I focused intently on the conversation inside the room.
Not knowing how much longer this undying dream would persist, I knew it was about the Northern Duke, Sion Belpast.
His last image haunted me.
Medea responded with a tone both lofty and assertive.
“I was genuinely impressed by how you used the Northern Knights to eradicate the barbarians in the south of the empire. Ah, this is politics. Without shedding a single drop of blood, father, you protected our people purely with strategy.”
“Politics requires foresight and patience. Belpast had no choice but to comply with my demands because he was outmatched by Laheart in every aspect.”
“The Emperor’s support brings me unspeakable joy.”
Medea’s voice was elated.
After losing his son, the Emperor, afflicted with a heart’s ailment, began to find solace in Laheart’s words.
Around the time Sion Belpast was accused of treason, the Emperor wouldn’t listen to any noble but Duke Laheart.
As an assassin, I heard rumors that the Northern Duke’s descent to the south wasn’t just due to Laheart’s schemes. Probably, the Emperor himself had a hand in it.
The order to suppress the southern barbarians fell to Laheart, but he coaxed the Emperor to request reinforcements from the North. Naturally, the North refused.
The journey from the far north to the south of the empire, a month even on horseback, would have been better served by the central army aiding the south.
Laheart then allowed the barbarians to slaughter numerous southern people and blamed the Northern Duke.
Sion Belpast, acting solely for the people, must have set out for the distant south. Such was his nature.
But Laheart painted Belpast as the perpetrator. Portraying himself, the powerful Southern Duke, as the victim. Only the Emperor believed this tale.
The Emperor seemed to see Sion Belpast as the aggressor and Kramnel Laheart as the victim.
“Compassion, is it?”
“Interest, indeed.”
The dying Duke’s response to my question, chained up.
Interest.
That one word felt bitterly warm and heartbreakingly poignant.
He didn’t hate the disfigured dog of his enemy, the White Butterfly who drove his men to death. Not until the end.
He pitied me. The reason was unknown, but I could feel it in his gaze.
Rain began to fall.
“This time, we’ll cut off all of Belpast’s limbs.”
Duke Laheart’s words were met with Medea’s agreement, adding:
“Father, the Emperor has invited me to the next tea party.”
“Oh! Medea, he’s increasingly fond of you.”
“Yes, it seems so. I think I’ll do my best as a granddaughter, filling the void in His Majesty’s heart.”
“It won’t be easy. He still can’t let go of his missing granddaughter.”
Granddaughter.
A pang in my heart.
Suddenly, a cold, dignified voice filled the room.
“The foolish man doesn’t know that his own bloodline has become my servant,” Medea declared, referring to the Emperor.
“The thrill I feel every time that girl looks at me affectionately, father.”
“Be ready to kill her at any moment.”
“I don’t like it, it’s fun. I’m a noble of a different class, possessing the only bloodline of the royal family. It’s through that child I learned being royal blood doesn’t equate to intelligence. Fools, they need to be subdued with power. I will prove that it’s not lineage but capability that qualifies one to rule.”
“Ha-ha, Medea. If only you were the son and Kahen the daughter.”
Duke Laheart left with a hearty laugh.
After her father’s departure, Medea pulled the bell rope to summon a maid.
“Is the guest waiting?”
“As you ordered.”
Hearing Medea leave, I exhaled a long breath and gazed at the stormy night sky. Cold raindrops tapped on the mask and my twisted cheek.
If only I had known what I know now before I died.
A crushing regret tore my heart to shreds.
Oh, God.
Why am I wandering in this dream when I’m clearly dead? Is this your final act of kindness to let me know the unknown truth?
After shaking off the rainwater, I re-entered Medea’s room and took out the jewel box containing my mother’s dagger.
Even in this dream, I didn’t want to leave my mother’s belongings near Medea.
My trembling hands grasped the blue handle of the sword, my mother’s relic that I couldn’t touch even in my dying moment.
But then.
Holding the handle, I saw inexplicable scenes. It felt like being sucked into some real event.
A woman with long green hair and sky-blue eyes, holding a young child, about four years old, was fleeing. A group of armed men chased after her.
In the deep coniferous forest.
The fleeing woman eventually fell. The awakened child began to cry. The woman took out the dagger with a blue handle from her bosom.
She clasped the blade. Blood from her palm started to drench the sword.
She closed her eyes and murmured something, her demeanor almost prayer-like.
“Sacred light, merciful mother. I offer my life, please protect this child. If this child faces death, grant my life to return ‘once more’ to the living. Allow a second life, Hella.”
Transparent light enveloped the dagger and the child, connecting them.
“Is this her?!”
“Yes, the heretic saintess.”
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.]
