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

Lujia Village, Yongning County, mid-August.

It was harvest season, and the rice in the fields had turned golden, drooping heavily. Lu Tiezhu was harvesting rice with Lu Dashan in the field, while Zhao Shi led her two daughters to dry the grain in the threshing ground. Lu Xiaoshan was making bonsai in the yard, his carving knife steady as he carved a bamboo leaf.

Suddenly, the sound of a gong came from the village entrance.

Dong dong qiang— Dong dong qiang—

The sound grew louder as it approached, accompanied by the sound of horses' hooves. The villagers stopped what they were doing and peered out.

"What happened?"

"The officials are here!"

Two yamen runners rode into the village on horseback. The one in front carried a copper gong and banged it while shouting, "Good news! Good news! Lu Qingyan from Lujia Village in Yongning County has achieved the highest score in the Yongning Prefectural Examination!"

The whole village fell silent for a moment, then erupted into chaos.

"Lu Qingyan? The one from the third son of the Lu family?"

"Top of the list? First place?"

"That's incredible!"

Guided by the villagers, the yamen runners headed straight for the Lu family's courtyard. Zhao was standing at the door when she dropped the winnowing basket in her hand, scattering grains all over the ground.

"Is this Lu Qingyan's house?" the yamen runner asked, dismounting.

"Yes...yes..." Zhao's voice trembled.

"Good news!" A yamen runner unfurled a red sheet of paper and read aloud, "Prefect Zhou of Yongning Prefecture decrees: Lu Qingyan, a student from Yongning County, has achieved first place in the county-level examination, demonstrating exceptional talent and upright character, and is hereby awarded the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination). This is to announce this good news!"

Zhao's legs went weak, and she almost fell. Tao Hua and Shun Hua quickly helped her up.

Lu Tiezhu and Lu Dashan ran back from the fields, their legs covered in mud. Lu Xiaoshan also came out of the yard, still clutching his carving knife.

"Really...really hit?" Lu Tiezhu's lips trembled.

"He really passed! Top of the list!" the yamen runner exclaimed with a smile. "The old man is truly blessed to have raised such a talented scholar!"

Two bailiffs waited. According to custom, a reward was given for reporting good news. But the Lu family was stunned. Zhao, realizing what was happening, quickly said, "Sir, please come inside for tea..."

"Don't rush to drink your tea," the constable reminded him with a smile. "This good news..."

Only then did Zhao remember that she should give out reward money, and she hurriedly went inside to search. But where could she find any extra money? After turning over chests and cabinets, she only found a few dozen copper coins, which she had saved up to buy salt.

Just as they were getting anxious, the clan chief's voice came from outside the courtyard: "Good news! Great news!"

Chief Lu, in his sixties with white hair and beard, strode over, leaning on a cane. A group of villagers followed behind him.

"Tiezhu, Qingyan has achieved the highest honor in the imperial examination, which is a great honor for our entire Lu family!" The Lu family patriarch, beaming with pride, turned to the constables and bowed, "You two have worked hard, here's your reward."

He took out a small piece of silver from his sleeve, weighing about two qian (approximately 6.5 grams), and handed it to the yamen runner: "A little something for you, sir, please have some tea."

The constable accepted the report, his smile becoming even more genuine: "You're too kind, sir. Chief Judge Lu is a promising young man who will surely have a bright future. Now that the good news has been delivered, we still need to return to the county office to report."

After the yamen runners left, the courtyard was already packed with people. They were all villagers who had come to offer their congratulations.

"Tiezhu, your Qingyan is truly remarkable!"

"Sister-in-law Zhao, from now on you're the scholar's wife!"

"The top scholar is the one at the very edge of our village!"

Lu Tiezhu chuckled and greeted everyone one by one. Zhao Shi wiped away her tears, laughing and crying at the same time. Lu Dashan rubbed his hands, unsure of what to say. Lu Xiaoshan stood outside the crowd, a smile on his face as well.

The clan chief Lu announced loudly, "Today is a great day for the Lu family, and also a great day for our Lu family village! Qingyan has achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination, bringing glory to the entire village! I propose that the clan contribute money to erect a 'Literary Champion' plaque for Qingyan in the ancestral hall!"

"Great!" the crowd agreed.

"Also," Chief Lu looked at Lu Tiezhu, "Tiezhu, isn't Qingyan coming back in September? Let's set up a few tables and invite the whole village to celebrate!"

Lu Tiezhu hurriedly waved his hand: "Clan leader, this...this is too much of an expense..."

"What's the expense?" Clan Chief Lu glared. "This is an honor! Don't worry about the money, the clan will cover it!"

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves rang out again. It was Lu Tiechuan and Wang Xiu arriving. They had come from town immediately upon hearing the news.

"Second brother! Sister-in-law!" Lu Tiechuan jumped off the donkey cart, his face beaming with joy. "Qingyan really passed the imperial examination with top honors?"

"It's a success! It's a success!" Zhao Shi held Wang Xiu's hand, tears welling up in her eyes again.

Wang Xiu's eyes also reddened: "Good child... such a good child..."

Lu Tiechuan took out a silver ingot and stuffed it into Lu Tiezhu's hand: "Second brother, take this money and use it for the banquet. If you need more, just let me know."

"Big brother, this..."

"Take it!" Lu Tiechuan said without giving a chance to argue. "My nephew passed the imperial examination with top honors; as his uncle, I'm proud!"

The courtyard was bustling with activity all afternoon. Villagers came and went, some carrying a few eggs, some a chicken, and some a piece of cloth. Though the gifts weren't expensive, they were all tokens of their goodwill. Zhao was busy attending to everyone, while Tao Hua and Shun Hua helped serve tea and water.

As evening fell, people gradually dispersed. The Lu family's courtyard was piled high with gifts from the villagers.

Lu Tiezhu sat on the doorstep, smoking a pipe, his hands still trembling. Zhao Shi packed her things, wiping away tears from time to time. Lu Dashan chopped firewood in the yard, each chop with extra force. Lu Xiaoshan continued carving his bonsai, but the carving knife nearly cut his hand several times.

"Father, Mother," Lu Xiaoshan suddenly spoke, "Third brother... he really passed."

"We passed!" Zhao choked up. "Our family... has produced a scholar."

That night, the family sat down for dinner. The meal was more lavish than usual—there were eggs given by villagers, and meat brought by Wang Xiu. But no one spoke; they were all still immersed in immense joy.

After the meal, Zhao took out a letter that Lu Qingyan had sent a few days earlier—at that time, the results hadn't been released yet, and the letter only said that the exam was over and he felt okay. Now, looking at it again, every word exuded confidence.

"Qingyan said she'll be back in September," Zhao said, "just in time for Dashan's wedding."

Lu Tiezhu nodded: "Double happiness."

"He also said in his letter that the prefectural school provides stipends of five qian of silver per month." Zhao wiped away her tears. "This child, he always thinks about home."

Lu Dashan said in a low voice, "Third brother has made something of himself; our family will only get better and better."

Lu Xiaoshan also said, "I'll make more bonsai and have my third brother bring them to Mr. Lin when he returns."

Tao Hua and Shun Hua asked in a low voice, "Mother, isn't it amazing that Third Brother became a scholar?"

"Impressive." Zhao patted their heads. "You must also learn to read well so that you can be sensible in the future."

It was late at night, and the whole family was unable to sleep. Zhao was making winter clothes for Lu Qingyan under the lamplight—although it was only August, she was already thinking about how cool it would be in September. Lu Tiezhu was smoking in the courtyard, his pipe glowing and dimming. Lu Dashan and Lu Xiaoshan were talking quietly inside the house.

Many people in the entire Lujia Village also couldn't sleep that night.

"The Lu family has truly produced a remarkable person."

"The top scholar may pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi in the future..."

"Our village has good feng shui..."

The moonlight, clear and cold, shone on the small village that was now buzzing with excitement because of a piece of good news.

In the Lu family courtyard, the old jujube tree swayed gently in the wind, its branches laden with green jujubes. In September, the jujubes would turn red. Then, Lu Qingyan should return.