“……I can hear you, you fool.”
Bradley, exasperated, glanced at Noah to gauge his reaction. Noah replied nonchalantly.
“There won’t be any backlash, I assure you.”
“Really? You won’t say something else later?”
“Yes.”
Dwain’s face switched from beaming to apprehensive as he gestured towards Amy.
“You’ll make sure the strict stewardess doesn’t scold us, right?”
“Yes. So……”
Noah’s eyes sparkled with a challenge as he trailed off.
“Try to defeat me. If you can.”
“……”
The exchange carried a maturity beyond his years, and Dwain responded with a broad smile that seemed almost crazed. Bradley watched the two alternately, then sighed deeply.
‘I’ll be the only one dying from the captain’s wrath.’
Amy, oblivious to the commotion, was deeply engrossed in conversation with the captain of the mercenaries.
“Verify if Count Coleman is truly bedridden?”
“Yes.”
Amy frowned. Count Coleman was a deeply-rooted noble in the North, long disapproving of the Dukes sent from the capital. Was this situation a ploy to undermine Noah, newly appointed as Duke?
‘Suspicious how his son conveniently absconded.’
Who would leave behind a potentially inheritable title and land, especially when his father was on his deathbed? Amy had hinted at a visit during dinner, but the butler’s vehement refusal left her no choice but to resort to this method.
“We only have tonight.”
“That’s right.”
“Understood.”
The mercenary captain gave a brief nod and vanished. Amy clicked her tongue in disappointment. Direct and loyal, she had hoped he would settle in the Duke’s residence, but he had firmly declined each time she broached the subject.
‘I’ve told him he’s welcome anytime he changes his mind…’
Amy glanced over at Dwain, still chattering in the corner.
‘I’d rather have him.’
Then she noticed Noah, looking puzzled amidst the conversation. Amy’s brows furrowed slightly.
‘Should I intervene…?’
Torn between intervening and respecting his autonomy, she decided to refrain. Noah was capable of self-control, unlike the Crown Prince who she would have whisked away from such influences.
‘For the Crown Prince, I would have said, “Don’t get close to him,” but Noah can handle himself.’
She bit back her intervention, feeling it would be overstepping. Watching them chuckle and whisper, Amy turned her head, sipping her tea.
The next dawn, Amy handed the butler the timber trade contract and a letter for Baron Button, along with a purse of gold coins, expressing the Duke’s wishes for the Count’s recovery. The aged butler graciously accepted, overwhelmed with emotion.
Amy briskly bid farewell, eyeing the mercenary captain in the distance. His subtle nod confirmed that Count Coleman was indeed ill and bedridden.
Internally relieved, Amy then left the estate with Vernon, the knights, and the rest of her party.
The Duke’s residence was abuzz.
“How far are they?”
“They’ve just entered the outer castle.”
Maids in stiff white aprons and head coverings scurried out of the castle. Inside the inner courtyard, servants lined up in anticipation.
After a wait, the Duke’s party entered from the gate connecting to the outer castle. Morton, the elderly captain of the guards, and the butler Melvin, accompanied by a small boy, approached.
‘Is that him?’
Lita craned her neck to see the boy, who suddenly turned to whisper something to a woman. Lita’s and the woman’s eyes met.
“!”
Feeling a chill run down her spine, Lita hastily lowered her head. Beside her, Mary whispered.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing…”
Confused about her own reaction, Lita calmed herself and peeked up again. The woman was conversing with steward Melvin. Lita tilted her head, observing her profile.
Melvin stepped forward, clapping his hands.
“Attention, everyone. The Duke has arrived.”
All eyes focused on the boy who stepped forward. To Lita’s astonishment, she gaped as her friends’ voices came in succession.
“This is crazy.”
“He’s insane.”
Mary and Cecil, both lively eighteen-year-olds, couldn’t hide their admiration upon seeing Noah’s face.
“We thought we’d wither away in this dreary ducal mansion…”
“I need to donate at the temple this week.”
Lita considered stopping them but joined in.
“Let’s go together.”
While they made their firm resolution under the birch tree, Melvin brought the Duke to them.
“Lita, Mary, Cecil. Greet His Grace, the Duke.”
He then introduced them to Noah and Amy.
“These are the dedicated maids of the inner castle. Young, but their skills are solid.”
The girls, momentarily dumbstruck by Noah’s close-up appearance, thought,
‘There truly are angels…’
As they remained speechless, Amy slightly scowled, waiting for their response. Then, Noah whispered teasingly from behind.
“Frightened by the ghostly steward, eh, Amy?”
“……Hm.”
Amy coughed and fidgeted with the cameo brooch on her maid uniform. Noticing her flushed ears, Lita blinked and bowed.
“I’m Lita, your servant. I’ll serve with loyalty.”
Mary and Cecil hurriedly followed suit.
“I’m Mary.”
“I’m Cecil.”
“Well, then. Let’s do our best,” Amy said, scanning them. She then turned to Noah.
“Melvin will show you around the castle.”
“Amy, aren’t you coming?”
Noah’s voice instantly hardened. Everyone realized then how much the young Duke trusted his steward.
“I’m going to check the village with Joseph. We arrived in such a hurry, we hardly saw it.”
Below the ducal mansion was a village with small farms. Amy and Joseph had invited craftsmen there, and she wanted to inspect their stores and homes.
“Will you be back by dinner?”
Again, everyone learned of the Duke’s deep attachment to his steward.
“Of course.”
Amy answered lightly and gestured to Joseph, stepping away. As she walked out of the inner castle, conversing with Joseph, she showed no signs of hesitation or regret.
“…….”
Noah looked forlornly after her, like a puppy abandoned by its owner. Melvin wiped his forehead, unsure how to comfort his lord without knowing his preferences.
“Let’s go.”
As Amy disappeared from view, the Duke turned around. His voice sounded somewhat defeated, eliciting sympathy from the faces of those in the courtyard.
While Noah toured the castle with Melvin, the group of maids, servants, and guards gathered in the hall, buzzing with excitement.
“Do all people from the capital look like that?”
Someone’s admiration kicked off a flood of praises for the Duke and his steward.
“I’ve never seen someone fairer than the people of the North.”
“I heard the Duke has blood from the southern royal family… but wow, he’s even fairer than our sheep!”
“Rita, you’ve been to the gallery. Were there previous Dukes who looked like him?”
Caught off guard by the question, Rita hummed and swallowed.
While renovating the castle, they had redisplayed the portraits of former Dukes in the newly adorned gallery. However, access was restricted due to the presence of valuable jewels and historical artifacts.
Rita shook her head.
“Do you think such appearance is common?”
“Of course not,” the crowd agreed, nodding.
Then, maid Mary murmured dreamily.
“The steward, she has such a professional vibe, doesn’t she?”
Cecil quickly agreed.
“Exactly my thought. I dreamt of being a lazy maid just getting by, but after meeting her, I feel like a woman without a dream.”
“You mean you want to emulate her?”
“That’s right.”
Cecil awkwardly mimicked Amy’s posture, eliciting jeers from the onlookers.
“The knights seemed extraordinary too.”
The guards, chosen for their ability to wield a sword as if it were a hoe, reminisced about Vernon and Dwayne with admiration.
“They’re on a different level compared to our militia-like selves.”
Then, someone let out a sigh.
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.]
