I Became the Eldest Daughter of a Fallen Family - Chapter 31

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 31. Customer, Is This Refundable?
“The truth is, ever since that incident, my grandmother hasn’t been able to swallow food.”
“Food?”
“She can barely manage something soft like congee, but anything with a bit of texture or substance—she chews it and spits it out. I’m deeply worried, as she grows thinner with each passing day.”
The moment Ju Hayun finished speaking, sympathy flickered across every face in the So House.
So Yeonhui, who had performed the Heimlich Maneuver directly on the Wei House Grand Lady, went particularly pale.
She was anxious that her treatment might have been too slow or insufficient, leaving the Grand Lady with lasting trauma.
Wi Jung, who had been watching the mood carefully, quickly donned a melancholy expression and quietly joined in his cousin’s performance, and the suspicion died before it could take root.
“That’s a serious matter indeed. She can’t live on congee forever…….”
So Jin’s gaze drifted toward his mother, Hong, without his noticing.
His mother had grown noticeably thinner since their exile, and seeing her face overlapped with the Grand Lady’s situation made his heart uneasy.
Ju Hayun seized the moment and leaned in, continuing softly.
“Moreover, my grandmother’s birthday is coming soon. Our family intended to hold a particularly grand and lavish birthday celebration banquet this year, but what meaning does it have if the guest of honor herself cannot enjoy any of it?”
The sorrowful tone made everyone in the So House flinch slightly.
It was because the word “birthday celebration banquet” had touched an old memory.
‘It was at Mother’s birthday celebration banquet that the So House faced false accusations.’
On what should have been the happiest day, Ju Hajin’s schemes came to light, and Hong collapsed from the shock.
So Jin felt guilty about that incident and remained silent, his lips pressed firmly together.
Then So Yeonhui tilted her head slightly and asked.
“Couldn’t you hold a more modest celebration, or prepare different dishes?”
“That would be difficult. A Wei House banquet isn’t merely a family celebration—it’s also an occasion to appease the regional lords who are distant from the Imperial Court.”
“That means this young lord is right. The Wei are imperial relatives, so they cannot overlook such political considerations.”
So Jin cast an understanding look toward Ju Hayun.
Ju Hayun sensed that So Jin’s heart was half-won and sagged his shoulders once more before speaking.
“The truth is, that’s why I’ve come here today despite my rudeness. Your cooking skills are exceptional, and you’ve created novel dishes we’ve never seen before……. I was hoping you might lend us your wisdom to overcome this difficulty.”
“Please, if you help our Wei House, we’ll repay you however we can!”
Hong regarded Ju Hayun with pitying eyes, but when Wi Jung’s outburst came, she showed a moment of discomfort.
Wisdom and doubt ran equally deep in her weathered gaze.
“I didn’t ask you to listen to this talk of rewards. What exactly do you think the Wei House sees us as?”
“That’s not what I meant…….”
As Wi Jung, caught off guard by the sharp reply, scrambled to make excuses, So Yeonhui spoke first.
“Grandmother is right. I don’t think our So House can help the Wei House.”
The firm boundary drew the expressions of Wi Jung and Ju Hayun cold in an instant.
But So Yeonhui paused for a moment, then continued in a cheerful voice.
“However, if the Wei House places a commission with my snack shop, that would be a different story. Especially if you offer a generous success fee.”
“Yeonhui!”
Hong started in shock and looked at her granddaughter. She reprimanded So Yeonhui with an expression of anger she’d never shown before.
“How can you profit from another’s misfortune? I permitted you to sell Tang Hulu not so you would develop a merchant’s heart!”
Good grief. Why interpret it that way?
Of course, there was some intention to raise money for taxes, but that didn’t mean the suggestion came solely from greed.
Misunderstandings resolved quickly were best resolved quickly.
So Yeonhui draped her arms around her grandmother’s shoulders and played the charmer.
“Grandmother, do you not know me? I have no intention of treating the Wei House Grand Lady’s misfortune as an opportunity. I’m simply suggesting this because it benefits both families.”
Hong frowned uncertainly, as did Ju Hayun.
“What do you mean, benefiting both families?”
His tone carried an edge, but So Yeonhui merely curled her lips into a confident smile and tilted her chin slightly as she continued.
“Think about it. Our So House is, in any case, a Criminal Family—one accused of treason against the Imperial Court. If we approach regional lords too hastily, we might draw suspicion of impropriety on both families.”
“Our Wei House has always been loyal to the Imperial Court.”
Displeasure tinged Ju Hayun’s voice. So Yeonhui let out a hollow laugh.
“Wasn’t our So House? Three generations laid down their lives for the throne and the realm on the battlefield.”
In that moment, both Wi Jung and Ju Hayun’s faces went rigid with shock.
A shadow passed over the So House members’ faces too, and So Yeonhui realized her misstep, letting out a light cough to change the mood.
“In any case, if we help each other privately, it’s far too risky. But if it’s a ‘transaction,’ that’s different. The Wei House is simply placing a commission with a neighborhood vendor, and I’m merely a merchant conducting business. That’s all.”
Hong gazed up at her granddaughter with worried eyes.
“But then the So House’s honor will be dragged through the dust. People will remember you not as a noble lady, but as a merchant. Are you truly unconcerned?”
So Yeonhui laughed quietly and placed both hands at her waist.
“Grandmother, small people gossip about others, but a person of principle need only examine themselves and have no shame. If I’m at peace with myself, what does it matter what others say?”
The Wei Grand Lady aside, many of the elders struggle to chew and swallow their food.
If I develop new dishes that are easy for the elderly to eat, and if those spread to people through the Wei House……
Isn’t that also a kind of good deed?
Even knowing it was partly sophistry, So Yeonhui gazed at her grandmother with earnest conviction.
Hong fell silent in thought for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh.
“Your ambition is so grand and righteous—how could I oppose it? I’ll say no more.”
Hong finished speaking and quietly withdrew her gaze. A brief silence filled the room, yet it was not heavy.
Rather, it was warm and gentle—for So Jin cast an expression of silent encouragement and support toward his daughter.
‘Well done.’
If her father’s temperament held true, he would surely have offered those words.
So Yeonhui beamed and grasped her grandmother’s hand firmly with both of hers.
“Don’t worry, Grandmother. I’ll develop dishes perfectly suited to your palate and increase not only the Wei House Grand Lady’s appetite, but yours as well!”
As the saying goes, the poorer one is, the better one must eat.
Hong’s thin, prominent shoulder blades, felt distinctly through the embrace, weighed particularly on So Yeonhui’s heart as they seemed to have grown even more gaunt.
* * *
After all their talk was finished,
Ju Hayun stepped out into the courtyard and bowed deeply to So Yeonhui and the rest of the So House.
“Thank you for not refusing my request. I will never forget this kindness.”
At such an excessively courteous gesture, So Yeonhui waved her hand in embarrassment.
“It’s nothing, really. Besides, hearing that your grandmother can barely manage congee—how could I pretend not to know? It troubles my conscience.”
It would be different if she were someone whose face she’d never seen.
But she’d already helped once and met her directly, and after all, she hadn’t exactly forced his grandson to buy seven hundred worth of cans.
Her conscience was too piqued to turn away so coldly.
At So Yeonhui’s attitude, Ju Hayun finally seemed at ease and smiled.
Then, without warning, he drew a small pouch from his breast and handed it to her.
“Accept this. It’s an advance payment. Once the work is completed well, I’ll give you the same amount again as the success fee.”
The heavier-than-expected weight made So Yeonhui’s eyes brighten for a moment before settling again.
Given her usual principle of doing only as much as she received, the generous compensation stirred in her a sense of duty to handle the work properly.
“Very well. But in exchange, please tell me as specifically as possible what kind of dish you want. Since we’re making it anyway, we might as well do it right?”
Ju Hayun, who had been momentarily startled by her eager question, took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking slowly.
“Since this will be a dish for my grandmother, first and foremost the texture must be excellent.”
“I see.”
“And since it will be the centerpiece of the table, the presentation must be beautiful.”
“Of course.”
“The decoration needn’t be excessive, but it should have dignity, and since it’s for guests, the taste must also be exceptional.”
So Yeonhui quietly took notes in her mind.
Texture, presentation, dignity, taste.
It was somewhat demanding, but the compensation was good enough to accept this much.
Sadly, however, Ju Hayun’s requirements did not end there.
“Oh, and since my grandmother has recently taken up the Vegetarian Practice, if possible, I’d prefer you not use meat or eggs.”
“……?”
“That said, if there’s only vegetables, the nutrition will be insufficient. So I ask that you use no meat, but prepare something that, when eaten, can nourish the body as meat would.”
“…….”
So basically you’re asking me right now to make fine-dining vegan medicinal cuisine?
So Yeonhui stared into the void for a moment, then gave a nod with a composed expression.
Then she held the pouch back out and asked.
“Is this refundable?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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