I Thought the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Family Was Hated - Chapter 50
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
“Here! My gift.”
Dang Lim handed me something with an elated expression on his face.
“Hm?”
It was a crudely carved whistle.
Why something like this?
“It’s to call Jeon-eung. No matter where you are, whenever we need you, we’ll blow this.”
Dang Lim spoke as he placed the whistle in my hand.
“We’ll come to wherever you are.”
“Ah….”
I gripped the whistle tightly with both hands.
My eyes grew red at the rims despite myself. I forced a brighter smile to hide it.
“Thank you, brother.”
The sudden realization that I had lived my entire life without knowing such affection struck me as profoundly unfair.
Yet at the same time, I was happy.
To be able to share this moment together, even now.
‘Thank you, Jin Hwa.’
I didn’t know what his intentions were in orchestrating all of this, but he was like a benefactor to me.
Now that I thought about it, how had he sent me back to the past?
“Um… brother, is there a great technique to reverse time?”
I asked carefully, looking up at Dang Eum.
I had a feeling he would know.
He was the oldest here, after all….
‘And he has that look about him—like he can’t help but be interested in mystical arts.’
“….”
Upon hearing my question, Dang Eum stared at me intently.
Then he stretched out my cheeks.
“Ow.”
“No such thing exists.”
“My cheeks are stretching. Ugh.”
Worried that my already full cheeks would grow even fuller, I tapped the back of his hand lightly.
Soon after, Dang Eum withdrew his hand and added his words.
“You must let the past remain in the past.”
Dang Eum’s expression seemed grave for a moment. Though it was the same expressionless face as always.
“Such a thing probably doesn’t exist, but if it did, the price would be astronomical. You’d have to pay a cost so steep that even your life would seem trivial.”
I was startled by Gui-heon’s remark as he crossed his arms.
“Then it’s dangerous, isn’t it?”
Everyone nodded at my question as if it were obvious.
“It certainly seems so.”
It was as if I’d been struck on the head—my mind suddenly cleared.
Rather than resolving my curiosity, it had only deepened.
‘Then what price did Jin Hwa pay for this?’
Did he sacrifice his own life to send me back to the past?
I found myself wanting to meet him again and ask.
‘Why would he do such a thing…?’
What was he doing now?
“How adorable.”
Unlike me, who had grown serious, my older brothers were staring intently at the top of my head.
“So round and plump.”
“I want to… squeeze it.”
I could hear every word of their murmuring.
‘Who’s going to squeeze it?’
It had to be Dang Eum, of course.
In that very moment, I shot him a sharp glare.
“Young Master, Young Lord.”
A voice called out from beyond the Main Gate.
The Chief Steward bowed as he looked at me.
“Miss. The Patriarch requests your presence.”
At Father’s summons, we all made our way to the Patriarch’s Hall.
“Truly, it won’t all fit.”
While waiting for Father in the Main Hall, Dang Lim spoke up.
He was talking about the gifts Gui-heon had sent me.
Even after filling the Wardrobe Room and the Warehouse, there was still more.
“You’re right. We may need to expand.”
Expand what, exactly?
“Yes. I’ll mention it to him.”
Why were the two of them deciding this on their own?
Exasperated, I let out a deep sigh just as the door opened.
When Father appeared, everyone rose to their feet.
“Father.”
My older brothers offered their respectful greetings.
‘This time, I’ll do it too!’
Remembering that I hadn’t greeted him properly last time, I jumped up as well.
“Welcome, Father!”
I called out loudly while bowing my head with energy.
“….”
Hm? There was no response.
‘Does he… not usually answer?’
Peeking up, I found Father staring at me with his mouth firmly closed.
His expression seemed somewhat taken aback.
“Welcome?”
I tilted my head, wondering if Father hadn’t heard me.
At that, everyone clamped their mouths shut.
Growing anxious at this point, I asked with a tearful expression.
“Did I… do something wrong?”
“…No, no.”
Father shook his head for a moment, then suddenly hid his face.
“I’m proud, pfft! I’m proud of you.”
What was so praiseworthy about a single greeting?
Unable to understand, I stared intently at Father.
His cheeks seemed to be rising slightly…
‘Could he be laughing?’
“Yes. Yeon-ah, hehe. Without even being told, you greeted us, so it’s so adorable, no! No! I’m just proud of you.”
Dang Lim spoke with his lips curled up to his cheekbones.
“Hehe. Is that so?”
To receive praise for something like this, and they say the youngest is truly beloved.
As I giggled, my brothers suddenly turned their heads away and their shoulders trembled.
‘Are they all cold?’
They couldn’t hide their trembling for a while.
“Ahem. Hmm!”
Once Father had calmed down somewhat, he cleared his throat with a fake cough.
“…Yes. Everyone has gathered.”
With those words, Father took his seat, and we all sat down as well.
“As you all know, matters from the Assembly Meeting are confidential.”
Father’s voice became serious.
“I called you here to keep your mouths sealed. Do not act rashly.”
“Yes, Father.”
My brothers answered with their hands resting on their knees.
“And you, my child.”
Suddenly Father turned his gaze toward me.
I, who had been sipping warm tea, immediately set down my cup and responded.
“Yes!”
Father’s lips seemed to twitch slightly before falling again.
‘Is he finally entrusting me with something?’
“You are to go on a recuperation retreat.”
“Yes! …Yes?”
My mouth fell open at the unexpected words.
As if we had made a promise, my brothers and I exchanged glances.
‘He’s telling me to leave for a retreat at such a critical time?’
The confusion wasn’t mine alone.
“Ah, Father! May I ask the reason?”
Dang Lim fidgeted in his chair as he asked.
“Since Yeon-ah’s body is frail, we’re sending her away for recuperation.”
“But, Father.”
Gui-heon raised his hand at Father’s words.
“Separating Yeon-ah from the Dang Family right now is dangerous.”
“How dare you talk back to your father like that!”
The thunderous rebuke echoed through the room, startling everyone.
Father would never speak that way.
‘Father doesn’t get angry like that.’
The only person who would…
…was Dang Mu-seon.
“I shall accompany her.”
Dang Mu-seon appeared suddenly behind us and spoke.
“What?! Why—oh! My apologies….”
Dang Lim startled and quickly covered his mouth.
Dang Mu-seon glanced at him dismissively, then clasped his hands behind his back and continued.
“As I’ve grown older, my back has become increasingly stiff. I have a place to visit for recuperation, but it would be lonely to go alone, so I shall use you as a companion.”
He placed a hand on my shoulder and went on.
“It will surely benefit your frail body as well. Let us go together.”
Dang Mu-seon’s posture as he looked down at me was impossibly straight.
‘…He clearly has other intentions.’
But how could I possibly refuse the great Dok-jon?
“Are we going on an outing with Grandfather? Wonderful! That sounds like fun!”
I clapped my hands brightly in response, and Dang Mu-seon smiled contentedly.
Meanwhile, my brothers’ expressions grew clouded with unease.
Then I noticed Father quietly gesturing to my brothers.
“Come here, you two.”
As they leaned in to listen, Father whispered something to them.
“The betrothal letter… if it isn’t sent….”
What was he saying? I couldn’t quite hear.
“…that’s why she must go far away.”
Once Father finished speaking, my brothers’ expressions changed dramatically.
“Oh, how wonderful! Yeon-ah.”
Dang Lim spoke with a broad smile.
“With the elder there, we have nothing to worry about.”
Gui-heon was equally pleased, and Dang Eum nodded vigorously.
“Have a safe journey!”
There was not a shred of hesitation in their eyes.
“Um… yes.”
I nodded, trying to hide my bewilderment.
‘What on earth have I been hearing…?’
***
“Miss, I’m sorry. I was the only one who survived….”
Ah, another nightmare.
I’ve been having so many nightmares that I’ve learned to recognize them the moment I start dreaming.
“The young masters, even the Patriarch—they all died, and only I survived.”
The problem is that I can recognize them, but I can’t wake up.
“Because I offered them all as sacrifices!”
Gong Myo, who had been holding my hand and weeping sadly, suddenly jerked her head up.
“Why do you keep me by your side? Are you going to make another mistake? Are you going to get everyone killed because of Miss again!”
Her face transformed into the Nanny’s.
“In the end, everyone will die!”
“Aaaah!”
Once again, I was devoured by the monster wearing the Nanny’s face, and I jolted awake from the nightmare.
“Huff, huff….”
I pressed my trembling hand to my chest. My heart was pounding painfully.
“Even knowing it’s a dream….”
Unable to calm myself, I threw open the window.
“Haah! Whooo—!”
I drew in the outside air deeply, repeating to myself.
‘Nothing has happened yet. I can stop it.’
I must stop it.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
‘But how?’
Tap tap. Patter patter….
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside.
“Hm?”
It was Gong Myo. She was rushing frantically toward the Warehouse, her arms laden with bolts of silk.
‘Oh, that’s right.’
All the maids had been in an uproar organizing the gifts Gui-heon had given.
“Oh no, what do I do. There’s still so much left…! I have to attend to Miss tomorrow!”
At the sound of her murmuring through tears, I found myself smiling.
I felt a pang of guilt.
Here I was, having nightmares about Gong Myo working so hard.
“Hm?”
I hadn’t noticed, but Dang Dam was standing beside the window.
He stood quietly with his hands clasped behind his back, watching Gong Myo.
I blinked and leaned against the window frame.
‘Could it be….’
Does he like Gong Myo?
There was something melancholic in his gaze, something that tugged at my heartstrings.
An irresistible urge to tease him welled up inside me.
I bolted outside like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Sleep was already lost anyway. I couldn’t possibly miss such fresh news.
I crept toward him, intending to tap his arm playfully.
“Hm?”
But as I drew halfway near, Dang Dam bent down toward me.
He suddenly thrust his face close and pressed a finger to his own lips.
[Someone is here.]
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————