The aftermath of Eschika’s thoughtless actions fell entirely on Reneb.
The root of the problem was clearly Eschika.
But all she had to do was please Lucius, while Reneb had to manage all the affairs within the palace as the empress.
To avoid such situations, most emperors had always kept the existence of the government strictly hidden.
Though hiding it didn’t mean it was completely hidden, at least past emperors had made the effort to hide it.
“It’s not my place to say, as this is the Lady’s country, but it seems like the emperor’s mistake.”
With a sulky face, Kiernan spoke, and Reneb inwardly agreed.
“I agree one hundred percent.”
Even after things had gotten bad, Lucius had not blamed Eschika.
“How about warning your government not to readily accept gifts from nobles, Your Majesty?”
What had Lucius answered to Reneb’s desperate suggestion?
“Empress, Eschika is the woman who will bear my child. The future emperor of Paradium.”
As if to say, ‘You, who couldn’t bear a child, should clean up after Eschika’s reckless actions.’
Recalling those memories, Reneb gulped down the cold tea to calm her burning insides.
“……Lady, we’ve received fruit as gifts; shall I bring some for dessert?”
Noticing Reneb’s discomfort, Kiernan tried to change the atmosphere.
“Fruit?”
“Yes.”
Fresh fruit was expensive in Basher.
But it would spoil if returned during the grace period, so it was better to eat it.
“I was actually in the mood for something refreshing, so this works out.”
“I’ll prepare it right away.”
Kiernan left, and Reneb glanced over the gift list again.
In the list were items not commonly found in Paradium, for which Kiernan had quickly added explanatory notes.
“Pesh: Fruit”
Reneb verified that there were no other peculiarities.
Amber entered the receiving room, her thoughts drifting to the painful memories of the past.
“I’m back, Miss.”
Amber seemed a little tired, having gathered information around the palace since morning.
“Amber, you’ve worked hard. Kiernan will bring some sliced fruit, so rest while eating.”
Hearing Reneb’s words, Amber’s face brightened up instantly.
“It’s been a long time since I had fresh fruit.”
Just then, Kiernan returned with a beautifully plated dish of fruit.
“Lady, please try this. It’s a fruit called Pesh; it’s very sweet and refreshing.”
As he set the plate down on the table, Kiernan spoke.
Reneb stared at the fruit on the plate.
She couldn’t be sure, as it had been peeled, but at a glance, it looked like a soft peach.
Reneve stared seriously at the fruit, prompting Kieran to ask,
“Lady, what’s the matter?”
“I need to verify who sent this fruit.”
Reneve scanned the list written on parchment.
Kieran stepped closer and pointed at the parchment.
“It’s a gift from Baron Shaban.”
“Kieran, have you ever eaten Ppesh before?”
At Reneve’s question, Kieran answered with a puzzled expression.
“Yes. Just a little taste.”
“You didn’t eat some while cutting it just now?”
Amber playfully asked, and Kieran shook his head evasively.
“I had some left after His Majesty’s coronation ceremony. And just now, I really just tasted it.”
“I see.”
Amber chuckled, and Kieran’s face turned red.
Lost in thought and without any intention to stop the two, Reneve was deep in contemplation.
‘Did he know?’
Baron Shaban.
A name she had never heard in the original or even before her return.
Moreover, for him, a noble of Basuker, to know ‘that’…
“Lady, you’re not eating?”
Kieran’s voice snapped Reneve out of her thoughts.
“I’m sorry, I can’t. I have some matters to attend to.”
Not touching the fruit Kieran had prepared, Reneve stood up.
“Is this fruit called Ppesh in Paradium?”
“Yes.”
“Then Amber, you should share it with me.”
With a puzzled look, Amber picked up a Ppesh and popped it in her mouth.
Amber’s eyes widened as she chewed the Ppesh.
“Huh? Miss, this is…”
Only then did Amber look at Reneve with a surprised expression.
“I have something to look into. I’ll be at the library.”
Reneve started walking hastily, and Kieran followed her.
“Then I’ll go with you.”
“No need. Enjoy the fruit.”
Leaving the room, Reneve headed straight to the palace library. She intended to check the noble’s registry there.
“Why did the Lady suddenly act like that?”
Kieran, who had followed her out the door, asked Amber.
“Our Miss is allergic to this fruit. It would be dangerous if she ate it.”
“……What?”
“It didn’t look the same as the Paradium version, so I was uncertain. But tasting it, now I know. It’s a relief that Miss didn’t eat it.”
Only then did Kieran pop a Ppesh into his mouth.
If it’s a food that could harm the Lady, it’s better to quickly eat it and dispose of it.
Amber also hastily joined in emptying the plate, seeing Kieran aggressively eat the Ppesh.
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.]
