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

On the first day of June, the atmosphere at the Hanlin Academy was somewhat subtle.

As soon as Lu Qingyan entered the duty room, he saw Editor Wang come up to him and whisper, "Brother Lu, something has happened."

"What is it?"

Editor Wang looked around and leaned closer: "Yesterday, someone from the Ministry of Rites came and said that there were several irregularities in the marriage section of the 'Collected Statutes' that we were revising." He pulled out a document from his sleeve, "These are the annotations returned by the Ministry of Rites."

Lu Qingyan took the document and examined it closely. This was the first draft of the chapter on weddings and funerals, which he had been writing, and it was covered with numerous annotations in vermilion ink. Some were genuine oversights, while others were nitpicking.

"This passage says 'Red silk can be used in commoners' wedding ceremonies,' but the annotation says 'Red silk is presumptuous; red cloth should be used instead.'" Lu Qingyan pointed to one of the passages, frowning. "I checked the *Jiayou Rituals Record*, and it clearly states..."

"Those people in the Ministry of Rites are the most rigid," Editor Wang sighed. "They said that the 'Jiayou Rites Record' is an old classic from the previous dynasty, and the current dynasty should take the 'Yonghe Rites System' as the standard." He lowered his voice, "I heard that Editor Zhou went to the Ministry of Rites the day before yesterday and talked to Physician Liu about something."

Lu Qingyan's eyes narrowed slightly. Zhou Wenyuan's father, Vice Minister Zhou, was in the Ministry of War, and he and Liu, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, were both Jinshi graduates of the same year, and the two had always been on good terms.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside. Zhou Wenyuan strolled in, and seeing the documents in Lu Qingyan's hands, feigned surprise: "Editor Lu, you've received the annotations too? Oh dear, those people in the Ministry of Rites just love to nitpick." He walked to his desk and sat down, slowly and methodically organizing the documents. "But then again, revising regulations is a major undertaking, and it certainly deserves more rigor. Editor Lu is new to the Hanlin Academy, so some oversights are understandable."

These words sounded comforting, but were actually derogatory. Editor Wang's face darkened, but Lu Qingyan remained calm: "Editor Zhou is right, and I will certainly keep that in mind."

Seeing that he remained unmoved, Zhou Wenyuan grew even more displeased and added, "Speaking of which, Scholar Li values ​​the 'Collected Statutes' very much. If Compiler Lu finds it difficult, why not inform the Scholar and have someone else revise the section on marriage rites?"

"No need for Editor Zhou to trouble himself," Lu Qingyan said calmly. "Since I have accepted this task, I will do my best."

Zhou Wenyuan was met with a cold shoulder, snorted, and stopped talking.

At noon, Lu Qingyan did not use the food box sent by Yun Shuwei, but went to the dining hall of the Hanlin Academy. He wanted to hear other people's opinions on the Ministry of Rites' annotations.

In the dining hall, several colleagues were discussing this matter.

"The Ministry of Rites is indeed being a bit harsh this time," a compiler surnamed Chen shook his head. "The rule that 'commoners may use red silk' is clearly recorded in the regulations of the previous dynasty. Although the current dynasty has not explicitly stated it, it has not prohibited it either."

"Liu Langzhong is usually very meticulous," another person said, "but this time he's written such detailed comments, which is unlike his usual style."

Lu Qingyan listened silently, making a plan in his mind. He quickly finished his meal, returned to his duty room, and took out "Yonghe Rituals" and "Jiayou Rituals" from the bookshelf, as well as several other books from previous dynasties, comparing them one by one.

Sure enough, several of the annotations from the Ministry of Rites were not standard practice for this dynasty, but rather deliberate attempts to make things difficult.

He picked up his pen to draft a rebuttal, listing the sources and quoting classical texts one by one. Halfway through, he suddenly remembered what Yun Shuwei had said: "When it's time to show your skills, there's no need to hide them."

He paused, then changed his writing style. Instead of simply refuting, he re-examined the revision process of the chapter on wedding rites, discussing the evolution of rituals and the current state of affairs, and finally proposing the view that "rituals should be moderate; excess is as bad as deficiency."

He wrote for two hours straight. By the time he put down his pen, dusk had already fallen outside the window.

Back in Wutong Lane, Yun Shuwei was waiting for him in the courtyard. Seeing his tired face, she came up to him and asked, "Did something bad happen to you today?"

Lu Qingyan briefly explained the matter of the Ministry of Rites' annotations. After listening, Yun Shuwei's eyebrows furrowed slightly: "Zhou Wenyuan sabotaged us?"

"There is no concrete evidence yet, but it's highly likely."

Yun Shu sneered, "That's all the tricks he has." She pulled Lu Qingyan to sit down in the pavilion and had Chunxing bring over some ginseng soup. "You drink the soup first, and I'll have Lin Mama go and inquire about it."

Lu Qingyan took the soup bowl: "No need for that..."

"What's the trouble?" Yun Shuwei interrupted him. "My mother has met the wife of Liu, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, a few times. I'll have Lin Mama deliver a letter, and we'll visit her tomorrow."

Lu Qingyan looked at her: "Are you going to the Liu residence?"

"Of course," Yun Shuwei said matter-of-factly. "If his wife is reasonable, she should know that Zhou Wenyuan is using someone else to do his dirty work. If she is not reasonable..." She smiled, "she wouldn't dare refuse our Yun family's invitation."

These words, though arrogant, warmed Lu Qingyan's heart. He took her hand: "Shuwei, these things shouldn't be your concern."

"Don't talk nonsense." Yun Shuwei pulled her hand back, her ears turning slightly red. "You are my husband. If I don't worry about you, who will?" She paused, then said seriously, "But don't worry, I won't do anything reckless. I'm just going to sound out what they're thinking, and by the way..." She smiled slyly, "to deliver a small gift."

The next day, Yun Shuwei indeed went to the Liu residence. She brought a box of top-quality bird's nest, two bolts of newly made Yun brocade, and a pair of mutton-fat jade safety buckles—the gifts were not expensive, but everything was exquisite.

Madam Liu was a woman in her forties, simply dressed, with kind eyes and brows. Upon seeing Yun Shuwei, she was very polite: "Madam Lu, you're too kind, bringing all this."

"It's just a small token of my appreciation." Yun Shu smiled gently. "My mother often says that Madam Liu is very kind and encourages me to visit her often."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Yun Shuwei subtly brought up the main topic: "Speaking of which, my husband is working on the 'Collected Statutes' at the Hanlin Academy, and he's been worrying about the section on marriage rites these past few days."

Madam Liu's expression shifted slightly: "Is it about the Ministry of Rites' annotations?"

"Exactly." Yun Shu sighed softly. "My husband is young and doesn't understand many rules. It's only right that the Ministry of Rites gave such detailed comments, but there are a few places..." She paused, revealing a troubled expression at just the right moment.

Madam Liu was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "My husband is extremely meticulous in his work. However..." She glanced at Yun Shuwei, "The Ministry of Rites has been very busy lately, perhaps the staff has been negligent. Madam Lu, don't worry, I will go back and talk to my husband about it."

Yun Shuwei understood, knowing that Madam Liu had agreed to help put in a good word. She smiled and changed the subject, chatting about everyday things, and then took her leave after sitting for about half an hour.

Back in Wutong Lane, Yun Shuwei told Lu Qingyan about her meeting with Madam Liu.

"Madam Liu is a sensible woman," she said. "Although she didn't say it explicitly, her words implied that the annotations were not Doctor Liu's original intention." She sneered, "It must have been Zhou Wenyuan who interfered."

Lu Qingyan pondered for a moment and said, "Even so, the Ministry of Rites' annotations still need to be revised."

"Of course." Yun Shuwei took out a small booklet from her sleeve. "This is something I asked Granny Lin to find at home. It's a notebook from when my grandfather participated in revising the Yonghe Ritual System. It contains some records about wedding ceremonies, which may be useful to you."

Lu Qingyan took the booklet, opened it, and his eyes lit up. This was the old Duke's private collection. It not only contained the original text of the regulations, but also annotations and even recorded the details of the debates in the court back then.

"This is too valuable."

"It'll just gather dust at home anyway," Yun Shuwei said nonchalantly. "It's a blessing if it can be used."

With this notebook, Lu Qingyan was like a tiger with wings. He revised the manuscript overnight, incorporating the old Duke's insights and refining his own view of "propriety in moderation".

Three days later, he presented the revised manuscript, along with his rebuttal, to Li Mubai.

Li Mubai studied it carefully for an hour, and finally looked up with approval in his eyes: "Qingyan, you wrote this very well." He pointed to several parts, "especially here, where you quoted the old Duke's insights, which both respected the etiquette and focused on the present. And these four words, 'etiquette is moderate,' are the finishing touch."

"You flatter me with the degree of Bachelor."

"It's no compliment," Li Mubai said seriously. "When revising regulations, the worst thing is to be rigid and inflexible. The fact that you thought of this shows that you've put your heart into it." He put away the manuscript. "I'll go see Physician Liu tomorrow. You don't need to worry about the Ministry of Rites."

Sure enough, two days later, the Ministry of Rites sent over the annotations again. This time, the annotations were brief, with only a few insignificant details changed, and all the nitpicking comments were erased.

The news spread, and it caused quite a stir in the Hanlin Academy.

Zhou Wenyuan's face turned ashen upon learning this. He had intended to use the Ministry of Rites to put Lu Qingyan in a better position, but instead, he had only helped Lu Qingyan succeed. What angered him even more was that Li Mubai had praised Lu Qingyan in front of everyone, saying he had "broad thinking and unique insights." If word got out, who wouldn't think more highly of Lu Qingyan?

After finishing his shift, Lu Qingyan returned to Wutong Lane. Yun Shuwei was waiting for him in the study. Seeing him return, she smiled and asked, "How did it go?"

"It's settled." Lu Qingyan handed her the newly annotated document from the Ministry of Rites. "Scholar Li went to the Ministry of Rites in person, and Vice Minister Liu approved it."

Yun Shuwei took it and looked at it, nodding in satisfaction: "I knew you could do it." She paused, a sly glint in her eyes, "However, we can't just let Zhou Wenyuan off the hook like this."

Lu Qingyan looked at her: "What do you want to do?"

"Nothing much," Yun Shu smiled innocently. "I just heard that Vice Minister Zhou's wife loves watching operas. There's a new play at Guanghe Tower in a few days, and I'd like to invite her to see it and have a chat."

Lu Qingyan chuckled. His wife, though seemingly delicate, was anything but soft-hearted.

"Shuwei, these things..."

"I know you don't like these things." Yun Shuwei walked over and took off his outer robe. "But that's how the world is. We don't cause trouble, but we can't let others bully us either." She looked up at him, her eyes bright. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Lu Qingyan looked at her, then suddenly reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Yun Shu was slightly taken aback, then her cheeks flushed red, but she did not break free.