Maxwell de Ponte Augustus, the 27th Emperor of the mighty Helterd Empire, was neither a villain nor a saint. He was certainly not one to risk his life for ideals or beliefs. His worldview was not about good and evil, but about strength and weakness, about rulers and the ruled.
And in this world, he believed the throne was rightfully his, not a matter of faith or hope, but an immutable truth.
During the twenty-five years of Maxwell’s life, there were fifteen assassination attempts against him. Each time, the next morning, the heads of the assassins and their masterminds were hung at the palace entrance. It was only after he ascended to the throne that it became known that the Prince, himself, had dealt with the assassins.
Losing his parents early, the young Prince Maxwell was like a ship in a storm. Everyone, from his bloodless grandmother Empress to his small uncle who became the second in command, and even his aunt’s husband, Duke Lersang, wanted him gone.
For seventeen years, Maxwell had to thoroughly conceal his capabilities, pretending to be a bookish Prince who got dizzy just by riding a horse and was terrified of public appearances.
“Thank you for your hard work,” he said upon returning to the capital after ending a three-year-long war. It was directed at his small uncle, Regent Emperor Gustav, who was sitting on the throne.
When Maxwell’s father, the Crown Prince, was brutally killed by a beast, Maxwell was only a year old. His grandfather, the former Emperor, passed away when Maxwell was nine, and his small uncle, Gustav, became the acting Emperor on behalf of the young Crown Prince.
However, Gustav had no intention of relinquishing the throne when Maxwell turned twenty, as per the former Emperor’s will.
The great war with the Southern Union was seen as the perfect opportunity to eliminate the future Emperor. Seventeen-year-old Maxwell, inexperienced in warfare and more accustomed to the library, was appointed the supreme commander and sent to the front lines, essentially a death sentence.
Ignoring the advice of the few loyalists to flee, Maxwell accepted the Emperor’s order and led his troops, including senior officers and knights who barely acknowledged his authority, into battle.
On the exact day he turned twenty, Crown Prince Maxwell returned to the capital. His army had won a decisive victory against the Southern Union, doubling the Empire’s territory.
“Oh, the Crown Prince is still too young and inexperienced to rule the Empire. Let’s reconsider the succession in three years,” said Emperor Gustav, who had hastily made his own son the deputy Crown Prince as soon as Maxwell left for war.
For the first time, Crown Prince Maxwell laughed genuinely, his ruby eyes darkening with bloodlust. Those present felt their legs go weak from the intensity of his presence.
An hour later, Maxwell was proclaimed the 27th Emperor of the Helterd Empire. Historians and citizens alike hailed him as the greatest sage king since the empire’s founding 1,500 years ago.
However, Maxwell paid no mind to flattering words. His policies – abolishing irrational customs, reducing high taxes, punishing aristocratic abuses of power, and strengthening higher education – were not acts of a benevolent ruler.
Emperor Maxwell did not particularly love his subjects or care for their welfare. His actions were simply means to make his empire the strongest in every aspect – economically, culturally, and militarily.
Emperor Maxwell of the Helterd Empire did not concern himself with a village that didn’t contribute to the empire being swept away by a storm. His only regret in such cases was the loss of young men who could have fought in wars or the destruction of agriculturally beneficial lands.
His life’s goal was not to ensure the welfare and happiness of his subjects in a livable empire. His sole aim was to create a powerful empire that dominated the entire continent.
The Emperor despised things that required emotional investment. To him, marriage was no different. It was just another part of his meticulously rational and planned life.
“The Empress selection competition will be held in line with the empire’s traditions to find a suitable Empress for Your Majesty. Trust me,” the Grand Empress Mother had said.
“Of course, who else should I trust but you? Please find me the best bride,” Maxwell replied, wearing the same gentle mask as her. This was the same Grand Empress Mother who had sent two assassins against young Maxwell.
“Your Majesty, the Grand Empress Mother will unfairly manipulate the Empress selection process for her own kingdom. Allow me the same involvement in this competition. I am now the only one who shares your blood,” his aunt argued.
“That is possible. In this palace, without my uncle, you are the only blood relation I have. I entrust this to you,” Maxwell agreed.
She had once tried to assassinate him with poison and even attempted to have him captured as a hostage by a foreign country. Maxwell smiled and nodded in agreement.
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]
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