As Yeonwoo’s pants were slightly lowered, revealing his pelvis, silence filled the room.

Yeonwoo thought he would have the chance to refuse before receiving acupuncture or moxibustion.

Therefore, he was taken aback when Choa unexpectedly lowered his pants.

Although it didn’t expose any crucial areas, Choa couldn’t help but wonder about Yeonwoo’s identity. After all, it was unlikely for an ordinary soldier in Gwangho’s army to have such a fair and slender waist.

With a cold sweat forming on his forehead, Yeonwoo began to gauge Choa’s reaction.

Choa’s hands, frozen in mid-air since she had slightly uncovered Yeonwoo’s pants, resumed their movement.

Choa’s face was expressionless, making it impossible to read her thoughts.

After a while, Choa moved her hands again and casually placed moxibustion under Yeonwoo’s navel, acting as if nothing unusual had happened.

With the warmth spreading from the moxibustion under his belly button, an awkward atmosphere hung between them.

‘Did she not notice…?’

Yeonwoo once again glanced at Choa, who seemed oblivious to having exposed his true identity. Judging by her nonchalant moxibustion application, it appeared that she hadn’t discovered anything.

Indeed, if a man who had previously shown rational kindness turned out to be a woman, he wouldn’t act so casually.

Yet, what was this awkward air all about?

As Yeonwoo pondered, Su-a’s laughter echoed from the yard, breaking the uncomfortable tension.

“Kyahahaha!”

Both Yeonwoo and Choa instinctively turned their heads towards the source of the laughter.

There, playing with Su-a while riding a wooden horse, was Dae Bok.

Dae Bok and Su-a seemed to have developed a close friendship over time, playing together like long-time friends.

Seeing Dae Bok playing so enthusiastically, it seemed that the words about wanting a younger sister were not just empty talk.

Observing the two playing in the yard, Choa, looking surprised, opened her mouth.

“Oh my… it’s the first time I’ve seen Su-a having so much fun. Right, Mother?”

Choa’s mother, who had quietly approached, stood on the porch while observing Dae Bok and Su-a, and slowly spoke.

“…Yes.”

Yeonwoo couldn’t read her mother’s expression as she turned away.

However, an indescribable story seemed to be embedded in the tenderness emanating from her voice.

Choa’s mother shifted her gaze from Dae Bok and Su-a to Yeonwoo.

Compared to earlier, the wariness in her mother’s demeanor had significantly softened.

Choa’s mother calmly approached and took Yeonwoo’s arm to check his pulse.

“There seems to be no problem with the urinary system.”

“What…!”

Yeonwoo twitched.

He had pretended to be in pain to avoid taking Dae Bok’s medicine, but there was no issue with his urinary system.

When Yeonwoo nervously awaited whether his lie would be exposed, Choa’s mother, approaching gently, asked him a question.
“Sometimes, do you experience severe dizziness, and do your hands and feet often feel cold?”

“Oh… yes!”

Not a fortune-teller, yet how could Choa’s mother adjust the constitution with just a pulse check? Without giving Yeonwoo a chance to marvel, Choa’s mother began to place acupuncture needles skillfully at points suitable for Yeonwoo’s constitution.

Her adept placement of the needles, making it almost painless, suggested that she was no ordinary woman.

After completing all the treatments, Choa’s mother spoke.

“How is your body feeling?”

Yeonwoo, adjusting his appearance while responding to Choa’s mother’s question, felt a definite lightness in his body.

“Before, my body used to feel sluggish and heavy, but now it seems lighter… and definitely better than before!”

“If you consistently massage the areas where the needles were just placed, your constitution will improve. Consume warm-natured foods like ginger, chestnuts, mugwort, or pumpkin.”

“Thank you!”

How could an ordinary woman provide such excellent treatment? As Yeonwoo marveled at everything, he made a bewildered expression. Choa seemed to read his mind and smiled as if proud of something.

“Well, our mother is a bit special. In fact, she learned the methods of acupuncture and moxibustion from our mother.”

“Indeed, your mother seems to be quite extraordinary.”

As Yeonwoo nodded, Choa spoke with a proud expression.

“That’s right. At one point, she even worked in the palace.”

“Hey! Didn’t I warn you to be careful with your words?!”

At that moment, Choa’s mother, surprised, nudged her.

“It’s okay, Mother. Yeonwoo is trustworthy. Without these two, I wouldn’t have become a court lady.”

“Still, that’s true…”

Despite Choa’s mother’s voice full of trust, she couldn’t completely shake off her anxious expression.

At that moment, Dae Bok, exhausted from playing with Su-a, approached with heavy breaths.

“Heh, heh… Are you having a good chat?”

“Play with me more!”

Su-a, who followed Dae Bok, didn’t seem tired at all, grabbing onto the hem of his clothes and not letting go.

Seeing Su-a persistently holding onto him, Choa spoke with a firm voice.

“Jung Su-a! Can’t you see that Dae Bok is tired?”

“Hng…”