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

Early on the fourth day, the Liu family went to the county government office to submit their complaint.

The news spread around noon. People who had gone to the market in town returned and said they saw Master Liu's carriage heading towards the county government office, with a clerk in a long gown sitting in it. By the afternoon, two yamen runners arrived at the Wang family's house, carrying broadswords at their waists and summons documents in their hands.

"Is Wang Youfu at home?" the head constable asked in a gruff voice.

Manager Wang was tidying up the betrothal gifts that the Liu family had thrown around in the courtyard when he heard the noise and his legs went weak, almost causing him to fall. Wang Xiu helped him up and stepped forward, saying, "Officer, my brother is home."

The bailiff handed over the legal document: "Liu Dechang accuses your daughter, Wang Yunniang, of having a hard fate that brings misfortune to her husband, resulting in the death of her son. The county magistrate summons you to court tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM)."

The token was a bamboo slab with words engraved on it and a red seal. When Manager Wang took it, his hands trembled violently.

Wang Xiu slipped a few copper coins to the constable: "You've worked hard, sir. Have a bowl of tea."

The constable, having received the money, softened his expression: "Master Wang, to tell you the truth, the Liu family has already bribed the county government. You'd better watch yourselves."

Finished talking and left.

Manager Wang slumped into his chair, the summons falling to the ground. Wang Xiu picked it up, and looking at the words "Court hearing at Chen Shi" on it, her heart sank.

Without delay, she returned to the Lu family home. Upon hearing the story, Zhao nearly dropped her sewing basket: "You really sued?"

"They really filed a lawsuit." Wang Xiu's face was ashen. "The yamen runners came in person to deliver the summons. The court hearing is scheduled for tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM)."

Lu Tiezhu silently smoked, the pipe clanging loudly: "The Liu family is trying to drive us to our deaths..."

Lu Qingyan came out of the house: "Aunt, pass me the fortune sticks to see."

Wang Xiu handed it over. Lu Qingyan examined it carefully; it was a standard summons, specifying the case and time. He put down the bamboo slip: "Aunt, don't worry, we're in the right."

"But the Liu family has already taken care of things..."

"Even when bribing officials, there has to be a reason," Lu Qingyan said. "The county government isn't run by the Liu family. Aunt, please have Uncle Wang prepare three things: the marriage certificate, the matchmaker from when the engagement was made, and the 'Da Yong Law'."

"The matchmaker is probably hiding..."

"Then let's find more people who were there at the time," Lu Qingyan said. "We must have had an engagement banquet, right? Who were the relatives and friends invited? Anyone who can witness the wedding before the date will be fine."

Wang Xiu hurriedly went back to prepare.

Lu Qingyan returned to his room and carefully reviewed the "Da Yong Laws" again, focusing on the sections on household and marriage law and criminal law. He then took out his paper and pen, which he used for writing policy essays, and drafted several arguments.

Lu Tiezhu stood outside the door for a while before coming in: "Are you really going with your Uncle Wang?"

"I'm going." Lu Qingyan didn't even look up. "Uncle Wang is honest, and I'm afraid he won't be able to explain himself in court. I'm a student of the Imperial Academy, with an official title, so I don't have to kneel before officials, and my words carry weight."

Lu Tiezhu remained silent for a long time, then patted him on the shoulder: "Watch your words."

The next day, before dawn, Lu Qingyan and Manager Wang set off. Wang Xiu also went along and waited outside the yamen.

When they arrived at the county government office, it was not yet Chen Shi (7-9 AM), but a crowd had already gathered at the entrance. They were all there to watch the spectacle of the case, pointing and whispering among themselves.

"Have you heard? The Wang family's daughter is a jinx to husbands..."

"Young Master Liu died a terrible death; the carriage overturned into a ditch..."

"What family would dare to marry a woman like that..."

Manager Wang turned pale upon hearing this. Lu Qingyan supported him, saying, "Uncle Wang, don't listen to this. When we're in class later, don't say anything; I'll do the talking."

At precisely the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), three drumbeats sounded, and the bailiffs shouted, "Court is now in session!"

Two rows of yamen runners carrying water and fire sticks came out and lined up on both sides. Magistrate Zhou, dressed in his official robes, walked out from the back hall and sat down under the plaque that read "A Clear Mirror Hangs High".

"Bring the plaintiff and the defendant."

Master Liu was brought up first, accompanied by his advisor. Next came Manager Wang and Lu Qingyan.

Magistrate Zhou glanced at the courtroom below: "Liu Dechang, you accuse Wang Youfu's daughter, Wang Yunniang, of being cursed with a wicked fate that caused the death of your son. Do you have a written complaint?"

"Yes, yes!" Master Liu handed over the petition and began to wail again, saying how promising his son was at a young age, and how he suddenly suffered a misfortune, which must be because the Wang family's daughter had a strong fate.

After listening, Magistrate Zhou looked at Manager Wang and asked, "Wang Youfu, what do you have to say?"

Shopkeeper Wang's legs went weak, his lips trembled, and he couldn't speak. Lu Qingyan stepped forward, bowed, and said, "This student, Lu Qingyan, a student of the Imperial Academy, is here on behalf of my uncle, Wang Youfu, to plead my case."

Magistrate Zhou looked up at him and asked, "Who are you?"

"I am Lu Qingyan, a student at the county school. Wang Youfu is my maternal uncle. My uncle is not good with words, so I will speak on his behalf. Please grant my request."

Magistrate Zhou sized him up for a moment: "Approved."

Lu Qingyan straightened up, his voice clear and resonant, audible throughout the hall: "Your Honor, the Liu family's accusation is baseless, unreasonable, and contrary to common sense."

Master Liu's advisor immediately said, "My lord! He..."

Magistrate Zhou raised his hand to stop him: "Let him speak."

Lu Qingyan continued, "Firstly, there is no legal basis for it. Our dynasty's law has 320 articles, and all the crimes listed have clear definitions—murder, assault, theft, and fraud all require concrete evidence. Where in the law is the phrase 'a woman with a strong fate who brings misfortune to her husband' recorded? If this could be a crime, then everyone could accuse each other of natural disasters or man-made calamities. Today Zhang San and Li Si are engaged, tomorrow Li Si suddenly falls ill—is that because Zhang San brought misfortune to her husband? If so, wouldn't marriage be a child's play, and where would the authority of the law be?"

The hall was completely silent. Even the bailiffs holding the batons were listening intently.

Master Liu exclaimed urgently, "Sir! He's just making excuses!"

"Whether the student is making excuses or not, please judge for yourself." Lu Qingyan took out the marriage certificate from his sleeve. "This is the marriage certificate of the Wang and Liu families. It is written in black and white on red paper, specifying the wedding date as October 12th. Today is only May 10th, and the wedding date has not yet arrived. According to Article 7 of the 'Household and Marriage Chapter' of the 'Da Yong Law': 'If one of the engaged spouses dies, the engagement is automatically dissolved.' The law is clear in black and white."

He presented the marriage certificate. Magistrate Zhou examined it carefully and nodded.

Master Liu's advisor hurriedly said, "Sir, even though the law is such, according to folk custom, an engagement signifies that the couple is half a family..."

"A half-family?" Lu Qingyan turned to him. "Since this gentleman is familiar with customs, have you ever read the Book of Rites? The Book of Rites, in the chapter 'Zengzi Asks,' says: 'If a woman dies on an auspicious day for marriage, what should be done? Confucius said: The groom should wear mourning clothes and offer condolences, and remove them after the burial.' This means that if a woman dies before the wedding, the fiancé should wear mourning clothes, and remove them after the burial. The reverse is also true. This is an ancient custom and common practice."

He paused, his voice becoming even clearer: "Even ancient customs dictated this, and modern laws are even more explicit. If, as the Liu family claims, engagement necessitates mourning, then since the founding of our dynasty, how many unmarried men and women have died for various reasons? Wouldn't their unmarried spouses all be required to observe mourning? In that case, who would dare to arrange marriages?"

A hint of appreciation flashed in Magistrate Zhou's eyes.

Master Liu's face turned ashen: "You...you're just making excuses!"

"Whether the student is making unfounded arguments is for your judgment, Your Excellency." Lu Qingyan then presented a roll of paper. "This is a copy of legal provisions that the student has made, as well as three similar case judgments from the 'Collection of Criminal Cases.' Please take a look, Your Excellency."

Magistrate Zhou read through them one by one, then looked up and asked, "Liu Dechang, what else do you have to say?"

Master Liu knelt down with a thud: "Your Honor! My son died unjustly! It must be that Wang Yunniang..."

"What evidence do you have?" Magistrate Zhou asked. "Do you have any evidence to prove that your son's death is directly related to Wang Yunniang?"

"What...what more evidence do we need? This happened only six months after the engagement..."

"Absurd!" Magistrate Zhou slammed his gavel. "If this is the case, then I ask you—you signed a contract with Li's Trading Company three years ago, and six months later Li's went bankrupt. Was it because you were cursed by fate?"

Some people in the audience couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Mr. Liu's face turned bright red.

Magistrate Zhou said sternly, "Liu Dechang, I understand your grief over the loss of your son. However, blaming an unmarried woman for this is utterly absurd. Furthermore, you led men to trespass on a private residence, threw away betrothal gifts, and threatened and coerced others—you have violated the law!"

Master Liu panicked: "My lord! I...I was grieving the loss of my beloved son and acted impulsively..."

"Considering this is your first offense and that you are indeed grieving the loss of your son, I will not pursue the matter further," Magistrate Zhou said. "However, the Wang family's reputation has been damaged. Are you willing to compensate for this?"

Lu Qingyan spoke up: "My lord, on behalf of my uncle, the Wang family does not seek compensation, but only a judgment to set the record straight and reassure the people."

Magistrate Zhou nodded: "Advisor, draft the judgment."

The judgment clearly states: the marriage agreement between the Wang and Liu families is automatically dissolved on the day of Liu's death, and the two families have no further connection. The Liu family must not harass the Wang family with this matter. Wang Yunniang is free to marry and is not affected by this matter.

The official seal was affixed, and the text was read aloud in court.

By the time we left the county government office, the sun was already high in the sky. The bright sunlight shone down so intensely that it was hard to open one's eyes.

Manager Wang held the judgment document, his hands still trembling, but color had returned to his face. He grasped Lu Qingyan's hand, tears streaming down his face, "Qingyan... Uncle... Uncle doesn't know how to thank you..."

"Uncle Wang, you're too kind." Lu Qingyan helped him up. "Go back and tell your aunt and cousin Yunniang that everything is alright."

Wang Xiu waited outside the yamen. When she saw the judgment, tears streamed down her face. Without saying a word, she bowed deeply to Lu Qingyan and ran back to her parents' home.

The news spread quickly. In less than half a day, the whole town knew—the sixteen-year-old scholar from the Lu family had quoted classical texts in court, leaving Master Liu and his advisor speechless, and the county magistrate ruled against the Liu family on the spot.

"Incredible, the third son of the Lu family..."

"I heard he's only sixteen? That eloquence, that courage..."

"Scholars are different; every word they say makes sense..."

When Lu Qingyan returned to the village, many people surrounded him and asked him questions. He simply said, "Act according to the law," and went home.

Madam Zhao was already waiting at the courtyard gate, looking him up and down: "No one's been giving you a hard time, has anyone?"

"No," Lu Qingyan said. "The county magistrate is a sensible man."

Lu Tiezhu smoked a cigarette, his eyes shining: "Good, good."

That evening, Wang Xiu came again, this time carrying a basket of eggs and a piece of good ink.

"Qingyan, this ink... Feng'er asked me to bring it," Wang Xiu said. "He said you'd need it."

Lu Qingyan accepted it: "Thank you, Brother Feng."

"We should be thanking you," Wang Xiu said, her eyes red. "Yunniang was able to get out of bed and walk around today, drank a bowl of porridge, and even said she wanted to come and thank you in person."

"Let your cousin rest well, there's no rush."

After Wang Xiu left, Lu Qingyan looked at the ink. It was a fine pine soot ink, with a delicate texture and a faint fragrance.

He ground some ink and tested the brush. The ink was jet black and lustrous; it was indeed fine ink.

He spread out the paper and continued preparing his essay for the provincial examination. When he wrote about "legal principles and human sentiments," his pen paused.

Today in court, he saw some light in this era—although there are many dark places, there are also officials willing to act in accordance with the law, and there are places where reason can be discussed.

That's enough. Where there is light, there is a way.

He continued writing. The pen scratched, leaving clear ink marks on the paper.