Having an empress would be better, right? That would look much better.
And he had to think about an heir.
He couldn’t appoint his illegitimate child as crown prince.
As an illegitimate child of the previous emperor, he was rather opposed to the existence of illegitimate children.
He had no intention of seeing children, fulfilling his desires with concubines, and even if he saw them, he had no intention of putting them on the throne and making them the object of ridicule.
Therefore, there was no objection to the words of the elders and other nobles that an empress was essential.
“If there’s a good opportunity…… Ha.”
Lady Berium intuitively realized that this wasn’t just a way to avoid the current situation.
Her mind raced.
Who would be good? Who would benefit her if she paired them with this man?
As she mentally placed a few women next to the Grand Duke, Lady Berium’s eyes suddenly widened.
Why didn’t I think of her?
“Ah……”
As she inadvertently let out a sigh at her own ingenuity, the Grand Duke, who was admiring the noble ladies through the mirror window, turned his head.
“Why? Cler?”
At the Grand Duke’s question, Cler Berium sparkled and said,
“Why don’t you come to our house sometime? I’ll prepare a good opportunity for you.”
“……”
After briefly wearing a puzzled expression, the Grand Duke laughed as if he had finally understood.
“So it’s come to this. To be set up by an old friend. This is rather humiliating, isn’t it?”
“What does it matter if someone mediates? If it’s successful, that’s all.”
Instead of answering, the Grand Duke simply smiled.
‘He will choose his own partner.’
But Lady Berium, who couldn’t give up, hurriedly added,
“Just meet her once. She’s young and pretty, and knows a lot. The only drawback might be that she’s a bit selfassertive, but other than that, there’s nothing to fault.”
That single drawback caught the Grand Duke’s interest.
“Alright. Let’s do it. A woman introduced by you, I’m already looking forward to it?”
With a smiling face, the Grand Duke consented and reached for his teacup. Just as he was hooking a finger into the teacup ring to bring it to him,
A sharp glance at his temple made him pause.
He turned his head sharply to look beyond the glass.
The noble ladies who had been strolling in the flower garden had now moved to the fountain, laughing momentarily like young girls at the freshly splashed water.
They didn’t know he was here. And even if they knew, they certainly wouldn’t have looked at him with such… a cold glance.
Is it just oversensitivity?
Well, it could be.
He was in a state of heightened nerves because of the approaching emperor’s enthronement ceremony.
He lifted the teacup to his lips again. And he no longer felt the lively gaze.
(This is a time separator.)
“Miss. I’m here.”
“I’m sorry, Kain. For making you bring something like this.”
Kain took the handbag Lilia offered, and with a face showing she was sorry and didn’t know what to do, he said.
It was all because of Count Bert.
He had left his handbag in the garden while being dragged around by him. He had hesitated, not wanting to be treated as Count Bert’s fiancée by the ladies in the garden, but Kain acted on her behalf.
“It’s my duty as a servant.”
Kain said with a sorrowful smile.
Lilia saw the beads of sweat on his face. Standing in the unusually warm autumn sun for longer than usual, he seemed to have finally started sweating.
She reached into her bag to find her handkerchief. Then,
“Lilia!”
The interrupter appeared.
Lilia’s momentarily furrowed brow quickly smoothed as she turned towards Count Bert. She hid her feelings, always first considering the mood of others, even when dealing with someone she disliked.
“What’s the matter?”
She asked with a smile as bright as sunshine.
“I’m going to show you my special place.”
“That… I think I saw it earlier…”
“It’s a much more meaningful place.”
“Where is it…?”
“At the far end of the courtyard, it’s a window where I secretly stashed trinkets when I was young. Let’s go. There are many interesting things.”
Count Bert grabbed Lilia’s wrist and pulled her along. Lilia went along limply, looking back at Kain with a pleading expression.
But Kain saw her off with a composed smile, his face saying, stay as long as you like and enjoy yourself.
After Lilia and Count Bert disappeared beyond the bushes,
Kain looked back in the direction he had just come from.
Beyond the ivycovered walls of the venerable building… his enemy, the Duke of Montaner, was there.
He had certainly felt it.
He had spent twothirds of his life admiring him and onethird hating him.
In his youth, he had focused on every breath of the Duke, his only blood relative and teacher, not wanting to miss even one of his actions.
Eventually, he had honed his senses to recognize the Duke even from ten li away.
So he couldn’t not know.
The Duke was beyond the mirror window.
“Ha…”
A smile came naturally. How long had it been since they were in the same space?
He seemed not to have seen himself.
But if he had seen? Would he have recognized him?
Perhaps.
The Duke was a sharp man.
Kain recalled how the Duke had effortlessly identified people by name and status at a childhood masquerade, even behind their masks. So the Duke might recognize the real him, the one before Kain.
He had never once appeared before the Duke to avoid that, but a strange impulse welled up as he neared him.
Shall he break the mirror?
It was possible.
Stones were lying on the floor, and he had the skills to hide who the culprit was.
But… he decided not to.
If you pick the fruit before it ripens, it tastes bitter.
If he waited a little longer, the fruit would ripen completely, and the flesh within would offer the sweetest taste to his tongue.
Exactly, in the form of the Duke’s despair, being overthrown by his nephew after killing his brother and sisterinlaw to ascend his position.
“So enjoy yourself until then. Be soaked in the shallow dream of becoming an emperor. Uncle.”
Kain muttered softly and turned away with a cheerful face.
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.]
