The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 102

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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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Chapter 102
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I had hoped this winter would be different, but in the end, I caught a cold in the final stretch.
It wasn’t until mid-February that I finally recovered, and as the weather began to warm, I started preparing for my return home. Yet strangely, the preparations dragged on at an agonizingly slow pace.
I suspected someone was deliberately delaying our departure, hoping we would stay longer. Father surely noticed this too, but he merely clicked his tongue once and said, “Pretend you don’t know,” before letting the matter rest.
During that time, I bid farewell to each person individually.
My parting with Namgung Ryu-cheong was so understated that I wondered if that was truly the end, yet it was Yalyu who clung to our connection with lingering affection.
Seo Ha-ryeong, who had flown to the Suhyang Sect with the elixir, could not return before my departure. She was said to be diligently cultivating her inner strength while absorbing the elixir I had given her.
Taking an elixir did not mean its effects ended immediately; one needed time to slowly integrate its power into one’s body. The absorption rate of the elixir depended entirely on whether one could properly dissolve it within oneself during that period.
Fearing that my departure might disturb Seo Ha-ryeong’s cultivation, I instructed the people of the Suhyang Sect not to inform her that I was leaving.
After consuming such a precious elixir, it would be a shame to waste its benefits, would it not?
And there was something quite surprising as well. I received a letter from Lady Jang—a letter of gratitude, no less.
Jang Cheol had apparently come to his senses! He no longer associated with Cheon Gongja’s circle, no longer gambled, and most astonishingly, he had even apologized to the young master of another family whom he had previously beaten!
‘Heavens. Such an absurd sermon actually worked!’
It was enough to make even ghosts weep.
In any case, time flowed steadily onward, and by the time the magnolias that had bloomed profusely in the garden began falling to the ground one by one, the long-delayed departure preparations were finally complete. I also expressed my wish that Geum-swe, the female servant who had been with me since arriving at the Namgung Clan, would accompany me on the journey.
“Is that truly necessary? It would be arduous for her. Let me first ask your father.”
I showed some reluctance toward So Bu-in. I was thinking that I should ask Father to refuse when So Bu-in spoke.
“I have already discussed this with the Great Hero Baek Li. All that remains is your permission. I worry so much about sending you alone….”
So Bu-in’s eyes grew sorrowful as she covered her mouth with her sleeve.
“I understand. If you’re that concerned, then I have no choice!”
I agreed immediately.
For the journey home, we decided to travel with an organization called the Changhung Piao Bureau. In modern terms, a piao bureau was a business that handled letter delivery, goods transport, escort services, and security.
The Changhung Piao Bureau primarily conducted business with the Namgung Clan, and fortunately, one of their convoys was passing near the Baek Li Estate.
On the day of departure, Uncle Namgung Wan and So Bu-in came to see me off.
“Ryu-cheong… said his farewell the day before, so that’s settled.”
So Bu-in bit her lip and spoke weakly, as if she felt guilty and couldn’t help it.
“It’s fine.”
I waved my hand dismissively.
Namgung Ryu-cheong was currently… sulking. Because I had rejected his proposal!
As the departure date kept getting delayed, peach blossoms had already come into full bloom. Namgung Ryu-cheong then suggested that I visit Cheon-am Temple before leaving. However, since Yalyu had only a short time left before departing with Cheonsan Yeom-je, I reluctantly declined with tears in my eyes.
And so… he sulked!
Ha, isn’t that adorable?
‘I feel a bit sorry, too….’
It was probably the first time anyone had invited him to go somewhere for leisure.
“Enough. Such a petty fellow. Hmph, I don’t know who he takes after to be so narrow-minded.”
Uncle Namgung Wan, who understood the situation, let out a scoff. Then he grasped my shoulder and spoke with a deeply furrowed brow.
“If anyone troubles you, send word immediately. I will rush to your side at once.”
His expression seemed as though he would charge off to kill someone on the spot, yet his eyes were filled with concern. It was as if he viewed my return to the Baek Li Estate as a return to a battlefield or a demon’s lair.
“Especially those twin cousins. If they cause any more trouble, tell me at once!”
“It’s fine, truly. The Twin Cousins have both gone to receive their punishment from Baek Li Pae-hyuk.”
“I heard as much. Still, won’t they return someday?”
“Master, Miss Baek Li will become frightened.”
Namgung Wan cleared his throat and withdrew his hand from my shoulder.
So Bu-in’s remark came at precisely the right moment. She was correct—I was indeed somewhat frightened. I despised the sensation of that enormous shadow looming over me, coupled with the urgent grip on my shoulder.
‘When will this finally pass?’
I swallowed dryly and stepped back with as much composure as I could muster. My own body refused to obey my will. The frustration kindled a spark of anger within me.
Still, it was far better than before.
I exhaled silently and turned to regard Geum-swe, the female servant who had chosen to accompany me. I accepted the box she carried and handed it to Namgung Wan.
He then asked me.
“What is this?”
“You’ll understand once you open it!”
It was a small wooden box, no larger than two palms. As Namgung Wan opened it, his brow furrowed.
“What is this—a sachet?”
The sachet was embroidered with pink flowers. The floral portion was admittedly crude, but as the design progressed toward the branches and leaves, the craftsmanship improved markedly.
“Why are you giving me this?”
“What? You’ve forgotten? This won’t do. Give it back!”
“No—why would you take back what you’ve given?”
Namgung Wan swiftly evaded my grasp, concealing the sachet behind his back. His urgent movements carried traces of martial energy. He seemed to ponder for a moment, then his eyes widened as recollection struck him.
“Wait—when exactly did you…? I had forgotten about it myself.”
I understood. Two months had passed since the landslide left him missing—how could he possibly remember a sachet or any promise made then?
I lifted my chin proudly and declared.
“Because we made a promise.”
It already felt like something from ages past—that day when I met Uncle Namgung Wan at the Baek Family Estate Outer Gate, our playful quarrel over whether to give him a gift or not.
‘I never imagined things would turn out like this.’
“Yeon, you truly….”
Uncle seemed to grit his teeth, as though suppressing emotions that threatened to overflow.
Incidentally, that sachet harbored a secret. Two-thirds of those pink flowers were actually stitched by Namgung Ryu-cheong. Uncle had insisted I must not borrow anyone else’s hands, but circumstances left me no choice.
‘My palms had split open.’
It wasn’t that I was unwilling to do it myself—I simply couldn’t move my hands for an extended period.
I had no choice! I enlisted Namgung Ryu-cheong to help.
Initially, it was half-jest, wondering what task I could assign him. But Namgung Ryu-cheong’s needlework proved far superior to mine! Moreover, the Namgung Ryu-cheong who had initially been reluctant grew increasingly competitive as he worked, steadily improving. Meticulous and swift, no less!
Blast it—was this what heaven-blessed talent looked like? So even embroidery came naturally to geniuses! It had been ages since I last resented the heavens.
Suddenly, Uncle pulled me into a tight embrace.
“If Ui-gang had cherished you even slightly less….”
Less? What then?
Uncle Namgung Wan fell silent, holding me in that embrace for a long while.
“Master, I understand your feelings, but please release me now. We must depart soon.”
Uncle embraced me once more with all his strength before finally letting go.
Goodness, I thought my bones would shatter!
I grabbed Uncle Namgung Wan as he rose to his feet and whispered urgently into his ear. When my words ended, his expression twisted into something neither quite laughter nor tears.
Leaving Uncle Namgung Wan behind, So Bu-in approached and drew me into a gentle embrace. With movements as delicate as butterfly wings, a subtle floral fragrance wafted through the air. And something heavy settled around my wrist.
After So Bu-in released me, I examined what hung there—a jade bracelet of such obvious preciousness that even at a glance it gleamed with wealth. Before my regression, Father had gifted me many treasures, and my eye for quality had grown quite discerning. This jade bracelet was among the rarest gifts Father had ever bestowed.
“I… uh…”
“I brought it as part of my dowry.”
“Pardon?”
So Bu-in gently stroked my hair and cheek.
“I had intended to pass it down to a daughter or daughter-in-law, but I would be pleased for you to have it.”
I stood there with my mouth agape, looking toward Father.
Father, please say something quickly! Tell her it’s too precious, that it’s not necessary!
But Father simply exhaled softly and spoke.
“Just accept it.”
“But Father!”
I jumped in protest. Father averted his gaze slightly as he spoke.
“There is no one in this household who can refuse So Bu-in…”
“…”
With trembling hands, I carefully removed the loose jade bracelet and cradled it against my chest.
“I will treasure it as a family heirloom.”
So Bu-in laughed, her voice flowing like jade beads. With all gifts exchanged and farewells spoken, it was truly time to depart. Namgung Wan and So Bu-in stepped back a few paces.
Uncle Namgung Wan spoke to Father.
“Travel well.”
“Yes.”
To any observer, one might think they would meet again tomorrow—such a casual parting it was. And so, on a day when peach blossoms bloomed in full splendor, I left the Namgung Clan behind.
Before my regression, I had stayed at the Namgung Clan for roughly two and a half months. But this time, I had spent the new year there and only departed after the spring months had passed.
‘I never imagined I would stay for half a year.’
Perhaps because of this, the parting felt far more bittersweet than before. I kept my head craned backward until the very rooftops of the Namgung Clan vanished from sight.
Father, riding on horseback beside the carriage, gently stroked my head.
“If you harbor such lingering affection, why not have stayed at the Namgung Clan?”
Looking up at Father, I pouted slightly.
“That’s different from this.”
“If your mind is made up, do not look back. Where is that child who scolded me so fiercely?”
I widened my eyes and protested against this unjust accusation.
“Scolded? It was nothing of the sort!”
“To my ears, it sounded like thunder.”
Did he really take it so seriously?
Watching Father’s composed profile, I clenched my fists.
That’s right. How could I show such reluctance after insisting we leave? Would Father not harbor regrets as well? His comfort was truly befitting of a father.
“Now, get inside. The wind is cold, and isn’t the glare harsh?”
I nodded and withdrew my head. Geum-swe, who rode with me in the carriage, carefully closed the window through which the still-bitter wind had been entering.

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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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