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

The day before, when Lu Qingyan went to town to submit his manuscript, he stopped by his uncle's shop on the way. The shop was busy, and Lu Tiechuan was doing accounts behind the counter. When he saw him, he was a little surprised: "Qingyan? What brings you here?"

"Uncle, tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival. We've prepared a meal at home and would like to invite you, Aunt, and cousins ​​Feng and Hai to come back for a get-together," Lu Qingyan said.

Lu Tiechuan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed: "Alright, alright! It's time for a get-together."

Just then, Lu Feng came out from behind, holding a book. Seeing Lu Qingyan, he nodded: "Cousin Qingyan."

"Brother Feng."

Lu Feng moved closer and asked in a low voice, "How's your preparation for the provincial examination going?"

"Still in preparation."

"The provincial examination in August is important, so pay close attention." Lu Feng patted his shoulder. "If you don't understand anything, come and ask me."

As the two were talking, Lu Hai returned from outside, carrying a bag of pastries. Seeing Lu Qingyan, he curled his lip slightly: "Oh, a rare guest."

"Brother Haitang."

"What, here to borrow money again?" Lu Hai placed the pastries on the counter, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, "Dad, I'm not trying to be mean, but Uncle's family is a bottomless pit. You can help them for a while, but not forever."

Lu Tiechuan's face darkened: "What nonsense are you spouting!"

"To be honest," Lu Hai turned to look at Lu Qingyan, "Qingyan, I heard you're writing storybooks? How much money can you make from that? You might as well just stick to farming."

Lu Feng frowned: "Hai Di!"

Lu Qingyan said calmly, "Brother Haitang is right. But everyone has their own way of living."

Lu Hai wanted to say something, but Lu Tiechuan glared at him and told him to behave himself when they got back for dinner tomorrow!

The Lu family was busy early the next morning.

Zhao got up before dawn to soak glutinous rice and wash bamboo leaves for making zongzi. Lu Dashan went to the river to cut mugwort and placed it on the lintel. Lu Qingyan helped chop firewood and start a fire, while Lu Xiaoshan set up a table in the yard—borrowing two from a neighbor and putting them together.

Tao Hua and Shun Hua were sent to pick wildflowers, which they then placed in earthenware jars on the table.

Around noon, my uncle's family arrived.

The donkey cart stopped at the courtyard gate. Lu Tiechuan got off first, carrying two jars of wine. Next came Aunt Wang Xiu—today she wore a lotus-colored silk blouse, her hair neatly combed, and a smile on her face. Behind them were Lu Feng and Lu Hai; Lu Feng was carrying several packages, while Lu Hai was empty-handed, his face expressionless.

"Second brother!" Lu Tiechuan's voice was still as loud as ever.

Lu Tiezhu went up to him: "Big Brother."

Zhao wiped her hands and came out of the kitchen: "Eldest brother and sister-in-law are here, please come in and sit down."

Wang Xiu smiled and handed over the things in her hands: "Sister-in-law, this is just a small token of my appreciation."

Zhao took it; it was heavy. Opening it, she found a piece of fine cotton cloth, blue with white flowers, both beautiful and substantial. There were also two packets of pastries and a packet of dried fruit.

"This...this is too precious..." Zhao was somewhat at a loss.

"It's a festival, so it's only right." Wang Xiu said, then took out two small bags and handed them to Tao Hua and Shun Hua, "These are hair ornaments for the girls."

Tao Hua and Shun Hua were stunned. They looked at Zhao Shi and dared not accept the offer.

"Take it," Wang Xiu said with a gentle smile. "A girl should dress up."

Zhao nodded, "Quickly thank your aunt."

The two little girls whispered, "Thank you, Auntie."

A feast was set up in the courtyard. Though not lavish, it was prepared with care: there were both sweet and savory zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), a plate of scrambled eggs, and a stew of radish and pork—the pork was bought with the money Lu Xiaoshan earned from selling his bonsai. There was also a cold wild vegetable salad, steamed pumpkin, and a pot of tofu soup.

Lu Tiechuan looked at the dishes on the table and nodded, "Thank you for your trouble, sister-in-law."

"It's just home-cooked food, please don't mind it, brother," Zhao said.

Everyone took their seats. Lu Tiechuan and Lu Tiezhu sat in the main seats, Wang Xiu and Zhao Shi sat next to each other, and the younger generation sat down in order.

During the meal, Wang Xiu was surprisingly talkative. She asked Zhao what filling was in the zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and praised her for her skill. She also asked about Lu Dashan's harvest and said, "Farmers work hard." She also asked how old Tao Hua and Shun Hua were and said, "They've grown so much in the blink of an eye."

His tone was calm, completely unlike the barbed words he spoke last time.

Lu Hai kept his head down and ate, saying very little. Lu Feng, on the other hand, chatted with Lu Qingyan about the academy examination for a few minutes, and then asked Lu Xiaoshan how his bonsai was going.

"I'm still learning," Lu Xiaoshan said.

"Take your time, craftsmanship can't be rushed," Lu Feng said.

After the meal, the men drank tea and chatted in the courtyard, while the women cleared the dishes. Wang Xiujing tried to help, but Zhao stopped her, saying, "Sister-in-law, don't do it, rest."

"It's alright, I'm just killing time anyway," Wang Xiu said with a smile.

In the kitchen, two women were washing dishes. Wang Xiu suddenly said, "Sister-in-law, before... I was just too naive. Don't take it to heart."

Zhao paused, her hand still: "What are you saying, sister-in-law...?"

"I know I used to say hurtful things," Wang Xiu said in a lower voice. "I always thought the town was better than the village and looked down on people. But after seeing you all these days, I realize that your family is united and down-to-earth, which is better than anything else."

Zhao's eyes were a little red: "Sister-in-law, please don't say that..."

"I mean it sincerely," Wang Xiu said, washing the dishes. "Look at Qingyan, so studious and ambitious. Xiaoshan, so skilled. Dashan, so honest and hardworking. And the two girls are so sensible too. With a family like this, things will only get better."

In the courtyard, Lu Tiechuan was having a heart-to-heart talk with Lu Tiezhu: "Second brother, the provincial examination is in August. If you pass and become a scholar, you'll change your social standing. Just hang in there, things will get better."

Lu Tiezhu, smoking a cigarette, said, "Thank you for your kind words, brother."

"Do you have enough money?" Lu Tiechuan lowered his voice. "If you don't, just tell me."

"That's enough," Lu Tiezhu said. "Qingyan can earn some money by writing stories, and Xiaoshan can make money by selling bonsai. We can't let our elder brother spend any more money."

"You're being too polite," Lu Tiechuan patted him on the shoulder. "We're brothers."

On the other side, Lu Feng and Lu Qingyan sat under the jujube tree.

"The questions in the provincial examinations have become increasingly creative in recent years," Lu Feng said. "They test not only rote memorization but also general knowledge. It's helpful to read more current affairs and policy articles in your spare time."

"Thank you for your guidance, cousin."

"You're quick-witted and better at studying than I am," Lu Feng chuckled. "I only passed the imperial examination a few years earlier. Once you pass, we can have a friendly competition."

Lu Hai, who was listening nearby, scoffed, "You talk as if passing the imperial examination is so easy."

Lu Feng frowned: "Hai Di!"

Lu Hai stood up, dusted off his clothes, and said, "I'm going out for a walk."

He left. The atmosphere in the courtyard became somewhat tense.

Lu Tiechuan sighed, "I've spoiled this child rotten."

Lu Tiezhu shook his head: "The child is still young, we'll teach him slowly."

As the sun began to set, her uncle's family was about to leave. Wang Xiu took Zhao's hand and said, "Sister-in-law, come to town sometime and visit me."

"Okay, sure."

Lu Tiechuan pulled Lu Tiezhu aside and stuffed a small packet of loose silver into his hand. Lu Tiezhu declined, but after a long tug-of-war between the two brothers, he finally accepted it.

The donkey cart drove away. Looking at the fine cotton cloth and pastries in her hands, Zhao was still somewhat dazed: "Sister-in-law... seems like a completely different person today."

Lu Tiezhu looked at the broken silver in his hand, remained silent for a long time, and then said, "Big brother is truly good to us."

Lu Qingyan stood in the courtyard, watching the donkey cart disappear into the sunset. Wang Xiu's change in attitude was indeed sudden, but upon reflection, it wasn't surprising—Lu Feng had passed the county-level imperial examination, making him a scholar, and he might pass the provincial-level examination in the future. Although his family was poor now, his brothers were all striving to improve their lives. As shrewd as Wang Xiu was, he could naturally tell which one was worth befriending.

Human relationships are fickle; such things have always been true.

In the evening, the family sat in the courtyard enjoying the cool air. The faint scent of mugwort wafted through the air, and there were fewer mosquitoes.

Tao Hua and Shun Hua fiddled with their newly acquired hair ornaments, helping each other put them on. Lu Dashan was sharpening his hoe, while Lu Xiaoshan was selecting timber for tomorrow. Lu Qingyan was reading, preparing for the provincial examination.

Zhao took out the fine cotton cloth and examined it in the moonlight: "This cloth is good. I'll make a summer garment for each of you three brothers."

"Mother, make it for yourself first," Lu Qingyan said.

"I'm old, why should I dress so nicely?" Zhao laughed. "You young people should dress more presentably."

The moonlight, like water, bathed the small courtyard.

This Dragon Boat Festival was peaceful. The calculations and genuine feelings among relatives were all contained in this simple home-cooked meal.

Lu Qingyan closed the book and looked up at the night sky.

The stars are bright, one by one, serene and cold.

The road ahead is long, but as a family, we have nothing to fear.