Thirty-Six Stratagems for Divorcing a Wife (GL) - Chapter 26

The two of them divided up the prepared food and walked together to where Nian Yanshi was.

From a distance, Lu Jianzhou spotted Jin Qingqin and cheerfully called out, “Cousin, you sure make yourself easy to find. Mother seems to want to see you. Quick, try a few of the soup dumplings Miss Li made herself, then go find her.”

Jin Qingqin glanced at Nian Yanshi, who was on the verge of losing her composure, and once again tested Lu Jianzhou’s emotional intelligence to its limits. Still, she cooperated, taking the bowl and chopsticks and picking up a dumpling to taste.

It was a bit greasy, but not unpleasant.

However, Nian Yanshi blew on a dumpling, bit a small piece, and frowned. “It’s too hot.”

“Of course—it just came out of the pot!” Lu Jianzhou said warmly. “Dumplings are best eaten hot.”

“I like them cold,” Nian Yanshi replied bluntly. “And there’s chives in the filling. I dislike chives most of all.”

“How can you be so picky? What else would go in dumplings if not chives?” Lu Jianzhou scolded lightly, feeling it was impolite. Miss Li had worked so hard, and this was her thanks.

Nian Yanshi, however, replied briskly and calmly, “Scallions would have been fine.”

Miss Li’s expression fell. “It’s my fault. I should have asked what you liked before cooking.”

Seeing her take the blame, Lu Jianzhou naturally spoke up: “Don’t worry—I like chives!”

She picked up two dumplings, praising them: “Rich but not greasy, just to my taste!”

Then, without forgetting to compare, she added: “If you ask me, it’s Nian Yanshi’s fault for being too picky. Even the finest delicacies she can’t eat more than a few bites, which is why she’s so slender and undernourished. Don’t mind her.”

“I don’t much like food with strong flavors either. I’ll just go have some Osmanthus cake!” Jin Qingqin, sensing Nian Yanshi might get upset, decided to excuse herself. “By the way, Jianzhou, where will you sleep tonight?”

“Why? Doesn’t the General’s residence have a guest room? Worried about me? I’ll sleep in my own room, of course.”

“Oh…” Jin Qingqin gave a meaningful smile and left the ‘unusually lucky’ Lu Jianzhou behind.

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The entire afternoon was under a strangely tense atmosphere.

Lu Jianzhou couldn’t quite pinpoint what was wrong but felt uneasy.

It seemed that Nian Yanshi appeared friendly toward Miss Li, but every sentence was edged with subtle tension.

As dusk fell, Lu Jianzhou grew sleepy, ordered the servants to tidy the dishes, and excused herself: “You two chat—I’ll head back to my room.”

But Miss Li suddenly called after her: “Sir…”

“What is it?” Lu Jianzhou asked, noticing Nian Yanshi’s unusually malevolent expression—cold enough to send shivers down one’s spine.

“Miss Li still doesn’t know the way to the Purple Gold Pavilion. Didn’t you promise Mother you’d personally escort her today?” Miss Li’s tone was playful, yet carried an unquestionable authority.

“There are so many servants. Just send a maid along. You’re already tired; let it go today,” Nian Yanshi stood, asserting herself.

Lu Jianzhou considered and replied: “A gentleman’s word is his bond. If I promised Mother, I must see it through. Yanshi, you go back first. The pavilion isn’t far; I’ll arrive shortly.”

“Thank you, sir!” Miss Li said, linking arms with her intimately as they walked.

Nian Yanshi watched their backs recede, stomping in anger. Miss Li even glanced back at her provocatively around a corner, making Nian Yanshi nearly want to smash a dish in frustration.

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“This is the place!” Lu Jianzhou arrived, subtly pulling her hand back to maintain a slightly uncomfortable distance. “It hasn’t been used for a while, so it’s simple—far from the Flower Capital Pavilion. Tomorrow I’ll have some furniture sent in; it’ll be fine.”

Miss Li stepped closer again. “Not at all. I’ve experienced the hardships of the Flower Capital Pavilion; this place is practically heaven—luxurious, bright, and very comfortable. I like it.”

“As long as you like it!” Lu Jianzhou stepped back. “It’s getting late—time to sleep. If you have questions, ask me tomorrow. I’ll head back to my room.”

Unexpectedly, Miss Li grabbed her sleeve, looking timid: “Sir, don’t leave…”

Lu Jianzhou hesitated to pull away abruptly, and patiently asked: “What is it now?”

“I’m a little scared… Could you stay with me tonight?” Miss Li looked at her expectantly, her eyes almost seductive.

Lu Jianzhou looked around: the birds, flowers, and well-guarded surroundings. “It’s so safe here. What are you afraid of?”

“I’m afraid of the dark…” Once she said it, even Jin Yi, who had come along, couldn’t tolerate it and shot her a sharp glance.

“You can light a candle if you’re afraid of the dark…” Lu Jianzhou said matter-of-factly. In Jin Yi’s mind, she suddenly seemed adorably silly.

Yet Miss Li shamelessly continued: “I’m also afraid to be alone…”

“I don’t mean anything else… Can you just stay with me for one night? Until I fall asleep, then you can leave, okay?” Miss Li pleaded bitterly.

Lu Jianzhou couldn’t think of a way to refuse and agreed: “Jin Yi, tell the Princess I’ll be back late—leave the door open for me.”

“Then sir must return early! Jin Yi cannot guarantee the Princess won’t lock the study!” Jin Yi pouted, delivering the message and glaring at Miss Li one last time—what a schemer! So annoying!

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No sooner had Jin Yi left than Chang Huan ran in: “Young Master! The Empress summons you to the palace! The Princess is ill?”

“Why come to me when there are so many imperial physicians…” Lu Jianzhou began, then cut herself off. “Yes, I’ll go immediately.”

She turned apologetically to Miss Li: “I might have an urgent matter; I won’t be able to stay tonight. Chang Huan will guard here—if you’re afraid, call him.”

Without letting Miss Li protest, Lu Jianzhou hurried toward the palace.

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Kunning Palace was already filled with kneeling attendants. The Empress was restrained by her maids, unable to approach, venting at the hesitant imperial physicians: “Why aren’t you moving? As healers, do you have no conscience?!”

“Your Majesty, spare us! The Princess may have smallpox!” The lead physician kowtowed repeatedly. The disease was highly contagious and untouchable.

Even the Empress, upon hearing this, stepped back nervously, kneeling at a distance and crying toward the thrashing bed: “What sin have I committed…”

From afar, Lu Jianzhou could hear every sound. Nian Houzhao charged forward, frightening the nearby palace maids. “Sister!”

“Houzhao!” the Empress shouted, rushing forward—but Lu Jianzhou, quick as lightning, intercepted and sent her back among the attendants.

Without hesitation, she grabbed Nian Houzhao and splashed her with cold water, commanding the onlookers: “No one is to speak of the Second Prince touching the Princess. Quickly take him to bathe.”

Fenxi’s body was already covered in red rashes, some ulcerated and oozing pus. She was no longer the previously carefree, spirited little girl.

Lu Jianzhou had read some basic medical texts and knew how to handle fevers and infections. The imperial physicians, seeing her act, still didn’t dare approach and merely guided her while preparing some medicine.

Only by the hour of Yin did Fenxi show signs of a fever breaking.

Lu Jianzhou breathed a sigh of relief and instructed a few palace maids to prepare several doses of herbal medicine to reduce heat and relieve fever.

“Is Fenxi alright?” The Empress, tears streaming, could only ask from a distance.

Lu Jianzhou washed her hands and reassured her: “A few more days of rest and careful care, she should recover fine.”

“Thank—” Before the Empress could finish, a loud voice outside announced: “The Em——peror——has——arrived——!”

With such a crisis, how could the Emperor not know? Originally in a meeting with ministers, he hurried here immediately. Stepping inside, he asked anxiously: “How is my Fenxi?”

He rushed forward, but a group of ministers stopped him: “Your Majesty, consider carefully! Preserve your health!”

Behind the curtain, a thin, proud figure emerged, eyes resolute and serene, as if seeing through all things. Compared to the surrounding hesitation, she stood out: “The Princess needs rest. Everyone else, leave.”

After handling the follow-up, Lu Jianzhou shook her hands, wiped them with a towel. The nearby maids kept their distance, whispering from afar: “General, the medicine is ready.”

A bitter smile appeared on her face: “I suppose today will be a sleepless one.”

She opened the grand palace gates, looking coldly at the weapons pointing at her and the ministers acting like indifferent spectators.

Humans are such lowly, selfish creatures—willing to destroy the rights of others to protect their own safety.