“I was choosing the hunting outfit for today in the room at the end of the corridor. When the disturbance occurred, I crossed the corridor to see. When I went, my husband…”
Seeing the duchess unable to continue speaking, Jane Teller quickly asked the next question.
“The task of collecting the medicine that the Duke takes was done by the Lady.”
“That child has a lot of things to do besides that. I’m getting old, so I should do what I have to. She has to learn everything until she gets married.”
She never spoke the word ‘Empress’ outright. Speaking it openly was like doing something vulgar.
“It seems like a kind of bride training. What kind of work did she do?”
As the overwhelming tasks poured out, Jane Teller thought.
“Alanca Lady did everything my mother had to do. Waking up early in the morning, participating in social events, and taking care of the house—she must have been ten bodies short. Why does she bother with embroidery in the meantime? Why turn on the violin, and why draw pictures for no reason?”
“…Any activities related to art should be naturally learned by any lady. You can’t just sponsor. You have to learn firsthand to sponsor. Only an ignorant capitalist spends money to show off.”
Building up what is called ‘artistic culture’ day by day, reading books and newspapers, interacting with various Eastern nobles, and accumulating ‘literary and social culture,’ the Alanca Lady was very busy.
“That girl…, um. She was a bit tired. As you know, the Empress held various events consecutively, and there are ongoing events like weddings, right? If you participate, mistakes are likely to happen because you have to travel all over the empire.”
While saying this, the Duchess naturally had to protect her daughter.
“Of course, you should never make mistakes, but she’s still young. It can happen. And, the syrup bottle was not only touched by Katarin.”
She said it very firmly.
“It was Katarin who brought it to her husband at her direction, but bringing the bottle of syrup to Katarin was sometimes done by Master Herolt, our butler, and our maid Bennett. Katarin’s maidservant also ran errands occasionally. Do you not know who did what?”
Jane asked a little late after hearing that.
“So, do you think this is a murder case, Duchess?”
In an instant, the face of the Alanca Duchess hardened. The white handkerchief was crumpled in her hand.
“It could be an accident! It might be an accident. What if there was a preservative in the syrup bottle? Then it’s an accident. But Katarin is a very clever child. As you know, she’s also facing a big event. So, she feels burdened in her heart. If she does it, she’ll do it very well!”
“Lady seemed to have a lot of burdens.”
“Anyone would. But Katarin is very calm. Calm, and she’ll do it very well. Managing this medicine was just a test for a moment, and now she has to do something bigger.”
The Duchess repeated the words quickly several times, trying to defend her daughter in any way possible. It wasn’t because she was the daughter she loved, but because of the noble and stubborn thought that her daughter had to become an empress.
“I see.”
All testimonies about the situation were consistent. When the Duke came out of the bathroom, he swallowed the medicine on the tray brought by Katarin, and he also drank the syrup that he must drink after bathing. Then, a few minutes later, he staggered and fell, and everyone rushed over at the butler’s shout. It was the end.
Of course, people’s ‘opinions’ were all different.
“It’s my fault.”
Regrettably for the Duchess, Lady Katarin Lambert of Alanca admitted her mistake, humbly acknowledging it was her fault.
“I was too absent-minded. I should have focused more. After the preservative bottle broke, I momentarily transferred it to the syrup bottle and then forgot. And then, looking at the label on the syrup bottle, I gave it to my father just like that…”
The lady shuddered as if it were dreadful, shoulders hunched, and trembling.
“…It’s my fault.”
However, she repeated her admission of guilt once again, barely managing to do so, and bowed deeply with a pale face.
“So, if I get arrested, that’s okay, right? I’ll accept the punishment harshly.”
Having faced the situation a few months ago when she collapsed from shock several times, refusing the doctor’s dissuasion and voluntarily confessing the circumstances, she was already prepared.
“Well, Lady, the investigation is still ongoing. We have no intention of jumping to conclusions.”
“But it’s so obvious. Just enduring this situation is extremely difficult for me. Now…”
Katarin looked out of the hotel room window where she was staying. A strand of the snow-covered Karcan Mountain range was visible in the distance. It was the pride of the Vuetang Hotel, boasting a breathtaking view, but her eyes seemed not to take anything in.
“I want it all to end now. I hope it ends quickly.”
Jane couldn’t help but think that the Elsh Viscountess murder case last time and the current Alanca Duchess case were very different.
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
