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

May 13th, morning.

When Lu Qingyan got up, his legs were still very sore. He stretched his limbs, changed into clean clothes, and prepared to go to the Duke's mansion to discuss the details of the marriage.

As soon as he stepped out of the courtyard gate, he saw the Yun family's carriage waiting at the alley entrance. The steward came forward and said with a smile, "Young master, the master invites you to the mansion, saying he has something to discuss."

Upon arriving at the Duke's mansion, Yun Chengzong was already waiting in the study. Seeing him enter, he cut to the chase: "Return that small courtyard you rented near the Hanlin Academy."

Lu Qingyan was taken aback: "Why?"

"Shuwei has a dowry house in Wutong Lane in the south of the city, just two streets away from the Hanlin Academy." Yun Chengzong took out a deed from the drawer. "I bought this for her many years ago, and it's been empty. Now that you're married, it's perfect for you to move in."

Lu Qingyan took the property deed. It read "No. 3, Wutong Lane", covering an area of ​​1.2 mu, with three courtyards.

"This is too valuable."

"The dowry items are meant for her to use anyway." Yun Chengzong waved his hand. "Let's move in today. The wedding is just around the corner; we can't have the wedding ceremony in a rented house."

Lu Qingyan thought for a moment, then didn't refuse again: "Thank you, father-in-law."

"Let's go take a look at the courtyard." Yun Chengzong stood up. "I'll come along too, and see how it's decorated."

The two traveled by carriage to Wutong Lane. The lane was quiet, lined with tall sycamore trees, their leaves a vibrant green at this time of year, providing ample shade. The gate to courtyard number three was lacquered black, with a gleaming brass door knocker.

As Lu Qingyan pushed open the door, she was stunned.

The courtyard was much larger than he had imagined. Facing him was a blue brick screen wall, carved with a pattern of pine trees and cranes symbolizing longevity. Beyond the screen wall was a spacious front yard. The ground was paved with bluestone, and on each side stood an osmanthus tree, its tiny flowers blooming at this time of year, emitting a delicate fragrance.

The main building has five rooms and the side rooms have six rooms, all made of blue bricks and gray tiles with upturned eaves. Red lanterns hang under the corridor and large red "double happiness" characters are pasted on the windows, creating a festive atmosphere.

"Come this way." Yun Chengzong led him to the backyard.

The backyard is even more wonderful. There's a small pond with a rockery around it and a few stalks of green bamboo. Koi carp, red, gold, and spotted, swim around in the pond. Beside the pond is a hexagonal pavilion with a stone table and benches inside.

"Shuwei likes water, so we dug this pond specially." Yun Chengzong pointed to the pond, "It's suitable for admiring lotus flowers in summer and watching snow in winter."

Lu Qingyan walked along the corridor. The corridor was painted vermilion, and the pillars were decorated with the character for "happiness". Every room was spotless and fully furnished – rosewood tables and chairs, camphor wood wardrobes, and sandalwood dressing tables, all exquisite.

Inside the main room, Madam Wang was directing the maids and servants to make the arrangements. The bed was a newly made canopy bed, draped with bright red curtains. The bedding was also newly made, embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water. Under the window was a desk, complete with the four treasures of the study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper), and a small bookshelf already stocked with books.

"Young Master Lu is here," Madam Wang said with a smile. "Is there anything we need?"

"It's already very good," Lu Qingyan said sincerely. "Thank you for your trouble, Mother-in-law."

"How could I not care about my own daughter's affairs?" Wang pointed to the bookshelf. "Those books were moved from your old courtyard. The rest are all new additions."

She paused, then lowered her voice: "That girl Shuwei secretly came by a few days ago. She wandered around the courtyard for half a day, touching this and looking at that. She even added a few pots of orchids to the study, saying that you like peace and quiet and that they look nice."

Lu Qingyan felt a warmth in his heart.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside. Yun Shuwei entered with her maid. She was wearing a light pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) today, and her hair was loosely tied up. When she saw Lu Qingyan, her face flushed slightly.

"Father, Mother." She bowed, then looked at Lu Qingyan, "You're back?"

"I arrived yesterday." Lu Qingyan looked at her. "I was in a hurry on the way, so I didn't miss the appointed day."

Yun Shu nodded slightly, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers: "Do you like the courtyard?"

"I like it." Lu Qingyan looked around. "I especially like that pond."

Yun Shuwei's eyes lit up: "I like it too. In the summer, we can cool off in the pavilion and feed the fish." Suddenly remembering something, she took a bundle from the maid's hands, "This is for you."

Lu Qingyan took the clothes, opened them, and found two newly made outfits. One was a casual indigo fine cloth robe, and the other was a slightly formal dark blue silk shirt. The stitches were fine and the size was just right.

"I...I made it," Yun Shuwei said softly. "My skills aren't great, please don't mind."

"Very good." Lu Qingyan picked up the indigo robe. "I like it very much."

Yun Shuwei blushed even more and lowered her head.

Seeing this, Madam Wang smiled and pulled Yun Chengzong, saying, "Master, let's go to the front and see if the lanterns are hung straight." As she spoke, she gave a wink and led the maids and servants out.

Only two people remained in the pavilion.

"You've lost weight," Yun Shuwei suddenly said.

"We were in a rush on the way."

"Don't rush like that next time." She looked up, her eyes full of concern. "Safety is the most important thing."

"it is good."

The two fell silent for a moment. A breeze blew across the pond, rippling the surface. Koi carp gathered around, thinking they had come to be fed.

"Lu Qingyan," Yun Shu said softly, "I'm a little scared."

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid I won't be a good wife to you." She bit her lip. "I can't do anything... I can't take care of people, I can't manage a household, I can't even sew properly."

Lu Qingyan looked at her: "I don't know how to be a husband either. Let's learn together."

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

"real."

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

The two sat in the pavilion for a while, chatting idly. Yun Shuwei mentioned the flowers and trees in the courtyard—the two osmanthus trees were planted when she was born, the bamboo stalks were transplanted when she was ten, and the forsythia by the pond bloomed the earliest every year…

Lu Qingyan listened quietly. This courtyard held traces of her, memories of her everywhere. Now, it was going to become their home.

At noon, Wang invited us to stay for lunch. The meal was freshly prepared by the cook: four dishes and a soup, simple yet delicious.

After the meal, Yun Chengzong summoned Lu Qingyan to his study and explained the details of their wedding day—when to fetch the bride, what the wedding ceremony would be like, and when the banquet would be held. Lu Qingyan noted everything down.

"Scholar Li has granted you two months' leave at the Hanlin Academy," Yun Chengzong said. "After the wedding, you will take Shuwei back to your parents' home to meet the Duke's relatives. Then the two of you can settle down and live your lives peacefully, and then focus on your duties."

"Yes."

"There's one more thing," Yun Chengzong said, looking at him. "Be careful with Zhou Wenyuan. His father, Vice Minister Zhou, has been very active in the Ministry of War lately and might look for an opportunity to make things difficult for you."

"The student understands."

After leaving the Duke's mansion, Lu Qingyan didn't go straight back to the new courtyard. Instead, she went to a small courtyard she had rented near the Hanlin Academy to pack up the rest of her things. Actually, it wasn't much—just a few books, a few clothes, and some odds and ends.

When checking out, the innkeeper was still a little reluctant: "Mr. Lu, if you become successful in the future, don't forget our little shop."

"No, not at all." Lu Qingyan paid an extra half month's rent. "Thank you for taking care of me these past few days."

When I arrived at Wutong Lane carrying my bundle, it was nearly dusk. The lane was quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, I saw that red lanterns were already lit, casting a warm yellow glow over the courtyard. In the pavilion by the pond, someone had lit a lamp, which reflected on the shimmering water.

Lu Qingyan stood in the courtyard and took a deep breath.

The air is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus, the dampness of the soil, and the smell of brand-new wood.

This is his new home.

He pushed open the door to the main room. The room was exactly as he had seen it that morning, except that there was now a vase on the table with a few freshly picked osmanthus blossoms in it. There was also a sachet by the bedside, its familiar pale blue color embroidered with green bamboo.

He put down his bundle and walked to his desk. The writing implements were neatly arranged on the desk, along with an open book—the Book of Songs, turned to the page of "Guan Ju".

"The ospreys cry 'guan guan' on the river's islet. A fair maiden, a gentleman's ideal."

He smiled. He picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and wrote two lines of small characters in the blank space:

"Now that I have seen you, how can I not be happy? Now that I have a new home, let us live together hand in hand." After writing this, he blew on the ink to dry it and closed the book.

Outside the window, dusk was settling in. The faint sound of a night watchman's drum could be heard in the distance. Three days later, he would be here to marry his bride.

From then on, we will weather the storms together and walk hand in hand.