That day was the middle of a summer when the sunlight beating down was especially strong. Skin darkened under the midday sun, and no matter how much one wiped away, sweat poured down like rain.
Still, on the surface, it seemed like a day no different from usual.
Ellie came to the valley with her face still covered in colorful bruises that hadn’t faded, and Ren, whose fingernail marks on his face had become faint but who still desperately wanted to find his mother’s body, also came to the valley.
But that day, Ren was not in a good mood.
It was because of a strange anxiety that kept raising its head.
And the person who planted that anxiety was none other than Yuria.
[“I hear you’ve been going out very frequently lately, Your Highness the Crown Prince. They say you leave the Imperial Palace almost every day.”]As always, Yuria, who had adorned her body and face excessively luxuriously and extravagantly, approached Ren as he was about to head to the valley.
…They were never on speaking terms to begin with, but it became even more so after his mother’s death. Yuria didn’t even glance at Ren. As if what happened that day had nothing to do with her. Just like the Emperor had done.
[“It hasn’t been long since the Empress passed away. It seems our Crown Prince has better recovery abilities than I thought.”]Ren didn’t respond to Yuria’s words. He just silently glared at her.
[“Well, I suppose it’s not a bad thing. Of course, the lowly subjects are gossiping that the motherless prince is going out to play every day without fail even though his mother just died, saying he’s not fit to be Emperor at all, but I can take care of that much for you. As you know, I have more power than everyone thinks.”]But Yuria continued speaking.
‘Outside the palace’?
Ren thought that statement was a bit absurd. If he had to pick the most dangerous place in the world for him, it would undoubtedly be the Imperial Palace of Edenbell.
Ren had seen it many times. Even before she was finally killed by Yuria, his mother had constantly been in danger.
For example, collapsing after drinking poisoned tea.
Or nearly dying from side effects after receiving a prescription for her chronic illness, unaware that her personal physician had fallen into Yuria’s hands. Things like that.
But Ren wasn’t careless enough to easily dismiss the idea that Yuria had uttered those ominous words for no reason.
It was ominous.
Something was.
“Ren.”
Ellie, unaware of Ren’s feelings, still greeted him with a bright smile.
Not wanting to pass on his anxious mood to Ellie, Ren smiled as usual, but Ellie’s face quickly hardened.
“What’s wrong?”
“…”
“Did someone bully you again? Your father? Your stepmother?”
Ellie asked with a worried expression, not knowing that Ren’s father and stepmother were the Emperor and royal concubine of Edenbell.
“…No. It’s fine. I’m just a little tired. Don’t worry.”
“You’re lying.”
“Really. Actually, I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Why?”
Ellie was always that kind of child. If she was curious about something, or if there was something she didn’t understand, she would constantly struggle to find the answer.
Knowing this already, Ren answered in a small voice.
“I kept thinking about what you said yesterday…”
“What did I say?”
“That you like me…”
It wasn’t a lie anyway. Yesterday, even after returning to the palace, Ren had tossed and turned for a long time, unable to fall asleep.
“Why does that bother you? Did you dislike it?”
“Ah, no. It’s definitely not that. I was just a little surprised…”
“Then I’ll make sure you’re not surprised.”
“Huh?”
“I like you, Ren.”
Ellie said with a lovely smile.
“From now on, I’ll tell you every day so you won’t be surprised when you hear that I like you. That should do it, right?”
Ren’s cheeks turned slightly red as he lowered his head a little.
How could she be so true to her feelings? So honest? So brave? So confident?
How could she shine so brightly?
Just like the blazing sun, brilliantly…
“You know, Ellie. Today…”
We should just go back.
Ren hesitated unconsciously as he was about to continue.
It was because of the vivid new bruise on Ellie’s face.
“…”
[“So I came to this valley. Because my family members are people who don’t care to go to such trouble because of me. Anyway, if I wait until nightfall and go back, they’ll all be asleep, so I just have to endure a little…”]If he said to just go back now, Ellie would be beaten again. And she would come back in an even worse state.
Ren hesitated for a moment, then continued speaking.
“…Let’s just look around a little, then spend time near the entrance of the valley before leaving.”
Even if something happened, the entrance was directly connected to the capital. It wasn’t far either. So it seemed it would be safer.
Yes. That’s what we’ll do. Ren thought to himself, not knowing at all how much he would come to regret his words.
“You’re saying that because you’re tired, right? Okay.”
Fortunately, Ellie nodded as if agreeing, and the two began to walk towards the valley.
[This is the timeline separator]As expected, there was no particular harvest.
No matter how much they searched the valley, there was no trace of the Empress’s body, and before they knew it, a red sunset like blood began to settle over the clear valley.
“The Hilden River is connected to this valley, isn’t it? I thought if she just floated away as people say, we could find her around here…”
Ellie murmured softly with a sad expression, knowing how much Ren wanted to find his mother, but Ren didn’t look at her.
Instead, he was glaring into the distance.
At first he thought it was his imagination, but now he seemed to know for sure.
The fact that someone was watching them.
Also, the clear killing intent emanating from this gaze that he kept feeling…
“Anyway, let’s look again tomorrow…”
“Ellie, we need to go back.”
“…Ren?”
“Hurry. Let’s go quickly.”
It wasn’t a situation where he could explain the reason, nor could he do so.
Ren, standing in the middle of the valley with Ellie, looked at her with an urgent expression.
And that was the moment.
When four men wearing black masks suddenly appeared at the edge of the valley.
“Run, Ellie!”
Ellie, who hadn’t noticed the men’s presence but realized they were in danger, hurriedly started moving with splashing sounds at Ren’s shout.
They couldn’t go to the shore. The men were guarding the left and right shores of the valley like sentries in pairs.
For now, they had to somehow move forward and escape.
“Huff, hah…”
The harsh breathing of Ellie and Ren as they fled against the current echoed ominously. But children’s steps could not outpace adults’ steps. Especially in water.
‘Again, because of me…’
Am I going to lose again? This time not my mother, but Ellie. I should have died with my mother back then. Then Ellie wouldn’t be in this danger.
Red blood reflected on the tender lips bitten with all his might.
‘Their target is probably me anyway. Then… if I lure them away, Ellie will be safe…’
…won’t she?
It was at the moment he was having such a fleeting thought.
“Kyaaah!”
When Ellie’s piercingly sharp scream was heard.
As he hurriedly looked back…
“Re… Ren!”
He saw Ellie, her ankle caught between large rocks, unable to move at all.
“My foot… my foot…”
Ellie cried out, reaching out her small white hand as if asking for help. Startled, Ren reached out his hand to help Ellie, unable to even breathe properly.
No, he was about to reach out.
[I, I’ll save you!]If only he hadn’t heard his own incredibly stupid voice from that day.
If only Ellie’s tiny hand hadn’t overlapped with his mother’s hand for a moment.
[I’ll pull you up, so just hold on a little longer. It’s not difficult. I’m sure I can do it…]For a moment, Ren’s expression went blank.
[I, I let, let go.]The brief warmth he felt so clearly.
[Mo, Mother, I could, could have saved, saved her. Be, because of me. She died.]And the hand he let go of so quickly.
The last moment with his mother, which he still remembers terribly clearly.
…What if the same happens to Ellie?
What if I grab your hand like I did then, and let go of you just like I did then?
What if you die because of me too?
No. I can’t lose you like that too. Then I really won’t be able to go on living anymore.
“I…”
Ren unconsciously took a step back with a dazed expression.
“Don’t leave me alone…”
“I, I…”
“Help me, Ren!”
Along with Ellie’s ear-splitting scream, he saw one of the masked men approaching his direction.
Holding a small but very sharp dagger in his 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.]
