I Became the Eldest Daughter of a Fallen Family - Chapter 66

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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 66. Why You of All People (1)
“I’ll go have a look. You all wait here for a moment.”
So Jin said this and rose from his seat, striding purposefully toward the front gate.
Whether welcome or not, these were people who had sought out the So Household, and it wouldn’t do to turn them away at the door.
Even as he failed to hide his displeasure, he opened the gate wide, and the two oblivious young men, Wi Jung and Ju Ha-yun, greeted him with evident delight.
“Uncle! How have you been keeping? We heard that the So Household was soon to raise a new building, so we’ve come to call.”
Uncle?
Since when had the So Household become bound to the Wi family as relations?
So Jin lifted one eyebrow slightly. Wi Jung’s face tightened with tension, yet he forced an awkward smile, clearly eager to make a good impression on So Jin.
“We’ve, ah, prepared wine and rice cakes for the Beam-Raising Ceremony, as well as some sliced meat—though modest—and we do hope you’ll find it in your heart to accept them.”
What? The Beam-Raising Ceremony had ended days ago. Why bring such things now?
So Jin regarded Wi Jung and Ju Ha-yun with bewilderment, taking in their appearance.
In place of silk robes, they wore the threadbare hemp clothes that commoners might don; instead of metal crowns, cloth caps.
‘Are they traveling incognito?’
Yet the gifts they carried seemed far too lavish for such a disguise.
One of them held a silver wine bottle, rice cakes, and confectionery in abundance, while the other had a bundle of window paper and writing materials tucked under his arm.
Their raiment alone was shabby, but the objects they bore radiated wealth and refinement.
‘One misstep and they’d be taken for bandits.’
Perplexing as it was, they were merely nineteen-year-old youths.
Well-bred and ignorant of the world’s ways, perhaps they deserved a helping hand—So Jin was weighing this when
a clear voice suddenly cut into the conversation.
“Father, why have they come today? Are they placing another large order for bean curds and tofu?”
“Ah! Young Miss So! I trust you’ve been well?”
That his daughter’s curiosity should overcome his instruction to wait—well, that was hardly surprising.
But where was such propriety, such gentlemanly bearing, in addressing a unmarried woman of another household so casually?
So Jin immediately puffed out his considerable frame, making himself more imposing as he gestured firmly inward through the gate.
“My daughter is well. We are grateful for the aid you rendered before, but you must take your leave now. The Beam-Raising Ceremony ended two days past.”
“What? How could you complete such an important affair without notifying us?”
At Wi Jung’s exaggerated protest, Ju Ha-yun released a quiet sigh. He gently pushed Wi Jung aside and stepped before So Jin, lowering his head.
“We regret the delay in learning of it. I apologize for being absent on such an important day. Though late, we have brought proper gifts, so I beg you to allow us to assist with the work, however modestly.”
“Today we mean to raise the roof and build the walls—rough labor, I’m afraid. There’s little for young gentlemen to do.”
“Not at all. How could we neglect our duty when Uncle labors so? Our elder brother has entrusted us with a message for you; please, pay no mind to our presence.”
At the mention of “elder brother,” So Jin, who had been about to issue his refusal, paused.
If the Sixth Prince, Ju Ha-yun, referred to someone as his elder brother with such familiarity, it could only be one of the royal family—and the only royal with whom Ju Ha-yun maintained such close ties was the Crown Prince.
‘The Crown Prince… Is he sending me word through the Sixth Prince in secret?’
So Jin found the Imperial Household tiresome beyond measure, but the Crown Prince was another matter.
He had been a quiet benefactor to the So Household many times over, aiding them from the shadows.
‘And he is Yeon-hui’s elder brother as well. I cannot be so cold as to sever all ties.’
So Jin hesitated a moment, then nodded and stepped aside, opening the way.
Ju Ha-yun crossed the threshold and turned his gaze toward So Yeon-hui.
“It has been some time, Young Miss So.”
“Yes. I… that is, I’m glad to see you as well, Young Master. Have you been well?”
“Only by your kindness.”
Just as So Jin felt his blood begin to heat at this tender exchange, Ju Ha-yun abruptly thrust the bundle of window paper toward So Yeon-hui.
“A gift.”
So Yeon-hui, uncertain of his meaning, nonetheless accepted it and bowed.
“Oh… thank you?”
But immediately she turned her gaze to her father, as if asking what to do with it.
How could a father bear to show a stern face to a daughter who leaned upon him so?
So Jin smiled warmly and spoke to So Yeon-hui.
“The young master has gifted us paper for the window frames. Show it to Jeong in the kitchen and ask whether the size is sufficient. Tell your mother there’s no need to purchase window paper separately.”
“Yes, I’ll do that. What a blessing!”
At So Jin’s words, So Yeon-hui turned with a bright smile. Only then did the tension fade from So Jin’s features.
At least until he heard Ju Ha-yun’s next request.
* * *
Meanwhile, following her father’s instruction, So Yeon-hui crossed the courtyard and approached the workers who were framing window casings in the back courtyard.
“Sirs! We’ve received a gift of window paper—is this size sufficient?”
As So Yeon-hui unfolded the window paper she held, Jeong’s eyes went wide.
“More than enough! I’ve never seen paper of such quality—not since we replaced the windows at that wealthy merchant’s house in Hyeon Prefecture!”
Jeong was not alone in his reaction. Yi also hastily reached out to touch the window paper, unable to contain his admiration.
“My word, it’s quite thick. This will certainly keep out the wind.”
“Don’t you go handling new paper like that. If your grimy handprints show black when it’s hung, won’t it look terrible?”
Yu tapped Yi’s hand in reproof, and Yi pouted, voicing his grievance.
“Why do you always single me out? When I just stand quietly, it somehow feels lonely.”
“That’s because your hands drip with dirt, you wretch! Wash yourself before you come around, curse you!”
Who wouldn’t laugh at their easy, unguarded banter?
So Yeon-hui certainly did, and the Shim family workers nearby weaving branches burst into laughter too, until Yi’s face flushed crimson.
Still, it wouldn’t do to be so rude as to mock one’s elders.
“So the window paper size is acceptable? Thank you so much, sirs.”
So Yeon-hui offered a bright smile and those words, then promptly took up the window paper and headed toward the kitchen.
She wanted to show the new gift to her mother and grandmother as well.
“Mother! Grandmother! Look at this.”
The two women, who had been trimming vegetables in preparation for the midday meal, saw the window paper So Yeon-hui brought in and dropped their jaws.
Quality window paper of this sort was worth three bushels of rice in these parts.
When So Yeon-hui explained the gift’s origin, Jang clapped her hands in delight.
“Looking at this, the Sixth Prince takes rather special care of our household, doesn’t he? Last time he even saved you from ruffians. It seems we have a deep connection with him.”
Was it this subtle note of expectation in her voice that grated? Hong suddenly fixed her daughter-in-law with a sharp look and cut in coldly.
“Connection, nothing. What good comes of dealings with a house of sinners? Don’t these young masters have anything to do? Why do they haunt our household so?”
“They came to offer congratulations on the Beam-Raising Ceremony, Grandmother.”
“Congratulations on a ceremony already finished? They’re just here to eat our rice.”
It was biting words, yet So Yeon-hui found herself laughing instead.
When her grandmother spoke thus, it meant at least she had no intention of sending them away hungry.
‘Treating them as unwelcome guests on the surface while preparing them a meal—only a grandmother would do such a thing.’
But for her grandmother personally, it was a very good turn of events.
Since the family’s decline, Hong’s bitterness had grown, and she’d grown wan, often striking her chest in sorrow. But recently, as she’d begun preparing meals for the workers, she’d become noticeably brighter.
‘So that’s why people say one mustn’t give in to melancholy—one must move the body. Surely they’ve all grown far more lively than when they sat alone in their rooms, dignified and still?’
Yet as with all matters, where there is good, there must also be difficulty.
Jang, who bore the practical responsibility for feeding a dozen workers, had gone pale with worry.
It was no small matter that these unexpected guests were of such elevated station.
She fretted over whether her simple spread might diminish the So Household’s reputation, shifting anxiously from foot to foot.
“We held the Beam-Raising Ceremony only days ago, so I’d meant to prepare simply. But how can I manage this? I’ve scarcely half a pound of salted meat left.”
“You’ve nothing else remaining?”
Only now did Hong perceive the gravity of the situation, her expression hardening in an instant.
Then, with a face like a demon’s, she issued an urgent command to So Yeon-hui.
“It won’t do. Yeon-hui, go at once to the Shim Household and procure whatever you can—meat, dried fish, anything!”

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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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