“If you look at this, you’ll know the land in that region belongs to our family! Therefore, you should rightfully pay us a fee and draw up the paperwork!”
They claimed the land was theirs, thrusting forward a document written in characters they themselves could hardly discern.
Nisha, Ino, and the other employees of Ash Commerce were generally proficient in foreign languages. However, they were not in the case of ancient languages.
Those languages had nearly disappeared from the continent and were only in use in a few old kingdoms in the far north, including the Kingdom of Denerthum. Even these kingdoms had primarily switched to using the continental common language, relegating the ancient language to a secondary status.
From Ash Commerce’s perspective, learning other languages was far more helpful than spending time on ancient languages. Calon Ash was no different. Among the twelve languages he was fluent in, the ancient language was not one.
‘I never thought it would come in handy like this.’
The nobles had brought old manuscripts and insisted they be examined. The problem was that the documents they brought were written in the most abominable script of the ancient language.
The smug look on the faces of the nobles who presented the documents seemed to say, ‘Can you even verify this?’
Certainly, the one person capable of reading ancient languages that Ash Commerce had barely managed to secure, shook his head immediately upon seeing the document.
The document the nobles brought was written in the worst script of ancient language, filled with irrelevant praises of their family and complicated sentences requiring interpretation.
Ash Commerce urgently searched for a more capable interpreter of ancient languages.
However, the only people who could decipher such a document had received high-level education from their youth and were very limited in number among the nobles.
Moreover, as the matter concerned noble family lands, professors from Denerthum Academy flatly refused to get involved in Ash Commerce’s request for consultation.
The refusals were a mix of contempt, not wanting to be entangled with families they knew, and indignation at the thought of being commanded by commoners from the empire.
‘I can’t give up on finding someone.’
So department head Ino was out every day looking for someone capable in ancient languages.
“But… if it’s a tea party with noble ladies, we won’t find the person we’re looking for.”
Denerthum only allows a minimum level of education for noblewomen. Therefore, there would not be anyone at the gathering who could meet their needs in terms of ancient language proficiency.
“Ino will come back crying.”
“Embrace him warmly when he does.”
Chuckling, Nisha handed another document to Calon.
“What’s this now?”
“It’s a list of winners from recent games published in newspapers and magazines.”
“Ah.”
A sigh escaped Calon’s lips.
Though he was staying here, he couldn’t ignore the issues in other kingdoms and the empire.
Among them, what bothered Calon the most was the issue with the southern island nations.
While they were called island nations, the size of each island was as large as a moderate kingdom, and there were more than ten of them; it was practically another continent.
The problem was that the flames of war were rekindling among these kingdoms.
‘If war breaks out, using the maritime routes there will become a lot more problematic.’
Recently, goods from the south had been rising as Ash Commerce’s main trade items. Even the sugar that Ino disliked all came from there.
Ash Commerce almost monopolized the sugar trade, and if war broke out, some kingdoms would certainly divert the contracted sugar for military expenses.
Sugar was just the beginning. Until the end of the war, and even for years after, the prices of all goods on the continent would fluctuate. More importantly, people couldn’t be safe while war was occurring.
‘I have to stop it.’
War was tough, but for the Ash Trading Company, it presented an unparalleled opportunity for business expansion. The unique circumstances of war enabled deals that would otherwise be unimaginable.
But that was not how the Ash Trading Company wanted to operate.
Even if the Emperor had not sought cooperation for the stability of the continent, Calon would have wanted to prevent the war in the south. He himself had lost much due to war in his youth.
However, merely wishing for war not to occur was not enough to prevent it.
Therefore, the Ash Trading Company was actively intervening in the southern situation.
The talent urgently needed in this situation was skill in code decryption.
‘Still, there is no successor in the south with power equivalent to the Emperor.’
That’s why the Empire still held hegemony over the continent.
Much of the current Emperor’s keen insight, which seemed prophetic to others, was based on his strength as a successor to the Golden Rule.
Nevertheless, the rare southern successors generally communicated secretly using ciphers.
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.]
