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

The 28th day of the twelfth lunar month marks the approaching end of the year.

Lu Qingyan spent two peaceful days in the small courtyard. Every morning she would get up early to read, go to the bookstore in the afternoon to copy books, and return in the evening to review her lessons. Zhao Dequan did not reappear, and there was no news from the Duke's mansion either; it was as if the turmoil of the past few days had melted away with the snow.

But this calm only made Lu Qingyan more vigilant. He knew that some things hadn't passed, but were brewing.

That afternoon, just as he was about to head out to the bookstore, there was another knock on the courtyard gate.

Upon opening the door, one sees a young, unfamiliar servant dressed in a clean and neat blue cotton-padded jacket.

"Scholar Lu?" The servant bowed respectfully. "My master invites you to his residence for a chat."

Lu Qingyan asked, "May I ask what your esteemed residence is?"

"The Yun residence," the servant replied briefly, "The Duke's residence."

Lu Qingyan paused for a moment, then asked, "What brings you here, Master Yun?"

"Master only said he wanted to invite Scholar Lu to his residence for a chat, and didn't give any other instructions." The servant stepped aside. "The carriage is ready. Scholar Lu, please."

Sure enough, a simple blue-curtained carriage was parked outside the gate, but the horses pulling it were magnificent, and the coachman was a strong and wiry man. Lu Qingyan glanced at the carriage, then at the servant, and nodded, saying, "Let me change my clothes."

He went back inside and changed into his most presentable indigo silk robe—the one his family had made for him when he passed the imperial examination, one he rarely wore. He then carefully tied his hair up before going out.

The carriage traveled smoothly through several streets and alleys before finally stopping outside a secluded side gate. A servant led Lu Qingyan inside, through two corridors, and into a study.

The study was small, but elegantly furnished. A bookshelf stood against the wall, neatly arranged with ancient books. A huanghuali wood desk stood before the window, upon which lay the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper). A middle-aged man stood with his back to the door in front of the bookshelf, flipping through something.

"Master, Scholar Lu has arrived," the servant announced.

The man turned around. He was around forty years old, with a lean face and sharp eyes, dressed in a simple black brocade robe. He was none other than Yun Chengzong, the heir of the Duke's mansion.

"Student Lu Qingyan greets Prince Yun." Lu Qingyan bowed.

Yun Chengzong sized him up, his gaze lingering for a moment on the worn-out robe he was wearing, and said indifferently, "Sit."

The two sat down on chairs on either side of the desk. The servant brought tea, then left and closed the door.

"Is Scholar Lu nineteen this year?" Yun Chengzong asked.

"Yes."

"Seventh place in last year's provincial examination?"

"Yes."

"Whom did you study under?"

"My first teacher was Mr. Zhang in the village, and later I studied at the prefectural school."

Yun Chengzong nodded and picked up an article from his desk: "Is this the policy essay you wrote for the provincial examination?"

Lu Qingyan glanced at it and confirmed that it was indeed his article. There were also red pen annotations on it, the handwriting strong and slender, the comments quite insightful.

"Yes."

"Well written." Yun Chengzong put down the article. "The section on the Grand Canal transport hits the nail on the head. However, some of the points are too blunt."

"Students are being educated."

Yun Chengzong picked up his teacup, took a leisurely sip, and suddenly asked, "How are your parents at home?"

Lu Qingyan felt a chill run down her spine, knowing that the main topic was about to be discussed.

"My parents are in relatively good health and are being taken care of by my elder brother."

How many brothers are there?

"My eldest brother farms, and my second brother does some carpentry."

"Have you ever been married?"

"My eldest brother is already married, but my second brother is not yet."

Yun Chengzong put down his teacup and looked at Lu Qingyan's face: "And you?"

There was a moment of silence in the room. The charcoal fire in the brazier crackled and popped.

Lu Qingyan looked up at Yun Chengzong: "I am focused on preparing for the exam and have not yet considered marriage."

"It's time to focus," Yun Chengzong nodded. "But a man of marriageable age should consider it."

He stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Lu Qingyan: "I have a daughter named Shuwei, who is sixteen years old this year. She fell into the water at the Vice Minister's residence a few days ago, and you saved her."

Lu Qingyan did not respond.

"I've investigated what happened that day." Yun Chengzong turned around. "You are innocent."

These words, spoken calmly, were like a stone thrown into a deep pool. Lu Qingyan tightened his grip on the teacup, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Young Master Yun is wise."

"You've been cleared of all charges," Yun Chengzong said, looking at him, "but some things can't be resolved simply by clearing your name."

He walked back to his desk and sat down, tapping his fingers lightly on the surface: "At the poetry gathering that day, in full view of everyone, you saved my daughter and had physical intimacy with her. If word gets out, my daughter's reputation is ruined."

Lu Qingyan remained silent.

"The capital city isn't that big, but it's not that small either. Any respectable family wouldn't marry a woman who fell into the water in public and was rescued by a stranger." Yun Chengzong's voice was very calm, as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him. "Even if someone dared to marry her, it would be because of the Duke's family's status, not because of her as a person."

He looked at Lu Qingyan: "What do you think we should do?"

The question was direct, even somewhat aggressive. Lu Qingyan raised his head to meet Yun Chengzong's gaze: "What does Prince Yun hope I will do?"

"I hope?" Yun Chengzong smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "I hope my daughter will marry into a family of equal social standing, live a harmonious and fulfilling life. But things have come to this, so hope is just hope."

He paused for a moment: "You are a scholar, you should understand reason. My daughter's reputation has been damaged because of you, you should give her an explanation."

Lu Qingyan understood. It wasn't a discussion, it was an announcement. It wasn't an inquiry, it was a request.

He put down his teacup, stood up, and bowed deeply to Yun Chengzong: "This student is dull-witted, please enlighten me, Prince Yun."

Yun Chengzong looked at his hunched back for a long while before slowly saying, "After spring, you should ask a matchmaker to come and propose marriage."

The room was deathly silent.

Lu Qingyan straightened up, his face expressionless: "Young Master Yun, my family is poor, and I am afraid that I will wrong your young lady."

"Poverty is not a problem," Yun Chengzong said calmly. "You have an official title, so you may have a bright future. As for your family background, the Duke's mansion will naturally provide a generous dowry when marrying off its daughter, so she won't suffer."

These words were blunt, even somewhat hurtful. But Yun Chengzong didn't care. He wasn't marrying off his daughter at this moment; he was solving a problem.

Lu Qingyan remained silent for a long time.

He knew that Yun Chengzong wasn't discussing it with him, but rather informing him. For a family of the Duke's caliber to marry their daughter to a poor scholar was already a last resort. If he refused, it would be a slap in the face to the Duke's family, and they would likely find it difficult to move an inch in the capital afterward.

But if you agree...

He remembered the slap by the lake that day, and those eyes filled with hatred.

"Students need time to consider," Lu Qingyan finally said.

Yun Chengzong nodded: "It is something we should consider. The imperial examination is just around the corner, so you should focus on preparing for it first. We can discuss it again after the results are released."

This statement, while seemingly lenient, actually sets a deadline—the results of the imperial examination will be released at the end of February. By then, regardless of whether one has passed or failed, an explanation must be given.

"The student understands."

Yun Chengzong picked up the essay again, looking down at it as if the conversation had been nothing more than casual chatter: "Go. Study hard for the exam, don't waste your talents."

Lu Qingyan bowed and withdrew.

As he stepped out of the study, a light snow began to fall again. The servant was still waiting in the corridor. Seeing him come out, he bowed and said, "Scholar Lu, the carriage will take you back."

"No need," Lu Qingyan said. "I want to take a walk."

He walked out of the side door alone and into the swirling snow.

The snow was cold, stinging her face like fine needles. Lu Qingyan walked slowly, Yun Chengzong's words echoing in her mind.

Proposing marriage.

He married Yun Shuwei.

The young lady from the Duke's mansion who slapped him in public and accused him of scheming.

He suddenly felt a sense of absurdity. In his previous life, he lived to be forty-two, never married, and devoted himself to his studies. Now, transmigrated to this world, he was only nineteen, and was about to be arranged into a marriage.

But that's the way things are in this world. Reputation is everything, and rules are as heavy as mountains.

He stopped and looked back at the towering walls of the Duke's mansion.

What is that woman inside the wall thinking right now? Does she hate him to the core, or is she, like him, powerless to control her own destiny?

The snowflakes fell heavier and heavier, quickly accumulating a thin layer on his shoulders. Lu Qingyan tightened his collar and continued walking.