I Thought the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Family Was Hated - Chapter 18

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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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His gentle voice resonated through the Council Chamber.
He withdrew a small wooden box from his sleeve and placed it atop the Elder Brother Faction Deputy’s seat.
“This is the poisonous herb we discovered at that time.”
The Poison Expert Branch Master walked forward alongside the Elder Brother Faction Deputy.
He pinched the poisonous herb from inside the box and placed it on his palm.
Then he began explaining the name of each poisonous herb one by one.
“…All of them are hallucinogenic herbs that, if one becomes addicted for a prolonged period, can drive a person completely mad or even cause death.”
The Council Chamber stirred with unease. Some gasped in horror at the revelation that such a thing had been in my room.
It appeared not everyone was aware of the matter concerning the hallucinogenic herbs.
“As you know, we have no interest in mind-controlling techniques. It means this is a poison the Dang Family does not handle.”
“Then, are you saying there are no hallucinogenic herbs within the Clan Residence?”
The Elder Brother Faction Deputy asked.
“Yes. There cannot be any within the Clan Residence.”
The Poison Expert Branch Master nodded and looked at Gyo-gyo, who sat beside Dang Seo-o.
“Unless someone deliberately brought them in with intent to cause harm.”
Dang Seo-o shielded Gyo-gyo behind him and glared at the Poison Expert Branch Master with a fearsome expression.
However, he did not appear inclined to object.
‘Rather, it looks like he’s waiting for the right moment.’
The gazes of the Elder Brother Faction Deputy and Father also turned toward Gyo-gyo.
Gwi-heon then stepped forward as if to corner Gyo-gyo further.
“I witnessed the moment when Gyo-gyo attempted to feed this poisonous herb to my younger sister.”
He appealed with a firm voice.
“This is an incident where a collateral branch daughter attempted to harm the Family Head’s only daughter, shaking the hierarchy of the Family Clan. I beseech you to punish this severely.”
Gwi-heon’s hair cascaded down his shoulders as he bowed his head.
The Elder Brother Faction Deputy appeared lost in thought. His glass-like eyes slid toward me.
With his chin resting on his hand as he looked down at me, he turned his gaze to Gyo-gyo and spoke.
“…Then, would the young lady care to make a statement regarding this matter? Or perhaps the Elder would prefer to speak on her behalf.”
“Ah, no….”
Gyo-gyo answered in a creeping voice.
“I will speak. About my true feelings….”
Tears welled up in the eyes of Gyo-gyo, whose shoulders were hunched.
‘She’s acting again!’
Originally it was laughable, but as she continued with such transparent acting, my irritation grew.
Moreover, everyone around her was playing along with her awkward performance….
“Dear child. Leave it to this old man. You need not strain yourself.”
Dang Seo-o stopped Gyo-gyo with a concerned expression on his face.
“No, Grandfather. It’s because I was lacking that this happened. I want to clear up the misunderstanding with Yeon-ah too….”
Gyo-gyo grasped Dang Seo-o’s hand while wearing a pitiful smile.
‘Am I supposed to just sit here and watch that?’
Ugh. It’s so unbearable that I can’t stand to look at it.
“My dear child… with such a gentle heart. How will you survive in this harsh world….”
It wasn’t that I envied her for having such an affectionate grandfather.
As Gyo-gyo walked forward before the Family Head, Dang Seo-o gazed at her with tender eyes.
Like watching over a child left by the water’s edge.
Gyo-gyo stood before the Family Head, her shoulders drooping and trembling.
Then she opened her mouth.
“Family Head, I know nothing of that poisonous herb.”
With an expression of utter innocence, Gyo-gyo looked up at Father and continued.
“I simply found a grass with a pleasant fragrance and brewed it as tea for Yeon-a, hoping it would restore her strength….”
As Father remained silent, Gyo-gyo’s excuses poured forth.
It was a masterful performance.
She choked up briefly, wiped away tears, and even held her breath as if overwhelmed.
“I’ve told you countless times that I truly know nothing, but—sob!—Yeon-a won’t believe me….”
Gyo-gyo turned to look at me, tears streaming down her pitiful face.
“Yeon-a, please believe me. Even if you hate me so much…! Don’t slander me like this.”
“Oh, what a poor thing….”
“Being disrespected by her own sister.”
Dang Seo-o’s faction, fooled by the performance, nodded and murmured among themselves.
‘…Wow.’
I could only let out a hollow laugh at the absurdity.
How could she lie so brazenly in front of all the family elders?
I stifled the hollow laugh threatening to escape.
‘If I let myself be played by her act, I’m a fool.’
You fight acting with acting.
The moment our eyes met, I flinched in surprise and nestled into Dang Lim’s embrace.
“Uwahhh….”
I didn’t forget to cry with an intentionally trembling voice.
“I’m scared, Elder Brother….”
With my face buried in Dang Lim’s chest, I glared at Gyo-gyo with all my might.
Gyo-gyo’s lips tightened, clearly displeased with my performance.
‘…Wait? But there’s an even more intense gaze….’
Feeling a sharp gaze from above my head, I lifted my eyes.
Dang Lim was staring at Gyo-gyo with a murderous intensity.
“Tch!”
Gyo-gyo flinched and turned her head away.
It seemed she’d realized that continuing with such a pathetic performance would earn her a blow from Dang Lim.
“Family Head, please believe me.”
As Gyo-gyo appealed once more, the Elder Brother Faction Deputy, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.
“Is that so? Can this young master provide evidence that this child committed such an act?”
Gwi-heon nodded.
Throughout the preparation for the Family Council Meeting, Gui Heon and Dang Lim must have focused solely on this strategy.
Perhaps that was why such certainty shone in Gui Heon’s expression.
As if playing this hand guaranteed victory.
“Every night, hallucinogenic flowers bloomed in my younger sister’s Sleeping Quarters. When I captured the perpetrator and interrogated them, they confessed to acting under Gyo Gyo’s orders.”
The Elder Brother Faction Deputy gave a small nod at Gui Heon’s words.
“Bring them before us.”
The Elder Brother Faction Deputy commanded.
Gui Heon glanced toward the back door, as if the perpetrator would arrive momentarily.
We waited for that door to open for quite some time.
‘…They’re not coming.’
What could have happened?
I looked up at Gui Heon. He was receiving a whispered message from Jo Man.
When Jo Man finished speaking, I saw Gui Heon’s expression visibly harden.
He slowly lifted his head toward the Elder Brother Faction Deputy and spoke.
“…That appears to be impossible.”
The Elder Brother Faction Deputy’s eyes narrowed.
“What is the reason?”
“The perpetrator we secured has died.”
A subtle commotion rippled through the Council Chamber.
Even Dang Lim appeared taken aback.
“I was certain we concealed them thoroughly….”
Dang Lim’s murmur was drowned out by Dang Seo-o’s mocking question.
“There’s nothing surprising about that. Can’t you simply present other evidence? Don’t tell me—after all that confidence—this single piece of evidence was all you had?”
His assured demeanor left no room for doubt.
He had killed the perpetrator.
Concealing all the other evidence was his doing as well.
‘To kill a person….’
When I thought about it, there was nothing surprising about it.
If I hadn’t fled in my previous life, I would have eventually succumbed to the poison and died anyway.
So that’s why he appeared so composed even as the Family Council Meeting began.
I gazed at Gui Heon, whose fists were clenched, with pity.
‘Is it over now?’
Though Father’s judgment would determine the outcome of the Family Council Meeting, it would be difficult for him to act entirely arbitrarily.
The elders wielded considerable influence, and if accusations of unfairness arose, the very meaning of the Council Meeting would be diminished.
‘If Gyo Gyo escapes like this….’
Ah. Do I really have to keep looking at that detestable face?
“Gyo A.”
The previously chaotic Council Chamber fell silent.
Father had spoken. All eyes turned toward him seated in the highest position.
“I have several questions for you.”
Gyo-gyo’s lips trembled. She seemed startled for a moment, but she answered quickly.
“I will answer faithfully to whatever questions you ask.”
I blinked.
The first person Father spoke to after all this time was Gyo-gyo.
The thought left me feeling oddly unsettled.
“How have things been between you and my daughter?”
Father asked. Though he wasn’t even looking at me, my shoulders stiffened without my realizing it.
Gyo-gyo hesitated and made a show of reading my expression.
“…That is…”
“Speak truthfully.”
Father coaxed her gently.
My lips pouted out before I could help myself. Why was he asking her first instead of asking me?
My heart felt heavy.
Was I… hurt?
“Actually, it seems like Yeon-ah doesn’t like me very much.”
Gyo-gyo spoke in a dejected voice.
“So she must be trying to drive me away with these false accusations… But it’s my fault for being inadequate, so please don’t scold Yeon-ah too harshly…”
At Gyo-gyo’s words, Father’s eyes narrowed.
The settled gaze within those elongated eyes drifted slowly toward me.
I flinched involuntarily.
Was he suspecting me?
Father, truly?
‘No. I decided to trust him.’
Father had returned after seeing the letter I sent.
Then he must love me.
He must love me.
I repeated it endlessly, until my wish could reach the heavens.
“I have one more question.”
Father’s gaze left me. He tilted his head back and exhaled deeply.
Pressing his temple with his index finger, Father continued.
“Do you know why I took you in?”
“!”
Gyo-gyo’s eyes widened.

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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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