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

June 20th, Zichen Palace.

Morning light streamed through the high windows into the hall, illuminating the blue brick floor in alternating light and shadow. Zhou Yannian, the Vice Minister of War, stood bowed before the imperial desk, holding a memorial of urgent border reports in his hands. His speech was steady, yet his solemnity was undeniable:

"...The Northern Barbarian Left Wise King's tribe suffered a poor harvest in the pastures this spring, and has repeatedly harassed the border since the beginning of summer. Although it is only small groups of cavalry raiding villages and towns, the frequency is 50% higher than in previous years. The border general requests permission to mobilize troops to give them a good beating."

Emperor Zhao Heng sat behind his desk, dressed in a bright yellow casual robe, a hint of weariness in his eyes. He was thirty-five years old this year, and had been on the throne for ten years. He was no longer the ambitious and enterprising crown prince he once was. Now, the border, the court, and the inner palace—everything was draining his mind and energy.

"A crushing blow?" Zhao Heng rubbed his temples. "When mobilizing troops, supplies must come first. The Ministry of Revenue only reported last month that 800,000 taels of silver had already been allocated for disaster relief after the floods in the Yangtze and Huai River basins this summer. Where will the money and supplies come from to mobilize troops now?"

Zhou Yannian was silent for a moment: "Your Majesty is wise. However, the morale of the soldiers on the border needs to be boosted. If we only focus on defense, it may embolden the Northern Barbarians."

The words were phrased tactfully, but Zhao Heng could hear the dissatisfaction in them—military generals naturally want to win battles and earn military merit. He certainly did too. But the emperor had to consider far more than just military matters.

Just as he was pondering, footsteps sounded outside the hall. The chief eunuch, Gao Deshun, tiptoed in and knelt at the foot of the steps: "Your Majesty, Consort De has sent someone to report that His Highness the Third Prince has once again angered his tutor and driven him away."

Zhao Heng frowned: "How many is this time?"

"Your Majesty, this is the fourth one this year." Gao Deshun bowed his head. "The Consort De said that His Highness splashed ink on Master's robe and... and also put a grasshopper in Master's teacup."

The hall fell silent for a moment. Zhou Yannian kept his eyes down, seemingly oblivious to everything.

Zhao Heng took a deep breath, suppressing his irritation. He had a decent number of children—five sons and three daughters—but none of them were easy to manage. His eldest son, Zhao Jingzhan, was thirteen, born to the Empress. He was calm and composed, excelled in his studies, and was Zhao Heng's most valued son. His second son, Zhao Jinghong, was twelve, the son of Consort Zhao. He was gentle and refined, skilled in poetry and literature, but somewhat frail. And then there was his third son, Zhao Jingshuo, born to Consort De. He had just turned ten this year. While intelligent, he was exceptionally mischievous, having driven away so many tutors that they could fill a whole table.

The remaining two sons, the five-year-old fourth prince and the two-year-old fifth prince, showed little promise. The three daughters were well-behaved, but daughters are ultimately…

"Your Majesty," Zhou Yannian suddenly spoke up, "His Highness the Third Prince is young and lively, and ordinary tutors probably cannot keep him in check. I have thought of someone who might be worth a try."

"Oh? Who is it?"

"This year's third-place scholar, Lu Qingyan, is a compiler at the Hanlin Academy," Zhou Yannian said slowly. "During the palace examination, he proposed the strategy of 'using commerce to weaken the army.' Although it was somewhat bookish, his strength lay in his novel thinking and his unconventional approach. His Highness the Third Prince is intelligent and may need a mentor like him to guide him."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng looked up at Zhou Yannian. This Vice Minister of War was usually very composed, so why would he suddenly recommend a seventh-rank compiler today? After a moment's thought, he understood.

On the day of the palace examination, Lu Qingyan's remarks offended many military officers. Zhou Yannian, as the Vice Minister of War, did not say anything on the surface, but he was probably displeased. Now, recommending Lu Qingyan to teach the most troublesome Third Prince is not a sign of respect, but a deliberate attempt to flatter and kill him—if he teaches well, it is expected; if he does not teach well, he will be unworthy of his position and have only a hollow reputation.

What a clever tactic of using someone else to do the dirty work.

Zhao Heng sneered inwardly, but his face remained impassive: "I remember Lu Qingyan. His essay during the palace examination was indeed insightful." He paused, then added, "Gao Deshun."

"Your servant is here."

"Issue an imperial decree to summon Lu Qingyan, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, to the palace immediately."

"As you command."

When the imperial edict reached Wutong Lane, Lu Qingyan was practicing calligraphy in his study. Yun Shuwei was embroidering a handkerchief beside him, while Chunxing was brewing medicine under the eaves—the summer heat had been intense these past few days, and she had someone prepare some cooling tea to relieve the heat.

When the eunuch's shrill voice rang out in the courtyard, Yun Shuwei paused, poking a small hole in her handkerchief with the needle.

"Editor Lu, receive the decree."

Lu Qingyan straightened his clothes and knelt down. The imperial edict was brief, only stating that he was to enter the palace immediately to meet the emperor, without specifying the reason. But he already had a premonition—the Zhou family's matter had just been resolved, and the emperor's sudden summons was anything but ordinary.

After seeing the eunuch off, Yun Shuwei strode into the study, her face slightly pale: "Summoned at this time, could it be the Zhou family...?"

"Not necessarily." Lu Qingyan changed into his blue official robe, his movements steady. "If the Zhou family's affairs are exposed, it should be the Ministry of Justice that comes, not the imperial eunuch." He fastened his jade belt and looked at Yun Shuwei. "Don't worry, I'll be right back."

Yun Shuwei tugged at his sleeve, her eyes filled with worry: "I'll have Coachman Zhao take you. Be careful in everything after you enter the palace. If... if His Majesty asks about the Yongning case, just say you don't know anything about it."

She was afraid of a counterattack from the Zhou family. Lu Qingyan felt a warmth in his heart and squeezed her hand: "I know what I'm doing."

As the carriage headed towards the imperial city, Lu Qingyan closed his eyes to rest. However, many thoughts flashed through his mind: Zhou Yannian's recommendation? Li Mubai's arrangement? Or did the emperor himself remember him?

Either way, the journey will not be easy.

A side hall of the Zichen Palace.

Lu Qingyan knelt on the cold gold bricks and performed a grand salute: "Your subject Lu Qingyan, compiler of the Hanlin Academy, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise," Zhao Heng's voice came from above, carrying a hint of casualness. "Take a seat."

A young eunuch brought over an embroidered stool. Lu Qingyan thanked the emperor and sat down, keeping his eyes down and not daring to look directly at the emperor's face.

"Lu Qingyan, I remember your essay during the palace examination," Zhao Heng said slowly. "The four words 'strengthening the foundation and attacking the mind' are quite good. However, some military officers in the court think your views are those of a scholar, mere theoretical talk. What's your opinion?"

They've arrived. Alarm bells rang in Lu Qingyan's mind. He took a deep breath and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, I am young and inexperienced, and my words and thoughts are indeed inadequate. The soldiers on the border fight valiantly to protect our country, and I have nothing but admiration for them."

That was a smooth answer, neither denying himself nor flattering the military general. A hint of a smile flashed in Zhao Heng's eyes—he was quite clever.

"I have summoned you here today for a matter," Zhao Heng said, changing the subject. "The Third Prince, Jing Shuo, is ten years old this year, the perfect time for him to begin his studies. However, this child is very lively and cannot be kept in check by ordinary teachers. I have heard that you have a solid foundation in learning and are able to teach according to aptitude, so I would like to send you to the Imperial Study to be the Third Prince's tutor."

Lu Qingyan's heart skipped a beat.

The Third Prince Zhao Jingshuo—who in the capital doesn't know him, that little tyrant who drove away countless masters? This assignment is hardly a favor, it's clearly a pit of fire.

His mind raced. Why would the emperor suddenly send a seventh-rank compiler like him to tutor a prince? Was it someone's recommendation? Who was it? What was their intention?

"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation." Lu Qingyan rose from his seat and knelt down. "Your Highness the Third Prince is exceptionally intelligent, while I am of limited talent and learning, and I fear I am unfit for this position."

"Oh? You're unwilling?" Zhao Heng's tone was unreadable.

"Your subject dares not," Lu Qingyan bowed. "It is only because the prince's lectures concern the foundation of the nation. I am young and inexperienced, and I fear that I may delay Your Highness's studies."

A moment of silence fell over the hall. Zhao Heng looked at the young man kneeling on the ground. His blue official robe accentuated his slender figure, but his back was straight, and he was neither humble nor arrogant.

He's a man of principle, after all.

"If I say you can, then you can," Zhao Heng said calmly. "Report to the Imperial Study tomorrow. The Third Prince is unruly; you are to discipline him strictly. If he is well-behaved, I will reward him handsomely; if he is not well-behaved..." He paused, "You can decide for yourself."

There was no turning back now. Lu Qingyan kowtowed: "Your subject obeys the decree."

As Lu Qingyan emerged from the Zichen Palace, the sun was already setting. He walked along the palace wall path, the bluestone path scorching hot from the sun, his official robes soaked with sweat.

The Third Prince's tutor.

He smiled bitterly. If he did this job well, it would be the beginning of becoming the emperor's tutor, with a bright future; if he did it poorly, he would lose his official position at best, and at worst... Thinking of those masters who had been driven away by anger, he seemed to already see his own end.

Moreover, the Zhou family is behind this.

Back in Wutong Lane, Yun Shuwei was already waiting at the door. Seeing him get out of the car, she hurried to greet him: "How did it go?"

Lu Qingyan recounted the matter of meeting the emperor. Yun Shuwei's expression shifted upon hearing this, finally gritting her teeth and saying, "Zhou Yannian is trying to use someone else to do his dirty work!"

"I know." Lu Qingyan walked into the study, poured himself a cup of cold tea, "but the imperial decree has been issued, and there is no way to refuse."

Yun Shuwei paced around the room, then suddenly stopped. "Since I can't refuse, then I'll do it well." She turned to look at Lu Qingyan. "The Third Prince is mischievous, but he's still just a ten-year-old child. You can even handle Zhou Wenyuan, why are you afraid of a child?"

These words were spoken lightly, but both of them knew the danger involved. The prince was not an ordinary student; he could not be beaten or scolded. To speak too harshly would be to offend the imperial family, while to speak too leniently would be to be out of control.

"I will go with you tomorrow," Yun Shuwei suddenly said.

Lu Qingyan was taken aback: "What are you going to do?"

"I'll go and submit my request to see Consort De." Yun Shuwei's eyes gleamed. "The Third Prince is Consort De's son. If she wants to discipline the prince, she must first speak to his birth mother. I'll go and sound out Consort De's opinion; perhaps I can get some help."

"Weiwei, although you mean well, let me go see the Third Prince first. After all, you just received the imperial decree and you're already in the palace. It's easy for someone to impeach you." Lu Qingyan looked at her and thought to himself, "With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?"

"Alright, my husband, please take good care of yourself." Yun Shuwei thought about it and agreed, so she gave up her idea of ​​going to the palace.

That night, the study in Wutong Lane was brightly lit. Lu Qingyan took out the Book of Rites and the Classic of Filial Piety, and also found several teaching notes from the imperial tutors of previous dynasties, reading until the third watch of the night.