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

On the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, at Guanghe Tower.

Yun Shuwei booked a private room on the second floor, directly facing the stage, with an excellent view. The private room was separated by a screen, and inside were rosewood tables and chairs, with tea, fruit and snacks already prepared on the table.

When Lady Wang, wife of Vice Minister Zhou, entered, supported by her maid, Yun Shuwei rose to greet her. Lady Wang was dressed today in a crimson-purple brocade horse-face skirt, over which she wore a sandalwood-colored jacket. Her hair was meticulously styled, and she wore a complete set of red-gold headdresses, exuding the air of a Vice Minister's wife. She was about forty years old, with features bearing a slight resemblance to Zhou Wenyuan. Her expression carried the composure of someone accustomed to a high position, along with a subtle, almost imperceptible, scrutiny.

"Junior Yun greets Madam Zhou." Yun Shu bowed slightly, her posture respectful yet dignified. Today, she had specially chosen a smoky-colored silk skirt embroidered with lotus blossoms, paired with a moon-white vest. Her hair was styled elegantly, adorned only with a jade hairpin and two pearl flowers, showing both the gentleness of a bride and the dignity of a daughter of the Duke's mansion.

"Madam Lu, you're too kind." Madam Wang offered a helping hand, her gaze sweeping over Yun Shuwei, and she nodded inwardly. She had originally thought that this pampered young lady from the Duke's mansion would be full of resentment or too proud to leave her humble home after marrying into a poor family, but she hadn't expected the person in front of her to be so well-mannered and courteous.

The two sat down. Yun Shuwei personally poured tea from the teapot, using official kiln teacups that were the color of sky blue after rain: "This is Gu Zhu Zi Sun tea from this spring. I heard that you love tea, so I brought it especially for you. Please have a taste."

Madam Wang took the tea and saw that the tea soup was clear, the aroma was elegant, and the aftertaste was sweet. It was indeed a top-quality tea, and her expression softened a bit: "Madam Lu is very kind."

At this moment, gongs and drums sounded on the stage; today's performance was a newly arranged version of "The Jade Hairpin." When the scene of Miaochang and Bizheng bidding farewell at the pavilion came on, Madam Wang suddenly sighed softly.

Yun Shu turned slightly to the side, her tone concerned: "Is this tea not to your liking, Madam? I'll have someone replace it with another cup."

"No need," Madam Wang waved her hand, her gaze falling on the stage. "I was just thinking about some old things." She paused, then turned to Yun Shuwei. "I heard that Editor Lu was diligently revising the classics at the Hanlin Academy a few days ago?"

"He's here." Yun Shuwei understood in her heart, but she only smiled gently on her face: "My husband is young, and he is valued by Scholar Li, so he should do his best. However, he is still inexperienced and has not considered some things. I rely entirely on the guidance of the seniors." She spoke humbly, praising Li Mubai while also giving face to the other people in the Hanlin Academy.

Madam Wang glanced at her and said in a flat tone, "It's a good thing that young people are willing to put in the effort. Wen Yuan has often said during his years at the Hanlin Academy that he wants to learn from his colleagues."

“Editor Zhou is very knowledgeable, and my husband often mentions him.” Yun Shuwei continued, her tone sincere. “Just a few days ago, he said that Editor Zhou’s insights into the Yonghui Code are unique, and he has benefited greatly from them.”

That's a well-chosen statement. It praises Zhou Wenyuan while implying that Lu Qingyan isn't being confrontational, but rather showing a humble attitude of seeking advice.

Madam Wang's expression shifted slightly. She naturally knew her son's temperament and had also heard about the incident at the Ministry of Rites a few days ago. Today, Yun Shuwei had taken the initiative to invite her, and she had initially intended to test the waters. Now it seemed that this Madam Lu was not as arrogant as rumored, but rather quite tactful.

"Madam Lu is so young, yet so insightful," Wang said, her tone softening.

Yun Shu lowered her eyes slightly: "Before I got married, my mother often taught me that as a wife, I should be reasonable and know when to advance and retreat. My husband is an official in the court. Although I cannot share his burdens, I should not cause him trouble because of my ignorance." She spoke earnestly, perfectly portraying the image of a sensible and reasonable new wife.

Upon hearing this, a hint of approval flashed in Madam Wang's eyes. As the matriarch of a high-ranking family, she naturally knew how important it was for the lady of the house to maintain proper decorum. Yun Shuwei's words both stated her position and gave her, as an elder, ample face.

During the intermission, Yun Shuwei had her maid bring fresh tea and then took a brocade box that had been prepared beforehand: "A few days ago, while tidying up my makeup box, I came across this pair of South Sea pearl earrings. I am too young to properly handle such fine quality, and it would be a waste to leave them unused. I thought that with your elegant demeanor, Madam, they would be the perfect match, so I took the liberty of bringing them here. I hope Madam will not find them offensive."

When the brocade box was opened, inside were a pair of South Sea pearl earrings, each the size of a lotus seed. The pearls were lustrous, round, and flawless, clearly from the palace.

Wang hurriedly declined, saying, "This is too precious; I cannot accept it."

"If Madam doesn't accept it, it would mean that I find my gift too meager," Yun Shuwei said earnestly, with a touch of the coquettishness of a junior. "Besides, this item is a hidden gem in my hands, but it will be properly given to you, Madam. Please accept it as a small token of my filial piety, Madam, out of consideration for me."

Having said all that, it would be unreasonable to refuse any longer. Wang had no choice but to accept it, her opinion of Yun Shuwei rising even higher—she knew how to give gifts, and even more importantly, how to make someone feel comfortable receiving them.

Before the second half of the play began, Wang asked, "I heard that Editor Lu is from Yongning? Are his parents at home well?"

Yun Shuwei answered each question one by one, speaking of the Lu family's simple yet harmonious family traditions and Lu Qingyan's filial piety towards his parents, her words sincere and heartfelt.

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang sighed, "It is extremely difficult for a child from a poor family to achieve great things. It is evident that Editor Lu has achieved what he has today, demonstrating both excellent character and talent." She paused, then added seemingly casually, "If Wen Yuan had half the composure of Editor Lu, I would be at ease."

Yun Shuwei's heart stirred, knowing that this was Wang Shi relaying a message, so she said gently, "Editor Zhou is exceptionally talented, but he is a bit too impatient. My husband often says that when it comes to legal expertise, no one in the Hanlin Academy can surpass Editor Zhou. I think that with a few more years of experience, he will surely become a great man."

These words both affirmed Zhou Wenyuan's talent and gave him a way out. Madam Wang's expression relaxed, and she finally showed her first genuine smile of the day: "Thank you for your kind words, Madam Lu."

When the play ended, Madam Wang had completely lost her initial aloofness. She held Yun Shuwei's hand and said, "Thank you for your trouble today. If you have time in the future, please come to the mansion often and keep me company."

"Yes, I will definitely pay my respects to her often." Yun Shuwei respectfully replied and personally escorted Wang Shi to the carriage.

Back in Wutong Lane, Yun Shuwei recounted the day's events to Lu Qingyan in detail.

"Madam Zhou is a sensible woman." She removed her hairpins and changed into casual clothes. "She came today with three parts scrutiny and seven parts testing. But I saw that her attitude softened later, so she must have accepted our boundaries."

Lu Qingyan handed her a cup of warm tea: "You've worked hard. Dealing with elders is extremely exhausting."

"What's the big deal?" Yun Shu took a sip of tea, a sly glint in her eyes. "But I noticed that Madam Zhou seemed to have some worries on her face, and it wasn't just about Zhou Wenyuan." She put down her teacup. "I asked Lin Mama to inquire. It turns out that the Zhou family has been selling off a farm in the suburbs of the capital recently, as if they urgently need money."

Lu Qingyan was taken aback: "Sell the estate?"

"Hmm." Yun Shu nodded slightly. "Minister Zhou comes from a humble background. Although he has risen to the rank of Minister over the years, his family is still poor. I heard that his younger brother is not doing well in his hometown and is dragging down the family. Zhou Wenyuan's eagerness to get ahead is probably related to his family's financial situation."

Lu Qingyan suddenly realized. No wonder Zhou Wenyuan was always competing with him; he was beset by internal and external troubles and was eager to prove himself.

"Madam Zhou would naturally not say these things outright," Yun Shuwei said calmly. "But a lady from a prominent family would not easily sell off her property unless she had no other choice. Although she was dressed appropriately today, her clothes were from two years ago, and her headdress was also an old style. Others might not notice these habits, but I have been used to them since I was a child."

She spoke calmly, but Lu Qingyan was shocked. His wife was not only worldly-wise, but also incredibly observant.

"Those South Sea pearl earrings," he recalled the gift Yun Shuwei had given him, "were they imperial gifts?"

"It was a gift from Her Majesty the Empress two years ago." Yun Shuwei didn't seem to care. "No matter how good the things are, they have to be used in the right place. Giving them to Madam Zhou today is both proper etiquette and lets her know that we are not the kind of people who are short-sighted." She paused and looked at Lu Qingyan. "Don't worry, I still have these things. I won't touch the fundamentals."

Looking at her composed demeanor, Lu Qingyan suddenly recalled the way his mother worried about a few coins back home in Yongning. Two worlds, worlds apart.

"Shuwei," he said softly, "marrying me is a hardship for you."

Yun Shu was slightly taken aback, then laughed: "Don't talk nonsense again." She walked up to him, looked up at him, the candlelight making her eyes sparkle, "Our marriage was unexpected, but it was also the will of Heaven; if I were after wealth and status, how many princes and noblemen in the capital would I have chosen for myself?"

She reached out, her fingertips lightly tracing the rank badge on his official robe: "This blue robe may be only for a seventh-rank official now, but I believe it will eventually be changed to scarlet, then to purple." She withdrew her hand, her tone firm, "And until then, I will pave a smoother path for you."

Lu Qingyan held her hand, his palm warm: "I won't let you down."