Hanna asked as she looked around when there was no one outside. The maid, who was worried that they might have missed each other, looked around as well and eagerly raised her hand.
“He’s coming over there.”
Spotting Fernando, Hanna swiftly approached him as if flying.
“Fernando.”
Fernando, who was walking towards her with an expressionless face, looked at the person blocking his way.
“Are you okay? Well, you seem fine, but there aren’t any injuries, right?”
Hanna anxiously scanned Fernando’s body. Although she knew that the Crown Prince and Etienne had returned safely, she felt more reassured by personally confirming with her own eyes.
“I was worried because only you didn’t come. If you didn’t show up, I was going to go look for you.”
Fernando, despite Hanna’s concerned words, remained silent for a moment before resuming his steps. As if acknowledging Hanna standing in his way, he moved immediately when she slightly stepped aside.
“I prepared hot water. Just soaking your body in it will relieve some fatigue. After that, it would be good to warm your insides with soup.”
“…What about Etienne?”
Fernando, who had kept his mouth shut all along, finally spoke. Hanna displayed a welcoming expression, but it stiffened when the question about Etienne came up.
“Etienne came last night. He’s resting now.”
They’re good friends who get along well. Moreover, considering Fernando’s recent interest in Etienne, it’s natural that Hanna would be curious.
Hanna tried her best to accept it with a positive mindset. She didn’t feel good when she and Etienne both fell into the hole while trying to rescue him, but she knew it couldn’t be helped.
“I’ll bring Etienne after you finish your meal.”
So, Hanna planned to use Etienne to bring Fernando and Etienne closer. If she gradually intervened in their relationship, it might work.
However, Hanna’s plan failed before it could be executed.
“Etienne.”
When she was passing by Etienne earlier on her way to meet Fernando, it seemed like Etienne was following her, staying close by.
Fernando spotted Etienne and approached her directly. Though Hanna couldn’t catch him, she didn’t want to let him slip away either. She felt her mood hitting rock bottom.
“Did you wait for me?”
“Where were you last night? Did you sleep outside again?”
Fernando and Etienne engaged in casual conversation as they headed inside. Only Hanna was left there as if abandoned.
“Oh? Hanna. What are you doing here?”
Nick, who had been wandering around the area out of boredom, came over and started a conversation. When Hanna slowly turned her head towards him, Nick felt a bit uncomfortable.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“What? Waiting here so you can take care of me?”
When Hanna chuckled and spoke, Nick, realizing something was wrong, scratched the back of his head.
“No… I… I couldn’t just stand by and watch you go into that hole. What if you got hurt? What would I have done?”
“If that were the case, I wouldn’t be treated so indifferently.”
Regretting not being able to enter that place, Hanna left the spot. Nick, who had unintentionally become the target of Hanna’s frustration, sighed in frustration himself.
“I was genuinely worried…”
Nick shook his head and left.
In the opulent room of the Ducal Palace, Leharth, with a somber expression, passed documents.
“Even though you’ve come this far, there’s still work to be done.”
“I cannot leave my seat vacant for long. There are many urgent matters to attend to.”
Alex, who had just set down another stack of documents in front of the Crown Prince, took a folded paper from his pocket. Unfolding the paper and reading its contents, he spoke.
“The Second Prince seems to have taken the bait.”
“Hayashi must have conveyed the information properly.”
The Crown Prince entered the sacred temple and brought something out. It seemed that their careful planning to convey only those two pieces of information had worked well.
“Now, we just have to wait and see what excuse he’ll use to come out and meet us.”
The Crown Prince had suggested utilizing the spies they had planted. Alex, folding the note, asked.
“But why do you think the Second Prince will come out? He should be confident enough to take it from the palace; there’s no need to risk it.”
Currently, Prince Ludvig seemed quite confident.
“Because he might think it’s not advisable to bring it into the palace. If, let’s say, it could cure Empress Abama’s illness, my entire plan would be ruined.”
Leharht waved a document as he spoke.
“If Empress Abama recovers, she’ll undoubtedly support me. I’ve already caused quite a stir once by gaining access to the secret library.”
The secret library, accessible only to the Emperor and those he permitted. When Ludvig received the access pass to that place, no one knew how ecstatic he was.
That was because he believed that the secret library contained crucial information, and he couldn’t bear falling behind.
Having entered the place himself and learned about Etienne’s restoration technique, he understood it well enough.
“Now, what do you plan to do?”
“Tie Rudvi’s hands. It seems challenging if we don’t do it this time.”
Leharht, as if it wasn’t much of a difficulty, set down some documents.
“But did you bring it?”
“Yes, I brought it.”
Prince Ludvig immediately understood what the Crown Prince was talking about, and Alex returned with a box from downstairs. Seeing the joyous expression on Leharht’s face as he unveiled what was covered with black cloth, it was evident.
“I’ve had things I shouldn’t know happen to me twice already. So, we need to find out what connection those two have.”
As Leharht lifted the black cloth, golden light radiated from the box, which was nothing less than a jewelry box.
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.]
