The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 31

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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 31
“I’m setting aside the fact that Pyo and Ak-i didn’t apologize or even ask if I was alright after I took that beating from Grandfather. But they struck at me right in front of them the moment Grandfather and Father left the room!”
Rather, only Baek Li-yeon had looked pale with worry, as if she might faint.
“I was beaten like that in front of them by Grandfather, and the moment Grandfather and Father stepped away, they raised their hands against me? That’s not right!”
Baek Li-myeong continued shouting indignantly.
“If Grandfather had come back, he would have blamed me again! If you don’t harbor resentment toward me, you shouldn’t act that way in front of me at least, should you?”
“That… such a thing happened?”
“Yes! Whether I live or die from Grandfather’s beating, they didn’t even care because it wasn’t them getting hit!”
Baek Li-myeong, burning with anger, unconsciously tensed his hand and then collapsed with a groan.
Baek Li-ui-muk, startled, examined Baek Li-myeong’s hand.
“Surely Father wouldn’t beat you to death…”
But even Baek Li-ui-muk’s words grew quieter as he continued. Baek Li-myeong, tears glistening in his eyes from pain, went on.
“Yeon is kind and didn’t tell anyone, so Father doesn’t know either. If what So U-ak did—grabbing me by the collar—reaches Grandfather’s ears…”
“…”
Baek Li-ui-muk couldn’t bring himself to say anything.
“And when I tried to warn him this wasn’t right, do you know what he said? That Baek Li-yeon set a trap for him knowing the Namgung Clan’s Young Head was here!”
“What are you talking about? You said your face was covered when you met the Namgung Clan’s Young Head, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Besides, it seems Li-ui-gang didn’t even know the Namgung Clan’s Young Head was coming. How could Baek Li-yeon, who’s only just arrived at the Baek Li Estate, have recognized him?”
“Exactly! It makes no sense! Even the gatekeepers couldn’t recognize him, and Father didn’t know the Namgung Clan’s Young Head was coming!”
Baek Li-myeong swallowed the words asking how anyone could be so foolish.
“Calm yourself for now. It’s bad for your wounds.”
Baek Li-ui-muk soothed the indignant Baek Li-myeong.
“Father, my only true sibling is Li-ri.”
“Of course.”
“I’m saying that Baek Li Pyo and So U-ak are merely my cousins, just like Baek Li-yeon.”
Baek Li-ui-muk cried out in surprise.
“Myeong! How can that be the same!”
I understood why Father held Aunt closer than Uncle, since they shared the same womb. But I wasn’t born from the same womb as Baek Li Pyo and So U-ak, was I? In that sense, Baek Li-yeon, Baek Li Pyo, and So U-ak were all equally my cousins.
In that sense, Baek Li-yeon, Baek Li Pyo, and So U-ak were all equally my cousins.
“Father, think about it once more.”
Baek Li-myeong met his father’s eyes as he spoke.
“Honestly, Uncle is far more helpful to me than Aunt, who only causes trouble and lacks ability. He possesses superior martial prowess, high renown, and no ambition.”
Baek Li-myeong had spent years at his father’s side, witnessing everything.
Father had spent his entire life cleaning up after Aunt’s messes. He had faced difficulties trying to cover up her accidents multiple times, and been scolded by Grandfather just as many times.
Even when he counseled and appeased her into obedience, it never lasted. The moment peace seemed assured, she would cause trouble again. Had it not been for Aunt, Father would have found it far easier to be recognized by Grandfather as the Family Head.
“Uncle is discerning and fair. He’s not the type to discriminate against me for being born of a different mother.”
“…”
“And Baek Li-yeon as well.”
My situation and Father’s were entirely different.
“Baek Li-yeon, the only daughter of my younger brother, has a damaged dantian anyway. No matter how talented she is, she’s just a woman who can’t even use martial arts. All she can do is receive a little favor from Grandfather and marry into a good family, right?”
Baek Li-ui-gang threatened Baek Li-ui-muk’s position merely by existing, thanks to his formidable martial prowess, but Baek Li-yeon was different.
As a crippled cultivator, Baek Li-yeon couldn’t even be considered a rival. Though Baek Li-ui-gang made efforts to restore her, honestly, no one believed it was possible.
In Baek Li-myeong’s view, it was a waste of effort to even be wary of a younger sister who couldn’t even hold a sword and was still so young.
“You…”
It was when the silent Baek Li-ui-muk finally opened his mouth. A presence stirred from outside, and the servant at the door announced himself.
“Young Master, Second Young Master. The Fourth Young Master has sent medicinal herbs.”
“…Baek Li-ui-gang?”
Baek Li-ui-muk, after a brief silence, asked with a suspicious tone.
“Yes. This humble servant cannot recall the names of the herbs, but it was said they are excellent for reducing swelling and alleviating pain. What shall we do?”
Baek Li-myeong glanced back at his father as if to say, “See?”
* * *
Despite the late hour, the Residence Quarter of the Baek Li Estate’s mistress remained brightly lit, indicating that those dwelling there could not find sleep.
Baek Li-ui-muk, hastening with a lamp in hand, stopped upon seeing the woman before the chamber door.
“My lady?”
It was Shim So-cheong, the Shim family lady.
“Why do you stand there without entering?”
The Shim family lady before the door gazed inward. Baek Li-ui-muk heard the sound of sobbing flowing from within and exhaled a weary sigh.
“Mother, it is I.”
“Come in.”
Baek Li-ui-muk entered the chamber alongside the lady.
As expected, the source of the weeping was Baek Li-ui-ran.
“Mother, Mother… I cannot possibly go. I cannot bear to be separated from the children. Please, save me. Yes? Mother….”
Baek Li-ui-ran clutched the elderly lady’s knee, sobbing. Baek Li-ui-muk observed this and asked.
“Where are Baek Li Pyo and Ak-i?”
“They cried themselves to exhaustion and are sleeping in the adjoining room.”
“Older brother?”
Only then did Baek Li-ui-ran notice Baek Li-ui-muk’s presence and turned. Her flushed face was a mess of tears.
Baek Li-ui-ran struck the floor and cried out.
“Older brother, you’re being too cruel! How could you… how could you not say a single word to Father….”
Baek Li-ui-muk’s expression grew troubled.
“What could I possibly do in that situation…?”
“So you just sit idle? How can you do such a thing! Ah, yes, that’s right! It’s not about older brother’s affairs, it’s about this, isn’t it?”
“Baek Li-ui-ran!”
“All of you, be silent!”
At the elderly lady’s sharp rebuke, Baek Li-ui-ran and Baek Li-ui-muk fell silent. The elderly lady regarded Shim So-cheong beside Baek Li-ui-muk with a weary expression.
“What brings you here? If it is not urgent, come another time.”
The Shim family lady, who had kept her head bowed in silence until now, carefully opened her mouth.
“Mother, Baek Li-myeong has many places where he was struck that are swollen. I came to bring medicinal herbs to ease the pain….”
Upon hearing this, Baek Li-ui-ran suddenly cried out.
“Sister-in-law, what’s a little palm strike? We can discuss it later! Right now my children are about to be cast out!”
At Baek Li-ui-ran’s words, Shim So-cheong placed a hand over her chest, her face etched with shock.
Baek Li-ui-muk seized his wife’s arm and shouted.
“Ui-ran, what are you saying!”
Baek Li-ui-ran collapsed forward and began wailing anew.
“Enough, enough! Ui-muk, don’t raise your voice.”
The elderly woman pressed her fingers to her forehead as if her head were already throbbing, and spoke.
“Why must you provoke Ui-ran? As for the medicinal herbs, she can simply take what she needs. There’s no reason you can’t let her have that much!”
Shim So-cheong grabbed the sleeve of Baek Li-ui-muk just as he was about to speak.
Shim So-cheong, her complexion drained of all color, bowed respectfully and spoke.
“Yes. Then I shall take my leave.”
Watching his wife walk away with lifeless steps, Baek Li-ui-muk unconsciously clenched his fists.
* * *
I could not witness what choice my aunt would make, nor how she would depart from the family. I had to prepare immediately for the journey to the Namgung Clan.
The travel preparations did not take long.
Until now, I had regarded Eon-du as merely a loyal retainer of my father, but he was far more than that. Diligent and meticulous in his work, he accomplished what ten men might do. It was truly admirable.
Of course, our party was also quite small. There was only my father and myself, a single carriage for the luggage that I would ride in, and one horse—so there was little to prepare.
We decided to borrow people from Namgung Wan for the labor needed during our travels.
‘I must minimize the number of people who know about Man Shin-ui.’
I left Eon-du behind. There was no one else to manage the Residence Quarter.
Until now, the Residence Quarter had been left for the servants of the Baek Li Estate to manage on their own. But recently, it seemed Father had come to distrust the household servants due to various matters.
Baek Li-ui-muk expressed concern about our small group and attempted to assign additional people, but was unsuccessful.
And while Eon-du busied himself with travel preparations, what was I doing?
In the Family Shrine of the Baek Li Estate, where the fragrance of incense hung thick, I bowed so deeply before my ancestors that the world spun. And I exchanged greetings with the clan elders I had seen in the Central Hall.
I was introduced as a proper member of the Baek Li Family. Though my name had been entered into the family genealogy, I found it difficult to say I had been truly recognized.
‘Perhaps merely having my name added due to Father’s stubbornness?’
To me, most of the clan elders were people I was seeing for the first time. Before my regression, they were the very ones who had treated me as if I were invisible.
‘If Father weren’t here, they wouldn’t have even acknowledged me.’
Yet when Grandfather appeared at my side, those same people spoke to me as though I were a beloved niece. After having me greet them thus, Grandfather departed once more to complete the suppression of the bandits.
And just before I boarded the carriage, an unexpected person came to see me off.

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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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