The Prodigal Son Returns Home, Mother Proposes Marriage

As Liang Shanbo walked, he returned to Shanyin, and then to Liu Village.

The students who had traveled abroad for study have finally returned to their hometown.

The low, earthen-walled courtyard remains unchanged. Three thatched huts stand within, their mud walls mottled, the moss under the eaves a dark, almost black, green. A clump of bamboo in the corner remains verdant even in the depths of winter, as if guarding his home.

He pushed open the gate and walked in.

Lu was busy in the kitchen, wearing a patched and worn-out dress with some grass ash on the cuffs.

Hearing the sound of the gate opening, she quickly peeked out from the kitchen and saw her son standing in the yard. He was wearing a light gray linen jacket, with a light gray linen headscarf wrapped around his head, and a bag slung over his shoulder. He looked clean and radiant, even more so than when he left home more than half a year ago.

Her eyes immediately welled up with tears.

"Mother," Liang Shanbo called out, stepping forward.

Madam Lu wiped her hands on her apron, carefully examined him from head to toe, then reached out and gently patted his shoulder and arm, as if checking something or confirming something.

"It's good that you're back." Her voice was slightly hoarse. She paused, then repeated, "It's good that you're back."

The mother and son entered the house together.

After putting down his luggage, Liang Shanbo recounted his experiences at Wansong Academy over the past six months. He said that Master Meng had taken him on as a disciple, that he had received a reward at the "Winter Melody Collection," and that Master Meng had already decided to arrange a career for him in government…

As she listened, Madam Lu could no longer hide the surprise and joy on her face. She wanted to speak several times, but held back each time, nodding repeatedly, her eyes slightly moist.

The next day, Liang Shanbo took Meng Wenlang's letter and went to see Meng Wenlang's friend in Shanyin. After reading the letter, the friend, out of consideration for Meng Wenlang, not only gave Liang Shanbo the full amount of ten thousand coins, but also specially sent an oxcart to deliver the ten thousand coins and Liang Shanbo back to Liu Village.

When Madam Lu saw a heavy sack being carried into the house, and saw that the sack was filled with neatly strung copper coins, densely packed and stacked in layers, she was immediately stunned.

She had seen so much money in her life before. But the last time she had seen so much money was many years ago.

Liang Shanbo stood beside her, his voice calm: "Mother, please accept this money. From now on, you don't need to weave cloth every day and work hard day and night, nor do you need to be overly frugal."

Madam Lu lowered her head and wiped the corner of her eye with her hand.

She was overjoyed, but beneath that joy lay a deeper sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep emotion/reflection).

Her son had been away from home for less than a year, yet not only had he excelled academically, but his career path had also been planned for by Mr. Meng, and he had even brought back such a fortune. With her son so accomplished, all the years she had spent working late into the night at the loom and saving every grain of rice at the stove had been worthwhile.

She wiped her eyes again, then looked up at her son and smiled.

This was a smile of relief, a smile of pride. Within that smile, it seemed, lay a thousand unspoken words she had kept to herself when she saw her son off to school at the door.

She suddenly remembered something, turned around and went into the inner room. When she came out, she was carrying a coarse cloth bundle. The bundle was washed until it was white, and the edges were frayed.

She placed the bundle on the table and carefully untied it. Inside was a neatly folded new winter coat and a pair of thick-soled cloth shoes.

She whispered, "I originally intended to ask someone to take it to Qiantang and Wansong Academy, but I couldn't find anyone convenient, so I've been keeping it at home ever since."

She reached out and gently stroked the collar of the winter coat. The stitches were fine and even, indicating that she had spent many days sewing it by hand.

Liang Shanbo stared at her. At that moment, he seemed to forget that he was a time traveler and felt that he was the son of the woman in front of him.

……

……

It is already New Year's Eve.

Liang Shanbo and his mother, Madam Lu, were sitting facing each other, having a meal.

The rice was wild rice, served in a coarse earthenware bowl, with wisps of steam rising from it.

On the table was a pot of chicken soup, a plate of dried fish, a plate of pickled vegetables, and a plate of cured pork. The cured pork was thinly sliced ​​and neatly arranged, a much more abundant meal than the few slices Liang Shanbo carried when he left home to study.

Madam Lu picked up a slice of cured pork and placed it in her son's bowl. She picked up another slice and placed it in his bowl as well. Her chopsticks rose and fell repeatedly as she murmured, "Eat more. You've always loved it. Where else can you taste the cured meats from home?"

Liang Shanbo lowered his head and ate a full bowl of wild rice with cured meat and chicken soup.

Mrs. Lu then filled his bowl to the brim.

The sound of firecrackers could be heard from outside the courtyard wall, sometimes loud and sometimes soft, scattered far and wide, as the neighbors gathered around in a lively atmosphere.

Liang Shanbo suddenly said to Madam Lu, "Mother, I met a classmate at Wansong Academy named Zhu Jiuling, from Shangyu. For the past six months, we've been inseparable, like brothers. Before returning home this year, he specifically asked me to convey his greetings to you, Mother."

Madam Lu immediately became interested, put down her chopsticks, looked at her son and asked, "Oh? Tell your mother in detail about this classmate."

Liang Shanbo then gave a general account of Zhu Yingtai's situation.

It is said that Zhu Yingtai was well-educated, virtuous, handsome, and from a wealthy family; it is said that he and Zhu Yingtai were very destined to be together, as they went to Wansong Academy at the same time, were examined by Mr. Meng at the same time, were assigned to the same dormitory, and lived in the same room; it is said that Zhu Yingtai would feed him with fine food every day, prepare a basin of hot water for him every night, and let him take a bath in the rented house in the county town whenever he had a day off.

However, he deliberately avoided mentioning the fact that Zhu Yingtai disguised herself as a man.

After hearing this, Madam Lu couldn't help but sigh, "Shanbo, not only have you made progress, but you have also made such a good friend. Your mother is truly happy for you."

She changed the subject abruptly, smiled, and continued, "There's something your mother has been thinking about for a long time, and feels it's time to bring it up. Since your father passed away, it's been lonely with just the two of us every year during festivals. Once you get married and start your own family, the house will be much more lively."

Liang Shanbo was slightly taken aback.

According to her memory, this was the first time Madam Lu had mentioned marriage to her son. This had never happened before; it was likely because Madam Lu had seen her son achieve some success and now felt it was time to bring it up.

What a coincidence!

He had just mentioned Zhu Yingtai to his mother when she immediately brought up marriage. The two things, spoken so closely together, seemed like a premonition from the heavens.

Liang Shanbo raised his head, looked at his mother, and smiled, "Mother, that day will come eventually. When I have children in the future, the festivals at home will be even more lively."

Upon hearing this, Madam Lu's smile deepened.

Outside the courtyard wall, a few more firecrackers rang out intermittently, as if echoing something from afar.