The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 154

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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 154
* * *
Jeggal Hwa-mu’s eyes widened with surprise the moment he saw me.
“What happened now?”
“….”
I touched my face. Was it really that obvious?
Jeggal Hwa-mu tilted his head.
“Or is it something else?”
“….”
I hesitated for a moment.
‘Should I tell him or not?’
But knowing that Jeggal Hwa-mu would uncover the truth regardless, I opened my mouth.
“The Namgung Clan….”
Yet the words felt strangely difficult to voice.
It felt like I was making it real by saying it aloud.
‘When I asked Li-ri about it, I didn’t feel this way.’
I stopped speaking and bit the tip of my tongue.
“Are you hot? Your face is flushed.”
Jeggal Hwa-mu opened his fan and gently wafted it toward my face.
I exhaled as if sighing.
“The Namgung Clan has proposed a marriage arrangement for me.”
The fanning stopped.
Jeggal Hwa-mu blinked slowly before speaking.
“Ah… marriage? Already? You’re only eleven.”
“Exactly!”
I let out a melancholy sigh.
Jeggal Hwa-mu lifted his teacup with three slender fingers.
“Namgung Ryu-cheong would be an excellent match.”
“You too? You’re going to say that as well?”
At eleven years old, I was already suffering over marriage arrangements—and he wouldn’t even sympathize!
“A small, well-behaved family, the strength to protect you, and they don’t object to your abilities.”
“….”
“Moreover, if you marry, it would solidify the alliance between the Namgung Clan and the Baek Li Family.”
Had this wretch Jeggal Hwa-mu taken a bribe from Grandfather?
“Though the Murim Alliance unites us, conflicts over family interests are inevitable. But a marriage alliance changes everything.”
After his lengthy explanation, Jeggal Hwa-mu moistened his throat with tea before continuing.
“Your influence within the Murim Alliance would strengthen considerably, and you’d have far more means at your disposal.”
His words were infuriatingly logical—points I’d deliberately avoided thinking about.
“So you’re saying you want me to marry too?”
“Given your reaction, it seems this wasn’t discussed before?”
“…It wasn’t entirely without precedent.”
“Hmm, but what happened back then?”
“Back then, Father had already passed, and Grandfather showed no interest in me. And….”
I bit my lip before continuing.
“When Grandmother and my uncle grew covetous of that marriage proposal, they pushed Li-ri forward instead of me… and it fell through.”
“So the Family Head agreed this time, it seems.”
He had an uncanny knack for hitting upon the truth.
“Yeah, that’s right.”
This time, with Grandfather personally overseeing my marriage negotiations, they wouldn’t dare attempt to substitute Li-ri in my place.
“What about you?”
“I’m not sure. Marriage is….”
I rested my chin on my hand and gazed out the window. The foliage swayed in the breeze.
My goal had always been survival. I’d never contemplated what came after. Becoming someone’s wife… the thought felt foreign.
“I don’t know. I’ve never once considered such a future.”
“Oh, that’s the same as me.”
Those grayish-blue eyes regarded me with calm composure—the eyes of someone who had long since settled their heart.
Wait, hold on.
A fleeting thought suddenly surfaced.
‘There’s no way Namgung Ryu-cheong would consent to marriage so readily, is there?’
Why hadn’t I thought of this sooner?
The reason the marriage negotiations with Namgung Ryu-cheong had failed back then wasn’t solely because my family had pushed Li-ri forward instead—the primary reason was that Namgung Ryu-cheong himself had refused.
‘That’s it!’
In that instant, my mind cleared. My spirits lifted unexpectedly.
“So what brings you here?”
“Ah, your aunt has made her move.”
My mood plummeted once more. Would anyone blame me for suspecting bipolar disorder?
I let out a cold laugh.
“The moment Grandfather and Father departed. Ugh….”
I clenched my fists, my hollow laughter fading.
“No, actually this works out well. They’ll be able to return sooner. We’re ready on this end. We can proceed whenever.”
“Understood.”
“How are things progressing on your end?”
“I’m bringing them now, but I’m uncertain if the timing will align.”
“It can’t be helped. Whoever you’ve secured, I’m grateful.”
Without Jeggal Hwa-mu, I couldn’t have acted so freely.
I was thoroughly extracting my payment for saving his life.
Just then, Jeggal Hwa-mu covered his mouth with his sleeve and coughed harshly. Startled by this rare occurrence, I quickly refilled his cup with warm tea.
‘Have I been working him too hard?’
As guilt washed over me, Jeggal Hwa-mu mercifully ceased coughing and grasped the teacup. Though only a few years had passed, his condition was already beginning to deteriorate gradually.
“Your health is failing, yet you didn’t think to send word by letter?”
Jeggal Hwa-mu spoke in a soft voice.
“Of course I came because I wanted to see your face.”
“….”
Normally, I would have dismissed it as a joke. Jeggal Hwa-mu spoke that way more than once, and he was so capricious and playful by nature.
But perhaps because I’d been troubled by marriage negotiations lately, something about his words felt different this time.
‘Surely not… No, it can’t be? Baek Li-yeon, get a grip. What are you thinking? Just because the Namgung Clan brought up a marriage proposal, have you lost your mind?’
Thinking that way, I spoke to be certain.
“I’m already overwhelmed just dealing with Ryu-cheong. Don’t joke around.”
I peered into Jeggal Hwa-mu’s grayish-blue eyes as if trying to see through them.
“….”
“….”
I shot to my feet.
Thud.
I felt the chair tumble behind me.
“You… How long have you felt this way?”
The moment Jeggal Hwa-mu opened his mouth, I raised my hand to stop him.
“No! Don’t say anything!”
My heart pounded fiercely. Was this really happening?
I stood there gaping for a long moment before speaking.
“But you… you just approved the marriage proposal with Namgung Ryu-cheong!”
Jeggal Hwa-mu adjusted his sleeves and lowered his gaze.
“Wishing for another’s happiness—isn’t that a sincere heart?”
It was a happiness he, with his limited time, could never give me.
Jeggal Hwa-mu smiled at me.
“Still, I wish you wouldn’t marry.”
* * *
Several days passed after Jeggal Hwa-mu’s bombshell confession.
In that time, I visited Seok Tae-ui’s Residence and had a conversation with Seok Ga-yak.
When I told Seok Ga-yak that I’d received a confession from someone he never would have expected, he clutched his stomach laughing, then immediately guessed.
“Jeggal Hwa-mu?”
“…How did you know?”
“A third party sees things others don’t.”
“If you knew, why didn’t you tell me!”
“Well, the person hadn’t even confessed yet—how could I say something first?”
“….”
Not a word of it was wrong, yet somehow it was infuriating.
And then, another day passed.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Huh?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong was looking down at me—I hadn’t even noticed when he’d arrived.
“Ah….”
I was in the Practice Hall of the Baek Geom Dan. I sat on the staircase of the pavilion attached to the Practice Hall, while Namgung Ryu-cheong stood on the steps below me.
At that moment, Namgung Ryu-cheong reached out and without hesitation pressed his hand against my forehead.
“…You seem fine.”
I startled belatedly and pulled Namgung Ryu-cheong’s hand away.
“What are you doing?”
My heart raced rapidly.
Namgung Ryu-cheong looked at me as if I were strange.
“You visited Seok Tae-ui’s Residence too, didn’t you? Are you feeling that unwell?”
For the past few days, I had confined myself to my chamber and refused all visitors. The female servants had apparently spread word that my health was poor. And now that I had visited Seok Tae-ui’s Residence as well.
“Ah, well… Yes. I’m fine.”
“Then that’s fortunate.”
I cleared my throat and turned my gaze toward the Practice Hall. Two Baek Geom Disciples and Seo Ha-ryeong were attacking Yalyu together. Despite being outnumbered three to one, Yalyu was handling them with remarkable ease.
After pretending to observe that scene for a moment, I turned back to Namgung Ryu-cheong. And I was slightly startled. Namgung Ryu-cheong’s gaze had been fixed on me the entire time.
Namgung Ryu-cheong asked again.
“There’s also a young master named Seok Ga-yak at Seok Tae-ui’s Residence, isn’t there?”
“What? How do you know Ga-yak?”
“…We ran into each other together on the street in front of the Baek Li Estate.”
“Still. We didn’t even introduce ourselves and parted ways then.”
You who usually show no interest in others? Yet you’ve memorized the physician’s nephew’s name.
Namgung Ryu-cheong lowered his eyes briefly, then opened his mouth.
“…You seemed close.”
“Well, yes. He’s helped me a great deal.”
“I see.”
I thought he might ask something more, but Namgung Ryu-cheong simply stopped there and closed his mouth. As I watched him with a puzzled expression, at some point I began observing him openly.
‘He really is handsome.’
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s appearance grew more faithful to the description of an incomparable beauty with each passing day.
Whenever Namgung Ryu-cheong appeared at a banquet, the gazes of young ladies literally poured down upon him. I had seen numerous girls who clearly harbored romantic feelings for Namgung Ryu-cheong.
After observing his face appreciatively, I suddenly asked.
“If you were to marry, what kind of person would you want to marry?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong furrowed his marble-like brow and turned to look at me.
Though I had asked the question, I naturally expected Namgung Ryu-cheong to ignore it and dismiss it as nonsense.
“No, never mind. I was just speaking carelessly.”
At that moment, Namgung Ryu-cheong answered in a stiff voice.
“Marriage should naturally follow one’s parents’ wishes.”
“What?”
I stood there with my mouth hanging open in bewilderment.
What… Since when have you been obedient to your parents? Since when have you been a filial son…!
‘What’s wrong with this guy? What did he eat?’
If this is how it is, my plan for Namgung Ryu-cheong to refuse on his own…!
I was glaring at him in exasperation when Namgung Ryu-cheong suddenly stepped back, his cheeks flushed red.
Without thinking, I grabbed his wrist as he retreated. His body flinched at my touch.
“What? Why?”
“Do you mean what you just said?”
“Mean what?”
Seo Ha-ryeong and Yalyu, who had finished their sparring match, were approaching from behind Namgung Ryu-cheong. Seo Ha-ryeong asked again.
“Huh? Mean what? What were you two talking about?”
Yalyu spoke coldly.
“Take your hands off Yeon.”
“I don’t want to take sides, but isn’t Yeon the one holding onto Ryu-cheong…?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong, who would normally have shaken off my hand immediately, spoke with unusual composure.
“Baek Li-yeon, let go.”
“…?”
Confused by his words, I loosened my grip, and only then did Namgung Ryu-cheong withdraw his wrist.
Namgung Ryu-cheong turned and headed toward the center of the Practice Hall.
“Phew, it’s getting warm now.”
Beads of sweat dotted Seo Ha-ryeong’s forehead, while not a single drop could be found on Yalyu’s face.
“Sparring with him makes me sweat even more. Ugh, I really hate fighting in summer.”
The reluctant expression on Yalyu’s face seemed to say he still hated it now, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
Just then, Jin-jin brought over a brass kettle and cups beaded with water droplets.
“Here’s some ice water!”
“Ah, thank you.”
Seo Ha-ryeong let out an exclamation after gulping down the water. Watching her, a sudden question came to mind.
I stood up abruptly and grabbed Seo Ha-ryeong’s wrist.
“Ha-ryeong.”
“Yes?”
“Let’s talk for a moment.”

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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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