I Didn't Really Want to Do Farming! (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 33
“Oh, yes. Here it is.”
Daren carefully set the sack he’d been carrying down on the ground.
Cookus’s eyes gleamed with curiosity as he watched Daren effortlessly lower the sack, which was quite heavy from its contents. He’d never seen this face around here before. The man was fairly tall and clearly strong—so why had he never encountered him?
“I’d like to sell carrots I grew myself. How much is the permit for a street stall?”
“Twenty pennies a day.”
Daren was startled by Cookus’s curt reply.
“What? That much?”
All he intended to do was lay his goods out on the ground to sell. All the guild provided was a small wooden sign that read “Moonlight Guild.” No matter how Daren thought about it, the fee seemed excessive.
“If it’s too expensive, go somewhere else.”
Cookus grumbled and walked past Daren. After a brief moment of hesitation, Daren quickly grabbed his arm, resigned to the situation. His palm met bare skin that felt as hard as steel.
Moreover, the man’s arm was thicker than Daren’s thigh. Daren quietly lowered his rolled-up sleeve; his own forearm felt as slender as a finger beside it.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Brin gaping at the shopkeeper’s muscles.
“No, I’ll take it.”
Lady Mila must have specifically recommended the Moonlight Guild for a reason.
The closer to the square, the more highborn customers appeared, while shops catering to commoners were situated farther away.
Some noble-owned shops disliked commoners passing by their storefronts, so ordinary folk often had to deliberately circle around the outer edges of the square to reach the stores they wanted.
Four roads extended from Conpanyo Square, each lined with different kinds of shops.
The northern road housed stores selling farming tools and weapons, along with blacksmiths.
The western road was filled with various tailors and dressmakers.
The closer to the square, the more upscale the clothing shops; farther away, stores mainly dealt in secondhand garments or cheap fabrics.
The spot where Daren and Brin would set up their stall today was along the southern road.
Known as the southern road—or sometimes the fruit road—it was, as its name suggested, a place where not only all kinds of fruits but also vegetables from various regions were traded.
Jack was in charge of guiding them to their spot. He was the same boy who had greeted them so cheerfully upon their arrival at the guild earlier.
“Just a little farther down that way.”
Jack kept glancing back frequently to ensure the two were following properly. In Daren’s hand was the permit he’d received from the Moonlight Guild master.
[This is the timeline separator]“Master Steward, there’s a cold pie here—what should we do with it?”
A maid cleaning the emperor’s room asked, looking at the lone pie sitting on the table.
“A pie?”
The steward had heard no report of anyone bringing a pie into the emperor’s chamber. Even the head chef, whom he’d just spoken to moments ago, had only inquired about His Majesty’s morning condition and hadn’t mentioned any pie.
Just as the maid reached for the pie—
“Wait!”
The steward’s urgent shout made the maid freeze mid-motion and turn her head.
“Why… is that?”
The maid tensed, worried she’d made a mistake. Fortunately, the steward’s gaze was fixed not on her but on the pie. Relieved, she took a step back.
“Don’t touch it. It might be poisoned.”
“What?”
Harmann’s serious eyes remained anxiously fixed on the thoroughly cooled pie. The steward carefully pulled out a silver needle he always carried for such contingencies.
The room fell utterly silent as Harmann moved slowly and quietly; the maids present held their breaths, watching him intently.
With trembling hands, Harmann inserted the silver needle into the pie. If the needle emerged blackened, a storm of bloodshed would surely sweep through the imperial palace—and the thought twisted his insides.
Harmann withdrew the needle as cautiously as he’d inserted it. It still gleamed silver, unchanged.
“Phew.”
Sighs of relief escaped from several people in the room.
“What are you all doing here?”
Kai, who had just finished his morning bath, looked at Harmann and the cluster of maids gathered around the table.
Harmann, visibly relieved, picked up the pie and handed it to a maid.
“An unapproved dish was left on the table. Fortunately, it’s not poisoned.”
The maid’s eyes sparkled instantly upon receiving the pie from the steward. Food discarded by the emperor could be eaten without consequence.
Besides, the pie looked delicious—even cold, its aroma was so enticing it made her mouth water.
Just as the maid was about to leave, having gathered the cold pie and other discarded items—
“Put that down before you go.”
“Pardon?”
The maid blinked in surprise, thinking she’d misheard.
Realizing she’d dared to look directly into the emperor’s face, she hastily bowed low. The sudden movement caused the carrot pie on her tray to tumble to the floor with a soft thud.
“What are you doing? Clean it up at once.”
Harmann scolded the maid for her embarrassing blunder in front of the emperor. The maid hurriedly scooped up the ruined pie from the floor while another quickly wiped the stained carpet.
“Order a new carpet to replace this one.”
Though there had been a minor commotion, it had otherwise been a peaceful morning. Harmann smiled, hoping today would pass as calmly and comfortably as any other, and looked toward the emperor.
But the moment he saw the emperor’s rigid expression, he realized something was wrong.
“Your Majesty, what troubles you?”
Harmann’s heart sank, fearing the emperor harbored some unknown worry.
Yet the emperor merely shook his head slowly, his expression dazed and speechless.
“Never mind. It’s nothing. You may go.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The steward silently thanked the gods for granting another tranquil morning and left the emperor’s chamber.
[This is the timeline separator]Stella had opened the book without much expectation, but it turned out so fascinating she’d been sitting motionless for hours.
Many plants described were ones she’d never seen before, and even the familiar ones surprised her. It was astonishing how differently each plant grew.
“Wow, so this is how you grow tomatoes?”
From common foods like tomatoes and corn to unusual ones like fairy carrots, the more she read, the more she wanted to try growing everything herself.
She’d been reading for a while when she noticed the four earth sprites circling around her.
On any other day, they’d have already burrowed underground or gone to the garden by now, but today, for some reason, they refused to leave her side.
“Why aren’t you leaving today?”
“Hmm, Old Man Woo Hoo gave us a special mission.”
Esta answered proudly. Ark was nibbling on a piece of carrot pie Stella had left in her room.
Oton, though usually more grumpy than the others, kept cleaning up crumbs Ark dropped, while Iver—the winter sprite—sat silently in Stella’s room without saying a word.
She seemed shy. Her downturned eyes gave her a gentle look, but since they hadn’t spoken much yet, Stella couldn’t be sure.
“What kind of mission?”
Stella looked at the four distinct sprites. The idea of these tiny, palm-sized creatures talking about “missions” was both amusing and endearing.
“To protect the Noble Pickaxe and its guardian, Stella.”
Ark declared, hands on his hips, belly sticking out, crumbs of carrot pie clinging to his lips.
Even his arrogance was adorable. Stella resisted the urge to poke his round belly and asked instead,
“Me? You’re going to protect me?”
She understood protecting the pickaxe, but herself? That was harder to grasp.
Besides, if anyone needed protecting, surely it should be the sprites—not her. By size and strength, it was obvious who should be doing the guarding.
“Yeah!”
But all four sprites nodded as if it were perfectly natural, clenching their tiny fists with fierce determination to never leave Stella’s side.
“So you’ll sleep here from now on too?”
“Of course!”
“A guardian knight must stay beside the one they protect.”
Their brave replies sounded quite knightly. Stella felt an urge to tease them.
“What if a scary person suddenly bursts in here to kill me?”
“What? Who’d dare kill you!”
“That’ll never happen! We’ll protect you no matter what!”
“Don’t worry—we always keep our word.”
While Ark and Esta answered with flustered urgency, Oton replied calmly, sounding mature. Now that Stella looked closer, Oton was the only one among them with long hair.
“Oton, are you the only girl here?”
“Can’t you tell? My beauty stands out wherever I go. It’s exhausting.”
Oton sighed deeply while smoothing her lovely hair. The other three made faces at her, but Oton didn’t seem to care.
She merely shook her head pityingly at the other three.
“Is Iver always this quiet?”
Instead of answering, Iver slowly nodded. Her already gentle eyes crinkled further into soft curves. Dressed in white, she looked just like a snow sprite—adorable.
“Iver only speaks when she really needs to.”
“Really? You’re quite the quiet one.”
Stella gently stroked Iver’s head with her fingertips.
Iver flinched in surprise but soon smiled shyly, then touched the spot Stella had petted with her own hand—as if she’d truly liked it.
So cute.
Stella was smiling fondly at Iver’s sweet expression when a soft knock came from outside.
“Come in.”
“Princess Stella, Daren and Brin have returned from Conpanyo.”
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.]
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