Chapter 36: Returning Home

Wang Daniu had inquired about the courier agency’s return schedule long ago. There was a caravan departing the day after tomorrow, though it would not be the same one overseen by Uncle Qian.

Wang Mingyuan, taking advantage of the remaining time, took Wang Daniu to purchase more gifts and local specialties unique to the county seat, not stopping until the wicker basket was stuffed as high as the "small mountain" they had arrived with, and even then, he did so with a touch of regret.

The courier’s carriage creaked on the return journey, kicking up a trail of dust. It was another three days of bumpy travel, yet the mood this time was entirely different; the discomfort of the jolting road was largely eclipsed by the joy of returning home.

Every day on the road, Big Brother would turn his head to look at Wang Mingyuan from time to time, his dark, weathered face filled with irrepressible smiles. As the wheels rolled over the familiar loess road, the well-known silhouette of Yongle Town finally appeared.

After parting ways with the courier agency, Wang Mingyuan first went to the Zhao Family Private School not far away. The gate of the school remained unchanged, its blue bricks mottled with age, yet exuding a serene stillness that brought peace of mind.

Master Zhao stroked his beard as he listened to Wang Mingyuan’s brief account of the county examination. His eyes remained calm, and he merely nodded slightly. "Hm, as expected. With your diligence and solid foundation, it would have been a wonder had you not passed."

His thin, bony fingers tapped the *Four Books* on the table. "The prefectural examination is in two months; you must not grow lax. If you cannot find peace at home, you may return here to study. If you encounter any difficulties, we can discuss them."

Master Zhao’s words were plain, yet carried the heavy expectations of a mentor. Wang Mingyuan bowed respectfully and took an elegant paper parcel from his satchel, which contained a fine inkstone bought in the county town. "A small token of my gratitude, Master. Please do not refuse."

Master Zhao accepted it, his fingertips brushing over the cool stone. His lips curled upward almost imperceptibly, and in the end, he did not turn it down.

"Mingyuan! Brother Mingyuan!"

A round figure charged out of the classroom like a cannonball—it was little fatty Zhang Wentao. He was panting after running such a short distance, his face filled with undisguised envy and excitement. "The top scholar! It’s really the top scholar! Tell me quickly, what was the county examination hall like? Did they really strip you for a search? Were the questions hard?"

He fired questions like a machine gun, his eyes sparkling, before his shoulders slumped with the characteristic frustration of a youth. "Sigh, you’re already the top scholar, and I’ve only just finished gnawing through the *Great Learning*... But!"

He puffed out his chest and cupped his hands in a formal gesture. "I, Zhang Wentao, shall also strive for greatness! My own scholar’s degree is just around the corner!"

Wang Mingyuan had heard this declaration since childhood, though the boy never managed to stick to it. Wang Mingyuan did not burst his bubble. Instead, he smiled and pulled an oil-paper parcel from the depths of his pack, releasing a familiar, sweet aroma. "Scholar-to-be Zhang, look at what this is?" It was the honey-glazed treats and walnut cakes from the county’s "Crispy Fragrance Shop"—the very things Zhang Wentao had been pining for for half a year.

The little fatty’s eyes lit up instantly. His grand ambitions were cast to the winds as he snatched the package, grinning so broadly his eyes disappeared.

***

At the braised meat shop at the east end of town, the air was thick with the scent of hearth and home. Over the past few years, it had grown from a small stall into a decent-sized shop. The glistening braising liquid bubbled in an iron pot, and the familiar, savory aroma of meat continued to dominate half the street.

Sister-in-law, wearing a coarse cloth apron, was deftly chopping pig’s head meat on the cutting board, while Gouwa was busy clearing plates and bowls nearby.

"Cuihua! Gouwa!" Big Brother’s booming voice cut through the bustling shop.

Sister-in-law looked up, her knife pausing in mid-air. Gouwa jumped, his eyes instantly locking onto his father’s figure, then darting quickly to the bulging wicker basket on his father’s back.

"He passed! Our Mingyuan, the top scholar! The top scholar of the county exam!" Wang Daniu’s voice was filled with immense pride.

The knife in Cuihua’s hand clattered onto the cutting board. She wiped her greasy hands haphazardly on her apron, her face beaming with wild joy as she shouted, "Wonderful! I knew our Third Brother was a literary star descended to earth! Wonderful! Just wonderful!" She was so excited she didn't know what to do with herself.

Anxious to get home and share the news, she waved a hand at the few customers in the shop and called out, "We have joyous news today! All braised meat is twenty percent off! We’re closing up early once we sell out!"

Gouwa had already rushed to his father, his face filled with surprise and excitement. However, his hands couldn't help but reach out to help with the luggage, and he couldn't help but ask, "Dad... the food... from the county town..." He even skipped the word "gift."

Wang Mingren deliberately put on a stern face. "Food? I was too busy looking after your Third Uncle’s exam to remember that."

Gouwa’s face crumpled like a crushed piece of oil paper, his mouth pouting downward.

Wang Mingyuan couldn't help but laugh. He reached into the side of the wicker basket and pulled out a large oil-paper parcel, waving it under Gouwa’s nose. A sweet scent, a mixture of sesame and sugar, drifted out. "There, your father is just teasing you. He knows you’re a glutton. This sesame candy and spiced bean curd from 'Man Kou Xiang'—someone was talking about it every single day before we left. How could we forget?"

Gouwa snatched the parcel and clutched it to his chest, not forgetting to give Wang Mingyuan a look of gratitude that said "Third Uncle is the best." His mouth was stuffed full, and he hummed with happiness—just like when he was a child, though the sight was truly comical given his current size. Though he was nearly as tall as his father, he was still just a "young boy" at heart.

On the final stretch home, Big Brother and Sister-in-law walked as if they had wind under their feet. Sister-in-law was eager to bring the news of the "Top Scholar" back to the village to let the gossips see; Wang Daniu couldn't wait to step through the door and tell his parents the news that would bring honor to their family name; Gouwa was in such a rush that he just wanted to get home to share the treats with his partner-in-crime, his aunt, the gluttonous Hu-niu.

The three of them moved with such speed that Wang Mingyuan had to jog to keep up, panting for breath.

From afar, they saw the familiar walls of the Wang family courtyard. Hu-niu was playing with stones at the gate with her little niece, Zhu-niu. Big Sister-in-law was busy at the shop, so Hu-niu was helping look after the little one.

Sharp-eyed Hu-niu saw their figures and jumped up, waving excitedly. "Big Brother! Sister-in-law!"

Little Zhu-niu also trotted over on her short legs, wobbling as she followed her aunt.

Wang Daniu scooped up his little daughter, who had run to his legs, and tossed her high into the air. His boisterous laughter sent the sparrows in the treetops fluttering away. "Haha! Our family has produced a literary star! Your Third Uncle passed the county exam! The top scholar! First place!"

Hearing this, Hu-niu clapped her hands in joyful excitement. "Third Brother is amazing! I knew you could do it!"

Zhu-niu, giggling as her father tossed her, tilted her little head in confusion and asked in a milky voice, "Daddy, what's a 'top scholar'? Is... is it edible?"

It seemed this little niece had also inherited the gluttonous nature of her father and aunt. The entire courtyard erupted into roars of laughter. Inside the house, Zhao-shi and the pregnant Second Sister-in-law, Qian-shi, came out upon hearing the commotion, their faces filled with irrepressible joy.

By evening, Second Brother and Father had returned from the fields. Upon hearing the good news, Wang Jinbao’s furrowed face instantly smoothed out. He said "good" three times in a row, his rough hands patting Wang Mingyuan’s shoulder heavily, his eyes glistening with tears of relief.

Once everyone was gathered, it was time to distribute the gifts: a new felt hat for Father, a peachwood hairpin for Mother, silk flowers for Sister-in-law, gloves for Second Brother, soft fine cloth for Second Sister-in-law, a large bag of snacks for Hu-niu (alas, also food, as that was all she loved), other yellow silk flowers for Zhu-niu, and a rattle for the unborn baby... Then came the various household goods: the famous aged vinegar and soy sauce from the county town, and several bolts of affordable coarse cloth... The small courtyard was filled with gasps of surprise and satisfied joy.

As twilight gathered, the Wang family sat around the table in the main hall. Coarse ceramic bowls were filled with glistening stewed meat, and golden pancakes were piled high in a basket. Sister-in-law had cut a large platter of their own braised pig’s head meat and bean curd, its color enticing, and had stir-fried a few side dishes.

Father brought out his home-brewed rice wine. Without fancy cups, they drank from coarse earthenware bowls, and all the men of the family downed a bowl. The aroma of wine mingled with the fragrance of the food, rising in a haze.

Wang Mingyuan sat amidst this warm, boisterous atmosphere, listening to the unrestrained laughter of his family, his heart filled with an incomparable sense of warmth.

Wang Daniu, taking advantage of the moment, secretly nudged his father with his elbow. Seeing his father look over, he lowered his voice and said, "I think the smoke from our ancestors' graves must be glowing blue; we have to pick a day to offer proper sacrifices. I’ve already thought it all out..."