The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 43

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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 43
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At the Baek Li Estate’s Practice Hall, a single figure monopolized the vast space, wielding his sword without pause. It was Baek Li-myeong. After training for some time, he finally ceased his movements and drew in ragged breaths.
Setting down his blade, he clenched and unclenched his fists, and despite himself, his lips curved upward. The beating had been so severe that for a long while, he couldn’t even grip the sword.
As time passed, though the swelling had visibly subsided, gripping the sword still sent sharp pangs through his hand. When he consulted the physician, they merely said time would heal it, that it was fine.
Baek Li-myeong grew terrified—what if it never healed? What if he could never grip a sword again? Convinced the family physician was a charlatan, he even sought out Seok Tae-ui.
But the answer was the same. It wasn’t until nearly two months had passed that he could finally grip the sword without any trouble.
That was when it happened.
“Brother Myeong!”
A child’s cry pierced the quiet Practice Hall. Baek Li-myeong, who had been wearing a satisfied smile, furrowed his brow. But the moment he turned to see who had called, his expression transformed into a cheerful one.
“It’s Pyo. Where’s Ak-i?”
The twins, who were usually inseparable, had come alone today.
“What brings you here?”
“You know exactly why! Brother, what did Grandfather say?”
“Grandfather?”
“You paid your respects to Grandfather yesterday, didn’t you?”
When the Family Head, Baek Li Pae-hyuk, was present at the estate, everyone paid brief morning respects. However, after the incident involving Namgung Wan, Baek Li Pae-hyuk had refused Baek Li-myeong, Baek Li Pyo, and So U-ak, telling them such visits were unnecessary.
For Baek Li-myeong, it meant he should reflect on his actions. For Baek Li Pyo and So U-ak, it meant they should come only after deciding their future course.
Baek Li-myeong nodded and spoke.
“Yes, I saw Grandfather yesterday. Why?”
“Why? How could you see Grandfather and not tell us?”
Was he supposed to boast about seeing Grandfather to children who couldn’t even visit him?
Baek Li-myeong found it somewhat absurd. Baek Li Pyo, oblivious to his feelings, pressed on urgently.
“Brother, didn’t Grandfather mention us?”
“Mention you?”
“Well, since Grandfather forgave you, doesn’t that mean he’s forgiven us too?”
What did one have to do with the other?
Though exasperated, Baek Li-myeong spoke with patience.
“His anger toward me and his anger toward you are different matters.”
“Why are they different?”
…
Recently, Baek Li-myeong found himself thinking the twins were pathetic. Baek Li Pyo asked with an irritated tone.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Baek Li-myeong managed his expression and spoke.
“…In any case, Grandfather said nothing about you two.”
“Then tomorrow, can you ask Grandfather not to send us to Gogye Hermitage? You’ll be seeing him again tomorrow anyway, right?”
…
Was he out of his mind?
Grandfather was already furious because of Aunt Baek Li-ui-ran, who kept putting off sending the twins to Gogye Hermitage, dragging her feet. She remained brazenly obstinate, while Father and Mother suffered each time they visited Grandfather, as if sitting on thorns.
If he, who had only just been permitted to pay his respects today, brought up the twins before Grandfather, what would happen? It would be no different than being told to leave again!
Even being allowed to visit again had only become possible after receiving a disciplinary order, yet seeing him refuse to be discouraged and devote himself to training even by carving time from his sleep, I had reluctantly permitted it. The disciplinary order itself remained unchanged. It meant I hadn’t forgiven everything.
“Pyo, you should tell him that yourself.”
“But I can’t even face Grandfather! How am I supposed to do that!”
“That’s exactly why I told you last time. You should visit regularly too, Pyo. So why aren’t you coming?”
“Grandfather told me not to come!”
“That was because at the time you all….”
The words rose to the tip of my tongue—how Baek Li-ui-ran, So U-ak, and the others had swarmed in front of Subaekdang, crying and making a commotion—but I suppressed them.
Baek Li-myeong spoke with a somewhat cold tone.
“Still, you should have come for Ak-i’s sake at least. He’s your brother. And I told you last time too. Your attitude is what matters most. For Baek Li-ui-ran and Ak-i, you need to show Grandfather your sincere remorse….”
“Enough! You’re one to talk! You couldn’t even open your mouth because you were afraid of Grandfather! Don’t act superior when you’re a coward!”
Baek Li Pyo shouted abruptly and bolted out of the Practice Hall.
A moment later.
Thud! Baek Li-myeong’s wooden sword clattered across the Practice Hall floor. When Baek Li-myeong gestured somewhere, his servant came running at once.
“Young Master, did you call for me?”
“Didn’t I clearly say no one was to be let in?”
“But he is your brother, Young Master….”
Crack! The servant who had been slapped quickly bowed his head.
“My apologies.”
Looking down at his own palm, Baek Li-myeong smiled faintly.
“I’m certainly fully recovered now.”
Then he spoke to the servant.
“From now on, when I say no one, that includes Baek Li Pyo and So U-ak. Understood?”
* * *
Though something unpleasant had occurred, Baek Li-myeong kept to his schedule and completed his training, then led his weary body toward his Residence Quarter. The path to his quarters required passing by his father’s residence.
And when Baek Li-myeong spotted Bangsi Eomeom standing before his father’s residence, his expression hardened.
Bangsi Eomeom was a servant who had long attended Baek Family Grandmother and was always at her side. It appeared Grandmother had come again regarding Baek Li-ui-ran’s matter.
Already fatigued, Baek Li-myeong felt a headache beginning and pretended not to see her, passing by. Then he turned back toward his father’s residence.
Upon noticing Baek Li-myeong, Bangsi Eomeom spoke with a smile.
“Young Master, you’ve returned from training?”
“Yes. I was heading to my quarters, but seeing you here means Grandmother has come. I should pay my respects.”
“Ah, Young Master, please wait a moment….”
It was as Bangsi Eomeom opened her mouth with a flustered expression that I heard my father’s slightly agitated voice from within.
“Mother, Father has made his decision. What could I possibly say? The matter of Baek Li-ui-ran cannot be delayed any longer…!”
Bangsi Eomeom quickly announced from the doorway.
“Young Master has arrived!”
“…Myeong? Come in.”
As Baek Li-myeong entered, Grandmother and my father, who looked somewhat uncomfortable, greeted him. Baek Li-myeong offered his respects with a bright expression, as though he had not overheard the conversation outside.
“I stopped by to pay my respects while passing through.”
“No need for that—I already heard from Baek Li-ui-muk that you had gone to train. You’ve come here without even washing, tired as you must be, all because of this old woman.”
“It’s no trouble. It’s training I do every day. Even if I’m tired, I must do what is necessary.”
“You’re as reliable as ever. You are truly the pillar of our family.”
Baek Li-myeong smiled, then noticed only two teacups on the table and asked.
“What of Mother? I had intended to greet her before leaving, but is she not here?”
Baek Family Grandmother cleared her throat quietly and took a sip of tea.
Baek Li-ui-gang answered in her stead.
“Your mother has gone to nurse Baek Li-ui-ran, who is bedridden!”
“Baek Li-ui-muk, caring for one’s sister-in-law is that child’s natural duty.”
“One day her head aches, the next her chest aches. The physician has examined her countless times, yet finds nothing amiss!”
“Baek Li-ui-muk.”
“She fears that summoning Seok Tae-ui will expose her malingering, so she refuses that as well! And yet she demands nursing care!”
“Can you not stop? Is that how you speak to your ailing sister!”
Baek Family Grandmother frowned and set down her teacup roughly. Baek Li-ui-gang pressed his lips together uncomfortably. In an instant, the atmosphere in the chamber grew heavy.
Baek Li-myeong sensed the tension and spoke carefully.
“Perhaps Aunt’s heart is simply burdened deeply.”
“Ha!”
At Baek Li-ui-gang’s exasperated sigh, Baek Family Grandmother shot him a sharp look.
“It seems only you, Baek Li-myeong, truly care for Baek Li-ui-ran.”
“I am nothing special, haha.”
Baek Li-myeong laughed awkwardly and continued carefully.
“Grandmother, your grandson visited Grandfather today, did he not?”
“Yes. I heard. That is good. The Patriarch must have finally eased his mind.”
“Grandfather seemed quite angry. It appears Aunt has still not made a decision.”
“Is that so?”
Baek Family Grandmother answered calmly, though her eyes wavered.
“Grandmother, what if we sent the twins to Gogye Hermitage instead?”
Baek Family Grandmother and Baek Li-ui-gang both looked startled.
“What are you saying? Send them to such a place!”
“Grandmother, please calm yourself and hear me out.”
“….”
“If Aunt continues to resist and Grandfather grows even more angry, he may command you all to leave.”
“Hmph! As if anyone could! As long as I draw breath, such a thing shall never come to pass!”
“But if the matter grows so large, what will people whisper about the Baek Li Family?”
They would say that Baek Li-ui-muk lacks the ability to lead the family properly. Then expectations might shift back to Baek Li-ui-gang. That was something I could never allow.
Baek Li-myeong continued.
“Though Gogye Hermitage is indeed strict, if we send Baek Li Pyo and Ak-i together, they will have each other for support. And if Grandfather sends both children away, his heart will not rest easy.”
“….”
“However, if Ak-i remains with Aunt at Sogajang, she is simply going where she was meant to be, so Grandfather need not concern himself.”
Baek Family Grandmother set down her teacup and sighed.
“Are you suggesting we treat Ak-i and Baek Li Pyo more harshly to gain Grandfather’s sympathy?”
“That would be the result.”
Baek Li-myeong nodded, his eyes gleaming as he spoke.
“If Pyo and Ak-i go directly to Gogye Hermitage to reflect on their actions, Grandfather will regard them even more favorably. Everything depends on Grandfather’s heart, after all.”

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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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