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

September 16th, dawn breaks.

Lu Qingyan was practicing calligraphy in the courtyard when he heard the door of the west room open. Yunniang came out carrying a basin of water, saw him, and softly called out, "Third brother, up so early?"

"Good morning, sister-in-law." Lu Qingyan put down her pen. "Where's brother?"

"She's still asleep." Yunniang's face flushed slightly. "I'll go cook."

She went into the kitchen, and soon the sounds of rinsing rice and chopping vegetables could be heard. Her movements were quick and methodical.

Lu Dashan also got up and chopped firewood in the yard. The axe fell, and the firewood split open with a crack. He saw Lu Qingyan and grinned, "Third brother, are you practicing calligraphy?"

"Hmm. Did Big Brother go to the fields today?"

"Go, it's time to harvest the rice."

Just then, Zhao came out of the house and saw that Yunniang was already cooking. She quickly said, "Yunniang, you rest, I'll do it."

"Mother, I'm not tired," Yunniang smiled. "You should get some more sleep."

Zhao's eyes were a little red—she was happy. She went into the kitchen, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law busied themselves together.

At breakfast, the family sat around the table. Lu Tiezhu looked at the dishes on the table—the porridge was thick, the pickled vegetables were finely chopped, and there was a dish of scrambled eggs. He nodded: "Let's eat."

After the meal, Lu Dashan went to work in the fields, while Lu Xiaoshan continued working on his bonsai. Lu Qingyan walked up to his second brother and said, "Second brother, I'd like to take a few of your bonsai to the prefectural city to show Mr. Lin."

Lu Xiaoshan paused, then asked, "Now?"

"Yes. I'm going back to the prefectural school in a few days, so I'll take it with me."

Lu Xiaoshan put down his carving knife and stood up: "Come and take a look."

He led Lu Qingyan to the west wing—his usual workspace. On the table and shelves were seven or eight completed pieces. Some depicted bamboo and rocks, others pine and rocks, and one piece captured the essence of withered wood coming back to life.

Lu Qingyan examined each piece one by one. Compared to the earliest one, the craftsmanship was now more refined. The bamboo leaves looked more natural, the stones were more carefully matched, and the basin was polished more meticulously.

"I can bring all of these," Lu Xiaoshan said. "If Mr. Lin likes any of them, give them to him."

"Doesn't Second Brother feel sorry for you?"

"What's there to be upset about?" Lu Xiaoshan laughed. "They're made to be sold. If they're kept at home, they're just for decoration. With the money, we can buy wood and make more."

Lu Qingyan nodded: "Then I'll pick the three best ones."

The two chose a bamboo and stone piece, a pine and stone piece, and a piece of driftwood. Lu Xiaoshan found straw and hemp rope, carefully wrapped them up, and prepared them to prevent them from bumping into things on the road.

While the bandage was being applied, Lu Xiaoshan suddenly said, "Third brother, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"If it weren't for you, I might still be suffering in town." Lu Xiaoshan lowered his head to tie the rope. "Now I can do what I like and earn money... that's great."

Lu Qingyan patted his shoulder: "It's because Second Brother is capable."

After being wrapped up, the three bonsai trees were neatly arranged in the corner. Lu Xiaoshan looked at them with a light in his eyes.

In the afternoon, Lu Qingyan went to town. First, she went to Lu Tiechuan's shop.

Lu Tiechuan was doing accounts behind the counter when he saw Qingyan arrive. He smiled and said, "Qingyan's here. Your older brother's wedding, was it lively?"

"It's lively. Thank you for your help, Uncle and Aunt."

"We're family, no need to be so polite." Lu Tiechuan put down his abacus. "You've come at the right time. Your aunt said she's worried Yunniang won't be used to the new family. She's asking your mother to take good care of her."

"My mother likes my sister-in-law, and they get along well."

"That's good." Lu Tiechuan nodded. "When are you going back to the prefectural city?"

"I'm leaving in a couple of days. I came to tell my uncle."

Lu Tiechuan took out a cloth bag from under the counter: "Take these with you. Things are expensive in the prefectural city, don't be stingy."

Lu Qingyan declined, "Uncle, I really don't need it..."

"Take it." Lu Tiechuan forced it on him. "Now that you're a scholar, you need money for social engagements, buying books, and so on. The family is a bit better off now, and your aunt has saved some money on the side. You can use it."

Lu Qingyan had no choice but to accept it: "Thank you, Uncle."

"Study hard." Lu Tiechuan patted him on the shoulder. "Our Lu family's future rests on your shoulders."

After leaving the shop, Lu Qingyan went to Ya Yun Zhai. Owner Chen was wiping a brush washer when he saw him and smiled, "Scholar Lu, you're here. I heard you passed the imperial examination with top honors, congratulations!"

"Boss Chen is well-informed."

"It's from the prefectural city." Boss Chen put down the cloth. "You've come this time because...?"

"I'd like to ask if Mr. Chen is still interested in buying the bonsai my second brother recently made?"

Boss Chen's eyes lit up: "A new work? Let me take a look."

"I'll take it to the prefectural city in a couple of days. If Boss Chen is interested, I'll have my second brother make some more and send them over."

"Good, good." Boss Chen nodded. "Your second brother's craftsmanship is indeed excellent. Those few pieces from last time have all been sold. One of our regular customers even asked if we had any new ones."

Lu Qingyan understood. Her second brother's bonsai definitely had a market in the prefectural city.

He walked slowly on his way back to the village. The autumn sun was warm, and the rice paddies along the roadside were a golden yellow. Farmers were busy in the fields, and they all greeted him, "Scholar!"

Lu Qingyan responded to each of them.

When they arrived home, it was still early. Zhao Shi and Yunniang were doing needlework in the courtyard, while Taohua and Shunhua were learning to read—Yunniang had taught them; she was literate and taught patiently.

"Third Brother is back!" Tao Hua ran over.

Lu Qingyan took out a packet of sesame candy from his pocket: "Here you go."

Tao Hua happily accepted the gift and shared a piece with Shun Hua. The two little girls sat on the doorstep, eating it in small bites.

Zhao asked, "Did you go to town?"

"Yes, I visited my uncle and then went to the bookstore."

Yunniang stood up: "Third brother, have some tea."

"Thank you, sister-in-law."

After drinking tea, Lu Qingyan went to see Lu Xiaoshan. He was carving a new bonsai, a plum blossom design. Winter hadn't even arrived yet, and he had already begun preparations.

"Second Brother thinks far ahead."

"Winter is the perfect time to make plum blossom bonsai," said Lu Xiaoshan. "I plan to make several and sell them in winter."

"Good idea."

During dinner, Lu Qingyan mentioned his plans to return to the prefectural city. Madam Zhao was reluctant to let him go: "You've only been back a few days..."

"The school has classes, so we can't miss them," Lu Qingyan said. "I'll come back when the holidays start in December."

Lu Tiezhu nodded: "Studying is the most important thing."

Lu Dashan said, "Third brother, go without worry. I'll take care of things at home."

Yunniang said softly, "Third brother, be careful on the road."

The next day, Lu Qingyan began packing his luggage. Besides his books and clothes, he carefully wrapped three bonsai trees and put them in his basket. Zhao also baked a stack of pancakes and boiled a dozen eggs for him to eat on the road.

"Mother, that's enough." Lu Qingyan looked at the large bag of food, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"We can eat on the road, and even when we get to the prefectural city, we can eat for a few days." Zhao wiped away her tears. "Don't skimp on food while we're away; your health is the most important thing."

Lu Xiaoshan took out a small cloth bag: "Third brother, this is for you."

Open it up, and you'll find a new set of carving knives.

"I made it, the steel is good," Lu Xiaoshan said. "When you're tired of writing, you can carve this for fun to relieve boredom."

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

On the morning of September 18th, Lu Qingyan set off.

The whole family saw him off at the village entrance. Zhao's eyes reddened again, and Lu Tiezhu patted him on the shoulder: "Study hard."

"Father, Mother, take care. Eldest brother, sister-in-law, second brother, thank you for your hard work at home. Taohua, Shunhua, study hard and learn to read."

Tao Hua held his hand: "Third Brother, come back soon."

"Um."

Turning and walking onto the official road, Lu Qingyan glanced back. His family was still standing at the village entrance, their figures gradually blurring in the morning light.

He took a deep breath, slung his luggage over his shoulder, and started walking.