I Became the Eldest Daughter of a Fallen Family - Chapter 84

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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 84. The Road Home (1)
Move? Just like that?
When you know perfectly well we just finished building the new place?
So Yeon-hui’s eyes widened as she stared at Wi Jung.
But unlike usual, with her hair half-disheveled and her expression drained of all life,
it seemed this man barely understood what he was saying.
“I appreciate the gesture, but like last time, I must decline that offer. The exile location assigned by the realm is that thatched cottage in Mangok Village — how could we possibly move elsewhere on our own? Even with the County Magistrate’s backing, that would be overstepping.”
“But if you don’t leave Cheongyang County, there will be no issue at all! Or rather, I shall ensure there is none. So please……!”
Only after seeing Wi Jung’s pleading face twisted with urgency did So Yeon-hui finally grasp the reason behind this insistence.
‘He wants to keep me as close to the Wi Family as possible. So I can help treat Gyo at any moment.’
His filial devotion deserves recognition, but clinging like this won’t help anyone.
So Yeon-hui released a short breath and spoke.
“Don’t worry about your wife’s treatment. I’ll leave behind the medicines I’ve already prepared today, along with additional remedies for any other symptoms that might arise.”
“But……!”
“Besides, even if I stayed, there’s little more I could do. I cannot perform acupuncture, and I’m ignorant when it comes to pulse diagnosis. I’ve simply been fortunate enough to obtain some efficacious medicines, and I’ve shared them. That is all.”
Though admittedly, those medicines possessed effects beyond imagination.
Still, there was no need for her to linger as some sort of charm or talisman.
So Yeon-hui handed over two medicine boxes entirely to Wi Jung and continued.
“So please, don’t trouble yourself trying to secure things like estates for me. Without any such recompense, I will help your son and his family however I can, within my means. We have that much friendship between us already, don’t we?”
After all, he was the very first VIP customer at our So Family Shop. That much, I can certainly do. Yes, absolutely.
Perhaps reassured by So Yeon-hui’s smile,
Wi Jung gazed at her with eyes caught between laughter and tears.
And just as his lips, parched from tension, were about to move again,
Baek spoke slowly.
“I would be more than grateful for such kindness. But tell me, young lady—are you prepared for the winter ahead?”
“Yes? Ah, yes. Well, to some degree.”
Though many things remained unprepared, the most urgent matter of food stores had been resolved, so So Yeon-hui answered calmly.
Then Baek, making light of the relief, suddenly grasped both of So Yeon-hui’s hands firmly and urged her.
“Spending winter in the mountains is no trivial matter. I’m worried for your grandmother and the little ones. Might you take some charcoal and a few blankets with you on your journey home? Consider it granting this old woman one small wish.”
At that earnest plea, So Yeon-hui’s words caught.
She understood now why Baek had suddenly taken her hands—to prevent escape.
But faced with the First Lady’s kind eyes, So Yeon-hui’s own grandmother at the So Household suddenly came to mind.
Winter in a mountain cottage would certainly be harsh and unforgiving.
She worried whether her frail grandmother and younger siblings could survive that difficult season unscathed.
‘This…… I have no grounds to refuse.’
If she declined even this, it would amount to cruelly spurning the old woman’s request.
So Yeon-hui sighed briefly, wondering if this was what they called the wisdom of age.
But what choice did she have? Nothing for it but to accept defeat gracefully.
“Then…… I shall gratefully receive it.”
So Yeon-hui finally lowered her head.
Baek’s eyes crinkled into crescents as she beamed with satisfaction.
In any case, this was a household with not a single easy corner to it.
* * *
After confirming Gyo’s improvement and making her way out of the Wi Family’s inner quarters under Ju Ha-yun’s guidance,
“So, young lady.”
At the sound of hurried footsteps following behind, So Yeon-hui stopped. Wi Jung came rushing toward her, breathless.
His usual composed, languid demeanor had vanished entirely, leaving behind an expression somehow awkward and stiffly tensed—almost pitiable.
“Wait a moment, please. I have something to say.”
“Speak.”
So Yeon-hui turned around and replied steadily.
Then Wi Jung, contrary to the manner of one who had called her to stop, opened and closed his mouth repeatedly for some time, stammering.
Normally, his tongue would have flown with silver eloquence, but he seemed deeply flustered now.
As someone who had nursed a parent through illness, So Yeon-hui understood well his turmoil—so she waited patiently for him to speak.
And then Wi Jung began with words she could not have anticipated at all.
“……I was sorry about earlier.”
“About earlier?”
“About casting aside the medicine you gave me. I lost my composure out of concern for my mother—but it was deeply discourteous nonetheless. I truly apologize.”
Well, there was nothing to make a fuss over.
So Yeon-hui waved her hand dismissively as she replied.
“No, it’s fine. I would have felt the same uncertainty administering an unfamiliar medicine. And it wasn’t just anyone—it was your mother. Of course you wanted to be cautious.”
But Wi Jung shook his head, negating her words. Then, blushing slightly with embarrassment, he continued.
“I did not distrust you, or the things you produced. It was my own father I could not trust—that is why I objected.”
“……Pardon?”
“As you’ve witnessed, the Household Head and I are not on good terms. He is someone whose actions are often thoughtless, and whenever things go wrong, he always blames others. Had something gone amiss, he would certainly have blamed you.”
……Ah.
What Wi Jung said was persuasive enough. She had already experienced firsthand during their cooking contest just how frivolous a man he was.
“It may sound like an excuse—and indeed it is one—but my rudeness came without malice toward you. Still, I should never have trampled your kindness in such a manner. I have no face to show you now.”
So Yeon-hui regarded Wi Jung for a moment.
So he earned his name as a Refined Young Master for this, then.
People said that when a talkative, glib person reveals their sincerity, it becomes so appealing.
Her heart, unmoved by his handsome face, seemed to waver now at his considerate and genuine apology.
‘Get ahold of yourself, So Yeon-hui. He’s barely nineteen. By Korean reckoning, he’s just turned twenty. He’s still a child.’
Besides, how could there be any match between her—a criminal’s daughter—and the heir of Cheongyang County’s greatest aristocratic family?
It was the sort of class difference that would make even the most hackneyed Korean television writer pause and step back, saying, ‘This one’s a bit much……’
She deliberately cast aside the emotion that suddenly stirred her heart and replied cheerfully.
“In that case, come to our shop next time and treat us to something grand.”
“Treat you to something…… grand?”
“Buy Duhwa in bulk and distribute it to people. Just like how you gifted Tanghulu to that pregnant customer on the opening day of So Family Shop. With packaging included, about one silver tael should do. What do you think?”
Perhaps it was because the Stainless Steel Container he had been strong-armed into buying came to mind?
Wi Jung’s eyes flickered with a fierce gleam for a moment.
“……You really are something.”
“Something…… what?”
“Nothing. Just. Consistent.”
Wi Jung turned his gaze away awkwardly.
The area beneath his ear seemed to flush slightly, though what of it? The heart grows tender at such an age.
So Yeon-hui chose graciously to pretend not to notice.
An awkward silence lingered for a moment. Then Wi Jung turned toward Ju Ha-yun standing beside him.
It was a different expression from the one he had worn while apologizing to So Yeon-hui just now—closer to embarrassment than solemnity.
“Ha-yun, I owe you an apology as well.”
Ju Ha-yun regarded Wi Jung silently.
“When you would not surrender the Cheonbo Pill earlier, I found myself resenting you. I thought—how could you, of all people, do such a thing?”
Wi Jung slowly knelt down.
Then he placed his palms together formally and bowed with reverence before Ju Ha-yun, speaking.
“But now I understand there was reason in what you did. And I know the pain you bore in finally revealing that reason. For doubting my lord’s intent and letting resentment come first, I humbly ask your forgiveness. I beg you—lay upon your unfaithful servant whatever punishment you see fit.”

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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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