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

On the seventh day after the rumors began to circulate, an invitation from Princess Jing'an's residence was delivered to the Duke's residence.

It was mid-December, and the capital had seen several days of light snow, leaving a thin layer of white on the eaves and treetops. Wang received the invitation, written on gold-flecked paper, inviting the women of her household to a "small gathering in the warm pavilion" three days later.

"Your Highness is very kind." Madam Wang handed the invitation to Yun Shuwei beside her. "It's cold in the twelfth lunar month, and all the mansions are preparing for the New Year. Holding a banquet at this time is to support whomever you want. Anyone with eyes can see that."

Yun Shuwei gripped the edge of the invitation, her knuckles turning slightly white: "Mother, someone will definitely bring up those things that are being said outside at the banquet."

"Just bring it up," Madam Wang said calmly. "The more you avoid it, the more seriously they'll take it. Go openly and honestly, laugh and joke as usual, enjoy your tea. Since the Princess has sent out the invitation, she's going to make this decision for you."

Three days later, Lady Wang took Yun Shuwei to the Princess's residence by carriage. Because it was the twelfth lunar month, Yun Shuwei wore a scarlet satin jacket and skirt with gold brocade, the collar and cuffs trimmed with snow-white fur, which was both festive and warm. Lady Wang personally combed her hair and put a red-gold and kingfisher feather hairpin on her head.

The Princess's residence is brightly decorated today, already filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year. The warm pavilion is located in the east courtyard of the residence, with a fire pipe running underground. As soon as you enter, you are greeted by a wave of warmth, as if you were in a completely different world from the cold outside.

Many women, mostly from prominent families in the capital, had already arrived at the pavilion. Seated in the central seat was Princess Jing'an, thirty-seven years old, dressed in a deep purple palace gown embroidered with golden phoenixes, exuding an air of elegance. Seeing the Wang mother and daughter enter, she smiled and beckoned, "You've finally arrived! Shuwei, come here and let me see you."

Yun Shuwei stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Greetings to the Princess."

The eldest princess took her hand and examined her closely: "Hmm, you look better than a few days ago. I heard you weren't feeling well recently, are you much better now?"

"Thank you for your concern, Princess. I'm all better now," Yun Shuwei replied softly.

"That's good." The princess patted her hand and turned to Wang Shi. "I've watched this child grow up, and I know his character well. You don't need to take those unfounded rumors to heart."

The voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for most of the people in the warm pavilion to hear. The ladies exchanged glances.

Madam Wang smiled and said, "With the Princess's words, I am relieved. Actually, the carriage shaft broke that day, and Weiwei hired a passing scholar to help repair the carriage and bring it back. I don't know how the story got spread, and it became more and more outrageous. It's also because I didn't manage my household well, and the servants gossiped and spread it."

She spoke calmly, as if discussing a trivial matter. The lady of the Ministry of Rites, dressed in a royal blue jacket, replied, "So that's how it is. No wonder the Duke's family is renowned for its upbringing in the capital; how could such things have happened?"

"That's right," another lady laughed. "In the dead of winter, when it's freezing cold, it's common for carriages and horses to have some mishaps."

Just then, the curtain to the warm chamber was lifted, a gust of cold wind swept in, accompanied by a clear voice: "Mother! The old plum tree outside is in full bloom; I picked a few branches to put in a vase!"

The girl who entered was dressed in a red brocade jacket and skirt, with a round face and almond-shaped eyes. She was carrying a large bunch of red plum blossoms in her hands. She was none other than Princess Lingyue, the only daughter of the eldest princess. The maid behind her was also carrying plum branches.

The eldest princess scolded, "No manners! Why aren't you greeting the ladies?"

Princess Lingyue then noticed the room full of people. She stuck out her tongue, gave a hasty curtsy, and ran to Su Qingwan's side, clutching the plum blossoms: "Sister Wei! You've finally arrived! I was so bored! I couldn't understand a word they were saying about embroidery patterns and headdresses!"

She handed the plum blossoms to the maid, took Yun Shuwei's hand, and lowered her voice so that those nearby could still hear: "Don't pay attention to those nonsense words outside. I've heard them all. It's clearly someone causing trouble. My mother said, the innocent will clear themselves!"

The words were blunt, and there was a moment of silence in the warm pavilion. Several young ladies covered their mouths and chuckled softly.

Madam Wang spoke up at the right moment: "Princess, you are kind-hearted. It was really a small matter. Weiwei was frightened that day, and I let her rest at home for a few days. I didn't expect it to cause such a misunderstanding."

Princess Lingyue snorted, "Isn't it a misunderstanding? Some people just love to gossip." As she spoke, she took a piece of pea flour cake from the table next to her and handed it to Yun Shuwei, "Sister Wei, try this. It's made in my mother's little kitchen, and it tastes better than what you buy outside."

Yun Shuwei took it and ate it in small bites. The pastry was warm, sweet but not cloying.

Just then, the curtain moved again. Several young girls entered together, led by Yun Shuwei's second elder sister, Yun Yao, and the fourth young lady of the second branch, Yun Shurong. Today, Yun Yao wore a light red brocade jacket with gold embroidery, her hair styled in a fashionable flying fairy bun, and adorned with a red gold hairpin inlaid with jewels, making her radiant and beautiful.

When she saw Yun Shuwei, her smile deepened, and she gracefully walked over: "Third sister, you've come too? I heard you weren't feeling well the other day, and I was thinking of going to visit you."

Yun Shuwei stood up slightly: "Second Sister."

Yun Yao took her hand and looked her up and down: "You look better. It's cold in December, and you're not very healthy, so you should wear more clothes." She paused, her voice gentle, "Don't take those rumors to heart, Third Sister. We're family, so of course we trust you."

These words sounded comforting, but Yun Shuwei could clearly see the glint in those almond-shaped eyes.

Princess Lingyue curled her lip beside her: "Of course we should believe it. Are we supposed to believe those nameless rumors from outside?"

Yun Yao's expression stiffened slightly, then she smiled and said, "Your Highness is right." She turned to Yun Shuwei and said, "By the way, I heard that the person who helped us that day was a scholar on his way to take the imperial examination? Did he leave his name and place of origin? Our household should thank him properly."

"I've already thanked you," Yun Shuwei said calmly. "No need for Second Sister to trouble herself."

"That's good." Yun Yao sighed. "I was just worried that my third sister is too young to understand these things. After all, there are differences between men and women, and we should avoid suspicion where necessary. Reputation is of utmost importance."

Princess Lingyue couldn't stand it any longer and pulled Yun Shuwei up: "Sister Wan, my mother just got a pot of daffodils from Zhangzhou, and they're blooming right now. Let's go take a look."

The two walked to the window on the other side of the warm pavilion, where several pots of daffodils sat, their tender yellow blossoms in full bloom. Princess Lingyue lowered her voice: "Look at her hypocritical face! Every word she says is aimed at your heart, does she think no one can see through it!"

Yun Shuwei gazed at the snow scene outside the window without saying a word. Thin frosty patterns clung to the window paper.

Halfway through the banquet, the maids brought out steaming pots. The broth was mutton, served with various fresh vegetables, tofu, and glass noodles. The warm room was filled with steam, dispelling the chill of the twelfth lunar month.

The eldest princess raised her cup and laughed, "It's cold in the twelfth lunar month, so let's gather together to eat hot pot to keep warm. Those baseless rumors will dissipate like the steam from this pot."

Everyone raised their glasses in response.

As the banquet ended, it was already dark. Lady Wang, along with Yun Shuwei, bid farewell to the Princess. The Princess held Yun Shuwei's hand and said gently, "Good child, come to the manor often after spring. Lingyue always thinks of you."

On the carriage returning to the manor, the charcoal brazier burned brightly. Yun Shu leaned slightly on Madam Wang's shoulder and whispered, "Mother, does the Princess truly believe in me?"

"It's true." Madam Wang said with her eyes closed, "If she didn't believe me, she wouldn't have held this banquet today, much less said those things in public."

"What about my second sister and the others..."

"What they think is unimportant." Madam Wang opened her eyes, her gaze clear. "What is important is that from today onwards, those who need to know will know—the Princess is on your side, and those rumors will end here."

The carriage moved slowly along the snow-covered streets, its wheels crunching over the snow. Yun Shu slightly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, watching the lanterns outside gradually light up.

In the capital city in December, the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year was growing stronger. Red lanterns were hung in front of the gates of various mansions, and the faint sounds of children's laughter could be heard.

She suddenly remembered that the scholar named Lu Qingyan should be preparing for the imperial examinations somewhere in the capital. She wondered if he was doing well; in the cold of December, did he have a heater or hot soup?

"Mother," she said softly, "I want to go to the temple to fulfill a vow when spring comes."

Looking at her, Wang's eyes softened: "Alright, when spring comes, Mother will go with you."

The carriage entered the alley where the Duke's mansion was located. Two large red lanterns in front of the gate swayed in the wind and snow, casting a warm light.