The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 323

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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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Side Story: Chapter 17
* * *
That madman Namgung Ryu-cheong had actually summoned a physician at that hour.
The physician arrived near the end of the Hour of the Boar, close to eleven in the evening.
Carried to the entrance of the Residence Quarter by a servant, the physician crossed the threshold trembling in the cold wind, leaning heavily on his walking stick. Baek Li-yeon could not lift her face, consumed by guilt.
There was no way the commotion of summoning a physician at this hour would not wake the others.
Namgung Mu-cheol, Namgung Wan, and the Great Lady all rose and hurried to her quarters. Among them, Namgung Mu-cheol’s hair was still mussed from sleep.
Physician Gong, arriving in haste at this late hour, found Baek Li-yeon sitting with a perfectly composed face and looked bewildered. After taking her pulse, he grew even more perplexed and turned his gaze toward Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“The child was kicking about—is it safe for her to move like this?”
“….”
A brief silence hung in the air, and Physician Gong answered with a deflated sigh.
“Everything is normal. In fact, we were all concerned because the movements came a bit late. Congratulations, So Bu-in.”
“Ha-ha, th-thank you.”
Baek Li-yeon laughed awkwardly. The others in the chamber also exhaled in relief at the reassurance, with one exception: Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“Why is the child moving so much?”
“A healthy child naturally moves like this. The more vigorous the child, the stronger the movements.”
“But if the child kicks like this, won’t it cause Yeon pain?”
“It should be manageable at this stage.”
“At this stage? Then you’re saying it will hurt later?”
“….”
Physician Gong had the words on the tip of his tongue—that bearing a child was naturally arduous and painful, so what did he expect?—but he held back and spoke vaguely instead.
“It differs with each child and each mother, so it is difficult to say with certainty.”
Namgung Wan sighed and spoke.
“Sigh, he’s become a complete fool.”
Namgung Mu-cheol laughed hollowly and said.
“Well, what can you do? It’s fortunate it’s nothing serious. Hehe. Physician Gong, you’ve labored hard at this late hour. My gratitude will be most generous.”
After bowing, Physician Gong followed behind Namgung Mu-cheol, leaning on his walking stick.
Moments later, a faintly grumbling voice could be heard.
“At my age, I’ve experienced all manner of extraordinary things.”
“Ah, and who hasn’t, my friend?”
* * *
That winter brought snow in an unusual way. Hui-ju, where the Namgung Clan was situated, enjoyed a temperate climate year-round, making snow exceedingly rare—a strange occurrence indeed.
Baek Li-yeon, reading a letter, lifted her head and spoke to Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“Father will arrive after the new year.”
“Is that so?”
Baek Li-yeon counted on her fingers, murmuring.
“He couldn’t depart immediately after the new year, so if he sets out around early February, Father will change horses along the way, but the cold will have frozen the roads, so it will take some time….”
“It will be tight. I should prepare people to welcome him and ready the quarters in advance.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong meant he would send people to help Baek Li-ui-gang arrive earlier.
“Yes. I’m counting on you.”
“Don’t worry.”
If there were no complications, I would arrive by the end of March, the expected date of delivery.
Namgung Ryu-cheong pushed the scroll aside and picked up his brush with a slight furrow of his brow, writing something down. Baek Li-yeon watched him with a pleased expression.
My body had grown considerably heavier in recent months. Now it wasn’t the child that posed danger, but my own physical discomfort that made it difficult to grip a sword. As a result, Namgung Ryu-cheong had taken to handling most of his duties here in the Residence Quarter.
His straight nose bridge, sharp jawline, and downturned eyelashes… He looked impressive wielding a sword, but there was something equally captivating about him attending to his duties with such earnest focus.
‘Is this what they call the charm of a man at work?’
Satisfied with my observation, I unfolded the letter that had arrived for Grandfather.
The opening of his letters was always the same.
[Are you keeping well and healthy? Are you eating properly? If anything troubles you, inform me at once. Your health is the most important thing. All is well here.
…(excerpt omitted)….
If you’ve read your father’s letter, you’ll know when he arrives. Grandfather wishes to go as well, but one of us must remain to guard the family, so I deferred to your father. He was so wary that I thought he might insist on going himself.
…(excerpt omitted)….
It would be better to have the next child at the Baek Li Estate. Your birth family would be more at ease, and it would be less troublesome for you as well…]
As I read further, I couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.
At this, Namgung Ryu-cheong blinked and looked at me.
“What is it?”
“Nothing, haha. Grandfather says the second child should be born when I return to the Baek Li Estate. As if I have any control over that!”
Namgung Ryu-cheong spoke with a serious expression.
“I’ll do my best.”
“…What exactly are you going to do your best at?”
* * *
Ever since Baek Li-yeon found it difficult to wield a sword, Namgung Ryu-cheong, who began attending to his duties in the Residence Quarter, had become extraordinarily vigilant.
Whenever anyone approached her, he bristled like a hedgehog protecting its young, constantly on guard.
Even Geum-swe, who had been by my side since I was six years old, felt the weight of his watchfulness. Outsiders fared far worse. Yet among all this, there were a select few who didn’t provoke his defensive spines.
It was just days before the winter solstice.
“Yeon!”
“Ha-ryeong!”
“Goodness, how have you been? Look at that belly!”
Seo Ha-ryeong had come to visit. It had been roughly a year and a half since we last saw each other at the Mid-Autumn Festival last year.
Seo Ha-ryeong had been staying in Muuhan, working with the Kirin Society of the Murim Alliance. She had returned home to spend the new year.
“Hello, Seo-hwa! This is our first meeting, isn’t it? I brought gifts for you too?”
Baby clothes and shoes, a baby toy that made a jingling sound, and a golden amulet specially obtained from a renowned temple.
“It protects the child and mother.”
“…Thank you.”
The gifts showed clear thoughtfulness.
After exchanging brief updates, Seo Ha-ryeong gave Namgung Ryu-cheong a meaningful look.
“I heard you became the So Ga-ju? Aren’t you busy with work?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong pretended not to hear.
“This much time is manageable.”
But Seo Ha-ryeong was a child who feared nothing.
“Ah, we women have things to discuss. Would you mind stepping out?”
“….”
Namgung Ryu-cheong gazed at Baek Li-yeon, his eyes glistening with reluctance. Without realizing it, Baek Li-yeon felt her resolve soften slightly.
“There’s no need to force him out….”
“Yeon! Snap out of it!”
In the end, Seo Ha-ryeong, whom she hadn’t seen in a year and a half, emerged victorious.
Baek Li-yeon patted Namgung Ryu-cheong’s hand as she spoke.
“I’ll see you this evening.”
“…Understood. Call if you need anything.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s expression turned cold as he left, casting a pointed glance at Seo Ha-ryeong. Baek Li-yeon couldn’t see his face from her angle.
Seo Ha-ryeong spoke as if to say, did you see that?
“Wow, that fox has become completely shameless. Did you not see just now? He was playing the pitiful one until a moment ago, then glared at me before leaving!”
“Playing pitiful? He simply didn’t want to go.”
“Ugh, how irritating.”
Seo Ha-ryeong grabbed a handful of sweets and sprawled across her chair.
“But you really seem to be doing well. Your face has brightened so much.”
“Hmm? Are you saying I looked terrible before?”
“No, how should I put it? You seemed anxious before. Even when you smiled, there was always something melancholic about you? But now there’s none of that.”
I understood what she meant.
Since awakening after my regression, I had lived a life constantly rushing forward. Even when I laughed and enjoyed myself, I could never shake the coiled anxiety that lurked in one corner of my heart. Perhaps because we were so close, Seo Ha-ryeong had sensed it dimly.
Baek Li-yeon changed the subject.
“And how have you been? I hear rumors spreading throughout Hui-ju that the Seo Hyang Clan leader is searching for a suitable husband for you. They say matchmakers wear out the threshold coming and going. The Seo Hyang Clan leader even asked me if I knew any good prospects.”
“Ah, this is exactly why I didn’t want to come home!”
“Hmm, I’ve heard some rumors. Aren’t you seeing someone?”
“Seeing someone? Who are you talking about? Prince Dam? Prince Hwangbo? Or is it Prince Peng?”
“Just someone you’ve met once or twice.”
Seo Ha-ryeong, who once ardently admired someone…. Hmm, yes. This was better than being obsessed with someone impossible.
Seo Ha-ryeong spoke while looking at her belly.
“I want to have a child too. Would it be alright if I touched your belly?”
Her expression was both anxious and curious.
“Of course. You’ll be fine.”
Gyeol-i, who had been lounging to one side, narrowed her eyes in displeasure and flicked her tail sharply.
Seo Ha-ryeong carefully placed her hand for a moment, then quickly withdrew it.
“Eek, how frightening.”
She truly seemed frightened, her complexion turning slightly pale. It was unlike her usual spirited demeanor.
“Haha, what could possibly be frightening?”
“It’s just frightening.”
“If it moves, I’ll faint.”
“It moves too?”
“…Isn’t that obvious?”
However, the child had always been remarkably still, and especially in the presence of others—as if seized by shyness—the child would not move at all.
The sensitivity to detect the presence of people was so uncanny that, aside from her and Namgung Ryu-cheong, not a single soul had ever felt the child’s movements.
Had she not possessed her golden eyes, she would have repeatedly summoned the Physician out of concern that something was amiss with the child. It was on one such day that the ordinarily docile child suddenly displayed a vigorous movement.

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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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