When Bialet attended official events as the Crown Prince’s fiancée, the Ruschev Ducal House was inundated with more invitations than ever before. The nobility, which had previously looked down on her, were now lining up to gain her favor, which was absurd.
Not only that, but families who had prided themselves on their lineage were now carefully watching her every move. The position of the future Crown Princess, backed by the royal family, was set to be a significant support in Bialet’s grasp on power.
She planned to use this position for political purposes to her full advantage, building a circle of people who would add strength to her influence.
If this could in any way aid Dension’s future, Bialet was prepared to go even further. In recent days, she had been busy with her commercial enterprise while scrutinizing the information about key figures obtained from Bernard at 34th Street, both day and night.
No matter how noble they were, everyone had their own sense of what was right and logical.
Therefore, Bialet planned to persuade each of them, one by one, to become her strong allies.
‘Whether it will be cooperation or blackmail, I’m not sure.’
Bialet had been waiting for the Elmadar Social Club meeting to take place after the Crown Prince’s birthday celebration. Having unintentionally deceived the club members by becoming the Crown Prince’s fiancée, she felt it necessary to explain the situation.
More importantly, there was someone she wanted to talk to, and the first target Bialet had in mind was Matteo, the Duke of Caenderson.
Knowing that he, as the club’s organizer, always arrived earlier than others, Bialet visited the palace earlier than usual.
“Duke Caenderson, may I have a moment to talk with you?”
“Of course, Lady. Please come this way.”
Since other members had not yet arrived, the club’s basement meeting room was eerily silent.
The first to break the silence was Duke Caenderson himself.
“What brings you to me?”
His eyes, looking at Bialet, were filled with a tense curiosity.
“I feel I should apologize for the last event.”
At the Crown Prince’s birthday celebration, Matteo had seemed flustered and awkward upon seeing her, unable to hide his discomfort. Therefore, Bialet apologized for not informing him earlier about her engagement to the Crown Prince.
“Not at all.”
The Duke shook his head, adding,
“If you had denounced me to the royal family, I would have been summoned for insult long ago.”
Yet, despite his words, Matteo’s face showed a carefulness unlike before, prompting Bialet to take a sip of the tea in front of her.
‘Time to get to the main point.’
Hoping her judgment was correct, Bialet spoke up.
“Actually, I seek advice not as the organizer here, but as the head of the Caenderson family.”
Matteo’s usually gentle face showed a trace of surprise.
Raising his eyebrows in curiosity, he seemed ready to listen intently to her story.
“What advice might Lady Ruschev seek from me?”
“Do you believe the current Crown Prince will make a good Emperor?”
The question took Matteo by surprise, evident in the confusion and agitation spreading across his face. It was an unexpected query, especially coming from someone who had just engaged the Crown Prince a week ago.
Matteo, unable to speak freely in front of the Crown Prince’s fiancée, chose his words carefully and deliberately.
“Lady, I’m utterly puzzled as to why you’re asking me this.”
The question was indeed rude and sensitive, but Bialet was aware of it. However, Matteo didn’t express any anger or displeasure.
Instead, he thoughtfully tried to understand the hidden intent behind her question.
If Bialet found the question too difficult, she was willing to rephrase it. She was inquiring about the stability of the current regime. Most of the nobles who attended the Centralized Government Meetings were part of the Emperor’s faction, and among them, the Caenderson Ducal House maintained neutrality. They had not succumbed to any pressure from the royal family and maintained their independence.
Hence, their uninhibited criticism of the royal family in the Elmadar Social Club meetings made sense. The Caenderson Ducal House’s high status was partly due to their resolute decisions.
‘But still, there are no significant signs yet.’
It was clear that they had no firm confidence or belief in the current Emperor and the Crown Prince.
Ivan Leo Cartos, despite being heralded as the next sun who cared for the people’s welfare, lacked the character to embrace the citizens of the empire.
In her past life, when he became the Emperor, he spitefully kicked away the trust he had built and turned to tyranny, incurring the wrath of the empire’s citizens. This was the result of his arrogance, a belief that no one could stand above him.
Therefore, Bialet’s task was to coax those houses that were still uncertain about Crown Prince Ivan.
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.]
