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

May 16th is an auspicious day, suitable for marriage.

Before dawn, Lu Qingyan got up. He changed into his bright red wedding robe—made by the best embroiderers in the capital, commissioned by the Yun family. The fabric was top-quality Hangzhou silk, embroidered with auspicious clouds and mythical beasts. A jade belt cinched his waist, and a golden crown adorned his head, highlighting his handsome features and extraordinary bearing.

The courtyard in Wutong Lane was already bustling with activity. The steward led the servants in decorating the place with lanterns and colorful decorations. Large red silk flowers hung above the doorways, and lanterns filled the corridors. The sweet aroma of pastries wafted from the kitchen, prepared for the guests who would be coming to offer their congratulations later.

At the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the wedding procession arrived. At the head was a large red sedan chair carried by eight people, its body painted with gold and colorful decorations, and its roof adorned with tassels. Behind it followed musicians playing suonas, gongs, and drums, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. Further back was the procession carrying the dowry—a total of sixty-four loads, tied with red silk ribbons, stretching far down the alley.

The alleyway was crowded with onlookers, pointing and commenting with admiration.

"The Duke's mansion is holding a grand wedding!"

"I heard the new son-in-law is a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations, and an official in the Hanlin Academy!"

"A perfect match, a match made in heaven!"

Lu Qingyan mounted his horse—a gentle white horse, also adorned with a red ribbon. He took a deep breath and nodded to the wedding procession behind him: "Let's go."

Amidst the deafening sounds of drums and music, the procession slowly made its way towards the Duke's mansion.

The Duke's mansion was even more bustling with activity.

Yun Shuwei was woken up before dawn to get ready. Four maids surrounded her, helping her with facial hair removal, hair combing, makeup application, and dressing. Madam Wang personally put a phoenix crown on her head; the crown was made of pure gold, inlaid with pearls and gemstones, and was very heavy.

"Mother," Yun Shuwei looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes reddening, "I'm a little scared."

"Silly child, what are you afraid of?" Madam Wang smoothed her hair. "Lu Qingyan is a good child, he will be good to you."

Just then, a commotion arose outside. It was Yun Shuwei's two older brothers—the eldest, Yun Qingwen, and the second, Yun Qingwu—who were blocking the courtyard gate with a group of cousins.

"Want to take the bride? Not so easy!" Yun Qingwu's voice was the loudest. "Our Yun family's daughter isn't someone you can just marry off casually!"

Lu Qingyan's voice came from outside: "Please enlighten me, elder brothers."

"Compose a poem!" Yun Qingwen said. "Use 'Newlywed' as the theme, and compose a poem in seven steps!"

After a moment of silence outside, Lu Qingyan's clear and melodious recitation rang out:

"Red candles shine brightly in the brocade tent of spring."

Two birds perch deep in Wutong Lane.

Today I am fortunate to marry a daughter of the Yun family.

Ten years of hard work have not been in vain.

A chorus of cheers erupted from inside the courtyard. Yun Qingwu, however, objected: "The poem is alright, but it lacks sincerity! We brothers should each receive a large red envelope!"

The steward's voice came from outside: "Second Young Master, the red envelopes have been prepared long ago, ten taels each!"

"Ten taels isn't enough!" Yun Qingwu laughed. "It has to be twenty taels! Otherwise, you won't be allowed in!"

Hearing this from inside the house, Wang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She said to Yun Shuwei, "Your second brother just loves to make trouble."

After some haggling outside, they finally settled on fifteen taels. Only then did the courtyard gate open.

Lu Qingyan walked in, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, which accentuated his handsome face. He first bowed to Madam Wang, saying, "Mother-in-law."

Wang nodded, her eyes slightly moist: "Good child, treat her well from now on."

"I certainly will."

At this moment, Yun Chengzong helped the old Duke in. The old Duke was wearing a brand-new crimson brocade robe today and looked very energetic. He looked at Lu Qingyan and nodded: "It's good that you've come."

The auspicious hour arrived. The matchmaker helped Yun Shuwei out from the inner room.

Wearing a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, and a bright red veil, her face was not visible, but her figure and demeanor already held everyone's breath in their eyes.

Lu Qingyan stepped forward and took one end of the red silk ribbon. The other end was in Yun Shuwei's hand.

The two stood side by side and first bid farewell to their grandparents. The old Duke looked at his granddaughter, his voice a little hoarse: "After you marry, you must be filial to your parents-in-law, get along well with your sisters-in-law, and be a good wife and mother."

From beneath the veil came Yun Shu's slightly choked voice: "Granddaughter will remember."

She bowed to her parents again. Yun Chengzong looked at his daughter and said only one sentence: "If you've been wronged, come home."

Mrs. Wang was already sobbing uncontrollably, only able to hold her daughter's hand, unable to speak.

Yun Shuwei's tears dripped onto the red silk, spreading a small patch of dark color.

Finally, it was the elder brothers' turn. Yun Qingwen patted Lu Qingyan on the shoulder: "My sister is delicate, so please be patient with her. But if she suffers any injustice, we, the Yun brothers, will never allow it."

Yun Qingwu was even more direct: "Lu Qingyan, treat my sister well. If you dare to betray her, I'll be the first to punish you!"

Lu Qingyan bowed solemnly: "Brothers, rest assured, Qingyan will certainly live up to your expectations."

After the farewells were completed, the matchmaker shouted, "The bride is leaving her home!"

Yun Qingwen squatted down in front of Yun Shuwei: "Little sister, let your brother carry you out the door."

Yun Shu leaned against her brother's back, her tears wetting his clothes. Yun Qingwen carried her step by step out of the courtyard and out of the gate of the Duke's mansion.

Outside the door, the bridal sedan chair was ready. Yun Qingwen gently placed his younger sister into the chair and whispered, "Take care."

The sedan curtain was lowered. The wedding attendant shouted, "Lift the sedan chair—"

The drums and music resumed. The bridal sedan chair was lifted, and the dowry procession followed. Lu Qingyan mounted her horse and rode at the very front.

In front of the Duke's mansion, Yun Chengzong supported the old Duke, while Wang Shi leaned against the door frame, watching the departing procession in silence for a long time.

The streets were packed with people, pointing and talking amongst themselves.

"Look at this dowry! Sixty-four loads!"

"The Duke's mansion is truly magnificent when it's time for his daughter to marry!"

"I heard the new son-in-law comes from a poor family; this is truly a case of a carp leaping over the dragon gate!"

The procession slowly made its way towards Wutong Lane. Lu Qingyan, riding on horseback, listened to the drums and music behind him and looked at his new home approaching ahead. A strange sense of peace suddenly welled up in his heart.

From that moment on, he was no longer alone.

He has a family now.

Wutong Lane, new residence.

The bridal sedan chair stopped in front of the gate. Lu Qingyan dismounted and, following the wedding attendant's instructions, kicked the sedan chair door, shot an arrow, stepped over a fire basin... After completing a series of tedious rituals, he was covered in sweat.

Finally, the matchmaker helped Yun Shuwei out of the sedan chair and handed him the red silk.

The two, holding hands with a red ribbon, walked step by step through the gate, crossed the threshold, and arrived at the main hall.

An altar was set up in the hall, displaying the ancestral tablets of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher. The master of ceremonies announced:

"Bowing to Heaven and Earth—"

The two turned around and knelt down facing the door.

"Bowing to the parents twice—"

Since Lu Qingyan's parents were not present, he knelt and bowed to the empty chair.

"Husband and wife bow to each other—"

The two stood facing each other and bowed deeply.

"The ceremony is complete—offering them to the bridal chamber!"

Amidst the resounding drums and cheers, Lu Qingyan, hand in hand with Yun Shuwei, walked towards the bridal chamber, surrounded by the crowd.

Inside the bridal chamber, red candles burned brightly, and the characters for "double happiness" adorned the windows. Yun Shu sat on the edge of the bed, her hands clasped tightly together, her fingertips turning white.

Lu Qingyan picked up the wedding scale, took a deep breath, and gently lifted the veil.

Beneath the phoenix crown lay a face of exquisite beauty. Willow-leaf eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, a delicate nose, and crimson lips; her eyelashes trembled slightly with nervousness. The candlelight illuminated her face, making her breathtakingly beautiful.

The two looked at each other and remained silent for a moment.

The matchmaker smiled and served the nuptial wine. The two men each held a cup, their arms intertwined, and drank it all in one gulp. The wine was sweet, with the fragrance of osmanthus.

"May the bride and groom be forever united in heart and grow old together!" The wedding attendant said auspiciously, then led the maids out and gently closed the door behind them.

Only two people remained in the room.

The red candles crackled.

"You..." Yun Shuwei spoke first, her voice very soft, "Are you tired?"

"A little." Lu Qingyan sat down beside her. "What about you?"

"The phoenix crown is so heavy," she complained softly, then quickly added, "but it looks beautiful."

Lu Qingyan smiled: "I'll take it off for you."

He carefully removed the phoenix crown and placed it on the dressing table. Yun Shu breathed a slight sigh of relief and rubbed her neck.

"Lu Qingyan," she suddenly turned her head to look at him, "from now on we're husband and wife."

"Um."

"I will learn to be a good wife," she said earnestly. "Although I don't know anything about it now, I will learn."

Looking at her earnest expression, Lu Qingyan's heart softened: "I will also learn to be a good husband."

A noisy commotion drifted in from outside the window; guests were drinking in the front courtyard. The booming voice of Yun Qingwu could be faintly heard: "My brother-in-law is a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations! Anyone of you who wants to take the exams, toast him a few more times!"

The two looked at each other and smiled.

The red candle burned halfway down, and the candle wax slowly flowed down, condensing into flowers.

But at this moment, holding each other's hands, they both felt that they were no longer afraid of any storms ahead.