Carson understood clearly what the emperor was asking.
The question was whether he harbored any disloyalty. He stood up and bowed halfway.
“No.”
“Then what is it?”
“It’s to protect…”
“Protect what? From what?”
“To protect my wife and sibling from an overwhelming power. I can’t bear any more hardship.”
The emperor was not oblivious to the criticism hidden in his son’s words. He lifted his glass but did not drink, putting it back down.
“The meeting will only happen after Lusonia has fallen into your hands.”
A month was not a long time for Noah to properly investigate Pisterra. But it should be enough to take care of matters.
“Yes.”
As Carson bowed, he heard the sound of the emperor pouring another drink.
“Do you resent me?”
“I do.”
At the immediate reply, the emperor chuckled.
“You give me no room for excuses.”
“Don’t bother. I understand that the situation was unavoidable.”
Carson stood upright and looked at his father, who had suddenly aged.
“However, I don’t want to walk that same unavoidable path.”
The emperor rose from his seat, drink in hand, and patted Carson’s shoulder.
“Very well, let it be as you wish.”
“…”
“So, keep watch. Your wife and your sibling…”
Once his father’s permission was granted, Carson left the bedroom without looking back.
The emperor stood by the window and watched his son leave. With numerous followers, his son was a person best suited to lead.
He was undoubtedly my greatest creation.
The emperor knew that Carson truly did not want to rise to the very top of the empire. But there was one thing his intelligent son didn’t know.
To protect his family from the empress, he had to rise even higher.
Though it wasn’t the dream he chose, having begun to dream big, a great ordeal was set before him.
A month had passed since Carson left.
Ines sat in the garden again today, reading the Bible. After he had vacated the estate, Ines mostly stayed in the mansion. The Bible, which she had read up to halfway, was now approaching its end.
Upon Ines’s request to be alone while in the garden, Susan did not stay by her side.
In the meantime, Noah had completed his investigation on Pistera and visited Ines once more. It was to report that upon digging into the mountain as she had instructed, they found it filled with fine sand, making tunneling impossible.
This made Carson’s assurance that he would return on schedule comforting for her.
During his absence, Ines had visibly withered. Merely not having him nearby made her nightmares worse. Now, she was tormented by them even at noon.
But Ines had a sense that those days weren’t far off. Today was the day the Count of Graham would be hanged.
Rumors spread throughout the estate that Landhill and Lusonia would soon merge under the name Landhill. And there were rumors that the now Grand Duke Carson Von Raymond would marry the daughter of the Count of Swalden.
All were the result of merchants traveling to and from the capital.
The rumor that he would soon propose to the Count of Swalden was, of course, also known to Ines. Although it was false, she deliberately did not correct it.
This would further infuriate Joseph.
As recently as yesterday, Joseph had sent Ines a letter. It was a verbose letter revealing that his patience had worn thin.
After a very long time, Ines wrote him a reply.
Dear Joseph,
Did you not dream too big from the start?
How dare a mere servant from my house look down upon the daughter of an esteemed Count’s family…
I have never truly considered you. How did you think that would be possible? To me, you were nothing but a small amusement. But even that is no longer appealing to me.
Do you think you can’t leave me alone if you see me?
How dare a knight of common birth like you think you can do something? Go ahead, try. You won’t even see my heels.
Ah, now that the family you served has vanished, you probably won’t be called a knight any longer.
It was an utterly childish letter. But it was sufficient to provoke a man from whom all hope had vanished.
“It’s been a long time, Ines.”
And as a result, he appeared before Ines.
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.]
