He remembered Yan, who was next to him, soothing the child while looking at him.
However, Cailius did not find the child’s crying at that time particularly annoying.
He found that surprising himself, but that was all there was to it.
Unlike the servants, he didn’t have to keep the child by his side for long.
He dismissively pushed the thought of the child away.
[This is a time separator.]“Baby, you’re eating well now.”
“Yeah, give me one more bowl!”
“Should I?”
Sophia laughed and filled the soup to the brim. Meanwhile, another maid, who had been tidying up the toys, approached. Her name was Delma.
“You’ll grow taller since you eat so well!”
Reinvigorated by Delma’s energetic encouragement.
Since my first day at the Duke’s house, I had been quite busy. I didn’t even have time to worry about being in a villainous family.
A tailor visited the mansion to fit my clothes, and even a furniture maker came to fit furniture to my height.
All I did then was stand still to be measured. And I was shocked by their words.
“My goodness, you’re even smaller than I thought. So cute.”
“How can you have such adorable and tiny feet? Come and see these!”
“Oh dear, these toys are still too hard for you to play with. I’ll make new ones just for you, baby.”
“Am I that small…?”
I thought I was at least average! Feeling wronged, I started eating soup and vegetables diligently from that day.
Also, like today, making an effort to scrape clean two bowls.
“Wow, well done. You ate it all up.”
Sophia was happy to see the clean soup bowl. I went to the mirror and looked at myself. And I secretly stood on tiptoes.
…Maybe I should have eaten one more bowl.
“You’ll grow soon. You’re eating so well, after all.”
Sophia consoled me from the side. But looking at the reflection in the mirror, it didn’t seem like a hopeful consolation.
‘Sigh, let’s get to work.’
Since coming here, I had set one goal in my mind.
After finishing my meal, I started to pack my bag slowly.
“Baby, are you going on a mansion exploration today?”
“Yeah!”
Mansion exploration, a playful name Sophia had given to my activity of going around investigating the structure of the mansion.
Sophia might not know, but the purpose of this play was only one.
‘Independence in 4 years.’
I planned to leave the Duke’s house in 4 years.
For some reason, the Duke brought me as if I were his lost daughter. But I knew. That the Duke had no daughter.
No, to be more precise, the Duke did not have a daughter after the original story began.
‘I cannot possibly be the real daughter of the Duke.’
It would not be the case that the Duke really thought I was his daughter and brought me. Even in the original, the Duke is a character who does not care about means and methods for his purpose.
So this time too, he must have brought me just to use me according to his needs.
The fortunate thing is that there is some time left until the villainous Duke commits his evil deeds in earnest.
The incident where the Duke suddenly goes mad and kills all the spirits happens after Clemens returns to the mansion.
‘Clemens returns home at the age of 15.’
There were 4 years left until then. Let’s hold on here until then.
In 4 years, I will be 8 years old, and at 8 years old, I could do quite a lot.
Small inns or restaurants located on the outskirts of the region often took in children with nowhere to go, provided them with food and a place to sleep, and made them work.
‘When I turn 8, I can live on my own.’
My plan for a successful independence in 4 years was just two things. It was to find an escape route in advance and to have emergency funds ready.
“Mom, what have you packed so much in your bag?”
Sophia showed curiosity about my bag. I quickly hugged the bag with both arms.
“It’s nothing!”
“Hmm, something is suspicious.”
Sophia opened her eyes wide. It was a suspicious expression.
I rolled my eyes here and there and whispered softly.
“Actually, this is a secret … it’s exploration supplies.”
“Oh, really?”
As I whispered softly in Sophia’s ear, a broad smile spread across Sophia’s mouth.
“You must be going on a very long exploration.”
“Yes, so I have to go quickly!”
I quickly put on my bag and hurried out of the room. Behind me, I seemed to hear Sophia’s laughter for some reason.
In fact, there were things I found while exploring inside the bag.
Such as a button that fell off someone’s clothes, a hair tie, a piece that fell off a decoration, etc.
‘I have to gather them somewhere else when I go back to the room.’
If I was suspected of why I had collected these, I had nothing to say. Maybe they would think I was wandering around the mansion to steal something.
‘Then they could lock me in the room.’
I looked closely at the floor of the corridor. Especially around the stairs, people often dropped something.
Sure enough, I discovered a shiny silver button at the end of the stairs.
‘Jackpot!’
Today, this alone was enough harvest. I carefully put it inside the bag.
‘Then shall I go to the second floor today?’
Walking down the stairs with a small step, I first discovered a large shadow standing in the middle of the corridor.
Unknowingly, I stopped and quickly hid behind the wall.
My startled heart pounded.
‘What a surprise!’
I never imagined I would encounter it here. I carefully stuck my head out again.
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.]
