I Thought the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Family Was Hated - Chapter 36

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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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I lifted my head at the clear voice.
Long strands of hair fluttered gently in the breeze.
Along with the subtle forest fragrance carried on the gentle wind came the sight of a warm smile playing at the corners of his lips.
A young boy with thick, straight brows, serene eyes, and pupils as clear and lustrous as polished jade.
“I’m Do-hwi. Namgoong Do-hwi.”
At the familiar appearance and voice, memories from my past surfaced unbidden.
***
Before my regression, when I fled the Sacheon Tang Clan, I arrived in Anhui with a man the Nanny had rescued.
Not long after, the man left me in the Market District and departed.
I suspect that was the extent of his mission.
‘I’m so scared….’
Suddenly abandoned, I didn’t know what to do and crouched down, weeping bitterly for a long time.
“Why are you crying here?”
A young boy approached me.
“S-sob….”
Though my vision was blurred by tears, I could feel the boy’s gentle concern.
“Did something sad happen?”
I answered him with a hiccup.
“I-I’m alone now….”
“What? Really?”
The boy’s eyes widened in surprise, then he looked around.
He seemed to be checking whether I truly had no companion.
Soon after, he knelt down to meet me at eye level.
“Hmm.”
In that moment, I remembered every detail of that boy.
The gentle smile he wore to reassure me.
His honest gaze.
The subtle forest fragrance.
“Then come to my house.”
The boy extended his hand to me and spoke.
“Oh, that’s right. I’m Do-hwi. Namgoong Do-hwi.”
Namgoong—the owner of that tall Pavilion visible even from this distant place.
Though I felt a vague fear, I took the boy’s hand.
That hand led me to the Namgoong Clan, and later to the Martial Arts Alliance.
That was my first meeting with Do-hwi.
***
“It’s nice to meet you.”
Do-hwi spoke to me just as I remembered him from long ago.
Really. How is it you haven’t changed at all?
Why are you being so kind? Truly!
“…Huh?”
Oh. I’d been lost in nostalgia.
I snapped back to attention and hastily grabbed his hand.
“Yes! I’m Hee-yeon. Dang Hee-yeon!”
Namgoong Do-hwi came looking for me first. Could it be that we were destined to become close friends?
“A beautiful name.”
“U-uh? Haha… Thank you!”
My face flushed at his words for no reason.
‘He wasn’t the type to say such embarrassing things before.’
Was it because I was now a young lady of the clan?
I wished he wouldn’t treat me so formally.
I wanted us to be casual friends like we used to be….
There’s no helping it. I’ll have to take the first step this time.
“Here we go.”
He gently pulled me up with an affectionate gesture.
As I rose to my feet, pebbles tumbled to the ground with a soft clatter.
“Huh?”
Do-hwi tilted his head, looking down at the pile of pebbles.
‘Oh no.’
I’m done for. Do-hwi hates violent people.
“Ha, haha. Why are these here? That’s strange.”
I laughed awkwardly and kicked the pebbles aside with my foot.
“So you weren’t crying?”
“U-uh?”
He suddenly leaned close and whispered near my ear.
“You were going to throw these at those guys, weren’t you?”
Do-hwi subtly gestured toward the boys who had been teasing me.
‘Tch.’
He’s sharp-eyed too.
“Well, you know, just… in passing….”
“What? Haha.”
As I averted my eyes and mumbled, Do-hwi chuckled softly and gently pulled me along.
“Come play with me. Come here.”
“Huh?”
My eyes widened as he dragged me away.
‘I don’t hate this, do I?’
Did I always like someone so reckless?
For some reason, I had a good feeling about this.
“Come, sit here.”
Namgoong Do-hwi guided me to the Pavilion where he had been sitting.
The Garden, which had a mountain transplanted into it, naturally had its highest peak.
Of course, since this was merely a garden after all, it was nothing more than a low hill in height.
The Pavilion where Do-hwi sat was positioned atop that hill.
‘So that’s why I couldn’t find it.’
Beyond the open wall, I could see children playing and frolicking below.
I sat down, thinking it was just like the pastimes of immortals.
The Maid quickly brought out a table of refreshments.
Since everything was bland, I simply sipped the tea.
“….”
I glanced at Do-hwi, who had taken a seat across from me.
“Um….”
At my call, he set down his teacup.
I steadied my nervously racing heart and pulled out a small pouch from inside my collar, handing it to him.
It was a sachet I had made myself.
“This.”
Inside were medicinal herbs that aided sleep.
Do-hwi suffered from insomnia, and it grew worse with each passing day.
I had prepared this beforehand at the Dang Household for him.
“I was going to give this to a friend. They say it helps you sleep well when you smell it.”
That’s a lie. I made this only for you!
“Wow. I’m honored.”
The moment Do-hwi received the sachet, he hung it from his belt.
I had made it from black cloth to match his preference for simplicity, and it suited him all the more.
“Thank you.”
At his kind words, I smiled brightly.
“I should be the one thanking you.”
“For what?”
Do-hwi tilted his head in confusion.
This boy showed kindness without even realizing it.
“You treat me kindly even though you know what I’m called.”
I gestured with my eyes toward the children whispering and peering at us from beyond the Pavilion.
At that, Do-hwi’s eyes narrowed.
“…Is that what you usually think? That the weak deserve to be looked down upon?”
“Huh? No.”
I shook my head at his question.
There was a time I thought that way before. But not anymore.
“Everyone at my home loves me. I found it strange—the idea that a useless child wouldn’t be loved.”
“….”
He didn’t answer immediately.
His eyes widened in surprise for a moment before he pressed his lips firmly shut.
Shadows fell across those clear, honest eyes.
Soon his rigid expression softened.
“I see. That’s fortunate.”
Was it just my imagination that he seemed displeased?
I took another sip of tea.
Namgoong Do-hwi seemed lost in thought.
‘It feels awkward to start a conversation now.’
Without realizing it, I watched his expression carefully while picking at the refreshments.
“So what are you doing tomorrow?”
“Hm?”
I lifted my head sharply at Namgoong Do-hwi’s question.
‘Has his mood improved?’
I rolled my eyes, thinking through my schedule.
‘I’m going somewhere with Grandfather for a bit, and then….’
“Nothing much. Why?”
As I shrugged in response, Namgoong Do-hwi’s eyes lit up.
“Perfect. Would you like to go to the Flower Field with me?”
“The Flower Field?”
My voice rose involuntarily in surprise.
He nodded calmly and spoke.
“Yes. Let’s go to the Flower Field. There are flowers that only bloom at this time.”
I could only blink, unable to respond.
‘Is this really Namgoong Do-hwi?’
It had to be.
The scar on his palm—a distinctive mark of his—was clearly visible.
The scar that had faded as he grew was now far more pronounced.
‘So it is Namgoong Do-hwi, but….’
Yet he was saying something he absolutely, absolutely would never say.
“Do you like flowers?”
I asked with suspicion, and Namgoong Do-hwi nodded without hesitation.
“Of course. Is there someone who dislikes them?”
“You….”
I couldn’t finish my words and pressed my lips shut.
‘You dislike them. Flowers.’
When Namgoong Do-hwi was younger, he would cough whenever he went near flowers because of his pollen allergies.
Even after his body had fully matured, he would frown at the sight of blooming flowers….
“Do you dislike it?”
Namgoong Do-hwi asked with concern, studying my distant expression.
“Oh, no! I’m happy about it!”
I shook my head without thinking. At that, Namgoong Do-hwi quickly pressed his advantage.
“So we’re going?”
“Y-yes…!”
Namgoong Do-hwi clapped his hands excitedly.
I brushed away my unease and laughed along with him.
‘Well, if it makes him happy, that’s good enough.’
At least he seemed to genuinely care for me, so wasn’t that a blessing?
***
After meeting with Namgoong Do-hwi and returning, I washed up and collapsed into sleep the moment I lay down.
The sun had been high in the sky before I went to bed, and it was still there when I woke.
“Little one, you need to wake up. You’ll be late.”
A large hand gently shook my shoulder.
The touch that brushed my cheek while peeling away the hair stuck to my forehead was incredibly tender.
I could tell who it was, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Hehe.”
As I rubbed my eyes and grinned, I heard him chuckle in return.
“What’s so amusing?”
“Grandfather.”
I wrapped my arms around Dang Mu-seon’s waist as he sat at the edge of the bed.
As I wiggled my upper body upright, I could see Dang Mu-seon in his prepared attire.
Hmm?
His clothes were no different from usual, yet for some reason he looked sharper today.
Grandfather tapped my bewildered cheek.
“You threw a tantrum about being taken to the meeting, and now you’re oversleeping? Didn’t I tell you to go to bed early?”
“But I kept sleeping and I’m still drowsy.”
“Tsk. Your body is far too weak…”
Dang Mu-seon’s eyes were filled with worry as he clicked his tongue and muttered.
Perhaps it was just my imagination. That sharp edge from a moment ago.
“Now get up. Your grandfather’s neck will break.”
“Yes, sir.”
As I lifted my drowsy body, Dang Mu-seon naturally scooped me into his arms and stood.
I rubbed my cheek against his chest, shaking off the last of my drowsiness.
‘I need to wake up. This is such a rare opportunity.’
A chance to be present at a gathering where the clan head and senior executives discussed important matters.
It wasn’t really a place for someone like me to be, but…
I felt that understanding what was discussed at the meeting would help me prepare for the future more certainly.
That’s why I pestered Dang Mu-seon the entire carriage ride here.
Please, take me with you. I want to see it.
Only Dang Mu-seon could do what neither Father nor anyone else could.
No one would object to the eldest, Dang Mu-seon, bringing along one ignorant child who knew nothing of the world.
‘Besides, I’m only half anyway, so they won’t pay me much mind.’
The thought left a bitter taste, but I steeled myself with resolve.
‘I need to listen carefully and miss nothing.’
That is how we survive.

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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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