Thirty-Six Stratagems for Divorcing a Wife (GL) - Chapter 36

The Lu household was kept awake all night because of Nian Aishi’s commotion.

Madam Lu, who had temporarily slipped into shock, was revived with an ice pack. Upon hearing that Nian Aishi had caused a scene at the Huibin Pavilion, she insisted on personally going to fetch her: “A young lady, drinking and carousing with a group of men—what kind of propriety is that? If anything happens, how will I report it to the Yao King? Everyone in the Lu household will be held responsible!”

Lu Wang personally helped her up and reproached gently: “She is a princess; if she truly doesn’t want to return, no one can make her come back.”

“That doesn’t mean she should be spoiled like this!” Madam Lu, quick-tempered as ever, was determined to go herself, and no one could stop her. “If you don’t go with me, I’ll go on my own!”

The Lu household fell into chaos, but Lu Jianzhou returned home carrying Nian Aishi.

It was the fourth watch of the night, and Lu Jianzhou didn’t expect the Lu household to be so brightly lit. She had just placed Nian Aishi on a chair when the elders of the Lu family, surrounded by people, approached.

Seeing the girl drunk to the point of losing control and teasingly clinging to Lu Shiqi while shouting “Drink, drink, keep drinking,” Lu Wang thought, Isn’t this putting a green hat on my son? and exclaimed, “This is utterly scandalous!”

“Let’s first get her to her room to sober up…” Lu Jianzhou interrupted, lifting Nian Aishi around the waist. She had hoped to handle the situation quietly, but now a scolding was inevitable. “Everyone, don’t crowd around. Go back; I’ll take care of her.”

“How rude!” Lu Wang, unaware of the handsome “man’s” true identity—and thinking he was the illegitimate son his wife raised—was immediately displeased. “I’m grateful you’re bringing my daughter-in-law back, but you must show some respect; men and women should not be so familiar!”

He glanced at Lu Jianyi to help.

Lu Jianyi stepped forward, but…

Nian Aishi, focused on teasing Lu Jianzhou, flailed her hands and smudged Lu Jianyi with her vomit.

“Darling… Aishi feels so unwell…” After finally vomiting and wiping herself, she snuggled obediently into Lu Jianzhou’s arms, tugging at her collar.

Lu Jianzhou raised her face, slightly sympathetic to the unfortunate Lu Jianyi, and asked Lu Wang: “As you can see, the princess is quite unruly. Will you come yourself?”

Lu Wang stepped back, unwilling: “Just take her to her room! I’ll have the kitchen prepare some soup to sober her up!”

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At the fifth watch, Lu Jianzhou suddenly woke up to find herself asleep on a stone bench outside the door.

She noticed lights still on in the bedroom. The on-duty servants had been sent away, so she pushed the door open and was surprised to find Madam Lu still at the bedside caring for Nian Aishi.

Madam Lu didn’t particularly like Nian Aishi, did she?

Seeing Lu Shiqi, Madam Lu struggled to rise and greet her. Her rheumatism seemed to be acting up again, her joints aching, and her eyes dark and red, her face looking several years older in just one night. “Shiqi, you haven’t slept either?”

“Madam, you’ve been busy all night. Go rest; I’ll handle these matters,” Lu Jianzhou said dutifully.

Madam Lu touched Nian Aishi’s forehead with infinite tenderness: “It’s all my fault for trying to separate them, but it was for their own good. A mother can only watch helplessly as they drift apart in the world… I just wanted something simple, not to break their bond. I don’t want either of them to be hurt…”

“This is Jianzhou’s choice,” Lu Jianzhou helped Madam Lu up. “I… I understand your intentions, Mother…”

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After returning Madam Lu to her room, it was already dawn.

As the sky lightened, Nian Aishi, still drowsy, saw the figure entering in the soft morning light. The silhouette reminded her more and more of Lu Jianzhou.

“You’re awake?” Lu Jianzhou closed the door, sat on the edge of the bed, pulled the blanket over her, and said softly, “Shall we talk?”

The story had to be told from long ago.

The eldest daughter of the General’s household spoke clearly at one, wrote poetry at two, and was called a prodigy at three.

This extraordinary child lived a sunny and carefree life—until one day, while playing cuju with peers, she kicked a ball incorrectly.

“Lu Jianzhou, you’re the smallest—go get the ball!”

A wall separated two completely different worlds.

On one side, the sun shone, and laughter rang out. On the other, the forbidden grounds of the Yao King’s mansion were so dark even the sun seemed stingy.

“Who are you?”

“I… I’m Lu Jianzhou.”

“Is this your ball?… Here, take it. Now go.”

…

“Why haven’t you left yet?”

“Little sister, you’re really beautiful.”

“What does it matter to you if I’m beautiful?”

“I… I like you.”

…

“Why are you here again? I asked the nurse. She said liking someone just because they’re pretty is too shallow, so I won’t like you.”

“But I really like you…”

“Lu Jianzhou, enough, you’re shameless.”

…

“Nian Aishi, come play with me.”

“Go by yourself. I’m resting; I have to stay here.”

“Oh…”

“Why are you still here?”

“Because I only like playing with you.”

…

“Nian Aishi! I want to marry you!”

“You fool, we’re both girls—how can you marry me?”

“I don’t care! I just want to marry you. Come here, this tree will be our matchmaker. I, Lu Jianzhou, will keep my word. You can’t back out.”

“You really are a fool—save this childish trick for someone else!”

“We’re just kids, aren’t we?”

…

“Are you annoying or what, always pestering me? Don’t you want to study?”

“I’m not well, so I just practice martial arts. Besides, I’m clever, I won’t forget.”

“How can you boast about being clever?”

“You’re clever too! You play the qin so well—many adults can’t match you!”

“No matter how clever I am, it’s useless; I’ll die eventually.”

“Die?”

…

“Grandma, does Aishi always suffer so when she’s sick?”

“Yes… you feel sorry for her too?”

“Mm… Jianzhou feels so sorry… wishes she could bear the pain for her.”

“If you could die for her, would you?”

“Die?…”

…

“Do you really have no regrets?”

“Yes, I would die for her.”

…

After hearing Lu Jianzhou’s story, Nian Aishi clenched the edge of the quilt, murmuring, “I know… I know all of this…”

“Then if I had asked you back then, would you have died for her?” Lu Jianzhou looked into Nian Aishi’s eyes. The answer wasn’t truly important.

“I would… I wish it had been me instead of her. She went through it for me…” A few tears slid down Nian Aishi’s cheeks as she buried her face and choked back sobs. “I blamed her for leaving me for seven whole years. When the nurse told me the truth, I just wanted to make it up to her and live well with her… but she disappeared again…”

“If you two were together, it would have killed her. Would you still want her to appear?” Lu Jianzhou asked.

Nian Aishi could no longer answer.

“That’s why Lu Jianzhou didn’t appear—she was afraid you would be the one to die.” Lu Jianzhou finished and got up, opening the door. “Last night, Madam Lu cared for you all night. Your grievances with Jianzhou shouldn’t be taken out on others. At least, you should thank Madam Lu.”