At that moment, Lillie began gnawing her lip before bursting out.
“Lord Ingrian came to see her? Why?”
“I don’t understand your question, Lady Dalia. Is it strange for me to meet with her?”
“But she is just… Do you know her?”
“Basquez is one of the sacred eight families, Lady Dalia.”
Unlike you.
He said this with a politely veiled mockery. Realizing his meaning, Lillie’s face turned red with embarrassment.
Ingrian naturally offered his arm to Cordelia.
“May I ask you to guide me through the castle, Lady Cordelia?”
“…Yes, of course.”
Many questions like ‘When did you see me last?’, ‘Why are you seeking me?’ lingered in her mind, but she hid her uneasy expression and moved on with a pretense of composure.
The intense scrutiny from those left behind made the back of her head prickle.
Passing through the courtyard into the castle, the absence of even the occasional passing servants prompted Cordelia to stop.
“Let’s clear things up here. Who are you looking for?”
“I told you, you. The note said to find Cordelia Basquez along with a white horse. Didn’t you send it?”
“Me?”
“If this is an act of pretense, it’s quite convincing.”
If he was the guest summoned by Leonard, the situation was somewhat clear.
Presumably, unable to directly reveal Leonard’s presence here, her name was used as a cover.
“It seems you’re seeking not me but the head of the house.”
“The head of the house? Your husband?”
“No, Leonard Atile. My tea-, urk!”
The change was abrupt. Moments ago, his eyes were amicable, but they suddenly turned icy as he gripped her throat tightly.
“You have no right to casually utter that name.”
“Urk, le-let g-go.”
“If this is some tasteless trap using his name, be prepared. I’ll chop off your limbs and scatter them as dog food in the fields.”
Her breath choked in her throat. Struggling against his grip was futile.
Just before the sky went dark, Ingrian released her with disinterest. Cordelia collapsed like a straw doll.
“Cough, cough.”
“What are you doing lying down? Lead the way.”
He roughly pulled the barely standing Cordelia to her feet, urging her on. She wiped the tears brimming in her eyes with her sleeve.
The unexpected choking had left her throat sore.
Although filled with injustice and rage, she suppressed her emotions. Patience had never betrayed her.
Soon, she’d find an opportunity to repay this humiliation.
Cordelia, pretending to be unfazed, composed herself and led the way. Leonard’s room wasn’t far. She arrived at the door and knocked lightly.
“Your guest has arrived.”
“Come in.”
As Cordelia reached to open the door, Ingrian blocked her. He took hold of the doorknob himself, his face filled with expectation or hope.
Taking a short breath, he opened the door, only to be disappointed.
“Playing games with me?”
Confronted with ‘Craig Abrams’ instead of the expected person, Ingrian glared at Cordelia and growled.
“What’s the scheme here? You two scheming this trash…”
“Belucci.”
“Shut up. I’ll kill you after her.”
“Still quick-tempered. And still foolish to only believe what’s before your eyes.”
At the familiar tone, Belucci’s head turned naturally. Leonard gestured for him to come closer.
“Do you still not know who I am?”
Belucci approached Leonard very cautiously, still filled with doubt.
“Is it really you? But how?”
“Just before my life ended, I transferred my soul. Unfortunately, it ended up in this worthless body.”
“Transferring souls? Is that even possible?”
“What do you think I am?”
Leonard let out a short click of his tongue and waved his arm lightly. In the blink of an eye, the room transformed into a forest. Cordelia, who was pressed against the wall, was shocked by the miracle Leonard performed, looking around in amazement.
She could smell the earth and feel the dew dripping from her hands as she brushed the ground.
Belucci, however, wasn’t startled by the sudden change in surroundings. He just stared intently at Leonard, trying to understand the truth, but it seemed difficult.
“An illusion magic like this can be achieved by anyone who reaches a certain level. Of course, if it were the master, he could do it with a flick of his finger.”
“Hmph. You know nothing of magic, but you have high standards following me around.”
Leonard chuckled but didn’t deny it. Instead, his lips slightly curled up.
“I never thought I’d have to prove my existence to you.”
“Answer me. Where did I first meet you?”
“I don’t know. How am I supposed to remember such trivial things?”
“Then where did I swear my loyalty to you?”
“Do you think I’d still remember that?”
His responses were dismissive. There was no sign of wanting to prove himself. Cordelia, listening from behind, became frustrated.
‘How can he answer like that? At least pretend to remember.’
Despite the indifferent answers, Belucci didn’t comment. Then, Leonard seemed to recall something.
“Ah, I remember one thing.”
“What is it?”
“You clung to my ankle, begging to be taken as my subordinate, right? Crying and whining.”
“…”
“Didn’t you say you’d die if I didn’t accept you?”
“…I don’t remember that.”
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.]
