The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 216

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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 216
I set aside my thoughts and spoke to Baek Li Pae-hyuk in a soothing tone.
“Not everyone can share the same convictions. If everyone wielded a sword, who would tend the fields and who would write?”
In truth, this problem had also arisen because the Twin Cousins had disappeared.
Even before the regression, Li-ri had been similar—fond of play, easily swayed.
But back then, those shortcomings hadn’t been so apparent.
Then, there had been Baek Li-myeong beside her to steadily keep her in check, and Uncle and Aunt could devote their full attention to Li-ri. But as Baek Li-myeong’s health deteriorated, the one who could restrain her vanished.
Moreover, in the past, with the Twin Cousins—those troublemakers—always nearby as a point of comparison, Li-ri had seemed far more respectable.
But this time, without the Twin Cousins, and with those problem children gone, Li-ri’s behavior had become far more conspicuous.
“If Li-ri had someone to teach her patiently and consistently by her side, she would do well. She’s had her share of hardships too.”
“As if you’re the only one who’s suffered.”
“….”
“Enough. There’s no need to defend her! That child’s talents only extend so far.”
Isn’t it said that successful people cannot understand those who don’t strive?
Grandfather was exactly like that.
Life was naturally about striving and seizing wealth and honor with one’s own hands. That was how Grandfather approached life itself.
Grandfather looked at me with a sullen expression, then sighed.
“Then it would be good for her to make a favorable match early and live in peace.”
Suddenly, I understood Grandfather’s intentions in arranging my marriage.
And I noticed something else as well.
This matter was already decided.
I fell silent for a moment, then looked at Father and asked.
“What did Li-ri say about it?”
“…I’m not entirely certain. It’s your uncle’s household’s matter.”
From his evasive tone, I could tell the situation wasn’t favorable.
“Grandfather, wouldn’t it be better to ask Li-ri what she thinks?”
Grandfather raised his eyebrows.
“I told you so you would know, not to ask for your opinion. An unmarried child shouldn’t insert herself into another’s marriage arrangements.”
“Still… I wish you would ask Li-ri what she thinks.”
“Li-ri has her grandmother, her parents, and her older brother. You needn’t worry about her.”
In other words, it meant: ‘Li-ri has her grandmother, her parents, and her older brother, so you should worry about yourself first, who only has one father.’
I looked directly at Grandfather and spoke.
“She’s my younger sister.”
I paused briefly, then added.
“I want her to be happy.”
Grandfather’s expression hardened, then twisted strangely. He seemed about to say something, but suddenly his face contorted fearfully.
‘What is this?’
As I looked at him in confusion, Grandfather spoke sharply toward Father.
“Did you call for her?”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t play dumb with me.”
Father asked, his expression puzzled.
“What do you mean, sir?”
Grandfather narrowed his eyes and studied me intently, his fingers continuously stroking his beard as if trying to discern something about me.
But I couldn’t understand why Grandfather was suddenly acting this way either.
Soon enough, I would learn the reason for his demeanor.
Following Jeom So-i up the staircase came another person. My eyes widened.
Jeom So-i turned to the newcomer and asked.
“Are these the people you were looking for?”
“Yes.”
Jeom So-i, having received his coin, descended the staircase with a brightened expression. The newcomer, drawing all eyes upon him, came to a halt before us. After a brief moment of observation, he brought his hands together and bowed respectfully.
“I offer my greetings to both of you.”
It was a concise salutation, deliberately stripped of unnecessary formalities. Then, raising his head from the bow, he gazed at me with a faint smile.
“It’s been a long time.”
Truly, it was a face that was bad for one’s heart.
How many years had it been? Six?
At twenty-two, Namgung Ryu-cheong was now truly a complete adult. Not a trace remained of the gentle softness that had once lingered in his features.
I had certainly seen Namgung Ryu-cheong as an adult in my previous life as well. Many times over.
But perhaps because it had been so long? Even though I remembered that face distinctly, I found myself momentarily at a loss for words before such refined beauty.
If Namgung Wan embodied the archetype of masculine charm and handsome appeal, then Namgung Ryu-cheong—blessed with the genes of the incomparably beautiful So Bu-in—possessed features that were quite literally sculpted.
As expected, those around us reacted similarly to myself.
“My, my, look there. In all my years, I’ve never seen a man so strikingly handsome.”
“But there’s something… doesn’t he look familiar?”
“If you can’t remember where you’ve seen such a handsome young man, give me those eyes. They’re clearly useless to you.”
Unlike myself, who was renowned throughout Ak-yang, Namgung Ryu-cheong moved with such unpredictability that his face remained largely unknown.
Father opened his mouth with a welcoming expression.
“Indeed, it’s been far too long. What brings you to this place?”
“I was passing through this region. But I heard there had been a disturbance at Donghobang. Since recent disturbances there have always been connected to Yeon, I thought I’d investigate. Fortune smiled upon me.”
Grandfather asked in a voice that had grown frighteningly stern.
“What business would you have passing through this region?”
“Matters related to the Alliance.”
Grandfather continued questioning, his suspicion unabated.
“Then how did you know we were here?”
Grandfather’s question was justified.
We were employing disguise techniques. Even if Namgung Ryu-cheong had learned of the Donghobang incident and searched for us, how could he have identified and found us?
Namgung Ryu-cheong answered lightly.
“You had guards stationed outside Palxiangju, did you not? I recognized them from Baek Li-myeong’s wedding ceremony years ago.”
Wasn’t it said that disguise techniques were difficult to master and required considerable effort?
It was impossible to apply such techniques to all the guards. Few in Ak-yang remembered the faces of the Baek Li Family’s escort or the Baek Geom Disciples.
Yet of all people, Namgung Ryu-cheong happened to be someone who had met them at Baek Li-myeong’s wedding ceremony. And he remembered them at that. Should I call this remarkable?
‘Wait a moment—didn’t I used to struggle to remember the faces of my own family’s guards?’
Yet now I had committed to memory the visage of another household’s protector. It seemed that incident had left quite the profound lesson upon him.
“Hmm, I see.”
Only then did Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s expression soften slightly. It was as though Namgung Ryu-cheong had passed some manner of examination.
Namgung Ryu-cheong offered a faintly pleasant smile, his words flowing forth with graceful courtesy.
“Had Jeom So-i not guided me here, and had I found my own way up instead, I fear you would not have recognized me at all.”
“….”
I could not conceal my bewilderment as I regarded Namgung Ryu-cheong.
Was this truly the boy I knew? Why did his words flow with such eloquence?
Baek Li Pae-hyuk laughed heartily.
“Ha! Is that so? This is the work of my son and granddaughter. To think even you failed to recognize it.”
The atmosphere transformed in an instant. Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s tone had become remarkably gentle—almost unrecognizable compared to his demeanor moments before.
“Have you taken your meal?”
“No, I have not.”
“Then let us dine together. Be seated.”
“Thank you.”
I had been certain that once Baek Li Pae-hyuk uttered those words, he would dismiss Namgung Ryu-cheong with a command to leave. Yet here we were….
The table was arranged for four. My father and I sat side by side, with Baek Li Pae-hyuk across from him. Thus, Namgung Ryu-cheong’s place was directly across from me.
I smiled broadly and poured a cup of tea, sliding it toward Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“How have you been?”
“….”
Namgung Ryu-cheong offered no reply as he drank his tea.
Instead, his eyes gleamed with an inscrutable light, regarding me as though he sought to peer into my very depths.
Namgung Ryu-cheong set down his cup slowly before speaking.
“And you?”
“I have been well.”
“I am relieved to hear it.”
My father observed us both with a puzzled expression.
He then turned to Namgung Ryu-cheong and inquired.
“Has there been anything amiss with Namgung Wan of late?”
“No, sir. All is well. His right arm has healed properly.”
My father exhaled lightly.
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s gaze fixed upon me. Unbidden, I felt the urge to avert my eyes from his stare.
“Yeon has been missing you greatly as well.”
Confronted with eyes that seemed to harbor profound meaning, I simply smiled as though I understood nothing.
We exchanged brief updates on our circumstances, and then Namgung Ryu-cheong asked.
“What were you discussing?”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk, who had remained silent until now after inviting Namgung Ryu-cheong to dine, finally spoke.
“We were discussing my granddaughter’s marriage prospects.”
In that instant, Namgung Ryu-cheong’s expression hardened.
“…Marriage?”
“Yes.”
I pretended to sip my tea, lowering my gaze.
‘Goodness, Grandfather….’
He had deliberately kept the subject ambiguous, referring to the granddaughter in vague terms.
“Yes. It’s better to marry her off nearby than to some distant place. When her natal family is close, she can rely on them if anything happens.”
‘True. It is close, but Myeongho Sect….’
Grandfather continued speaking.
“What is your opinion?”
With my gaze lowered, I couldn’t discern what expression Namgung Ryu-cheong wore.

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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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