Chapter 153 - Chapter 26

Chapter 153: Chapter 26
 
Slap!
Stopping fanning suddenly, Dolsok flipped at the mosquitto with a swatter.

Look at this mosquito, damn it!


Dolsok, I’m not done yet…


Yes, master.



Dolsok started fanning again.

By the way, when will you be done, master?


I’m almost done.


There is still a long line outside. Are you going to see them?


You do it, if you want…

Summertime in Joseon was like hell.
There was no electric fan, let alone air conditioning. And it was damned hot.
One could hardly breathe unless one opened all the doors wide.
Kanghyok took turns looking at the mosquito bites on the back of his hand and the killed mosquitoes on the wall.
‘Dang it!’


He wished he had some steroid ointments in the bag.
Unfortunately, there were only antibiotic ointments in it, which were just useless for insect bites.

I wish I could gulp down a cup of Americano iced coffee,
Seeing the long line dwindling gradually, Kanghyok murmured to himself.
Dolsok looked at him quietly.
‘He’s again at it! Looks like he was affected by the heat.’
Then Dolsok cast a glance at the brood hens tied up in the yard.
‘As the patients brought more hens in return for my master’s treatment, let me cook for him today.’
There were several well-known stamina foods during the summer, but Dolsok thought chicken soup was the best.
He asked his master,
How about chicken soup today?


Chicken?




Great. I guess that nobleman loves it, too.

By ‘that nobleman’ he was referring to Soonsin Lee.
As he couldn’t let Soonsin stay at the examination room, Kanghyok arranged for Soonsin to stay at his house.
And Sungmun didn’t care about this. Rather, he liked Soonsin. For Soonsin was not only good at military strategy, but he also saw eye to eye with Sungmun on many things.

Okay, invite my father and his servants, too.


Ah, okay, sir.

Dolsok recalled the chicken coop full of hens at Sungmun’s house.
When Kanghyok opened the clinic, he received several hens from the patients in return for his service, which filled the coop already.

I really can’t stand that cackling noise of chickens in the morning. Let’s get rid of them on this occasion.


Got it, sir. Let me inform them then.




Send someone to the bar on the street, so the members of the acrobatic can join.


Yes, master.

With the door of the examination room open, Dolsok looked around.

Where are all those guys?

Thanks to his growing wealth, Kanghyok hired some more servants. And in terms of rank, Dolsok was the highest now.
In a low and thick voice, he called a young servant pacing up and down nearby.

Hey, tell them to have some chickens ready for making soup. I guess eleven chickens would do.


Yes.

Dolsok smiled after he saw the young servant going out at his order.
Obviously, he was pretty satisfied with the fact that someone followed his instruction.


With a broad smile, he looked at Kanghyok and said,
Master, shall we shut the door and go back home?


Sure. Oh, I need to stop by scholar Changkwon’s house.


Gee, you didn’t do it, right?


I already told you no. Are you asking for a whipping now?

Shivering with fear, he waved his hand,
No, no, I trust you, master.


Bring me Yoni here.


Again?


I can’t enter her room. I need Yoni’s help to check her condition anyway.


Oh, got it.

Dolsok raced down to the village bar where she was staying with the acrobatic team.
And he didn’t forget to give an order to the servants staying at the examination room.

You guys, get ready for the master’s outing! And carry those gifts to the cart and take them home. Don’t forget to clean up, Okay?


Got it!

Though Kanghyok gave Dolsok a good scolding, Dolsok was indeed his most trusted servant. The servants followed Dolsok obediently without Kanghyok’s additional command.
‘It’s good that I don’t have to bug them.’
Dolsok walked behind Kanghyok slowly.
One servant came to him, holding a horse by the reins.

Do you want to get on a horse?


No thanks. I can walk slowly. You don’t have to follow me.


Whew,
moaned Kanghyok, holding a heavy bag full of medical stuff.
Nobody volunteered to carry it for him.
When he was slowly moving his steps, Dolsok came running to him alone.

Where is Yoni?


Ah, when I told her she would go to the scholar’s house with you, she asked to wait, saying she needed to get dressed like a woman.


What’s the point of that when Yoni is a woman?


Well, she is almost like a man, as you know,
said Dolsok, shuddering.
By the standard of Joseon, Yoni was far from a beauty.
‘Her face is dark, but she has well-defined features, and she is tall and slim.’
Compared with her, Dolsok and Makbong were just ugly.

Here she comes, along with Makbong. He seems to idle away all the time.


Don’t look down on him like that, Dolsok. He might be the busiest among us.


Really? Whenever I see him, I find him taking a nap all the time.


He must have some reason for that.

Kanghyok smiled quietly, recalling Makbong visiting the widows’ village to satisfy their sexual desires.
In no time Yoni came up and greeted,
Master, I’m sorry for being late.


It’s okay. Why did you come, Makbong? Any business to take care of?

Sort of, sir.


Really? What is that?

Though he didn’t reply, it was obvious he came along as a bodyguard for Yoni.

Let’s go now.

Changkwon’s house was not far away from the market street.
Kanghyok, the tallest among them, easily located his house.

We’re almost there.


Is that scholar in?
asked Yoni, as if she was uncomfortable.

I have no idea. His horse is tied to the heelpost anyway.


That means he is in.


I guess so. Yoni, play the role of a medical woman.


Gosh, I think I’m doing something strange because of you!
she said with a sigh.
Originally, a medical woman was regarded as a professional physician chosen among smart female servants in Joseon, who obtained the required certificate after learning some medical skills.
When Kanghyok entered Changkwon’s house, he was gladly welcomed.

Oh, welcome, Kanghyok!

Changkwon was so happy to see him that he really looked like a different man.
With a smile, Kanghyok bowed to him.
How are you, sir?


I’m good. Thanks for your nice job!


How is her condition?

Kanghyok was already aware of her face and name, but pretended not to know it.

Thanks to your treatment, she got much better. Your medical skills work like magic.


I need to check her condition for the time being. I’ve brought a medical woman here.


Sure, sure. Thanks so much.


You’re welcome.


By the way, I have to go now as the mayor wants to see me. Take your time.


Oh, yes, sir.

Changkwon got on a horse and left.
Obviously, he seemed to trust Kanghyok enough to leave his daughter in his hands.
Yoni said with a relaxed look,
It looks like the patient and I are left alone here.


That sounds good. Let’s get inside now.

Yoni first opened the door and headed to her room.
Yoju, the sick woman, gladly welcomed her as both knew each other already.
Kanghyok followed her, but stopped to turn back.

Hey, you guys keep watch, okay?


Yes, master.

Unlike Makbong who answered quickly, Dolsok tilted his head to one side.

Master, don’t do anything strange to her.


Makbong, slap him in the head!


Sure.


Eek!

Wrapping his head with his hand, he went screaming outside.
Kanghyok entered the room.

How are you, Master Kanghyok Paek?

With thick hair, red lips and straight white teeth, Yoju looked like a typical beauty in Joseon.

How do you feel now?


I feel really good. All thanks to you, sir.


Sounds good. Let me check, Yoni.


Sure.

Yoni cautiously took off her sock.
Kanghyok couldn’t see her swollen foot anymore. What he noticed was her white and lean foot.

Looks very good,
said Yoni.

You bet. I don’t have to come back here as your condition is very good. Congrats! You’re all cured.
With a hearty laugh, he stood up.
When he was about to leave, Yoju called him in a low voice,
Master.


Uh? What’s up?


Have you heard the rumor?


Which rumor?


I heard rumors of a famous doctor with extraordinary medical skills living on the market street who treated patients.

Kanghyok just chuckled, because the doctor she knowingly referred to was none other than himself.

I just want to see him personally to verify the rumor.


Seeing him directly? Your father would be mad at you.


Do you know why the mayor called him today?


Of course not.


My father has taken office as the principal of a new village school, so he will stay there for the next few months.

That instantly drew his interest because it meant less risk on her end.
She could come to his examination room without being caught by her father.
Still, there was another big obstacle.
Shaking his head, he asked Yoju,
Granted that, why do you want to come into the examination room?