Even the affection she believed he gave her was just fragments he squeezed out as he pleased.
‘Originally, it wasn’t mine.’
Valentin, who was looking at Adele without expression, suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him.
“Still, keep trusting me.”
Leaning Adele, who had lost her balance and tilted, on the seat, Valentin somewhat forcefully entwined his large hand with her small and delicate fingers.
In the dim carriage with drawn curtains, his golden eyes looked oddly twisted.
“After all, this life is already too late.”
Adele looked up at him with moist eyes. A surprisingly deep sense of relief overwhelmed her as soon as she was embraced.
She knew this wasn’t normal with her head, but it felt like she could finally breathe.
Her heart sent a warning with a thumping beat. Ignoring the warning, Adele asked.
“What happens when this life ends?”
“Then, I have to prevent you from escaping.”
“…See, another… lie.”
“Whatever it takes.”
He firmly answered and kissed her finger. Ironically, all the anxiety in her mind disappeared with him.
Adele looked at the clean stone path leading to the hunting grounds and the rows of hunting dogs on both sides.
The scenery was undeniably beautiful, but she didn’t feel any particular excitement.
The fact that the emperor spends more than half of the year in the Schwalz hunting grounds and manages it like a sacred place is now so well-known that it doesn’t even fit into the mourning period.
Efforts to solidify imperial power were consistently thwarted, and even the military authority that was barely held was taken away by the Ernst family.
After the plan to increase the stability of the regime by welcoming a woman from that family as empress, which had only half succeeded, the emperor had lived for almost a dozen years like someone who had given up on life.
Amidst that, the emperor detested the Crown Prince, the empress’s son, more than anything else.
Worried that his meager power would diminish with the Crown Prince’s maturity, he used various excuses to restrain and delay the Crown Prince.
Then, when the hunting season came, he sent the young boy off to Schwalz for several months, leading a group of boys.
If such a place isn’t beautiful, then where in the world is beautiful?
“Please stop for a moment.”
As they approached the hunting ground, soldiers with spears blocked the front of the carriage.
The knight who seemed to have the highest position among them approached the window.
“This area is now a restricted area. Do you have an invitation?”
Valentin silently handed over a paper from his pocket. The knight politely received it with both hands and checked it, responding almost flustered.
“Oh! It’s from Duke Ansgar. I didn’t recognize it because you didn’t have a banner on your carriage. You may pass.”
With a gesture from the knight, the soldiers blocking the way hurriedly stepped back.
A little further from there, an open field with tents arranged here and there appeared.
The carriage came to a complete stop soon. Adele held Valentin’s hand and carefully stepped down onto the grass.
As she wandered around, the emperor’s chamberlain urgently approached and politely bowed.
“I will guide you to the tent Their Majesties will be using.”
From the entrance of the hunting grounds, an open field with nobles’ tents for a three-day stay stretched ahead.
Women dressed for the hunt were seen here and there.
The gathered people laughed joyfully, and in the distance, the sound of a cheerful poet tearing the strings of a lute was heard.
The chamberlain stopped in front of the grandest tent closest to the emperor’s tent.
“You can use this place.”
Inside the tent, there were carpets laid out, luxurious beds, makeshift tables, and chairs.
It seemed like they had modestly moved one of the palace rooms. The chamberlain quickly spoke up.
“If Your Highness desires, I can arrange for you to stay in a separate palace.”
A separate palace? Looking puzzled, when she glanced at him, the chamberlain hastily added.
“Even though it’s a hunting festival, there are occasionally noble ladies who can’t endure camping. There is a separate palace nearby that His Majesty uses for each hunting season. It has been prepared to ensure there is no shortage.”
At that moment, Valentin firmly grasped her hand.
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.]
