Whispers followed one after the other. At a gathering where idle chatter was needed, rumors spread in an instant.
The voices of the people who were talking began to grow a little louder.
“Sophia Lady and Elizabeth Lady. Lady Isagel and Lady Edith are entering.”
One of the hired guards spoke in a calm yet clear voice. All eyes were fixed on the four beautifully dressed Viscountesses.
People couldn’t help but remember the heyday of the Portrion nobility whenever they saw the wives, whom the Viscount hadn’t even touched because of his peculiar sexual tastes.
The hundreds, thousands of gold that Nicholas spent to decorate his mansion with dolls were all earned by his ancestors, after all.
Among them, the one who captured everyone’s attention was the fourth Viscountess, Edith, who was making her first appearance at this gathering.
‘That woman is the one Viscount Portrion brought last…….’
‘He looked at women every day and finally found such a beauty.’
‘I hear the Viscount’s obsession with a woman named Edith was so great that even Sophia couldn’t refuse to make her a wife.’
With her thick, red lips tightly closed and her long, voluminous golden hair swept back, the fourth wife made an instant impression on everyone.
Watching the attention on Edith, Sophia silently rejoiced.
This was the moment she had hoped for, when Edith would be marked as the only woman who could bear Viscount Portrion’s child.
Sophia went to the prearranged table and greeted the guests who had come to the mansion with simple pleasantries.
“As you know, the Viscount is going through a difficult time right now. Even hosting this banquet to honor those who helped, in accordance with the Viscount’s wishes, does not ease my mind.”
People listened to Sophia’s calm and aristocratic tone and toasted to the Viscount’s health.
Sophia asked the musicians to play the calm music she had chosen beforehand, then discreetly looked at Edith.
Edith had no choice but to obey the unspoken command to slowly disappear from this place.
“……I don’t feel well, so I will dine in my room.”
“Edith, what’s wrong? You look fine.”
Sitting next to her, Isagel was surprised and took her hand. Edith carefully released it and forced a smile.
“It’s okay. I guess I’m not used to this kind of gathering.”
The truth was, she was suffocated by Sophia’s gaze.
“Isagel, please keep your seat. Until the end.”
Edith stood up from her seat, leaving behind a worried Isagel and a feigned concern from Sophia.
Just before she left, one of the musicians came to Sophia with a troubled face.
“Uh, Lady Viscountess. I’m sorry, but it seems it will take more time to tune the stringed instruments. It’s as if someone deliberately ruined the tuning……. ”
“Hmm, it would be empty without music.”
Only a piano to play at the start of the banquet, and not a children’s recital. As Sophia mumbled her difficulties, Isagel’s eyes discreetly turned towards the empty stage.
Edith lightly touched the back of Isagel’s hesitating hand under the table.
‘I thought he wouldn’t listen.’
Before parting at their last meeting, she had asked Walter for a favor. To give Isagel an opportunity to sing.
It was partly to win her favor to check the ledger, but she wished that Isagel, who was like a caged canary, would get out of here.
After all, Isagel, who was holding onto her dream with a pure heart, was too precious to be trapped in a barbaric Portrion.
‘Having a powerful merchant as a father, she’ll be more free once she leaves the mansion.’
Walter stared at her for a while, guessing her intention behind such a request, then turned away without a word. She couldn’t know what he thought at that time, but it seemed he had acted, as the musician looked troubled.
It must have meant that Walter also knew that winning the favor of the merchant Carcakus and Isagel was the best way to check Sophia.
‘Isagel. The stage is empty.’
Edith told Isagel with a glance, then quietly slipped out of the hall.
(This is a time separator.)
Edith went straight back to her room. Except for a minimum number of people, everyone was in the central hall, so the east side of the mansion was eerily quiet.
“Madam Edith?”
Vivian, who was tidying her bed, greeted Edith with a surprised face.
“Have you eaten?”
“No. Sophia said it would be better if I left the table.”
“My goodness. I thought she would at least let you enjoy the banquet. Just wait a moment.”
Vivian quickly went to the kitchen and brought back a lot of appetizing madeleines.
“I’m sorry, Madam. Everyone’s busy and there’s no one to bring food to the room… but you can take this as much as you want.”
“Thank you, Vivian.”
Edith put a misshapen madeleine that couldn’t be served to guests into her mouth. It tasted wonderful, but a feeling of sadness washed over her.
‘She could have let me eat. What’s the day today.’
Edith bit the flesh inside her mouth to hold back tears. After stuffing a couple of madeleines into her mouth in frustration, she thought of someone.
“Vivian. Was Sophia telling you to take me again today, so you were waiting in the room?”
“Yes… I’m sorry, Madam.”
Edith wrapped the remaining madeleines in a handkerchief, got up from her seat.
“No. Can you take me to where Walter is now?”
Somehow, she felt that seeing him would alleviate her sadness.
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.]
