Of course, recognition as a member of the family is now in vain, but I was truly happy that the heart I had yearned for still remained.
A few days ago, when the memories of my past life returned, I had been troubled since confirming that the ability was real by testing it.
“Hmm. How can I make money with this ability?”
Lost in thought, I absentmindedly looked out the window.
Then something caught my eye.
The garden filled with brilliant flowers and grass.
It was the Duchess’s poison garden.
Themis Ferdia. The Duchess was the continent’s most famous poison maker. 50% of the circulating poisons were developed by her.
Ironically, the Duchess’s main income came from antidotes. Naturally, an antidote is needed to use poison.
The Imperial City regarded the Duchess, who circulated poison on the black market, as an eyesore, but could not lay a hand on her under the authority of Ferdia.
‘I remember something recently disturbed the Duchess in the Imperial City.’
At that moment, a newspaper headline flashed across my mind.
[Ferdia’s Insect Extermination Drug. In Fact, a Deadly Poison for Neutralizing Static?]It was an article about the Imperial City recalling the Duchess’s insecticide, which had an excellent effect on exterminating pests, as soon as it hit the market.
Since the poison, fatal to insects, was no exception to humans, they asserted and stepped forward that cases of using that poison to harm others without an antidote had increased.
Recently, as pests wreaked havoc and cast a shadow over the continent, the Duchess’s goodwill, who had developed the insecticide for a good cause, was ruthlessly trampled.
The failure to launch a new product completely ruined the Duchess’s mood.
The Imperial City issued an ultimatum to develop an antidote if she wanted to circulate the insecticide again.
But there was no way to develop an antidote so quickly.
My mind began to spin rapidly.
Deadly poison. Antidote. And…… my ability.
“Oh?”
Wait a minute.
“This could work?”
I thought of a fantastic way to make money!
[Star Icon][Star Icon][Star Icon]I immediately embarked on my plan.
The first thing I did was summon my personal maid, Masa.
Masa was the only person in this mansion I could call ‘on my side’. She was the daughter of the nanny who raised me, an abandoned baby that no one looked at.
Masa, of the same age, was a friend despite being a maid, and therefore, though I acted harshly to others, I was always gentle with her.
“What is it, Miss?”
“Masa. Can you do me just one favor?”
“You can’t go out. You’re under confinement.”
Her face was full of suspicion, perhaps because I had a glamorous record of going out on my own after confinement. It was an evident reaction showing how little Masa trusted me.
“Unfortunately, that’s not it.”
“Fortunately, it’s not an outing. Then what is it?”
When I gestured subtly, Masa lent me her ear, her face full of anxiety.
Whispers.
As my whispering continued, Masa’s face turned pale.
“No, what’s the point?!”
Of course, I knew she would refuse, but I didn’t expect her to get angry right away.
“I have a use for it.”
“No, it’s too dangerous. What are you trying to do again!”
“Be quiet.”
“No.”
Masa firmly refused with a resolute tone, but I didn’t give up.
“Masa.”
“It won’t work…….”
“Please. Okay?”
As weak to Masa as Masa was to me, she finally surrendered to my repeated pleas.
“You really can’t do anything dangerous.”
“I know!”
I inwardly sighed a sigh of relief as I saw Masa give in to my solemn vow.
‘Sorry, Masa. I don’t think I can keep that promise.’
The promise not to do anything dangerous.
……Because what I’m trying to do carries a great risk.
.
.
.
Two days later. After a lot of twists and turns, I finished all my preparations and took the first step.
I was told to be careful, but it should be okay to walk around the mansion.
I was exhausted and my body was sagging from working for two days. I felt so dizzy that I could faint at any moment.
‘I want to rest……. But it’s best to meet as soon as possible. I don’t have time.’
Every maid I encountered as I headed to my destination alone ran away with a fearful expression. It was a testament to how notorious I was in this mansion.
I stopped at the Duke’s wife’s poison garden, located in the backyard.
Sitting at a table with a parasol spread out, the Duke’s wife was directing the servants who were tending to the poisonous plants.
Step by step. The Duke’s wife turned her head at the sound of my approaching footsteps.
“Hello, Duchess.”
The Duchess responded with a graceful smile to my greeting.
“It’s been a long time, Elodie.”
“Yes. I’m glad to see you look well.”
“Hmm?”
I discreetly avoided her sharp gaze. My heart was pounding hard, worried that the sharpwitted Duchess might notice my change.
There was another reason I couldn’t help but be nervous.
She was a very uncomfortable presence for me.
Although she never openly hated me, the foundling who had almost been sold to live in this mansion since infancy, I knew I was like a thorn in her side.
Who would be fond of a foundling that rolled in? I would find it uncomfortable and dislike it too.
“Don’t worry, Duchess. I’ll leave quietly!”
I reaffirmed my firm determination to gain independence and smiled as harmlessly as possible.
The Duchess fanned herself and asked politely.
“I heard you were convalescing, did you come out because you were bored?”
“Yes. Staying in my room all the time made my head hurt.”
“I see.”
Thud.
The conversation stopped.
“…….”
“…….”
We weren’t close in the first place, so there was no suitable topic of conversation.
The Duchess’s eyes were on the poisonous garden where work was proceeding.
It seemed she had already forgotten that I was standing nearby. Or perhaps she was deliberately ignoring me.
‘Either way, it hurts.’
But I couldn’t give up like this. I carefully steered the conversation to make sure the Duchess wouldn’t be offended.
“The royal family is really too much. You developed a good pesticide for the peasants, and they issue a seizure order.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Is she making fun of me now? The Duchess glanced at me with a face that seemed to say that.
Perhaps because I had brought up a sensitive subject, her expression was displeasing, but I had succeeded in grabbing her attention.
I didn’t miss the opportunity.
“So,”
“So?”
“I think I can help you, Duchess.”
The bait was cast!
‘Bite it!’
I waited for the fish to bite, holding down my pounding heart.
Finally, the Duchess’s mouth opened.
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.]
