Youngest Daughter of the Ultimate Martial Master Namgung Family

Chapter 10

“Why are you crying so sadly?”

Heeran felt her body being lifted. There was a cozy smell too, like a well-dried blanket in the sun.

“Don’t cry, okay? You’re going to get sick from crying so much.”

The soft touch on her back and the whisper that sounded like a song were both familiar, yet unfamiliar. Heeran cried pathetically in the arms of someone she did not know. She thought she had thrown away all her desires for love and attachment.

She must’ve been deluding herself.

Is that so greedy of me? How come the people I love don’t love me back?

She really didn’t expect much. All that she’d hoped for was just a little bit of warmth. Was that such a big deal?

Heeran felt a sharp pain in her chest.

Even though she was a direct descendant of Namgung, nobody in the family cared about her. It was painful to confirm that again.

“Fortunately, you don’t have a fever...”

She felt warmth from the hand touching her forehead. Heeran raised her head, eyes filled with tears.

“Now you finally look at me.”

The neat and elegant face of a young lady smiled back at her. Su-ryeon Namgung?

The tears that had been pooling in Heeran’s eyes felt like they were suddenly sucked back in. She had met someone whom she had not expected to see at all. Although she had a more youthful appearance, it was definitely Su-ryeon.

“I’m glad. I thought I’d have to leave again after just watching you sleep today.” The words were mixed with laughter and faint feelings of concern and worry.

You also came to visit me? Heeran blinked. Why?

Since succeeding their father after his death, Hwi had apparently been living a busy life—even if he’d had two bodies, it would’ve hardly been enough to complete all his tasks.

They say that the light in his room stays on, even past daybreak. And yet, he had come to visit her again and again.

“Hwi Namgung only talks about you. It was my wish to make eye contact with you just once, and it’s finally come true.”

Heeran knew the meaning of her warm gaze and gentle touch. But...

You’re still going to ignore me later on. Wouldn’t it be better to just do nothing from the beginning? But why, why are you acting so sweet to me?

Heeran kept trembling—the arms holding her and the eyes filled with affection simply felt warm. Even though she knew it was an affection that had an expiration date, she wanted to lean into it and pretend that she knew nothing.

Why do you all keep making me feel greedy?

Either way, it would just be Heeran who got hurt. But she still wanted to make stupid choices. When Heeran came face-to-face with her true feelings, she felt incredibly sad and let out a wail.

She didn’t want wealth and honor. She just wanted warmth, but she couldn’t have that.

“Little one, Ahee.”

Heeran whimpered.

“Don’t cry, hmm? If you do, your sister will stay too long. I won’t be able to leave. I really have to go soon.” Su-ryeon spoke in a voice full of regret as she looked at the door to see if anyone was coming.

However, Heeran’s sadness would not go away so easily. She thought she could brush it off since she had already experienced it, but she was mistaken.

Heeran wailed again.

“Ahee, p-please.” At what sounded like a trembling voice, Heeran blinked her tear-soaked eyelids.

Huh? Heeran paused her crying and her eyes widened.

“I-I...” Su-ryeon let out a quiet sob.

Hey! Why are you crying...?

Su-ryeon’s big eyes were filled with tears. Heeran was so taken aback that it stopped her own tears.

“I wanted to see you, so I stayed up several nights to organize the documents. If I didn’t come today, I didn’t know when I’d find the time. So why do you keep crying?”

Through tears, she continued. “I can’t visit you for long today either, but I’m happy to finally be able to make eye contact with you for the first time. I just barely made it to come see you, but...”

Su-ryeon was trying not to cry, but it was no use. Tears kept dripping from her eyes. “The elders try to interfere every day while the rest of the family and connected merchant groups all look down on us.”

Once she started pouring out her frustrations, there was no sign of stopping. “I know foolish Hwi Namgung and Uncheon are trying their best, so I’m trying to be patient, but those elders are acting like b*stards.”

Heeran paused at the bold profanity. Had she just heard wrong?

“They slander us behind our backs, saying how we’re orphans and don’t know how to treat superiors with respect. I mean, how long has it been since the late patriarch’s funeral?”

Su-ryeon’s name meant “water lily,” so Heeran was stunned that such harsh profanity and fierce sentences were coming out of that elegant mouth. Who would’ve guessed that you knew how to say those things?

“And the old ladies in the collateral family are trying to cross the line while making the excuse that they’re trying to help.” Su-ryeon’s tears had gradually turned to anger about their situation. “When the Patriarch was alive, they couldn’t touch us, but Hwi and I must look easy.”

Su-ryeon gritted her teeth roughly. “Just wait until we confirm the evidence. You’re all dead. How dare they steal money from the family to fulfill their self-interests? Even if I have to strip them of their clothes in the middle of winter and kick them out, we will get all of it back with interest.”

Heeran looked blankly at her sister, who was now burning so fiercely with the desire for revenge that one had to wonder whether she was the same person who had been crying so pitifully earlier. Heeran could now see that the face that used to pretend to be proud and dignified was very young.

You’re young too. Just like she herself was a baby who only needed to sleep and eat, Su-ryeon was also young. I didn’t realize that.

This was Su-ryeon’s first time managing herself and taking responsibility for the family’s affairs. Because she had skillfully conducted and cared for herself in the past, Heeran had assumed that she would just naturally do well at taking care of the family affairs in the present time. That’s why she hadn’t understood it.

I didn’t realize that you had gotten younger just as much as I had gotten younger.

Heeran’s anxious body suddenly relaxed.

Su-ryeon was only fifteen. At that age, she was way too young to take care of the household affairs of the Namgung Family, the overlords of Anhui.

“What? Is it because I’m not doing a good job? You’re offering to help because I’m inept? But it’s my first time doing it! That much is actually pretty good!”

Heeran paused as Su-ryeon continued to rant. Her sister’s face, which had looked cloudy and in need of comfort, was suddenly overflowing with determination and will.

“Just you wait. In the end, I will cut their throats and make them regret today.”

After staring at Su-ryeon, Heeran put strength into her hand. She lifted it up and tapped on the arm that was holding her.

“Huh?”

“Baba. Goo-gah!”

There... Since you’ve apparently come to see me a couple of times, I’m doing something special for you today. Heeran raised the corners of her lips and smiled.

What the...? Why aren’t you smiling? Was my smile not good? Was it awkward?

Heeran’s smile had slayed Soso and Nanny, but Su-ryeon didn’t have any kind of reaction.

You said you came because you wanted to see me. Heeran thought that Su-ryeon would definitely make a fuss if she showed her that, but Su-ryeon was unexpectedly quiet.

I aimed to give her a bright smile, but I guess I didn’t do it properly. Let’s laugh this time. Heeran laughed as loudly as she could.

“Hee hee hee hee!”

“My goodness. Our Ahee. Are you trying to comfort your sister?”

Heeran froze. She thought she had smiled awkwardly and that was why Su-ryeon hadn’t reacted, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

Sister, your eyes are a bit...

She looked crazed. Her cheeks were red and her eyes were sparkling with joy. She looked so happy that it seemed like she didn’t know what to do with herself.

“Oh my, who do you take after that you’re this lovable? Don’t worry, Ahee. Your sister will beat them all into a pulp.”

That... wasn’t what Heeran was worried about.

I didn’t have that kind of worry in the first place.

She stared at Su-ryeon. While she was young now, Heeran remembered how Su-ryeon had taken control of the household affairs of the Namgung Family and silenced the other so-called noble families.

You’ve always been good at that.

She was called Namgung’s most talented woman. Heeran still vividly remembered how Su-ryeon had confidently declared that she wouldn’t get married until all the direct descendants of the Namgung Family were married, despite all the proposals that had come pouring in from all over the Central Plains.

She caused quite a headache for the elders and statesmen. Heeran should’ve recognized that temper back then.

“Ahee, look at your sister. Hmm? Can you laugh for me again?”

After deliberating for a moment, Heeran let out a giggle. Well, you did come and comfort me when I cried.

Even though she thought she didn’t need comfort, Nanny’s betrayal had been quite shocking. It wouldn’t have been bad to just cry it out alone, but...

Still, it was warm. I liked it.

Heeran had still needed warmth. At a moment when she felt completely alone in the world, she had been touched by a warmth that told her that she wasn’t actually alone.

Heeran could do this much for her sister.

“Hee hee.”

Su-ryeon clutched her heart. Her gentle youngest sibling—Su-ryeon had heard that while Ahee was a docile baby, she didn’t smile or laugh much.

But she laughed for me! Ahee laughed for me!

Su-ryeon had always wanted to show an elegant and impressive side to her baby sister, but she was fine with the fact that she had broken character today.

“Our pretty Ahee. Were you worried about your sister? Is that why you laughed? How are you so lovable?”

“Goo-goo, gah-gah.”

“O-one more time! Can you laugh for me just one more time?”

“Hee hee!”

There you go. So stop acting unlike yourself by crying, and punish all the bastards who secretly stole our family’s money—just like you said. If they don’t cooperate, just beat them up and kick them out. You’re good at stuff like that.

Su-ryeon, who was so happy that she didn’t know what to do with herself, continued to make a fuss over Heeran until it was time for her to leave—she wanted to be gone before someone else arrived.

Thanks to Su-ryeon, Heeran had also clearly made up her mind.

It’s okay. While she had become younger, she wasn’t really a baby. So she was able to overcome this kind of hurt and stand up again. I’m disgusted and enraged, but it’s okay.

Contrary to her inner promise, Heeran’s eyes were ablaze.

I simply have to pay them back just as much.

Heeran grinned. From that day on, there was constant commotion in the annex where she was staying.