Becoming an adult did not seem to automatically heal the wounds.
For a moment, a very childish and petty thought crossed Ermedillin’s mind.
‘You’re lucky. Your mother was a witch, but she still loved you. She must have loved you.’
Jealous of a child who was just six years old at this age; she found it absurd even to herself.
But since no one would look into her heart, Ermedillin decided to envy Ferdant for just a brief moment.
Having somewhat collected her emotions, Ermedillin went to find Angli to offer her thanks, only to see that Valiere was explaining something through various hand and foot gestures.
‘Should I have come later?’
However, Count Halstein, the chief steward, spotted the departing Ermedillin and informed Angli.
“Ah, you’re here. We were discussing the founding ceremony.”
“Yes. I came to express my gratitude.”
The moment Ermedillin slightly bowed her head, an icy expression momentarily crossed Valiere’s face before disappearing.
“Did you not meet in person today?”
“No, I only watched from a distance. He seems well. Thank you for taking care of him.”
“No need to thank me. Everyone praises how extraordinarily talented he is for his young age.”
“It seems he fortunately did not take after me.”
Trying to break the awkward atmosphere, Ermedillin made a jest, to which Angli snorted in laughter.
“How could that be? Didn’t he inherit the intelligence of his mother, the empire’s greatest mage? And the looks as well.”
Listening quietly, Valiere finally realized the two were talking about Ferdant.
“Laughing? Since when have you two been so comfortable with each other that you make jokes? We’re talking about a bastard child here. These people!”
Ermedillin was grateful to Henri for preventing the child from being a bastard. Henri had no ill feelings towards the child and saw Ermedillin as a useful card, so there was no need to ruin the mood by talking about Ferdant.
However, the sight of the two naturally conversing was utterly displeasing to Vallière.
“His Majesty the Emperor is indeed a generous man, caring so well for his wife’s bastard.”
At the word ‘bastard,’ a slight wrinkle appeared at the corner of Ermedillin’s eye.
But Henri showed no reaction. He was neither angry nor sympathetic.
“That child is not a bastard. He was born within the marital relationship. Haven’t I already testified to that in court?”
A strictly factual tone.
“Ah, is that so? Born from a marriage with a stableman, right? I must have forgotten.”
Vallière provocatively mentioned the term “stableman,” but neither Henri nor Ermedillin reacted.
“That’s correct. He was born from my relationship with a stableman. So, don’t use the word ‘bastard.'”
Neither Henri nor Ermedillin showed any emotional response, and Vallière quickly lost interest.
Although the word ‘bastard’ bothered her, Ermedillin, not being the child’s actual mother, calmly decided to act like the generous Empress.
“Did you hear about what happened yesterday? Are you alright?”
Setting aside her irritation with Vallière’s actions, Ermedillin couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the young girl who must have suffered to make such an extreme choice.
Ermedillin’s voice, tinged with two conflicting emotions, could sound either dry or pitiful depending on the listener.
“Are you worrying about me now?”
‘Who do you think is responsible for me resorting to such methods?’
Vallière’s voice had a cutting edge, believing it was all Ermedillin’s fault that the story had diverged so much from the original.
‘Ah, why did I even ask? She’ll just spew more nonsense.’
Just when she was expecting another nonsensical quip, Henri stepped between Ermedillin and Vallière, turning his back to Vallière.
“There’s no need for concern. It was a minor injury.”
“??”
Both Ermedillin and Vallière’s eyes widened at Henri’s dry response.
‘But I heard there was a pool of blood on the floor?’
Unconsciously, Ermedillin glanced at Vallière.
Sure enough, Vallière’s eyes quickly turned icy as he glared at Henri.
‘Ah, why is this happening again? Weren’t they getting along?’
Ermedillin truly didn’t want to get involved in their discord and felt extremely uncomfortable with the situation.
“Your Majesty, what did you just say? A minor injury?”
Pretending to put more effort than she had in her previous life, she clenched her wrist. Saying it was a minor injury!
Her former parents and two brothers would have called an ambulance at the sight of a few drops of blood.
Vallière could not make sense of Henri’s words.
“Don’t I know better about cuts than you do? There was some bleeding, but it wasn’t a serious injury. I simply stated the fact because I didn’t want to unnecessarily worry the Empress.”
“What are you saying?”
Henri’s reply made Vallière feel as if all the blood in his head was draining to the floor.
‘He’s more concerned about the Empress worrying about me than about the fact that I almost died?’
The two were enemies, a married couple worse than strangers, ultimately fated to kill each other.
And now, not only were they peacefully conversing in front of him, but Henri also seemed to care more about Ermedillin’s feelings. Vallière really wanted to cry.
“What! That woman is the villain, isn’t she? The villain everyone hates! The villain who burns to death at the stake!”
“Are you concerned for Her Majesty the Empress? You’re saying that right in front of me?”
Unfazed, Henri looked into Valier’s eyes, which started to well up with tears.
‘You should love me! Not some woman like that! You should love me! Be on my side!’
Valier finally shed tears, overwhelmed by the surging sorrow and rage.
Confused by Valier’s tears, Ermedillin frantically searched for a handkerchief within her arms, but Henri, who should be wiping Valier’s tears, remained composed.
‘Something’s odd? This wasn’t the vibe before?’
Ermedillin felt puzzled by Henri’s excessively calm response.
Although she hadn’t been able to focus on their relationship while scheming for her own survival, this change in just a few weeks was unsettling.
The relationship between Henri and Valier had noticeably changed since they first met.
Henri was tormented, unable to control his overflowing emotions despite his suspicions about Valier’s behavior, while Valier obliviously considered his earnest feelings a given, noticing no change in Henri.
‘Is this happening because the novel’s content changed, affecting their relationship? This can’t be! It just can’t be! I want to get out of this palace!’
Ermedillin abruptly pulled Valier towards her.
“Even the most trivial wound has me deeply concerned.”
Feeling upset by the sudden embrace, Valier tried to push Ermedillin away, but Ermedillin tightened her grip around the girl.
‘Cry. Keep crying. Thank me. Apologize to Her Majesty too. Is this how you want it to end?’
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.]
