Thirty-Six Stratagems for Divorcing a Wife (GL) - Chapter 13

Arriving at Prince Yao’s residence, Jin Yi finally managed to rouse Lu Jianshou, while Nian Nianshi had already gone inside long ago.

“Why didn’t she call me again?” Lu Jianshou rubbed her sleepy eyes, a little annoyed.

Clearly, she was the one who insisted on coming, yet she didn’t even know the most basic manners of a host.

Jin Yi said crossly, “When the Lord Consort is asleep, only thunder could wake her.”

There was no way to argue with that. Lu Jianshou could only follow after Jin Yi, resentfully trailing through the winding corridors of the estate in search of Nian Nianshi.

The Yao Prince’s manor had been personally granted by the late emperor to his most favored younger brother. Inside were countless rare treasures. Compared with it, the General’s Manor wasn’t even a fraction as grand; in fact, even set against the imperial palace, it might not lose much in splendor.

Along the way, Lu Jianshou was like a country bumpkin entering the city, marveling at everything, asking endless questions. But inwardly, she was also wondering—why did Nian Nianshi insist on marrying her and moving into the shabby General’s Manor? With her status, wouldn’t it be much better to find some handsome, pampered husband to marry in? Wasn’t it a real grievance to follow someone poor like herself?

Thinking of this, she let out another sigh.

Jin Yi had never once looked Lu Jianshou in the eye, and now, hearing her sigh and mutter after just a few steps, grew furious. She spat, “The Lord Consort is frail and sickly—coming to such a vast manor truly is far too much for you.”

Lu Jianshou didn’t catch the sarcasm. Instead, she replied gloomily, “It’s not that it’s too much, but why must this family visit be set in the morning?”

Would she never get a proper night’s sleep again…?

“This was a rule set down by the ancestors. How would I know?” Jin Yi replied indifferently, quickening her pace to pull away.

“Ah!” Lu Jianshou sighed again.

“Miss has gone to change clothes. The master has gone to the morning court and has yet to return. We must ask the Lord Consort to wait here a while.”

At last, they reached the end of their walk, only for an elderly steward to instruct Lu Jianshou to wait in the reception hall.

With nothing else to do, Lu Jianshou sat down and idly toyed with the antiques displayed in the cabinets.

Still boring.

Then she went to look at the paintings on the walls.

Completely incomprehensible.

In the end, catching sight of her own reflection in a cup of water, she frowned and turned to Jin Yi to ask again, “Are you sure I don’t look ridiculous dressed like this?”

She pointed especially at the giant chrysanthemum embroidered on her robes, deeply suspicious of Nian Nianshi’s taste.

Jin Yi couldn’t even be bothered to answer.

“Ah…” another sigh escaped.

Before long, a man with seven or eight parts resemblance to Nian Nianshi emerged from the inner chambers. With a courteous bow, he smiled, “Brother Lu, well met. It must be three years since we last saw each other? I heard of your return and know Nianshi has always thought of you. Sadly, there was never time for a long talk. Today, at last, we meet again.”

He introduced himself, and Lu Jianshou realized this was her elder brother’s good friend.

She remembered that she had never met Nian Ci personally, but her elder brother often mentioned him.

Nian Ci was the eldest son of the household—and, apparently, one of her biggest fans.

It was said that when Lu Jianshou often visited the Yao Prince’s estate as a child, Nian Ci had seen her once at thirteen years old and never forgotten it since.

The very thought disgusted her. He was ten years older than her, and to fall in love with her when she was three? That was nothing short of deranged—practically a pedophile!

Still, because he resembled Nian Nianshi somewhat and behaved with polite manners, Lu Jianshou’s outwardly sociable nature won out, and she greeted warmly: “We’re family now, no need to call me ‘Brother Lu’ so formally. Just call me Jianyi.”

“Hahaha, very well—Jianyi! I suppose I’m just used to it.” Nian Ci was happy to oblige, then his eyes caught on her outfit. “Eh, Jianyi, why are you wearing the Peony Phoenix Robe?”

“Hahaha, yes, isn’t this much more intimate, calling each other so, dear brother-in-law!” Lu Jianshou laughed with him, but at the mention of her clothing, her mood soured again. So it really did look strange?

“This ugly robe even has a name? You think it’s hideous too, don’t you?” she muttered unhappily, wishing she could change right then and there.

“Why would you say that? You are strikingly handsome and refined—anything you wear highlights your elegance. My surprise was only because that robe has always been treated as a talisman, guarding Nianshi since childhood. I wonder why she gave it to you. Has something ill-befallen you of late?” Nian Ci explained.

Being complimented on her looks instantly lifted Lu Jianshou’s mood. She hadn’t expected this robe to have such significance.

Still…

“A talisman?”

Nian Ci nodded. “You and Nianshi have seen little of each other, so of course you wouldn’t know. This robe was specially commissioned by the Prince from master embroiderers of the Miao Hui people, woven with borderland sorcery and infused with herbal concoctions. It is said to repel demons and banish evil. You know Nianshi lost her mother young, and her temperament became withdrawn. Despite priests and monks being invited, the miasma surrounding her could not be driven off. Thanks to this red robe’s protection, she survived.

Lu Jianshou had heard whispers of Nianshi’s mother’s tragic death, but had never dwelled on it. Hearing it again now, she finally realized the blow it must have been. Sympathy welled in her heart. “So this robe is that precious, and she gave it to me? What if I ruin it? Brother-in-law, quickly, find me another set of clothes—if I profane its spirit, that would be terrible.”

But Nian Ci waved her off. “There’s no need for alarm. Indeed, Nianshi was strange as a child, but after the age of ten she shed those shadows. She no longer needs the robe’s protection.”

Lu Jianshou was more confused. “Wasn’t it very serious? How did she suddenly recover?”

At this, Nian Ci’s gaze turned wistful. “I only learned later—it was because you, Jianshou, came to the manor so often, keeping her company, that she could escape her gloom and not remain trapped in the past. But alas, when you turned ten, you suffered an accident, lost all memory of her, and later fell on the battlefield. Looking back, it was all fate…”

Lu Jianshou was shocked.

At ten, she had fallen from a tree. Most of her memories from before that time had vanished. She had never known this.

So, Nian Nianshi had actually known her well back then?

Or perhaps… they had once been very close?

Just as she wanted to ask more, a deliberate cough interrupted. Nian Nianshi had finished changing and stepped out, seeing Lu Jianshou and Nian Ci talking with ease. Her tone turned sharp: “The Lord Consort truly lives up to her reputation—such a charming figure, it seems you win both men and women alike.”

Lu Jianshou could tell she was still angry, but why accuse her wrongly? “Even with food, I’m picky about my dishes…”

Caught in the crossfire, Nian Ci gave a dry laugh. “Nianshi, you’re becoming corrupt in your thoughts. Don’t be naughty. Hahaha. You know full well my heart has always belonged only to the late eldest Miss of the Lu family. How could I ever fancy men?”

Instinctively, Nian Nianshi glanced at the “late eldest Miss Lu,” who was standing right there. Seeing that Lu Jianshou didn’t react, her heart eased. “Father will be back soon. I still have matters to discuss with my husband. Brother, if you are free, could you gather the others to meet our new guest?”

Knowing he was being dismissed, Nian Ci excused himself tactfully.

“I…” Lu Jianshou had so many questions, but Nian Nianshi ignored her and strode straight out of the hall.

“Hey—” Lu Jianshou called, but got no reply. She hurried after her, grabbing her hand.

Nian Nianshi stopped.

Awkward, Lu Jianshou was about to let go when Nian Nianshi suddenly tightened her grip, tugging hard. Unsteady, Lu Jianshou stumbled and was dragged outside.

They didn’t stop until they reached a secluded corner. Nearly colliding, Lu Jianshou caught her balance against Nian Nianshi, ending up pulling her into an embrace.

They both flushed. Nian Nianshi quickly struggled out of her arms, face burning red.

They now stood by a broken wall near a pool, a tall tree casting its shade, making the place cool and quiet.

For a long moment, silence. Then—“Meow~~”—a stray cat darted from the grass under the wall, startled by the sight of people, and fled again.

Amused, Lu Jianshou went closer to investigate, discovering a hole under the imposing estate wall—big enough for a person to slip through.

So strict and guarded was the Yao Prince’s manor, and yet such a gaping flaw went unrepaired? Curious indeed.

She teased, “A wayward night-cat dares squeeze through a dog’s burrow, yet fears me, a stranger? Seems this robe really does ward off evil!”

Hearing her call the hole she once used a “dog hole,” Nian Nianshi couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Do you truly not remember this place, to say such a thing?”

Lu Jianshou’s expression showed she really didn’t. Nian Nianshi stopped laughing and stepped closer, pointing at a knot in the tree trunk. “And this—you don’t remember either?”

Following her gaze, Lu Jianshou saw words carved roughly into the bark, deep lines cut with a knife, messy but still legible despite the years:
‘Hand in hand, to grow old together. Bound in heart, never to part.’

Below were two names—Lu and Nian.

Clearly, Lu Jianyi and Nian Nianshi had once pledged themselves here.

Lu Jianshou felt awkward. “I don’t remember. Besides, this looks like children’s nonsense. How could it be taken seriously?”

“You really don’t remember? You were ten then. You insisted on carving it.” Nian Nianshi’s eyes held a trace of sorrow. “Of course… with the way you treat me now, how could you possibly remember.”

In truth, Lu Jianyi and Nian Nianshi had only met once when she was ten.

And yet afterward, she had never stopped talking about her.

Who would have thought there had been a hidden story like this?

No wonder…

Lu Jianshou felt a sour pang in her chest. Nian Nianshi still wanted to ask further, but just then a servant arrived with a message: the Prince had returned, and invited the Princess and the Lord Consort to join him for the meal.