The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 152

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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 152
Baek Li-ui-muk spoke with a flushed face.
“I was merely concerned as Yeon grows by leaps and bounds each day.”
“Concerned?”
“It reflects poorly on her reputation to continue associing with boys she won’t marry. Though she is still young, surely we cannot allow such associations indefinitely, can we?”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s gaze turned toward Baek Li-ri with a chilling smile.
“If you’re so concerned, what of Li-ri, who is but a year older than Yeon? Have you already arranged a match for her, or shall I inquire into one myself?”
“Pardon? Ah, no! That is not—”
Baek Li-ui-muk startled and bowed his head hastily.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk regarded him with displeasure, clicked his tongue, and changed the subject.
“Now then, I shall distribute the gifts brought to the banquet. Return and inventory them.”
Baek Li-ui-gang spoke with a slight furrow of his brow.
“Are these not gifts presented to you, Father?”
“Indeed. You should be the one to use them.”
Baek Li-ui-muk chimed in with great filial piety, but Baek Li Pae-hyuk waved his hand dismissively.
“I cannot use them all before I reach the grave. Spare me the pleasantries. If anyone has a particular desire, speak to Go Chong-gwan about it.”
At that moment, Baek Li-myeong spoke up quickly.
“Grandfather, was there not a Snowfall Elixir among the gifts this time?”
“Yes. I heard it arrived recently.”
“I would like to receive that.”
Before he could finish, Baek Li-ri cried out.
“No, Brother! That’s what I—!”
And the moment Baek Li-ri’s eyes met Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s, she startled and bowed her head deeply.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk had always been a fearsome presence to the children.
Even the Twin Cousins behaved like mice before a cat in his presence, and needless to say, Baek Li-ri, the youngest daughter raised as a precious jewel, was no exception.
Moreover, perhaps because of the Twin Cousins, whenever Baek Li Pae-hyuk detected even a hint of willfulness from Baek Li-ri, he would scold her severely. As a result, she feared him so greatly she could barely meet his gaze.
As his scrutiny lengthened, I could see Baek Li-ri’s clenched fists on the table trembling slightly.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk rendered his judgment.
“Since Myeong has labored today, let him take it. However, do not consume it immediately. Instead, focus on refining the spiritual medicines already within your body. Indiscriminate consumption of elixirs alone will not suffice.”
“….”
Baek Li-ri bit her lip, while Baek Li-myeong bowed his head with a smile.
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
As our eyes briefly met, Baek Li-myeong cast me a triumphant expression.
‘…What was that?’
* * *
That afternoon, as I organized the items Grandfather had bestowed, Baek Li-ri visited my Residence Quarter.
I crossed the cluttered courtyard in quick strides to greet her.
“Welcome.”
Baek Li-ri entered at a leisurely pace.
“This is my first time at your residence. I brought you a gift.”
The Female Servant who had followed Li-ri handed me a long, cloth-wrapped box. As I accepted it, I recognized her—the same servant who had chased after Li-ri when she was soaked through in the garden before. The Female Servant bowed her head respectfully.
“My Residence Quarter is this way. Come in.”
I took Li-ri’s hand and led her inside.
Li-ri pulled her hand away and looked around curiously.
“Let go. What’s the rush? Let me look around.”
I exercised patience, watching as Li-ri explored.
After Li-ri had surveyed the buildings and garden, she spotted my unpacked belongings and asked.
“What is this, sister? Is this all the spiritual medicine you received?”
“Hmm? Oh, yes. That’s right.”
I had no need for spiritual medicine.
But since my abilities and the issues with my dantian had to remain secret, I had accepted spiritual medicine as a cover. Since it was merely for appearances, I hadn’t bothered requesting anything of quality—no point wasting resources. Naturally, it wouldn’t meet Li-ri’s standards.
I gazed at the spiritual medicine with a cool expression for a moment.
“Sister?”
At her questioning tone, I collected myself and turned back to Li-ri.
Li-ri continued.
“Aren’t you upset?”
“About what?”
“The Frost Jade Pearl Elixir!”
“….”
“I was going to ask for it!”
You were going to ask for it, so why should I be upset? It was a bewildering shift in logic.
I gave appropriate responses and led Li-ri into my Hall.
I poured tea into the cup before Li-ri, who had settled onto a round stool.
Li-ri glanced around my Hall with curiosity.
I concealed my anxiety with a slight cough, drawing her attention.
“By the way, Li-ri, did our uncle happen to mention anything about my marriage prospects?”
Li-ri blinked and pouted her lips.
“…So that’s why you invited me? I wondered why you kept trying to bring me to your Hall.”
“There really are fresh rice cakes from Chuo Hall. Try one.”
Though I presented an appetizing red rice cake, Li-ri showed little interest.
“Well, it’s fine. I was curious too. But I don’t know much.”
“Just tell me what you’ve heard.”
I leaned forward intently, focusing on Li-ri’s words.
“Father said that Grandfather and Uncle are going to the Maeng Meeting to discuss your marriage prospects with the So Ga-ju of the Namgung Family.”
“….”
“They’ve already subtly aligned on it, and Father said there’s no better match than this. Sister, are you really going to be betrothed to the Namgung Young Master?”
* * *
At that moment, a subtle fragrance of tea drifted through the study of Subaekdang.
“There is no match finer than this.”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk set down his teacup slowly, regarding his sons before him.
One was dull-witted, and the other was obstinate.
“Baek Li-myeong’s betrothal is nearly settled, and Li-ri has both her grandmother and birth mother, so there’s nothing to worry about. It’s only Yeon that concerns me.”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk continued, his eyes closing slowly.
“So before I close my eyes for the last time, I will see Yeon’s marriage arranged and settled.”
Both Baek Li-ui-muk and Baek Li-ui-gang started in surprise.
“Father!”
“Father, you are still in good health. Please reconsider your words.”
“I am eighty years old.”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk briefly recalled the Cheonsan Yeom-je, then dismissed the thought.
“Where else can we find a family equal to the Namgung in power, wealth, and prestige? Moreover, both the So Ga-ju and So Bu-in cherish Yeon, and the So Ga-ju especially understands her circumstances well.”
He knew all of Baek Li-yeon’s family circumstances—her lack of a birth mother, her dantian issues, and her golden eyes ability.
“But Father, Yeon is still young. Is there truly a need to arrange her marriage so hastily?”
“Do you dislike the Namgung young master?”
“My preference is not what matters. Yeon’s feelings are what matter most.”
“Then does Yeon dislike the Namgung young master?”
“…No.”
Baek Li-ui-gang seemed to finish speaking, then added somewhat urgently.
“But she does not feel affection for him either.”
In that moment, Baek Li-ui-muk’s burst of laughter was quickly disguised as a cough.
At Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s gaze, Baek Li-ui-muk bowed his head.
“My apologies.”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk exhaled a long sigh and spoke.
“Now that you are both grown men, you should understand. Because my own marriage was not smooth, I refrained from interfering in your marriages as much as possible. I respected your own will.”
Baek Li-ui-muk glanced sideways at Baek Li-ui-gang.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk, as an authoritative family head, had urged Baek Li-ui-gang’s marriage several times. But when Baek Li-ui-gang refused, he did not force the matter. It was certainly different from his usual demeanor.
“And look at the result!”
“….”
“One day you suddenly brought a daughter, claiming it was Yeon!”
Even now, the memory made Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s heart ache.
Baek Li-ui-gang pressed his lips firmly shut.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk, glaring at him, let out a scornful laugh and spoke.
“I will never allow Yeon to live as you do!”
Baek Li-ui-gang, who had been silent, spoke carefully.
“That is… too great a leap in logic.”
“A leap? Hmph! It is fortunate that Yeon is sensible and virtuous. That she grew up so well, raised by you alone, is nothing short of a miracle!”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk, visibly angry, gulped down his tea.
Baek Li-ui-muk quickly refilled Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s cup and reproached Baek Li-ui-gang.
“Heed Father’s words. You may be content to live as a widower, but should we allow Yeon to suffer the same fate?”
“….”
“Besides, the Namgung Family has only Ryu-cheong as their direct heir, so they will naturally desire an early marriage! That is why we sent Ryu-cheong to Sansu-yeon so we could observe him ourselves.”
“That’s right. Ui-muk is finally talking sense. You’re not even married—what do you think you know? Ui-muk may speak on Yeon’s marriage prospects, but you certainly may not!”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk spoke while holding a steaming teacup.
“And haven’t you suspected something all along? Don’t pretend now that you know nothing.”
“I was simply… thinking I would wait and observe for a while longer.”
Baek Li-ui-gang’s voice was hollow.
Seeing his son’s state, Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s tone softened somewhat.
“I’ve been watching the Namgung Young Master closely all this time, and I must say—he excels in both ability and appearance. His temperament is somewhat arrogant and stubborn, but… one who pursues the Way must possess such conviction. And he treats Yeon well.”
After witnessing the quarrel between the Twin Cousins and Baek Li-yeon, Baek Li Pae-hyuk had summoned Namgung Ryu-cheong and questioned him about it.
Namgung Ryu-cheong, as though he had been waiting for this moment, ardently defended Baek Li-yeon’s position, insisting that the Twin Cousins’ actions were entirely deliberate and that Baek Li-yeon bore no fault whatsoever.
In his manner, one could discern genuine, heartfelt concern for Baek Li-yeon.

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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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