🧚 A Story of Old China, part 3 · page 2

“Son, your father is not worthy, but kneel to him and make your greeting and give him your mother’s message.”88

Ting Lang knelt at his father’s feet, and when the father saw him there he felt as though a knife had entered his heart.89 He put out his hand and said:90

“My virtuous and filial son, son of my suffering wife,” and then fell back in a swoon.91

The boys and the mother sprang forward and caught him and placed him in a chair, a son standing at either side of the chair, the sweet mother at the back.92

As he came to and opened his eyes and saw them thus, he took his wife’s hand and said:93

“I have sinned against you and your house.94 I was afraid to tell you all the truth.95 Ah, you are a better woman than I am a man.96 You are a great daughter of a great house.”97

Then Hu Yüch Ying said, “If indeed you will listen to me, I will forgive you.”98

He replied, “Whatever you say I will do.”99

Meantime the old father and mother, having heard the crying and loud voices, came to the door.100 It was opened and they came in, saying, “For the first time we have heard what sounded like a quarrel, and have come to see what it is about.”101

Their son-in-law came and, kneeling at his father’s feet, said, “Honoured and great father, I have sinned!”102 Then came the daughter and, kneeling before her mother, she said, “His sins are my sins,” and after that the two boys, who said as they knelt, “Our parents’ sins are ours,” and the four wept with loud and bitter tears.103 The old man said:104

“Arise, my children, all of you,” and lifted up his son-in-law; the mother took her daughter in her arms, and two servants came forward and lifted up the boys.105

“Now,” said old Mr. Hu, “tell me all the trouble.”106 Then said Tu Ching Ling:107

“I have lied to you.”108

“What about, my son?” asked Mr. Hu.109 “What could you possibly do that I could not forgive?”110 Tu Ching Ling told of his wife, how he had lied about her, of her virtue, and all the sad, miserable story, including his fear to own his son, and sending him off.111 He concluded with:112

“I am not worthy to be your son.113 Your goodness is as high as Heaven and as deep as the earth.”114 As he closed the old gentleman looked at Ting Lang and said:115

“Thank the gods, thank the gods, that from your house has come forth such a son.116 My house is honoured in him.117 You are forgiven.”118

Then the father called Ting Lang to prostrate himself before his grandparents, which he did, knocking his head to each three times.119 As old Mr. Hu looked at him his eyes filled and he said, “He has the virtues of Heaven and the strength of the gods; this is a son for the gods, and the glory of his father, grandfather, and most worthy mother; be comforted, son-in-law, we cannot divide the house; the child to seek his father was ready to die, and to our house has come glory, and because of the virtues of this boy the broken household shall be reunited.120 To-day is a great day in our family.121 To honour this event, for three days the workmen shall feast on meat and flour, and we will have a great house-feast for three days, that all the friends and relatives may know of our joy.122 We will call the best teacher in the land and the boys shall study together;” then again he put his hand on Ting Lang’s shoulder and said:123

“You need not mourn for your mother.124 I will send for her.125 She shall come in state and live in luxury all the rest of her life.”126

Thus were husband, wife, and children all comforted, and made ready for the great feast and theatre in honour of the oldest son.127 After which the oldest family servants were sent north to Peking with letters for the mother of Ting Lang.128

Hu Yüch Ying wrote a beautiful letter of invitation to her, telling of the home that awaited her, of herself, the little sister who would care for her, of two sons instead of one, who longed for her instruction and help.129 She wrote of the comforts she could have and the welcome that awaited her.130

When the servants reached Peking they had a hard time to find the small court where she had her little room.131 They asked for “Lady Yü,” which much surprised her neighbours.132 They said:133

“The only one in that court by that name is an old woman who is almost a beggar; she has a small son, but he is off seeking his father.”134

“Please call her,” said the head steward, and the neighbours went and said, “Mrs. Yü, some men at the gate are seeking you.135 They seem to belong to some big man, but their dialect is not of this province.”136

Yü Yüch Ying said, “Tell them my room is small, I have no man at home, and it is not, therefore, proper for them to enter my place.137 Whatever business they have they are to tell you.”138

As they returned to the gate the neighbours said, “Although she is so poor, she is most particular as to observing good customs.”139

Then the servants sent in the two letters.140 She read the one from her husband, asking her pardon for his neglect, saying he had no means of expressing his deep regret, telling of his present circumstances and comforts, and thanking her for sending the son.141 He said he had no words to praise her virtue, it was as high as Heaven; told of the son’s finding him and how he was studying under a great teacher who pronounced him a remarkable scholar.142 Then he urged her “ten thousand times to come and live with them.143 The servants had come to bring her, and he and her sister would only be happy when she came.144 They hoped for her day and night, and their hearts were hungry for her friendship, even as her two sons needed her instruction.”145