Thirty-Six Stratagems for Divorcing a Wife (GL) - Chapter 21

Having drunk too much the day before, Lu Jianzhou slept soundly on the floor, and Nian Yanshi had taken care of her all night—rarely did she not wake early.

Yet, Chang Huan still came to knock on the door at the usual hour.

Lu Jianzhou wanted to get up, only to realize that Nian Yanshi was resting her head on her arm. Her clothes had been changed, and the inner bindings had been removed at some point, leaving a certain developing part of her body unusually free.

Meanwhile, Nian Yanshi’s face was pressed against it, sleeping peacefully.

Nian Yanshi, being a light sleeper, woke when Lu Jianzhou moved and saw her withdrawing her hand, clutching her collar, frowning thoughtfully: “Yanshi… you already know?”

“Know? Are you referring to your drunken words last night, husband?” Nian Yanshi deliberately evaded the topic. “If so, Yanshi couldn’t be happier.”

“Drunken words?” Lu Jianzhou had been prepared to be scolded or punished, but Nian Yanshi acted as usual, as if nothing serious had happened. “What drunken words did I say?”

“Your husband can’t help it. You were completely drunk and kept insisting that you wanted to divorce me.” Nian Yanshi looked at her and gave a lingering, plaintive smile.

Lu Jianzhou felt a wave of guilt. “I’m sorry… I drank too much… but…”

“No need to feel guilty, husband. Matters of the heart can’t be forced. Yanshi understands. Perhaps speaking the truth after drinking only lets Yanshi give up more easily.” Nian Yanshi interrupted herself. “I’m not upset. After all, we’ve been married only a few days. Last night, you also said other things; those few words are enough for me.”

“I also said other things?” Lu Jianzhou was puzzled.

Nian Yanshi didn’t answer further, looking rather pleased, and went to open the door for the long-waiting Chang Huan.

Chang Huan bowed: “Young Master, regarding Miss Li Ji of the Huadu House’s invitation yesterday, did you go or not? I need a definite answer to respond properly.”

“She asked me to arrange another date. Was that supposed to be today?” Lu Jianzhou was puzzled. “She just got married yesterday. Why is she so eager to thank me?”

“Married? Young Master, who told you Miss Li Ji married yesterday? I didn’t know about that.” Chang Huan was also puzzled.

Lu Jianzhou glanced at Nian Yanshi. “Wasn’t it Li Ji and Qian Yuan who got married yesterday?”

Nian Yanshi also found it strange. “Who told you Qian Yuan married Li Ji? You hurried to invite me to go along but didn’t even know he married the daughter of the Neishi family?”

“Ah???” Lu Jianzhou was so shocked her mouth wouldn’t close. “Then all my cosmetics were sent in vain!”

After explaining the situation in detail, Nian Yanshi scolded her: “You’re a grown man, giving women private items without clarifying things. Now that she invites you to meet, it’s obviously not about the gift. You made a mistake but didn’t intend harm. Li Ji knows you’re married, so why rush? No wonder people say women in brothels are wanton.”

Lu Jianzhou felt a little upset at the scolding. “I was at fault first. I could explain it clearly when I arrive. Why must you scold her?”

“You’re not going.” Nian Yanshi pushed her back onto the bed. “Stay home and sleep. I’ll go.”

“Nian Yanshi, that’s ridiculous! What kind of reasoning is this?!” Lu Jianzhou immediately objected.

Nian Yanshi ordered Chang Huan: “Today, you stay at home and watch over her so she doesn’t cause trouble with others.”

“Uh…” Chang Huan hesitated.

Seeing an opening, Lu Jianzhou said smugly: “Nian Yanshi, who do you think you are? Why are you restricting my freedom? Chang Huan has followed me since childhood—she won’t obey you.”

“Princess, if I guard her, my master will surely repay me later…” Unexpectedly, Chang Huan hesitated for a long time and said this.

“As long as I’m in the Lu mansion, he won’t touch you.” Nian Yanshi said and left.

Chang Huan knelt in gratitude: “Your Highness, I won’t spare any effort! I will guard the Young Master well!”

Then she tied up Lu Jianzhou in one go, her expression full of sadistic delight, as if saying: “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time!”

Lu Jianzhou struggled: “Let me go! You traitor! You believe Nian Yanshi’s words! I’ll divorce her eventually! You can hide for a while but not forever! Ahhh! Chang Huan, you beast!!”

…

“No, I still don’t trust it! Forget it, I’ll discuss something with you. I won’t offend the princess, I promise I won’t tell. Chang Huan, come over here! My hands and feet are tied; how can I even touch you?!”

Li Ji clutched her purse, glancing anxiously at the door and occasionally checking with her maid, but Lu Jianzhou had yet to appear, making her somewhat uneasy.

Soon, the maid sent to spy came running in, flustered.

Li Ji was overjoyed and called out from afar: “Lu Gongzi is here?”

“Princess… the princess is here…” The maid arrived breathless, and Nian Yanshi stepped over her with an inscrutable expression and walked in.

“I heard Miss Li Ji had business with my general. As my husband is occupied, I’ve come in his stead. Please don’t take offense.” Nian Yanshi said and, without ceremony, sat opposite her.

Li Ji had chosen a prominent table in the bustling main hall of Huibin Tower, originally to show off subtly. Seeing Nian Yanshi instead, she was stunned and speechless, eventually recovering: “Miss Li Ji invited Lu Gongzi today only to personally thank him for the gifts.”

Nian Yanshi sneered, noticing the onlookers and the sumptuous food. It was fortunate Lu Jianzhou hadn’t come—this was clearly an attempt to publicly flaunt a connection and embarrass her, the legitimate wife. “Then I shall thank him on his behalf.”

“Thank on his behalf?” Li Ji sensed provocation in the words, feeling displeased. She ignored Nian Yanshi’s rank and instructed the waiters to continue serving: “Lu Gongzi gave so many valuable cosmetics and pearl hairpins. Naturally, I wanted to thank him in person to honor the gesture.”

This nearly made Nian Yanshi throw the seaweed egg soup she was holding—her secret weapon as a princess against a rival: when you can’t verbally win, spill it!

Chang Huan, still uneasy, tugged at Lu Jianzhou’s sleeve: “Young Master, remember our agreement. No matter what happens, don’t act rashly. Offend the princess, and even ten heads wouldn’t be enough to save me.”

Lu Jianzhou shrugged her off impatiently: “I promised and won’t go back on it. I’m just here to observe. I won’t betray you. But your servant’s clothes are rough! No wonder you’ve worn them for so long.”

Chang Huan muttered in her heart: If you hadn’t tricked me into loosening your ties, I wouldn’t have lent them! And now you complain about them! Impossible to please!

She secretly sneaked up to the second floor of Huibin Tower, among the onlookers, and looked down to see the main event unfolding.

Though they couldn’t hear everything clearly, gossip spread fast:

• “One is the top courtesan of Huadu House, the other the peerless beauty of the Yao King’s mansion. How did they cross paths?”

• “I don’t know. I’m just here to watch.”

• “I heard the young general Lu was newly married, got lonely, and went out, only to be caught by his legitimate wife.”

• “Ha? Lu is really a philanderer! Married to the most beautiful woman yet still flirts with others…”

• “The princess handles affairs swiftly. She’s probably a beautiful serpent; Lu must be miserable under her control.”

• “Even if she’s beautiful, I’d be fine being controlled. Why sneak around?”

• “You don’t understand. Lu was away in the frontier for two years. He prefers lively women to the saltless, proper princess. He fancies the energetic cousin and the dream of the man—Miss Li Ji.”

• “I prefer the princess…”

• “Ha, you’re young. You don’t get it. Everyone wins if the princess keeps him under control. Li Ji is skilled, but the princess is smarter.”

…

The later talk became inappropriate for minors. Lu Jianzhou’s face turned pale at the rumors.

By the time she realized it, the two had already left, leaving Li Ji chatting with a few men, unable to escape.

Lu Jianzhou descended the stairs and bowed: “Miss Li Ji, I apologize for my tardiness.”

Li Ji, seeing him in rough clothes, was puzzled: “Lu Gongzi, why are you so disheveled?”

Before speaking, Chang Huan had rushed up, urging: “Young Master, you can’t wander around! You must return before the princess finds out, or I’ll be unfairly punished!”

Lu Jianzhou explained to Li Ji: “Some matters at home delayed me. What did you want from me today? Let’s get straight to the point; I may not have much time.”

Li Ji, surprised by his appearance, retrieved the purse she had packed: “I wanted to thank you for the gifts you sent a few days ago.”

Lu Jianzhou took the small purse, noting its somewhat tacky embroidery, and explained: “I sent them as congratulations. Now I see Qian Yuan is unfaithful. I encouraged him to pursue love. Li Ji, you’re a good girl; you’ll meet someone more suitable in the future.”

“Li Ji thought those gifts were specially for her… It turns out it was just unrequited affection…” Hearing the reason behind the gifts, she felt relieved he hadn’t come sooner. “Thanks for your concern. Actually, Qian Yuan and I weren’t as you imagined…”

“No need to defend him!” Lu Jianzhou said sympathetically. “Yanshi came earlier. She speaks her mind, don’t take offense…”

Li Ji, recalling Nian Yanshi’s domineering attitude, felt annoyed again, showing a grievance on her face: “The princess didn’t say much… She only told Li Ji to keep her distance. I don’t understand; I invited Lu Gongzi, yet the princess came instead and scolded me unjustly. Li Ji and Lu Gongzi are pure, heaven and earth can bear witness…”

As she spoke, growing more exhausted, she leaned into Lu Jianzhou’s arms.

Chang Huan caught her and reminded Lu Jianzhou: “Young Master, if you don’t leave now, the princess will notice.”

Still worried, Lu Jianzhou said to Li Ji: “She’s like that. I’ll explain when I return. Don’t take offense. I have urgent matters today; I must leave. We’ll talk another day.”

Li Ji’s maid observed the hurried departure of Lu Jianzhou and Chang Huan: “I heard Lu Gongzi is a renowned gentleman. How did he get into such a mess?”

Li Ji, with her disguise gone, regained some pride: “You don’t understand. It’s that Nian Yanshi, relying on her status as princess, thinks she can bind him to her. Men generally dislike women stronger than themselves.”

The young maid admired Li Ji, thinking: No wonder our madam never wanted to hire a head courtesan…