The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 95

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

Chapter 95
* * *
With each passing day, the weather grew warmer.
Dressed in light traveling clothes, I rose with a camellia branch in full bloom that I’d set aside earlier. So Bu-in had remarked how beautifully it had flowered and sent a servant to bring it so I could decorate my chamber with it.
I made my way first to Yalyu’s room. His chamber was sparse—containing only the bare necessities. One would hardly sense that a child dwelled here at all. There wasn’t even a trace of warmth to be found.
‘When will he return?’
It had already been a week since Cheonsan Yeom-je took Yalyu away. Father had apparently given his permission before they left, yet I couldn’t fathom what they were doing.
Without Yalyu following me about constantly, the days felt hollow.
‘How terrifying it is to grow accustomed to someone.’
If Yalyu were to leave my side completely to follow Cheonsan Yeom-je, I sensed the emptiness would be profound.
I found an empty vase and arranged the camellia branch within it, then proceeded directly to Father’s room.
Father’s chamber was also vacant. It was immaculately kept—with only one servant attending to us, each of us maintained our own quarters, and the neatly arranged bedding reflected Father’s meticulous nature.
As I considered where best to place the vase, a letter caught my eye—it appeared to have fallen beneath the table and gone unnoticed.
I bent down to retrieve the letter and paused.
‘This is a letter from the Baek Li Estate?’
Since Father had left it so carelessly, it likely contained nothing of great importance, so I read through it without hesitation.
Indeed, it was merely an urgent summons requesting his swift return.
‘It is about time we departed.’
Yet why hadn’t Father mentioned this?
‘How long ago did he receive this letter?’
I’d seen Father holding it when he received the letter from Seok Ga-yak, so counting by the dates alone…
I was counting on my fingers when—
Click.
“Yeon?”
The door opened behind me, and Father’s voice reached my ears.
“What are you wearing? Ah, that’s right. Today is the day you said you were going to Cheon-am Temple.”
I turned and held out the letter I’d been carrying.
“Father, here it is. So Bu-in gave me the camellia branch, and while I was looking for a place to put it, I found this on the floor.”
Father tilted his head slightly and examined the letter I offered.
“Thank you.”
Father’s gaze fell upon the vase.
“The way the branch extends is quite lovely.”
“Isn’t it? I thought it was truly beautiful, so I wanted to place it in your room.”
“Why not keep it in your own chamber?”
“I simply wanted it here.”
Father gently stroked my head as he spoke.
“Is that so? Where shall we place it?”
“Where do you think would be best?”
Father and I discussed where to position the vase at length, and we ultimately decided on a spot near the writing table.
“You’re going to Cheon-am Temple with only So Bu-in, then?”
“Yes. I even asked Namgung Ryu-cheong, and he said he wouldn’t go.”
Since I expected him to refuse anyway, neither So Bu-in nor I felt any disappointment.
“So Bu-in seems to care for you quite a lot.”
“Hehe, she seems like a good person.”
Except for constantly trying to give me clothes.
Father, who had been admiring the camellia blossoms for a moment, turned to look at me.
“Yeon.”
After calling my name, he remained silent for a while, so I prompted him to continue.
“Yes, Father?”
“How would you feel about staying at the Namgung Clan?”
“…What?”
Stay at the Namgung Clan? What is this? In my previous life, Father never said anything like this…?
Simultaneously, several possibilities flickered through my mind and vanished.
“Father, has something happened in the family?”
“Nothing has happened.”
I grew even more worried.
Had I done something wrong without realizing it? Was there something amiss with my behavior?
I asked carefully.
“Then… have I brought shame upon the family in some way?”
“No! You’ve done nothing wrong. Don’t think such things!”
Father cried out in alarm.
Somewhat relieved by his reaction, I became even more bewildered.
“Then why? Why should I stay at the Namgung Clan?”
Father lowered his eyes for a moment, then opened his mouth.
“I simply asked because it seems you’ve adapted well to life here.”
“Ah….”
“Namgung Wan also mentioned that he would like you to stay longer.”
“Uncle Wan? Haha, I’m grateful for that.”
A warmth spread through my chest.
My relationship with Namgung Wan had certainly changed considerably. It wasn’t bad before, but… it wasn’t something I would have called intimate either.
“I should return home. I can’t impose on your kindness forever.”
“Don’t think of it as an imposition.”
“Still, when we have a perfectly good home, if we remain at the Namgung Clan instead of returning to the Baek Li Estate, what will people think?”
Father spoke firmly.
“You need not concern yourself with the opinions of others.”
Despite his renowned reputation, Father truly paid no heed to what people said—that was so like him.
Though he spoke thus, I truly could not remain at the Namgung Clan. If I stayed here, the Baek Li Estate would surely apply pressure in various ways.
Regardless of the truth between Father and his brothers within the family, they maintained an outward appearance of harmony. They made it seem as though Baek Li-ui-muk was the center of that harmony.
But to abandon our own home and rely on another family? Surely people would whisper about how terribly fractured our family must be.
Such rumors of discord would cast doubt on Baek Li-ui-muk’s leadership, and he would lose considerable face.
To be honest, my uncle’s reputation meant nothing to me. If I could ruin it, I would have welcomed the opportunity.
But.
“I want to go back.”
“Why not think about it a bit more?”
“No.”
Father studied me for a moment, and sensing that my resolve would not waver, he ceased his attempts at persuasion.
“Very well. If that is truly your wish, I understand.”
After a brief silence, Father spoke again.
“But are you truly certain?”
I tilted my head in confusion.
Father’s voice carried the weight of deep concern.
“The Baek Li Estate doesn’t seem to bring you much comfort… I worry that you might be hurt there.”
I gazed at Father intently.
Father’s complexion had improved considerably since arriving at the Namgung Clan. He smiled far more often now, and the constant worry in his eyes had diminished.
‘I see.’
Understanding dawned on me all at once. I felt deeply in my heart why Father had suggested I remain at the Namgung Clan. It was because of how he saw me.
But precisely because I understood, I had to return.
“Father, running away solves nothing.”
Father’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Father, I’ll be honest with you.”
“…Then speak.”
Father’s expression grew slightly tense.
Seeing that face, I too felt the tension. I discreetly wiped my cold, clammy hands on my sleeve before opening my mouth.
“If you ask whether the Baek Li Estate is more comfortable than the Namgung Clan…”
Namgung Ryu-cheong and Seo Ha-ryeong. Children I could call dear friends.
Namgung Wan, So Bu-in, the disciples of the Suhyang Sect, and even Shim Bu-gwan and the gate guards—they all respected me and cherished me.
Then there was my aunt who struck me at every opportunity, the twin cousins who tormented me, my uncle who condoned it all, and my cousin brother.
My grandmother who despised even hearing my name, and my grandfather who showed me indifference.
“Yes. Honestly, the Namgung Clan is more comfortable and joyful.”
There was no comparison whatsoever.
And yet.
“But it’s not my home, is it?”
“…”
“The Baek Li Estate is my home.”
I slowly spoke the words I had carried within me for so long.
“And if a home is uncomfortable, then the home must change.”
Father’s eyes widened. I saw his hand grip the edge of the table with sudden force.
I did not retreat, meeting Father’s gaze directly.
“Father, you are a rightful member of the Baek Li Estate.”
“…What do you mean by that…”
“The Baek Li Family must change. So that no one will ever dare to disrespect us again.”
Father took a hesitant step backward.
“You can do this, Father, can’t you?”
“Yeon, you….”
“Don’t run away.”
If fleeing could bring happiness, then it wouldn’t have mattered.
I could have closed my eyes and ears to everything, living as though I knew nothing. Just as I had in my previous life.
If only Yalyu hadn’t suddenly killed me, I likely would have spent my entire life in quiet submission, like a mouse playing dead.
But even if I could do such a thing, Father never could.
To ignore the family, to turn away from the world. If he were capable of that… he wouldn’t be living this way now.
A laugh escaped me without thinking.
Certainly, at first my purpose was to save Father and live peacefully in his shadow… that’s how I had begun.
But when did it change?
I no longer recalled that original purpose.
What I needed to accomplish, the condition for my peaceful life—it had become something more. Somewhere along the way, I came to genuinely, sincerely wish for Father’s happiness.
“Whatever choice you make, Father, I will follow you.”

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