Born As The Daughter Of A Lowly Concubine [EN]: Chapter 157

“While I’m there, I was thinking of spreading the smallpox vaccination in the Gangwon Province area.”

“Huh?”

“Smallpox is a disease that spreads easily in cold weather, right?”

Due to a lack of manpower, the vaccination efforts were primarily focused in and around the capital, but there was a need to extend it to other regions as well.

“We can mandate vaccinations for the government slaves [those who work for the government without pay].”

“Well, that’s true.”

“If that happens, we’ll naturally vaccinate the courtesans as well. And since we should be promoting the creation of something like Siwolgak [a place of entertainment and social gathering] in other regions anyway, it might be good to do it while we’re there.”

“That’s….”

There are many people who have little to do in the winter anyway, so how about constructing a building?

‘Besides, there are already children from Siyoungwon [orphanage] scattered around Gangwon Province.’

The issue of trust in the smallpox vaccination and the management and supervision of the courtesans could be delegated, to some extent, to those children.

Perhaps my proposal appealed to him, as the Crown Prince replied with a slightly more serious expression.

“Hoo. I’ll mention it to Father, but don’t get your hopes up.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

The Crown Prince sighed and nodded.

***

“His Highness the Crown Prince is weak to Princess Ongju.”

At Sehwa’s words after finishing the Princess’s pulse and coming out together, the Crown Prince looked embarrassed.

“It’s not common for such a young child to cling like that. She must be anxious about waiting in the palace.”

“Um, I’m really okay on my own.”

I didn’t feel good, as it felt like I was causing a conflict between close siblings.

But the Crown Prince shook his head firmly.

“How can I send you alone? It would be a disaster if something happened to you.”

“Yes….”

“No, not in a strange way. There’s no one else to cure Sia’s illness.”

“Yes. Don’t worry. I will definitely inform Physician Seongji before I leave.”

Even if Princess Ongju came along, one person would have to stay by her side, so either way, Seongji would be with the Princess.

Seongji was a sincere and capable physician.

Even now, if he could get the herbs in time, he could cure Princess Ongju’s illness with just the treatment method left by Sehwa, even without Sehwa herself.

‘Because Princess Ongju trusts him too.’

Meeting such a friend was a great blessing for Sehwa herself.

But upon hearing Sehwa’s words, the Crown Prince sighed softly.

“That’s not the only reason.”

“Yes?”

“I’m worried about you too. It’s not often that a famous female doctor ventures out. I wouldn’t feel at ease without you.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Whatever the reason, it was clear that he was worried about her, so Sehwa smiled softly. And at the same time, she also felt a sense of responsibility.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, you don’t look well.”

“That’s what the position of the Crown Prince is like. Don’t worry.”

Sehwa quietly resolved to speak to Princess Ongju again.

And some time later, unexpectedly, news reached Sehwa that Princess Ongju would also be going to Gangwon Province.

“I never expected Gangwon Province so suddenly.”

“That’s how it turned out.”

Cheonho, who heard the news of the sudden business trip, had a nonchalant expression, contrary to the content of his words.

“Have you ever been there?”

“Well, I don’t know if I should say I have. I was dragged around here and there when I was young. I think it was near Cheorwon.”

“Hmm. It must have been cold.”

I’ve never been to that area even in my past life.

“It’s really cold in winter. Surely you’re not going to such a cold place, are you?”

“I don’t think so….”

I don’t know because I’m not the one setting the schedule. Anyway, I’m not going.

“But wouldn’t the journey be difficult for Princess Ongju?”

“Well, if you say that, she might end up riding in a palanquin [covered litter or sedan chair].”

“…….”

Do you have a face that says, ‘Isn’t she supposed to ride in a palanquin anyway?’

“I was thinking of going on horseback. Jeok-ah is too bored.”

“It will be difficult for her to ride for such a long time suddenly.”

Well, she hasn’t had the chance to ride a horse for a long time, so I don’t know how it will be, but it will probably be difficult, right?

Even modern public transportation with comfortable seats is tiring if you ride it for a long time, so riding a horse would be even more so.

‘I want to take the train…….’

The precious modern civilization I realized after losing it…… I want to go back.

But there’s no way to go back, so I have no choice but to adapt to reality.

“So, I was thinking of taking a palanquin too.”

“Princess Ongju is small and light, so the palanquin bearers won’t have too much trouble.”

“Ahem.”

Cheonho closed his mouth timidly as Gai, who was next to him, gave him a look for saying she was small.

Unlike the original Gai, everyone was afraid of Gai even though he didn’t do anything scary. I wonder why.

‘He looks a bit strict, but he’s a good person with a lot of affection.’

And he has a lot of money.

“Speaking of which, Cheonho, have you ever really caught a tiger?”

To change the atmosphere, I started to confirm the facts about Cheonho’s previous remarks.

I thought it was just a bluff, but surprisingly, he nodded confidently.

“Of course. Not alone, though.”

“Hmm. I guess it would be impossible alone, right?”

“It’s dangerous alone. In fact, it’s safest to catch them with traps.”

Cheonho shook his head, saying there was no reason to risk catching them alone.

And I couldn’t help but recall the exploits of Yeon Seon-oh, the retired Jwaseseuma [military title], whom I had heard about a long time ago.

‘Come to think of it, what kind of monster is Jwaseseuma, who caught a tiger alone…….’

It was understandable that the King didn’t punish him for failing to protect Crown Prince Seonghyeon.

“I’ve caught a leopard alone, though.”

“A leopard?”

“Yes.”

“No, how did that happen…….”

“That’s how it happened…….”

How did a child who is only fifteen years old end up doing such a dangerous thing!

Of course, compared to the tigers inhabiting the Korean Peninsula (*Siberian tiger. Males are about 270-330cm in body length and weigh about 180-370kg. Females are smaller. The Korean tiger is genetically identical to the Siberian tiger, but it is said to be slightly smaller and more ferocious. Also a harsh Korean Peninsula.), leopards (*Amur leopard. Body length is about 150-200cm, weight is about 30-50kg) are relatively cute. First of all, the size is different.

But that’s only relatively speaking.

From the perspective of an ordinary person like me, leopards and wolves are also ferocious beasts that threaten life!

“Don’t even mention it. I was beaten and trained so hard since I was young.”

What is this, a gifted person……?

“Hmm. Am I holding back Cheonho’s talent?”

“No, it’s okay to waste it, so don’t think about kicking me out. If I get kicked out like this, I’ll have to go back to the mountains and hunt leopards?”

To protect Joseon’s young teenager (15 years old) who is not protected, I decided to keep Cheonho by my side.

Should I propose a child protection law? Of course, even if there is a law, it seems like it won’t be followed.

‘In the first place, even if you look at the Crown Prince’s education curriculum, child protection is not being implemented.’

Even the royal family is like that, so there’s no need to mention the common people.

Eating and living is a priority.

“Speaking of which, Cheonho, I’m sorry that you suddenly have to go to Gangwon Province when you’ve been getting along with people these days.”

“Yes? Who…… Ah, are you talking about those siblings?”

Occasionally, it seemed that Cheonho was still interacting with the siblings who were involved with Yeongcheon-gun when Siwolgak opened.

“They seemed to be getting along well?”

“Ah. It looks like she’s having a hard time because of her younger sibling.”

Hmm. Is it an older woman-younger man couple…….

“It’s okay. Romance isn’t a bad thing.”

“Yes? It’s not like that!”

I left Cheonho, who was shouting that he was thinking of his sister, and checked the work… no, the letters that Cheonho brought.

“Hmm, I should stop by my private residence before leaving.”

The people living there were still taking good care of my private residence.

I want to live there too, my house.

Anyway, even while I was busy with other things, Youngseon was still managing my collections well, and even steadily increasing them.

‘I’m satisfied with her good eye.’

And in fact, the number of people has also increased slightly. Some of the people who were imprisoned with me when I was kidnapped in the past are now living in my private residence.

They were living near Siyoungwon for various reasons, but there were strangely many cases of people coming to find them and causing a commotion, so I was protecting them within Siyoungwon. The problem was that it wasn’t enough, so I told them that I had sent the guys who were constantly causing trouble somewhere else and just put them in my private residence.

‘Like the aunt who took the hit for me when I was about to get hit back then.’

They were suddenly moved, and those who followed without knowing why were surprised to learn that it was the Princess’s private residence after arriving.

Something is a bit strange, but there were only slaves in my private residence, so the people who came in last were Yangin [commoners], so I felt a bit complicated.

Maybe it’s not just me.

Anyway, thanks to that, the number of people there increased and it became crowded.

The owner of the house is not there.

‘There are so many things to manage, it’s complicated.’

I didn’t plan to live such a complicated life.

Why did it turn out like this?

I still don’t have a suitable person to take charge of Siwolgak, so it’s a headache.

‘After all, a member of the royal family is the most suitable and best. If I leave it to men, I have to start with a personality test, which is annoying.’

Courtesans, clowns, and others are all of low status and have no place to turn to, so someone who won’t exploit or mistreat them should be in charge.

“How’s the atmosphere at Siwolgak these days?”

“The event of trying on Goryeo Dynasty costumes is quite popular. I think it will slow down when the weather gets colder.”

“Hmm. I guess so?”

If there are no people, there will be less for me to worry about, so it’s not bad.

Well, people who are willing to come through the cold will do it on their own.

There were many people to take with me this time.

First of all, I have to take Gai because I might have to buy a building, and Soi has to go too.

I have to take Cheonho, and Seong Gyeom-sabok will probably follow.

Seong Gyeom-sabok will probably be assigned to escort the Crown Prince, not to follow me.

In addition, Sehwa and Seongji must also follow.

I have to take them because of the cowpox vaccination.