Thirty-Six Stratagems for Divorcing a Wife (GL) - Chapter 30
The next day, Lu Jianzhou entered the palace early. Jin Qingqin had tidied up the study meticulously, her mood seemingly very good, humming a little tune as she walked out. In the courtyard, she saw Nian Qianshi playing the guqin alone, and her mood lifted even more.
“Elder sister, what suddenly inspired you to play a solo?” Jin Qingqin plucked a small flower and walked over.
Nian Qianshi paused her movements, seeing her so radiant, and smiled as she asked, “How could I compare to your peach-blossom-like glow? Have you encountered something wonderful?”
“Princess, you truly are wise and perceptive! You noticed right away!” Jin Qingqin said with slight surprise, pinning the flower to her sleeve. “Qingqin indeed has someone in her heart… but I wonder if elder sister would be willing to act as a matchmaker?”
Last time, Nian Qianshi had mentioned she didn’t like Lu Jianyi, so Nian Qianshi felt completely relieved. This time, she didn’t suspect anything, thinking Qingqin had found someone else she liked. She replied, “Of course, as long as I can help. Now tell me, which talented person has captured your sharp eyes?”
“Don’t laugh at me, elder sister, but that person is… a woman, just like you and me,” Jin Qingqin said, nervously beginning to pluck the petals of the flower.
Nian Qianshi heard this and assumed Qingqin had finally let go of Lu Jianzhou and fallen for someone else, feeling pleased, though she pretended to be incredulous. “You mean, you are a girl, and you like a girl?”
Jin Qingqin saw the look of shock on her face, as if she were hearing this revolutionary news for the first time. She was secretly pleased. “Yes. Even though she already has a partner, I can tell there’s still a chance for me, so I won’t give up!”
“The partner is also a woman?” Nian Qianshi asked, clearly intrigued. “Sounds a bit like trying to steal someone else’s love, doesn’t it?”
Jin Qingqin nodded. “Her partner doesn’t like her; it’s probably one-sided. Once her partner learns her true identity, their relationship will naturally collapse.”
“True identity?” Nian Qianshi asked further. “Has she been deceiving that person all along?”
“Yes. She has been dressing as a man, thinking that would win her heart, but in reality, that person didn’t like women at all!” Jin Qingqin couldn’t wait to share her deduction. “But now that I know she likes women too, I feel hopeful. Though taking advantage of the situation is a bit underhanded, I will give it my all!”
“Dressing as a man?” Nian Qianshi felt she had missed a crucial piece of the puzzle.
Jin Qingqin continued confidently, “Yes. Straight is straight, it cannot be bent. My beloved doesn’t understand this, just like Jianyi… if she were a woman, you wouldn’t still be with her, right?”
Nian Qianshi couldn’t guess Jin Qingqin’s thoughts and could only play along passively. “Nonsense! How could Jianyi be a woman? We’ve been married so long, and I still don’t know? Have you heard some strange rumor? Though he acts a bit effeminate, he’s absolutely not a woman!”
“See, you really aren’t in our circle!” Jin Qingqin exclaimed with joy. “Don’t worry, elder sister, the person I’m talking about is definitely not Lu Jianyi! I just hope everything proceeds smoothly later. Remember your promise to help me match them!”
Meanwhile, in the palace, Lu Jianzhou sneezed twice in a row, wiping her nose with a handkerchief. The Empress beside her said, “Qianshi truly doesn’t know how to take care of people. Last time you looked thin; now that you’ve entered the palace, you’ve caught a cold. Didn’t she even cover you with a blanket?”
Lu Jianzhou smiled, marking a check on Nian Houzhao’s essay. “Perhaps someone has been talking about me. Qianshi shows her true care in hardship; she’s become more virtuous recently.”
Suddenly, an official entered, kneeling down. “Your Majesty, Empress, thousands and thousands of years! Regarding the matter you asked me to investigate last time, we now have a lead.”
“And what about Princess Fenxi’s smallpox incident?” the Empress asked. “Speak.”
“Well…” The official hesitated, glancing at Lu Jianzhou.
She understood the glance and was about to excuse herself, but the Empress added, “Jianyi is one of us; it won’t hurt to say.”
“Yes!” The official stood and reported. “Your Majesty, indeed, marks of inoculation were found inside the clothing Princess Fenxi wore that day!”
“Hmph! So it really was intentional. Which garment?” the Empress demanded angrily.
“Uh…” The official hesitated, then stammered, “It was the cloak sewn by the Second Prince’s consort herself…”
That day, fearing for the princess’s health in the sudden weather change, the Empress had used the cloak meant for Nian Houzhao to cover Fenxi. Now it seemed the one who intended harm was actually the Second Prince. The person in the palace most likely to threaten Nian Houzhao…
“Guards, set up the stage and palace! I want to catch Consort Jin off guard!”
Lu Jianzhou realized things were about to get chaotic and tried to step back, but Nian Houzhao insisted on pulling her along, claiming she had to avenge her elder sister.
Consort Jin was playing chess with other concubines when the Empress arrived in a flurry. What had been cheerful quickly turned into everyone kneeling and greeting her.
“Golden Sparrow! You wicked, scheming woman! You dared to harm my Houzhao!” The Empress strode over and slapped her across the face. “Are you so afraid Houzhao will snatch your son’s throne?”
The scene caused a stir, with the concubines murmuring; Lu Jianzhou felt overwhelmed watching.
The Emperor arrived, seeing the room in chaos, split into two factions accusing each other. Lu Jianzhou stood helplessly beside Houzhao, who cheered and observed.
“There’s only one man here, and he doesn’t even intervene?!” The Emperor said, rushing in, only to be scratched on the face by a vicious consort’s nails, finally stopping the scene.
Lu Jianzhou felt wrong-footed. These people were fighting without restraint… and indeed, there was only one man, Houzhao’s younger brother.
While applying medicine to the Emperor’s face, he was briefed on the situation and said to the Empress, “You suspect Consort Jin, but what evidence do you have?”
The Empress, of Turkic descent and backed by power, spoke confidently: “Who else but her would want to harm Houzhao?”
“The blame could also be fabricated!” the Emperor said, trying to mediate. “This matter will be handled by the Zongren Court. Do not act rashly. If there is truly a secret, I will see justice done.”
“If we wait for the Zongren Court, this wretch will have destroyed everything already!” The Empress persisted. “I say we turn Jingyang Palace upside down now!”
Lu Jianzhou immediately thought she had backed the wrong side. The Empress was reckless; if Consort Jin had indeed done it, she would be destroying evidence herself.
“Impudent! I say how it’s handled, and that’s how it will be done! Don’t forget who’s in charge here!” The Emperor’s anger flared, and Lu Jianzhou nearly knelt, though he softened his tone fearing the Empress would report back. “However, for fairness, Consort Jin, your unreasonable request is permitted.”
Naturally, nothing incriminating was found. Lu Jianzhou received the imperial order and followed the Empress back to the Kunning Palace by evening.
Just as she thought she was done, the Empress suddenly asked, “Jianyi, what do you think?”
For some reason, after the Fenxi incident, the Empress seemed to trust her, asking for her opinion on everything. Lu Jianzhou feigned ignorance. “Jianyi is foolish; I really cannot tell.”
“Indeed… a clear official cannot judge household affairs. The rivalry among women in the harem is something men, no matter how clever, cannot discern,” the Empress sighed. “It’s late; you may go back.”
“Yes!” Lu Jianzhou received the order, happily turning to leave, but paused at the door, looking back at a figure inside. “Qianshi? What are you doing here?”
Of course, Nian Qianshi wasn’t here to pick her up. “Princess Fenxi has something for me.”
“That little brat has something? Bringing someone out this late without manners!” Lu Jianzhou scolded, forgetting completely that this was Fenxi’s domain.
Nian Qianshi sighed, subtly gesturing “shh,” but Fenxi had already burst out, shouting at her, “Lu Jianyi! You truly aren’t afraid of death! How dare you speak ill of me? Do you know that can cost your head?”
Lu Jianzhou made a face at Nian Qianshi, then knelt on one knee before Fenxi. “Your servant acknowledges her mistake, but it’s already late. My wife is asleep. If you truly have something to say, can it be delivered tomorrow?”
“I don’t care what elder cousin says or when! What business is it to you? You better mind your own affairs and go home!” Fenxi continued, her arrogant expression unyielding. “Tonight, Qianshi sleeps with me. Don’t get any ideas!”
This brat… Lu Jianzhou had thought she had matured during her few days at the palace, but clearly, she was still a brat playing grown-up, utterly ungrateful!
Lu Jianzhou waved at Nian Qianshi. “Then I shall return home first! After all, you can seize her for a moment, but not for life. Tomorrow morning, you’ll still have plenty of chances to see her!”
Nian Qianshi kept looking back at her with a sweet, satisfied smile.
Fenxi, puzzled by this, asked, “You truly like her? This is called ‘fortune favors the foolish’?”
“Is she really foolish?” Nian Qianshi thought of Lu Jianzhou and repeated, “Perhaps… I just like that she’s adorably foolish.”
“Today’s plan went perfectly. Just as you predicted, mother and Consort Jin’s conflict was fully inflamed. Later, Consort Jin will surely try to deal with my mother!” Fenxi’s tone grew cold, far beyond that of a nine-year-old child.
“I only promised to do this,” Nian Qianshi said, appearing detached and uninterested. “What happens afterward, I neither know nor wish to know.”
This angered Fenxi. “You’re so smart, why won’t you help me?!”
“I don’t know why Princess thinks I’m smart. I like fools, so I am foolish too,” Nian Qianshi humbly replied, thinking only of returning home. “If the Princess keeps her promise, I should be home now. My husband has been teaching all day and must be hungry. If there’s still time, I can make a late-night snack.”
“Qianshi!” Fenxi hated being ignored, feeling as though Nian Qianshi didn’t even see her. And in fact, it was true. “This isn’t over. You must help me! Or I’ll reveal Lu Jianyi’s female identity everywhere! Everyone will know you married a woman! You’ll be utterly disgraced!”
Fenxi felt a gust of wind, then found her mouth covered. When she freed herself from the fragrant, flowery embrace, she saw Nian Qianshi glaring at her in the moonlight, a hint of killing intent in her eyes. Fenxi shivered. “You… what do you want to do?”
“Afraid now? Don’t worry. Do you know how many ears are listening, how many eyes are watching inside the palace walls? I won’t harm you.” Nian Qianshi pushed her away, scolding, “I warn you, if she suffers in the slightest because of you, I don’t care if you are a princess, consort, or Empress. Crushing you will be as simple as killing an ant. Don’t think you can threaten me.”
Fenxi, still a child, was intimidated immediately. She knew Nian Qianshi meant every word, not just empty threats. “Then… will you help me or not?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to help. What’s in it for me? Those people are your own father, mother, and brother. Are you truly willing to harm them for your own gain?” Nian Qianshi coldly scrutinized her, seeing her as a spoiled child acting in anger, threatening: “If you don’t help me take revenge and get satisfaction, I won’t care about your excuses.”
“I don’t regret it! They abandoned me. They must taste the price. The suffering I endured in the palace—they haven’t even felt one-thousandth of it. And this is just the beginning!” Fenxi’s childishness was gone, replaced by the cold-blooded ruthlessness typical of royalty.
Someone had suffered twice as much in the palace…
“Qianshi, if you agree to help me, in the future, you’ll be second to no one. Whatever you want, I will give you. You like Lu Jianzhou, right? I can let you love her as a woman, openly accepted by society. Anyone who dares object, I’ll have their entire family punished. With such terms, will you cooperate with me?” Fenxi looked up at her, leaving no room for doubt in her tone.