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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.

01:00I 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 and 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 by 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.

06:06Our 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.

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

06:28My roommate, a young maid named Maisie,

06:30happened to walk in and 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, they'd force a bowl of safflower down my throat,

06:52and I might even lose my life.

06:54Furthermore, Stephen 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 Stephen.

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, Rosalie, value my life above all else,

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

07:25So, I made a drastic decision.

07:27Run, and not just run,

07:28but run with the money.

07:29Over the next three days,

07:30I acted exceptionally obedient.

07:32When Stephen 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.

07:59Stephen 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.

08:09Thank you, Your 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.

08:19Stephen 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 Stephen's study that he loved the most.

08:39It was his only pet.

08:41I thought for a moment,

08:42found a piece of paper,

08:43and wrote a crooked farewell letter with my left hand.

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.

09:17We have money,

09:17and each other,

09:18we won't need anyone else.

09:20Only,

09:20I didn't expect that B-starred Stephen 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,

09:32I was already in a carriage heading to Norland,

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

09:36but smiling happier than anyone.

09:38Because 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.

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

09:59I have money but 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 making 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.

10:59Good 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.

11:23Uncle 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

12:04has 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.

12:12The day he was born,

12:13Mr.

12:13Iron 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 literal.

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,

12:40and 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 a teenist 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 at the braised pork in his bowl and mumbled,

13:08Mom,

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

13:11My chopsticks dropped to the floor,

13:13where?

13:14My voice trembled.

13:14Chisate,

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.

13:32Chisate 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 Chisate 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?

14:08The 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?

15:12Don'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,

15:34just a sight.

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,

15:45reciting 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,

16:17his 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,

16:37and waved it.

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

16:40Mister,

16:40if you need money,

16:41I can lend you some.

16:4240% 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 Iron'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 memory 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,

17:59he 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 Ion's letter had arrived.

18:27With trembling hands,

18:27I opened the bamboo tube and unrolled the note.

18:30There was only one scribbled line on it,

18:31but it made my blood run cold.

18:33Emperor met Sion,

18:34gifted royal chill in 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 chill in 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 teeth.

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,

20:08a deep,

20:09magnetic 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,

20:17my 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 night like 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 stalked barely a foot away from me.

21:26An 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

21:45so 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,

21:55forget about the mister

21:56and start screaming for help.

21:58Fifteen minutes later,

21:59Steven 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

22:07I'd imported from Persia at great cost,

22:09crossed his long legs

22:10and looked around with disgust.

22:11These Narmu wood pillars are so tacky.

22:13This wall carpet is too scratchy.

22:15Rosalie,

22:15is this how you live after leaving me?

22:17He frowned,

22:18wearing a,

22:19you really are miserable without me expression.

22:21How can anyone live in this dump?

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

22:24I stood to the side,

22:26my mouth twitching wildly.

22:27One of these Narmu pillars

22:28is worth half of the Imperial kitchen.

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

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

22:40for someone of your stature.

22:42Steven's eyes turned cold,

22:44his gaze locking once again on Gabriel,

22:45who was leaning over the table

22:47counting his gold beans.

22:48Feeling his stare,

22:49Gabriel immediately shielded his bag of copper coins

22:51and looked at Steven warily.

22:53Mr. Business is business.

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

22:57Steven let out an exasperated laugh.

22:59He stood up,

22:59walked over to Gabriel,

23:01ignoring the kid's protest,

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

23:04like a little chick.

23:05Similar?

23:06Very similar,

23:06Steven muttered,

23:07staring at Gabriel's face.

23:08My heart raced.

23:10I was about to rush over and grab my child back.

23:12What are you doing?

23:12Let him go.

23:14Steven 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.

23:33Steven said concisely,

23:34his tone leaving no room for argument.

23:35If the blood blends,

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

23:39If it doesn't,

23:39he sneered,

23:40baring 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.

23:55I don't need this ungrateful son anymore.

23:57The dagger glinted coldly,

23:58but Steven'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.

24:07Steven made a swift,

24:09precise,

24:09and ruthless cut.

24:10Two drops of bright red blood fell 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.

24:22Steven 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 it 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 and deceiving the emperor.

24:35Do you know this is a crime punishable by 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 I 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.

24:55Steven,

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 just 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 along with my unborn child?

25:09I have money,

25:09hands,

25:10and feet.

25:10Why should I let my son be born a second-class citizen,

25:13living at the mercy of others?

25:15Steven froze.

25:16He didn't seem to expect that the submissive little bedmaid who 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 and bared his teeth at Steven.

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.

25:34Steven looked at my son and me standing united against him.

25:37The anger in his eyes gradually faded,

25:39replaced by a complex,

25:40indiscernible sense of defeat.

25:42He moved his lips,

25:43his voice softening.

25:44Even to save your life,

25:45you shouldn't have hidden this from me for five years.

25:47The atmosphere in the room was a bit eerie.

25:49The imperial guards had all been kicked out into the yard.

25:51Only the three of us were left inside.

25:53Steven sat in the main seat,

25:55resuming his aloof imperial demeanor.

25:57But the way he kept rubbing his old prayer beads revealed his inner turmoil.

26:00Come back to the palace with me,

26:01he said,

26:02sounding like he was granting 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 his empty promises.

26:15Your majesty,

26:15are you misunderstanding something?

26:17I looked around my magnificent mansion,

26:19casually picking up a luminous pearl from the table to roll around in my hand.

26:23How much is a noble consort's monthly allowance?

26:25500 tails or a thousand?

26:28Steven frowned.

26:29Palace expenses have their own rules.

26:30How can they be measured by money?

26:32So you don't have money,

26:33I sneered.

26:34Your majesty,

26:35the cash flow I have right now,

26:36is thousands of tails a minute.

26:37I live in a sprawling mansion,

26:39and sleep on a warm jade bed from the west.

26:41I have top chefs taking turns cooking whatever I want to eat.

26:44I walked up to him,

26:45looking down at him.

26:46Why would I give up being the wealthiest person around just to go to your harem,

26:49and fight with three thousand women?

26:51And fight with three thousand women over your single cucumber?

26:53Am I out of my mind?

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

26:57Steven's face instantly darkened.

26:59Rosalie,

27:00how did you become so,

27:01so money-grubbing and vulgar?

27:03Vulgar?

27:03I sneered.

27:04It's called being realistic.

27:05Late affection is cheaper than dirt.

27:07Your majesty,

27:08I don't care about your noble consort title.

27:11Steven's chest heaved violently with anger,

27:13and the finger pointing at me was trembling.

27:15He probably hadn't been rejected like this in his entire life.

27:18Just when I thought he was going to fly into a rage and order my arrest,

27:21he suddenly took a deep breath,

27:22forcefully suppressing his anger.

27:24Good,

27:24very good.

27:25Steven let out a furious laugh,

27:27a stubborn glint in his eyes.

27:28You don't care,

27:29right?

27:29I'd like to see how long you can keep up this tough act.

27:31With a flick of his sleeve he turned to leave.

27:33At the door he stopped again,

27:35looked back,

27:35and dropped a chilling remark.

27:37I can't take Gab away,

27:40but I'm staying in Norland for good.

27:42Steven was a man of his word,

27:43and he went all out.

27:44Early the next morning I found out the mansion next door,

27:47which used to belong to Mr. Leland,

27:48had changed hands.

27:50Mr. Leland moved out overnight.

27:51Rumor had it the buyer offered a price so high he questioned his reality,

27:55enough to buy half the street.

27:56Soon after,

27:57I faced relentless harassment from this new neighbor.

27:59At breakfast,

28:00knock,

28:01knock,

28:01knock.

28:01Uncle Edgar opened the door.

28:03Steven,

28:03dressed casually,

28:04held an exquisite food box,

28:06followed by the miserable-looking chief eunuch,

28:08Edgar,

28:08Rosalie,

28:09I,

28:09I heard your chef makes good crab bro buns.

28:11Steven swaggered in and sat at the dining table,

28:14making himself right at home.

28:15The imperial meals are 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 for one bun.

28:23Put it on my tab.

28:24Steven 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,

28:32Steven took a scroll out of the food box.

28:34Gabriel,

28:34this is an authentic piece by the former dynasty's master painter,

28:37Jackson Pira.

28:38It's the 100 steed,

28:39and it's priceless.

28:41I'm giving it to you to hang in your study.

28:42Steven looked smug,

28:44sure that this time,

28:45he'd win over this mother and son who hadn't seen much of the world.

28:48Gabriel's eyes lit up.

28:49He snatched the scroll and unrolled it.

28:51I thought he'd be amazed.

28:52Instead,

28:53the prodigal son spread the painting on the table and put his greasy bowl on it.

28:57Wow,

28:58this paper is pretty thick,

28:59Gabriel said happily.

29:00Mom,

29:01our tablecloth happens to be dirty,

29:02so this is perfect for the bowl,

29:04and it's oil proof.

29:05Steven's smile instantly froze on his face.

29:07He looked like he'd been force-fed a fly.

29:09It's a famous painting.

29:10Steven gritted his teeth.

29:12It's worth a fortune.

29:13Oh,

29:14so it's a very expensive tablecloth.

29:16Gabriel calmly picked up a bun,

29:17casually wiping his greasy fingers on the head of a fine horse in the painting.

29:21Seeing Steven heartbroken to the point of suffocating yet not daring to lash out,

29:24I almost laughed out loud.

29:26Steven took a deep breath and forced himself to look away.

29:28His gaze landed on Uncle Edgar,

29:30who was standing behind me pouring tea,

29:32and Old Iron,

29:32who was chopping wood in the yard.

29:34He narrowed his eyes slightly,

29:35his gaze instantly sharpening.

29:37Rosalie,

29:37these two servants of yours are quite interesting.

29:39Steven gave a half smile.

29:41One walks silently with steady breaths,

29:43and the other chops wood like he's slicing tofu.

29:45They have profound inner strength.

29:47The mansion of Norland's wealthiest really is hiding some serious talents.

29:50Steven seemed determined to crash at my place,

29:53even going so far as to sell his looks.

29:54To prove he wasn't the weak, useless man rumors made him out to be,

29:57he actually started practicing martial arts bare-chested in my yard the next morning.

30:01I have to admit,

30:02the bastard does have the goods.

30:03Broad shoulders,

30:04a narrow waist,

30:05and lean,

30:06well-defined muscles.

30:07Sweat dripped down his abs,

30:08oozing pure testosterone.

30:10But who am I?

30:11I'm Rosalie,

30:11a businesswoman.

30:12I immediately sent an urgent message to my Norland ladies' circle.

30:15Come quick,

30:16we have an absolute hunk.

30:17Tickets are fifty tails.

30:18First come,

30:19first served.

30:20In less than an hour,

30:21a whole row of heads was peeking over my wall.

30:23Mrs. Zane was practically drooling.

30:25Oh my,

30:26look at that core strength.

30:27Mr. Zeke's concubine waved her handkerchief.

30:29Those pecs make me just want to grab them.

30:31I grabbed a small stool,

30:33sat at the door,

30:33and collected the money.

30:35Line up,

30:35look,

30:36but don't touch.

30:36If you want a front row VIP seat,

30:38it's an extra one hundred tiles.

30:40Steven was really getting into it,

30:42trying to show off his masculine prowess to me.

30:44But when he turned around,

30:45he saw a wall full of women pointing at him,

30:47like they were picking out livestock.

30:49Especially when he heard someone say,

30:50this guy is handsome,

30:51wonder how much he costs for a night.

30:53Steven's face instantly turned black as a skillet.

30:56He grabbed a shirt,

30:57threw it on,

30:57and stormed over to me murderously.

30:59Rosalie,

31:00What do you take me for?

31:01A gigolo in a brothel?

31:03I counted the banknotes in my hand and smiled,

31:05slipping him an 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 in Norland.

31:13Why not consider a debut?

31:15Steven gripped the silver so hard his knuckles cracked,

31:17and finally squeezed out through gritted teeth.

31:20Women and petty men are impossible to deal with.

31:22Probably realizing that seduction wasn't working,

31:24Steven switched to a new tactic,

31:26the family card.

31:27He insisted on picking up and dropping Gabriel off at school.

31:30The folks in Norland are tough.

31:31Gabriel doesn't have a father.

31:32He'll definitely get picked on at school.

31:34Steven looked dead serious,

31:35as if he were going into 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 yet luxurious robe,

31:44stood like a guardian deity at the school gate.

31:46As soon as he saw Gabriel come out,

31:48he rushed over,

31:48putting on the airs of a loving father.

31:50Gabriel,

31:51did anyone pick on you today?

31:52Tell God,

31:52tell me,

31:53I'll stand up for you.

31:55Gabriel looked at him like he was an idiot.

31:57Behind him,

31:57a group of lackeys swarmed out.

31:59Some were carrying Gabriel's bag,

32:01while others were wiping his shoes.

32:02One was even attentively massaging Gabriel's back.

32:05Boss,

32:05what do you want to eat tomorrow?

32:07I'll have my mom make it for you.

32:08Boss,

32:08here's a dagger my dad brought back from the West.

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

32:12Gabriel waved them off calmly.

32:13All right,

32:14scatter and remember to hand in the homework you owe me tomorrow.

32:17Steven watched,

32:18dumbfounded.

32:19This,

32:20this is getting picked on.

32:22Gabriel sighed and patted Steven's thigh,

32:24since he couldn't reach his shoulder.

32:26Mister,

32:26you really don't understand how things work nowadays.

32:28I have money,

32:29so they all fight to be my friend.

32:31You on the other hand,

32:32dress so flashily,

32:33standing here makes you an easy target for kidnapping.

32:36Steven's desire to show off his fatherly authority,

32:39shattered into pieces.

32:40On the way home,

32:41Steven still wouldn't give up

32:42and insisted on carrying Gabriel on his back.

32:44But after just a few steps,

32:45he was panting heavily.

32:47I watched from behind,

32:48highly amused.

32:49It seemed the rumors weren't entirely false.

32:51After years of being the emperor

32:52and doing paperwork every day,

32:53his stamina really isn't what it used to be.

32:55He can't even carry a five-year-old.

32:57Steven seemed to hear my inner thoughts.

32:59He turned and glared at me,

33:00gritting his teeth as he hoisted Gabriel higher.

33:02I'm plenty strong.

33:03The accident happened without any warning.

33:05It was the day of the Norland Temple Fair,

33:07and it was packed with people.

33:09Steven volunteered to take Gabriel out for a stroll,

33:11promising he wouldn't let the kid out of his sight for a second.

33:14I wanted to give them a chance to bond,

33:15so I didn't tag along,

33:16keeping busy at my wanton stall.

33:18Right around sunset,

33:19just as I finished cooking the last bowl of wantons,

33:21I saw Steven's head guard stumbling 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 dropped into the pot with a clatter.

33:31The young master,

33:32the young master is gone.

33:34My mind went blank,

33:35and my vision went dark for a second.

33:36By the time I rushed to the temple fair like a madwoman,

33:39I saw Steven standing in front of a tiger head hat stall,

33:41clutching a tiny hat tightly in his hand,

33:43trembling all over.

33:44His usually arrogant and aloof face was now filled with panic and helplessness.

33:48Seeing me approach,

33:49he looked like a child who had done something wrong.

33:51His voice was incredibly hoarse.

33:53Rosie,

33:53I just turned around to buy a hat.

33:55I just glanced at the hat,

33:56and he was gone.

33:57I only let go of his hand for a second.

33:58My sanity completely crumbled at that moment.

34:00He is my life.

34:01I carried him for nine months and nearly died giving birth to him.

34:04I rushed up and slapped Steven across the face with all my might.

34:07Slap.

34:08The crisp sound instantly quieted the noisy crowd around us.

34:11Steven's head jerked to the side,

34:13a trace of blood seeping from his mouth,

34:14but he didn't dodge.

34:15He didn't get angry either.

34:16He just looked at me with red eyes.

34:18Steven.

34:19I grabbed him by the collar,

34:20tears streaming down my face and screamed like a banshee.

34:23If anything happens to Gabriel,

34:24I'll kill you.

34:25I'll never forgive you for the rest of my life.

34:27Get out of my sight.

34:28Go find my child.

34:29That was the first time I showed such bone-deep hatred toward him.

34:33At that moment,

34:34I was no longer some long-suffering single mother.

34:36I was the richest madwoman in Norland.

34:38Uncle Edgar,

34:39I said,

34:39wiping my tears,

34:40my voice hoarse but firm,

34:42pass down my order.

34:43All of Zhang's rice shops,

34:44banks and silk stores

34:45are to close immediately.

34:47Have all the managers,

34:48clerks and the brothers from the beggar gang

34:49we've helped hit the streets and search.

34:51Whoever finds Gabriel gets a thousand tails of gold.

34:53Whoever provides a clue gets 500 tails of silver.

34:56At my command,

34:56the entire city of Norland awoke like a slumbering beast.

34:59Countless lanterns lit up

35:00and the streets echoed with people shouting Gabriel's name.

35:03This level of mobilization would make even the local magistrate tremble.

35:06Steven wasn't idle either.

35:08He mobilized all the shadow guards and imperial guards

35:10and locked down all four city gates.

35:12It looked as if he were fighting a siege in this small border town.

35:15As every minute and second ticked by,

35:16my anxiety was eating me alive.

35:18Just as I was about to break down,

35:20an imperial guard sprinted over.

35:21Report.

35:22We found a trail in the dark alley on the west side.

35:25An old man in black is carrying a child into a dead end.

35:28The dark alley on the west side?

35:30That's a hope for human traffickers and the black market.

35:32Steven and I exchanged a look,

35:34both seeing overwhelming murderous intent in each other's eyes.

35:36Without a word,

35:37Steven grabbed a fast horse,

35:38slashed the tether and shouted,

35:39Hiya!

35:40I couldn't care less about my image.

35:41I hiked up my skirt,

35:43jumped into the carriage,

35:44and desperately urged the driver to keep up.

35:46Gabriel, please be okay.

35:47By the time I reached the dark alley,

35:49I heard the sounds of a fight inside,

35:50along with the heavy thuds of things hitting the ground.

35:53Frantic, I stumbled inside.

35:54By the dim moonlight,

35:55I saw a burly figure

35:56pinning Steven down and wiping the floor with him.

35:59Yes, it was a completely one-sided beatdown.

36:01The figure moved like a ghost.

36:02With one left hook,

36:03Steven stumbled back three steps,

36:05clutching his eye.

36:05Then a sweeping kick sent Steven face first into the dirt.

36:08Where did this pretty boy come from?

36:10How dare you sneak attack me?

36:11The old man's voice boomed,

36:13with one foot planted on Steven's back.

36:15You clearly didn't ask around.

36:16Everyone in Norland knows who I am.

36:18Though beaten black and blue,

36:19Steven was still struggling desperately,

36:21roaring,

36:21Give the child back to me.

36:23I, I'll kill you.

36:24I looked closer.

36:25The trafficker trampling the emperor under his foot

36:27was actually my head bodyguard,

36:28old Tate,

36:29and my dear son Gabriel was sitting on a haystack nearby,

36:32holding a half-eaten tongue hulu,

36:33enjoying the show and cheering him on.

36:35You're amazing, Grandpa Tate.

36:37That black tiger punch was so cool.

36:38My vision went dark.

36:40This, this is treason.

36:41Stop, stop it right now.

36:42I screamed as I rushed over.

36:44When old Tate saw it was me,

36:45he quickly pulled his foot back

36:46and scratched his head sheepishly.

36:48Boss, what are you doing here?

36:49This mad dog suddenly sneak attacked me from behind.

36:51My hands were itching for a fight,

36:53so I taught him a lesson.

36:54On the ground,

36:55Steven struggled to lift his head.

36:56One of his eyes was already swollen like a panda's,

36:58and blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth.

37:00He saw me,

37:01then saw that Gabriel was safe and sound.

37:03He let out a sigh of relief and collapsed completely.

37:05Not a trafficker?

37:06He muttered to himself.

37:07In the back hall of the governor's office,

37:09the atmosphere was incredibly awkward.

37:11Mr. Governor knelt on the ground shivering,

37:13not daring to look up at the son of heaven,

37:15who had been beaten to a pulp.

37:16Feeling a bit guilty myself,

37:17I kept my head down and handed Steven a handkerchief.

37:20The truth was actually quite simple.

37:21That little brat Gabriel was greedy,

37:23so he chased a candied hawthorn vendor into an alley and got lost.

37:26He happened to run into old Tate,

37:28who was out patrolling,

37:29and old Tate just brought him along.

37:30Who knew Steven would be so desperate to protect his son

37:32that he rushed up and attacked without a word.

37:34As for the result,

37:35even though the palace's top martial artist had retired,

37:38beating up a pampered emperor who rarely practiced was child's play.

37:41Old Tate stood aside,

37:42completely oblivious to the fact that he had just beaten up the son of heaven.

37:45Instead,

37:46he kept critiquing his slow footwork and unstable stance.

37:49Boss,

37:49where did you pick up this pretty boy?

37:51He's so frail,

37:51he needs some serious nourishment.

37:53Otherwise,

37:54how is he going to protect his wife and kid?

37:56Steven trembled with anger,

37:57which aggravated the wound on his mouth.

37:59He sucked in a sharp breath.

38:00Hiss,

38:00I,

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 half-eaten candied hawthorn to Steven.

38:09Mr.

38:09Eat something sweet.

38:10It'll make you feel less bitter.

38:12Steven stared at the saliva-covered candied hawthorn,

38:14then looked at his innocent 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,

38:21Steven said,

38:22his eyes turning red as he chewed,

38:24his tears nearly mixing with his nosebleed.

38:26Watching this,

38:26my resentment suddenly dissipated.

38:28This high and mighty man was willing to cast aside his dignity for his child.

38:32Even after being beaten like this,

38:33his first reaction was still relief that the kid was safe.

38:36At that moment,

38:37I felt he was no longer that cold distant symbol,

38:39but a clumsy flesh-and-blood father.

38:41Back home,

38:42I kicked everyone else out and got out the first aid kit to patch Steven up.

38:45The candlelight flickered,

38:46and the room was perfectly quiet.

38:47Steven sat on the edge of the bed and took off his shirt.

38:50Looking at the black and blue bruises all over his body,

38:52I felt somewhat guilty.

38:53Bear with it,

38:54I said,

38:55dabbing some ointment on the bruise by his mouth.

38:57Steven hissed and instinctively tried 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 when you were fighting tapes?

39:04I scolded him in annoyance.

39:05Steven stared at me intently.

39:06Both eyes,

39:07usually full of calculation and intimidation,

39:09were as clear as a child's right now.

39:11Rosie,

39:11he suddenly spoke,

39:12his voice hoarse.

39:13I'm sorry.

39:14My hand paused.

39:15You've already said that a million times.

39:16It's not enough.

39:17Steven grabbed my hand and pressed it to his cheek.

39:20It's my fault I didn't watch the kid today.

39:21I'm useless.

39:22In that moment,

39:23I was truly terrified.

39:24I was terrified of losing you both again.

39:26For five years,

39:27it's haunted my dreams.

39:28His cheek was burning hot,

39:29so hot that my fingertips trembled.

39:31I tried to pull my hand back,

39:32but he gripped it tighter.

39:33He buried his face in 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 to that cold,

39:39lifeless palace.

39:40I want to stay here,

39:40even if I get beaten up every day.

39:42Looking at this bruised,

39:43battered and pitiful emperor,

39:45my final line of defense completely crumbled.

39:47Fine.

39:48I sighed,

39:48pulled my hand away and poked his forehead.

39:50You big baby,

39:51you can sleep here tonight.

39:52Steven's head snapped up,

39:54his eyes as bright as light bulbs.

39:55Really?

39:56On the floor,

39:56I added coldly,

39:57Yes,

39:58your majesty,

39:58the empress.

39:59Steven smiled like 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 some body heat getting closer.

40:07I opened my eyes and saw Steven rubbing his head against my pillow.

40:10Get down.

40:11I kicked him.

40:11The floor is cold,

40:12and I'm injured.

40:13Steven pitifully clutched his chest.

40:15What if my wounds get worse and I get a fever?

40:18Nolan's doctors might not be able to treat my royal body.

40:21I was speechless.

40:23In the end,

40:24I gave in and let him sleep on the outer edge of 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 the first time we met?

40:33Steven suddenly asked,

40:35staring up at the canopy.

40:36I do.

40:36I splashed footbath water all over your boots.

40:38I couldn't help but laugh,

40:40remembering that awkward moment.

40:41At the time,

40:42I thought,

40:42why is this girl so clumsy?

40:44Steven turned on his side,

40:45looking at me across the blankets.

40:47But later,

40:47you were the only one

40:48who would drape a blanket over me

40:50when I fell asleep in the study,

40:51the only one who remembered

40:52I didn't eat cilantro,

40:53and only you dared to hand me

40:55a piece of Osnance's cake

40:56when I was mad.

40:57I felt a bit of a pang in my chest.

41:00That's all in the past.

41:02I can't move past it.

41:04Steven 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 into the palace.

41:13I even kept having

41:14your bedmaid's room cleaned.

41:16The furnishings

41:16haven't changed a bit.

41:17Rosie,

41:18I didn't understand love back then.

41:19I thought it was just royal favor.

41:21It wasn't until you left

41:22that I realized you were my life.

41:24He kept rambling in the dark,

41:25talking about his loneliness

41:26in the palace,

41:27his guilt towards Gabriel,

41:28and how he would stare blankly

41:29at my portrait late at night.

41:31I listened quietly,

41:32tears silently rolling down my face.

41:34All my past grievances and fears

41:35seemed to slowly fade away

41:36in this tender late night talk.

41:38After a while,

41:39his voice gradually trailed off

41:40into steady breathing.

41:41I turned my head

41:42and looked at his sleeping profile

41:44in the moonlight.

41:45Even with a face full of bruises,

41:46he couldn't hide

41:47that long lost sense of peace.

41:48Perhaps giving him a chance

41:49is also giving myself a chance.

41:51I closed my eyes

41:52and squeezed his hand in return.

41:53This night actually turned out

41:55to be the most peaceful sleep

41:56I've had in five years.

41:57The next morning,

41:58I was walking up

41:59by a strange chopping sound.

42:00I opened the door

42:01to see the majestic son of heaven

42:02wearing my apron

42:03embroidered with wealth

42:04and prosperity,

42:05clumsily chopping cucumbers

42:06in the kitchen.

42:07You're awake?

42:08Stephen turned around,

42:09a streak of soot

42:10smeared across his face.

42:11He smiled like a golden retriever

42:12begging for a treat.

42:14Old Tate said you like

42:15smashed cucumbers.

42:16I...

42:16I tried making some.

42:18Looking at the uneven cucumber

42:19pieces on the cutting board

42:20that looked like they'd been

42:21gnawed by 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 and whispered,

42:29Mom,

42:29I think this senior disciple

42:30isn't too bright,

42:31but he's got good stamina.

42:33What makes you say that?

42:34Look,

42:35he got beaten up so badly

42:36by Grandpa Tate yesterday,

42:37but he's already up

42:38and working today.

42:39Plus,

42:40Gabriel shook his new toy,

42:41a solid gold nine-ring puzzle.

42:43He's really rich and obedient,

42:44he does exactly as he's told.

42:46If you tell him to chop wood,

42:47he wouldn't dare slack off.

42:49The little guy blinked

42:50his big eyes,

42:50looking at me seriously

42:51for the first time.

42:53Mom,

42:53actually,

42:54having a dad like him

42:55doesn't seem too bad.

42:56At least we'll have someone

42:57to do the heavy lifting

42:58from now on.

43:00Watching that busy figure

43:01in the kitchen,

43:02my 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 everyday 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.

43:52His previously gentle expression

43:54instantly took on

43:55the chilling aura

43:55of an emperor,

43:56but when he turned

43:57to face me,

43:58the hostility in his eyes

43:59vanished in an instant,

44:00leaving only deep exhaustion

44:01and bloodshot eyes.

44:02Rosie,

44:03his voice was hoarse,

44:04I have to go.

44:05I took a wary step back.

44:06Ah,

44:06are 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.

44:19Stephen 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 and me

44:26over 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.

44:43If anyone dares to bully you too,

44:44or if the Huns attack,

44:46just 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?

44:52Stephen,

44:53you don't be afraid.

44:55Stephen 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 to provide

45:00for our family

45:00and guard this empire.

45:02If you and our child

45:03ever get tired

45:03of staying here,

45:04come to Chassade 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.

45:13He left without looking back,

45:15spurring his horse onward.

45:16His vigor quickly disappeared

45:17into the swirling snow.

45:19I stood in the cold wind,

45:20gripping the token

45:21that still carried

45:21his body heat,

45:22subtly feeling empty inside,

45:24as if a piece of me

45:24had been carved out.

45:26Mom,

45:26Gabriel tugged at 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 harassed

45:35began.

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.

45:40Almost every three days,

45:42I receive an urgent

45:43express delivery

45:43from Chasate,

45:44the kind of urgent

45:45that literally

45:46runs horses to death,

45:47but when I open them,

45:48they're just filled

45:48with trivial nonsense.

45:49Rosie,

45:50the peonies

45:50in the imperial garden

45:51bloom today,

45:52but they're a tacky red,

45:53not as pleasing to the eye

45:54as the green onions

45:55you grew.

45:56Rosie,

45:57the 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,

46:05has Gabriel grown taller recently?

46:07I had some wooden puzzles

46:07collected and sent to him.

46:09Along with the letters

46:10come all sorts of random things,

46:11fresh petals from the imperial garden

46:13that dry up

46:14before reaching Norland,

46:15the latest cosmetics

46:16from Chasate City,

46:17even though I never wear makeup,

46:19and even a hand-carved

46:20wooden figurine,

46:20ugly but full of character.

46:22At first,

46:22I threw all these letters

46:23into the stove as kindling,

46:27but eventually,

46:28I started getting used to them.

46:30I got used to taking a break

46:31from counting money

46:31to open those

46:32ambergris-scented letters.

46:34Reading his whining

46:34and playing the victim,

46:36I'd catch myself smiling

46:37without realizing it.

46:38He's really mastered the art

46:39of slowly winning me over.

46:41Two months later,

46:42I 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 under his eyes.

46:59He looked as haggard

47:00as a vagabond.

47:01It was Steven.

47:02Why was he here?

47:03Didn't he say

47:03he was busy with state affairs?

47:04I was about to call out

47:06but he didn't approach,

47:07instead pulling his horse up

47:08at an inconspicuous alley 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 to death.

47:26Your body won't hold up

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

47:28Steven withdrew his gaze

47:30with a bitter smile

47:30and pulled a still warm

47:32greaseproof paper package

47:33from his coat.

47:34Handing it to a roadside beggar,

47:35he said,

47:36Excuse 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,

47:49riding thousands of miles

47:50just so I could have

47:50a warm bite.

47:51The guard took it

47:52and Steven took

47:53one last deep look

47:54in that direction

47:54before turning his horse around.

47:56Hi-ya!

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 broke free

48:04like a flood.

48:05What a fool!

48:06He's the emperor!

48:07How could he,

48:08just for a woman,

48:08reduce himself

48:09to such a state?

48:10And it was at that very moment

48:11that I heard

48:12the 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 of Rights

48:25and 88 officials

48:26submitted a joint petition,

48:28claiming His Majesty

48:29is in his prime,

48:30but his harem

48:30is as empty

48:31as a snow cave,

48:32which is bad

48:32for the nation.

48:33They threatened suicide

48:34to demand he immediately

48:35hold a concubine selection.

48:36When the news

48:37reached Norland,

48:38I was checking the accounts.

48:39The red pen

48:39in my hand paused,

48:40and my heart inexplicably

48:42felt heavy.

48:42Right,

48:43he'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,

48:54the 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,

49:02Stephen 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.

49:14My 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,

49:33the 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 madman,

49:39he really intends

49:40to spread his reputation

49:41as a hen-tecked 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 hidden

49:50in his bones.

49:50He 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.

50:01The 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,

50:13but I knew better.

50:13Love is in possession,

50:15it's fulfillment.

50:16That night,

50:16I was packing Gabriel's bags.

50:18Gabriel grabbed my hand,

50:19his eyes read,

50:20Mom,

50:20I'm not going to Chisate,

50:21I'll just stay with you.

50:23I held back my tears,

50:24smiled,

50:24and flicked his forehead.

50:26Silly boy,

50:27you'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,

50:32I 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

50:37on reviewing memorials,

50:38but to eat on time.

50:40Also,

50:40keep an eye on him for me,

50:41don't let him be seduced

50:42by those vixens.

50:43On the day of farewell,

50:45the wind in Norland

50:45was fierce.

50:46The great scholar

50:47took Gabriel onto the carriage.

50:48The child leaned

50:49against the window,

50:50crying 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,

51:09I 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.

51:40No 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,

51:48I thought it was just good luck

51:49until one day,

51:50under an inn's ledger,

51:51I found a familiar note.

51:52It read,

51:52She can't handle spice,

51:54add more sugar.

51:55The sprawling handwriting

51:55was uniquely ugly.

51:57It was Steven.

51:58Turns out,

51:58he 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,

52:05but was afraid

52:05that this freedom might 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,

52:15it'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

52:24while pregnant.

52:25At that time,

52:26I was running from 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

52:34sense 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,

52:47but they all boiled down

52:48to one simple sentence.

52:49I wrote,

52:50Stephen,

52:50I'm hungry.

52:51The moment I handed

52:52the letter to the courier,

52:53I felt as if flowers

52:54were blooming in my heart.

52:55I'm hungry.

52:56I want to eat

52:56your smashed cucumber salad.

52:58I want to hear you

52:58nagging in my ear.

52:59I want to go home.

53:00The carriage creaked

53:01through the snow.

53:02Finally,

53:03at sunset,

53:03it arrived at the gates

53:04of 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

53:10standing in the snow.

53:11He wasn't wearing

53:12his dragon robe,

53:13but a patched up

53:14black cotton robe.

53:15It was the old one

53:15I 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

53:21his head and shoulders,

53:22looking like a silent

53:23stone statue.

53:24He was scruffy,

53:25but his eyes

53:25were strikingly bright.

53:26Seeing my carriage stop,

53:28he 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

53:33together awkwardly.

53:34I lifted the curtain,

53:35jumped down,

53:36and walked toward him

53:36step by step.

53:37Rosalie,

53:38he began,

53:38his hoarse voice

53:39carried away

53:40by the snowstorm.

53:41You're back.

53:41I looked at his red

53:42frozen nose,

53:43and tears instantly

53:44blurred my vision.

53:45Yeah, I'm back.

53:46I sniffled,

53:47putting on a relaxed smile.

53:48The food out there

53:49was awful.

53:50Nothing beats

53:50the free meals at home.

53:52Steven froze for a second,

53:53then his eyes turned red

53:54as his lips curled

53:55into a huge grin.

53:56He gave a smile

53:57that looked worse

53:57than crying.

53:58He lunged forward

53:59and pulled me

53:59into a fierce embrace.

54:00He held me so tight

54:01it was like he wanted

54:02to crush me

54:02into his bones.

54:03The wonton stand

54:04is set up right

54:05outside the imperial study.

54:06He choked out in my ear.

54:08I won't charge you

54:08a 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

54:14trembling in the snow.

54:15I won't leave,

54:16I whispered.

54:16I'm really staying this time.

54:18We held each other

54:18tightly in the snowstorm.

54:20Later,

54:20history books recorded

54:21that Steven,

54:22the great emperor

54:23who revived the Zhou dynasty,

54:24dedicated his life

54:25to ruling well,

54:26with his only flaw

54:27being that he was henpecked.

54:28Rumor has it

54:29that his wife,

54:30Lady Ashford,

54:31was as rich as a nation

54:32and monopolized

54:32the Silk Road,

54:33while the dignified

54:34son of heaven

54:35only got a monthly allowance

54:36of two tails of silver

54:37and had to earn extra money

54:39by shelling walnuts

54:40for the empress.

54:41But that's a story

54:41for another time.

54:42Right now,

54:43the snow is falling heavily

54:44and my love has come home.

Seine Runaway Bride zu jagen (englisch-dubbed) | Ganzer Film Deutsch

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