She slowly opened the door and went out quietly. passing by the living room, and seeing no one, she went out. The weather was cold, the stars were shining brightly. She was about to go back in, when her attention went towards her right hand side. She stood still, amazed at the sight before her and moved closer to see better.
Han yul lying down on a bed, a book infront of her, with piles of book beside her, and a torch which lit up the place.
" What are you doing outside this late at night?"
she quickly turned to the sound of her
mother's voice.
" Mum what are you doing here?"
" I just asked you!"
" I couldn't sleep, so I took some books from the store to read."
" So it was your footsteps I heard!." she came closer and sat down next to her. " When did it start?"
" Five days ago when I woke up from sleep."
" Why didn't you tell me?"
" Because you will get worried and you'll freak out.."
" we are talking about your health here, health matters more than anything in this world. I told you several times, nothing can buy you health, not even your money, had it been able to do so, many would have survived, I'm so confused, I don't even know what I'm saying."
" It's because you're panicking, I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."
" No matter what happens next time, promise you will report to me."
" I promise."
" Now, lie down and sleep."
" Mom, I can't."
" Give it a try, how hard can it be!, All you have to do is to close your eyes and that's all. Like this." Lying down next to Han yul she closed her eyes. Hanyul also laid in the same position closing her eyes.
After some minutes, she had her mother snoring. slowly opening her eyes she looks at her mother who was fast asleep. She closed her with a blanket and opened the book infront of her, titled: the new Hanseong, a nation founded by the late emperor, and began reading.
The sun has started rising. physician ma-dong and his assistants where attending to the patients in the clinic. He was sitting on a chair with one of his assistant by his side, a supporting mechanism, ready to provide all the necessary things he needs. He looked at the five-year-old girl sitting opposite him. he slowly untied the bandage around her hand.
" Now try stretching your hand a bit."
she slowly stretched her hand.
"wow!, that's nice. Can you bend it a little?, I want to see if you can touch your shoulder."
" I can't."
" No don't say that, you can do it, okay!. Which one do you prefer, a rice cake or candy?"
" Both." she shouted happily.
he giggled and looked at her parents who were standing behind her giggling as well.
" Then I will give you two candies and three rice cakes..."
She quickly cuts him off. " five... I want five, I'll give my younger brother when I get home."
He Chuckled at her reply. " Then I will give you five candies and five rice cakes, but only if you touch your shoulder. Do we have a deal?"
" Yes." she cried out as she slowly raised her arm, finally touched the tip of your shoulder."
Her father tapped her head. " That's very good, you did well." She smiled at her father and turned towards physician ma-dong.
" Can I go home now?"
" Yes, you can."
" Thank you so much for everything, we are very grateful." Her father said.
" Ah!, don't worry. Don't forget to give her the herbs. Boil it and give her twice daily, one cup in the morning and one at night. Come back after a week for a check-up."
" Yes we will, thank you so much." He walked them out. His apprentice suddenly came out holding a small box and gave it to physician ma-dong, who turned and looked at the little girl. "
As promised, this is our deal he said as he gave it to her, make sure you give your brother, ok!"
" Yes."
Her mother took the box from her and they waved him goodbye.
A cart full of baskets stopped by his clinic. He watched the driver as he came down and lay low the big baskets one by one on the ground. The people around gathered and watched in amazement as three more carts followed behind carrying boxes, clothes and many items he couldn't identify, which was covered with a rag. Finally a carriage came in and stopped. The familiar face he saw coming down from within brought a smile to his face.
" It's nice seeing you again, Soo Byung Hu." They hugged each other. Lady chaewon stepped out of the carriage.
" Good morning, physician ma-dong."
" Morning my lady, you're looking healthy today. The sleeping pills I gave you worked I believe?"
" Yes." She answered with a smile.
" Aren't you supposed to be in the capital?" He turned to the trader
" Am tired, I figured out I need sometime with my family, besides ik-jun has taken over. I don't have to worry about being sick anymore, cause I have you."
" Huh!, you're a very funny person... so what brought you over to my clinic this early morning?"
" We want to discuss something with you and I thought you might need some help, so I brought this." He pointed at the boxes and the servant unveiled the boxes and baskets one after the other. some boxes contain food items, already cooked food, fresh herbs, dry herbs and another containing medical apparatus. " You're so generous, I can't thank you enough." he said as he smell the fragrance of the herbs. "Just what I need." he looked at two of his assistants who were standing by the door.
"What are you waiting for? Share the food to the sick quickly."
" Yes." They nodded, took the basket and left.
" what about you?"
" I'm fine as long as the people are healthy. Besides this food items will last for six months."
Trader Soo Byung Hu smiled upon hearing his reply. " You remind me of him."
"Ashhh!!!, Not again...." He held Trader Soo Byung Hu's shoulder. " ...I believe that he's in a better place, wherever he is now."
They were silent for a minute.
" Why don't we head on to my office, then we can talk."
After minutes of walking, they came to a stop infront of a door. They removed their shoes and went in. It was a big room, with beautiful funiture
" The king asked about you, the last time he came."
" I was too busy, I couldn't visit him."
"You've all grown up. I can still remember, back then, you three were inseparable. And I was strong and agile. But now am old and getting weaker by the day. I guess time lookpassed by quickly huh?."
" Yeah, it does."
" So you said you wanted to talk to me, what is it?"
"It's about hanyul."