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

On the 20th of May, the morning light was just beginning to break.

When Lu Qingyan woke up, the bed beside him was empty. The quilt was still warm, and the pillow had a faint fragrance. He got up and put on his clothes, and there was a slight noise coming from the other room.

Pushing open the door, Yun Shuwei was already sitting in front of the mirror, doing her makeup. Today, she wore a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) embroidered with lotus patterns, her long hair styled in a simple single bun, adorned only with a white jade hairpin, simple and elegant. Chunxing was drawing her eyebrows when she saw Yun Shuwei see Lu Qingyan in the mirror, and the corners of her lips curved slightly: "Awake?"

"Hmm." Lu Qingyan walked behind her, looked at the person in the mirror, and said, "You got up early today."

"You're going to the Hanlin Academy, you can't be late." Yun Shuwei took out a small gilded incense box from her makeup case, opened it, and inside was a pale blue paste. "Give me your hand."

Lu Qingyan reached out his hand as instructed. Yun Shuwei used her fingertips to pick up some ointment and gently applied it to his hand. The ointment was cool and refreshing, with a scent of orchids.

"What is this?"

"It's for moisturizing your hands. I see you have thin calluses on your knuckles, it must be from writing." She applied the ointment very carefully, not even missing the spaces between her fingers. "Those old men in the Hanlin Academy are very particular about these things, they'll laugh at you if your hands are rough."

Lu Qingyan looked at her lowered eyes and felt a warmth in his heart.

After applying hand cream, Yun Shuwei got up and walked to the wardrobe, opening one of the camphor wood chests. Inside the chest were more than ten sets of clothes neatly folded, all made of the finest brocade and silk from Hangzhou, in colors ranging from dark blue and indigo to moon white and bamboo green, simple yet dignified.

"Wear this today." She took out a straight robe in the color of sky blue after rain. The material was soft silk gauze, a new tribute from Jiangnan this year. It was light and breathable, and when held up to the light, there were faint cloud patterns. "Only ten bolts of this material were obtained in the palace. Her Majesty the Empress gave me two bolts."

Lu Qingyan took the clothes; they were cool to the touch, like holding flowing water. He had never seen such a material before, not even after he passed the imperial examination.

After he changed his clothes, Yun Shuwei took out a white jade belt and personally tied it around his neck. The jade belt was warm and smooth, carved with simple cloud patterns, which complemented the white jade hairpin in his hair.

"Turn around so I can see you." She took two steps back, looked you up and down, and nodded with satisfaction. "You look alright."

Lu Qingyan looked down at his own attire. From the inside out, from the materials to the workmanship, everything was top-notch. He suddenly remembered the faded blue robe he wore at Yongning's house, with patches on the cuffs. In just two years, the difference was like night and day.

"What are you spacing out for?" Yun Shuwei walked up to him, looked up at him, and asked, "Are you not used to it?"

"No." Lu Qingyan paused, "I just feel... it's too expensive."

Yun Shu raised an eyebrow: "My dowry, why would I leave it to get moldy?" As she spoke, she took a brocade box from the curio cabinet, opened it, and inside was a set of the Four Treasures of the Study—a sandalwood brush holder, an inkstone from the Duanxi Old Pit, a set of twelve Huzhou brushes, and a piece of fine pine soot ink.

"Take these with you too." She handed him the brocade box. "The official items used in the Hanlin Academy are too crude and don't do justice to your calligraphy."

Lu Qingyan took the brocade box, wanting to say something, but saw that Yun Shuwei had already turned around to order breakfast.

The table was simply yet exquisitely set: glutinous rice porridge, crystal shrimp dumplings, and a few refreshing side dishes. Yun Shuwei served him some porridge and then picked up a shrimp dumpling: "Eat quickly, so you can go out."

After breakfast, the head nurse, Granny Lin, was already waiting outside the hall. Granny Lin was Yun Shuwei's wet nurse, who had come with her from the Duke's mansion. She was in her fifties, with her hair neatly combed and her eyes sharp and intelligent.

"Young master, the carriage is ready," said Granny Lin, bowing. "As Miss instructed, we're using the one with the blue woolen cloak; it's understated yet respectable."

Lu Qingyan nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, Granny."

Yun Shuwei escorted him to the courtyard gate, then suddenly remembered something and went back into the house. A moment later, she came out with a purse: "Take this with you."

The purse was made of indigo satin, embroidered with bamboo patterns, and the stitches were fine.

"What's inside?"

"A few taels of silver, and a fifty-tael silver note." Yun Shuwei stuffed the purse into his sleeve. "It's inevitable to have social obligations among colleagues; you can't let people think you're stingy. Ask me if you need more if you need it."

Lu Qingyan stared at the bulging purse in his sleeve, speechless for a moment. He recalled how, back in Yongning, his family had to scrimp and save for half a year just to afford a two-tael tuition fee. Now, he could casually hold fifty taels, and it was still "small change."

"What's wrong?" Yun Shuwei noticed his expression and assumed he was displeased. She pursed her lips and said, "If you don't like it, I won't give it to you next time."

"It's not bad," Lu Qingyan said gently, "it's just that I'm not used to it."

Yun Shuwei smiled and said, "You'll get used to it." She straightened his clothes and said, "Go on, come back soon."

The carriage was waiting at the alley entrance. It was indeed a simple carriage with a blue woolen drape, but the interior was spacious and comfortable, with soft cushions and a small table set with tea and snacks. The driver was a man in his forties surnamed Zhao, who had also come from the Duke's mansion; he drove very steadily.

The Hanlin Academy was located on the east side of the Imperial City, adjacent to the Six Ministries. The building, with its blue bricks and gray tiles, and two stone lions at the entrance, exuded solemnity and grandeur.

As Lu Qingyan got out of the carriage, she happened to run into Zhou Wenyuan. Zhou Wenyuan was dressed in a royal blue silk robe, which was quite respectable, but his expression turned somewhat unpleasant upon seeing Lu Qingyan's attire.

"Editor Lu, you look quite impressive today." Zhou Wenyuan looked him up and down, his gaze lingering on the jade belt at his waist. "This jade belt... is it from the batch of tributes from the Western Regions two years ago? The Emperor bestowed it upon the Duke's mansion, but I didn't expect it to end up on you."

The sourness in his tone was impossible to hide.

Lu Qingyan said calmly, "Editor Zhou is joking. It's just an ordinary item."

"Ordinary?" Zhou Wenyuan scoffed. "Editor Lu's standards have risen now; he calls this kind of thing ordinary." He paused, then added, "Indeed, having married the daughter of the Duke's family, he naturally looks down on these things."

These words were harsh, but Lu Qingyan merely glanced at him indifferently: "If Editor Zhou has nothing else to do, I'll go check in first."

Having said that, he went straight into the courtyard.

Zhou Wenyuan stood there, his face ashen. His colleagues nearby exchanged glances, none of them daring to utter a sound.

Today was Lu Qingyan's first day on duty after his honeymoon. Upon seeing him, Headmaster Li Mubai rarely smiled: "Qingyan's back. How was your wedding?"

"Thank you for your concern, Scholar. Everything is fine."

Li Mubai nodded and picked up a document from the table: "You've come at the right time. The Ministry of Rites is revising the ceremonial section of the 'Da Yong Hui Dian,' and our Hanlin Academy has been assigned the section on weddings and funerals. You're newly married, so you should be familiar with these matters. You'll be in charge of drafting it."

This was a respectable task, but also a test. Lu Qingyan respectfully accepted it: "This student will certainly do his best."

"Go ahead," Li Mubai waved his hand. "If you don't understand anything, come and ask me."

Lu Qingyan returned to his duty room. The room was small, with a table, a chair, and a bookshelf; it was bright and clean. He placed the brocade box on the table and took out the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper) and arranged them. The Duan inkstone was of fine texture, and his breath created a halo around it; the Huzhou brush had a sharp, waist-length nib—both were of superior quality.

When his roommate, Editor Wang, came in, his eyes widened at the sight of the items on his desk: "Brother Lu, this set of yours... it's incredible!"

Lu Qingyan smiled and said, "My wife prepared it."

"Your wife is truly thoughtful." Editor Wang leaned closer to examine the inkstone, marveling at it. "This is from an old mine, isn't it? It's hard to find on the market these days." He then looked at the ink, "Pine soot ink? Or aged ink?"

As the two were talking, someone knocked on the door. It was a minor official, holding a food box: "Editor Lu, this is from your residence."

Lu Qingyan was taken aback, then took the food box and opened it. Inside were three layers: the first layer contained four kinds of pastries—lotus flower pastry, almond cream, jujube and yam cake, and rose cake; the second layer contained several kinds of seasonal fruits; the third layer was a small porcelain bowl, and when the lid was lifted, it contained warm rock sugar bird's nest.

A note was attached to the food box, written in delicate handwriting: "Knowing you were in a hurry this morning and might not have had enough, I've prepared some snacks. Bird's nest is good for the lungs; one bowl a day is essential. —Shuwei"

Editor Wang, watching from the side, exclaimed enviously, "Brother Lu is so lucky!"

Lu Qingyan looked at the note, a slight smile playing on his lips. He shared some of the snacks and fruits with Editor Wang, keeping the bird's nest and two pieces of pastry for himself.

In the afternoon, Lu Qingyan began to organize the materials in the "Collected Statutes". The Hanlin Academy had a rich collection of books. He found several books on the regulations of previous dynasties and also found the wedding records of the current dynasty, comparing them one by one.

Just as he was engrossed in reading, Zhou Wenyuan walked in. He glanced at the books on Lu Qingyan's desk, then noticed the exquisite food box, and said with a half-smile, "Editor Lu is really living a comfortable life, having snacks to enjoy while working."

Lu Qingyan didn't even look up: "Is there something you need, Editor Zhou?"

"Scholar Li asked me to check on the progress." Zhou Wenyuan casually flipped through the book he had opened. "Weddings, funerals... Heh, Editor Lu is an experienced person now, writing about this is quite appropriate."

These words were sarcastic, but Lu Qingyan pretended not to hear them and continued to bury himself in his writing.

Zhou Wenyuan found it boring and left after standing there for a while. Before leaving, he caught a glimpse of the corner of Lu Qingyan's purse peeking out from his sleeve. The indigo satin shimmered softly in the light, making his eyes sting.

In the late afternoon, Lu Qingyan packed his things and walked out of the Hanlin Academy. Coachman Zhao was already waiting outside the door. When he saw him come out, he quickly put down a footstool.

Back in Wutong Lane, before even entering the courtyard, I smelled a fragrance. It was the sweet scent of osmanthus mixed with the slightly bitter aroma of some medicinal herb.

Pushing open the door, she found Yun Shuwei sitting on the veranda, flipping through account books. Seeing her return, he closed the book and stood up. "You're back?" She moved closer, sniffing him. "You smell of ink. Go take a bath. The hot water is ready."

Lu Qingyan did as instructed and went to take a bath. The bathhouse was steaming, and on the small table next to the tub were clean clothes and a small dish with a few mint leaves—to be held in his mouth to refresh himself after bathing.

Such thoughtfulness and meticulousness were something he had never experienced before.

After bathing and changing, he returned to the main hall. Dinner was already laid out: four dishes and a soup, all lightly seasoned. Yun Shuwei served him the soup: "How was your day at the Hanlin Academy? Did anyone give you any trouble?"

"No." Lu Qingyan paused. "Zhou Wenyuan said a few sarcastic things, but it's nothing."

Yun Shu raised an eyebrow: "What did he say?"

"It's nothing serious."

Yun Shuwei, however, refused to give up. Under her persistent questioning, Lu Qingyan had no choice but to give a brief explanation. After listening, she sneered, "He's just jealous." She then placed a piece of fish on Lu Qingyan's plate, "Don't pay him any mind. His father is merely a Vice Minister of War; our Yun family doesn't even consider him a threat."

These words, though arrogant, warmed Lu Qingyan's heart.

After dinner, the two went to the study. Lu Qingyan continued writing the manuscript of the "Collected Statutes," while Yun Shuwei took a book and sat on the soft couch by the window to read.

The candlelight flickered, occasionally flashing a spark. The study was quiet, save for the sounds of turning pages and writing.

After writing for an hour, Lu Qingyan put down his pen and rubbed his wrist. Seeing this, Yun Shuwei put down her book and came over: "Are your hands sore? Let me massage them for you."

She took his hand and gently massaged his knuckles. Her hand was soft and warm, with just the right amount of pressure.

"Today, Scholar Li gave me a task: to revise the marriage section of the 'Collected Statutes'," Lu Qingyan said.

Yun Shuwei's eyes lit up: "You're good at this! We're newly married, all those customs are new to us." She thought for a moment, "Do you want me to show you my dowry list? There are some regulations on the items on it, maybe it will be useful."

Lu Qingyan was slightly taken aback: "The dowry list?"

"Okay, I'll have Lin Mama bring it to you later." Yun Shuwei finished massaging her left hand and switched to her right. "By the way, I'm going to host a small banquet in a few days and invite a few ladies and young women I know to come over. If you have any colleagues' families, you can invite them too."

It's time to start socializing and networking. Lu Qingyan nodded: "Okay, you can arrange it."

After rubbing her hands, Yun Shuwei brought over a cup of ginseng tea: "Drink it before you write, don't stay up too late."

Lu Qingyan took the teacup, looked at her soft profile under the lamplight, and suddenly said, "Shuwei, thank you."

Yun Shu was slightly taken aback: "Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for all of this." Lu Qingyan looked around the study. "Clothes, stationery, snacks, and..." He paused, "and you."

Yun Shu's face flushed slightly, and she looked away, saying, "What nonsense are you talking about?" Her voice softened.