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

As Wang the matchmaker left the Lu family home, she cursed all the way.

"What's with the arrogance? You don't want a hundred taels of silver? You deserve to be poor!" She hurried towards Liu Family Village, her mind racing, trying to figure out how to explain things to Landlord Liu. The matchmaker's money she was about to receive had vanished; she needed to come up with an explanation.

The landlord Liu's house was at the east end of the village, with high walls made of blue bricks and a black lacquered gate. Matchmaker Wang knocked on the door, and a servant led her into the main room.

The landlord, Liu, was in his fifties, portly, wearing a silk jacket, and was drinking tea from a bowl. Seeing her enter, he raised his eyes and asked, "Did you succeed?"

Matchmaker Wang forced a smile, then immediately changed it to a worried expression: "Master Liu, the Lu family doesn't know what's good for them!"

"Oh?" Landlord Liu put down his teacup.

"I pleaded and begged, offering a hundred taels of silver! But they absolutely refused." Matchmaker Wang added fuel to the fire, "That Mrs. Lu even said that coming to our door was like selling her son, that her son was precious and she wouldn't sell him! Listen to that, what kind of talk is that?"

Landlord Liu's face darkened.

"I've been a matchmaker for so many years, and I've never seen anyone so stubborn," she continued. "I advised them that with this money, their third son wouldn't have to worry about studying for the imperial examinations, and their second son could also help out in town. What a great thing! But they just wouldn't listen, saying that their eldest son had to support them in their old age and couldn't leave."

Landlord Liu tapped his fingers on the table: "His third son, is he the one who passed the imperial examination?"

"Yes, yes, his name is Lu Qingyan. He's sixteen years old and just passed the preliminary imperial examination. I heard he's quite good at studying." Matchmaker Wang's eyes darted around. "However, scholars are aloof and look down on us nouveau riche."

"What were his exact words?"

"He said..." Recalling Lu Qingyan's calm yet resolute gaze, Wang the matchmaker felt a surge of anger and added, "He said the Liu family's threshold was too high, and their Lu family couldn't afford it. He also said... he also said that even if they died poor, they wouldn't sell his brother for money."

After a moment of silence, Liu the landlord suddenly laughed: "You do have backbone."

Matchmaker Wang was taken aback.

"I have three daughters and no sons, so I'm looking for someone with backbone, someone who can support the family." Landlord Liu picked up his teacup. "I've seen too many spineless people; someone like this is actually quite rare."

"So, what does the master mean?"

"If the eldest son of the Lu family isn't suitable, then it'll be the second," said Landlord Liu. "I heard his second son is an apprentice in town?"

"Yes, his name is Lu Xiaoshan. He's been learning carpentry in town for three years and is almost finished with his apprenticeship."

"A carpenter is good; with a skill, one won't starve," Liu the landlord calculated. "Now that the second son is coming to the door, not the eldest, the Lu family should be willing, right? The dowry will be the same, one hundred taels."

Matchmaker Wang's eyes lit up, but then she frowned: "But the second son of the Lu family lives in town, I'm afraid he won't want to go back to the village..."

"Aren't you just an apprentice in town? Come here, you'll have land and a house, and you can be your own boss." Landlord Liu waved his hand. "Go and tell them that I've taken a liking to the Lu family because of their good family traditions and the sons' filial piety and competence. I'll treat the second son like my own son, and he'll get a share of the family fortune in the future."

Matchmaker Wang nodded repeatedly: "Sir, you are so kind! I'll go and tell them right away!"

"Wait a minute," Landlord Liu called out to her. "Tell the Lu family that I don't necessarily need a son to carry on the family line. I have three daughters, and they need a reliable person to help manage the family business. The second daughter coming to our door isn't selling herself; it's a marriage alliance, a partnership to make a living together."

That's a well-chosen saying. Matchmaker Wang knew perfectly well that Landlord Liu just needed a son, but he didn't want to marry one of those lazy bums who were after his wealth. The Lu family's sons had a good reputation; the eldest was honest and hardworking, the second had a skill, and the third was good at studying. Children raised in such a family couldn't be bad.

"I understand, I understand," Matchmaker Wang laughed. "If the Lu family were smart, they should agree. One hundred taels! That's enough for them to use for many years!"

Landlord Liu picked up his teacup: "Go. Give me an answer within three days."

Matchmaker Wang left happily.

Stepping out of the Liu family's house, she was troubled again. The Lu family's attitude was hard to predict. If the eldest son wasn't willing, would the second son, who had seen the world in town, be willing to return to the village?

She needs to come up with an explanation.

Lost in thought, she returned to town. Passing a carpenter's shop, she peeked inside. Several apprentices were planing wood, wood shavings scattered all over the floor. A tall, thin young man was sawing, his vest soaked with sweat.

That must be Lu Xiaoshan, right? Matchmaker Wang remembered seeing him twice; he was handsome and efficient.

She didn't go inside, but continued walking home. She needed to let the Lu family know first and see their reaction.

The next morning, Wang the matchmaker went to Lujia Village again.

This time, she didn't go straight in. Instead, she wandered around the village, chatting with a few women and letting them know that Landlord Liu had taken a liking to the second son of the Lu family. She knew that words traveled faster than people.

Sure enough, before noon, Zhao heard rumors.

"Have you heard? Landlord Liu has taken a liking to your Xiaoshan!"

"It's the same price for door-to-door service, also one hundred taels!"

"Oh dear, Xiaoshan is learning a trade in town, going to the Liu family is definitely a good deal..."

Zhao was washing clothes by the river when she heard this, and she almost hit her foot with the washing mallet. She quickly finished washing the clothes and hurried home with the basin in her hand.

When she arrived home, Lu Qingyan was reading in the courtyard. Seeing her pale face, she quickly asked, "Mother, what's wrong?"

Zhao put down the basin, panting, "The Liu family...the Liu family is here again!"

"What?"

"Everyone in the village is saying that Landlord Liu has taken a liking to your second brother and wants him to come to his house, also for a hundred taels..." Zhao's voice trembled, "This... if this gets to your second brother's ears..."

Lu Qingyan frowned. His second brother, Lu Xiaoshan, was an apprentice in town, handing over all his monthly earnings to the family. He was a hardworking and shrewd man. Even if it was just a rumor, the thought of his family "selling" him for money would be hurtful.

"Mother, don't worry." He helped Zhao Shi sit down. "The matchmaker hasn't come yet; it's just a rumor. When she does, we'll talk it out face to face."

"But what if your second brother heard this? What would he think?" Zhao's eyes reddened. "Xiaoshan has always been a man of few words, but he's very perceptive. He endured hardship in town to learn a trade and help support the family. If he thinks we..."

"Second brother wouldn't think that way," Lu Qingyan said. "He knows who our family is."

Just then, Lu Tiezhu and Lu Dashan returned from the fields. Upon hearing this, Lu Tiezhu tapped his pipe: "Nonsense! If the eldest isn't good enough, then the second? Do you think my Lu family's sons are like radishes at the market, to be picked at will?"

Lu Dashan said in a muffled voice, "If my second brother finds out..."

"We can't let him know," Zhao said urgently. "He'll be back at the end of the month, we have to make things clear before then."

Before the words were finished, the courtyard gate rang.

Matchmaker Wang pushed open the door and came in, this time with a big smile on her face, carrying a bag of snacks in her hand.

"Sister-in-law Lu, I'm here again!" she said as she entered. "Great news, wonderful news!"

Zhao stood up, her face pale: "Aunt Wang, if you still want to talk about the Liu family, please leave."

"Oh dear, sister-in-law, don't rush, let me finish." Matchmaker Wang placed the snacks on the table. "This time it's different. Master Liu said he's not buying a son, but he values ​​your sons for their potential and good character. The eldest son is the eldest, so it's right that he doesn't come to live with you. But the second son is an apprentice in town; he'll need to get married someday, won't he? Coming to the Liu family means there's a ready-made house and land; isn't that better than working for others in town?"

She finished speaking in one breath and observed the expressions on the faces of the Lu family members.

Lu Tiezhu said with a stern face, "The second son won't do either."

"Brother Lu, think about it," Matchmaker Wang pleaded earnestly. "If Xiaoshan stays in town, even if he learns his craft, he'll only be a carpenter. How much can he earn in a year? Come to the Liu family, and he'll have twenty acres of good land, three large brick houses, and Master Liu said he'll treat him like his own son. He'll also have a share of the family fortune. It's like a windfall!"

Zhao gritted her teeth: "Aunt Wang, please stop talking. My son Xiaoshan is learning a trade so he can earn a living through his own abilities. He doesn't want other people's property."

"Sister-in-law, you're wrong about that," Matchmaker Wang shook her head. "Making a living with your skills, how tiring is that? Look at Xiaoshan, he works from dawn till dusk in the shop, his hands are calloused. Coming to the Liu family, he'll be the young master, how respectable!"

Lu Qingyan spoke up: "Aunt Wang, we appreciate Landlord Liu's kindness. But my second brother has his own path to follow, and we can't dictate to him."

"You're his parents, how can you not be in charge?" Matchmaker Wang raised her voice. "One hundred taels! Enough for your family to turn your lives around! Qingyan needs money for school, Dashan needs money for his wedding, and Xiaoshan will need money for his own future. One hundred taels will solve everything!"

Every word struck a chord with people.

Lu Tiezhu took a few deep drags on his cigarette, then stood up: "Dashan, go to the fields."

It's that same trick again.

Matchmaker Wang cried out anxiously, "Brother Lu, please don't go! This matter..."

"Aunt Wang," Lu Qingyan stepped in front of her, "Please go back. My second brother's matter will have to wait for him to return so he can decide. But we can tell you that he will not go to the Liu family."

How did you know?

"Because my second brother isn't greedy for wealth," Lu Qingyan said. "He studied his trade in town for three years, never complaining no matter how hard or tiring it was, all so that he could learn it and earn money honestly to support his family. He wouldn't accept a thousand taels of silver from a son-in-law who wanted to marry into the family."

The matchmaker looked at him for a long time, then sighed, "Your Lu family... is really stubborn."

She picked up the pastries, turned, and left. But as she reached the door, she turned back: "Master Liu said to wait three days. Think about it again."

The courtyard gate was closed.

The courtyard was deathly silent.

Zhao slumped onto the stool, tears streaming down her face: "What has happened...?"

Lu Qingyan poured her a bowl of water: "Mother, don't cry. When Second Brother comes back at the end of the month, we'll talk things out as a family. Second Brother understands."

Lu Tiezhu stood in the courtyard, looking up at the sky, and after a long while said, "Xiaoshan will be back at the end of the month. Don't mention this to anyone."

"But the news has spread throughout the village..."

"Even if word gets out, we won't mention it." Lu Tiezhu turned around, his eyes weary. "Xiaoshan is a sensitive child. If we don't say anything, he'll act like nothing happened."

Lu Qingyan nodded. But in his heart, he thought, "My second brother is in town; he'll hear about it sooner or later. It's better for the family to explain it clearly than for him to hear it from others."

That night, he wrote under the lamp. He was writing the fifth chapter of a story where the protagonist encountered a benefactor who offered help, but he refused, insisting on relying on himself. As he wrote, his pen stopped.

He thought of his second brother, Lu Xiaoshan.

In my memory, my second brother was two years older than me. He was a man of few words, but the most hardworking. Before he went to town to become an apprentice, he filled the water vat at home, chopped the firewood, and secretly slipped me a few copper coins: "Third brother, study hard."

What would a person like that think if he knew that his family had refused a hundred taels of silver on his behalf?

Will you feel guilty? Will you feel like you're a burden to your family?

Lu Qingyan put down his pen.

We need to make money as soon as possible. Once we've made enough money and the family is financially secure, these things won't overwhelm us.

He continued writing. His pen flew across the paper, each character written with force.