Wishing My Husband Dead (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 8
Cordelia calmed her startled heart and cautiously approached it.
“Who… who are you?”
“My apologies for the late introduction. Good day. I am Baron Langsha.”
It—still uncertain whether it was human—bowed deeply and courteously. She opened her mouth, her eyes half-filled with curiosity and half with fear.
“Baron Langsha?”
“I am Lord Leonard’s first servant and a symbol of loyalty and unwavering integrity.”
“Leonard? Do you mean Leonard Atirai?”
“Precisely.”
“The Leonard Atirai who complains about side dishes at every meal and shows not a shred of sympathy toward women and children?”
“…Ahem. Yes, that is correct.”
The Baron cleared his throat awkwardly and averted his gaze. Assured at last, Cordelia finally smiled broadly and stepped closer to him.
“I see. Then, how should I address you?”
“As you please.”
“Very well, Baron. The reason you appeared before me—is it because Lord Gasil is summoning me?”
“No. Lord Leonard is unaware that I have revealed myself before Countess Abrams. However—”
“Just call me Cordelia. I dislike being addressed by that surname.”
Cordelia frowned as she pointed this out. The Baron lowered his posture and immediately adjusted his form of address before continuing.
“I have taken the liberty of appearing before you to assist Lady Cordelia.”
“To assist me?”
“I shall help you become Lord Leonard’s disciple.”
He spoke with a meaningful smile, exuding quiet confidence that she would not refuse his offer.
“Why?”
But he paused briefly at Cordelia’s unexpected question.
“Why? I expected you to ask ‘how,’ not ‘why.'”
“When a stranger with no apparent stake in my affairs suddenly offers help, the proper first step is to determine their motive.”
Her tone was casual, yet her words were piercingly sharp and precise. The Baron was momentarily flustered before breaking into a smile.
“Now I understand why Lord Leonard keeps Lady Cordelia close.”
“Keeps me close? Lord Gasil keeps me farther away than anyone else in the world.”
“Yet you remain alive despite knowing your master’s true nature. That is truly astonishing.”
“…”
This time, Cordelia was left speechless. Apparently, “keeping close” meant something far beyond her own understanding.
“So why does Baron wish to help me? Since you came without Lord Gasil’s knowledge, you certainly didn’t receive his permission.”
“As you well know, Lord Leonard is currently in grave danger. If Maximilian learns he’s alive here, he won’t stand idly by. Moreover, Count Abrams—the body’s rightful owner—holds such a precarious position that poison in his food would hardly be surprising.”
“That’s true.”
“In other words, he desperately needs an ally here.”
“I’ve thought the same all along. But seeing you at his side makes me wonder if my help is even needed.”
Honestly, Cordelia wasn’t even sure she could be useful to Leonard. After all, the only thing she’d done for him was toss a letter into the air.
“Due to certain circumstances, I must occasionally leave my master’s side. If, during my absence, Lady Cordelia were to poison his food, I would lose my master for the second time.”
“…So you don’t actually need my help—you just want to ensure I won’t harm Lord Gasil.”
“That would be a more accurate way to put it.”
The Baron spoke politely but firmly. Cordelia pouted her lips.
“That’s harsh. Where else will you find someone as kind as me?”
“Of course, I’m well aware of Lady Cordelia’s admirable character—but I’ve already lost my master once by trusting human goodwill.”
After all, Leonard had been betrayed and killed by his own blood relatives. Distrusting people was only natural.
“So helping me become his disciple is part of that same logic—because as his disciple, I’d be less likely to plot against him.”
“Your intellect is sharp—you grasp my intention without needing further explanation.”
“Wouldn’t it be simpler just to kill me?”
“…”
“Silencing me with death would be the cleanest solution.”
Her casual delivery of such a terrifying statement oddly resembled Leonard. The Baron licked his lips and answered honestly.
“I did consider that option—but decided it wiser to cultivate a trustworthy ally within the earl’s household. I also prefer to maintain peace and quiet until my master returns to his rightful place.”
“Then will you reveal Lord Gasil’s weakness? Can I blackmail him with it to become his disciple?”
Her eyes sparkled intensely as she uttered the word “blackmail.” The Baron was slightly flustered, his voice faltering.
“Well… rather than a ‘weakness,’ I’ll tell you how to remain by my master’s side for a long time.”
He lifted his chin as if bestowing a great favor. Cordelia, however, frowned and retorted,
“I don’t particularly want to stay near that man for long. I just want to learn a bit of magic and become a magic appraiser…”
“No!”
Before she could finish, the Baron’s eyes widened in alarm.
“A magic appraiser! You intend to take up a profession? Good heavens—if it becomes known that Lord Leonard’s disciple is a mere magic appraiser, his dignity would hit rock bottom.”
“Your reaction is just like someone else’s. Is it really that shocking?”
“Once Lady Cordelia formally accepts magical power into her body, you’ll understand its true significance.”
The Baron shook his head slowly and let out a soft sigh.
“I’ll help you as much as I can. Besides, since my master seems to hold you in high regard, it shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“Hold me in high regard? Based on what, exactly?”
This time, she was genuinely puzzled. He acted coldly every time she spoke—what evidence did the Baron have for such a claim?
“You’ll understand my meaning in time. You needn’t do anything special to become his disciple—in fact, no matter what you do, my master won’t easily accept you.”
“Then what am I supposed to…? Never mind. Just tell me one weakness of Lord Gasil. I won’t say I heard it from you.”
“There’s a far simpler method.”
“What is it?”
“To strip a traveler of his cloak, the sun’s warmth is more effective than the wind. Only compassion can melt my master’s hardened heart.”
The Baron smiled meaningfully. Cordelia was about to mutter inwardly, “What compassion? That man has neither blood nor tears!”
“Little Lady.”
A voice suddenly came from behind, cutting their conversation short. Cordelia turned awkwardly to look back.
“Hm?”
“There you are.”
A stable hand, whose arrival time she couldn’t pinpoint, now stood there. Cordelia subtly glanced sideways, shielding the feed trough behind her. Fortunately, Baron Langsha had already vanished without a trace.
“Oh. I was just feeding Roti.”
“This dog? But—”
The servant frowned as he looked at Roti. It seemed he disapproved of a stray mutt wandering the earl’s stables.
Cordelia asked sweetly,
“What’s your name?”
“Peter, Little Lady.”
“Right, Peter. Roti is the dog I cherish most in this manor—he resembles the hunting hound my father raised when I was little.”
“Is that so?”
Peter looked bewildered by his mistress’s sudden explanation.
“So if I ever find out you’ve kicked Roti or mistreated him in my absence, I might have to expel you from the estate.”
Her tone was gentle and kind, yet the warning beneath was unmistakable. He immediately bowed deeply to beg forgiveness. Ever the merciful lady, Cordelia readily pardoned him.
“Good. Peter. Why did you call for me?”
“Oh—the Countess is looking for you.”
“Of course.”
She’d briefly wondered if perhaps Leonard was summoning her, but naturally not. Unable to hide her disappointment, she trudged listlessly out of the stables.
[This is the timeline separator]Even after meeting with the Baron, Leonard showed no change in attitude. If anything, he pushed her away more curtly than before. Yet Cordelia treated him with ever greater kindness.
“Did the food suit your taste today?”
“Shall I open the window a bit more?”
“Do you have another letter to send?”
Gradually, Leonard began to grow accustomed to her presence.
“Lily has arrived already?”
“Yes. They say she’s just passing through the outer gate.”
A crack appeared on Cordelia’s previously composed face. She’d expected Lily’s arrival no sooner than next week—yet here she was so early.
“That’s good news.”
“Ugh. The maids are all grim-faced. She’ll probably stay quite a while—who knows how much more trouble she’ll cause.”
When Emily grumbled, Cordelia gave an ambiguous smile, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
As she walked down the corridor, she spotted Helena’s back. Unlike usual, Helena’s steps seemed unusually cheerful—understandable, as she was on her way to greet her only daughter. Cordelia quietly followed behind.
“Mother!”
“Lily! Let me see your face. Oh dear—you’ve lost so much weight. You really must visit more often. How many months has it been?”
Mother and daughter warmly exchanged affectionate words, making up for lost time. Only after passing through the main gate did Lily notice Cordelia standing beside her.
Their eyes met, and Cordelia reluctantly offered the first greeting.
“Welcome, Lily.”
“Your husband lies sick in bed, yet you’ve grown plump and round.”
“…”
“You seem to have a blessed fate. If only Craig had truly fallen ill—you could’ve kicked him out of the house for good.”
“…”
“Ugh, how unlucky. I knew we shouldn’t have let you into this family.”
Dealing with Helena would’ve been better.
At least Helena ignored Cordelia as if she didn’t exist—she never snarled at her every time their eyes met.
Responding in such moments would only exhaust her mind and body. She endured the insult with practiced ease.
‘It’s alright—it’s nothing. I’m just bending for the sake of my future.’
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]
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Fun chapter. The relationship between all of them is heartwarming.
Laughed out loud reading this, Lord Leonard is very jealous of the closeness of his own student and friend 😭
They are so cute together I can’t take it anymore <3 love the dynamic