The Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 20

In the Huai Xiu Pavilion of the Yin residence, Mrs. Li, the wife of the eldest son, was sitting in the hall, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief. Her husband, Yin Licheng, paced back and forth in the room, moving from left to right and back again. Finally, he slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacup lid to shatter into pieces on the floor, creating a loud, jarring noise.

“Cry, cry, cry! All you do is cry! Don’t you manage that good daughter of yours? That wretched girl, who pushed someone into the lake last year and nearly killed a servant who had been with us for ten years this year… And today she even made a scene in front of the imperial envoy sent by the Third Prince? Tell her that if she doesn’t want to live anymore, she should end it herself and not stay in the house to cause more trouble!”

“Husband, she is your daughter!” Mrs. Li slammed the handkerchief down, crying and shouting in anger.

“I know she’s my daughter, and that’s why I’ve endured for so long. But look at her—she doesn’t even resemble a proper lady. Even a country woman would have more manners and propriety. And you still hope to find her a good marriage? With her temperament, if she were to marry into a high family, who knows what kind of trouble she would bring to our house.”

“Husband…” Mrs. Li’s crying grew louder.

Yin Licheng, frustrated by her tears, left with a final statement: “Now even her father is speaking out. If she doesn’t change her ways, we’ll send her to the family temple to be disciplined. We’ll discuss the matter of her marriage to the Third Prince another time. Our family isn’t limited to just her as a daughter!”

With that, he stormed out, and as he reached the garden, he ran into his nephew, Tao Yiqian, and Mingshu standing there.

“My nephew has come to pay respects to my uncle and aunt,” Tao Yiqian quickly greeted with a respectful bow.

Mingshu followed with her head bowed.

Yin Licheng, feeling irritated, did not ask who Mingshu was and simply said, “Go in and comfort your aunt.”

As soon as Yin Licheng left, Mingshu stuck out her tongue at Tao Yiqian, noting that their timing was poor—they had walked into a marital dispute, and the shouting had been loud enough to be heard from the garden.

At the door, a maid lifted the curtain, and Mingshu suddenly remembered something. She stopped Tao Yiqian and whispered, “Don’t mention that I’m Lu Chang’s sister.”

Tao Yiqian looked at her in confusion. She briefly explained, “I don’t want to affect my brother’s career.”

Lu Chang was a top scholar from Jiangning Prefecture, well-known and a major contender among the current scholars. In the future, he would need to form connections with high-ranking officials. Although she was not a servant, being a companion in the Yin household might seem similar to being a servant. If Lu Chang were to become prominent, it wouldn’t look good if it got out that his sister was working as a companion. Additionally, the Yin family was a royal in-law, and the politics of the officialdom could be quite intricate. She preferred to avoid any potential issues.

“Alright,” Tao Yiqian agreed, leading her inside.

Upon hearing the commotion, Mrs. Li had already stopped crying and was sitting on a couch. Although she was over thirty, her skin was still smooth, and she had a slightly plump figure. She looked at the arriving Tao Yiqian with a warm and loving smile.

“Aunt,” Tao Yiqian greeted before asking, “Have you had another argument with Uncle over your niece?”

“Shu Jun caused trouble again today; it’s best not to mention it.” With others present, Mrs. Li was unwilling to discuss family matters. She signaled for tea to be served and then asked Mingshu, “Who is this young lady?”

“Aunt, I’m here about Shu Jun as well,” Tao Yiqian explained. “You mentioned needing a companion for her, so I’ve brought someone.” As he spoke, he gestured for Mingshu to step forward and introduced her, “This is Miss Lu Mingshu, from a family of scholars. Unfortunately, her family has fallen on hard times, and she moved to the capital from Jiangning with her mother. They now reside in Shengmin Sang.”

Mrs. Li waved Mingshu over, and Mingshu obediently stepped forward, allowing Mrs. Li to examine her hands closely.

Mrs. Li noted, “Her hands are white and delicate, a sign of someone from a wealthy family.”

“She is indeed quite lovely, though unfortunately unfortunate,” Mrs. Li remarked, then turned to Tao Yiqian and asked, “Have you explained Shu Jun’s situation to Miss Lu?”

“Somewhat,” Tao Yiqian replied.

Mrs. Li then inquired about Mingshu’s age and education. Mingshu answered all questions, and Mrs. Li, satisfied, nodded and added, “As a companion to Shu Jun, the most important thing is discretion. However, I must make it clear: even though you are not officially part of my household and do not have a formal contract with us, if you speak inappropriately about matters outside, neither the Yin family nor my own family will let you off easily.”

Li’s family is the Earl’s household.

“Miss Ming Shu understands. Please rest assured, Madam.” Ming Shu nodded in agreement.

After her reprimand, Li Shi didn’t forget to offer some comfort: “Don’t be afraid. Working for me will come with its rewards. As a companion, your monthly stipend will be the same as for the other young ladies in the house, five taels of silver. If you can ease my worries, there will be additional compensation.”

“Thank you, Madam. Ming Shu will definitely do her best to relieve your worries.”

With the arrangement settled for Ming Shu to be Shu Jun’s companion, Li Shi, having just had an argument with her husband and feeling troubled, did not wish to say much more. Tao Yiqian then took Ming Shu and left. Before they departed, Li Shi had two sets of new clothes bought for Ming Shu.

A companion reader from the Yin family cannot appear too shabby.

With the matter of the companion reader settled, Ming Shu came out holding the clothes. Tao Yiqian then showed her around the Yin residence.

The Yin family’s private school, Runwen Hall, is located in the southern part of the estate. The hall employs a well-known teacher from Bianjing City for literary instruction, along with three female tutors responsible for teaching etiquette, manners, and skills to young women. Since Yin Shu Jun has reached the age of maturity, her classes focus primarily on women’s education, with lessons five days a week and one day off. Ming Shu will stay at the Yin residence during her five days of classes and can return home on her day off.

Additionally, because Yin Shu Jun had recently caused trouble and was punished by the elder Yin to kneel in the Buddha hall for three days, Ming Shu does not need to start her duties immediately.

She needed to go home and persuade her mother—five taels of silver per month, and if it can solve the problems with Yin Shu Jun, it could mean at least a hundred taels of silver. That would be a significant income for their family.

The light in the Yin family’s Buddha hall was dim, with only the candle flames on the offering table illuminating the Buddha shrine. The woman kneeling on the floor was laboriously bending over, copying scriptures, her face shrouded in the flickering candlelight.

The quiet was suddenly broken by the sound of a door opening. A young maid carrying a vermilion food box entered the hall.

The maid, about thirteen years old, seemed intimidated by the atmosphere of the Buddha hall. She tiptoed over to the woman and knelt beside her, opening the food box to reveal only plain congee and steamed buns—no other food.

“Is this for the prisoner?” The woman’s voice, though low, carried a hint of a smile.

The maid cautiously advised, “It’s only for three days. Madam, please bear with it; it will be over soon.”

The woman remained silent, refusing the food, and continued copying the scriptures. The maid, knowing the woman’s temper, dared not provoke her. After setting down the food, she was about to leave but couldn’t help saying, “Today, the madam found a companion reader for you. She is about your age.”

The woman’s brush made a heavy stroke on the paper, leaving a deep mark. Suddenly, she looked up and threw the brush towards the Buddha shrine. The brush did not hit the shrine but brushed past the candlestick, causing the candlelight to flicker and illuminate the woman’s face.

A pale face, with a gloomy smile.

The little maid was frightened by her and quickly fled without saying another word.

When it came to the matter of becoming a companion reader at the Yin residence, Mingshu could easily imagine her brother’s reaction.

“Lu Mingshu, can’t you stay at home quietly and stop causing trouble outside? In wealthy households, if the Yin family didn’t have any issues, how could a well-behaved young lady suddenly change her temperament so drastically? I absolutely do not agree with this. You’re not going!”

“Pff!” Mrs. Zeng, who was tidying up the package for Lu Chang, couldn’t help but laugh heartily when she saw Mingshu leaning by the window, mimicking Lu Chang’s expression and mannerisms.

Indeed, Lu Chang was just like this; Mingshu had captured about eighty percent of his essence.

“You’re really something, mimicking your brother like this?” After laughing enough, she handed the package to Mingshu and playfully tapped her on the forehead.

Mingshu smiled brightly. “I did it well, didn’t I?”

Her brother was a good brother, but he tended to treat her like a child and was overly protective.

So, she wasn’t planning to tell Lu Chang about this matter and only informed Mrs. Zeng. Mrs. Zeng, unable to resist Mingshu’s sweet talk and charming demeanor, eventually agreed right away.

“It does resemble him a bit. Your brother… really is like this,” Mrs. Zeng remarked, thinking about Mingshu’s imitation, and she couldn’t stop smiling.

After she had laughed enough, she said, “Go ahead and take the two jars of pickled vegetables outside to him.”

Lu Chang had been gone for more than half a month, and the mother and daughter were both worried about him. With three days left before Mingshu was due to start as a companion reader at the Yin residence, Mingshu decided to take the opportunity to visit Lu Chang at Songling Academy. This would save her from having to make the trip later when she would be busy at the Yin residence.

With everything prepared and the hired carriage arrived, Mingshu, carrying a bundle and holding a jar of pickled vegetables in each hand, got into the carriage. She waved goodbye to Mrs. Zeng and set off for Songling Academy.

Songling Academy, nestled halfway up a mountain, was surrounded by verdant greenery, making it an ideal place for study. It was springtime, with grasses and willows in full bloom, and the only sounds were the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects, harmonizing with the clear, scholarly voices coming from the academy, creating a refreshing and serene atmosphere.

Songling Academy, with a history of over a hundred years, had developed a reputation for nurturing talent. It had produced countless capable individuals and was renowned throughout the Great An Dynasty, on par with the official academies established by the court. Many young men from distinguished families chose to study here, even giving up the opportunity to attend the official academies, opting instead to enroll as ordinary students at Songling Academy. In addition to accepting students from Bianjing, the academy also admitted those recommended by local selections, like Lu Chang. If these students achieved top honors, they would have a special connection to Songling Academy.

Without a doubt, Songling Academy was a gathering place for the elite of every major examination.

The students preparing for the exams had to rise at the crack of dawn each day. They began with half an hour of morning recitation, followed by a lap around the academy for physical exercise. Breakfast was at a quarter past the hour, and classes started at the hour of the dragon and continued until noon. The rest of the day was devoted to homework and private study. In such an environment, where competition was fierce, no student dared to slack off. Despite having half a day free, every student worked diligently, making the most of every moment. Some were so dedicated that they studied until the middle of the night, sleeping only two hours a day.

However, there was one notable exception to this rigorous routine.

That person was Lu Chang.

The academy had waived his fees and provided him with accommodation and meals. Jiangning Prefecture also offered financial support. Given these advantages, he was expected to focus solely on his studies. Instead, Lu Chang had requested a position cleaning the academy’s corridors and library, earning two taels of silver a month. He also secretly took on the task of copying books for others and sold the annotations and essays he had made while studying.

Such behavior, driven solely by monetary gain, was looked down upon by his peers. Yet, what infuriated them the most was that despite his focus on external tasks, Lu Chang’s academic performance remained outstanding. As a result, while they secretly despised him, they were still forced to buy his annotations and essays.

Despite the gossip and rumors circulating about him, Lu Chang paid them no mind. He was focused on saving up for the living expenses he needed to provide for Mrs. Zeng and Mingshu next month. The money he had previously saved would only last through this month. Mrs. Zeng would likely do some embroidery work to supplement their income. With the silver he earned at the academy, he hoped to manage for another month.

He hadn’t considered Mingshu—she should have just stayed home and been well-behaved.

It had been over half a month since he arrived at the academy. The strange emotions he had felt around Mingshu had subsided, and his state of mind had returned to its usual calmness. He thought his earlier disturbances might have been just youthful impulses; after all, he was a young man with strong feelings, and Mingshu was not truly his sister.

During his time at the academy, he had constantly reminded himself to regard Mingshu as his own sister, and by focusing on his studies, he had managed to calm down. However, late at night, he couldn’t help but think of Mrs. Zeng and Mingshu.

He wondered if the fabric he had given her before leaving had been made into clothing yet. Though it wasn’t as fine as what she used to wear, it was brightly colored and would still highlight her beauty.

What would she look like in it?

“Brother!”

A familiar, cheerful voice called out.

Lu Chang turned around, looking in the direction of the voice with curiosity.

At the end of the corridor stood a bright young woman, carrying a bundle and two heavy clay jars, dressed in the new skirt made from the peach-colored fabric he had given her. She was smiling at him happily.

Was this a hallucination?

Mingshu’s second call quickly brought Lu Chang back to his senses.

Seeing Mingshu was like a spring breeze entering his embrace, stirring his heart—his months of quiet reflection were instantly undone.

“What are you doing here?” Although Lu Chang was both surprised and delighted, he maintained his usual demeanor and took the clay jars from her.

Mingshu thanked the boy leading her and then replied, “I came to see you, brother. Mother made you a jacket and brought two jars of pickles… they’re so heavy.” As she spoke, she set down her bundle on a nearby bench, then looked curiously at the broom in Lu Chang’s hand. “Brother, what are you doing?”

It was past noon, and the morning classes had ended, so it was time for Lu Chang to clean the corridor.

“Cleaning.” Lu Chang placed the jars on the bench as well and answered succinctly.

“The academy gives you chores too?” Mingshu didn’t fully understand and quickly pushed the thought aside, tugging at his sleeve. “Where’s your outer robe? Aren’t you cold in just this thin layer?”

“It’s being washed.” Lu Chang only had one thick outer robe, so while it was being cleaned, he had to wear the academy-issued thin robe.

“It’s still chilly in spring, especially up in the mountains. Don’t catch a cold!” Mingshu said, trying to take the broom from him. “Let me help you clean. You go put on the jacket.”

“No need, I’ll do it myself.” Lu Chang brushed her hand away. “There’s just a bit of the corridor left. You sit here and wait for me.”

Mingshu knew that with Lu Chang around, he would never let her do the work, so she didn’t argue. She settled on the bench and waited for him. Lu Chang worked quickly, soon finishing the sweeping. Mingshu, exhausted from the long journey, rested her chin on her hand, lying on the bench as she gazed at the scenery outside the corridor.

Outside the corridor, there was a small room with three open windows. A half-rolled bamboo curtain hung from the windows, and a young man stood by the window, absorbed in his reading.

The young man was tall and slender, wearing a light green robe. He stood sideways by the window, his eyes lowered. Mingshu could only see his chin clearly, but she gradually straightened her head from where it rested on her hand and stared at him intently.

Perhaps sensing her gaze, the young man turned his head. He looked at Mingshu briefly from afar with a cold glance before lowering his head again, focusing on his book, as if Mingshu were invisible.

Yet, that one glance seemed to pierce through Mingshu’s heart.

From this distance, she couldn’t clearly see his features, but his general outline reminded her of someone. The blurred image was awakened by this scene and overlapped with the young man behind the window. He was someone she had buried deep in her memory, someone she couldn’t forget. But who exactly was he? The answer seemed just out of reach. She couldn’t recall who that person was, but she knew…

“I want to marry him.”

She murmured, “I want to marry him.”

Snap—

Lu Chang, standing beside her, broke the broom in his hand.