The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 14

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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 14
Bang! The sound of Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s fist striking the table drew everyone’s attention.
“Yeon is right! There’s no need to send them to the Academy. Ui-ran, return home and prepare Pyo and Ak-i for closed-door cultivation.”
“Father!”
“G-Grandfather.”
Baek Li-ui-ran flinched in shock, and the twins’ faces turned ashen.
“Father, how can the children undergo closed-door cultivation? They’re at an age when they should be growing. We can’t just feed them spirit pills.”
“I underwent closed-door cultivation at their age!”
….
“And Ui-ran, as their mother, you must think of your children’s future first! There is nothing more valuable than achieving a higher realm at a younger age. Easy gains bring no true advancement! Though it will be difficult now, this is an investment for their tomorrow!”
Baek Li-ui-ran had barely surpassed the third tier by age twelve. While ordinary by Baek Li Family standards, she had her father’s guidance beside her.
The aunt who had been constantly compared to others in her childhood never even became a comparison point as an adult.
At Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s words, Baek Li-ui-ran’s eyes wavered as she looked at her twins. Reading their mother’s expression, the twins rushed to speak.
“Grandfather, we want to go to the Academy!”
“We will attend the Academy!”
‘Hmm, did I make a mistake?’
Perhaps it would have been better to let the twins skip the Academy altogether, I thought, then shook my head.
Grandfather was the type to go all-in or not at all. Once he’d brought up the matter, he would either send everyone or send no one—he wasn’t the sort to let one go and keep another home.
“Pyo, Ak-i. Your mother thinks closed-door cultivation might not be so bad….”
“Mother!”
Baek Li-ui-ran and the twins began bickering in earnest.
It was quite the spectacle to watch. Wasn’t this like trying to set fire to my house only to have the sparks land on their own?
I picked up my chopsticks again.
‘Well, let me just eat. I was worried I’d have to leave before finishing.’
I reached for the mountain of food I’d barely touched while watching the commotion. Just then, Father placed a round meatball in my bowl.
My eyes widened as I put it in my mouth.
“Is it delicious?”
Father smiled gently at my vigorous nod.
‘Seafood? Not squid, but….’
I offered a meatball to Father.
“Father, please try this too. It’s delicious.”
“I’ve already eaten plenty.”
“What do you think it’s made from?”
“I’m not sure.”
“It tastes like water dropwort. Could it be made with ocean fish?”
And Baek Li Pae-hyuk watched this scene unfold as well.
His daughter and grandsons bickering among themselves. In stark contrast, his son and granddaughter warmly offering each other bites to taste.
A suffocating frustration tightened his chest, and an inexplicable displeasure surged within him.
“Ui-gang, are you starving the child?”
“Huh.”
Startled by Grandfather’s sudden irritation, I choked on my food and coughed. Father patted my back with practiced ease, accustomed to Grandfather’s temperamental nature.
“It seems Yeon finds today’s meal quite palatable.”
“Yes, Grandfather. Cough, cough—the food is all delicious.”
I thought he would remain disinterested until Aunt’s matter was resolved, so why had he suddenly taken offense?
Rolling my eyes, I spoke with the most charming smile I could muster.
“Grandfather, please try some too. It’s delicious!”
“…Hmph, bring it here then. I should taste it myself. What could be so delicious about it!”
* * *
In the end, everyone decided to attend the Academy.
The expressions on the twins’ and Aunt’s faces at that moment—joy and sorrow intertwined. I knew I would not forget those expressions for a long time.
The day after that chaotic dinner, writing supplies, a Thousand Character Classic, and the delicious braised meatballs I had savored that evening arrived at the Residence Quarter. Naturally, they were sent by Grandfather.
The writing supplies were impressive enough to earn Father’s admiration. An inkstone where the jade’s natural patterns harmonized to resemble a towering pine tree!
‘Giving such luxurious items to a six-year-old child is excessive, truly excessive.’
To Grandfather, I was still a child who could barely read properly.
Moreover, Grandfather had instructed my teacher that I could attend lessons slowly after recovering my health.
In any case, he was the type to do things thoroughly once he committed to them. From high-quality gifts to the heavenly elixir to the Academy itself.
With Grandfather showing such consideration, I felt I ought to offer something in return, however modest. Or rather, the weight of it all made it impossible for me to sit idle.
But what could I possibly give to Grandfather, who seemed to possess everything?
After much deliberation, the result was meager. Looking down at the handkerchief, I let out a hollow laugh.
‘No, this is still something, isn’t it? I did my best.’
Though the embroidery on the handkerchief depicted a shape resembling a rabbit rather than flowers and butterflies….
I had originally considered embroidering Grandfather’s name, but as expected, it was impossible with my skill.
And then I faced another problem.
‘I’ve made it, but how do I present it to him?’
I would sooner believe the rabbit on the handkerchief could hop there itself than trust a Residence Quarter servant with it. Yet visiting Grandfather directly seemed difficult.
‘Though Grandfather has indeed been kind to me recently, I shouldn’t overstep my bounds.’
He had accepted me not for my own sake, but surely because of Father.
After much thought, I decided….
“Hello.”
The warrior guarding Subaekdang, Grandfather’s residence, wore an expression of clear bewilderment: ‘Why is this child speaking to me?’
“I believe I left something behind when I stayed at Subaekdang before. Would it be possible for me to go in and look for it?”
I spoke with confidence.
‘A direct approach it is, then.’
The warrior was utterly perplexed by the child’s composure. The confused warrior glanced at another warrior beside him, but that warrior understood the situation no better.
Normally, they would have dismissed her, telling her to wait until the Family Head returned. But what had the rumors been saying lately? The stories surrounding this child were far from ordinary.
Simply turning her away felt ominous, and they had no idea when the Family Head, who had left that morning, would return.
“I shall escort you.”
In the end, after deliberation, one warrior agreed to guide and supervise. We soon arrived at the chamber where I had stayed. I blocked the warrior from entering with me and spoke.
“Oh, would it be alright if I searched alone?”
“Pardon?”
“It’s a rather… confidential item.”
The Servant’s expression turned incredulous.
Watching this tiny child, barely reaching his waist, maintain such a serious expression was both exasperating and amusing. The Servant glanced around before speaking in a measured tone.
“I’ll wait by the door. Once you’ve found it, come straight out. The Family Head is away, so we mustn’t cause unnecessary commotion.”
“Yes!”
Such is the burden of this child’s appearance.
Once I’d safely entered the chamber, I quickly surveyed the room. It had returned to its original state from my first visit. Despite being empty, it was maintained so meticulously that not a speck of dust had accumulated.
‘Where would be best?’
I couldn’t simply leave the handkerchief anywhere and depart. The Servant outside would inspect the room once I left.
So I needed to find a spot that wouldn’t be immediately discovered by him, yet would catch the eye of the servants who cleaned this chamber.
‘A drawer would take too long to notice… beneath a vase? No, that might leave marks on the handkerchief… Ah! There’s the answer.’
I approached the bed.
The bedding needed to be hung out periodically to air in the sunlight.
I murmured with satisfaction.
“Perfect, perfect.”
“What is perfect?”
“Ahhhhh!”
The scream caught in my throat before barely escaping. A firm hand steadied me as I stumbled backward, clutching my chest.
“You startled me even more! What are you so frightened of?”
The moment I opened my mouth to respond to Grandfather’s piercing gaze—
“H-hic! H-hic!”
* * *
Only after drinking a cup of warm water did I finally calm down.
“I… I thought you were a ghost.”
“So I’m supposed to announce myself while moving about my own Residence Quarter? You’re the one who crept in like a thief!”
I quickly lowered my head.
“I’m s-hic! I’m sorry.”
“…”
“…H-hic!”
When will these hiccups finally stop?!
“Well, did you find the item? Is that it?”
Grandfather pointed at what I held in my hand.
“Ah, this is… um…”
I hadn’t anticipated encountering him like this at all. As I hesitated, Grandfather’s eyes sharpened once more.
‘There’s no choice now.’
I respectfully extended the handkerchief and letter I’d been holding.
“Actually, I brought them to give to you, Grandfather.”
Grandfather’s expression turned doubtful.
“To me?”
“…Yes.”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk took the letter I handed him and unfolded it first. He stared at my crooked handwriting for a long time.
‘He can read it… right? I’ve been practicing all this time.’
As the reading stretched on, my confidence plummeted endlessly, and I found myself anxiously gnawing at my lips.
Fortunately, Baek Li Pae-hyuk spoke after examining the handkerchief.
“You embroidered this yourself?”
“Yes!”
“You didn’t have a servant do it?”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk scrutinized the embroidery with a suspicious gaze.
‘Grandfather, if a servant had this level of skill, they’d be fired…’
I gestured indignantly.
“I made it myself. Look, here—that’s a rabbit.”
Wait? The words came out wrong.
I should have said flowers and butterflies! But once I started saying rabbit, rabbit, the word just tumbled out first.
“No, it’s not a rabbit, it’s—”
Seeing suspicion crystallize in Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s eyes at my contradiction, I hurried to speak.
“The rabbit… isn’t the rabbit quite adorable?”
Ah! Could I have said anything more foolish?
Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s expression was utterly dumbfounded.

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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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