A Poor Man's Son-in-Law: He Picks Up the Daughter of a Duke's Mansion at the Start

Three days later, the honeysuckle was dried.

The two large, fluffy baskets had shrunk to about half-full, feeling light in the hand, but the aroma was even stronger. Zhao tied the bag tightly and wrapped it with another layer of cloth: "Be careful, don't spill it."

Lu Qingyan took the bag: "Mother, don't worry."

Lu Dashan had finished packing and changed into the clothes with the fewest patches. As Zhao straightened his collar, she whispered, "Use the money to buy some paper and pens for your third brother, and use the rest to buy yourself some food."

"Yes, Mother."

The two brothers set out just as dawn broke. The morning mist hadn't yet dissipated, and the road was still wet. Lu Dashan walked ahead with long strides, and Lu Qingyan had to keep up so as not to fall behind.

"Brother, slow down," Lu Qingyan said, panting.

Lu Dashan slowed his pace and smiled sheepishly, "I'm used to walking like this."

They walked in silence. By the time they reached the town, the sun was high in the sky, and the streets were bustling. Lu Qingyan first went to the bookstore and handed in his latest manuscript. The shopkeeper flipped through it and nodded: "Not bad, come back at the end of the month to settle the payment."

Leaving the bookstore, Lu Qingyan weighed the bag in his hand: "Brother, shall we go to the pharmacy first?"

"Um."

The pharmacy was located at the east end of town, with a signboard bearing the three characters "Renhetang" in gold on a black background. Upon entering, one was greeted by the smell of medicine, and behind the counter sat an elderly doctor, dispensing medicine.

Lu Qingyan stepped forward: "Sir, do you accept honeysuckle?"

The old doctor looked up, adjusted his glasses, and asked, "Dried in the sun?"

"Yes, it was just dried in the sun."

"Let me see it."

Lu Qingyan untied the cloth bag. The old doctor grabbed a handful, examined it carefully in his palm, then brought it close to smell it, and finally picked up a flower and chewed it.

"They look good, and they're dried well," the old doctor said. "Where did you pick them?"

"The back mountain."

"Hmm." The old doctor put down the flowers. "Forty coins a pound, how many do you have?"

Lu Qingyan did the math in her head. The dried honeysuckle was light, so this bag probably weighed a little over four pounds.

"Try weighing it."

The old doctor took out a small scale and weighed it: four catties and three ounces.

"Let's say four and a half catties," the old doctor said generously. "One hundred and eighty coins."

Lu Dashan's eyes widened. One hundred and eighty coins! He couldn't earn that much even after a month of hard work in the fields.

Lu Qingyan remained calm: "Thank you, sir. Would you still accept more in the future?"

"I'll take it," the old doctor said, counting the money. "As long as it's dried well and looks good, come anytime. But you have to be quick, because it won't be worth anything after the flowers wither."

"Understood."

One hundred and eighty copper coins, a heavy string. Lu Qingyan took it, took out one hundred coins and handed them to Lu Dashan: "Brother, you take this."

Lu Dashan waved his hand repeatedly: "Take it, it's for your school fees."

"I have royalties," Lu Qingyan insisted, stuffing the money into his hand. "This money is what we both earned, it should be split."

Lu Dashan looked at the money in his hand, his eyes a little red. This was the first time in his life he had earned so much money on his own.

As he left the pharmacy, Lu Dashan still clutched the string of coins, his palms sweating.

"Third brother," he whispered, "can you really sell that many?"

"Yes," Lu Qingyan said. "We can gather more during the off-season. We can also sell other medicinal herbs."

Lu Dashan nodded emphatically: "Yes!"

It was almost noon when Lu Qingyan said, "Big brother, let's have a bowl of noodles before we go back."

"Let's eat at home, save some money..."

"It's on me." Lu Qingyan pulled him towards the noodle stall. "We made some money, we should celebrate."

The noodle stall was on the street corner, with a thatched shed. There were a few broken tables and a few long benches. The owner was a lame old man, who was making noodles.

"Two bowls of noodles." Lu Qingyan sat down.

"Vegetarian meat?" the boss asked.

Before Lu Qingyan could speak, Lu Dashan interrupted, "Vegetarian, vegetarian is fine."

Lu Qingyan glanced at her elder brother and didn't insist: "Then two bowls of vegetarian noodles will do."

"Okay."

The noodles were served quickly. They were plain noodles in a clear broth with a few pieces of greens floating on top, but the noodles were chewy and the broth was delicious. Lu Dashan ate with great relish, even finishing the broth.

"Are you full?" Lu Qingyan asked.

"I'm full." Lu Dashan wiped his mouth, a satisfied smile on his face.

Lu Qingyan paid for the noodles, four coins. Lu Dashan felt a little sorry for him, but didn't say anything.

After the meal, Lu Qingyan said, "Big brother, let's go see second brother."

Lu Xiaoshan was an apprentice at a carpenter's shop at the west end of town. The shop was small, with piles of wood at the entrance and the screeching sound of sawing wood coming from inside.

Lu Qingyan and Lu Dashan stood at the doorway, peering inside. Three apprentices were working, sawdust everywhere. The tall, thin figure at the far end was planing a plank, his vest soaked with sweat.

"Xiaoshan," Lu Dashan called out.

The figure paused, then turned around. It was Lu Xiaoshan, nineteen years old, thinner than Lu Dashan, but with broad shoulders. His face was sweaty and covered in sawdust. He paused for a moment when he saw them, then put down his plane and walked over.

"Big brother? Third brother?" Lu Xiaoshan was somewhat surprised. "What brings you here?"

"I came to town on business and stopped by to see you," Lu Qingyan said.

Lu Xiaoshan wiped his hands: "Come in and talk."

Behind the shop was a small courtyard piled high with timber. Lu Xiaoshan brought over two wooden stools: "Sit down."

Lu Dashan sat down and took out the string of coins from his pocket: "Xiaoshan, look, this is what my third brother and I earned selling honeysuckle."

Lu Xiaoshan took the money, looked at it, and then looked at Lu Qingyan: "Honeysuckle?"

"We picked them from the back mountain, dried them, and sold them to pharmacies," Lu Qingyan explained simply. "We can pick other things in the future."

Lu Xiaoshan was silent for a moment, then returned the money to Lu Dashan: "Brother, please keep it."

"This money..."

"There are many expenses at home, so you can keep this," Lu Xiaoshan said. "I have food and lodging here, so I don't need any money."

Lu Qingyan sized up his second brother. He was thinner than the last time he saw him, his hands were covered in calluses, and there were several fresh wounds. He knew how tough it was to be an apprentice.

"Second Brother, everything is fine at home," Lu Qingyan said. "Don't worry. Mother told me to tell you that I'll be back at the end of the month and make you some stewed meat."

Lu Xiaoshan's lips twitched, as if he wanted to laugh but didn't: "Mm."

"Regarding the Liu family," Lu Dashan suddenly spoke up, "don't listen to the villagers' nonsense. My parents didn't agree, and neither did we."

Lu Xiaoshan's eyes darkened: "I've heard about it."

"That's just hearsay!" Lu Dashan exclaimed anxiously. "No matter how poor our family is, we will never sell our son!"

"I know," Lu Xiaoshan said in a lower voice, "I know my family won't."

The courtyard fell silent. Only the sound of sawing wood came from the shop in front.

Lu Qingyan broke the silence: "Second Brother, are you almost done with your apprenticeship?"

"Three months to go."

"What are your plans after you graduate?"

"I'll work in the shop first, and once I've saved up some money, I'll take on jobs myself," Lu Xiaoshan said practically. "A craftsman will never starve, no matter where he is."

Lu Qingyan nodded: "Just say if you need money."

"We don't need anything." Lu Xiaoshan looked at him. "Study hard; your family is counting on you."

After chatting for a while, Lu Xiaoshan had to go back to work. Before leaving, he took a small cloth bag from his pocket and handed it to Lu Dashan: "This month's wages are for Mother."

"Keep it for yourself..."

"I left some money for the meal." Lu Xiaoshan waved his hand. "Go back now, be careful on the road."

The two brothers walked out of the shop. Lu Dashan, clutching the cloth bag, glanced back. Lu Xiaoshan had already returned to the shop and picked up the plane again.

On the way back, Lu Dashan remained silent. Only when they were almost at the village entrance did he speak: "Third brother, Xiaoshan has it tough in town."

"Um."

"Once he's finished his apprenticeship, we'll help him out."

"Um."

As the sun set, the brothers' shadows stretched long.

When they arrived home, Zhao was looking out at the gate. Seeing them, she breathed a sigh of relief: "You're finally back."

Lu Dashan took out the money from selling flowers and the wages Lu Xiaoshan had given him, and placed them on the table. Zhao counted them; there were a total of two hundred and sixty coins.

"So many?"

"The flowers sold for 180 yuan, and Xiaoshan gave 80 yuan," Lu Dashan said.

As Zhao touched the money, her eyes reddened again: "How much did Xiaoshan keep for himself?"

"He said he left money for the meal," Lu Qingyan said. "Mother, don't worry. Second brother will be completing his apprenticeship soon, and everything will be fine then."

Zhao nodded and put the money away: "This money... is for you three brothers to save."

That evening, Lu Qingyan wrote under the lamp. The events of the day left him with a heavy yet warm feeling in his heart.

The eldest brother's honesty, the second brother's forbearance, the mother's concern, and the father's silence. This family, like vines, is intertwined, supporting each other.

He needs to go faster.

The pen scratches away, writing stories, and also the future of this family.

Outside the window, the moon rose. The cool, clear moonlight shone on the winnowing baskets drying honeysuckle in the yard.