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

The 8th day of the fourth month in the 23rd year of Yonghe.

Tao Hua brought Shou Zhuo with her. From the Liu residence to the Lu residence, they walked through three alleys and across two streets, a journey that took almost half an hour. She wasn't afraid of the distance, saying it was a good opportunity to stretch her muscles; after being cooped up at home all winter, her bones had stiffened. Shou Zhuo followed beside her, walking very carefully, step by step. He was almost two years old and could walk quite steadily, but his legs were short, so each step was very small; for every step Tao Hua took, he had to take three or four. He wasn't in a hurry, just following along, sweating profusely, but never complaining of being tired.

Liu Xuewen didn't come. He's been incredibly busy lately—the Ministry of Works' cement bureau needs expansion, the northern border forts need inspection, and the Ministry of War's armory needs site selection. He's juggling several tasks, leaving before dawn and returning after dark every day. Tao Hua said he'd lost weight, his chin was even more pointed, and told him to eat more. He agreed, but the food on the table was reheated and cooled, yet he barely touched it.

"Third Brother, what do you think he's so busy with? He was busy when he was in the Ministry of Revenue, but he wasn't this busy." Tao Hua sat on the veranda, took the tea that Chun Xing handed her, and took a sip.

Lu Qingyan thought for a moment. "He's busy with important matters. Cement, artillery, the northern border defense line—none of them can be done without him." He paused, "You should be more understanding of him."

Tao Hua put down her teacup and smiled. "I understand. I just feel sorry for him." The smile was light, but there was something in it. It wasn't a feeling of grievance, but a complex feeling of pride and heartache when watching someone work hard for something worthwhile.

In the courtyard, Shouzhuo was chasing Jiaojiao. Jiaojiao was already seven years old and ran like the wind; how could Shouzhuo possibly catch up? After running several laps, he couldn't even catch a glimpse of his sister. He wasn't annoyed; he squatted down, panting, waiting for Jiaojiao to run back to him. Jiaojiao ran back and stood in front of him. "Why did you stop chasing me?" Shouzhuo looked up and said, "Sister ran too fast." His eyes were bright and clear, without a trace of complaint.

Jiaojiao was amused by his antics and took his hand. "I'll take you chasing after them." The two held hands and spun around under the jujube tree until they were dizzy, then plopped down on the ground, laughing hysterically. Shi An squatted beside them, watching, not knowing what they were laughing at, and joined in. The three children sat on the ground, laughing at each other until tears streamed down their faces. Yun Shuwei came out of the house, saw them sitting on the ground, and quickly went over to help them up. "The ground is cold, get up, get up."

She pulled the children up, patted the dirt off their bottoms, and they ran off again. Yun Shu shook her head slightly, then smiled.

Tao Hua watched Shou Zhuo's retreating figure, her gaze as gentle as a spring breeze in March. "Third Brother," she suddenly spoke, "do you still remember that year you asked me if I regretted marrying Liu Xuewen?"

Lu Qingyan nodded. "I remember."

"Back then, I said, 'I won't regret my choice.'" Tao Hua lowered her head, looking at her hands. Her fingers were a bit thicker than before, her nails were cut very short, worn from doing housework all the time. But her hands were warm, always warm when Liu Xuewen held them. "Now, I still say the same thing. No regrets." She raised her head, looking at Lu Qingyan, "He seems dull, not good at saying sweet words. But everything he does is for me, for the children, for this family. He's so busy, but every day before he leaves, he'll straighten my shoes, afraid I won't be able to find them in the morning. No matter how late he comes home, he'll check on Shouzhuo, touch his face, and tuck him in. He doesn't say 'I love you,' but he says it every single day."

Lu Qingyan looked at her. Her younger sister's eyes were still so bright, just like when she ran away from her hometown that year. But beneath that brightness, there was something else—a certainty, a sense of security, the composure that only someone who is truly loved possesses.

"Third Brother, thank you," Tao Hua suddenly said.

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for not rejecting him outright back then. Thank you for giving him three years. Thank you for letting me marry him." Tao Hua's voice was soft, but every word was clear. "The best thing that ever happened to me was being your sister."

Lu Qingyan didn't speak. He reached out and patted her shoulder. It was a very light pat, but Tao Hua's eyes reddened. She didn't cry; she blinked hard, forcing back the tears.

That afternoon, a letter arrived in Beijing from Quanzhou.

The letter was written by Bai Meihua, her handwriting even neater than before, each stroke precise and upright. But beneath that neatness, her joy was undeniable—she was pregnant. She was over three months along, and the doctor said her pulse was excellent, indicating a healthy baby. When Lin Guangbiao found out, he was overjoyed, like a child, running around the yard several times, telling everyone he met, "I'm going to be a father!" He gave each of the shop assistants a red envelope, bought each of the embroiderers a bolt of fine cloth, and gave every neighbor a basket of eggs. Bai Meihua said he was a bit crazy, but she must have been smiling when she wrote those words.

Lin Guangbiao forbade Bai Meihua from going to the embroidery shop anymore, telling her to stay home and rest. Bai Meihua refused, saying she couldn't sit still. The two argued for several days, finally settling down—Bai Meihua would only go for half a day, and Lin Guangbiao would personally pick her up and drop her off. He put aside most of his business, handing the shop over to Afu to manage, and devoted himself to Bai Meihua every day. When Bai Meihua said she wanted sour food, he searched half of Quanzhou for sour plums; when she said she wanted spicy food, he searched the other half for chili peppers. Bai Meihua said, "You don't need to go through all this trouble," to which he replied, "I'm happy to go through all this trouble."

Yun Shuwei finished reading the letter, a smile playing on her lips. She handed it to Lu Qingyan, then got up and went to the storeroom, rummaging through chests and drawers for tonics. Ginseng, bird's nest, donkey-hide gelatin, red dates, goji berries… she filled two large boxes. She also asked Chunxing to go to the fabric shop and buy several bolts of fine cotton cloth, saying she wanted to make clothes for the children. Bai Meihua's needlework was better than anyone else's, but Yun Shuwei said it was her aunt's thoughtfulness; she would do hers, and he could do his.