Chasing His Runaway Bride (tradução) | Filme Completo em Português - Vídeo Dailymotion

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Transcript

00:00Every night before falling asleep, I kiss the forehead of this skeleton.

00:03I paid a fortune to have it made as an exact replica of that bastard emperor's skeleton.

00:08Holding it is like holding on to my dead love.

00:10Inside this creepy coffin, I sleep more soundly than anyone else.

00:14After all, the dead are the most obedient.

00:16They won't take concubines or lie, let alone make you feel ashamed for being pregnant.

00:20Pushing the coffin lid open, the sunlight stings my eyes.

00:23Time to go back to the living world.

00:25I'm Rosalie, the wealthiest person in Norland.

00:27Right now, I'm squatting on a freezing street corner, holding a freshly made wonton wrapper.

00:32Ma'am, two bowls of your signature wontons.

00:34Coming right up, sir.

00:35Just a moment.

00:35I expertly smear the meat filling onto the wrapper.

00:38My fingers fly, and an ingot-shaped wonton takes form in seconds.

00:41The shop behind me is magnificent.

00:43That's my Ashford exchange.

00:44The two rows of storefronts on the street to my left are entirely my Ashford silks and Ashford apothecary.

00:49But I just love selling wontons.

00:50I guess that's just a weird quirk of the rich.

00:52Seeing those people in mink coats having to respectfully call me Lady Rosalie

00:56gives me extra energy to wrap these wontons.

00:58Mom, a crisp child's voice interrupts my thought.

01:01I look up to see my five-year-old little money burner Gabriel

01:03wearing his custom golden nanlu backpack and strutting toward me with total swagger.

01:07He's followed by two burly men carrying all sorts of bags.

01:10Those are his spoils for the day.

01:12Gabriel, you skipped school again.

01:13I slam my rolling pin on the table.

01:15Gabriel isn't scared at all.

01:17He climbs onto a high stool, pulls out a small solid gold abacus from his jacket,

01:20and starts clicking away at it.

01:22Mom, you underestimate me.

01:24Today the teacher was teaching the Analects.

01:26I said a gentleman loves wealth but doesn't steal.

01:29The teacher couldn't out-argue me and got so mad he had to take his heart pills.

01:33While he was doing that, I went to inspect our rice shop

01:35and found the manager under-reported the books by three tails of silver.

01:39He lifts his adorable little face.

01:41Those peach blossom eyes are an exact copy of that man's.

01:44He says in all seriousness.

01:45Mom, three tails might not seem like much, but it adds up.

01:48If every shop is short by three tails, with our 800 shops, we'd lose 2,400 tails a day.

01:54Do you know how many candied hogs that could buy me?

01:57My mouth twitches.

01:58Son, you're only five.

01:59Can you act like a kid for once?

02:01Can acting like a kid put food on the table?

02:03Gabriel curls his lips and hops off the stool.

02:06He leans in and asks mysteriously.

02:08Mom, I want to ask you something.

02:09My heart skips a beat.

02:10Did you miss me?

02:11No.

02:12Gabriel gives me a look of disgust.

02:14I heard Billy from next door say,

02:16His dad came back from the south and brought him a huge box of toys.

02:20Mom, where the hell is my dad?

02:21If he's still alive, can we ask him to pay off all these years of child support?

02:25I almost choked on my own saliva.

02:27Cough, cough.

02:28Your dad, huh?

02:29I let out a fake deep sigh and looked up toward Chesati City.

02:32The grass on his grave is probably taller than you by now.

02:35Back then, our family was poor and struck by disaster.

02:38To get food for us, he sold himself to human traffickers,

02:41but he didn't make it, and Gabriel looked at me suspiciously.

02:44Mom, last time you said he died from overeating.

02:46The time before that, you said he drowned in an outhouse.

02:49That's not important.

02:50I immediately covered his mouth.

02:52What matters is that we're rich now and we don't need a man.

02:55Men will only slow down the speed at which I draw my sword.

02:58Oh wait, count my money.

03:00Gabriel pulled my hand away and sighed like a little adult.

03:04Fine.

03:05We're rich anyway.

03:06If we really need a man, I'll buy you a few obedient ones later.

03:09As long as they aren't as poor as my short-lived dad.

03:11If Stephen, who was far away in Chesati City, heard this,

03:14he'd probably be so angry that he'd cough up a gallon of blood on the spot.

03:18At this moment, in the Imperial Palace of Chesati City,

03:21a thousand miles away, Imperial Study.

03:23Achoo!

03:24The new Emperor Stephen, who ascended the throne just two years ago,

03:27let out an earth-shattering sneeze out of nowhere.

03:30His head eunuch Edgar shivered in fright beside him

03:33and hurriedly handed him a handkerchief.

03:35Oh my, your majesty, did you catch a cold?

03:37No need.

03:37Stephen waved his hand and rubbed his itchy nose.

03:39He was wearing a black dragon robe,

03:41and his once exceptionally handsome face was now full of gloom.

03:43He casually threw a memorial onto the desk.

03:45It clearly stated that the state treasury was empty

03:47and requested the Emperor to cut the harem's expenses.

03:50Cut my ass.

03:50Stephen cursed.

03:51There isn't even a female fly in my harem.

03:53How else can I cut expenses?

03:54Do they want me to starve?

03:55Edgar shrunk his neck and didn't dare to make a sound.

03:57Stephen stood up in frustration

03:59and walked over to a painting in the corner of the study.

04:01In the painting was a young girl in a light green dress,

04:04sitting on a small folding stool, washing clothes.

04:06Her side profile was peaceful and beautiful,

04:08but her eyes revealed a hint of cleverness.

04:10Stephen gently stroked the cheek of the person in the painting.

04:13His gaze instantly softened from his previous rage,

04:15but then quickly turned into a deep, gritted teeth glare.

04:17Stephen gently stroked the cheek of the person in the painting.

04:20Rosalie, you have a lot of nerve.

04:21You took my child, stole my personal savings,

04:24and ran away for five whole years.

04:25You better hope I don't catch you,

04:26otherwise Stephen looked at the empty imperial study

04:28and let out a cold laugh.

04:30I will lock you in the treasury,

04:31make you count money until your hands cramp,

04:33and then make you pay me back

04:34for all the lovesickness I've suffered these years with interest.

04:36Edgar, hear your majesty.

04:37Any news from Norland?

04:39Stephen's voice was as cold as ice.

04:41Your majesty, the shadow guard sent word that in Norland,

04:43they seem to have spotted a figure

04:44resembling the person in the portrait.

04:46But that area is now the territory of a wealthy businesswoman.

04:49Our men can't get in.

04:50A wealthy businesswoman?

04:51Stephen narrowed his eyes,

04:53his mouth curling into a dangerous smirk.

04:55Interesting. Pass down my decree.

04:56This autumn's imperial exam will not be restricted by social status.

05:00I will go see for myself.

05:01Is there anywhere in this world I cannot go?

05:03Far away in Norland,

05:04I suddenly felt a chill down my spine.

05:06The reason I'm not interested in men

05:07is mostly due to the trauma from my last job.

05:10Six years ago,

05:11I wasn't the all-powerful richest woman in Norland.

05:13I was just a lowly bedmaid in the Hawk family.

05:16My boss, who is now Emperor Stephen,

05:18was still the all-powerful Regent Hawk back then.

05:20Rumor had it that he was cold, ruthless, and decisive.

05:23Some even said he practiced virgin martial arts

05:25and shunned women.

05:26But as the bedmaid who served him intimately for four years,

05:29I have the most say in this.

05:30He shunned women.

05:31Then how did my back get so wrecked?

05:32Honestly, I was pretty content.

05:34I came from a poor family

05:35and was sold to the Hawk family

05:37by my parents for three tails of silver.

05:39I was lucky enough to become his bedmaid.

05:42Even though Stephen had a bad temper,

05:44he was very generous.

05:45As long as I pleased him in bed,

05:47he'd casually reward me with gold and silver nuggets.

05:49My life plan was very clear,

05:51save up enough money to buy my freedom,

05:53and when the official wife married in,

05:54I'd take my severance pay and go back to my hometown,

05:57buy a couple of acres of land,

05:58and be a happy little landlord.

06:00As a bedmaid with professional ethics,

06:02I knew my place very well.

06:03I was the employee,

06:04and he was the boss.

06:05Our relationship was purely transactional,

06:08with no emotional entanglements.

06:09That is, until that fateful morning.

06:11That day, I was hiding in the small kitchen,

06:13secretly eating some pork knuckle.

06:15The chef in the Hawk family was top-notch,

06:17especially with his crystal pork knuckle,

06:19which was fatty, but not greasy.

06:21But just as I took a bite,

06:22an indescribable feeling of nausea suddenly hit me.

06:25Blah!

06:25I threw up all the meat I had just eaten.

06:27My roommate, a young maid named Maisie,

06:30happened to walk in

06:31and was startled by the sight.

06:32Rosalie, what's wrong?

06:33Could you be?

06:34She didn't finish, but I understood.

06:36My heart instantly sank.

06:38In the Hawk family,

06:39a bedmaid getting pregnant was a massive taboo,

06:41especially before the prince had married his official wife.

06:44If the princess imperial or the empress dowager found out,

06:47keeping the child and killing the mother

06:48would be getting off easy.

06:50Most likely,

06:50they'd force a bowl of safflower down my throat,

06:52and I might even lose my life.

06:54Furthermore,

06:55Steven absolutely hated trouble.

06:56I touched my stomach.

06:57It was still flat,

06:58but it was carrying a little time bomb

07:00that could kill me at any moment.

07:01What should I do?

07:02Go tell Steven?

07:03Bet on the chance that he had some feelings for me?

07:05Give me a break.

07:06In his eyes,

07:07I was nothing but a tool to relieve his desires,

07:09who just happened to be easy on the eyes.

07:11He was about to discuss marriage

07:12with the daughter of the minister of the personnel office.

07:15Having an illegitimate eldest son pop up right now

07:17would only be a huge nuisance to him, right?

07:19I,

07:20Rosalie,

07:20value my life above all else,

07:22and I absolutely refuse to put my life in someone else's hands.

07:25So,

07:25I made a drastic decision.

07:27Run,

07:27and not just run,

07:28but run with the money.

07:29Over the next three days,

07:30I acted exceptionally obedient.

07:32When Steven came back at night,

07:34I used all my acting skills to be as sweet and gentle as possible,

07:37serving him until he was perfectly satisfied.

07:39Afterwards,

07:40he leaned lazily against the headboard,

07:42playing with a strand of my hair,

07:43and asked in a good mood,

07:44Why so passionate today?

07:45What kind of reward do you want?

07:47I blushed and gave him a flirtatious look.

07:49Your Highness,

07:50I heard the Guanyin statue in the storehouse is made of pure gold.

07:55I don't mean anything by it.

07:57I just want to admire it.

07:59Steven let out a chuckle and pinched my cheek.

08:01You little money grubber.

08:03That's an antique from the previous dynasty,

08:05so I can't give it to you.

08:06But the box of gold leaves on the table is yours.

08:10Thank you,

08:10Your Highness.

08:11I accepted it with great joy.

08:12By the fourth day,

08:13it was exactly Valentine's.

08:15The whole mansion was busy with the festival,

08:17and the guards were at their most lax.

08:19Steven went to the palace for a banquet.

08:21Rumor had it the Empress Dowager would arrange a marriage for him that day.

08:24It was a godsend.

08:25I changed into rough men's clothes

08:27and sewed all the gold jewelry and banknotes I had saved over the years

08:30into my clothes-fitting vest.

08:32That vest was as heavy as a bulletproof vest,

08:34but it made me feel secure.

08:35Before leaving,

08:36I looked at the little turtle in Steven's study that he loved the most.

08:39It was his only pet.

08:40I thought for a moment,

08:42found a piece of paper,

08:42and wrote a crooked farewell letter with my left hands.

08:45To your highness,

08:46I know I am of lowly status.

08:48To make it look real,

08:49I even squeezed two drops of eyedrops onto the paper.

08:53After writing,

08:54I put the letter under a paperweight,

08:56carried my heavy bundle,

08:57and crawled out through the dog hole I had scoped out long ago.

09:00Looking back at the towering mansion at that moment,

09:03I felt no nostalgia at all.

09:05Forget the prince,

09:06forget the wealth and glory.

09:07None of it was as real as the baby in my belly,

09:09or the banknotes in my arms.

09:11Son,

09:11I touched my belly and whispered,

09:13Mom's taking you to a better life.

09:14From now on,

09:15we'll depend on each other.

09:16We have money,

09:17and each other,

09:18we won't need anyone else.

09:20Only,

09:20I didn't expect that B-starred Steven wouldn't be as calm as I imagined after I left.

09:24I heard he went crazy looking for me,

09:26even turning Shafati City upside down.

09:28Of course,

09:29that's a story for later.

09:31At that time,

09:31I was already in a carriage heading to Norland,

09:34throwing up my guts from the bumpy ride,

09:36but smiling happier than anyone.

09:37Because I knew,

09:38from today on,

09:39I Rosalie was free.

09:41Winter in Norland came even earlier than I imagined.

09:43It snowed in September,

09:44and the chilling wind cut like a knife,

09:46bundled up in a thick padded jacket.

09:48I rolled off the carriage like a bull,

09:50feeling like my snot was going to freeze.

09:51This is a bitterly cold wasteland,

09:53and a place where the court exiles criminals.

09:55But because of that,

09:56it's far from the emperor's reach.

09:58Steven's hands can't reach here.

09:59I have money,

10:00but I can't just sit around and eat through my savings.

10:02More importantly,

10:03being a single mother with a child in this world

10:05is like walking through a busy market holding a gold brick.

10:07It's way too dangerous.

10:09I need helpers,

10:09the kind who can take on ten guys at once.

10:11Maybe God saw how hard it was for me to run away pregnant,

10:14and gave me the ultimate cheat code for picking up strays.

10:16On my third day in Norland,

10:18at the entrance of the abandoned house I bought,

10:20I found two old men who were freezing to death.

10:22One was pale and beardless,

10:23shivering in the corner.

10:24The other was covered in blood,

10:26with a hideous scar across his face,

10:27gripping a chipped steel blade in his hand.

10:29I was pretty bald back then,

10:31or maybe it was the pregnancy hormones

10:32making my maternal instincts kick in.

10:34I insisted my newly bought maid drag them inside.

10:37We poured two big bowls of ginger soup down their throats

10:39and called for a doctor,

10:40pulling them back from death's door.

10:42After they woke up,

10:43the pale old man told me his name was Uncle Edgar.

10:45He used to be a head eunuch in the palace,

10:47but was being hunted because he knew too many secrets.

10:49The scarred old man was old iron.

10:51He used to be the top assassin in the martial arts world,

10:53later recruited by the court as a royal secret agent.

10:56He was also on the run after offending the wrong people.

10:58Good lord,

10:59did my little courtyard turn into a shelter for wanted fugitives?

11:02But I didn't kick them out.

11:03I gave them the best medicine and the best food.

11:05I told them,

11:06I don't care who you used to be.

11:07Now that you're here,

11:08you're part of Rosalie's family.

11:10I'll take care of you in your old age,

11:11and you help me guard the house.

11:13How about it?

11:14These two old men,

11:15who spent half their lives living on the edge,

11:17looked at my pregnant belly,

11:18and the piping hot meat buns I handed them,

11:20and teared up.

11:21From then on,

11:21I, Rosalie,

11:22had two top tier sidekicks.

11:24Uncle Edgar was an expert in palace schemes and managing accounts.

11:27He had a sharp eye.

11:28Anyone who tried to scam me out of my money would be seen right through instantly.

11:31All giant martial arts were unmatched.

11:33He could work wonders with that broken blade.

11:35With him around,

11:36the local thugs within a 10-mile radius all had to take a detour around my house.

11:40With the help of these two,

11:41one brains,

11:42one brawn,

11:43plus the advanced modern business mindset in my head,

11:45my business in Norland snowballed,

11:47growing bigger and bigger.

11:48I monopolized the fur trade in Norland,

11:50reselling them to the south,

11:51and then shipped silk from the south to sell to the nomads in Norland.

11:54I opened the first chain supermarket in Norland,

11:56the very first chain supermarket,

11:58the first hotpot restaurant,

11:59and even started real estate development.

12:01In just five years,

12:02the once desolate border town of Norland has actually become bustling and prosperous because of me,

12:06and I,

12:07Rosalie,

12:07have become widely known as the respected Rosalie.

12:09Gabriel was born right here on this dark soil.

12:11The day he was born,

12:13Mr. Iron stood guard at the door,

12:14and Uncle Edgar paced anxiously outside the delivery room,

12:17worrying more than a real grandpa would.

12:19This kid has been smart since he was little.

12:21On his first birthday,

12:22he completely ignored the brush,

12:23ink,

12:24paper,

12:24and inkstone.

12:25Instead,

12:25he grabbed the gold abacus on Uncle Edgar's waist,

12:27refusing to let go.

12:29Uncle Edgar smiled so hard his face wrinkled up.

12:31Good,

12:32very good.

12:32This child is destined to control the world's wealth in the future.

12:35Life would have been quite pleasant if it continued like this,

12:38until the year Gabriel turned five,

12:39and his education became the top priority.

12:42Although Norland is wealthy,

12:43it doesn't have a strong academic atmosphere.

12:45To prevent Gabriel from growing up into a bumpkin who only knows how to count money,

12:49I spent a fortune to send him to Atenas Academy.

12:51The headmaster of the academy is a reclusive great scholar.

12:54Rumor has it that he used to be the emperor's tutor,

12:56with profound knowledge.

12:58I originally thought this would just be a normal educational journey,

13:01until this afternoon,

13:02when Gabriel brought back a shocking piece of news.

13:04At the dinner table,

13:05Gabriel picked up a braised pork in his bowl and mumbled,

13:07Mom,

13:08my teacher said he's taking me to Chasate City tomorrow.

13:11My chopsticks dropped to the floor.

13:13Where?

13:13My voice trembled.

13:14Chasate,

13:15Gabriel said,

13:16blinking his big eyes.

13:17My teacher said the current emperor is holding a special imperial exam,

13:20and some kind of prodigy contest.

13:22He says I'm uniquely talented and brilliant,

13:24so he insists on taking me to see the world.

13:26He also said the emperor specifically asked to see the legendary prodigy of Norland.

13:30My blood instantly ran cold.

13:32Chasate City,

13:33That's Stephen's turf.

13:34The emperor specifically asked,

13:36Could that bastard Stephen have already figured something out?

13:38No way,

13:39you can't go.

13:40I stood up abruptly.

13:41Gabriel listened to me.

13:42We're not going.

13:43What's so good about Chasate City?

13:44It eats kids alive.

13:46Gabriel tilted his head looking puzzled.

13:48But Mom,

13:49my teacher said it's a great honor for our ancestors.

13:51Besides,

13:52I even prepared a big gift for the emperor.

13:54What big gift?

13:55Gabriel pulled something out of his pocket and presented it to me like a treasure.

13:59Look,

13:59It's a wooden bead bracelet I carved myself.

14:01I read in a picture book that the emperor prefers this kind of plain and simple stuff.

14:05Mom,

14:06look at the patterns on these beads.

14:07Don't they look familiar?

14:09The moment I saw that bracelet clearly,

14:10my vision went dark and I almost fainted.

14:13Those beads were carved exactly like the love token I gave to Stephen back then.

14:16What's worse,

14:17this kid Gabriel looks exactly like a miniature version of Stephen.

14:20If he were to take this bracelet,

14:22wearing this face,

14:23and walk right up to Stephen,

14:24I don't even want to picture it.

14:26Prepare my horse.

14:27Hurry.

14:27It's hard to disobey an imperial decree,

14:29especially when the great scholar used his status as the emperor's teacher to get it.

14:32Watching Gabriel pack his bags,

14:34my heart bled.

14:34To prevent his highly recognizable face from causing trouble,

14:37I got some disguise potion from old iron

14:39and painted a huge mall right between his eyebrows.

14:41Son,

14:42I said earnestly,

14:43pressing down on his shoulders.

14:44Once you reach Chisate,

14:46there are three ironclad rules you must remember.

14:49Gabriel hugged his little backpack to his chest and said seriously.

14:52Tell me, Mom.

14:53First,

14:54no matter who asks,

14:55you must say we slaughter pigs for a living and are dirt poor.

14:58Second,

14:58if you see a man in a yellow robe,

15:00stay away from him.

15:01He has rabies and will bite.

15:02Third,

15:03and most importantly,

15:04never,

15:04ever mention my name.

15:06Gabriel checked that mall in the mirror and curled his lip in disgust.

15:09Got it, Mom.

15:10Do you owe that man in the yellow robe money?

15:11Don't worry,

15:12I've heard of a son paying his father's debts,

15:14but I'm not paying off my mother's.

15:15I was so mad I wanted to hit him,

15:17but seeing old iron in the convoy,

15:19I felt a little more at ease.

15:20I had old iron disguise himself as a carriage driver to tag along.

15:23Watching the carriage drive away,

15:25my eye twitched wildly.

15:26Little did I know,

15:27he wasn't going out to see the world.

15:29He was a lamb walking right into the lion's den,

15:31serving himself up with his own cumin and chili powder.

15:33Rose Palace,

15:34Chisite,

15:35according to the message,

15:36old iron later sent back by a carrier pigeon.

15:38The scene that day was truly heart-stopping.

15:40Stephen sat high on the dragon's throne,

15:42looking bored as a group of child prodigies bobbed their heads reciting poetry below.

15:46He had zero interest in their literary jargon,

15:48until his gaze landed on a corner.

15:50Standing there was a little boy,

15:52with a comical big black mole on his forehead.

15:54Drooling as he stared at the golden dragon pillar in the hall,

15:57intrigued,

15:58Stephen waved for someone to bring the child forward.

16:00Kid,

16:00what are you looking at?

16:01Gabriel wasn't shy at all.

16:03He looked up,

16:04pointed at the pillar and asked,

16:05Is this pillar solid gold?

16:07If it's just gold-plated,

16:08then this palace is way too shabby.

16:10All the officials gasped,

16:11but Stephen was stunned.

16:12Not because of the child's blunt words,

16:14but because the moment the boy looked up,

16:16even with that matchmaker's mole,

16:18his features,

16:18his demeanor,

16:19and even his little look of disgust,

16:21looked exactly like he did when he was young.

16:23A strange surge of familial connection exploded in Stephen's heart.

16:26As if possessed,

16:27he stepped down from the throne,

16:28crouched in front of Gabriel,

16:30narrowed his eyes and asked,

16:31You think I'm poor?

16:33Gabriel nodded honestly,

16:34pulled a top-quality white jade pendant from his pocket,

16:36and waved it.

16:37The quality of this jade is much better than the one on your waist.

16:40Mister,

16:41if you need money,

16:41I can lend you some.

16:42Forty percent interest deal?

16:44Stephen stared at that face,

16:45and in a daze,

16:46he seemed to see someone else,

16:48that little bedmaid back in his mansion,

16:50who used to haggle with him over a few tails of silver.

16:52What's your name?

16:53Stephen's voice suddenly grew tight.

16:55Gabriel Jung.

16:56Jung?

16:56Stephen's eyes suddenly darkened.

16:58He grabbed Gabriel's tiny hand.

16:59Who is your mother?

17:00These past few days in Norland have felt like an eternity.

17:03Every day,

17:04I waited at the door for Old Ion's carrier pigeon.

17:06Terrified the letter would say the scion was captured and needed rescuing.

17:09To ease my anxiety,

17:10I spent a fortune on the latest storybook from the capital.

17:13This book was dedicated to royal scandals.

17:15They say the author is a retired eunuch from the palace.

17:17I casually flipped to a page and found a piece of gossip about the current emperor.

17:21It said that although the emperor's harem is empty,

17:23he is a deeply devoted man.

17:25Whether holding court or resting,

17:26he always wears a crudely made string of wooden prayer beads on his left wrist.

17:29Rumor has it that they were a gift from an old friend,

17:32and the emperor treasures them.

17:33Once,

17:33a maid accidentally touched them,

17:35and she was immediately banished to the hard labor camp.

17:37The sunflower seeds in my hand clattered to the floor,

17:40wooden prayer beads,

17:41crudely made.

17:41The memories suddenly flooded back to me.

17:43It was Stephen's 20th birthday.

17:45I was dead broke back then and couldn't afford an expensive gift,

17:47but I still wanted to suck up to my boss for a raise.

17:50So I went to the back mountain,

17:51found a piece of lightning-struck wood,

17:53and sanded it for three whole nights until my hands were covered in blisters,

17:56just to make that ugly string of beads.

17:58When I gave them to him,

17:58he picked them up in disgust with two fingers and sneered,

18:01Rosalie,

18:02are you really trying to fool me with this garbage?

18:04I acted all submissive,

18:05but in my head,

18:06I cursed him for being snobbish.

18:08But now this book says he treasures them,

18:09and wears them all the time,

18:11my heart suddenly skipped a beat,

18:12followed by a chill that shot straight to my head.

18:14If he really kept that thing all this time,

18:16it means he's still holding a grudge over what happened back then.

18:19If he sees Gabriel wearing that wooden pendant made of the exact same material,

18:22coo, coo,

18:23a pigeon called from outside the window.

18:25Old Ian's letter had arrived.

18:26With trembling hands, I opened the bamboo tube and unrolled the note.

18:30There was only one scribbled line on it, but it made my blood run cold.

18:33Emperor met Sion,

18:34gifted royal chillin' lock,

18:36asked about mother,

18:37suspicions raised,

18:38flee immediately.

18:39Pack everything up,

18:39hurry,

18:40only take the gold bars and banknotes,

18:42leave the antiques and paintings.

18:43While I directed Uncle Edgar to pack,

18:45I stuffed a thick stack of banknotes into my waistband.

18:47Just then,

18:48there was a commotion at the front door.

18:49Mom,

18:50I'm home.

18:51Gabriel's carefree voice rang out.

18:52My heart skipped a beat.

18:53Before I could slip out the back door,

18:55he had already skipped into the main hall,

18:57a heavy golden chillin' lock hung around his neck,

18:59and he cradled the jewel-encrusted dagger in his arms.

19:01He sparkled all over like a walking treasure chest.

19:04Mom,

19:04look,

19:04that mister gave me all this.

19:06Gabriel pulled out the dagger as if showing off a prize.

19:08He said it's called an imperial sword.

19:10It can slay corrupt officials and be traded for lots of money.

19:13My vision went black.

19:14An imperial sword?

19:15Is that something you just give away?

19:17What else did he tell you?

19:18I grabbed Gabriel's shoulders,

19:19my voice trembling.

19:20Gabriel tilted his head and thought for a moment.

19:22Oh,

19:23right.

19:23That mister asked me,

19:24is your mom's favorite food pork knuckle?

19:26Does she pick at her fingers when she's nervous?

19:28And is your family really rich?

19:29Spot on.

19:30That bastard Stephen even remembers my nervous little habits perfectly.

19:33So what did you say?

19:34I said,

19:35of course.

19:35My mom is the richest woman in Norland.

19:37Gabriel had a proud look on his face.

19:39I closed my eyes in despair.

19:41He's no son of mine.

19:42He's clearly a mole sent by Stephen.

19:43Mom,

19:44why are you shaking?

19:45Gabriel suddenly leaned in mysteriously.

19:47By the way,

19:47the mister also said he's an old flame of yours.

19:50He's right outside the door,

19:51saying he wants to come in for tea.

19:52What?

19:53Right outside the door?

19:54I snapped my head up to look at the tightly shut front door.

19:56It felt as though just outside that heavy mahogany door

19:59stood a giant beast with its bloody jaws wide open.

20:02Uncle Edgar,

20:03seal the door.

20:03Old Iron,

20:04take the young master through the secret passage.

20:07Before I even finished my sentence,

20:09a deep magnetic chuckle suddenly came from outside,

20:11piercing straight through my skull.

20:13Rosalie,

20:13I haven't even had my tea yet.

20:14Are you already rushing to kick out your guest?

20:16In that instant my blood ran cold.

20:19I'd recognize that voice anywhere,

20:21even after six years.

20:22Throwing dignity out the window,

20:24I scooped up Gabriel

20:25and bolted for the backyard like a frightened rabbit.

20:27Mom,

20:28that's our rich backer.

20:29Why are you running?

20:30Shut up.

20:31That's the grim reaper.

20:32I dashed to the hidden door in the backyard.

20:34I'd built that escape route specifically for a day like today.

20:37With trembling hands,

20:38I unlatched the door and shoved it open.

20:40But there was no air of freedom waiting for me outside.

20:42Only a sea of torches that lit up the pitch black nightlight day.

20:45Dozens of imperial guards in uniform,

20:47swords at their waists,

20:48blocked the alley in a tight formation.

20:50Not even a fly could escape.

20:52Right in the center of the firelight stood a tall steed.

20:54The man on horseback wore a dark cloak.

20:56He looked weather-beaten,

20:57his hair slightly disheveled,

20:58but it didn't take away from his outrageously handsome face.

21:01Right now though,

21:02his deep eyes swirled with emotions I couldn't decipher.

21:05There was anger,

21:06ecstasy,

21:06and a fierce hunger that looked ready to devour me whole.

21:09Steven was really here.

21:10He stared down at me,

21:11his gaze sweeping over my panic-stricken face

21:13before finally landing on Gabriel in my arms.

21:15Rosalie.

21:16He dismounted and slowly approached me.

21:18His boots crunched on the snow

21:19and every single step felt like he was stomping right on my heart.

21:22You made quite a run for it, didn't you?

21:24He stopped barely a foot away from me.

21:25An overwhelming presence suffocated me.

21:28As he reached out his hand,

21:29I instinctively closed my eyes and flinched,

21:31thinking he was going to strangle me,

21:32but the pain never came.

21:34Instead,

21:34his cool fingertips gently brushed a snowflake from my hair.

21:37This time,

21:38he leaned close to my ear,

21:39his voice low and raspy like a demon from hell.

21:41If you dare run away again,

21:43I'll turn Norland upside down

21:44and chain you to the throne so you can never leave again.

21:47Just then,

21:48Gabriel poked his head out of my arms and cheered,

21:50Wow,

21:51rich mister,

21:52you really came.

21:53I was on the verge of tears.

21:55Son,

21:56forget about the mister and start screaming for help.

21:58Fifteen minutes later,

21:59Stephen swaggered into my mansion,

22:01followed by a fierce squad of the Imperial Guard.

22:03This wasn't a reunion of old friends,

22:05it was a raid.

22:06He sat on the velvet sofa I'd imported from Persia at great cost,

22:09crossed his long legs and looked around with disgust.

22:11These Narmu wood pillars are so tacky.

22:13This wall carpet is too scratchy.

22:15Rosalie,

22:16is this how you live after leaving me?

22:17He frowned,

22:18wearing a,

22:18You really are miserable without me expression.

22:21How can anyone live in this dump?

22:23It's worse than the royal stables.

22:24I stood to the side,

22:26my mouth twitching wildly.

22:27One of these Narmu pillars is worth half of the Imperial kitchen.

22:30This Persian carpet costs more than his dragon rope.

22:32This beast art is still as toxic and tasteless as ever.

22:35If your majesty is uncomfortable here,

22:36you can go back to your palace.

22:38I snapped,

22:39Our humble home is too small for someone of your stature.

22:42Stephen's eyes turned cold,

22:43his gaze locking once again on Gabriel,

22:45who was leaning over the table counting his gold beans.

22:48Feeling his stare,

22:49Gabriel immediately shielded his bag of copper coins

22:51and looked at Stephen warily.

22:53Mr.

22:53Business is business.

22:54You can't take back a gift once you've given it.

22:57Stephen let out an exasperated laugh.

22:59He stood up,

22:59walked over to Gabriel,

23:00ignoring the kid's protest,

23:02and picked him up effortlessly by the collar,

23:04like a little chick.

23:05Similar?

23:05Very similar,

23:06Stephen muttered,

23:07staring at Gabriel's face.

23:09My heart raced.

23:09I was about to rush over and grab my child back.

23:12What are you doing?

23:12Let him go.

23:13Stephen snapped his head toward me,

23:15his eyes as sharp as daggers.

23:17Rosalie,

23:17let's not beat around the bush.

23:18This kid has my eyebrows

23:20and my nose.

23:21Even his obsession with copper coins,

23:23though unlike mine,

23:24is definitely nothing like your so-called dead husband's.

23:27He pulled a dagger and a white porcelain bowl from his robes,

23:30slamming them onto the table,

23:31with a loud clank,

23:32a blood test.

23:33Stephen said concisely,

23:34his tone leaving no room for argument.

23:36If the blood blends,

23:37I'm taking you both back to the palace.

23:38If it doesn't,

23:39he sneered,

23:40bearing his stark white teeth.

23:42I'll charge you with deceiving the emperor

23:44and confiscate both you and your copper coins.

23:47Hearing that his copper coins would be confiscated,

23:49Gabriel burst into tears.

23:51Mom,

23:51just let him test it.

23:52Let him stab you.

23:53Just don't let him stab the copper coins.

23:54I don't need this ungrateful fun anymore.

23:57The dagger glinted coldly,

23:58but Stephen's eyes were even colder.

24:00I knew I couldn't escape this today.

24:01Gab,

24:02don't be afraid.

24:02It'll just be like a mosquito bite.

24:04I gritted my teeth

24:05and reluctantly offered up Gabriel's little hand.

24:08Stephen made a swift,

24:09precise,

24:09and ruthless cut.

24:10Two drops of bright red blood

24:11fell into the bowl of clear water.

24:13The air seemed to freeze.

24:14Everyone craned their necks to stare at the bowl.

24:16The two drops of blood swirled in the water,

24:18like long-lost brothers,

24:19and instantly blended together.

24:21Ironclad proof.

24:22Stephen stared fixedly at the water,

24:24his eyes instantly turning red.

24:25He jerked his head up and grabbed my wrist,

24:27gripping it so hard

24:28it felt like he was going to crush my bones.

24:30Rosalie,

24:31what do you have to say for yourself?

24:32Secretly bearing royal offspring

24:34and deceiving the emperor.

24:35Do you know this is a crime punishable

24:37by the execution of your entire family?

24:39He roared like an enraged lion.

24:41I gasped in pain,

24:42but the fire inside me was also ignited.

24:44Execute my entire family?

24:46Fine,

24:46Gabriel and you are the only family

24:48I have left anyway.

24:49You might as well execute yourself along with us.

24:51I forcefully shook off his hand,

24:53took a step back,

24:54and looked straight into his eyes.

24:55Stephen,

24:56stop pulling your emperor rank on me.

24:58Back in the prince's estate,

24:59under those strict rules,

25:00wasn't it common to force-feed mothers poison

25:02just to keep their children?

25:04Should I not have run?

25:05If I hadn't run,

25:06was I supposed to just wait and die

25:07along with my unborn child?

25:09I have money,

25:10hands,

25:10and feet.

25:10Why should I let my son be born

25:12a second-class citizen,

25:13living at the mercy of others?

25:15Stephen froze.

25:16He didn't seem to expect

25:17that the submissive little bedmaid

25:19who only knew how to say

25:20greetings your highness,

25:21would dare point at his nose and yell.

25:23Seeing this,

25:23Gabriel immediately hugged my leg

25:25and bared his teeth at Stephen.

25:26You bad man.

25:27Don't you bully my mom.

25:29If you dare lay a finger on her,

25:30I'll,

25:31I'll report you to the authorities.

25:32I'll say you're trespassing.

25:34Stephen looked at my son and me

25:35standing united against him.

25:37The anger in his eyes gradually faded,

25:39replaced by a complex,

25:40indiscernible sense of defeat.

25:41He moved his lips,

25:42his voice softening,

25:44even to save your life.

25:45You shouldn't have hidden this

25:46from me for five years.

25:47The atmosphere in the room

25:48was a bit eerie.

25:49The imperial guards

25:50had all been kicked out

25:51into the yard.

25:51Only the three of us

25:52were left inside.

25:53Stephen sat in the main seat,

25:55resuming his aloof

25:56imperial demeanor.

25:57But the way he kept rubbing

25:58his old prayer beads

25:59revealed his inner turmoil.

26:00Come back to the palace with me,

26:01he said,

26:02sounding like he was

26:03granting me a favor.

26:04For the child's sake,

26:05I won't punish you.

26:06I'll make you noble consort

26:07and grant you the solar palace.

26:09Gabriel will be my eldest prince

26:10and in the future.

26:11Stop,

26:12stop,

26:12stop.

26:13I bluntly interrupted

26:14his empty promises.

26:15Your majesty,

26:15are you misunderstanding something?

26:17I looked around

26:18my magnificent mansion,

26:19casually picking up

26:20a luminous pearl

26:21from the table

26:22to roll around in my hand.

26:23How much is a noble

26:24consort's monthly allowance?

26:25Five hundred tails

26:26or a thousand?

26:28Stephen frowned.

26:29Palace expenses

26:29have their own rules.

26:30How can they be measured

26:31by money?

26:32So you don't have money,

26:33I sneered.

26:34Your majesty,

26:35the cash flow

26:35I have right now

26:36is thousands of tails

26:37a minute.

26:37I live in a sprawling mansion

26:39and sleep on a warm

26:40jade bed from the west.

26:41I have top chefs

26:42taking turns cooking

26:43whatever I want to eat.

26:44I walked up to him,

26:45looking down at him.

26:46Why would I give up

26:47being the wealthiest person

26:48around just to go

26:49to your harem

26:49and fight with three thousand

26:51women over your single cucumber?

26:52Am I out of my mind?

26:54Or do I just have a death wish?

26:57Stephen's face

26:58instantly darkened.

26:59Rosalie,

27:00how did you become so,

27:01so money-grubbing

27:02and vulgar?

27:03Vulgar?

27:03I sneered.

27:04It's called being realistic.

27:06Late affection

27:06is cheaper than dirt.

27:07Your majesty,

27:08I don't care about

27:09your noble consort title.

27:11Stephen's chest

27:12heaved violently

27:12with anger

27:13and the finger

27:14pointing at me

27:14was trembling.

27:15He probably hadn't

27:16been rejected like this

27:17in his entire life.

27:18Just when I thought

27:19he was going to fly

27:19into a rage

27:20and order my arrest,

27:21he suddenly took

27:21a deep breath,

27:22forcefully suppressing

27:23his anger.

27:24Good, very good.

27:25Stephen let out

27:26a furious laugh,

27:27a stubborn glint

27:27in his eyes.

27:28You don't care, right?

27:29I'd like to see

27:30how long you can

27:30keep up this tough act.

27:31With a flick of his sleeve

27:32he turned to leave.

27:33At the door

27:34he stopped again,

27:35looked back

27:35and dropped

27:36a chilling remark.

27:37I can't take Gab away,

27:40but I'm staying

27:40in Norland for good.

27:42Stephen was a man

27:43of his word

27:43and he went all out.

27:44Early the next morning

27:45I found out

27:46the mansion next door

27:47which used to belong

27:48to Mr. Leland

27:48had changed hands.

27:49Mr. Leland

27:50moved out overnight.

27:51Rumor had it

27:52the buyer

27:52offered a price

27:53so high

27:53he questioned

27:54his reality

27:55enough to buy

27:55half the street.

27:56Soon after

27:57I faced relentless

27:58harassment

27:58from this new neighbor.

27:59At breakfast

28:00knock knock knock

28:01Uncle Edgar

28:02opened the door.

28:03Stephen

28:03dressed casually

28:04held an exquisite

28:05food box

28:06followed by

28:06the miserable

28:07looking chief eunuch

28:08Edgar

28:08Rosalie

28:09I

28:09I heard

28:10your chef

28:10makes good

28:10crab row buns.

28:11Stephen swaggered in

28:13and sat at the dining table

28:14making himself

28:14right at home.

28:15The imperial meals

28:16are too greasy.

28:17I'm here for a change of pace.

28:19I rolled my eyes.

28:20If you want to eat

28:21pay up

28:21ten tails of silver

28:22for one bun.

28:23Put it on my tab.

28:24Stephen waved his hand grandly.

28:26He didn't just eat

28:27he also bossed Gabriel around.

28:29Eat up son

28:29you're growing.

28:31To please his son

28:32Stephen took a scroll

28:33out of the food box.

28:34Gabriel

28:34this is an authentic piece

28:35by the former dynasty's

28:36master painter

28:37Jackson Pera.

28:38It's the 100 steed

28:39and it's priceless.

28:40I'm giving it to you

28:41to hang in your study.

28:43Stephen looked smug

28:44sure that this time

28:45he'd win over this mother

28:46and son who hadn't seen

28:47much of the world.

28:48Gabriel's eyes lit up.

28:49He snatched the scroll

28:50and unrolled it.

28:51I thought he'd be amazed.

28:52Instead the prodigal son

28:53spread the painting

28:54on the table

28:54and put his greasy bowl

28:56on it.

28:57Wow

28:57this paper is pretty thick

28:59Gabriel said happily.

29:00Mom

29:01our tablecloth

29:01happens to be dirty

29:02so this is perfect

29:03for the bowl

29:04and it's oil proof.

29:05Stephen's smile

29:06instantly froze on his face.

29:07He looked like

29:08he'd been force fed a fly.

29:09It's a famous painting.

29:10Stephen gritted his teeth.

29:12It's worth a fortune.

29:13Oh

29:14so it's a very expensive

29:15tablecloth.

29:16Gabriel calmly

29:16picked up a bun

29:17casually wiping

29:18his greasy fingers

29:19on the head

29:19of a fine horse

29:20in the painting.

29:21Seeing Stephen

29:21heartbroken

29:22to the point

29:22of suffocating

29:23yet not daring

29:24to lash out

29:24I almost laughed out loud.

29:26Stephen took a deep breath

29:27and forced himself

29:27to look away.

29:28His gaze landed

29:29on Uncle Edgar

29:30who was standing

29:30behind me pouring tea

29:31and Old Iron

29:32who was chopping wood

29:33in the yard.

29:34He narrowed his eyes

29:35slightly

29:35his gaze instantly sharpening.

29:37Rosalie

29:37these two servants

29:38of yours are quite

29:39interesting.

29:39Stephen gave a half smile.

29:41One walked silently

29:42with steady breaths

29:43and the other

29:43chops wood

29:44like he's slicing tofu.

29:45They have profound

29:46inner strength.

29:47The mansion of

29:47Norland's wealthiest

29:48really is hiding

29:49some serious talents.

29:50Stephen seemed

29:51determined to crash

29:52at my place

29:52even going so far

29:53as to sell his looks.

29:55To prove he wasn't

29:55the weak useless man

29:56rumors made him out to be

29:57he actually started

29:58practicing martial arts

29:59bare chested

30:00in my yard

30:00the next morning.

30:01I have to admit

30:02the bastard

30:02does have the goods.

30:03Broad shoulders

30:04a narrow waist

30:05and lean

30:05well-defined muscles.

30:07Sweat dripped

30:07down his abs

30:08oozing pure testosterone.

30:10But who am I?

30:11I'm Rosalie

30:11a businesswoman.

30:12I immediately sent

30:13an urgent message

30:14to my Norland ladies

30:15circle.

30:15Come quick

30:16we have an absolute hunk

30:17tickets are 50 tails

30:18first come

30:19first served.

30:20In less than an hour

30:21a whole row of heads

30:22was peeking over my wall.

30:23Mrs. Zane was

30:24practically drooling.

30:25Oh my

30:26look at that core strength.

30:27Mr. Zeke's concubine

30:28waved her handkerchief.

30:29Those pecs make me

30:30just want to grab them.

30:31I grabbed a small stool

30:32sat at the door

30:33and collected the money.

30:35Line up

30:35look but don't touch

30:36if you want a front row

30:37VIP seat

30:38it's an extra 100 tiles.

30:40Steven was really

30:41getting into it

30:42trying to show off

30:42his masculine prowess

30:43to me

30:44but when he turned around

30:45he saw a wall full of

30:46women pointing at him

30:47like they were

30:47picking out livestock

30:48especially when he

30:49heard someone say

30:50this guy is handsome

30:51wonder how much

30:52he costs for a night.

30:53Steven's face

30:54instantly turned

30:55black as a skillet.

30:56He grabbed a shirt

30:57threw it on

30:57and stormed over

30:58to me murderously.

30:59Rosalie

31:00what do you take me for

31:01a gigolo in a brothel?

31:02I counted the banknotes

31:04in my hand

31:04and smiled

31:05slipping him

31:06an ingot of silver.

31:07Don't be mad

31:08here's your cut.

31:09Your majesty

31:10with a body like yours

31:11you're a rare commodity

31:12in Norland

31:13why not consider a debut?

31:15Steven gripped the silver

31:16so hard his knuckles

31:17cracked

31:17and finally squeezed

31:18out through gritted teeth.

31:20Women and petty men

31:21are impossible to deal with.

31:22Probably realizing

31:23that seduction

31:23wasn't working

31:24Steven switched

31:25to a new tactic

31:26the family card

31:27he insisted on picking up

31:28and dropping Gabriel

31:29off at school.

31:30The folks in Norland

31:30are tough

31:31Gabriel doesn't have a father.

31:32he'll definitely

31:33get picked on at school.

31:34Steven looked dead serious

31:35as if he were going

31:36into battle.

31:37I'm going to back him up.

31:38I couldn't talk him out of it

31:39so I just let him go.

31:40When school ended

31:41Steven

31:42wearing an understated

31:43yet luxurious robe

31:44stood like a guardian deity

31:45at the school gate.

31:46As soon as he saw

31:47Gabriel come out

31:47he rushed over

31:48putting on the airs

31:49of a loving father.

31:50Gabriel

31:50did anyone pick on you today?

31:52Tell God

31:52tell me

31:53I'll stand up for you.

31:55Gabriel looked at him

31:56like he was an idiot.

31:57Behind him

31:57a group of lackeys

31:58swarmed out

31:59some were carrying

32:00Gabriel's bag

32:01while others

32:01were wiping his shoes.

32:02One was even

32:03attentively massaging

32:04Gabriel's back.

32:05Boss

32:05what do you want

32:06to eat tomorrow?

32:07I'll have my mom

32:07make it for you.

32:08Boss

32:08here's a dagger

32:09my dad brought back

32:10from the west

32:10it's for you to play with.

32:12Gabriel waved them off

32:13calmly.

32:13Alright scatter

32:14and remember to hand in

32:15the homework you owe me

32:16tomorrow.

32:17Stephen watched

32:18dumbfounded.

32:19This

32:20this is getting picked on.

32:22Gabriel sighed

32:23and patted Stephen's thigh

32:24since he couldn't

32:25reach his shoulder.

32:26Mister

32:26you really don't understand

32:27how things work nowadays.

32:28I have money

32:29so they all fight

32:30to be my friend.

32:31You on the other hand

32:32dress so flashily

32:33standing here makes you

32:34an easy target

32:34for kidnapping.

32:36Stephen's desire

32:37to show off

32:37his fatherly authority

32:38shattered into pieces.

32:40On the way home

32:40Stephen still wouldn't give up

32:42and insisted on carrying

32:43Gabriel on his back

32:44but after just a few steps

32:45he was panting heavily.

32:47I watched from behind

32:48highly amused

32:48it seemed the rumors

32:49weren't entirely false.

32:51After years of being the emperor

32:52and doing paperwork every day

32:53his stamina really isn't

32:54what it used to be

32:55he can't even carry

32:56a five-year-old.

32:57Stephen seemed to hear

32:58my inner thoughts.

32:59He turned and glared at me

33:00gritting his teeth

33:01as he hoisted Gabriel higher.

33:02I'm plenty strong.

33:03The accident happened

33:04without any warning.

33:05It was the day

33:06of the Norland Temple Fair

33:07and it was packed with people.

33:09Stephen volunteered

33:09to take Gabriel out

33:10for a stroll

33:11promising he wouldn't

33:12let the kid out of his sight

33:13for a second.

33:14I wanted to give them

33:14a chance to bond

33:15so I didn't tag along

33:16keeping busy at my wanton store

33:18right around sunset

33:19just as I finished

33:20cooking the last bowl

33:20of wantons

33:21I saw Stephen's head guard

33:22stumbling over to me.

33:23He was pale as a ghost.

33:25My lady

33:25something terrible happened.

33:27What happened?

33:28My heart skipped a beat

33:29and the skimmer in my hand

33:30dropped into the pot

33:31with a clatter.

33:31The young master

33:32the young master is gone.

33:34My mind went blank

33:34and my vision went dark

33:36for a second.

33:36By the time I rushed

33:37to the temple fair

33:38like a madwoman

33:39I saw Stephen standing

33:40in front of a tiger head

33:41with hat stall

33:41clutching a tiny hat

33:42tightly in his hand

33:43trembling all over.

33:44His usually arrogant

33:45and aloof face

33:46was now filled

33:47with panic and helplessness.

33:48Seeing me approach

33:49he looked like a child

33:50who had done something wrong.

33:51His voice was incredibly hoarse.

33:53Rosie

33:53I just turned around

33:54to buy a hat.

33:55I just glanced at the hat

33:56and he was gone.

33:57I only let go of his hand

33:58for a second.

33:58My sanity completely crumbled

34:00at that moment.

34:00He is my life.

34:01I carried him for nine months

34:02and nearly died

34:03giving birth to him.

34:04I rushed up

34:05and slapped Stephen

34:05across the face

34:06with all my might.

34:07Slap!

34:07The crisp sound

34:08instantly quieted

34:09the noisy crowd around us.

34:11Stephen's head

34:11jerked to the side.

34:12A trace of blood

34:13seeping from his mouth

34:14but he didn't dodge.

34:15He didn't get angry either.

34:16He just looked at me

34:17with red eyes.

34:18Stephen!

34:19I grabbed him

34:19by the collar

34:20tears streaming down my face

34:21and screamed like a banshee.

34:23If anything happens

34:23to Gabriel

34:24I'll kill you.

34:25I'll never forgive you

34:26for the rest of my life.

34:27Get out of my sight.

34:28Go find my child.

34:29That was the first time

34:30I showed such bone deep

34:31hatred toward him.

34:33At that moment

34:34I was no longer

34:35some long-suffering

34:36single mother.

34:36I was the richest

34:37madwoman in Norland.

34:38Uncle Edgar

34:39I said

34:39wiping my tears

34:40my voice hoarse

34:41but firm

34:42pass down my order.

34:43All of Zhang's

34:43rice shops

34:44banks and silk stores

34:45are to close immediately.

34:47Have all the managers

34:47clerks and the brothers

34:48from the beggar gang

34:49we've helped

34:49hit the streets in search.

34:51Whoever finds Gabriel

34:51gets a thousand

34:52tails of gold.

34:53Whoever provides a clue

34:54gets 500 tails of silver.

34:56At my command

34:56the entire city of Norland

34:57awoke like a slumbering beast.

34:59Countless lanterns lit up

35:00and the streets echoed

35:01with people shouting

35:02Gabriel's name.

35:03This level of mobilization

35:04would make even

35:05the local magistrate tremble.

35:06Steven wasn't idle either.

35:08He mobilized all the shadow guards

35:09and imperial guards

35:10and locked down

35:11all four city gates.

35:12It looked as if

35:13he were fighting a siege

35:13in this small border town.

35:15As every minute and second

35:16ticked by

35:16my anxiety was eating me alive.

35:18Just as I was about

35:19to break down

35:20an imperial guard

35:20sprinted over.

35:21Report

35:22We found a trail

35:23in the dark alley

35:24on the west side.

35:24An old man in black

35:25is carrying a child

35:26into a dead end.

35:28The dark alley

35:29on the west side?

35:29That's a hub

35:30for human traffickers

35:31and the black market.

35:32Steven and I exchanged

35:33a look

35:33both seeing overwhelming

35:34murderous intent

35:35in each other's eyes.

35:36Without a word

35:37Steven grabbed a fast horse

35:38slashed the tether

35:39and shouted

35:39Hiya!

35:40I couldn't care less

35:41about my image.

35:42I hiked up my skirt

35:42jumped into the carriage

35:43and desperately urged

35:44the driver to keep up.

35:46Gabriel please be okay.

35:47By the time

35:47I reached the dark alley

35:48I heard the sounds

35:49of a fight inside

35:50along with the heavy

35:51thuds of things

35:52hitting the ground.

35:53Frantic I stumbled inside.

35:54By the dim moonlight

35:55I saw a burly figure

35:56pinning Steven down

35:58and wiping the floor

35:58with him.

35:59Yes it was a completely

36:00one-sided beatdown.

36:01The figure moved

36:01like a ghost.

36:02With one left hook

36:03Steven stumbled back

36:04three steps

36:04clutching his eye.

36:05Then a sweeping kick

36:06sent Steven face first

36:07into the dirt.

36:08Where did this pretty boy

36:09come from?

36:10How dare you sneak attack me?

36:11The old man's voice boomed

36:13with one foot planted

36:14on Steven's back.

36:15You clearly didn't ask around.

36:16Everyone in Norland

36:17knows who I am.

36:18Though beaten black and blue

36:19Steven was still struggling

36:20desperately

36:21roaring

36:21Give the child back to me.

36:23I'll kill you.

36:24I looked closer.

36:25The trafficker

36:25trampling the emperor

36:26under his foot

36:27was actually my head bodyguard

36:28old Tate

36:29and my dear son Gabriel

36:30was sitting on a haystack nearby

36:31holding a half-eaten tongue hulu

36:33enjoying the show

36:34and cheering him on.

36:35You're amazing

36:36Grandpa Tate.

36:37That black tiger punch

36:38was so cool.

36:39My vision went dark.

36:40This

36:40this is treason.

36:41Stop

36:41stop it right now.

36:42I screamed

36:43as I rushed over.

36:44When old Tate

36:44saw it was me

36:45he quickly pulled his foot back

36:46and scratched his head

36:47sheepishly.

36:48Boss what are you doing here?

36:49This mad dog

36:49suddenly sneak attacked

36:50me from behind.

36:51My hands were itching

36:52for a fight

36:52so I taught him a lesson.

36:54On the ground

36:54Stephen struggled to lift his head.

36:56One of his eyes

36:57was already swollen like a panda's

36:58and blood was trickling

36:59from the corner of his mouth.

37:00He saw me

37:01then saw that Gabriel

37:02was safe and sound.

37:03He let out a sigh of relief

37:04and collapsed completely.

37:05Not

37:05a trafficker?

37:06He muttered to himself.

37:07In the back hall

37:08of the governor's office

37:09the atmosphere

37:09was incredibly awkward.

37:11Mr. Governor

37:11knelt on the ground

37:12shivering

37:12not daring to look up

37:14at the son of heaven

37:14who had been beaten to a pulp.

37:16Feeling a bit guilty myself

37:17I kept my head down

37:18and handed Stephen a handkerchief.

37:20The truth was actually quite simple.

37:21That little brat Gabriel

37:22was greedy

37:23so he chased a candied

37:24Hawthorne vendor

37:25into an alley

37:25and got lost.

37:26He happened to run into

37:27Old Tate

37:27who was out patrolling

37:28and Old Tate

37:29just brought him along.

37:30Who knew Stephen

37:31would be so desperate

37:31to protect his son

37:32that he rushed up

37:33and attacked without a word.

37:34As for the result

37:35even though the palace's

37:36top martial artist

37:37had retired

37:37beating up a pampered emperor

37:39who rarely practiced

37:40was child's play.

37:41Old Tate stood aside

37:42completely oblivious

37:43to the fact

37:43that he had just

37:44beaten up the son of heaven.

37:45Instead

37:46he kept critiquing

37:46his slow footwork

37:47and unstable stance.

37:49Boss

37:49where did you pick up

37:50this pretty boy?

37:51He's so frail

37:51he needs some serious nourishment.

37:53Otherwise

37:53how is he going to

37:54protect his wife and kid?

37:56Stephen trembled with anger

37:57which aggravated the wound

37:58on his mouth.

37:59He sucked in a sharp breath.

38:00His eye

38:01I was just careless.

38:02If we did it again

38:03you'd still lose.

38:04Gabriel chimed in honestly

38:05delivering the final blow

38:06while handing his

38:07half-eaten candied hawthorn

38:08to Stephen.

38:09Mister

38:09eat something sweet

38:10it'll make you feel

38:11less bitter.

38:12Stephen stared at the

38:13saliva-covered candied hawthorn

38:14then looked at his

38:15innocent biological son.

38:17Finally

38:17he actually took it

38:18and took a vicious bite.

38:19Is it good?

38:20Gabriel asked.

38:21It's awful

38:21Stephen said

38:22his eyes turning red

38:23as he chewed

38:24his tears nearly mixing

38:25with his nosebleed.

38:26Watching this

38:26my resentment

38:27suddenly dissipated.

38:28This high and mighty man

38:29was willing to cast aside

38:30his dignity for his child.

38:32Even after being beaten

38:33like this

38:33his first reaction

38:34was still relief

38:35that the kid was safe.

38:36At that moment

38:37I felt he was no longer

38:38that cold distant symbol

38:39but a clumsy

38:40flesh and blood father.

38:41Back home

38:41I kicked everyone else out

38:43and got out the first aid kit

38:44to patch Stephen up.

38:45The candlelight flickered

38:46and the room was perfectly quiet.

38:47Stephen sat on the edge

38:48of the bed

38:49and took off his shirt.

38:50Looking at the black

38:50and blue bruises

38:51all over his body

38:52I felt somewhat guilty.

38:53Bear with it

38:54I said

38:54dabbing some ointment

38:55on the bruise by his mouth

38:57Stephen hissed

38:57and instinctively

38:58tried to pull back

38:59but I held him down.

39:00Don't move

39:01now you feel the pain?

39:02Why didn't you feel it

39:02when you were fighting tapes?

39:04I scolded him in annoyance.

39:05Stephen stared at me intently.

39:06Both eyes

39:07usually full of calculation

39:08and intimidation

39:09were as clear as a child's

39:10right now.

39:11Rosie

39:11he suddenly spoke

39:12his voice hoarse.

39:13I'm sorry

39:13my hand paused.

39:14You've already said that

39:16a million times.

39:16It's not enough.

39:17Stephen grabbed my hand

39:18and pressed it to his cheek.

39:20It's my fault

39:20I didn't watch the kid today.

39:21I'm useless.

39:22In that moment

39:23I was truly terrified.

39:24I was terrified

39:25of losing you both again.

39:26For five years

39:27it's haunted my dreams.

39:28His cheek was burning hot

39:29so hot that

39:30my fingertips trembled.

39:31I tried to pull my hand back

39:32but he gripped it tighter.

39:33He buried his face

39:34in my palm and mumbled

39:35hit me or curse at me

39:36but don't drive me away.

39:37I don't want to go back

39:38to that cold

39:39lifeless palace.

39:40I want to stay here

39:40even if I get beaten up

39:42every day.

39:42looking at this bruised

39:43battered and pitiful emperor

39:45my final line of defense

39:46completely crumbled.

39:47Fine.

39:48I sighed

39:48pulled my hand away

39:49and poked his forehead.

39:50You big baby

39:51you can sleep here tonight.

39:52Stephen's head snapped up

39:53his eyes as bright as light bulbs.

39:55Really?

39:56On the floor

39:56I added coldly

39:57yes your majesty

39:58the empress.

39:59Stephen smiled

40:00like a total idiot.

40:01I told him to sleep on the floor

40:02but he's incredibly thick skinned.

40:04In the middle of the night

40:05I groggily felt

40:05some body heat

40:06getting closer.

40:07I opened my eyes

40:08and saw Stephen

40:09rubbing his head

40:09against my pillow.

40:10Get down.

40:11I kicked him.

40:11The floor is cold

40:12and I'm injured.

40:13Stephen pitifully

40:14clutched his chest.

40:15What if my wounds

40:16get worse

40:17and I get a fever?

40:18Nolan's doctors

40:19might not be able

40:20to treat my royal body.

40:21I was speechless.

40:23In the end

40:23I gave in

40:24and let him sleep

40:25on the outer edge

40:26of the bed

40:26separated by two thick blankets.

40:28That was our strict boundary

40:29but tonight

40:30neither of us felt sleepy.

40:31Rosie

40:32do you remember

40:32the first time we met?

40:33Stephen suddenly asked

40:35staring up at the canopy.

40:36I do.

40:36I splashed foot bath water

40:37all over your boots.

40:38I couldn't help but laugh

40:40remembering that awkward moment.

40:41At the time I thought

40:42why is this girl so clumsy?

40:44Stephen turned on his side

40:45looking at me

40:46across the blankets

40:47but later

40:47you were the only one

40:48who would drape a blanket

40:49over me

40:50when I fell asleep

40:50in the study.

40:51The only one

40:52who remembered

40:52I didn't eat cilantro

40:53and only you

40:54dared to hand me

40:55a piece of Osnance's cake

40:56when I was mad.

40:57I felt a bit of a pang

40:59in my chest.

41:00That's all in the past.

41:02I can't move past it.

41:04Stephen reached out

41:05and gently held my hand

41:06over the blanket.

41:07For the past five years

41:08I've thought every day

41:09about how great it would be

41:10if you were still here.

41:11I moved everything

41:12from the manor

41:12into the palace.

41:13I even kept having

41:14your bedmaid's room

41:15cleaned.

41:16The furnishings

41:16haven't changed a bit.

41:17Rosie I didn't understand

41:18love back then.

41:19I thought it was

41:20just royal favor.

41:21It wasn't until you left

41:22that I realized

41:22you were my life.

41:23He kept rambling

41:24in the dark

41:25talking about his loneliness

41:26in the palace

41:27his guilt towards Gabriel

41:28and how he would stare

41:29blankly at my portrait

41:30late at night.

41:31I listened quietly

41:32tears silently rolling

41:33down my face.

41:34All my past grievances

41:35and fears seemed

41:36to slowly fade away

41:36in this tender late night talk.

41:38After a while

41:39his voice gradually

41:40trailed off into

41:41steady breathing.

41:41I turned my head

41:42and looked at his

41:43sleeping profile

41:44in the moonlight.

41:45Even with a face

41:45full of bruises

41:46he couldn't hide

41:47that long lost

41:47sense of peace.

41:48Perhaps giving him

41:49a chance is also

41:50giving myself a chance.

41:51I closed my eyes

41:52and squeezed his hand

41:53in return.

41:53This night actually

41:54turned out to be

41:55the most peaceful

41:55sleep I've had

41:56in five years.

41:57The next morning

41:58I was walking up

41:59by a strange

41:59chopping sound.

42:00I opened the door

42:01to see the majestic

42:02son of heaven

42:02wearing my apron

42:03embroidered with wealth

42:04and prosperity

42:05clumsily chopping

42:06cucumbers in the kitchen.

42:07You're awake?

42:08Stephen turned around

42:09a streak of soot

42:10smeared across his face.

42:11He smiled like

42:12a golden retriever

42:12begging for a treat.

42:14Old Tate said

42:14you like smashed cucumbers.

42:16I...

42:16I tried making some.

42:18Looking at the

42:18uneven cucumber pieces

42:20on the cutting board

42:20that looked like

42:21they'd been gnawed

42:22by a dog

42:22I was speechless.

42:24Gabriel was sitting

42:24on the threshold

42:25munching on a steamed bun.

42:26Seeing me come out

42:27he leaned in

42:28and whispered

42:29Mom, I think

42:29this senior disciple

42:30isn't too bright

42:31but he's got good stamina.

42:32What makes you say that?

42:34Look, he got beaten up

42:35so badly by Grandpa Tate

42:37yesterday

42:37but he's already

42:38up and working today.

42:39Plus, Gabriel shook

42:41his new toy

42:41a solid gold

42:42nine ring puzzle.

42:43He's really rich

42:43and obedient

42:44he does exactly

42:45as he's told.

42:46If you tell him

42:46to chop wood

42:47he wouldn't dare

42:48slack off.

42:49The little guy

42:49blinked his big eyes

42:50looking at me

42:51seriously for the first time.

42:53Mom, actually

42:54having a dad like him

42:55doesn't seem too bad.

42:56At least we'll have

42:57someone to do

42:58the heavy lifting

42:58from now on.

43:00Watching that busy

43:01figure in the kitchen

43:01my heart stirred slightly.

43:03Back in the prince's mansion

43:04he was the unreachable master

43:06and I was a lowly servant.

43:07But now

43:08he's trying hard to learn

43:09how to be a husband

43:10and a father.

43:10This kind of simple

43:11everyday life

43:12makes me feel more secure

43:13than any gold or silver.

43:14But these cozy days

43:15were like a bubble

43:16bursting at the slightest touch.

43:18On the afternoon

43:18of the third day

43:19a carrier pigeon

43:20foaming at the mouth

43:21from exhaustion

43:22crashed onto the dining table.

43:23Right after

43:24the shadow guard commander

43:25knelt in the courtyard

43:26speaking urgently.

43:27Your majesty

43:28an urgent report

43:29from the border

43:30the enemy is mobilizing.

43:32Several senior ministers

43:33have been kneeling

43:34in the imperial study

43:35begging your majesty

43:36to return to the capital

43:37immediately and take charge.

43:38The freshly peeled shrimp

43:40in Stephen's hand

43:40dropped into the bowl

43:41with a plop.

43:42The air in the room

43:42instantly froze

43:43and I instinctively

43:44held Gabriel tighter.

43:46That thought popped

43:46into my head again.

43:47He's leaving.

43:48Will he take the child away

43:49or will he drag us

43:50back to the palace by force?

43:51Stephen slowly stood up.

43:53His previously gentle expression

43:54instantly took on

43:55the chilling aura

43:55of an emperor.

43:56But when he turned

43:57to face me

43:57the hostility in his eyes

43:59vanished in an instant

44:00leaving only deep exhaustion

44:01and bloodshot eyes.

44:02Rosie, his voice was hoarse.

44:04I have to go.

44:05I took a wary step back.

44:06Ah, are you taking Gabriel away?

44:08Stephen watched my reactions

44:09gave a bitter smile

44:10and slowly walked over to me.

44:12Instead of reaching out

44:13to grab me

44:13he crouched down

44:14to my eye level.

44:15I do want to take you with me.

44:16I dream about it.

44:17But I know you don't want

44:18to go back to that cage.

44:20Stephen didn't let

44:20the imperial guard step in.

44:22Instead

44:22he silently packed

44:23his few simple bags.

44:24Before leaving

44:25he called Gabriel

44:26and me over to the carriage.

44:27He pulled a heavy

44:27dark iron token

44:28from his robes

44:29and shoved it into my hand.

44:30Carved with a fierce

44:31five clawed golden dragon

44:32it emanated a deadly aura.

44:34This is the military tally

44:35representing my presence.

44:36Stephen said flatly

44:37as if he were just

44:38giving me an ordinary

44:39lump of iron.

44:40With this

44:40you can command

44:41Nolan's army of 300,000.

44:42If anyone dares

44:43to bully you too

44:44or if the Huns attack

44:45just smash them to death

44:46with this token.

44:47My hand trembled

44:48and I almost dropped it

44:49giving military power

44:50to a woman who wants

44:51to run away.

44:52Is he crazy?

44:53Stephen, you

44:53don't be afraid.

44:54Stephen reached out

44:55to tuck a stray hair

44:56behind my ear

44:57his eyes so gentle

44:58you could drown in them.

44:59I'll go back

44:59to provide for our family

45:00and guard this empire.

45:02If you and our child

45:03ever get tired

45:03of staying here

45:04come to Chisade anytime.

45:05I'll keep the keys

45:06to the city gates for you

45:07and the doors

45:08to the inner palace

45:09will never close.

45:10With that

45:10he leaned down

45:11and gave Gabriel

45:12a tight hug

45:12then mounted his horse.

45:14He left without

45:14looking back

45:15spurring his horse onward.

45:16His vigor quickly

45:17disappeared

45:17into the swirling snow.

45:19I stood in the cold wind

45:20gripping the token

45:21that still carried

45:21his body heat

45:22suddenly feeling

45:23empty inside

45:23as if a piece of me

45:24had been carved out.

45:26Mom, Gabriel tugged

45:27at my sleeve.

45:27I think the mister

45:28was crying.

45:29Stephen may have left

45:30but his presence

45:31hasn't faded one bit.

45:32Half a month

45:32after he returned

45:33to the capital

45:34my days of being

45:35harassed began.

45:36The courier stations

45:36in Norland

45:37used to deliver

45:37military intelligence

45:38but now they deliver

45:39the emperor's love letters.

45:41Almost every three days

45:42I receive an urgent

45:43express delivery

45:43from Chisate

45:44the kind of urgent

45:45that literally

45:46runs horses to death

45:46but when I open them

45:47they're just filled

45:48with trivial nonsense.

45:49Rosie, the peonies

45:50in the imperial garden

45:51bloom today

45:52but they're a tacky red

45:53not as pleasing

45:54to the eye

45:54as the green onions

45:55you grew.

45:56Rosie, the new chef

45:58in the imperial kitchen

45:58makes wantons

45:59that taste like pig slop.

46:00I miss the ones you made

46:01I only ate one bowl

46:02of rice today

46:03and lost weight.

46:04Rosie, has Gabriel

46:05grown taller recently?

46:07I had some wooden puzzles

46:07collected and sent to him.

46:09Along with the letters

46:10come all sorts

46:10of random things.

46:11Fresh petals

46:12from the imperial garden

46:13that dry up

46:14before reaching Norland.

46:15The latest cosmetics

46:16from Chisate City

46:17even though I never

46:18wear makeup

46:18and even a hand-carved

46:20wooden figurine

46:20ugly but full of character.

46:22At first I threw

46:23all these letters

46:23into the stove

46:24as kindling

46:27but eventually

46:28I started getting

46:29used to them.

46:30I got used to

46:30taking a break

46:31from counting money

46:31to open those

46:32ambergris scented letters.

46:34Reading his whining

46:34and playing the victim

46:35I'd catch myself

46:36smiling without realizing it.

46:38He's really mastered

46:39the art of slowly

46:39winning me over.

46:41Two months later

46:41I was inspecting businesses

46:43on the Norland frontier

46:44during a massive snowstorm.

46:45I was sitting in my carriage

46:46reading the ledger

46:47when I suddenly heard

46:48the frantic galloping

46:49of horses outside.

46:50Through the crack

46:51in the carriage window

46:52I saw a travel-worn figure.

46:53The man was riding

46:54an exhausted warhorse

46:55wrapped in a thick cloak

46:56with a stubbly face

46:57and dark circles

46:58under his eyes.

46:59He looked as haggard

47:00as a vagabond.

47:01It was Stephen.

47:02Why was he here?

47:03Didn't he say

47:03he was busy

47:04with state affairs?

47:05I was about to call out

47:06but he didn't approach

47:07instead pulling his horse

47:08up at an inconspicuous

47:09alley corner.

47:10He stared greedily

47:11at my carriage

47:11his gaze seemingly

47:12trying to pierce

47:13through the curtains

47:14to see me.

47:14He just watched quietly

47:15for a long while

47:16until my carriage

47:17turned the corner

47:18and was out of sight.

47:19Your majesty

47:19it's time to head back

47:20his guard whispered.

47:21We can't delay

47:22the morning assembly

47:23for too long

47:23and we've already

47:24ridden three horses

47:25to death.

47:26Your body won't hold up

47:27if we don't go back now.

47:28Stephen withdrew

47:29his gaze with a bitter smile

47:30and pulled a still warm

47:32greaseproof paper package

47:33from his coat

47:34handing it to

47:34a roadside beggar

47:35he said

47:35excuse me

47:36please deliver this

47:37to Ashford Snacks

47:38and tell the proprietress

47:39it's from a passerby.

47:41It was the most famous

47:42Osmanthus cake

47:43from Chisati City

47:44which only tasted good

47:45when hot.

47:46he had kept it tucked

47:47in his coat

47:47to keep it warm

47:48with his body heat

47:48riding thousands of miles

47:50just so I could have

47:50a warm bite.

47:51The guard took it

47:52and Stephen took

47:53one last deep look

47:54in that direction

47:54before turning

47:55his horse around.

47:56Hiya!

47:57In the snowstorm

47:58his back looked

47:58so lonely and resolute.

48:00Sitting in my carriage

48:01tightly clutching

48:02the Osmanthus cake

48:02he had delivered

48:03my tears finally

48:04broke free like a flood.

48:05What a fool!

48:06He's the emperor!

48:07How could he

48:07just for a woman

48:08reduce himself

48:09to such a state?

48:10And it was at that

48:10very moment

48:11that I heard

48:11the solid ice

48:12in my heart shatter.

48:13As days went by

48:14my business empire

48:15expanded to the outskirts

48:16of the capital

48:17with money comes

48:18good information.

48:19Recently

48:19a huge piece of gossip

48:20came from the capital.

48:22The old fogies

48:22in the court

48:23started acting up again.

48:24It said the minister

48:25of rights

48:25and 88 officials

48:26submitted a joint petition

48:28claiming his majesty

48:29is in his prime

48:29but his harem

48:30is as empty

48:31as a snow cave

48:31which is bad

48:32for the nation.

48:33They threatened suicide

48:34to demand

48:34he immediately

48:35hold a concubine selection.

48:37When the news

48:37reached Norland

48:38I was checking

48:38the accounts.

48:39The red pen

48:39in my hand paused

48:40and my heart

48:41inexplicably felt heavy.

48:42Right, he's the emperor.

48:44A massive harem

48:44is standard for him.

48:45It's a miracle

48:46he stayed faithful

48:47to me for five years.

48:48Can I really expect him

48:49to stay faithful

48:50his whole life?

48:51Just as my mind

48:51was racing

48:52and I was about

48:52to tear the ledger apart

48:53the latest official gazette

48:55from the capital arrived.

48:56I opened the gazette

48:57which clearly recorded

48:58the spectacle

48:59in the court that day.

49:00Facing the minister's pressure

49:01Stephen had an armchair

49:03brought out

49:03sat at the throne room's entrance

49:05and burned that pile

49:06of petitions on the spot

49:07to roast sweet potatoes.

49:09While peeling a sweet potato

49:10he slowly told the ministers

49:11kneeling on the ground

49:12I have a wife and a son.

49:13My wife has a bad temper

49:15gets jealous easily

49:16and controls the finances.

49:17If you dare to shove women

49:18into my harem

49:19and my allowance gets cut off

49:20who's gonna fill the void

49:21in the national treasury?

49:23Also, whoever dares to mention

49:25concubine selection again

49:26I'll appoint him

49:27as the Norland bean

49:28planting ambassador

49:29and banish him

49:30to plant potatoes

49:30for my empress.

49:32At that moment

49:32the entire court

49:33was speechless.

49:34Looking at this outrageous

49:35record in the gazette

49:36I laughed until tears

49:37streamed down my face.

49:39This mad man

49:39he really intends

49:40to spread his reputation

49:41as a hentect husband

49:42to the whole world.

49:43Another spring arrived

49:44and Gabriel turned seven.

49:46This child resembles

49:46Stephen more and more

49:47not just in looks

49:48but in the strategy

49:49and dominance

49:50hidden in his bones.

49:51He was no longer satisfied

49:52with just counting money

49:53in Norland.

49:53He started reading statecraft

49:54and began asking

49:55Uncle Edgar

49:56about the court situation.

49:57A great scholar

49:58came to me

49:58and said earnestly

49:59Miss Ashford

50:00this child is a hidden dragon.

50:02The shallows of Norland

50:03can no longer hold him.

50:04He belongs in that position.

50:05Looking at Gabriel

50:06practicing swordplay

50:07in the yard

50:07my heart ached

50:08as if cut by a knife

50:09I am a mother

50:10selfishly

50:11I wanted to keep him

50:12by my side forever

50:12but I knew better

50:13love is in possession

50:14it's fulfillment

50:15that night

50:16I was packing Gabriel's bags

50:17Gabriel grabbed my hand

50:19his eyes read

50:19Mom

50:20I'm not going to Chisate

50:21I'll just stay with you

50:22I held back my tears

50:24smiled

50:24and flicked his forehead

50:25silly boy

50:26you're going to Chisate

50:27to be the crown prince

50:28to help your idiot dad

50:30look after the family business

50:31I have money

50:31I can go wherever I want

50:33you think I'd let you

50:33hold me back

50:34when you get to Chisate

50:35remember to tell your dad

50:36not to just focus on

50:37reviewing memorials

50:38but to eat on time

50:39also keep an eye on him for me

50:41don't let him be seduced

50:42by those vixens

50:43on the day of farewell

50:44the wind in Norland was fierce

50:46the great scholar

50:47took Gabriel onto the carriage

50:48the child leaned against the window

50:49crying his heart out

50:51and calling for me

50:51I smiled and waved

50:52until the convoy

50:53disappeared over the horizon

50:54and only then

50:55did I dare to crouch down

50:56crying like a soulless fool

50:58now I am truly all alone

50:59after sending my son away

51:01I closed all my shops

51:02and went on a spontaneous trip

51:03this was my dream back then

51:05to roam the world with a sword

51:06and see its breathtaking landscapes

51:08the first year

51:08I went to the water towns

51:10in the south

51:10the second year

51:11I went to the vast desert

51:12the third year

51:13I went to the ancient villages

51:14of the southern tribal

51:15it seemed like a carefree solo journey

51:17but I always felt something was off

51:19in the south

51:20when I craved base soup

51:21I had just walked into the inn

51:22when the owner said

51:23they had exactly one portion left

51:25and even gave me a discount

51:26in the desert

51:27I got lost

51:27and was starting to worry

51:28when I ran into a passing merchant caravan

51:30that graciously escorted me out

51:32in the southern tribal

51:33I wanted to attend a bonfire party

51:35the village chief

51:35not only saved the best seat for me

51:37but also gifted me

51:38a gorgeous set of silver jewelry

51:39no matter where I went

51:41I always stayed in the best rooms

51:42and ate meals

51:43that perfectly suited my taste

51:44even the things I wanted to buy

51:46would be prepared in advance

51:47at first I thought it was just good luck

51:49until one day

51:49under an inn's ledger

51:50I found a familiar note

51:52it read

51:52she can't handle spice

51:53add more sugar

51:54the sprawling handwriting

51:55was uniquely ugly

51:57it was Steven

51:57turns out he never really left

51:59he was weaving a gentle web

52:00in his own way

52:01silently guarding my every step

52:03he gave me the freedom I wanted

52:04but was afraid that this freedom

52:06might hurt me

52:06standing on a stilt house

52:08in the southern tribal

52:09looking at the full moon

52:10I suddenly felt that

52:11no matter how vast the world is

52:13without that idiot by my side

52:14it's somehow meaningless

52:16on the winter solstice

52:17of the third year

52:18before I knew it

52:19I had reached 30 miles

52:20outside Chisati city

52:21heavy snow began to fall

52:22just like the night

52:23I fled the manor while pregnant

52:25at that time

52:25I was running for my life

52:27filled with fear

52:28and this time

52:29looking at the towering silhouette

52:30of the city walls

52:31what welled up inside me

52:32was an indescribable sense of belonging

52:34I stopped at an inn

52:35and laid out some writing paper

52:37I hadn't written back to him

52:38once in the past three years

52:40I knew he was waiting cautiously

52:41afraid that pushing me too hard

52:43would make me run away again

52:44I picked up my pen

52:45a thousand words rushed to my mind

52:46but they all boiled down

52:48to one simple sentence

52:49I wrote

52:49Steven

52:50I'm hungry

52:50the moment I handed the letter

52:52to the courier

52:52I felt as if flowers

52:54were blooming in my heart

52:55I'm hungry

52:56I want to eat your

52:56smashed cucumber salad

52:57I want to hear you nagging in my ear

52:59I want to go home

53:00the carriage creaked through the snow

53:02finally at sunset

53:03it arrived at the gates of Chaseti City

53:05the city gates were quiet

53:06there was no grand procession

53:08or kneeling officials

53:09as I'd imagined

53:09just a lone man standing in the snow

53:11he wasn't wearing his dragon robe

53:13but a patched up black cotton robe

53:14it was the old one I made for him

53:16at the manor years ago

53:17the stitches were crooked

53:18and ugly as sin

53:19he didn't have an umbrella

53:20and snow covered his head and shoulders

53:22looking like a silent stone statue

53:24he was scruffy

53:24but his eyes were strikingly bright

53:26seeing my carriage stop

53:27he shifted his stiff body

53:29as if to step forward

53:30but stopped in his tracks

53:31overwhelmed by the moment

53:32he rubbed his hands together awkwardly

53:34I lifted the curtain

53:35jumped down

53:35and walked toward him step by step

53:37Rosalie

53:38he began

53:38his hoarse voice carried away

53:40by the snowstorm

53:41you're back

53:41I looked at his red frozen nose

53:43and tears instantly blurred my vision

53:45yeah I'm back

53:46I sniffled

53:47putting on a relaxed smile

53:48the food out there was awful

53:49nothing beats the free meals at home

53:51Stephen froze for a second

53:53then his eyes turned red

53:54as his lips curled into a huge grin

53:56he gave a smile that looked worse than crying

53:58he lunged forward and pulled me into a fierce embrace

54:00he held me so tight

54:01it was like he wanted to crush me into his bones

54:03the wonton stand is set up right outside the imperial study

54:06he choked out in my ear

54:07I won't charge you a booth fee this time

54:09as long as you stay

54:10my life is yours

54:11I hugged his warm body back

54:13feeling his heartbeat trembling in the snow

54:15I won't leave

54:15I whispered

54:16I'm really staying this time

54:17we held each other tightly in the snowstorm

54:20later

54:20history books recorded that Stephen

54:22the great emperor who revived the Zhou dynasty

54:24dedicated his life to ruling well

54:26with his only flaw being that he was henpecked

54:28rumor has it that his wife

54:30Lady Ashford

54:30was as rich as a nation

54:32and monopolized the Silk Road

54:33while the dignified son of heaven

54:35only got a monthly allowance of two tails of silver

54:37and had to earn extra money

54:39by shelling walnuts for the empress

54:40but that's a story for another time

54:42right now

54:43the snow is falling heavily

54:44and my love has come home

Chasing His Runaway Bride (tradução) | Filme Completo em Português

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