I Became the Eldest Daughter of a Fallen Family - Chapter 86

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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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Chapter 86. Homestay (1)
“Why are you so late? I’ve been waiting forever!”
So Yeon-su stood before the Butcher Shop with her arms crossed, staring at So Yeon-hui.
Where a ten-year-old had learned to complain like that was anyone’s guess. Her furrowed brow was quite intimidating for her age.
“Sorry, sorry. The work ran longer than expected.”
So Yeon-hui hurried down from the driver’s seat, waving her hand. At that, So Yeon-su’s rigid expression finally melted away.
“Is the Wi Household lady all right? Did it work out?”
“Yes. Everything was resolved well.”
At her words, So Yeon-u, who had been listening quietly nearby, broke into a bright smile and came running toward So Yeon-hui.
“Just like big sister! I knew you could do it if you set your mind to it!”
“Careful now, you’ll trip yourself up.”
So Yeon-hui caught the rushing So Yeon-u with difficulty, laughing.
Just then, Jang and Yang emerged side by side from inside the Butcher Shop.
“Well, well! Miss Yeon-hui, you’ve arrived!”
Yang wiped her hands on her apron with an open, generous laugh.
“Did the children behave themselves and stay out of trouble?”
“Not only did they behave—they were so well-mannered and spoke so prettily!”
Jang chimed in, waving his hand toward So Yeon-hui.
“Both of them are just crazy about you, you know? They’ve been standing so quietly by the gate ever since, just peering down the alley. This one especially.”
With that, he gently patted So Yeon-u’s head.
So Yeon-u hunched his shoulders slightly, looking a bit embarrassed, though there was no hint of dislike in his expression.
“Thank you so much for looking after them. It put my mind at ease.”
“Ah, that’s nothing to speak of. It doesn’t begin to repay what you’ve done for us.”
Yang laughed, waving her hand.
“Anyway, it’s a relief that the Gyo lady is safe and well. When you said you’d help, I figured it would work out, but still.”
At Yang’s rambling comment, So Yeon-hui smiled awkwardly and scratched her head.
‘These people in the neighborhood trust me far too much.’
Then her eyes suddenly met those of Ju Ha-yoon, who sat quietly atop the carriage, watching the entire scene unfold.
Unlike at the Wi Household, his expression was remarkably at ease, colored by a gentle smile.
‘Since when did this man know how to smile like that?’
She’d always seen him wearing a serious face or a sullen expression.
Now that he was smiling, his handsome features stood out all the more.
Just as Wi Jung had said—perhaps a little cute, even.
‘When you think about it, he’s been surprisingly kind to me. Every time we meet, he gives me something.’
It had been that way since they first met in the prison.
When Wi Jung had cornered her and she didn’t know what to do, Ju Ha-yoon had understood her distress and willingly let her out beyond the Government Office doors.
And that wasn’t all. During the cooking competition at the Wi Household, his help had led her to victory.
If he hadn’t brought the ice, So Yeon-hui could never have completed the Two-Layer Preparation.
‘Come to think of it, today was the same. At first, I was trying to help him, but I ended up gaining so much more.’
So Yeon-hui glanced down, catching sight of a notification window blinking at her side.
[Benevolence (Middle) achieved: You saved a life using Antibiotic.]
[100 Points have been credited.]
[Current Points balance: 1179pt]
‘Perfect! The antibiotic cost is paid back immediately!’
A hundred percent return on investment. This was true investment strategy that never failed.
So Yeon-hui let out a quiet exclamation of delight.
Though the amount wasn’t excessive for the price of bringing someone back from the brink of death, seeing the numbers confirmed made her feel differently about it.
Moreover, what she’d gained today wasn’t just Points.
Alone, she would never have met Gyo.
The Points, the quilt, the charcoal—everything would have been impossible without Ju Ha-yoon today.
‘Hmm. Should I try to get closer to him from now on?’
But what good could come from becoming too intimate with royalty? It was practically begging to become a pawn in some power struggle.
So Yeon-hui smiled quietly and closed the notification window.
That was when it happened.
“……Sister, what is all this?”
So Yeon-su, peering into the carriage, asked with her eyes wide open.
The carriage was packed tight with thick cotton quilts and high-quality charcoal. It was only natural she’d ask.
“The Wi Household’s First Lady sent them. She was particularly mindful that winter can be harsh.”
“You mean she gave us all of this?”
So Yeon-su carefully opened the carriage door and reached out to touch a cotton quilt. Filled with thick cotton padding, it felt almost firm rather than merely soft.
So Yeon-u poked his head into the carriage and his mouth dropped open.
“Wow, the quilts are really thick! Sister, are these really all ours?”
“Yes, supposedly.”
“Grandmother will be so happy! She said the hemp cloth we’re using now is too thin and she’s always cold.”
His eyes gleaming, he and So Yeon-su stroked the quilts a few times before he wrapped one around himself with both arms and buried his cheek in it.
“……Mmm. So soft. I bet it’ll be warm to sleep under.”
How cute the ten-year-old boy looked with his cheek pressed against the quilt.
Without thinking, So Yeon-hui’s lips curved upward.
‘Yes, I did well to accept them. What does pride matter? What’s important is that my family gets through this winter warm.’
She’d been worried about her grandmother’s persistent cough since early autumn.
If she could lay out a Folding Camp Bed instead of a thin straw mat and add thick cotton quilts on top—
Wouldn’t they be able to endure even the harsh mountain cold?
With that hope in mind, So Yeon-hui loaded her two siblings into the carriage.
With so much luggage, getting in wasn’t easy, but fortunately the children were still small enough to fit.
“Well then, we should be going. Thank you so much for today.”
“Think nothing of it. It’s getting late—you should go.”
Yang laughed, waving her hand.
Soon they set the horse moving slowly.
“Go carefully, all of you!”
Jang’s voice faded warmly behind them.
* * *
Was it to repay the debt of saving his mother’s life?
Wi Jung, using orders from the First Lady Baek as his excuse, had loaded the carriage bound for the So Household with all manner of goods.
And naturally, he’d provided a carriage large and sturdy enough to carry all those items.
‘It’s a fine carriage indeed. It seems to have all sorts of hidden features.’
The moment she noticed the small window behind the driver’s seat, connected to the carriage interior—
So Yeon-hui felt an ominous premonition and shivered once.
“Are you cold?”
“Ah, no. Just a sudden chill.”
Ju Ha-yoon glanced at her briefly, then slipped off his Windbreaker Robe and held it out to her.
“Wrap it around yourself. The evening breeze is sharp.”
“No, it’s really all right…….”
But this man never spoke empty words, so what could she do?
To keep from embarrassing him by refusing, she had no choice but to accept.
“Thank you.”
As she draped his Windbreaker Robe across her shoulders with an awkward smile, Ju Ha-yoon’s Adam’s apple bobbed once lightly.
Just as things were taking on an oddly ticklish atmosphere—
—Click, thud!
The wooden window at the back of the driver’s seat flew open, and So Yeon-u suddenly thrust out his bright face and asked,
“By the way, Your Highness, are you really a prince?”
“……Yes.”
“Wow.”
So Yeon-u’s eyes widened as he looked Ju Ha-yoon up and down. So Yeon-hui frowned and gave a silent warning, but the boy, already seized by curiosity, paid no attention.
“Have you ever lived in the imperial palace?”
“I have.”
“How big is the imperial palace?”
Ju Ha-yoon paused for a moment.
“……Very large.”
“How large?”
“Just… quite large.”
Just as So Yeon-u was about to ask something else, So Yeon-su cut in.
“Your Highness, if you’re a prince, why are you staying at the Wi Household instead of the imperial palace?”
A subtle tremor crossed Ju Ha-yoon’s eyes.
“I’m currently ill.”
“But you look very healthy now.”
“……I’m still recovering.”
So Yeon-su’s eyes narrowed. It was clear she wasn’t convinced.
“Then you became County Magistrate, didn’t you? So why are you at the Capital instead of the county?”
“Official business required it.”
“Aren’t County Magistrate duties demanding?”
At what amounted to an interrogation, So Yeon-hui hastily intervened.
“Yeon-su, you’re pressing His Highness too hard. And in such an impertinent manner.”
“But I’m curious about it.”
So Yeon-su shrugged.
While small talk would have been welcome to ease the awkwardness, this one-sided barrage of questions was another matter entirely.
So Yeon-hui sighed briefly and gave her siblings a short warning.
“Even if you’re curious, you must show basic courtesy. Do you want to embarrass your parents?”
Unexpectedly, Ju Ha-yoon stopped her.
“I don’t mind. I didn’t feel it was impertinent at all.”
Then, turning his head slightly, he looked at the children and spoke.
“If you have questions, feel free to ask. As long as it’s within my ability to answer, I’ll gladly respond.”
Did his gentle tone rekindle their courage?
So Yeon-su suddenly looked Ju Ha-yoon straight in the eye and asked,
“Then… do you like our big sister?”
……What did she just say?
The carriage fell suddenly silent.
“W-what kind of absurd question is that? You’re being rude to His Highness.”
So Yeon-hui waved her hands in flustered denial, trying to laugh it off in embarrassment.
But So Yeon-u tilted his head and pressed further.
“Why is it absurd? When big sister lived in the Capital, she was really popular anyway. Don’t you remember all those scholars in white robes coming to see her?”
“That’s……!”
Had such a thing happened?
So Yeon-hui’s memory was so hazy that she trailed off.
That was when—
“Scholars in white robes… would those be scholars from Cheongha Academy?”
Ju Ha-yoon’s voice came low.
Though he seemed indifferent, there was an unmistakable tension beneath his words.

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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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