Wearing a simple dress, comfortable walking shoes, and holding an umbrella, Serena soon became a wellknown figure as she examined the whole estate.
[Dash] Hmm… Are there no local specialties here? How are people making a living?No matter how much they tried to dissuade her, she would not listen, and both Anna and Steward Peter had no choice but to follow her, throwing up their hands in resignation.
[Dash] Working hard, trying to survive…Even a dozing old man responded to the sudden appearance and words of Her Grace.
[Dash] There are lots of fruits in Astel!The day a child from a farming family who still didn’t know proper etiquette spoke, Serena declared she would understand what kind of farming was being done throughout the estate.
[Dash] I’m curious how the people of the estate live.And that was just the beginning.
[Dash] How many households are there?
With each increase in Serena’s questions, the number of busy people in the estate increased. Fortunately, the real master of the estate, the Duke, was still wandering and too busy to stop Serena’s solo performance.
[Dash] Finally… I feel like I know a little about the Astel estate.After a month of summarizing the answers to the continual questions, Serena smiled satisfactorily.
[Dash] It’s inefficient, but there’s potential!Her eyes sparkled more than ever as she muttered to herself, and a great revolution occurred in the Astel Ducal Territory.
It happened because Serena issued an order to hire qualified people for necessary jobs, regardless of their status.
[Dash] I apologize, but the people of this ducal territory all follow and serve the Astel Duke’s family. [Dash] So? [Dash] You just have to command.Despite Steward Peter’s entirely reasonable advice, Serena would not yield.
Until then, Serena had been an eccentric lady. No one in the estate, not even the Steward, knew what a rational employment relationship was.
[Dash] First, we must find Astel’s advantages.Serena didn’t stop her transformation, as if she had suddenly sprouted wings.
[Dash] Great. Let’s have a harvest festival and hold a competition there!At first, no one paid attention to the seemingly strange lady’s words. The village elders doubted if she was indeed the Crown Princess, and the adults only thought they shouldn’t cross the feelings of the higherups.
“Astel berries were the first time I contributed to the estate.”
Serena returned to reality, smiling as if nostalgic.
“When I first came to the estate and suggested holding a harvest festival competition, only the children sincerely participated.”
“Yes, that’s right. Back then, no one knew what you were doing, Miss.”
Anna couldn’t forget the confusion of that time either. The Duke’s lady, engaged to the Crown Prince, not only left the social world but proposed a harvest festival competition.
“How’s the situation this year, Peter?”
“For the harvest festival, the excitement for each event is tremendous. The whole estate is buzzing.”
Serena bit one side of her lip and wore a satisfied smile. Considering that the winner of the first harvest festival was merely a 12yearold farmer boy named Mark, it was quite an impressive advancement.
At first, when Serena opened the harvest festival, it was at the level of children’s play. However, Serena neither got angry nor disappointed and evaluated the opinions and crops of the four participating children.
[Dash] What’s your name? [Dash] I, I am… Mark!Seeing the nervous boy, Serena gently stroked his buzzcut head with her bare hand, without even wearing gloves.
[Dash] Good, you are the first this year, Mark.
Those words ignited a fire in the hearts of all the people. The flames blazed up fiercely and showed results in the next year’s harvest festival.
“People tend to get greedy when something is labeled as special.”
It was the same in any world. Even in her past life, people would go crazy over luxury items or limited editions.
“In fact, Astel Berry is just a name for jam made from five common berries that grow here.”
“Astel’s noble name is naturally attached to it.”
Anna’s words were only half true.
“Yes, to keep the name of Astel from being tarnished, we always have to produce items of the same quality.”
The power of a brand was stronger than it seemed. Serena used the famous name of Astel while simultaneously building up credibility that the quality was guaranteed if that name was attached.
“Speaking of which, a merchant is coming this afternoon. He wants to invest not only in Astel berries but also Astel butter and fruit wine.”
“Next year, the first fruit wine will finally ripen.”
“Yes, thanks to Your Grace’s foresight.”
Peter didn’t treat Serena merely as a duchess or prospective crown princess. Since Serena started ruling the duchy, her true master was not the Duke, but Serena herself.
“The children are preparing a play for such a Grace in this harvest festival.”
“…Why would they do such a thing?”
In just six years, the changes Serena brought to Astel were immense.
The berries of Astel, which used to become trash as the seasons changed, turned into treasures that brought money to the estate when they were processed into jam according to Serena’s careful consideration, sterilized, bottled, and beautifully labeled.
And Serena did not hesitate to invest in the future by building wine cellars or schools with part of the profits.
“Astel has become more prosperous than anywhere else thanks to Your Grace. The prosperity will continue in the future…”
Peter’s words carried deep meaning.
“Of course. There’s still much I want to do. So I’ll have to prepare to visit the empire soon.”
“Yes.”
Even if Serena didn’t say more, everyone knew her true intentions.
It was a determination to completely break the biggest shackle that constrained her.
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.]
