The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 162

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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 162
“That’s enough.”
Baek Family Grandmother spoke with an icy tone.
“Ui-muk, can’t you compose yourself? What is this shameful display? Are you alone in this place?”
Baek Li-ui-muk clenched his lips tightly and spun around with a sharp exhale through his nose.
The filial devotion that had always characterized my uncle had vanished without a trace.
Baek Li-ui-muk turned to address the warrior.
“Are these all of them?”
“Yes, we’ve brought everyone from the Manor.”
Baek Li-ui-muk nodded and stepped forward to stand before those kneeling on the ground.
“Do you know why you’ve been brought here?”
All of them could only roll their eyes in terror.
“If you’re innocent, there’s no problem. But if you refuse to cooperate….”
Baek Li-ui-muk, who had been speaking ominously, suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
“One person is missing. Where is Gwak Eomeom?”
“I was about to mention that. We searched everywhere Gwak Eomeom might have been, but she wasn’t found.”
My aunt clenched her sleeves as though she might tear them to shreds.
Though she struggled to maintain her composure, her expression kept contorting.
“You searched properly, didn’t you?”
“That’s the thing… it appears she hasn’t been seen for a week.”
“A week ago…?”
A week ago was precisely when Baek Li-myeong had fallen into the demonic trance.
Baek Li-ui-muk’s voice grew grave.
“The entry and exit records?”
“We’ve checked the inner gate records. But there’s no record of her leaving.”
“Immediately… bring everyone who manages the gates here at once!”
The warrior’s expression grew troubled.
“But then there would be a gap in the gate management….”
“Lock the gates! If no one can leave, that solves it, doesn’t it? We don’t even know when she escaped, and you want to leave the gates open?!”
The warrior looked toward Baek Li Pae-hyuk.
The Baek Li Estate always bustled with constant foot traffic. Locking the gates was beyond Baek Li-ui-muk’s authority.
Until then, Baek Li Pae-hyuk, who had kept his eyes closed, asked Baek Li-ui-muk.
“Gwak Eomeom is Baek Li-ui-ran’s servant—why would she be here?”
Baek Li-ui-muk answered.
“Gwak Eomeom was the one who brought the Seolbing Bouju!”
The veins on Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s hand stood out sharply as he gripped the armrest of his chair.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk gazed coldly down at those kneeling before him.
“Take these people away first.”
Warriors rushed forward and seized each person by both arms, lifting them to their feet.
Groans and frightened cries echoed throughout the hall.
People who didn’t even understand what was happening were being dragged away, and a low, grave voice turned toward my aunt.
“Baek Li-ui-ran.”
The way Grandfather called her by her full name sent a chill down my spine.
“Didn’t Gwak Eomeom go with you? Then why were you here?”
A threatening aura emanated from Grandfather.
My aunt trembled violently, startled.
“I… well… I don’t quite know myself.”
“…You don’t know?”
My aunt nodded frantically.
“When I was going to the Market District, she had worked by my side for so long that I gave her leave to visit her family and rest for a while! Truly!”
Leave, she said…
I lowered my head and scoffed quietly.
I had seen my aunt and Gwak Eomeom together on the boat by the River that night with Jeggal Hwa-mu. They were among the few recognizable figures aboard.
My aunt cried out as if protesting her innocence.
“I… I haven’t seen her since returning home!”
Then Grandmother, who had remained silent until now, spoke.
“What Baek Li-ui-ran says is true.”
“Madam, you must explain this clearly.”
Household affairs and the management of servants fell under Grandmother’s authority.
“Gwak Eomeom came to the Baek Family Estate briefly before taking her leave and returning home.”
“Then why is she working here? She took leave and yet she’s working—Gwak Eomeom must be quite the remarkable woman.”
Despite Grandfather’s pressing, Grandmother answered calmly.
“I heard that the daughter of Baek Li-myeong and Li-ri’s nursemaid had fallen gravely ill. Learning of this, Gwak Eomeom offered to take her duties so she could go see her daughter.”
In the past, when Li-ri’s nursemaid had gone to a funeral, Gwak Eomeom had taken her place—they were that close. So no one found it strange.
“It is not Baek Li-ui-ran’s fault, but rather my failure in management.”
“…Mother.”
As if to say that only her mother was on her side, my aunt looked at Grandmother with an expression on the verge of tears.
But when Grandmother’s eyes met hers, her face turned cold.
“How exactly do you manage the servants?”
“Mother, I’m sorry… I… I…”
My aunt apologized through tears.
Grandmother spoke to Uncle Baek Li-ui-muk with a bitter expression.
“It is all my fault.”
Uncle Baek Li-ui-muk, a filial son and one known for his brotherly affection, seemed somewhat appeased by this.
“And Ui-muk, we still cannot be certain that Gwak Eomeom is the culprit. So you must calm yourself as well.”
“I… I don’t want to suspect her either. But then why did she suddenly disappear!”
“We must search for her now.”
Uncle Baek Li-ui-muk turned to Grandfather.
“Father, I beg of you!”
Grandfather narrowed his eyes and looked, then gestured to the warrior.
“Leave only the main gate open and close all other entrances. Bring everyone who managed the access points, and have the witnesses questioned once more.”
At that moment, I stepped forward and spoke.
“No, Grandfather. That won’t be necessary. I’ve already apprehended the culprit.”
“What?”
Just then, Jang Vice-Commander entered the Blue Hall.
“Jang Vice-Commander? What brings you here…?”
Baek Li-ui-muk furrowed his brow as he began to speak, but his eyes widened when he saw a middle-aged woman being dragged in by warriors who gripped both her arms.
Gwak Eomeom’s face had grown gaunt and hollow. There was no trace of the woman who had screamed at me while blocking the door.
“Is that really… you, Eomeom?”
My aunt murmured without thinking.
At the sound of her voice, Gwak Eomeom, who had been dragged along limply, lifted her bowed head.
Color flooded back into Gwak Eomeom’s face. As if suddenly reinvigorated, she straightened her body and cried out.
“Young Miss!”
The warriors holding both her arms blocked her from approaching my aunt.
I waited for the warriors to force Gwak Eomeom to kneel on the ground before I spoke.
“Eomeom, do you know why you’ve been brought here?”
Gwak Eomeom’s face contorted when she saw me.
“Is this how you treat me for merely blocking the Young Miss’s path? I am innocent! I only did it for the Young Master’s honor!”
I laughed loudly.
At my reaction, Gwak Eomeom stared at me as if I were mad.
I leaned forward and spoke.
“The medicinal powder you brought in the Seolbing Bouju contained a drug that induces demonic possession.”
Gwak Eomeom’s eyes widened. Realizing her mistake, she quickly lowered her head and stammered.
“What? That… what on earth are you talking about…?”
I tilted my head and continued.
“How strange, Eomeom. You’re being so docile now. Where was that loudness when you were screaming at me, calling me lowborn with no bloodline?”
Gwak Eomeom gasped sharply and involuntarily lifted her head.
“That is…”
“Why don’t you scream now? Tell them how you can’t trust the words of someone lowborn?”
A terrifying aura emanated from behind me. Gwak Eomeom’s face turned deathly pale as if strangled, and she began to choke and gasp.
I stood and spoke.
“Grandfather, Father, please stop. She’ll die at this rate.”
Only then did the terrifying aura recede, and Gwak Eomeom gasped for breath.
I turned to Baek Li-ui-muk and stepped back.
Understanding my intent, Baek Li-ui-muk spoke ominously.
“Gwak Eomeom, you were the last to handle the Seolbing Bouju. And a drug inducing demonic possession was found in it. How do you explain this?”
Baek Li-ui-muk clenched his fist and pressed further.
“Gwak Eomeom.”
Terrified, Gwak Eomeom shook her head and cried out.
“I am truly innocent! Great Lady! Young Miss! Please say something!”
Gwak Eomeom cried out as if pleading for help.
At that moment, Baek Family Grandmother suddenly rose and approached Gwak Eomeom slowly.
“Eomeom, it’s all been revealed now. You’re the only one who could have tampered with the Seolbing Bouju.”
“What? Great… Great Lady?”
“Who put you up to this? You couldn’t have acted alone. Tell me the truth.”

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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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