As the waiting time prolonged, impatience also grew in Heegyeong’s heart.
Hoping that drinking the night air might alleviate the uneasiness in her heart even a little, she came outside.
Breathing in the cool air, she could feel the season of high skies and frost approaching through her skin.
Looking up, a round moon hung in the high sky, presenting a delicate figure as if it were carved from jade, calming Heegyeong’s heart.
Seeing her heart also becoming round, it felt worthwhile to have left her quarters.
At that moment, a man’s voice was heard behind Heegyeong.
“It seems the mistress is also unable to sleep.”
When she turned her head, she saw the red gonyongpo entering her sight.
Facing an unpleasant figure, she politely lowered her head.
“…Greetings, Lord Jusang.”
Seeing Ilyul’s face, the light-heartedness that had just returned dissipated again.
Heegyeong hadn’t come out of her quarters to meet him.
“Truly elegant.”
“….”
Doubts arose in Heegyeong’s mind at Ilyul’s trivial topics.
Since their joint residence 19 years ago, there had never been a time when Ilyul voluntarily set foot in the inner palace.
Unless it was an external matter, they had no reason to meet or converse.
Their current conversation was, in fact, the first in several months, indicating that Ilyul and Heegyeong had long ceased to share affection as a couple.
The man who had behaved indifferently for over a decade was now suddenly acting familiar.
Heegyeong felt cautious about Ilyul’s unusual interest, but there was no need to reveal animosity towards him.
It was best to respond appropriately and avoid unnecessary confrontation.
“Yes. I see that Lord Jusang’s victories for the people have brought such a beautiful light to the moon.”
“I was not talking about the moon.”
Ilyul’s pitiful gaze reached Heegyeong.
At the end of his gaze, emotions seemed to be attached, resembling the emotions of unrequited love, making Heegyeong doubt her own eyes.
In the ten-plus years since she got to know Ilyul, she had never received such a gaze.
As his gaze had always been directed towards another woman, Heegyeong found Ilyul’s sudden change confusing.
Next, Ilyul uttered words that Heegyeong had never expected.
“More elegant than the risen moon is the lady.”
After assigning administrative duties to Hwan and taking care of the office, Ilyul’s health rapidly deteriorated.
From time to time, I had heard that there were moments when Ilyul’s mind wasn’t entirely sound. He would forget things he said, confuse past memories with the present, and not recognize people he knew, clear signs of dementia. Even Ilyul’s current behavior seemed different and strange, as if people change when death approaches.
Fixing his gaze on Heegyeong without looking away, Ilyul, under the moon that had smoothly risen in the sky, spoke only sweet words. “The saying ‘beauty like a moonlit night’ must have been made for you.”
“…Your words are too extravagant.”
Given Ilyul’s unstable state of mind, it was evident that the words coming from his mouth weren’t entirely coherent. Heegyeong knew his words held no real meaning, yet strangely, she didn’t feel too bad about it. Hearing unexpected words from Ilyul, words she had never expected in her lifetime, made her feel like a woman.
Was this what it felt like to receive the love of a lord? Was she finally able to receive his love?
“When we first met, it was a season when the cool wind blew, similar to today. Do you remember when I compared you to a winter flower and broke a plum blossom for you?”
“…What are you talking about?”
Heegyeong felt something odd. She had no memory of receiving a plum blossom from Ilyul, and their first meeting as a chosen consort was during the winter of Yeondongseolhan, not a season when dry branches couldn’t support life.
Ignoring Heegyeong’s question, Ilyul suddenly grabbed her hand. Then, he gently held his own hand over her delicate and fair hand.
“Jeongbin, you will forever be engraved in my heart.”
“….”
Hearing the existence of another woman from Ilyul’s mouth, a flush of redness spread across Heegyeong’s face.
Jeongbin. The woman of humble origin was the woman Ilyul wanted to erase from his memory.
Of course, that’s right. It was strange that Ilyul, who had been cold to her all her life, suddenly became affectionate in an instant.
Unaware of Heegyeong’s trembling with anger, Ilyul kissed the back of her hand.
Then, with an endlessly tender voice, he continued speaking.
“I will forever cherish only Jeongbin.”
“….”
Heegyeong’s complexion turned not just white but sickly pale, filled with shame and humiliation.
On her bruised lips, redder blood than the plum blossom seeped out.
Then, that’s right. The Ilyul who had been cold to her all her life suddenly became affectionate in an instant. It was a strange occurrence.
Unaware of Heegyeong trembling with anger, Ilyul pressed his lips against the back of her hand.
Then, with an endlessly tender voice, he continued speaking.
“I will forever cherish only Jeongbin.”
“…….”
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.]
