun around me.

“Ryeonghwa!”

Impossible as it seemed, I heard Grandfather call my name in alarm, his voice sounding like a hallucination.

Through my blurring vision, I saw Yeon Sotaek and Yeon Hwicheon approaching.

“My lady!”

“Lady Ryeonghwa has collapsed!”

“Family Head!”

I felt Grandfather catch my falling body and urgently check my pulse.

Then my consciousness abruptly disappeared.

I did not know how much time had passed.

Sensation slowly returned, beginning with the tingling tips of my fingers, and my eyes flew open.

“Cough!”

The familiar pain returned without fail.

My chest tightened until I could barely breathe, and a violent cough burst from my lungs. My head also throbbed as though it were splitting apart.

After barely managing to steady my breathing, I looked around.

It was undoubtedly my room, but it appeared completely different from usual.

The bedding laid across the floor had been replaced with something soft and thick. The broken porcelain had disappeared, and the entire room had been thoroughly cleaned.

As though someone had aired it out, the old, musty odor was gone. A subtle herbal fragrance now lingered in its place.

This room was always so damp and suffocating, but now it’s even warm…

I raised my head toward the gentle sunlight filtering through the paper windows.

Then I noticed the steaming bowl of porridge beside my bed.

After briefly wondering what had caused this sudden change, I soon realized the most likely explanation and nodded.

They’re putting on a show to deceive Grandfather.

Because of Uncle Sotaek’s interference, Grandfather had never personally visited my room.

But he had now witnessed me collapse directly in front of him.

He was undoubtedly paying closer attention to my condition.

Uncle must have hurriedly arranged all of this in case Grandfather decided to visit.

It may only be a small change… but perhaps I really did change something this time.

I released a quiet breath of relief.

Still, it has been a long time since I felt such warmth.

I carefully wrapped both hands around the bowl.

The heat spreading through my palms and the rich, savory aroma naturally stirred my appetite.

With my weakened hand, I barely managed to lift the spoon and bring the porridge to my mouth.

I had eaten only a few spoonfuls and warmed my stomach when—

Bang—!

Someone threw open the door without warning.

A gust of wind rushed inside, instantly disturbing the room’s peaceful atmosphere.

“My lady!”

The uninvited guest was none other than Hongdan.

“You’re finally awake.”

Her face was filled with anger as she stormed inside, planted both hands on her hips, and glared down at me.

“I heard you left your room without permission and went all the way to the main hall.”

Raising her voice, Hongdan threw open the window as though taking her anger out on it.

“Why would you cause such trouble? And where did you even find the strength to go that far? You could barely walk around this room before…”

When the cold wind swept inside, I drew my shoulders inward.

Then I looked up at her with cold, composed eyes.

“You have no idea how nervous everyone became after you caught the family head’s attention. They were terrified that he might visit the detached residence because of you.”

“So?”

“Ha! ‘So?’ My lady, you should learn your place!”

Hongdan shook her head as though my question were absurd.

“You brought this family to ruin, yet you still had the nerve to show your face there?”

I watched Hongdan curl her lips and look down upon me before turning my gaze toward the window.

Then I suddenly froze.

That man…

Heo Jinbyeok.

No one currently living in House Yakryeong knew who he was, but I did.

He was a trusted confidant Grandfather had personally recruited from outside the family.

Within House Yakryeong, his martial prowess was second only to Father’s.

Why had someone like him come all the way to the detached residence when he had never visited it even once in my previous lives?