Reborn: To Become Your Stepmother
Chapter 1
That night, under the cold wind and winter light the person laying on the bed was groggy. His fine eyebrows were furrowed and he was stuck in a nightmare.
In the dreamlike vermilion courtyard stood a maid with her hair up in double buns, her clothes made of smooth and vibrant lu silk.
Maid
Said in a thin and soft like voice, “Ji-woo Consort, someone sent word from the front yard just now saying that Shizi is busy today and he won't be coming. If you are feeling uncomfortable, then I will call the imperial physician to have a look at you again."
Kang Vantae
He froze and only after a long time did he faintly responded with a stunned voice, “Busy? I have no idea what could possibly be more important than I, his dying wife."
Kang Vantae
" Stop talking. I don't want to listen.”
Kang Vantae
He coughed twice, trying very hard to suppress it and refusing to show weakness in front of others.
Maid
Held her breath and lowered her head not looking at the other person's sickly appearance.
Kang Vantae
"W-Who came to deliver the message?'
Maid
Couldn't bear to say it, "Ji-woo Consort....”
Maid
Sighed and replied, “It’s Miss Yun Hui.”
Kang Vantae
" Yun Hui...” Laughs lightly, unsure whether it was sarcasm or self-deprecation, “So it actually was her. I can't compete, I truly can't compete with her. She had waited on Ji-woo for many years and was bestowed by Princess So-yeon herself. How can I as an outsider, match this kind of long standing mutual affection?”
He was obviously Ji-Woo Consort but called himself outsider. If other people heard this, they would definitely think it to be nothing but a joke. But the maid knew that Ji-woo Consort is only speaking the truth regarding the Prince Jeon Residence.
Ji-woo and Ji-woo Consort had barely been married for a year, but their relationship was even worse than that of strangers. Ji-woo Consort had become severely ill. Servants like them had gone to front yard for four to five times, but the results became more chilling with every visit.
Although Ji-woo Consort would act tough and forbid them from sending message to front yard but the maid know that her master also wanted to see Ji-woo.
But Ji-woo never came, not even once.
Kang Vantae
Laid on bed with his eyes closed, but tears continued to trickle from the corners of his eyes, wetting the pillow.
Kim Taehyung
He knew that he had been caught in a nightmare because memories of the past wouldn't let him go. Again it brought him back to the Prince Jeon Residence; brought him back to that failure of a marriage.
Kim Taehyung
In fact he wasn’t originally called Kim Taehyung, neither was he a small village boy.
Kim Taehyung
His previous family was very prestigious and he was originally named Kang Taehyun, the eldest grandson of Duke Kang.
Kim Taehyung
His biological father was the only emperor son of the Duke Kang while his birth mother was the only daughter of Princess Royal Ha-rin.
Kim Taehyung
Because of his prominent family background, he was very strong willed since young and even had an honourable marriage afterwards.
Kim Taehyung
He got married to Jeon Ji-woo, the only son of Prince Jeon.
Speaking of The Great Prince Jeon, everyone under the heavens, regardless of whether they were men, women, young or old, even an ignorant infant had heard of his prestigious name.
The final years of the previous Goryeo Empire were very turbulent. Bu Guifei had dominated the imperial court with the help of a powerful eunuch.
If Prince Jeon hadn’t entered the capital with his troops in time, restoring order and killing the eunuch, the future would've changed drastically.
Prince Jeon did everything in his power to protect the emperor and subdue the uprising.
After death of the previous emperor, he supported the new emperor, who was only eight years old in succeeding the throne.
The Great Silla Dynasty’s vassal states took advantage of the youth of the emperor, and the following year, many places at the border grew restless.
Prince Jeon took the initiative in battle and left the capital with his troops to quell the chaos. Soon the front line sent back the news that Prince Jeon had achieved victory.
Once the good news was received, everyone in the imperial court celebrated. To put it bluntly, the little Emperor was young, the Empress Dowager was cowardly, and even worse, the court officials were a mess.
Now, the whole Silla Dynasty relied solely on Prince Jeon to guard it.
Prince Jeon only had one son, Jeon Ji-woo. Since he was getting married to Jeon Ji-woo, it was only right for him to feel proud.
Back when Vantae and Ji-woo just got married, they were obviously deeply affectionate and everything was going good.
Was there any boy who didn't think of love? Vantae’s heart was quickly shaken after getting his husband’s affection and love.
In the following month, the two of them shared a strong affection and were almost inseparable.
But there is a saying, ‘Fresh flowers withered, a beautiful face would grow old and too much fortune would never stay for long.’
In just one month, Ji-woo’s attitude took a turn for the worse. That day, Ji-woo had looked at him coldly and had questioned him, “Why did you lie? Why did you impersonate him?"
Vantae was baffled hearing all these questions.
Seeing his silence, Ji-woo left from there angrily.
Since then the marital relationship between both of them cooled down and it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was a disaster.
Vantae was the eldest emperor grandson of the Duke and even more so, his grandmother, the Grand Princess, pampered him greatly and so he was rather ill-tempered.
Since Ji-woo didn't want to come, then good riddance. He shouldn't expect Vantae to be like those concubines and fight for his favour to keep him with him.
Subsequently, husband and wife became more distant over time, turning into each other's enemy.
In the end, Vantae fell ill and lingered on the sickbed, unable to get up again, but Ji-woo still refused to even look at him.
Vantae was an extremely proud person, but his failed marriage had completely destroyed all his pride.
Vantae could not reconcile with this when he died. Where did he go wrong? Why did Ji-woo not like him? Even if he didn't favour him, how could he not even respect his dignity as his wife in his final moments?
Maybe because his remaining grievances were unaddressed, his soul was not taken away and he floated for a while in a vast expanse of whiteness where he found a book.
He was puzzled seeing a book in such a space and tentatively flipped through it.
What he read shocked him to his core and left him trembling.
The book depicted Vantae’s life but unfortunately, he was not the protagonist.
Instead, the protagonist was his younger sister, Eun-kyung, who had been a thorn in his side since childhood.
The book described Eun-Kyung as a transmigrator, who transmigrated into the body of daughter of an unfavoured concubine of his father when the girl was six years old.
After Eun-kyung reincarnated into the body, she had the appearance of a six year old girl, but her mind was that of a 26-year-old adult.
With the help of her modern knowledge, she helped the original body’s mother to become Duke Min Shizi’s favourite concubine.
She even helped her concubine brother to overcome his status as a concubine's child and establish himself as the heir of the Kang Dukedom.
Vantae laughed mournfully when he read that, laughing till he cried.
It was no wonder his elders always accused him of not being as sensible or caring as Eun-Kyung when he was a child.
No matter how much effort he put in his studies, Eun-kyung was always the fast learner.
In the past he used to think that Eun-kyung’s was perhaps heaven’s blessing.
No he understood that Eun-Kyung was not a child at all and her age was even comparable to Vantae's mother. She was an old woman living in a child’s body. No wonder she was so capable.
Vantae watched his mother waiting from dawn until dusk for the arrival of her husband. But his father, the Duke Kang Shizi would spent most of his time in his favourite concubine’s courtyard.
Vantae felt distress for his mother and was angry at that fox of a concubine from the west courtyard.
But he was an emperor son. He couldn't possibly lower himself and make things difficult for a concubina, so he studied desperately trying to surpass Eun-kyung, that girl from west courtyard.
The strange thing was no matter how much effort he spent in private, he could never be as thorough or capable as Enu-Kyung.
As Vantae stood in the shadows of such a little sister there was no way he didn't feel the pressure.
Fortunately, Vantae's identity left Eun-Kyung in the dust and his marriage with Jeon Ji-woo was an another thing for him to feel proud.
No one else in the capital in younger generation had a higher status than Jeon Ji-Woo so even if Eun-kyung married up, her future husband’s family would definitely have a lower status than his.
Vantae had quietly thought to himself that he'd finally won against Eun-Kyung.
What a funny twist of fate.
Eun-Kyung had once rescued a man at a Buddhist temple, and by coincidence, that person was Jeon Ji-woo.
At that time, Eun-Kyung gave a jade pendant to that man to get away from him.
That pendant, in the eyes of outsiders, was meant for Vantae. But it ended in Eun-Kyung’s hands. Very few people knew about it.
Eun-Kyung was afraid of getting into trouble, so she used something that will lead the man to Vantae. That way, she would be able to escape easily if something happened in future.
Ji-woo fell in love at first sight with the mysterious person who had saved him on that moonlit night.
Although he hadn't seen the person's face, he was determined to marry that person.
Ji-woo got to know that the pendant belongs to Vantae.
He was sure that his saviour was Vantae and thus they spent the first month after their marriage deeply attached to each other.
But in the second month, when Vantae returned to his family’s house, Ji-woo accompanied him back and it was at the Duke Kang Residence where he met his wife's sister, Eun-Kyung.
That’s how Vantae became the malicious older brother, who had deceived his younger sister and received kindness in her place.
Even though his marriage afterwards was full of misfortune, Vantae had a stubborn personality.
The more Ji-woo ignored him, the more he wanted to prove himself for everyone to see.
So he started personally managing Prince Jeon Residence.
He fully believed that as long as he was capable enough, Ji-woo would see the good in him and change his mind.
But all he did was upset himself, slowly dying while waiting for Ji-woo to change his mind.
If the story had ended here, Vantae would only have sighed, thinking that he had a bad luck.
However, the story was far from end.
After he died, the Duke Kang Residence felt that Vantae was unqualified. He was antithesis of what a good wife should be.
The Duke Min Residence felt guilty towards Ji-woo and proposed to let Eun-Kyung marry him as a substitute.
And so, not long after Vantae died, Ji-woo married Eun-Kyung as his second wife.
Ji-woo was so in love with Eun-Kyung that he never took in a concubine.
After many years passed, Ji-woo took over the mantle of Prince Jeon and became the country’s new pillar of strength.
The entire second half of book depicted the sweet daily life of Ji-woo and Eun-Kyung.
Eun-Kyung became the widely respected Ji-woo Consort of the Prince Kim Residence.
When people praised Eun-Kyung, they would slander Vantae.
Extra
Sure enough, one can’t marry a wife just based on family background. Character and temperament are still the most important. The eldest emperor son of the Duke Min Residence and Ji-woo Consort, Eun-Kyung are the best example of this.
When Vantae read this, he didn’t want to continue.
He closed the book and let the tears fall down his cheeks.
Before losing consciousness, he saw a frail and delicate boy smiling shyly at him.
Kim Taehyung
ORIGINAL KIM TAEHYUNG: “Benefactor brother, I’m going to find my father. Six years ago, you saved me. But I’m unable to repay your kindness and can only trouble you to live on in my place.”
Vantae was disoriented and didn’t know how long he had slept.
When he woke up, he saw a worn down bed canopy.
It seemed to be very noisy outside.
Vantae faintly heard words like “martyrism”, “Prince Jeon’s decree”, “confer a title” and so on.
Vantae supported his weak body and walked to the vanity mirror.
He started at the face in the mirror for a long time.
Yes! The eldest emperor grandson of Duke Kang Residence and Prince Jeon Residence’s Ji-woo Consort, Kang Vantae was already dead.
From today on, he was KIM TAEHYUNG.
Author
So how is the story so far?
Chapter 2
Taehyung finally wake up from his nightmare.
He look at the worn bed canopy. His limbs stiff and heart beating fast.
He had another dream about his past life.
His failed marriage, the despair and abandonment when he died and the weird celestial book in his dream.
When he woke up in Kim Taehyung’s body, he felt overwhelming sense of panic and gratitude.
Returning from death like this was original Taehyung’s and heaven's kindness.
Now he is not Kang Vantae.
He would never be tricked again by those bitches.
It was only right that he start his life anew.
Thinking about this, he slowly recovered from the horror of the nightmare.
He slowly got out of the bed.
It's already been a month since he had arrived here.
This one month was neither too long nor too short.
But it was enough for him to get a feel of Taehyung’s life.
Speaking of the original host, they actually had some ties.
Back when he was still Vantae, at 11 years old, he had come back from the Princess Royal Residence and met a pair of father and son at gate of the Duke Kang Residence.
The carriage driver was afraid that he would be angry and hastily tried to chase them away.
Vantae happened to lift the curtain and saw a beggar standing in front of the gate.
The beggar looked at his timid son and continued to ask for a job despite being humiliated.
The frail little bay beside him coughed intermittently, his small hands clung lightly on the man's clothes.
Vantae suddenly felt very moved.
Since he was a child, he was not very close with his father.
No matter what he did , Duke Min Shizi would say "oh", and then will happily turn around to play with his concubine’s children.
The Duke Min Shizi would complain that he had been raised into an ungrateful brat, only close to his mother and Princess Royal.
But who would've thought that the arrogant young master Vantae also craved for his father's love.
Vantae drops the curtain and say a few words to his personal servant.
The servant obediently jumped out of the carriage to give the father and son 20 tales of silver.
20 tales of silver did not mean much to Vantae.
If he could help them then he would just regard it as his childhood longing for fatherly love.
Vantae didn't know what happened afterwards.
He didn't show up to ask the father and son for their name.
If this was Eun-Kyung, she would definitely have revealed her name, particularly letting others know that she did a virtuous deed.
But Vantae was not like her.
According to him, there was no need to use other's hardships to boost his own reputation.
He had completely forgotten about this chance meeting after it happened.
But who knew that the father and son he rescued had another stroke of good luck.
The wan was Kim Seon- ho and the sick boy was Kim Taehyung .
Seon-ho had used the 20 tales of silver to save his son's life.
It just so happened that, at that time, Prince Jeon entered the capital to rescue the emperor.
Seon-ho was born with extraordinary strength.
He became Prince Jeon’s subordinate during this time.
He then sent his son back to his hometown and wholeheartedly followed Prince Jeon.
Emperor Mu Zong died in the 13th year of Goryeo and appointed Prince Jeon as one of the three Regent Ministers while on his deathbed.
Prince Jeon could only stay in the capital to assist the deceased emperor's eldest son succeed the throne.
One year later, there was more trouble at the border.
Prince Jeon left the capital with his troops to subdue the uprising.
Kim Seon-ho took this opportunity to establish himself under Prince Jeon gradually making accomplishments which fortunately earned Prince Jeon’s recognition.
This time, the Dughlat Tribe from the northwestern border took opportunity to make trouble.
The terrain was complicated and the climate was bitterly cold.
Prince Jeon put in considerable work before gradually gaining the upper hand.
During a small-scale siege, Kim Seon-ho died while saving Prince Jeon Jungkook during an ambush.
Prince Jeon Jungkook fought the Dughlat Tribe for a year and they were almost exterminated.
Then Prince Jungkook supported a new regime, and took over the property of fallen Dughlat Tribe, consequently forming checks and balances with the other two tribes in the north.
Once the situation in the north-west was cleaned up, Prince Jeon took Seon-ho’s remains and decided to return to the capital with his troops.
Everyone in the capital rejoiced at the news of Prince Jeon’s victory.
Following the instructions of Grand Secretary, the little emperor wrote a letter to Prince Jeon asking what reward he wanted.
Prince Jeon Jungkook already owned an estate that housed tens of thousands of families and also had authority as Regent Minister.
There was nothing he couldn't have in this world.
Of one had to say, it was that his consort died 10 years ago so perhaps what he lacked was a new wife.
However, the reward that Prince Jeon asked for was beyond everyone's expectations.
He didn't ask for money or an official position for his only son.
Instead, he requested for the emperor to confer a noble title to Kim Seon-ho as a martyr.
It was nothing more than a honorary title.
And doing this also boosted the reputation of imperial court.
So the Grand Secretary agreed to Prince Jeon’s request without hesitation.
Thus Kim Seon-ho was conferred the title of Marquis Zhongyong.
Kim Seon-ho’s wife had died many years ago and left behind only one ore son.
The title of Marquis Zhongyong had reached its end and Kim Taehyung could use nothing more than the reward and reputation that his father exchanged his life for.
The original host had a weak body and his mother died due fromthe difficult labour right after giving birth to him.
Over the years, the father and son could only rely on each other.
The original host held out until now just to finish observing three years of filial mourning to his father and wait for Prince Jeon to send Kim Seon-ho’s remains back to their hometown.
From the perspective of the original host, reputation of being Marquis Zhongyong’s orphan son and the large amount of land bestowed by the imperial court were not as important as his father's remains.
Hence, the original host waited for his father's remains before leaving without a worry and gave vantage another chance at life.
Remembering the timid little original host, who appeared in his dream one month, Vantae sighed.
Following that he fetched some water and clumsily tidied himself up.
This was almost unthinkable in Vantae's previous life.
Since he was born, all he needed to do was to spreed his fingers and the servants would wife it for him.
Now, he had to learn how to wash his face, comb his hair and even wash his clothes himself.
In fact, Kim Seon-ho had already been conferred as Marquis Zhongyong by the imperial court.
The rewards conferred are enough for Taehyung to live comfortably without worrying about food or clothing in a small countryside.
But the reward conferred by the imperial court had already been emptied out after passing through layer upon layer of government official's hands.
Taehyung was still feeling furious at the thought of this.
He had arrived late that day and didn't knew what happened when the imperial court's envoy arrived.
He only knew that the imperial decree he was supposed to receive ended up being transferred to the county magistrate instead.
Even all the rewards from the imperial court were carried to the prefecture office.
Taehyung was both angry and anxious.
Obviously he had been swindled that day.
His paternal aunt, Mrs. Cha was also short-sighted.
What would she even do with just the money?
At least take the God damn imperial edict and Honorary Deed Medallion!
The bulk of reward given by imperial court had been seized by the county magistrate.
Aunt Cha’s family also got a small portion.
While Taehyung, the only son of Kim Seon-ho actually got nothing except the title of martyr's son.
Thinking all this, Taehyung managed to tidy himself up for the day.
Just as he placed his hand on the door to go outside, he suddenly beard voices outside.
Mrs. Cha
“This brother of mine had a short life. His wife passed away early and he died on the battlefield to save others.”
Mrs. Cha
“As his older sister, I feel so heartbroken!”
Mrs. Cha
“Six years ago, he sent his only son to our house. We already have many mouths to feed and suddenly there's a sick person who constantly needs medicine.”
Mrs. Cha
“Such a heavy burden, do I have to say more?”
Unknown
“Sister Cha, I know you have a kind heart and raised your younger brother's daughter for six years.”
Unknown
“It's just that your younger brother is famous now. Taehyung is no longer a burden. He’s now a Marquis’s son!”
Unknown
“It's a pity he is an ore and thus your brother’s Marquis title will only go to waste.”
Unknown
“But even if the title can't be retained, money doesn't deceive.”
Unknown
“Taehyung has so many dowries, he will be blessed when he marries in the future.”
Mrs. Cha
“I am Seon-ho's only sister.”
Mrs. Cha
“Now that he is gone, the money he earned still skipped me and is completely left to Taehyung?”
Mrs. Cha
“His son is an outsider. But we brother and sister share the same flesh and blood.”
Mrs. Cha
“Not to mention, Taehyung can't inherit the tittle, but my son can!”
Unknown
Could only laugh forcefully at this. But she couldn't help but sneer at Mrs. Cha in her heart.
Unknown
She'd heard of people leaving family property to their brothers or their daughters. But she’d never heard of someone’s nephew inheriting the title.
Unknown
What kind of reasoning was this.
Unknown
But she came here as a matchmaker so there was no need to sour her relationship with Mrs. Cha.
Unknown
“Sister Cha is right.”
Unknown
“You are Taehyung’s aunt and as his parents are dead so naturally you are the one overseeing his marriage.”
Unknown
“Sister! The son of Liu Yuan Wai family wants to marry Taehyung.”
Unknown
“If Taehyung marries over, he will live like a madam. He won’t have to take care of fields or do housework.”
Unknown
“There will be even a little maid waiting on him.”
Unknown
“This is such a blessing for Taehyung.”
Kim Taehyung
What kind of blessing was this?
Kim Taehyung
He had a huge inheritance under his name and he didn’t have any brothers or uncles to support him.
Kim Taehyung
Wouldn’t the person who married him win the lottery without having done anything?
Kim Taehyung
This woman is just talking nonsense.
Mrs. Cha
If someone had been willing to marry Taehyung some time ago, then she would’ve happily sent him over already.
Mrs. Cha
But now, she hesitated.
Mrs. Cha
She was unwilling to part with her brother’s property.
Mrs. Cha
She had married out of the Kim family and thus couldn’t technically be counted as an elder of Kim family.
Mrs. Cha
Even if she could pull some from Kim Seon-ho’s estate, she wouldn’t get much.
Mrs. Cha
But if Taehyung were to marry her son then all of Seon-ho’s rewards would belong to her.
Mrs. Cha
Maybe they could even go to the government officials to request for the title of Marquis Zhongyong to be passed on to her son.
Mrs. Cha
This was a Marquis title!
Mrs. Cha
It was way better than the scholar next door.
Both women were harbouring ulterior motives, completely disregarding Taehyung’s opinion.
Suddenly, the wooden door slammed into the wall thoroughly scaring the two people in the courtyard.
Author
Are you excited to see first meeting of both main leads?
Chapter 3
Mrs. Cha
“What kind of crazy things are you doing so early in the morning?”
Mrs. Cha
“Can you compensate for breaking the door?”
Kim Taehyung
“How could I not afford to compensate?”
Kim Taehyung
“Father died for the country and the imperial court conferred him as the Marquis Zhongyong. Aunt, you’ve already seized so many of my father’s things but you can’t even let go of this small wooden door?”
Unknown
Saw the boy in front of her and heaved a sigh.
Unknown
She expected Taehyung to be a sickly boy with large inheritance who could die at any moment.
Unknown
But after seeing Taehyung, she realised that there really existed someone with a fairy-like appearance and god-like beauty.
Unknown
She was astonished by Taehyung’s beauty and his graceful demeanour.
Mrs. Cha
She was also stunned looking at Taehyung’s sharp eyes.
Mrs. Cha
She knew that Taehyung looked beautiful. But today he looked somewhat different.
Mrs. Cha
He was not behaving like his previous reserved self.
Mrs. Cha
Today looking at Taehyung, she felt awe for some reason, leaving her weak-kneed.
Mrs. Cha
It was as if she was looking at a high ranking young master.
Mrs. Cha
Shook her head fiercely.
Mrs. Cha
What was she thinking?
Mrs. Cha
How can this sickly orphan boy be a high ranking young master?
Mrs. Cha
She narrowed her eyes and said, “What do you mean by seizing?”
Mrs. Cha
“That’s originally what Seon-ho left for me.”
Mrs. Cha
“Moreover, who knows how much money I’ve lost while raising you these past few years?”
Mrs. Cha
“So what’s wrong with taking some things to replenish the family expenses?”
Kim Taehyung
“Aunt you know better than anyone else that although I’ve been temporarily staying at your house, I haven’t spent any of the Cha family’s money.”
Kim Taehyung
“In all the years that father had served under Prince Jeon, he had sent back money every year and I hadn’t seen it even once.”
Kim Taehyung
“All of it should’ve been kept by aunt.”
Kim Taehyung
“Not to mention, when the imperial court conferred the Marquis title, the box of silver ingots that aunty secretly hid should be enough to buy this little courtyard hundreds of time.”
Unknown
“S….Silver ingots!”
Mrs. Cha
Feeling flustered after being exposed.
Mrs. Cha
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
Mrs. Cha
“A child like you doesn’t know anything.”
Mrs. Cha
“Those aren’t silver ingots. They’re just a few pieces of shards.”
Mrs. Cha
“Moreover I am Seon-ho’s sister, so is it a crime for me to take a few pieces of silver.”
Kim Taehyung
A few pieces of silver!
Kim Taehyung
A family of farmers that frugally saved one year’s worth of hard labour couldn’t save more than two or three silver.
Kim Taehyung
And based on Cha family’s harvest, they can’t even earn one silver.
Kim Taehyung
Before embezzling Seon-ho’s property, Aunt Cha might had never even touched a silver ingot before.
Kim Taehyung
But now, she could still self-righteously insist that she took nothing more than a few pieces of shards.
Kim Taehyung
Taehyung would not have minded Aunt Cha taking all that money if only she had treated him slightly better.
Kim Taehyung
But Aunt Cha’s behaviour in the past one mouth was truly disappointing.
Kim Taehyung
She wanted to embezzle her brother's property and justify her action by marrying Taehyung to her son.
Kim Taehyung
Moreover his health was also not very good so she would be even more pleased if he died after marrying into the family.
Kim Taehyung
Taehyung saw this clearly, and he seethed with anger.
Kim Taehyung
But he thought of his mother's teachings and felt that it wasn't good to scold elders.
Kim Taehyung
So maintaining his patientence, he politely says, “Aunt, I'm grateful for your kindness in raising me. But, I haven't finished observing filial mourning to father so I can’t get married right now.”
Kim Taehyung
“Grandmother Wang! Thank you for making this trip. But please go back and relay my message to others that I’m grateful to my father for his kindness and is determined to pray for him. I will not marry anyone in future.”
Mrs. Cha
Said anxiously, “How can this be?"
Mrs. Cha
“ You are a little boy who doesn't know anything.”
Mrs. Cha
“ I as an elder, can't see you make mistake."
Mrs. Cha
" It is enough to observe mourning for your father for a few months."
Mrs. Cha
"But it is not right to decide to never get married like this.”
Mrs. Cha
“ In fact you should get married as soon as possible."
Kim Taehyung
“ I don't want to marry anyone." Saying that turns around and starts walking outside.
Mrs. Cha
Jumped to her feet in anger.
Mrs. Cha
Said angrily, " Right now you're just pretending to be virtuous, arrogantly saying you don't want to get married. Let’s see what you will do when you grow older and no one will be willing to marry you."
Kim Taehyung
Suddenly paused in his step.
Kim Taehyung
Mrs. Cha's words poked at his sore spot.
Kim Taehyung
His previous failed marriage was a thorn in his heart.
Kim Taehyung
Now, in front of an outsider, Aunt Cha said that he was pretending to be virtuous and no one will marry him in the future.
Kim Taehyung
This was truly poking a hornet's nest.
Kim Taehyung
He turns around and looks at Aunt Cha with flames blazing in his eyes.
Kim Taehyung
“ Is it any of your business if I get married or not?”
Kim Taehyung
“ Who do you think you are?"
Kim Taehyung
"Also, wouldn't you be happy if I don't marry and end up tortured to an early death by you?'
Kim Taehyung
“ If I die, the Kim family's reputation and rewards will all belong to you."
Mrs. Cha
Sprung to her feet like someone had stepped on her tail.
Mrs. Cha
"What nonsense are you talking?"
Kim Taehyung
“ You still don't understand even through I'm speaking so clearly. Are you deaf?”
Kim Taehyung
“ You really think I don't know about your vicious plan?"
Kim Taehyung
“ I will make it clear to you, I will not marry in the future.”
Kim Taehyung
“Marquis Zhongyong’s estate will not have anything to do with you and your son!”
Taehyung rapidly spit out his words without letting anyone get a word in. He clearly didn't use obscenities, but his words were sharp like countless small knives that stabbed a person until they were full of cuts and bruises.
Mrs. Cha
Trembling due to anger but couldn't get out a single word from her mouth.
Unknown
Also looked at Taehyung with mouth agape.
Unknown
This little boy looked delicate and fragile, but he could scold people this fiercely?
Unknown
He seemed very articulate, not at all like how Mrs. Cha described, that he never spoke to other people.
Unknown
On the contrary, it seemed like he often instructed people like this.
Unknown
She shook her head and set aside this strange thought.
Unknown
“ Taehyung! We as outsiders feel distressed when we look at you.”
Unknown
“For how long you are going to stay at your aunt's house?"
Unknown
“Li Yuan Wai’s household has successive generations of high ranking officials that possess morel qualities.”
Unknown
“If you marry in, you will live the life of a young wife and even have a maid dedicated to serving you."
Unknown
"Taehyung, if you miss this opportunity, it'll be gone forever.”
Unknown
“ You can't let it slip by!"
Kim Taehyung
He laughed sarcastically.
Kim Taehyung
“ You want to talk about successive generations of high ranking officials with moral qualities in front of me?"
Kim Taehyung
" It must've been hard for you to memorize these two fancy lines. "
Kim Taehyung
“ You and my aunt are just like the pot calling the kettle black."
Kim Taehyung
The Li family is full of wolves and Li Yuan Wai’s household is like a tiger's nest."
Kim Taehyung
"Who can't see through the vile plans that you've schemed?"
Kim Taehyung
“ I'll clearly tell you now, don't even think about it."
Li Yuan Wai was the local tyrant of this area.
Matchmaker Wang took pride in acting as matchmaker for the son of Li family.
Now that Taehyung had thrown Li Yuan Wai’s honons to the Dist and stepped on it, Matchmaker Wang was immediately annoyed.
Unknown
"Don't be shameless!”
Unknown
“ You’re just an orphan without any relatives."
Unknown
"We gave you some dignity and called you a “martyr’s son”, so you really thought of yourself as the young master of a Maquis Residence?"
Unknown
“ Let me tell you, it's your fortune that Li Yuan Wai took a liking to you, so it's best that you be sensible."
Unknown
"Otherwise, you'll need to nasty even if you don't want to."
Unknown
“If you still insist on making a fuss, be careful that you don’t offend Li Yuan Wai and get reduced to a concubine.”
Unknown
“ Don't complain later that I haven’t informed you. When the time comes, even if you want to cry I you won't be able to"
Kim Taehyung
“ You're just a second-rate matchmaker, you dare to say such big words and even force a normal boy to be a concubine?"
Kim Taehyung
He let out a soft laugh laced with sarcasm.
Kim Taehyung
“What a grand speech! He is nothing more than someone who bought over his official position and he really thinks himself a local tyrant?”
Kim Taehyung
“Those who know, know him to be from a wealthy family, but if you don’t know, you’d think his son is a Prince selecting his imperial concubine.”
Unknown
“You really don’t want to live!”
Unknown
“Saying this kind of words, you surely wants to die.”
Kim Taehyung
“Since you people dare to do it, why don’t you dare let people talk about it?”
Kim Taehyung
“It’s laughably ridiculous to play this trick of coercion on me.”
Kim Taehyung
“You people know nothing about what I’ve experienced.”
Taehyung looked angrily at Matchmaker Wang with his beautiful black eyes.
His voice sharp like hitting a jade.
His were obviously condescending and a little harsh, but his voice was clear and cold, his tone, a little delicate.
Combined with his quick and concise way of speaking, one would unexpectedly enjoy it even when he was scolding someone.
Taehyung didn’t realise that others enjoyed his admonishment.
If he knew he would’ve been angered half to death.
Kim Taehyung
“I am telling you, I will not marry and no one in this world can force me to do what I’m unwilling to do.”
Kim Taehyung
“Today it is Li Yuan Wai’s son, tomorrow it will be Wang Yuan Wai’s grandson?”
Kim Taehyung
“If you think of such nasty plans again in the future, I will go to the county magistrate’s office and hang myself from a white silk on the front beam.”
Kim Taehyung
“Anyway, my father’s Honorary Deed Medallion is still being held up. I will die and show everyone how you people persecute the daughter of a martyr.”
Kim Taehyung
“By the time this becomes a huge issue, the capital and Prince Jeon Jungkook will eventually know about this. So don’t think a single one of you will have a good life.”
Kim Taehyung
“If you say another word I’ll throw myself into the lake immediately.”
Outside the courtyard, the county magistrate who was accompanying a man was drenched in cold sweat.
The man caressed his jade thumb ring and asked indifferently, “Kim Seon-ho’s Honorary Deed Medallion is being held up?”
Extra
COUNTY MAGISTRATE: “No, I was only….erm…, I was just holding onto it temporarily for safekeeping.”
Extra
COUNTY MAGISTRATE: “Sir also knows that the people in the countryside aren’t knowledgeable, aren’t educated and there is no limit of the number of thefts.”
Extra
COUNTY MAGISTRATE: “This subordinate was worried that Marquis Zhongyong’s Honorary Deed Medallion will be stolen by a petty thief, so it’s kept in the county office for safekeeping.”
These were all perfunctory pleasantries and empty words and the man was well aware of it.
He glanced at the particularly lively house and said, “When Kim Seon-ho was still alive, he couldn’t stop worrying about his only son. Although he is only a little boy, he is Kim Seon-ho’s legitimate successor. Hand everything directly to him when you’ve brought them back.”
Extra
COUNTY MAGISTRATE: “Yes sir”
The man’s voice was flat but unquestionable.
It could be seen that he’d been a high-ranking person for many years and was used to giving orders.
After the county magistrate broke out in cold sweat, he found that the man hadn’t moved.
The magistrate was surprised, realised something immediately and hurriedly turned around to walk towards Mrs. Cha’s courtyard.
In the courtyard, Mrs. Cha and Matchmaker Wang both were felling suffocated.
The sound of Taehyung’s voice incessantly rang in their ears.
It was truly infuriating.
Mrs. Cha was so angry that she wanted to hit someone.
She was planning some new scheme in her mind but suddenly she felt that the atmosphere was not quite right.
She hurriedly turned around and her legs turned to jelly the moment she saw the person who entered.
Mrs. Cha
“Sir county magistrate….”
The county magistrate waved his hand in frustration.
The large Buddha standing outside was still looking at him, who is your sir?
Please don’t ruin his career as an official.
After secretly warning the two village women, he turned to look at Taehyung with a kind face.
Extra
COUNTY MAGISTRATE: “Mr. Kim, I heard that you were ill again a few days ago. Are you feeling better now?”
Taehyung wasn’t an ordinary village boy. He recognised that the County Magistrate wore the most formal uniform and that he is trying to please him (Taehyung).
Taehyung became more on guard.
He looked at the other person defensively and greeted him with a salute first.
Kim Taehyung
“We are honoured by the County Magistrate’s presence. What is the matter?”
The smile on County Magistrate’s face deepened.
After listening to his words, Taehyung became completely dumbfounded.
The County Magistrate actually wanted to return the Honorary Deed Medallion to him.
Furthermore, the rewards sent by the imperial court would be transferred completely intact to Taehyung’s name.
Kim Taehyung
How could this be possible?
Kim Taehyung
This abnormal behaviour was suspicious.
Kim Taehyung
What did he want to do?
When the County Magistrate saw Taehyung’s refusal to respond, he started sweating out of anxiety.
He really had no choice but to turn sideways and point outside, then signalled Taehyung with his eyes.
Extra
COUNTY MAGISTRATE: “The lord from the capital is here. He wants to give it to you, so you should accept it.”
Taehyung looked outside and he saw many horses tied to the crooked tree on the other side of the road.
There were so many people standing there, but they stood there in complete silence in awe of the one person they were standing behind.
Taehyung was already this old and had come and gone through many large events, but he was actually captured by this person’s aura.
Kim Taehyung
He started blankly and asked, “Who is that?”
Extra
COUNTY MAGISTRATE: “PRINCE JEON!”
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