Thirty-Six Stratagems for Divorcing a Wife (GL) - Chapter 14

After all, it was the first time she was meeting an official of general rank or higher—and not just any general, but a royal with potential claims to the throne. Lu Jianshou was a little nervous.

“This won’t do, Nian Nianshi. You said I didn’t prepare anything. Won’t your father criticize me?”

Nian Nianshi gave her a sidelong glance and said casually, “My father has a broad mind and a broad belly; he’s not the type to fuss. Besides, I’ve already prepared the gifts for the family visit in both our names as husband and wife. You don’t need to worry.”

“Oh…”

They walked a few more steps, then Lu Jianshou suddenly stopped again.

“What now?” Nian Nianshi tilted her head to look at her.

Timidly, Lu Jianshou said, “Yesterday’s matter—your father must already know about it, right? I’m still a little scared. What if he brings it up? Can’t you warn him first, so I don’t get slapped in the face again?”

Nian Nianshi looked at her with disdain. “You had the guts to go ‘sneaking around’ with someone, but now you don’t have the guts to own up?”

“Hey now, what kind of talk is that? How is that sneaking around? That was my cousin!” Lu Jianshou protested.

Nian Nianshi’s face darkened. “Hmph! Don’t get me started on that Jin Qingqin—I get angry just hearing her name. Cousin? Not only a cousin, but your childhood sweetheart, your bosom friend, the kind of cousin you’d even share a bed with at night!”

“…Well, when you put it that way, it’s not entirely wrong. But—” Lu Jianshou thought about it and grudgingly admitted there was some truth to it, though something still felt off. Before she could speak again, Nian Nianshi had already shot her a fierce glare, muttered “blockhead,” and walked on ahead.

“What did you just say?!” Lu Jianshou hurried after her. But as she stepped inside, she realized Nian Nianshi was already seated—and the entire hall was staring at her.

“Hehe…” Lu Jianshou forced a smile she thought looked polite, pulled out the seat beside Nian Nianshi, and sat down. Remembering the scolding she’d gotten at home a few days ago, she held herself back: even though the Manchu–Han banquet laid out before her was full of dishes she’d never seen before, her mouth watering, she didn’t dare move her chopsticks.

Only after a few more dishes were served did Prince Yao finally speak. “Eat, everyone. Since Jianyi has married Nianshi, we are all one family now. There’s no need to stand on ceremony.”

Hearing this, Lu Jianshou thought, Oh, Prince Yao is actually rather kind—not as harsh as I feared. Relieved, she relaxed and piled food into her bowl, ready to dig in.

But then Prince Yao, Nian Geng, continued: “Jianyi, from the moment you came in I’ve wanted to ask—newlywed as you are, how is it that your face already bears injuries?”

Lu Jianshou froze mid-bite. He knows! He must know something! Nervously, she stammered: “It’s just a little scratch… Jianyi accidentally fell off the bed last night…”

Before she could finish, the prince’s second son, the twenty-something Nian Ye, burst out laughing: “Brother-in-law really does play rough…”

Nian Nianshi glared at him, and he immediately shut his mouth.

Pure and clueless, Lu Jianshou didn’t get the innuendo. Seeing everyone chuckle, she laughed along foolishly—only to get kicked under the table by Nian Nianshi.

“Oh? I thought those were the marks of General Lu’s family discipline,” Prince Yao added lightly, almost idly.

That nearly made Lu Jianshou spray porridge everywhere.

I knew it! Of course! How else could the father of this sly fox Nian Nianshi be anything but an old, cunning fox himself? He knows! He’s blaming me! Acting all kind at first, telling me to eat freely—what a fake! Help me, Nian Nianshi, save me!

Lu Jianshou forced a smile and said, “But Jianyi hasn’t committed any offense—why would Father punish me?”

At that, Nian Geng set down his chopsticks, sighing heavily. “When you wanted to marry Nianshi, I let you marry her. But now you bring Jin Qingqin back again?”

“…”

Both Lu Jianshou and Nian Nianshi were struck speechless.

“Young people…” Prince Yao’s tone grew sorrowful. “As the saying goes, ‘Love isn’t something you can buy just because you want it.’ I’ve been there—I was young once, not knowing how precious love was, only to weep alone in old age beneath the moon. I gave you my daughter in marriage. Why can’t you treat her well? What about the happiness you promised?”

“Jianyi admits her mistake…” Lu Jianshou murmured helplessly.

The lecture dragged on and on, until the food went cold, before Prince Yao finally relented. “See that I don’t hear such rumors again, or you’ll regret it!”

Lu Jianshou nodded repeatedly.

Prince Yao only had this one daughter, and her mother, Li Xiuyan, had been the woman he loved most—so he cherished her dearly.

When he first heard the rumor, he had indeed wanted to scare Lu Jianshou. But Nian Nianshi had already sent a letter home, explaining that it was all a misunderstanding, that Lu Jianshou had repented, and begging her father not to be too harsh. And so he let it drop.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel wistful. A daughter married off is like water poured out…

But in his heart he thought: This boy is gutsy, daring even to cross my daughter. For at home, Nian Nianshi’s word was law—even he had to give way to her now and then.

After the meal, Lu Jianshou wanted to head back, but Nian Ci insisted on keeping her for dinner, or at least to stay the night for some candlelit conversation.

Lu Jianshou was about to refuse again, hoping Nian Nianshi would help, when she caught sight of her—smiling like a flower, chatting warmly with a man in grey.

That carefree smile… clearly, they knew each other well.

Instinctively, Lu Jianshou compared herself to him.

The man carried a sword and radiated an air of mastery. Beside him stood an old matron, the very same nursemaid who, according to rumor, had raised Nian Nianshi since childhood and was famous throughout the capital.

Deliberately, Lu Jianshou walked up to Nian Nianshi’s side and, in a show of possessiveness, asked the man, “Wife, and who might this be?”

At that “wife,” Nian Nianshi’s whole body broke out in goosebumps. Seeing that it was really Lu Jianshou who had said it, she almost suspected this fool had overeaten. “This is my nursemaid. You can call her Granny too. And this here…”

Her face lit up, her spirits high, and she actually leapt forward to hook her arm around the man’s. “A grand introduction for you—this is my master! Known throughout the jianghu as the Coldhearted Wanderer, Qiu Yingluo!”

Lu Jianshou nearly burst a lung at the sight, stammering: “Y-you-you-you-you…”

Realizing her gesture was overly intimate, Nian Nianshi quickly pulled back, returned to Lu Jianshou’s side, and slipped her arm around hers in apology. “Don’t be surprised! Master is a woman!”

Only then did Lu Jianshou’s anger cool somewhat. But glancing again at Qiu Yingluo, who seemed about her own age, clearly dressed as a man, with a nickname like “Wanderer” no less—it was awful! Her temper flared again. “This so-called master of yours can’t be much older than you. I’d say ‘master’ is just an excuse—what you two really are is friends, nothing more…”

Nian Nianshi chuckled. “It’s forgivable that my husband’s eyes are untrained. But my master’s martial skill is unmatched—she practices the secret Tianshan Tonglao sword style, and thus retains eternal youth. You think she looks seventeen or eighteen, but in fact she’s over fifty!”

Lu Jianshou gawked, stealing more glances, but couldn’t detect a trace of age. Worse, she felt Qiu Yingluo scrutinizing her in return, making her fidget uncomfortably. Even knowing she was an “auntie,” she couldn’t muster any respect, muttering under her breath, “If you’re that old already, you shouldn’t still be out seducing little girls…”

“What was that?” Nian Nianshi caught it clearly, though she couldn’t understand why Lu Jianshou had suddenly blurted such a thing.

“Nothing…” Lu Jianshou pulled her hand back, still confused by her own anger. “Since you’re so close with your master, let’s stay here tonight.”

“Really?” Nian Nianshi had been feeling sad about her sour mood, but now, seeing this temperamental girl suddenly being accommodating, she could hardly believe it.

Lu Jianshou didn’t answer. She simply strode into the residence alone.

But she had seen it—that look in Qiu Yingluo’s eyes as she gazed at Nian Nianshi. It was the same look Nian Nianshi gave to her.

That unshakable, unguarded focus—that was love.

She ought to be glad, shouldn’t she?

That Nian Nianshi was loved.

So why did it hurt so much?

“Hey, brother-in-law!” A shadow leapt out from behind a rockery, startling Lu Jianshou.

It was Nian Ye. “Long night, eh? Feeling lonely?”

Lu Jianshou clutched her chest. “You nearly scared me to death.”

He grinned, leering. “Why’s brother-in-law wandering the estate alone, instead of back in the bridal chamber?”

Excuse me? Aren’t you the one not back in your own chamber? She wanted to retort, but had no time. “And what about you? I just… wasn’t in the best mood, so I went for a walk.”

“Seems brother-in-law, despite marrying my stunning sister, is just as lonely as I am…” Nian Ye sighed theatrically. “Cool breeze, boundless moon—only my thoughts soar, each day dragging on like a year…”

Lu Jianshou eyed him uneasily. The man was handsome, still unmarried in his twenties, and she suddenly recalled the rumors that he fancied men. A chill crept over her. “I’m fine, really… It’s just that Nianshi went off reminiscing with her master, so I felt a little… lonely.”

Even she found it odd, saying it aloud. Lonely? Was that what this feeling was? Why was she lonely at all?

—Because Nian Nianshi ignored you for someone else, that’s why.

“That Qiu Yingluo…” Nian Ye mused. “It sounds harsh to say, but she’s been at Nianshi’s side since she was ten. Protecting her, doting on her—the whole household knows it.”

Lu Jianshou sank into gloom again.

Seeing her jealousy, Nian Ye draped an arm over her shoulder and grinned wickedly. “Since my sister is tied up with the world’s number one master tonight, she probably won’t have time for you. But it’s a fine night of flowers and moonlight—if you’re feeling lonely, brother-in-law, this second brother-in-law knows just the place to ease your troubles~”