Thirty-Six Stratagems for Divorcing a Wife (GL) - Chapter 20

The Empress’s summons began arriving on the third day after Lu Jianshou left the palace—frequent, yet always delayed.

After all, Nian Houzhao was a prince. He wasn’t so easy to teach.

The Four Books and Five Classics, Tang poems and Song lyrics, even Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio—there wasn’t anything he didn’t know, only things he hadn’t thought of yet.

So what Lu Jianshou thought was freedom turned out to be a bigger burden.

He often had to stay overnight in the palace, sometimes half a month without returning home.

By the time he saw Nian Nianshi again, it was already Mid-Autumn.

Lu Jianshou was playing hide-and-seek with Houzhao and Fengsu, two little troublemakers. Just as he was trailing behind them, he saw his own wife seated elegantly among a blooming cluster of hibiscus, her smile radiant and breathtaking.

But that familiar yet distant smile wasn’t directed at him—it was for someone else.

And that someone was a person he knew.

Nian Nianshi, didn’t you promise me—if I don’t like it, you won’t smile at others? You liar.

“Found you!” Houzhao leapt into Lu Jianshou’s arms, shouting with excitement.

At once, all those who had been happily admiring flowers and painting in the imperial garden turned their heads. They saw Lu Jianshou with a child clinging to him, looking every bit like a doting father.

“Jianyi! Why are you with Houzhao?” Among the crowd, a man in a yellow robe, handsome yet clearly displeased, called out.

Lu Jianshou guessed this must be the Crown Prince, so he bowed and said, “Greetings, Noble Consort. To report to Your Highness, this humble official is currently the Second Prince’s temporary tutor.”

That only made the Crown Prince even more unhappy: “I heard you’d returned to the capital and was delighted, waiting long for you to come into the palace. I thought you were too busy basking in newlywed bliss to spare time. Who knew you’d gone running off to my younger brother instead!”

Lu Jianshou gave an awkward laugh, but Houzhao pouted and shouted, “You’re not even a child anymore, why should Teacher Lu still teach you? You just don’t truly like him—you just want to snatch everything from me, that’s why you’re upset!”

Lu Jianshou quickly clamped a hand over the boy’s unbridled mouth, muffling his protests: “Your Highness, forgive us. This subject has failed to teach properly. The Second Prince is young, he speaks without thinking—please don’t punish him.”

“How would I dare punish him…” The Noble Consort Jin sneered, sharp-tongued, “After all, he’s the legitimate heir. If the Empress heard, she’d have my skin flayed.”

“Hmph, as long as you know. The world will be my brother’s sooner or later anyway.” Fengsu suddenly piped up, right on cue to make matters worse.

Damn it, couldn’t you two cause trouble when I’m not here? My life’s cheap enough already—stop dragging me down with you!

Before Jin Guifei could explode, sharp voices rang out: “His Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress—arriving!”

Lu Jianshou then witnessed an instant “face-changing” act. The furious contorted expression on Jin Guifei’s face melted in a second into meek grievance: “Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!”

The Emperor exchanged a glance with Eunuch Zhao and said, “Wasn’t it just the Noble Consort who invited Us to admire flowers? Why are there so many people here?”

Before Lu Jianshou could reply, a scholar who had been painting Nian Nianshi stepped forward and bowed: “This humble subject, Qian Yuan, was summoned by the Noble Consort to paint.”

“Oh? You are the young scholar recommended by Xiao Sheng?” The Emperor glanced at him—bookish, but with little vitality. “How is your painting?”

“It is finished.” Qian Yuan presented it. The Emperor studied it and praised, “The painting is fine—but the one within it is even lovelier.”

At that, everyone—including Lu Jianshou—turned to look at Nian Nianshi.

As the daughter of Prince Yao, she was exempt from kneeling, and she sat at ease sipping tea. Becoming the center of attention, she merely set her cup down, lips curving into a perfect faint smile as a polite acknowledgment.

Many were struck dumb by the sight.

The Emperor teased: “It has been long since I last saw you, Nianshi—you’ve only grown more beautiful. I wonder, worthless as he may be, how did this Qian Yuan persuade you to let him paint you?”

“Talented men deserve a chance to show their skill. I only happened to appreciate Scholar Qian’s talent.” Nianshi replied smoothly, clearly unwilling to entangle herself too closely, “Whether Your Majesty esteems him, that is beyond me.”

“The palace has enough civil officials. What I’d rather see are more martial men like Jianyi.” The Emperor’s words carried a double meaning.

Nianshi smiled slightly: “So, does that mean Your Majesty dislikes Qian Yuan? If so, perhaps I’ll claim him for my father?”

The Emperor’s face darkened. “I never said I disliked him. Only that I admire Jianyi more. The Secretariat currently lacks a courier official—Qian Yuan, you will take up the post.”

Qian Yuan hadn’t expected to gain a post so easily. For him, it was rapid advancement. He kowtowed in gratitude at once.

Lu Jianshou, seeing this obsequiousness, felt only contempt.

He couldn’t understand what Nianshi saw in him—enough to even sit as his model!

She had seen this Qian Yuan before: he was that pale scholar entangled with Liji at the Hua Du House.

He had once glared at Lu Jianshou as though he had pride—but now? So spineless. Truly, appearances deceive.

After accompanying the Emperor and entourage on their garden stroll, Lu Jianshou was finally freed.

Nianshi stayed by the Emperor’s side, while Lu Jianshou was stuck “babysitting,” barely a chance to speak to her.

When he tried to catch up to her later, she was already walking fast. By the time he caught sight again, she was stopped by Qian Yuan—just a distant back view, their words too far to hear.

“Thank you, Princess, for your favor. Without your kind words before His Majesty, I could never have risen so quickly.” Qian Yuan bowed in gratitude.

Nianshi looked impatient. “I never praised you… Which ear of yours heard me say such a thing?”

But Qian Yuan missed the meaning, and went on: “Your Highness’s kindness is beyond thanks. Should you ever need me, I’ll go through fire and water without hesitation.”

“Since you now serve His Majesty, your duty is to be loyal and upright. As for me, I only ask you this: take good care of that courtesan Liji—marry her soon.” Nianshi recalled how, that very morning, she had meant to buy cloth to make Lu Jianshou’s winter clothes. Instead, she had been stopped at her gate by Qian Yuan and Xiao Sheng, dangling bait: “It concerns your husband. Surely the Princess will be interested.”

Out of boredom—and longing for a chance to see Lu Jianshou—she agreed to pose.

Their so-called “exchange” was trivial—merely gossip on the type of women Lu Jianshou liked, a ridiculous summary from that night at Hua Du House. He had sifted through many and finally chosen Liji.

When Nianshi heard, she only sneered at their ignorance. He married me—the most beautiful woman in the world. That night, he was just quarreling with me, playing around—not truly in love with that courtesan.

Yet still, her pride stung, she ordered Qian Yuan: “Keep that hussy away from my husband.”

Qian Yuan bowed: “I understand, I’ll do my best!”

Nianshi ignored him, casting one last glance at the palace gates—as if looking for someone, though nothing met her eyes. Then she boarded her sedan chair and left.

Lu Jianshou later intercepted Qian Yuan, suspicious. “What did you just say to the Princess?”

Qian Yuan jumped, then seeing it was Lu Jianshou, answered vaguely: “Nothing much. Her Highness urged me to marry soon.”

“Marry? To whom?”

“Of course… to Liji.” Qian Yuan’s tone was reluctant.

“You’re really going to marry her?” Lu Jianshou was surprised, then thrilled. “I can tell she likes you too. Congratulations! You must invite me to the wedding feast!”

Qian Yuan forced a strange smile. “For General Lu to honor us—it would be my fortune.”

“Then it’s settled. I’ll come with Nianshi!” Lu Jianshou said cheerfully, then hurried back to his tutoring duties.

Watching his back, Qian Yuan’s face twisted with naked hatred. Under his breath, he muttered: “And what are you? Why should you live so easily… Born to a good family, marrying a good wife—why should a wastrel like you have such a life? This world is too unjust…”

Not long after, when Lu Jianshou returned home, he still thought about it often, keeping an eye on Qian Yuan. Eventually, he received a wedding invitation.

He instructed Changhuan to prepare rouge as a gift for Liji.

But this good-hearted gesture backfired—because he hadn’t explained clearly.

When the gift was delivered, Liji misunderstood entirely, and invited him to meet again.

Lu Jianshou, delighted, seized the chance to talk to Nianshi, and invited her to attend together.

While Nianshi was painting her brows, she noticed him up early, dressed and ready, watching her with a lovestruck expression—more excited than on their own wedding day. She asked curiously, “Why so eager today? I never knew you and Qian Yuan were such close friends.”

“You’re the matchmaker—of course I have to show support!” Ever since learning that Nianshi’s meeting with Qian Yuan had only been about Liji, Lu Jianshou had been inexplicably cheerful, hoping the pair would marry soon.

Nianshi frowned. “Who told you I was the matchmaker?”

Lu Jianshou thought she was just being modest. Impatiently, he waved it off: “Fine, fine, let’s say I am. Anyway, you’ve been doing your makeup for half an hour already—aren’t you done yet? Women are such trouble! If you don’t hurry, I’ll go without you.”

Nianshi studied him, wondering if he’d pretended to be Lu Jianyi for too long, and really started to think of her as just another girl.

At the wedding, though he couldn’t hold his liquor, Lu Jianshou drank heavily in his good mood. Many officials eager to court favor with the rising Qian Yuan also pressed him to drink, until he was so drunk he staggered and even tried to kiss the bride.

Nianshi was livid, face dark as thunder. Forgetting decorum, she hauled him away and dumped him on the bed at home.

After bathing him and tucking him in, she sat by his side. Her fingers gently smoothed his frowning brow, unsure if it was drink or dreams that troubled him.

Then, in his sleep, Lu Jianshou murmured: “Nianshi… Nian Nianshi…”

“I’m here, I’m here. What is it?” she whispered, leaning close. The fragrance of petals clung to his skin, reminding her of the intimate moments just earlier while bathing him. Her pale face flushed pink, delicate and beautiful.

“Nianshi… don’t let anyone else paint you… Don’t smile at anyone else…”

He suddenly clutched her to his chest, pleading like a child. “You said you loved me—don’t make me cut off my feelings. I just… I just…”

His words, sweet as honey, melted through her, the greatest joy she had felt in so long.

“Just what?” Nianshi’s heart trembled. She had never dared hope he might care for her. Even the tiniest possessiveness thrilled her. “Is it because… maybe you’ve begun to like me? Just a little would be enough…”

But Lu Jianshou’s lips only mumbled, barely audible.

Leaning closer, she finally heard the pained whisper: “I don’t know… I don’t know… In the end… I’ll still have to divorce you!”

Even in dreams, Lu Jianshou—would you not grant me the smallest hope?

Why do you run so desperately from this love?