But what was the use? He should have expressed his emotions more to his mother, acted childishly around her.
Even after 13 years, he thought the grief over his mother’s death had faded.
However, on the day he returned to the past and met Duke Adrian, Joshua found himself crying like a child again when he spontaneously visited the Empress’s palace and saw Ophelia.
“Why so, Joshua? What happened?”
His mother’s voice, calling his name for the first time in 13 years since her death.
Joshua realized then how sweet and beautiful the sound of his name was from her lips.
“It’s nothing, just a nightmare.”
“Oh dear, you must have been quite frightened.”
Unlike the Emperor who mocked him, Ophelia showed genuine concern, embracing him warmly and tenderly.
At that moment, Joshua understood that he loved and missed his mother more than he thought.
‘I will protect her this time.’
This time, he would be more honest with his feelings and grow stronger to protect his loved ones.
He resolved to show his emotions without being looked down upon by others.
With that determination, Joshua entered the Empress’s palace.
Empress Ophelia Ernhardt was in the rose garden attached to her palace. It was still early spring, so there were few roses, but other flowers bloomed, preventing the garden from feeling bleak.
Joshua approached Ophelia, who was admiring the flowers with her maids attending her.
“Mother. Did you call for me? Is there something wrong?”
Ophelia turned to him with a gentle smile.
“No particular reason. I just wanted to see you. We haven’t seen each other much lately. Oh, did I disturb you? I heard you had canceled all your lessons today.”
Her face showed a hint of worry. Joshua quickly reassured her.
“No, not at all. I was resting after Daniel’s visit.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Ophelia took Joshua’s hand and led him to a table set for tea. Even after sitting, she still held his hand, causing Joshua to feel a mix of emotions.
Honestly, Joshua still found Ophelia somewhat awkward. It didn’t quite feel real that she was alive and in front of him.
Even in the original timeline, his bond with Ophelia wasn’t particularly strong.
It couldn’t be helped. From birth, he was raised by a nanny as per royal protocol, not by Ophelia. He hadn’t spent much time with her.
But still…
After hesitating, Joshua held Ophelia’s hand in return. It was rare for him to initiate physical contact, so Ophelia’s eyes widened in surprise.
Joshua, unable to bear the awkwardness, cast his eyes downward.
Observing his face, Ophelia asked in a concerned voice, “You seem troubled.”
“Ah…”
It was strange. Ophelia had always been adept at reading his mind, both in the past and now. He’d never shown his true feelings to anyone else.
Actually, Joshua had been anxious since hearing about Duke Adrian’s accident.
‘I must prevent Mother’s poisoning at all costs.’
He had been trying to prevent Ophelia’s poisoning. He had already dismissed the maid who was the perpetrator on some other pretext.
‘But that’s not enough.’
Without uncovering the entire plot, attempts at poisoning would continue. If only he knew what poison was used, he could prepare an antidote…!
“Joshua? Are you alright?”
“Oh, I was just worried about the Duke. Daniel said there’s no need to worry but…”
“Oh, right. I heard Duke Adrian had an accident. It was almost disastrous. But thankfully, he’s fine.”
“Yes, very fortunate.”
“Why not visit the Duke’s estate if you’re concerned?”
“Yes, I was thinking of doing just that.”
Muttering quietly, Joshua mustered up courage to speak.
“Mother.”
“What is it?”
“I’m very happy to have tea with you today.”
Ophelia looked surprised.
“Why are you looking like that?”
“To hear such words from you. It’s surprising.”
Joshua coughed awkwardly. He had never been so open with his emotions toward Ophelia in the past.
Seeing her smiling happily, he thought he should change more in the future.
“I’ll visit you more often.”
“That would be nice.”
“I just remembered something urgent, so I must leave now.”
“Alright, then.”
Joshua stood up, scanning the maids around with a sharp eye.
‘Could there be another spy among them?’
He suspected Duke Lillis was behind Ophelia’s murder. After she died, Leonie Lillis was quickly crowned Empress, and Louis appeared.
If Lillis was indeed the culprit…
‘Did Duke Dallus also know about the poisoning?’
Did Rosette Dallus know the culprit?
‘If I had known, I would have asked her when I last met her.’
Frustrated, Joshua walked past the line of maids back to the Sapphire Palace, grinding his teeth.
He felt an increased need to visit the Adrian estate to confirm if the youngest lady there was indeed Rosette Dallus.
“Prepare a horse.”
He ordered a servant as soon as he returned to the Sapphire Palace.
“I need to go out.”
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.]
