Cecile’s voice, which had been loud enough to burst eardrums, softened when she mentioned ‘romantic escape.’ She seemed worried someone might overhear, even though it’s Celeste’s house and a stranger wouldn’t be privy to such conversations.
“But even so, without being married, to have a child… Oh, my. If the former earl knew, he would faint from shock.”
“Uh, I almost fainted too when I first saw Valeri.”
“Valeri? Is that the little lady’s name?”
“That’s what I’ve been told.”
“You’ve been told?”
“I don’t remember, do I? The person who brought the child said her name was Valeri.”
“There was someone who brought the child? Who? The child’s… father?”
Following me with thudding footsteps, Cecile lowered her voice again at ‘child’s father.’
“Who is the child’s father, my lord?”
“Pardon the intrusion.”
The one who halted Cecile’s relentless questioning was an unexpected person.
“I still have matters to discuss with Earl Louizette, so I’ve taken the liberty to accompany you.”
The tall, brown-haired knight, Clovis. He was being led into the mansion by Kendrick. Startled by the intrusion of a stranger, Cecile froze when she saw the person following Clovis.
“Th, the Grand Duke…”
It was already shocking for Cecile that Celeste returned suddenly with the imperial investigation team after being silent for almost half a year.
But now, the Grand Duke, who rivals the second and third in the imperial hierarchy, appeared with her. And he had come all the way to the house.
Anyone would know what it meant for an unmarried nobleman and woman to visit each other’s homes. Cecile’s mouth hung open in shock.
“My lord, what is this…”
“I would like to have a talk.”
Worried her jaw might dislocate from shock, I watched Cecile’s face as Clovis and the knights cleared the way for Karl, who approached me directly.
“Please, Your Highness.”
But he said nothing in response. Why is he silent when he said he wanted to talk? I blinked up at him, and Hanna was frantically signaling something with her hands and feet. What? What’s she saying?
“There are many prying eyes here, Earl.”
Ah, so he wants to talk privately. If he has something to say, he could do it here. I wonder what kind of secretive conversation he intends to have.
Turning to my side, I saw Müller, the mansion’s butler, quickly gesturing to lead the way. As the chief servant of the mansion, he was very perceptive.
Following Müller, Karl and I headed to a secluded library at the end of a corridor on the first floor. I remembered reading about it in a novel – a place used for official yet private conversations.
I had only read about it, never seen it with my own eyes. Outwardly, I was the owner of the mansion, but inwardly, I felt no different from a guest visiting for the first time. So, as I curiously looked around, Müller said he would prepare tea and left the library.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
Feeling awkward and out of place, I watched as Karl took a seat at the table in the center of the library. To an onlooker, it might seem as if I was a guest in his house. Who really was the owner here?
“Have you forgotten the interior of the mansion as well?”
“Huh? Yes, well…”
Karl still seemed to doubt my amnesia. I realized that I had to be careful with every word to avoid arousing his suspicion, and moved forward with tension.
Knock, knock.
Müller, who had left to bring tea, returned. Acknowledging his short bow as he entered, I cautiously took a seat as well. The sound of the trolley’s wheels broke the awkward silence, thankfully.
“The tea will be served at your leisure, so please call when needed. No interruptions until then.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Müller set down the teacups and teapot on the table, arranging the teaspoons and a bowl of sugar neatly before exiting with the same polite gesture as when he entered.
Everything he did was so reserved and unhurried, yet the time it took for him to prepare and leave the tea felt incredibly short to me. His instruction not to be disturbed until called seemed to imply that no matter what sounds came from outside, no one should enter.
I started to feel sweaty palms from nervousness. Strangely, being in front of Karl always filled me with an inexplicable tension.
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.]
