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

On the fourth day of the fifth lunar month, after dinner.

An oil lamp was lit in the main room of the Lu family home, where the whole family was gathered. Lu Qingyan put down his chopsticks and looked at his parents: "Father, Mother, there's something I want to discuss with you."

Zhao was tidying the table when she heard this and looked up: "What is it?"

"I would like to invite my parents, my two older brothers, and my sisters to come to the capital with me," Lu Qingyan said slowly but earnestly. "Now I have a place to live in the capital, although it's rented, but I'm settled. The salary from the Hanlin Academy isn't much, but it's enough to support my family. After the wedding, the Duke's mansion will acquire some more properties, and life will only get better."

The room fell silent. Lu Tiezhu stopped smoking his pipe, Lu Dashan put down the dishes he was about to clear, and Lu Xiaoshan looked up.

"Going to the capital?" Zhao asked first, her voice somewhat hoarse. "What for?"

"The whole family is together," Lu Qingyan said. "Our parents have worked hard for half their lives, it's time for them to enjoy their retirement. My eldest brother is good at farming, but he also has land around the capital, we can rent a few acres to cultivate. My second brother is skilled at bonsai making, there are many connoisseurs in the capital, so he can sell his bonsai for a higher price."

Lu Tiezhu took two puffs of his cigarette before saying, "Your mother and I are getting old and can't leave this place."

"father……"

"Listen to me," Lu Tiezhu waved his hand. "Your mother has lived in the village her whole life, and she knows all the neighbors. She went to the capital, where she was unfamiliar with everyone and couldn't understand the language. She must have been incredibly bored. According to custom, parents should live with their eldest son."

Zhao's eyes reddened: "Yan'er, I know you're filial. But you haven't had it easy either, even though you married the daughter of a high-ranking official. Just live your life well. Your brothers will take care of things at home." She looked at Lu Dashan.

Lu Dashan rubbed his hands together and said in a simple voice, "Third brother, I... I can't go."

Why?

Lu Dashan glanced at Yunniang, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, and lowered his voice: "The child is still young, and your sister-in-law's health hasn't fully recovered after giving birth to your niece, so she's not suitable for a long journey."

Lu Qingyan was taken aback: "Is your sister-in-law alright?"

"It's nothing serious." Lu Dashan's face couldn't hide his worry. "The doctor said she needs to rest carefully for a year or two and can't overwork herself. Besides, Yunniang's family lives here, and her parents are getting old, so we have to take care of them."

Lu Qingyan nodded. That was indeed the case. His sister-in-law was in poor health, and her child was still young; it was truly not advisable for her to travel long distances.

He then looked at Lu Xiaoshan: "Second Brother, what about you?"

Lu Xiaoshan lowered his head and scratched at the wood grain on the edge of the table with his fingernails. After a long while, he said, "I'm getting engaged soon."

"What?" Zhao exclaimed first, "When did this happen? Why didn't you mention it?"

"Just a few days ago," Lu Xiaoshan said softly, "it's the daughter of Li the carpenter in town, named Xiugu. Her father often comes to buy timber, and seeing that I'm reliable, he asked someone to propose marriage. I... I think it's a good idea, and I plan to tell my parents in a few days."

Mrs. Zhao was both surprised and delighted: "You silly child! You didn't tell me about something so important!"

"I was thinking of waiting for my third brother to come back before we talk about it." Lu Xiaoshan looked up at Lu Qingyan. "Her family doesn't have high requirements, they just want to have a small courtyard in town so they can have a good life after the marriage. I calculated that if we save money for another year, it should be enough."

Lu Qingyan remained silent.

Each member of a family has their own ties and their own path.

He originally planned to bring his family to Beijing, reunite them, and live a better life. But the reality was that his eldest brother had his own family, his second brother had his own future, and his parents had their beloved homeland that they couldn't bear to leave behind.

"Third brother," Lu Dashan said cautiously, "we know you mean well. But life isn't easy for you in the capital. You've just become an official, and you're getting married. You need money for everything. The biggest help we can give you is to not cause you any trouble."

Lu Xiaoshan added, "Yes, Third Brother. You should focus on your official duties in the capital and take good care of yourself. Your eldest brother and I will take good care of our parents.

Lu Tiezhu tapped his pipe: "You do your best out there, don't worry about things at home. Your older brother is right, not causing you any trouble is the best thing we can do for you."

Madam Zhao wiped her eyes and said, "Yan'er, I know you've become successful and want to be filial to your parents. But filial piety doesn't necessarily have to be done in one place. As long as you're doing well and safe in the capital, I'll be happy."

The light from the oil lamp flickered, illuminating the faces of the family members, some kind, some simple, and some worried.

Looking at them, Lu Qingyan felt a surge of warmth in her heart, mixed with a touch of sadness.

This is what family is. We don't crave your wealth and status, we only wish you peace and well-being. We don't expect your help or support, we only hope you won't be a burden to us.

"I understand." He took a deep breath. "Then, I'll send some money back every month from now on. Parents are getting old, so don't work too hard. My eldest brother and sister-in-law have a child, so their expenses are high. My second brother is getting married, so that will also cost money."

"No need, no need!" Madam Zhao hurriedly waved her hand. "Now that you're an official, you have many social obligations and many places to spend money. The family is doing well now. Your eldest and second eldest brothers can earn two or three taels a month, plus the harvest from the fields, that's enough to live on."

"Mother, please don't refuse." Lu Qingyan insisted, "Now that I'm capable, it's my duty as a son to be filial to my parents and help out at home."

Lu Tiezhu was silent for a moment, then said, "If you're going to send money, send only a small amount. Just one tael a month, enough for your mother to buy some good food and for your two younger sisters to save up for their dowries. We don't want any more."

"father……"

"Listen to your father." Madam Zhao held her son's hand. "Yan'er, your parents know your feelings. But you also need to think about it. You've just gotten married and are living with a young lady from the Duke's mansion. You need to maintain appearances and spend money on everything. Save more for yourself so your parents can feel at ease."

Lu Qingyan felt a lump in her throat.

In his past life, his parents were busy with work and had high expectations, so he rarely received this kind of care and never experienced the feeling of being cared for and loved by his family. Now that he has experienced it, he realizes how profound this affection is.

"Alright, I'll listen to my parents," he said in a hoarse voice, "but five taels a month, no less. This is my heartfelt wish."

Lu Tiezhu looked at him and finally nodded.

With the matter settled, the atmosphere relaxed a bit. Zhao spoke of Lu Xiaoshan's marriage with a beaming smile: "I've met Xiugu; she's pretty and hardworking. Her father, Carpenter Li, is a kind man with a good reputation in town. Xiaoshan is lucky to have this marriage arranged."

Lu Xiaoshan rarely showed a smile: "Xiugu is very good. She doesn't mind that my family is poor, and says that as long as people are down-to-earth, they can always live a good life."

Lu Dashan smiled and said, "Once you get married, both of us brothers will have families. Our parents will be more at ease then."

Amidst laughter and conversation, Yunniang emerged from the kitchen carrying a plate of sliced ​​apples. She was unwell these days, but walked more carefully than usual.

"Sister-in-law, please sit down." Lu Qingyan stood up and offered her a seat.

Yunniang waved her hand, "You all talk, I'll just stand." But she still sat down next to Zhao.

Zhao held her hand: "Is there anything you want to eat? Mother will make it for you."

"Anything is fine," Yunniang said softly. "Everything Mother makes is delicious."

The family chatted for a while longer, mostly about everyday matters. The wheat in the fields was almost ripe, the price of rice in town had gone up, and someone in the village had a new baby...

Lu Qingyan felt particularly at ease as he listened.

This is the everyday life of ordinary people, this is home.

As night deepened, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.

Lu Qingyan lay in bed, unable to sleep. He thought about his family's words and their choices.

The eldest brother chose to stay because his wife and children were here, and because of his responsibilities. The second brother chose to stay because his marriage was here, and because of his future. The parents chose to stay because this was where their roots lay.

He chose to travel far away, to take that wider but also more arduous road.

There's no right or wrong, it's just that everyone has their own destiny and their own path.