Thirty-Six Stratagems for Divorcing a Wife (GL) - Chapter 17

After the beginning of autumn, the weather gradually turned cooler.

Because of her achievements at the border, the emperor was overjoyed. An imperial decree was issued to give “Lu Jianshou” a grand burial, while Lu Jianyi was promoted three ranks, conferred as a Second-rank General Who Guards the Nation, assigned to the Imperial Guards’ Office, and placed in command of the Embroidered Guards.

In truth, it was nothing more than a glorified doorkeeper position.

Because of the shifting schedules, her work hours were highly irregular, but every day she still had to patrol the palace grounds.

Lu Jianshou rarely entered the palace and, being somewhat directionally challenged, quickly found herself struggling. If not following behind a senior officer, she usually couldn’t tell east from west.

On top of that, with her monthly cycle arriving, she was irritable, feeling unlucky—while other officials worked comfortably in offices, she had to wander aimlessly all day.

That day she was assigned to the Imperial Garden. With hundreds of identical-looking paths, after leaving the privy she was completely lost.

As she wandered in circles, she suddenly heard laughter: a group of imperial consorts were approaching together.

Lu Jianshou quickly bowed. Among them, one girl who hadn’t been paying attention to the flowers happened to spot her first and cried out in surprise:
“Lu Jianyi?”

Lifting her head, Lu Jianshou saw a richly dressed girl of about seven years old. Despite her tender age, her face carried an air of precocious maturity.
“You’re on duty in the palace now?”

Lu Jianshou, of course, didn’t recognize her, but still nodded.

At her side, a beautiful woman in phoenix coronet and embroidered robes said,
“Since it’s General Lu, there’s no need for excessive courtesy.”

Only then did Lu Jianshou rise, thanking her. On the woman’s robes was embroidered the motif of a soaring phoenix—surely this was the Empress herself.

And the young girl beside her must be none other than the famously clever Princess Fensui, said to be nine years old this year.

The Empress looked her up and down, her tone carrying approval:
“It’s been three years. Has life at the frontier been harsh? You seem to have grown quite thin. I heard you married the daughter of Prince Yao—has she not been feeding you well?”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. Jianyi is quite well—it’s only that I’m the sort who can’t put on weight,” Lu Jianshou shamelessly replied.

Princess Fensui gave a disdainful “tsk”:
“You were enjoying yourself in the army while all the suffering was borne by poor Lu Jianshou, whose bones are scarcely cold. And then you rushed back only to marry a beauty—of course you won’t gain weight.”

What kind of talk was that—did she have no manners at all? Lu Jianshou could only grumble inwardly.

With the air of a little adult, Princess Fensui continued:
“Lu Jianyi, tell me—have you seen Sister Qingqin today?”

Why is it when I say her name, it’s just her name, but when you say it, it’s all ‘Sister this, Sister that,’ as if you were so close? What grudge does my brother have with you, little ancestor?
“Reporting to Your Highness, I met her once at the Guest House outside the city,” Lu Jianshou answered.

“So it’s true then?” Fensui had already heard the rumor that the groom met with his childhood sweetheart Jin Qingqin the day after his wedding, but had found it hard to believe. Now, hearing this, she was convinced:
“You men are all the same—eating what’s in your bowl while eyeing what’s in the pot.”

Lu Jianshou: “…”

“Fensui, watch your words!” The Empress noticed Lu Jianshou’s face change and grew angry. “Have I not often taught you to be polite?”

A child nearby laughed:
“Father said Sister only acts this way because she’s spoiled.”

The boy, too, radiated noble bearing, his eyes sharp and arrogant. Surely he was the unlucky eldest prince, Nian Houzhao.

The Empress caught the look Lu Jianshou cast at Houzhao and allowed herself the faintest flicker of pride:
“Jianyi, since you’re often in the palace—three years ago you were Crown Prince’s study companion. Have you kept that position?”

The Crown Prince should be about eleven by now. When her brother died, the prince had still been a child, and they had practically lived side by side. Three years had passed—who knew if he still remembered. Better not to get too close, lest she slip up.
“His Majesty has wanted the Crown Prince to learn statecraft early. Since my return, I haven’t seen him again,” she said.

The Empress smiled.
“I often hear Noble Consort Jin praise General Lu’s vast learning. Since the Crown Prince is grown, and my Houzhao is of school age, would you be willing to serve as their tutor in the palace, to guide him to talent?”

Lu Jianshou thought: although her current post was high in name, in practice she just wandered aimlessly all day. But to be a tutor—that carried dignity. Houzhao was only seven; while she wasn’t as learned as her brother, teaching a child wouldn’t be hard. Pretending reluctance, she replied:
“But Jianyi must patrol daily… I fear I cannot spare the time…”

The Empress said, “That’s no obstacle. I’ll speak to His Majesty and have you relieved of that post.”

“Then I must thank Your Majesty.” Lu Jianshou could barely contain her joy—finally, she could sleep in! She didn’t realize she was already being drawn into the whirlpool of palace intrigue.

That day, when Lu Jianshou returned home, she wanted to share the good news immediately.

But Lu Wang and Lady Lu were both absent, leaving the household rather empty.

A little disappointed not to find her parents, she happened upon someone rushing past with an armful of things, nearly knocking her over.

Recognizing it was Jin Yi, she frowned:
“Why so hurried?”

“The Princess is in another spell!” Jin Yi, too anxious to mind her manners, hurried away.

Since her promotion, Lu Jianshou rarely came home. Even when she did, she was either helping Lu Wang in the study with documents or being dragged by Lady Lu to sample health tonics. She seldom had a chance to speak to Nian Nianshi.

Now, hearing she’d fallen ill, she was shocked and quickly followed.

The door was ajar. Inside, maids bustled about in panic.

Nian Nianshi lay in bed, thinner than before, her face pale, biting her lip till it bled, nails digging into the wood of the bedframe, trembling, gasping, drenched in sweat.

It was the first time Lu Jianshou had seen her like this. Her heart tightened painfully, and she rushed forward to grasp her hand:
“What’s happening?”

“Miss has had such attacks since childhood,” Jin Xiu answered while wiping Nianshi down. “They’d grown rare in recent years—we thought they’d gone. But since this morning, it hasn’t stopped!”

“What can we do? How was it stopped before?” Lu Jianshou’s chest ached to see Nianshi half-conscious, muttering nonsense.

“It can’t be stopped. Only the Peony-Phoenix Robe can suppress it. It’s usually locked away, but today we couldn’t find it!” Jin Xiu turned—only to see Lu Jianshou already stripping off her armor, revealing the red robe beneath.
“Is this it?”

“Yes! Last time the Marquis even wore it to the Yao Prince’s mansion—I thought it was just a replica!” Jin Xiu exclaimed. Lu Jianshou quickly covered Nianshi with it.

Like a startled fawn, Nianshi trembled violently. Her broken murmurs turned into terrified screams:
“No… no… no… Mother… don’t… don’t leave Nianshi…”

Seeing her like this, Lu Jianshou’s nerves frayed. She pulled her into her arms, feeling the violent shudders, as if she might die of the pain any moment.
“Nianshi, wake up! I’m here, I’m here—look at me! I’m Lu Jian… I’m Lu Jianyi. Look at me, don’t leave me…”

But Nianshi heard nothing. She fought, clawing to escape, her sharp nails cutting bloody welts into Lu Jianshou’s skin. Lu Jianshou ignored the pain, holding her tighter, tears spilling from her eyes.

At last, Nianshi collapsed into exhaustion, finally drifting into uneasy sleep.

Only then did Lu Jianshou breathe in relief, tending to her own wounds.

Jin Xiu returned with the medicine box, her face streaked with tears.
“This affliction has followed her since birth. Even the Imperial Physicians found no cause. Only a wandering doctor once said it was a demonic curse—her body marked, her soul harried by spirits whenever it flares. The robe can suppress it for a while, but she has a destined tribulation. If she survives it, it will be a blessing. If not… she will wither away.”

Hearing this, Lu Jianshou’s earlier joy crumbled.
“Is there truly such strange things in this world…”

“Actually, Miss has improved greatly,” Jin Xiu went on. “When she was young, she often suffered. Her nature was dark, never daring to play with others. Only because the Marquis refused to abandon her did she grow attached. Over time, she became more cheerful, all thanks to him. That’s why even when the Marquis’s temperament changed, Miss still clings to him.”

Pouring out everything she knew, Jin Xiu handed her a damp cloth.

Lu Jianshou pressed it gently to Nianshi’s forehead.
“Never abandoned her?”

“Don’t you remember, my lord? As a child you adored her, always sneaking through the hole in the Yao Prince’s back wall to play. Miss was once so quiet, but she blossomed because of you. Even when you changed, she couldn’t let go.”

Lu Jianshou fell silent.
“But I heard her elder brother Nian Ci say it was actually my sister, Lu Jianshou, who played with her back then.”

“How could that be? The young master must have been mistaken. I was Miss’s personal maid—I saw that child often. Even with twins, I know the difference between boy and girl.” Jin Xiu insisted firmly.

“Is that so…” Lu Jianshou’s heart whispered the truth. Lu Jianyi had always been frail, either training under Lu Wang or ill at home. At six, he’d been summoned to the palace as the Crown Prince’s study companion, never with time to play with Nianshi. He himself admitted to seeing her only once at age ten.

So that child who stayed with Nianshi through her spells—was it not herself?

If so, then the one Nianshi truly loves… is her.

She must have married “Lu Jianyi” because, like Jin Xiu, she mistook her for him.

Perhaps her lost memories before age ten were fated.

But if Nianshi were ever to learn the truth—that she is a woman… how would she react?