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

The results of the imperial examination were announced on the fourth day of the third month.

Before dawn, the area in front of the screen wall outside the imperial city was already crowded with people. Three hundred candidates, their families, servants, and onlookers formed a massive throng, even larger than when the results of the imperial examinations were announced.

Lu Qingyan stood in the crowd, with Zhang Zhiqing beside him. Both of them wore the robes of tribute scholars, making them particularly conspicuous in the morning light.

"Brother Lu," Zhang Zhiqing said, his voice trembling, "my heart is about to jump out of my chest."

Lu Qingyan didn't say anything, but patted his shoulder. His own palms were a little sweaty, but he remained calm.

At the exact hour of Chen (7-9 AM), an official from the Ministry of Rites carried a roll of yellow silk out of the palace gate. The crowd fell silent instantly, all eyes fixed on the roll of yellow silk.

A yellow silk ribbon was unfurled and hung on the screen wall. On it were the rankings in the emperor's own handwriting, starting with the first place in the first class.

"First place in the first class—Li Mubai of Jiangnan!" the official announced loudly.

The crowd erupted in uproar. A scholar of about thirty years old stepped forward calmly to receive the imperial decree.

"First Place, Second Place – Zhou Wenyuan from Shandong!"

……

"Third Place in First Class – Lu Qingyan from Yongning Prefecture!"

Lu Qingyan's heart sank back to reality. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the crowd. Various gazes fell upon him—envious, jealous, and inquisitive. He kept his eyes straight ahead and walked to the screen wall.

The official handed him a yellow silk edict and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Scholar Lu."

Tan Hua. The third-place finisher in the imperial examination, commonly known as Tan Hua Lang.

Lu Qingyan accepted the edict with both hands and unfolded it. The edict was written in the emperor's own hand and approved by his imperial decree, granting him the title of Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) and appointing him as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty." He bowed.

Turning around, I saw Zhang Zhiqing struggling to squeeze into the crowd—he was looking for his name. After a while, he finally emerged from the crowd with a relieved smile on his face.

"246th place!" Zhang Zhiqing ran over and grabbed Lu Qingyan's arm. "Brother Lu, I passed! Although it's only the third-class Jinshi, I passed!"

Lu Qingyan smiled as well: "Congratulations, Brother Zhang."

As the two were talking, several fellow candidates gathered around. Some offered congratulations, some exchanged pleasantries, and others gave them complicated looks. One of the tall candidates, with a forced smile, said, "Lu, the third-ranking scholar, has quite the eloquence. His remarks on 'using commerce to weaken the army' in the palace have even been remembered by the Emperor."

These words sounded like a compliment, but they were actually barbed. Lu Qingyan glanced at him and recognized him as the one sitting behind him in the hall, surnamed Zhao, whose father was the Vice Minister of War.

"Brother Zhao, you flatter me," Lu Qingyan said calmly. "I was merely stating my opinion."

"Speak your mind?" The scholar surnamed Zhao raised an eyebrow. "Does Scholar Lu know that when your words reached the Ministry of War, several senior generals were quite displeased? They said that scholars are ignorant of military affairs and are making unwarranted comments about border defense."

A moment of silence fell. Zhang Zhiqing's expression changed; he wanted to say something, but Lu Qingyan stopped him.

"I admire all the generals who defend our country," Lu Qingyan said calmly. "But what I said was not to deny the merits of the soldiers, but to seek a long-term solution for peace and stability. If I have said anything wrong, I am willing to ask for your guidance in person."

These words were neither humble nor arrogant, giving the other party face while maintaining one's own stance. The scholar surnamed Zhao snorted, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

"Brother Lu, why bother arguing with him?" Zhang Zhiqing said in a low voice.

"It's alright." Lu Qingyan looked at the man's back. "We'll be serving in the same court in the future, and we'll have to deal with each other eventually."

Just then, a eunuch hurried over, looked around in the crowd, and when he saw Lu Qingyan, his eyes lit up: "Lu Tanhua, the Emperor summons you."

There was another stir among the crowd. To be summoned privately by the Emperor after the palace examination was an extraordinary honor.

Lu Qingyan followed the eunuch into the palace. This time, they weren't going to the Golden Palace, but to the Imperial Study.

Emperor Yonghe was reviewing memorials when he saw him enter. He put down his vermilion brush and said, "Sit."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lu Qingyan sat down halfway on the embroidered stool below.

The eunuch served tea, then left and closed the door.

"I've read your policy essay three times," the emperor said bluntly. "It's well-written, especially the section on 'strengthening the foundation and winning hearts and minds,' which hits the nail on the head."

Lu Qingyan lowered his head: "I am merely a theorist."

"Even theoretical discussions need to be grounded in reason." The emperor picked up his teacup. "Those old fogies in the Ministry of War say you have the views of a scholar. What's your opinion?"

"Generals are seasoned veterans, and they naturally have their reasons," Lu Qingyan said, carefully choosing his words. "But I believe that war and peace are two sides of the same coin. The best strategy is to subdue the enemy without achieving victory."

The emperor glanced at him and said, "You're quite the smooth talker."

"Your subject dares not."

"Enough." The emperor waved his hand. "I summoned you here today because I have something to ask you."

Lu Qingyan felt a chill run down his spine.

"Have you agreed to the marriage proposal from the Duke's family?"

That was a direct question. Lu Qingyan paused for a moment, then answered truthfully, "Yes."

"That old fellow Yun Zhenshan is quick on his feet." The emperor chuckled. "I've met his granddaughter a few times. She's a bit spoiled, but she's not a bad person. If you marry her, you'll have a lot of trouble later."

Lu Qingyan did not respond.

The emperor looked at him and said, "However, since you have agreed, I will grant your wish. The decree of marriage will be issued tomorrow."

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty." Lu Qingyan rose and knelt to express his gratitude.

"Rise." The emperor picked up his vermilion pen again. "The Hanlin Academy is a prestigious place. Do your job well. After three years, when you have completed your examinations, you will be assigned to a substantive post. As for the Ministry of War, I will give them a warning."

This was blatant protection. Lu Qingyan's heart warmed: "Your subject will certainly do his utmost."

"Hmm." The emperor lowered his head to review the memorials and said no more.

Lu Qingyan bowed and withdrew.

When he stepped out of the imperial study, the sun was already high in the sky. The sunlight shone warmly on the palace walls. He held the yellow silk edict in his hand, his palms slightly sweaty.

He was the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examinations, a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, and was granted a marriage by the emperor.

In just six months, he went from a peasant boy in Yongning Prefecture to his current situation. It feels like a dream.

When he returned to the courtyard, Zhang Zhiqing was already waiting at the door, his face beaming with joy: "Brother Lu! The Emperor has summoned us, is that good news?"

Lu Qingyan nodded and told him about the arranged marriage.

Zhang Zhiqing's eyes widened: "A marriage bestowed by the Emperor? This is an immense honor!" He rubbed his hands excitedly, "Brother Lu, you've truly risen to the top in one fell swoop!"

"Don't say that." Lu Qingyan pushed open the door and entered the room. "It was just a coincidence."

"What coincidence? It's all thanks to your talent!" Zhang Zhiqing followed him into the room. "Third place in the provincial examination, third place in the palace examination, appreciated by the Emperor, and the son-in-law of the Duke's mansion—Brother Lu, your future is truly limitless!"

Lu Qingyan poured tea and handed him a cup: "Brother Zhang, you passed too, didn't you? What are your plans?"

"Me?" Zhang Zhiqing smiled wryly. "Those who pass the imperial examination with the same degree will mostly be appointed as county magistrates. That's fine, it'll be closer to home so I can take care of my parents."

The two talked for a while. Zhang Zhiqing said that he would be leaving the capital to return to his hometown in a few days, waiting for the Ministry of Personnel to appoint an official. Lu Qingyan invited him to stay for dinner, and the two ate some steamed buns with pickles.

After seeing Zhang Zhiqing off, Lu Qingyan sat in the courtyard, looking at the jujube tree that had sprouted new buds.

The imperial decree to grant them marriage will be issued tomorrow. At that time, his marriage to Yun Shuwei will be a done deal.

I should write home.

He went back inside, laid out paper, and picked up a pen:

"To my dearest parents: On the fourth day of the third month, the results of the imperial examination were announced, and I achieved the third rank in the first class, becoming a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. By the Emperor's great favor, I have been betrothed to a daughter of the Yun family of the Duke of Guo..."

I paused here.

How should I tell my family? Should I say that this marriage was out of necessity? Or should I say that Yun Shuwei fell into the water and he saved her, damaging her reputation and leaving her no choice but to marry him?

In the end, he didn't write those parts. He only wrote: "The daughter of the Yun family is named Shuwei, sixteen years old, dignified and virtuous. The Emperor has bestowed this marriage upon her, which is an immense honor. I will soon return to my hometown to pay respects to my ancestors, and then we will discuss the wedding date again."

After writing the letter, I sealed it. I plan to have it sent back to the post station tomorrow.

In the evening, someone from the Yun residence came again with an invitation. It was Yun Chengzong inviting him to the residence to discuss the wedding date.

Lu Qingyan changed his clothes and followed the person who came.

This time it was in the main hall. The old Duke, Yun Chengzong, and Lady Wang were all there. Seeing him enter, Yun Chengzong rarely showed a smile: "Please sit. The Emperor has sent someone to inform you of the decree of the marriage."

Lu Qingyan bowed and took his seat.

"The wedding date is set for May 16th," the old emperor announced. "There are still two months left, so you can get ready. I've already spoken to the Hanlin Academy; you can take a month's leave before the wedding to go back to your hometown to pay respects to your ancestors."

"Thank you, Duke Xie."

"Still calling him the Old Duke?" Yun Chengzong glanced at him.

Lu Qingyan paused for a moment, then said, "Thank you, Grandfather."

The old Duke smiled: "That's more like it." He looked at Wang Shi, "Has the dowry list been prepared?"

"It's drafted." Madam Wang handed over a booklet. "Please take a look, sir."

Yun Chengzong flipped through it and nodded: "Do it this way."

Lu Qingyan hadn't looked at the booklet, but he knew it must be quite lavish. A Duke's daughter was getting married, and it was an imperial marriage; the scale of the event would be considerable.

After the discussion, Yun Chengzong invited him to stay for dinner. During the meal, they talked about his duties at the Hanlin Academy and the political situation in the court. Yun Chengzong did most of the talking, while Lu Qingyan listened.

After the meal, Yun Shuwei saw him off at the mansion.

The two walked along the corridor, the moonlight was just right.

"Lu Qingyan," Yun Shuwei suddenly stopped, "I'm a little scared."

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid I won't be a good wife for you." Her voice was low. "I've never studied housekeeping, I've never cooked, and I can't even sew properly."

Lu Qingyan looked at her. In the moonlight, her profile was gentle, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.

"I've never been a husband before," he said. "Let's learn together."

Yun Shu looked up at him, her eyes sparkling: "Really?"

"real."

She smiled, a shy smile, but a beautiful one.

As she saw him to the door, she suddenly stood on tiptoe, quickly kissed him on the cheek, and then turned and ran.

Lu Qingyan stood there stunned for a long time before she came to her senses.

I raised my hand and touched the spot where I had been kissed; it was a little hot.

He shook his head and smiled.

As he stepped out of the Duke's mansion, a cool night breeze blew. He looked up at the moon, then at the imperial edict in his hand.