The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 151

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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 151
* * *
A few days prior, at Sogajang.
Sogajang was a considerable clan, grand enough to be called a manor. Yet it paled in comparison to the Baek Li Estate. In fact, under the current Family Head So Il-woong, it was nothing more than a hollow husk—glittering on the surface but empty within, teetering on the brink of collapse.
It was Son Dan-hu, the lady of the Baek Li Estate, who extended her hand to such a struggling clan.
Sogajang had never been worthy of marriage negotiations with the Baek Li Estate. Yet Son Dan-hu married her second daughter, the legitimate-born Baek Li-ui-ran, to the Sogajang Family Head.
After that marriage, Sogajang found respite through the enormous dowry Baek Li-ui-ran brought and the support of the Baek Li Estate.
In exchange, the people of Sogajang dared not lift their heads in Baek Li-ui-ran’s presence.
From the start, Son Dan-hu had deliberately chosen a weaker clan for her beloved daughter.
Baek Li-ui-ran spent most of her time at her natal family, the Baek Li Estate, rarely returning to Sogajang. So ashamed was she of her husband’s clan that she had come early before the Sansu-yeon celebration for the Baek Li Family Head’s eightieth birthday, offered her congratulations and gifts, and departed.
Yet now, this same Baek Li-ui-ran had suddenly contacted So Il-woong, demanding he come fetch her at once.
Ordinarily, Baek Li-ui-ran prevented So Il-woong from even showing his face at the Baek Li Estate. Now she was summoning him to retrieve her.
Whenever Baek Li-ui-ran called upon him in this manner, it was always the same—she had caused trouble. What calamity had she wrought this time to summon him?
So Il-woong’s heart pounded with anxiety.
When So Il-woong arrived to fetch Baek Li-ui-ran, his fears proved justified.
“What did you say?”
Seeing So Il-woong’s shocked expression, Baek Li-ui-ran spoke with calculated coldness.
“Why are you so surprised? Last time, we succeeded without being caught.”
“B-but, madam…”
“Are you refusing my wishes?”
“That is not it, madam. You are far too agitated now. After all, the father is illegitimate-born and the daughter is of lowborn status—surely you need not be so angry over such a matter.”
“My son is being disrespected by that lowborn wretch!”
“…”
“Oh, my poor Pyo and Ak-i. Not only did your mother endure disrespect, but you too must suffer it.”
Baek Li-ui-ran burst into tears as if heartbroken. So Il-woong, at a loss, could only pat his wife’s shoulders. Soon, Baek Li-ui-ran cried out at him.
“Are you not grieved that our Pyo and Ak-i have been humiliated because of that lowborn girl?”
“I am grieved… How could I not be?”
“I cannot allow my children to suffer such shame.”
Baek Li-ui-ran clenched her handkerchief, grinding her teeth.
“How dare you block my son’s path forward? I will never forgive this.”
“But surely your mother… would she forgive this? Did she not scold you last time, saying never to do such a thing again?”
“She did!”
“M-madam.”
“Mother was wrong first!”
“…”
“Knowing the humiliation I endured growing up, how could she take that lowborn girl’s side before me? If I did it once, what is doing it twice? Would such a matter truly sever the bond between mother and daughter?”
Baek Li-ui-ran paused briefly, then continued with a sinister smile.
“Once we succeed, even if Mother wished to sever ties, she would find it impossible.”
Once the deed was done, Mother would have no choice. She would have no other option.
To achieve this, though it displeased her, she needed her husband’s strength. Baek Li-ui-ran spoke in a low murmur.
“Darling, you truly don’t understand? If this succeeds, do you have any idea how much it would benefit you? Surely you’re not truly satisfied with merely being the head of Sogajang?”
So Il-woong swallowed hard as he met Baek Li-ui-ran’s gaze.
If his wife was right, if this truly, truly succeeded….
So Il-woong’s mind raced furiously.
Time was on his side. The father-in-law he now feared too much to even face, and the mother-in-law who constantly interfered—they would both return to dust someday. If that were the case….
So Il-woong spoke.
“I understand. We’ll do as you wish, my lady.”
For a brief moment, So Il-woong recalled the one person from the Baek Li Estate who had shown him kindness, but even that faint guilt soon vanished.
* * *
The midnight boat excursion passed quietly without anyone’s knowledge.
And the next morning, after paying respects, at the breakfast table.
“We depart for the Alliance in four days. Ui-gang, if you have anything to prepare, inform Go Chong-gwan, and Ui-muk will assist Jang Vice-Commander to ensure the family runs smoothly.”
“Understood, Father. Please have no worries.”
Grandfather and Father were going to the Murim Alliance. The Alliance Conference was to be held soon.
In my previous life, Father did not attend.
He had been occupied with Alliance affairs until Grandfather’s battle at Sansu-yeon, and had only recently returned to the family….
‘Grandfather took only Baek Li Pyo with him.’
So U-ak had quietly returned to Sogajang. At that time, I found it somewhat strange that the Twin Cousins, who were inseparable, were separated, but I was quite pleased that they were absent from the family.
I learned much later that it was all because of the stones they threw at me. So U-ak had been driven away, and Baek Li Pyo had been taken for the purpose of spiritual education.
I noticed that Uncle Ui-muk was looking at Father with a displeased expression at that moment.
Lost in thought, I lifted my head at the sound of a cough.
Grandfather spoke, looking at me.
“Yeon, you mustn’t cause trouble just because your father is away. Do you understand?”
Father, who had been watching me with concern, immediately objected.
“Father, Yeon has never caused any trouble up until now.”
“What? Never caused trouble?”
Father seemed to have completely forgotten that I had consumed a spirit elixir and fallen into demonic cultivation when he was absent.
Before Grandfather’s voice could rise further, I spoke first.
“Grandfather, you’re something else. You say you’re worried about me, and then you’re both equally concerned, yet you end up arguing because of me. Sigh, it’s all because I’m so popular.”
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
Grandfather let out a hollow laugh and shouted, but the atmosphere that had been growing tense instantly dissolved.
“I had originally planned to take you with us as well… but since things have turned out this way, it can’t be helped.”
Because Namgung Ryu-cheong and Yalyu were staying until my birthday, I could not accompany Father.
“Instead, I’ll bring back good news.”
“Good news?”
At that moment, an elderly voice with a resolute tone was heard.
“The household will feel quite empty once the Patriarch and Ui-gang depart as well.”
The owner of the voice was Grandmother, seated beside Grandfather.
She rarely appeared at such meal gatherings, so her presence was unexpected.
Grandfather spoke in a subdued voice.
“Is it really so lonely just because two people are away?”
“Two? It’s five. We must count Baek Li-ui-ran, Ak-i, and Pyo as well.”
The moment Baek Family Grandmother mentioned Baek Li-ui-ran, Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s expression turned cold. However, Baek Family Grandmother spoke to Baek Li-ui-muk as if she hadn’t noticed.
“The house suddenly feels so empty, doesn’t it?”
“Y-yes, Mother.”
“Why do you hesitate? Am I wrong?”
Baek Li-ui-muk looked bewildered, glancing back and forth between Baek Li Pae-hyuk and Baek Family Grandmother.
The reason Baek Family Grandmother brought this up was obvious—to suggest bringing Baek Li-ui-ran back.
The moment Baek Li-ui-muk agreed with her words, Baek Family Grandmother would immediately propose fetching Baek Li-ui-ran.
“….”
“….”
Knowing this, Baek Li-ui-muk couldn’t speak easily.
Though Baek Li-ui-muk usually obeyed Baek Family Grandmother without question, the recent discord with Baek Li-ui-ran had intensified, and as a result, Baek Li Pae-hyuk had grown distinctly displeased with him.
If he agreed with Baek Family Grandmother now, it was certain that Baek Li Pae-hyuk would be disappointed in him once again.
Then Baek Li-myeong suddenly spoke up.
“Since Grandfather isn’t here anyway, does Aunt really need to return to the Baek Li Estate? Since she’s already gone, why not have her stay at Sogajang for a while?”
Baek Family Grandmother regarded Baek Li-myeong with a cold gaze.
“Myeong, this is not your place to interfere.”
Yet Baek Li-myeong spoke with stubborn determination instead.
“Why not? Pyo and Ak-i haven’t visited Sogajang even once since returning from Gogye Hermitage. Besides, Ak-i is the successor to Sogajang—staying only at the Baek Li Estate isn’t proper respect for the So Family.”
Seeing Baek Family Grandmother’s expression, Baek Li-ui-muk hurriedly grabbed Baek Li-myeong and silenced him.
“Myeong, that’s enough.”
Then, with a sharp sound, Baek Li Pae-hyuk set down his chopsticks forcefully.
“Myeong speaks rightly. What is So U-ak doing, lingering at the Baek Family Estate? The child is already twelve—it’s time to learn how to live and lead at Sogajang. And Pyo should also learn to support his brother from his side.”
Baek Family Grandmother spoke again.
“What need is there to prepare from age twelve? The position of Family Head is premature even past forty. There’s no rush in preparing slowly.”
“The So Family Head seems to have different intentions. Didn’t he continue to lodge protests after we sent the So child to Gogye Hermitage? Now that he’s returned, he should show his face there as well.”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk ultimately refused to bring Baek Li-ui-ran back, and finally, Baek Family Grandmother, claiming she’d lost her appetite, rose from her seat first.
Had she eaten even a spoonful? With the atmosphere like this, the First Lady, who hadn’t eaten properly, clutched her aching stomach and hurriedly rose to follow Baek Family Grandmother. Baek Li Pae-hyuk spoke.
“Why don’t you eat more before you go?”
“No, it’s quite all right.”
The First Lady, supported by an attendant, followed Baek Family Grandmother.
Before Baek Family Grandmother left the hall, she suddenly stopped and turned back.
“Myeong, don’t forget about Jung So-yeo this afternoon. Surely you won’t ignore this either?”
“…I understand.”
Baek Li-myeong bit his lip and answered.
Jung So-yeo was a woman with whom marriage negotiations were underway with Baek Li-myeong. Since their first meeting at Sansu-yeon, they had continued to meet.
And judging by his current reaction, Baek Li-myeong didn’t seem particularly fond of Jung So-yeo.
Baek Li-ui-muk, who had been observing Baek Li-myeong and Baek Li Pae-hyuk, suddenly spoke to me.
“By the way, what are your thoughts on Yeon?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Marriage.”
Where did that come from out of nowhere? Why are you bringing this up with me?
“…Uncle, Yeon is only eleven years old.”
My father’s voice was thick with bewilderment.
“What does that matter? She’ll be twelve soon, and in three years she’ll come of age. There’s not much time left. Besides, we could exchange betrothal gifts first if you prefer.”
Coming of age meant receiving a ceremonial hairpin at fifteen. That was typically when serious marriage negotiations would begin in earnest.
“The lady of the Namgung Clan took a liking to Yeon and even gave her gifts from her own dowry, or so I heard.”
“…Those were merely gifts.”
“Which is precisely why it’s a problem. If we’re to prepare a dowry befitting the Namgung Clan’s status, we must begin now, mustn’t we?”
“….”
That’s when Li-ri, sitting across from me, lowered her voice and asked.
“Sister, if you marry the Namgung Young Master, will you go live at the Namgung Clan?”
“No… What? I’m not getting married! What are you saying!”
“Really? But… I understand.”
Understand what! That look in her eyes says she doesn’t believe me at all! Just as I was about to deny it more forcefully—
Bang!
Grandfather struck the table hard and spoke.
“Yeon is present! What kind of adult brings up marriage talk in front of a child without any sense of propriety!”
I was about to feel relieved at Grandfather’s words when I suddenly sensed something odd.
His tone was strange.
Grandfather wasn’t dismissing it as absurd… he was angry that such a topic was being raised in front of me.
‘What is this? What? What? Could it be…!’
Grandfather’s earlier words flashed through my mind.
He’d said he was bringing good news.
No, right? No, right? I looked up at my father.
Father gazed at me with an expression that seemed to say not to worry.
‘What does this mean…!’

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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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