Reforming the Villain Family (5 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 8
I looked straight ahead with a hollow feeling in my heart. The red-haired man enthusiastically waved one hand at me.
“Huh? Miss! We meet again!”
I stared at him blankly, then reluctantly gave a small wave in return.
Today, the sky held a sun slightly brighter than yesterday’s and a moon slightly dimmer than yesterday’s.
And I had just stepped out in front of the main gate. Just like yesterday, I quietly slipped through the empty corridor alone, firmly adjusting my backpack.
But why were the duke and his men standing there again?
“Miss! Did you come out again today just to see us off?”
The red-haired knight approached me with an excited expression. Now I knew his name. This knight was Bart.
Yan wasn’t visible today. Instead, Crissy, standing beside Bart, greeted me cheerfully as if we were old acquaintances.
“Miss! You haven’t forgotten my name, right? I’m Crissy!”
“Miss! I’m Bart. Bart!”
“Hey, hey! What are you all doing?! You’re startling our young lady!”
A blue-haired man pushed his way between the loudly arguing knights.
At least he seemed to be trying to quiet the others down… that was a relief.
“Miss, I’m Philen. Philen. I’m often at the mansion, so it’d be more convenient for you to remember my name.”
“No, Sir Philen! Isn’t that going too far!”
…I really wished they’d all just disappear. They were so noisy.
“We meet again.”
A cold voice reached my ears. It was the duke.
Meeting his gaze sent a chill down my neck.
“Will you claim again today that you came to see me?”
The duke asked bluntly, his expression showing he didn’t believe a word I’d say. Under his suspicious stare, I felt cold sweat trickling down my back.
At that moment, Philen stepped between us.
“My lord, you mustn’t interrogate a young lady like this.”
‘Is that really called an interrogation?’
I stared incredulously at Philen.
The duke glared at Philen with icy eyes. His silence suggested he didn’t even consider Philen worth responding to.
‘Anyway, he surely hasn’t figured it out… right?’
“Excuse me, but could everyone please be quiet? Today, the young lady walked toward me first—and she greeted me before anyone else!”
“Bart, stop forcing things.”
Whether they kept arguing or not, I grew uneasy.
My true reason for coming out at dawn was something nobody was supposed to know.
“The young lady came to see me. Yesterday, when she entered the mansion, she only waved hello to me.”
Crissy confidently continued. His absurd remark almost erased all the tension I’d just felt.
‘…Did I really do that?’
Thinking back, I recalled turning around briefly before entering the mansion just to reassure the duke.
Anyway, they were all wrong—all of them.
“That’s not it at all!”
My words instantly silenced everyone around me. All eyes fixed firmly on me.
Those gazes were filled with unspoken questions.
It felt like everyone was silently asking, “Then why are you out here at this hour?”
With mixed feelings, I set my bag down and fumbled inside for a cookie, then walked over to the duke.
“What’s this?”
The duke bent slightly to meet my eyes. I thrust the cookie toward him and said,
“This is for you, Your Grace…”
“I see.”
The duke calmly took the cookie. As soon as he accepted it, the other knights crowded behind him.
“Miss, what about mine?”
“Miss, I love cookies too!”
“After all, nothing compares to a daughter…”
I couldn’t hear what anyone else was saying.
Having lost my precious cookie to the duke for the second time, I turned away helplessly.
“I’ll be going now…”
Just then, the duke’s voice rang out again.
“Crissy, see that she gets back to her room properly.”
“Yes, sir!”
At the duke’s command, the slender-framed knight approached my side.
“Shall we go together, Miss?”
He had that kind of handsome face that naturally drew people to him.
Had I been in a different mood, I might’ve thought, “So the duke really does hire knights based on their looks.”
But right now, I had no energy left for such thoughts.
‘I’ve wasted cookies for two days straight.’
That was the only thought swirling in my head.
[This is the timeline separator]This morning, Kyleius rose early and headed to the Wested Guild, managed by the ducal household.
The guild, organized by Kyleius, included both retainers from noble houses serving the ducal family and commoner merchants who had long settled near Hesera.
The guild’s purpose was efficient management of Hesera’s resource production rights. In principle, anyone—regardless of status—could call a meeting if they presented a suitable agenda.
Formally, that was the rule, but in practice, such meetings were almost never called. After all, summoning a meeting automatically brought the duke himself to attend.
Naturally, merchants went to great lengths to avoid even the slightest risk of falling out of the duke’s favor.
Unlike those merchants, however, Count Ripe—who had abruptly requested a meeting at dawn—showed no sign of minding the duke’s reaction.
“So, Count Ripe, why did you call this meeting?”
The duke, upon arriving, asked indifferently about the agenda. Count Ripe cleared his throat and began.
“You recall the recent transaction records with the Kingdom of Balkandia for magic stones? Upon checking, the actual quantity traded seems to differ from what was recorded.”
His opening remark sounded ominous. Everyone else waited tensely, barely concealing their anxiety as they listened to the count.
“If the quantities differ, the taxes owed would differ as well. That’s why I felt compelled to inquire.”
Here we go again. The merchants around him swallowed hard. In essence, Count Ripe was asking:
“Aren’t you evading taxes again this time?”
He’d been relentless about tax issues during the last transaction too.
“It seems there’s been a misunderstanding. I’ll have the relevant documents sent to you for verification.”
Kyleius gave a familiar gesture to Philen, who replied while noting down the newly added task for the day.
“We’ll deliver them to you by the end of today.”
“…In that case, I’m most grateful.”
As Count Ripe suspected, the ducal household did maintain a separate set of books. Of course, given Philen’s meticulous nature, there was no risk of it ever being discovered.
Still, it was undeniably tiresome to have someone constantly harping on taxes like this.
‘He’s still as bothersome as ever.’
Summoning a meeting just for this reason was utterly laughable.
Though, had this meeting not occurred, he probably wouldn’t have seen the girl coming out the front gate again this morning, just like at dawn.
Kyleius suddenly remembered the cookie the girl had given him. He took it out from his pocket.
Naturally, everyone’s eyes followed.
Most merchants had long since memorized the duke’s preferences and simple tastes.
So, at this very moment, every merchant’s mind jumped to the same thought:
“He hardly ever eats snacks outside mealtime—yet now he’s got a cookie?!”
The agenda discussed today suddenly seemed irrelevant.
To shrewd merchants, any information about the duke took absolute priority.
Had His Grace’s tastes changed? Was his appetite shifting?
This could prove extremely useful when selecting this year’s gift for the ducal household.
“My lord, what is that?”
“Surely you don’t mean you don’t know.”
“Well—it’s just that you usually dislike sweet things, don’t you?”
“That’s right.”
“So… has your taste changed?”
“No, I still find sweets unappealing.”
“I see…”
Then was he planning to throw it away? The merchant sitting beside him reached toward the cookie.
“Then allow me to dispose of it for…”
“Leave it. I’ll eat it myself.”
“Huh?”
The merchants, who’d been silently listening, grew confused.
He still disliked sweets—yet he intended to eat the cookie?
Perhaps it wasn’t actually sweet? But one look revealed chunks of extra-sweet chocolate embedded throughout—just one bite would flood the whole body with sweetness.
‘Then what on earth is that cookie?!’
They wanted to ask further, but this was an official setting. Pressing the duke—who disliked unnecessary questions—with more inquiries would bring no good.
Yet another merchant, unable to contain his curiosity, finally blurted out,
“Then where did that cookie come from?”
Silence fell over the meeting hall. The other merchants cast sympathetic glances toward Baron Heda, who’d asked the question.
Baron Heda was a young guild master who’d only recently joined the association, which explained his casual boldness.
Of course, they too were curious—but for someone to ask such a personal question after the duke had already signaled his disapproval of mixing personal matters with business!
“This one, you mean?”
Contrary to everyone’s expectations, the duke answered him calmly.
“My daughter gave it to me this morning.”
“The one you recently found…!”
“You’ve all surely heard the news—about my daughter.”
These merchants had spent their lives reading subtle cues. They immediately realized what truly mattered now.
“Of course! What wonderful news!”
“Yes, belated congratulations!”
“Truly a joyous occasion!”
As Kyleius said, rumors had already spread—Kyleius had recently found his biological daughter.
Yet merchants hadn’t paid much attention to the rumor for one simple reason:
Despite the gossip, the duke had never once been seen appearing publicly with his daughter.
Given that, most who’d heard the rumor assumed:
“Unlike the adopted princes he raised from childhood, the duke doesn’t hold this newly found biological daughter in high regard.”
After all, it was known that, unlike the exceptionally gifted young masters raised since youth, this newly found daughter was said to be entirely ordinary.
Yet the duke’s behavior now was the complete opposite of their expectations.
Amid the growing commotion in the meeting hall, Kyleius quietly drank his tea. Observing this, Baron Ophrel—who had traded with the ducal household for many years—delicately broached the subject.
“It seems the young lady holds you in high affection, Your Grace.”
“Well, she’s adapted rather quickly.”
“Of course! Whose blood does she carry, after all?”
“That’s true.”
At that, Kyleius gave a small smile.
Not to be outdone, other merchants began effusing about the young lady none of them had ever met.
“A cookie from your daughter—I’d feel full even without eating it!”
“I heard she’s quite young—what wonderful fortune must you have for her to share such a precious treat!”
“The young lady must truly be remarkable!”
The duke had never once reacted to flattery before—in fact, he’d always drawn a clear line with uncanny perceptiveness whenever such attempts arose.
But today’s duke was different.
It was unmistakably clear that he softened noticeably whenever his daughter was mentioned.
Merchants’ minds began racing.
“This year’s specialty goods go to the young lady!”
“What do girls usually like?”
“What toys do four-year-olds enjoy again?!”
Unaware, the duke had just become their new target of strategic attention.
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.]
MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (111)
Poor thing, her luck has truly run out; she can’t escape. But it’s good that the killer didn’t discover her.How childish the Duke is! Why is he doing this to our little one?
Why is he angry? When will they tell us her name? It’s so boring.
YOUR COMMENT
2. Inline comments are now available. Tap the end of any line in a chapter to share your thoughts instantly.
Log in to comment.
Miioo
Why does the Duke always appear before her? Our little girl is no ordinary girl; she’s very intelligent, kind, and truly beautiful.