I Thought the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Family Was Hated - Chapter 3

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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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Dang Gyo-gyo learning martial arts.
In itself, it was proof that Father had abandoned me.
By clan rules, a daughter of a cadet branch could not learn the family’s martial techniques.
Unlike the main line, cadet branch members typically leave the family upon marriage.
It was a rule meant to prevent the leakage of sect secrets, or so they claimed.
‘Truly an archaic custom.’
In any case, only young direct descendants lived in the Joongyeon Dang, and now she would learn martial arts there too.
There was no way around it—Father had replaced me with Dang Gyo-gyo.
“From now on, go out and greet your older brother first. Do you understand? A broken dantian doesn’t mean only bad things will happen.”
I nodded silently with a smile.
‘Yes. Especially for you, Gyo-gyo—my broken dantian must be the best thing that ever happened to you.’
Thanks to it, you even get to enter the Joongyeon Dang.
“You’re a precious young lady, so you might marry into a prestigious family later….”
“Who told you to give her such advice?”
A cold voice cut off Dang Gyo-gyo’s words.
Dang Lim, who had been listening quietly until now, showed clear displeasure on his face.
“Pardon? No, I was simply worried about Yeon-ah.”
“Didn’t you hear me say it’s unnecessary?”
“Ah….”
Dang Gyo-gyo lowered her head, at a loss for words.
“And you’re learning martial arts? You?”
Dang Lim let out a hollow laugh, looking down at Gyo-gyo as if she were insignificant.
“B-but the clan leader said he would give me a chance too?”
Dang Gyo-gyo countered, her face flushed crimson.
“Since Yeon-ah can’t use martial arts, shouldn’t I at least try?”
“Is that so?”
Meanwhile, Dang Lim’s voice had grown even colder.
Caught between them, I watched Dang Lim’s expression carefully.
With a composed face, Dang Lim clenched his fist and then spoke words that sent a chill down my spine.
“Then on the day of your marriage, I’ll personally sever your four limb meridians.”
“….”
Dang Gyo-gyo’s face, which had been flushed red, turned deathly pale in an instant.
“Don’t overstep. You’re only a cadet branch member, after all.”
The oppressive air made my skin prickle, and breathing became difficult.
“…Yes, older brother.”
Dang Gyo-gyo, sensing the killing intent, obediently bowed her head deeply.
“…Hic!”
A hiccup suddenly burst out, and I quickly covered my mouth.
…I suppose I was a bit startled.
I never expected Dang Lim to lose his temper so fiercely.
‘Could it be that he’s upset because a branch family daughter dared to learn martial arts?’
This petty man.
Dang Gyo-gyo was annoying, but even I had to admit that was a bit harsh.
Dang Lim glanced at me with my lips pressed firmly shut, then jerked his chin at Dang Gyo-gyo.
“Now get out.”
Dang Gyo-gyo scurried away with her tail between her legs. Dang Lim stared at her retreating figure for a long while.
“Someone’s getting married and…. Anyway.”
My eyes rolled at his muttering.
‘Is that what upset him?’
It seemed his pride was wounded because a direct-line member of the Dang Family was being sent away to marry.
He’s not petty, but he does come across as somewhat arrogant.
“Hic! Ugh.”
As my hiccups continued, I glanced around and our eyes met.
“….”
He furrowed his brow….
“…Tsk!”
He’s avoiding my gaze?
“I thought you were dead since I hadn’t seen your face.”
He muttered it low, his words rushed and barely audible.
I clasped my hands together and bowed my head deeply.
“I’m sorry, brother.”
“What are you—! …Sigh. Should I stuff your mouth shut?”
“Stuff?”
Dang Lim’s mouth fell open.
“Ah, no. No. Medicine. Medicine! I heard you weren’t taking your medicine! I didn’t eavesdrop—it was just a rumor….”
“Is that really something people gossip about…?”
“….”
When I asked carefully, Dang Lim’s words seemed to catch, and he clamped his mouth shut.
“Ugh, damn it!”
Then he raked his fingers through his hair roughly.
At this rate, his carefully tied hair would come completely undone.
I studied Dang Lim intently.
Those furrowed eyes. Those restless hands. Those lips that kept biting themselves.
‘Wait, this….’
I tilted my head curiously.
Could he actually be nervous?
“It’s, it’s hot. Someone bring me cold water. …Two glasses.”
Why is he so fidgety all of a sudden?
The Dang Lim I saw through an adult’s eyes was different from what I remembered.
The Dang Lim in my memories was always….
“To think I share the same blood as that wretch. It’s absolutely infuriating!”
He’d done nothing but hurl such words at me.
“….”
As his contemptuous voice overlapped with the figure of Dang Lim before my eyes, my chest tightened with discomfort.
Now that I knew hallucination grass had been in my room, I understood all too well that I couldn’t trust my memories completely.
But….
‘I still don’t know what’s real and what’s false.’
When Dang Gyo-gyo was with me, such thoughts didn’t arise, but the moment Dang Lim and I were left alone, something felt wrong.
I bit my lip.
‘For now, for now….’
Don’t think about it! I needed to leave this place.
Since I was already out, it seemed wise to search for the hallucination grass.
I had a rough idea of where it might be hidden anyway.
“Then… I’ll take my leave.”
The moment I turned to go.
“Where do you think you’re going!”
My wrist was seized and I was yanked backward in an instant.
“Ow!”
Dang Lim, startled by my cry, hastily released his grip.
“That’s not what I meant. I just—!”
Dang Lim, his face drained of color, bent at the waist to examine my wrist.
“It’s not bruising, is it?”
Seeing his face full of concern, my thoughts began to tangle.
“It’s fine. I’ll… I’ll go.”
I pulled my hand free and bowed my head low.
“Where are you going!”
Even as I quickened my pace, Dang Lim’s voice didn’t fade behind me.
“You can’t go alone! Let me come with you.”
What are you doing, you fool!
No, even if your insults were just hallucinations, the fact remains you didn’t visit me for a whole year!
Why are you suddenly acting like this?
***
Dang Lim had followed me all the way to the end.
He even asked where I wanted to go despite not knowing the path well, and guided me there.
Before the Medicinal Herb Storage inside Joongyeon Dang.
The medicinal herbs used in Joongyeon Dang are received in advance from the Medicinal Properties Hall and stored here.
The hallucinogenic herb would be here.
Other locations couldn’t hide its scent, and even if they did, removing it would be difficult.
Besides, this place was advantageous for keeping the hallucinogenic herb hidden from my room.
“But why the Medicinal Herb Storage?”
Dang Lim was peering inside with such intensity that he seemed ready to follow me all the way into the storage.
‘…Wait, since it’s come to this…’
Should I use him?
Come to think of it, it didn’t seem like a bad idea.
I had no power within the family, but Dang Lim was different.
Moreover, looking at that apologetic expression on his face—as if he might go mad.
I wasn’t entirely sure what had happened to me that made him so eager to help.
‘Isn’t it worth trying?’
“Elder brother.”
I turned and spoke to Dang Lim.
“There’s something I need to find in that storage.”
Dang Lim, who had been blinking, jumped to his own conclusion.
“I knew it—the medicine doesn’t suit your taste, right? Wait here.”
Dang Lim thrust his hand into his collar and pulled out a small pouch.
His eyes gleamed subtly as he handed it to me.
“Eat these together instead. I can’t replace the medicine the Medicinal Properties Hall Master prepared himself.”
Inside the pouch were colorful candies piled generously.
‘This isn’t what I was looking for…’
Gulp.
Even as I thought that, saliva pooled beneath my tongue.
Perhaps because my body had grown weak, sweets suddenly looked appetizing.
“…Thank you.”
After hesitating, I placed one in my mouth. The sweetness pleasantly pricked my tongue.
“It’s delicious.”
I murmured without thinking. A faint laugh seemed to escape me.
Watching me, Dang Lim’s shoulders trembled slightly.
Was he cold? It was still spring.
“S-so! When you run out…!”
I nodded at Dang Lim, who opened his mouth eagerly.
“Yes. I’ll buy the same kind myself.”
I was telling him not to bother himself needlessly. I had enough sense to read between the lines!
“….”
Whether my answer was correct, Dang Lim pressed his lips firmly shut.
“You have no further business in the storage, then.”
Dang Lim spoke in a tone that had grown oddly curt for reasons I couldn’t fathom.
“Mm, no. I still do.”
As I shook my head while mumbling, Dang Lim’s eyebrows twitched.
“You still have business? What is it?”
“Well, you see…”
I swallowed hastily and offered a vague excuse.
“There’s an incense the maidservant used to light for me, and I’ve run out of it.”
Dang Lim furrowed his brow.
“Then send someone to fetch it. Why are you moving about yourself?”

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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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