I Thought the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Family Was Hated - Chapter 37

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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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“News from the Righteous Path Alliance….”
“If that’s the case, then it must be a victory report….”
Grave voices exchanged words.
As I sensed we were approaching the Council Chamber, I nestled my head against Dang Mu-seon’s shoulder.
It was to slip inside with him under the pretense of sleeping.
The moment Dang Mu-seon strode in, the voices fell silent.
“Grandfather. You’ve arrived.”
Without responding to their greetings, Dang Mu-seon leisurely found his seat and sat down.
“….”
The back of my head tingled.
Were they all looking at me?
“…Grandfather. Why is Yeon-ah here?”
Father, seated nearby, asked quietly.
I squeezed my eyes shut and put all my effort into feigning sleep.
“Kooo….”
I even remembered to suck my thumb and snore convincingly.
Grandfather patted my back and answered curtly.
“She insisted on sleeping in my arms, so here we are.”
I thought someone might counter with ‘But why bring the child here?’, but no one did.
Either they accepted Grandfather’s explanation or didn’t dare object—either way, I felt their gazes withdraw.
Dang Mu-seon slowly laid me down and offered his lap as a pillow.
[Keep your eyes closed.]
I heard Dang Mu-seon’s telepathic message. I squeezed my eyes even tighter.
The meeting resumed, flowing like water.
“So you completely eradicated the Cheonnyeo Sect, which collaborated with the Demonic Cult?”
“Indeed.”
From what I gathered, it seemed the Nine Sects alliance, called the Righteous Path Alliance, had wiped out the Cheonnyeo Sect around this time.
“Then the Spirit Elixir….”
“It wasn’t there.”
“I see….”
Silence followed.
‘The Spirit Elixir?’
My ears perked up at the familiar name.
The legendary spirit pill that could cultivate one’s inner force to an extraordinary degree.
The Cheonnyeo Sect was the one that possessed the alchemical method to create it.
‘But from what I know, the alchemical method was discovered elsewhere….’
It seemed they hadn’t yet discovered where that was.
“When you killed Yang-jeok, did you not learn anything about the Spirit Elixir, Lord Dang?”
Someone asked Father. The voice sounded oddly familiar.
Cracking my eyes open slightly to peek, I caught sight of a white robe.
It was Namgoong Sae-ryun, the Patriarch of the Namgoong Clan.
“There was no evidence whatsoever.”
“Are you certain there was none?”
Father answered, and he quickly countered.
Grandfather’s hand, which had been stroking my head, went still.
My mood soured as well.
‘Is he doubting Father right now? Suggesting he’s hiding the Spirit Elixir?’
“Did I ever speak a falsehood?”
Father’s voice, pitched low, reverberated through the Council Chamber.
Namgoong Sae-ryun answered lightly, as if deliberately provoking him.
“I am merely exercising caution.”
I was taken aback. The Namgoong Patriarch I remembered was solemn and benevolent.
“I did not witness the Spirit Elixir’s power firsthand during the war.”
Sae-ryun continued speaking.
If one could obtain the Elixir Refinement Method alone, one might even seize dominion over all under heaven—it was worth his concern.
‘Why does he suspect us like this? How infuriating!’
I glared at Sae-ryun with the eyes of my heart, seething with indignation.
Unaware of my scrutiny, Sae-ryun continued speaking to Father as though instructing him.
“Just as we did during the war, we must exchange all secrets in preparation for when calamity strikes again.”
“I am well aware.”
Father’s voice bristled with thorns.
“Then it is fortunate you understand.”
Sae-ryun countered as though deliberately crossing Father’s will.
“Then at this gathering, we shall finally see that Poison Seal Secret Manual.”
At that moment, another voice rang out. Looking toward its source, it seemed to come from the Zhuge Clan’s side.
‘But what is this Poison Seal Secret Manual?’
What was that?
The moment I heard the ominous name of this secret manual, Dang Mu-seon clicked his tongue and set down his cup with a sharp sound.
“The Patriarch must have spoken of this matter.”
This tone from Grandfather was unprecedented.
It was not his usual irritable manner of speaking. He was etching fury into each syllable, suppressed and controlled.
“Because of your accusations, the Poison Seal Master took his own life, and with him, the secret manual was lost to history.”
“…That cannot be. I understand you yourself contributed to the development of that manual.”
“So you think I must die as well for this curse to be lifted?”
Grandfather struck back, crushing his cup into fragments.
Letting the ceramic powder slip through his clenched fist, he issued his warning.
“Try to kill me. Before I melt this entire Sungdo to ash.”
…
The person who had brought up the Poison Seal Secret Manual spoke no further.
…Now I understood why we had been summoned to this gathering.
‘So they were trying to pressure me into revealing everything I’d been hiding all this time.’
That’s why Father and my older brothers had worn such grim expressions.
My feelings were in disarray.
During my days as Maeng Won, these men had always been my superiors.
Figures I could only look up to with reverence—truly great men.
But then….
‘They were openly displaying their contempt for the Dang Family like this.’
Was the Dang Family not merely being excluded, but actively suppressed?
It seemed the Poison Master’s Secret Technique held considerable weight.
‘But something doesn’t add up.’
What use could they possibly have for the secret technique even if they learned it?
For those who don’t practice poison arts, it would be utterly worthless.
I understood the logic of containment, yet an unsettling feeling lingered.
“The air certainly feels heavy now, doesn’t it?”
Namgoong Sae-ryun spoke loudly as if to clear the atmosphere.
“I apologize, Patriarch of the Dang Family. This gathering was meant to celebrate the Dang Family’s resurgence, yet I’ve said something unnecessary.”
“I appreciate your understanding.”
Father responded using the exact same sarcastic tone Namgoong Sae-ryun had just employed.
Namgoong Sae-ryun laughed heartily as if amused, but silence fell immediately after.
They seemed to be exchanging meaningful glances with one another.
[It’s just a battle of wills between wildcats. Don’t concern yourself with it.]
Perhaps sensing my tension.
Grandfather gently stroked my shoulder and whispered kindly.
My tense shoulders and neck seemed to relax at once.
Shortly after, the silence naturally dissolved.
“So, regarding the Merchant Guild….”
The conversation that followed held nothing particularly noteworthy.
Father occasionally offered opinions as the Dang Family Patriarch, and Dang Mu-seon clicked his tongue a few times, but that was all.
I rested my head against Dang Mu-seon’s green robe and organized my thoughts.
‘Should I be grateful for learning so much?’
The Sega Society still hadn’t found the Cheonnyeo Sect’s Spirit Vessel.
That meant they still didn’t know the location of the Demonic Cult Secret Base.
Because the Spirit Vessel’s Refinement Method was hidden there.
It was valuable information.
Since I knew the location of the Demonic Cult Secret Base, I could use this to elevate the Dang Family’s power.
But would doing so truly benefit us?
‘…They seem to dislike us. These people.’
Especially in Namgoong Sae-ryun’s voice, that sentiment was unmistakable.
Then what of Namgoong Do-hwi?
…My head had become a tangled mess.
***
Not long after breakfast, the commotion outside grew unbearable.
By the time the footsteps echoing through the Corridor made my head spin, I couldn’t help but venture out to see what was happening.
“…Nanny?”
“Oh my, Miss! You’ve come out? How do you like this? Does this dress suit you? Or perhaps… no, this is far too mature. Just a moment….”
Nanny and Gong Myo, their faces flushed with excitement, were buried beneath piles of silk garments.
“What on earth are you two doing….”
They didn’t even seem to hear me, methodically selecting clothes, holding them up against me, then shaking their heads in unison.
“You’re far too adorable. This won’t do.”
“Y-yes, that’s right. If that young master were to propose or something….”
I tilted my head at their grave conversation.
What on earth were they talking about?
“Remember this, Gong Myo. What did I tell you?”
“Yes, yes! To maintain proper etiquette while choosing clothes that conceal Miss’s beauty as much as possible…!”
The two exchanged solemn nods with one another.
Then they resumed their earnest selection of garments.
‘Ah, I see now.’
They were preparing me for the outing to the Flower Field with Namgoong Do-hwi.
Why were they being so thorough about it? It was merely a casual stroll.
“Hmm?”
Wait a moment.
Looking more closely, these clothes were anything but ordinary.
From a pitch-black skirt with crimson splotches like poisonous mushrooms to a golden ceremonial robe adorned with yellow feathers at the collar.
‘Am I going to perform somewhere?’
Now that I thought about it, what had they just said?
That I shouldn’t look adorable?
“You’re not trying to make me look pretty, are you?”
I asked without much thought, and both their shoulders trembled.
Gong Myo lowered her head and spoke in a barely audible voice.
“Ah, I do apologize, Miss… but it’s something the Patriarch instructed us to do.”
“What? Father did?”
So Father had personally instructed them to make his daughter look unattractive.
Unable to fathom the reason, my head kept tilting in confusion.
“When the Patriarch heard that you would be going on an outing with the young master, he said….”
Gong Myo hesitantly relayed Father’s words without missing a single syllable.
“If Yeon-a says it’s fine, I cannot stop her.”
“However… though it may be impossible, dress Yeon-a less adorably than usual. Do your utmost within your capabilities.”

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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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