Thirty-Six Stratagems for Divorcing a Wife (GL) - Chapter 9

Huibin Tower was located in the red-light district, where all kinds of people from every walk of life gathered—some to recite poetry and enjoy music, others simply to seek pleasure.

Though not a brothel, it was still rife with shady dealings, drunken mischief, and lecherous behavior.

When Lu Jianshou arrived, Jin Qingqin was already caught in a scuffle with several unsavory men. They had been eyeing her beauty, swarming her in groups of three or five, trying to drag her away. Jin Qingqin resisted, but her drunkenness and lack of numbers left her staggering and overwhelmed.

Just before she could be pulled into a private room, Lu Jianshou threw aside restraint, rushed forward, and kicked the nearest greasy-haired man down the stairs.

Catching the falling Jin Qingqin in her arms, she struck again—sending several paunchy middle-aged men reeling with swift moves.

Seeing her skill and fine clothes, the ruffians realized she was no ordinary person. In terror, they scrambled away like rats fleeing a sinking ship.

Holding Jin Qingqin steady, Lu Jianshou whispered by her ear:
“Why must you torment yourself like this?”

On the way there, she had already heard: ever since the news of her brother’s death, Jin Qingqin had drowned herself in drink and despair, as if suffering even more than Lu Jianshou herself had.

It was absurd—she hadn’t grieved so deeply even for her own fiancé.

But before Lu Jianshou could say more, she caught a heavy waft of alcohol. She tried to dodge, but too late—Jin Qingqin vomited all over her.

“You—!” The stench made the usually fastidious Lu Jianshou both exasperated and amused. “This disgraceful sight of yours ought to be painted!”

After sending Changhuan back to report, she realized the drunken Jin Qingqin clinging to her like an octopus wasn’t going anywhere. So she booked a room, ordered hot water, and personally scrubbed her clean. Throughout, Jin Qingqin was restless, drunkenly making a scene, leaving Lu Jianshou helpless.

After bathing herself, exhaustion hit hard. She lay down beside Jin Qingqin without a second thought, seeing nothing wrong in it.

It was already deep into the night, yet the bridal chamber’s lights still burned.

“Your Grace… the dishes are all cold. Won’t you eat a little?” Jinxiu asked softly.

Nian Nianshi put down her book, lost in thought. She rubbed her temples and shook her head. “No need.”

“Then rest, at least. Staying up is bad for your health. If the young master comes back, he wouldn’t want to see you like this,” Jinxiu urged.

“Hmph, I doubt he’ll return at all,” Jin Yi muttered. “Everyone knows those two grew up as childhood sweethearts, betrothed since they were little. It’s hardly surprising. No doubt the young general is drunk right now in a beauty’s arms!”

At that very moment in Huibin Tower, Lu Jianshou—fast asleep beside Jin Qingqin—shivered in her dreams, tugged the blanket tighter, and kept on snoring.

“Jin Yi!” Jinxiu scolded, though she secretly thought the same.

Nian Nianshi’s gaze lingered on the wavering candle flame. Quietly, as though to herself, she asked:
“Earlier today… did I go too far? Is that why she dislikes me now?”

Jin Yi, thinking the question was meant for her, answered honestly: “Your Grace only spoke in haste. Besides, the young master isn’t one to hold grudges. If he knew you later cooked so many dishes and waited all night for him, even a heart of stone would soften.”

“Really…?” Nian Nianshi murmured. She grew only sadder. Fatigue soon washed over her, and she drifted into half-sleep at her desk.

At dawn, Lu Jianshou woke to a sharp slap across her face from Jin Qingqin, dressed only in an undergarment.

“What was that for!” she yelped, confused and slow to realize what was wrong.

Blushing furiously, Jin Qingqin snapped, “Lu Jianyi, you bastard! And you ask why?”

At last Lu Jianshou understood—she had spent the night in bed with her, under the guise of a man. Though nothing had happened, her careless choice had ruined the girl’s reputation.

“I—I’m sorry…”

Smack!

Another slap.

Perhaps from cooking awkwardly with her weaker hand the previous day, Nian Nianshi had drained too much energy. She slept late and awoke to the sun high overhead.

Unaware of when her maids had carried her to bed, she sat up groggily, touched up her brows, changed clothes, and let Jinyi and Jinxiu help with her hair.

“Has she come back yet?” she asked, staring at her pale reflection in the mirror.

Jinxiu hesitated, then answered vaguely: “The young master must have been delayed on the road. He’ll surely return soon…”

Nian Nianshi’s fingers clenched. A sudden cold fire flared in her eyes.
“Prepare my carriage. I’m going to Huibin Tower to catch them in the act.”

“You and I are cousins,” Lu Jianshou said weakly. “And this place sees heavy traffic every day. If I climb out the window, no one will notice. Last night, you were so despondent—I stayed only to comfort you. I didn’t think it through. I’m truly sorry.”

Jin Qingqin, recalling her shameful drunken behavior—clinging to Lu Jianshou like a fool—wished she could die of mortification. She reminded herself: Lu Jianyi was already married. She must never again turn to him for solace whenever her heart ached.

Composing herself, she said: “Last night, those men wouldn’t stop insulting Jianshou, their words foul beyond bearing. I lost my temper and acted rashly. But I know—Jianshou’s spirit in heaven would never want me taking such risks.”

Hearing this, Lu Jianshou felt guilty. She reached out, gently ruffling Jin Qingqin’s hair.
“Silly girl… was it worth it?”

“Jianyi, do you remember what I told you three years ago?” Jin Qingqin asked, her face solemn.

Lu Jianshou, clueless, assumed it was something harmless—wishing you well, safe travels, if you’re happy, I’m happy too—so she nodded quickly: “I remember.”

But Jin Qingqin’s voice trembled with despair:
“I told you then—I liked Jianshou. You only laughed, said I was young and foolish, that two women together was against nature, a passing confusion. But after she died, I realized it wasn’t fleeting. My feelings for her were true. I love her… and I can’t let go.”

Lu Jianshou’s jaw dropped into a perfect “O.”

Nian Nianshi stormed to Huibin Tower, but when she arrived, she stopped short outside, unwilling to enter.

Her beauty quickly drew a crowd of gawking men, buzzing like flies until the street became a whirl of commotion.

“Will you not go up, Your Grace?” Jinxiu asked.

Annoyed by the growing throng, Nian Nianshi commanded:
“Tell her to come down and face me.”

The innkeeper, terrified at the word “princess,” ran upstairs and banged on the door.
“Bang, bang! Lord Lu! Terrible news—Her Highness the Princess is here to fetch you home!”

Inside, both women panicked. Lu Jianshou, baffled by Nian Nianshi’s sudden visit, still managed to instruct Jin Qingqin:
“Don’t panic. Stay here. If Nianshi comes in, swear you never saw me.”

She took a deep breath, gauged the drop from the second floor, and decided it wouldn’t kill her. Swinging open the window, she jumped out, waved goodbye to Jin Qingqin like a tragic hero… only to land directly in view of the main entrance.

A ragged little beggar, too small to squeeze into the crowd watching the princess, saw her first.
“Look, look! Someone jumped from the window!” he shouted, his voice carrying far.

The crowd craned their necks upward.

Even Nian Nianshi, impatiently waiting below, glanced up—only to meet eyes with the disheveled, guilty-looking Lu Jianshou standing at the window.

Their gazes locked. Lu Jianshou’s heart sank, her legs went weak, and she tried to retreat back inside—only to find the window stuck fast, refusing to budge.

Why in the world is this window facing the main entrance?!

In that instant, Lu Jianshou truly understood why flowers blush so red.