The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 51

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 51
* * *
After days of relentless travel, I finally arrived at the Namgung Clan. During the journey, my eyes had grown quite accustomed to the darkness, and curiosity compelled me to draw back the carriage curtains and gaze at the world outside for the first time in ages.
The estate lived up to its reputation as a family that had never once fallen from the top ranks among the Ten Great Houses and Five Great Houses—those who loved making such lists. Even from a distance, the grandeur of the Namgung Clan was unmistakable.
Before the gate, which resembled a palace entrance, throngs of people came and went, creating a bustling scene. The Baek Li Estate was much the same, but a family called a “Great House” was essentially a massive clan-based enterprise that dominated an entire region.
When people who had been watching the approaching horses and carriages recognized Namgung Wan leading the procession, they gasped in admiration.
“Isn’t that the So Ga-ju of the Namgung Clan?”
“Well, as they say, seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times—my, how striking he is, truly striking.”
Those who had been marveling at Namgung Wan’s bearing soon turned their attention to the carriage behind him.
“Who is in that carriage that the So Ga-ju of the Namgung Clan brings personally?”
“I heard the Namgung Clan has only one son. Could it be a nephew?”
“The So Ga-ju’s sister became what she is, so where would a nephew come from?”
“It could be a nephew-in-law’s daughter.”
“Why are her eyes covered like that?”
As the carriage drew near the gate, a group of people hurried out from within. An elderly man in a blue robe, his waist cord tied in a simple knot, stepped forward and performed a respectful bow.
“So Ga-ju, you must be weary from your long journey.”
“Long journey, nothing of the sort.”
As the old man nodded, those behind him moved in perfect unison to lead away the horses and baggage carts. The elderly man’s gaze fixed upon me, watching everything through the carriage window.
“So this is Baek Li-yeon, the young lady of the Baek Li Estate. I am Seop Ja-gang, the steward of the Namgung Clan.”
I had assumed I would acknowledge him only after descending from the carriage, so I was flustered and began to step down to offer my greetings when Seop Ja-gang spoke with a smile.
“There is no need to descend. The old master was so eager to see the young lady who has caused the So Ga-ju such concern that he simply had to come out.”
When Namgung Wan frowned as if Seop Ja-gang had said something unnecessary, the steward laughed heartily.
I, flustered, offered my greetings through the window.
“Hello. I am Baek Li-yeon of the Baek Li Estate.”
“Oh my, such a small young lady enduring such hardship. I am truly relieved to see you safe. Please, come inside.”
Following Seop Ja-gang’s guidance, I entered the estate grounds. The reception was quite different from before. Last time, they had maintained a distance that was neither close nor distant, but now they had suddenly become warm and familiar.
“I have already sent word to the physician, so you should be able to receive an examination immediately upon entering.”
“Before that, I would like to greet Ryu-cheong first. Where is he?”
I turned back to Namgung Wan in surprise.
“Ryu-cheong?”
Namgung Wan looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“My son, Namgung Ryu-cheong. I believe I mentioned him before—have you already forgotten?”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
No, I had heard of it. That he had a son. But shouldn’t Namgung Ryu-cheong be at his maternal grandfather’s house right now?
During my previous stay at the Namgung Clan, Namgung Ryu-cheong had gone to his maternal grandfather’s house and did not return for half a year. I had stayed at the Namgung Clan for about a month before departing, and I never even caught a glimpse of Namgung Ryu-cheong.
But now, here at the Namgung Clan?
As I failed to hide my confusion, a voice like silver beads rolling echoed from the right side of the carriage.
“Sangong, I am relieved to see you have returned safely. I was worried when you departed with so few attendants.”
I turned toward the direction of the voice.
A fair-skinned woman with delicate features and a subtle smile—one whose beauty drew the eye again and again—was Yang So-ok, Namgung Wan’s wife.
The woman known as the Secondary Consort of the Namgung Clan was described as a beauty whose eyes sparkled with brilliance, and in person, that description hardly seemed exaggerated. With the graceful bearing of a celestial maiden descended to earth, one could instantly understand where Namgung Ryu-cheong—counted among the world’s most handsome men—inherited his striking appearance.
“Where is Ryu-cheong?”
“Ryu-cheong is in training.”
Namgung Wan’s thick brows furrowed sharply as he spoke.
“In training? He didn’t hear that I had arrived?”
The Secondary Consort pressed her lips together and smiled.
Namgung Wan, reading the meaning behind that smile, grew angry.
“That boy, I swear…!”
As Namgung Wan burst out in anger, the Secondary Consort stopped him and gestured to me with her eyes. Leaving the fuming Namgung Wan behind, she smiled warmly.
“So you are Baek Li-yeon. I have been waiting for you.”
I found myself entranced by the Secondary Consort’s smile, then suddenly startled, and offered my greetings.
“Hello, I am Baek Li-yeon of the Baek Li Family.”
“Yes, I heard you had a difficult journey to get here.”
Only after exchanging these pleasantries did I notice a young girl at the Secondary Consort’s side. A child I had never seen before, with her hair adorably tied up in two sections, gazed at me with sparkling eyes.
The Secondary Consort gently patted the child’s shoulder and spoke affectionately.
“Greet her.”
The child brought her hands together and performed a respectful salute.
“Hello, I am Seo Ha-ryeong of the Suhyang Sect, and I offer my respects.”
I stared blankly at the child as she greeted me.
Seo Ha-ryeong? Surely every male protagonist must have at least one woman who has stood by his side since childhood, admiring him?
Seo Ha-ryeong was precisely that role. She had known the male protagonist since childhood, adored him, and naturally believed she would become his wife…
In other words, she was exactly the one who had despised me—Baek Li-yeon, who suddenly appeared one day claiming to be the master’s daughter.
The child whose eyes met mine smiled brightly.
* * *
Namgung Wan removed his dust-covered robe and spoke in a voice suppressing his anger.
“Why is Miss Seo here? Since when has she been here?”
“The Suhyang Sect Master sent her for the purpose of martial arts exchange. It has been about a week now.”
The Suhyang Sect was a martial faction in a city neighboring the Namgung Clan, and the two had maintained close ties for many years.
“The Suhyang Sect Master sent her? Surely you don’t mean to attach her to Ryu-cheong?”
Yang So-ok smiled in affirmation.
“Last time you attached the Chang Family’s child to him that way, and he beat the boy under the guise of sparring.”
Namgung Wan rubbed the bridge of his nose and spoke.
“Have you forgotten all the trouble I went through cleaning up that mess? If the boy had become disabled, we would have made an enemy of the Chang Family.”
“That is precisely why we brought a girl this time, is it not? Even if Ryu-cheong is somewhat fierce, he would not strike a girl. So if we attach her to him, they will naturally grow close.”
“Do you truly believe it will work out as you plan? If it were working, that child would surely have shown her face during today’s training! I even sent word in advance that I would be arriving today…!”
Yang So-ok released a faint sigh and spoke.
“Then, my lord, will you leave Ryu-cheong as he is?”
“…”
“You know that once Ryu-cheong begins training, he does not emerge until he is satisfied, do you not?”
What are two or three hours of the watch?
There was even a time when my body was still too young to properly follow the sword techniques, yet I collapsed in the Training Ground after swinging my blade for two entire days, determined to master them perfectly.
And in the end, I succeeded.
“Other families worry because they don’t practice cultivation, but we’re truly blessed. With such effort supporting him, it’s no wonder Namgung Ryu-cheong is called a prodigy.”
Yang So-ok, who had paused briefly, continued speaking.
“Let’s not rush Namgung Ryu-cheong so much. He simply needs time to grow closer to us.”
Namgung Wan exhaled sharply and raised his voice.
“Because you always take that child’s side in this manner, things have come to this!”
Yang So-ok tilted her head calmly and spoke.
“Is that so? From what I heard from Father, Namgung Ryu-cheong looks exactly like you did when you were young… ho ho.”
“….”
Namgung Wan clamped his mouth shut.
“When the great swordmaster from the Baek Li Family visits, I’m thinking of asking you about your old days.”
“Nonsense!”
The atmosphere became much lighter than before at Yang So-ok’s jest. She sighed as she smoothed her sleeve.
“I had hopes for Miss Baek Li-yeon… but it’s become truly unfortunate. How long will Miss Baek Li-yeon be staying?”
“It depends on when Ui-gang arrives.”
“I see.”
Yang So-ok approached the table and picked up the teapot, pouring tea into a cup. Namgung Wan, who had been approaching, suddenly stopped and spoke.
“Leave Yeon alone.”
Thinking his explanation insufficient, Namgung Wan added to clarify.
“Don’t force her onto Namgung Ryu-cheong.”
Yang So-ok smiled faintly and pushed the teacup toward Namgung Wan.
“Would Namgung Ryu-cheong take interest in Miss Baek Li-yeon? You worry over nothing.”
She was the daughter of Baek Li-ui-gang, but wasn’t she a cripple with severed meridians?
Why would he take interest in such a child?
“….”
Noticing Namgung Wan’s displeasure, Yang So-ok blinked and spoke.
“It’s quite strange, isn’t it? Surely you didn’t find that child burdensome until just before we departed for the Baek Li Estate?”
“….”
“Tonight’s dinner will be held at the Ja-cheong Pavilion. I’ll invite Miss Baek Li-yeon as well. I’ll bring Namgung Ryu-cheong no matter what.”
“…Do as you wish. I’ll go pay my respects to Father.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————