It was the Mid-Autumn Festival once again, a time of celebration and romance.
In He Wan village, Baichuan County, Yizhou Prefecture, all the villagers gathered at the village entrance, craning their necks with eager anticipation as they looked down the solid cement road.
Da Zhuang held the hand of his four-year-old daughter, Little Yanran, while He Xiaoya stood beside him, holding a baby in her arms. Judging by their attire, it was another little girl.
Feeling a bit tired from waiting, Little Yanran tugged at Da Zhuang's sleeve and asked, "Dad, when will Second Uncle, Third Uncle, and Youngest Uncle arrive?"
"Don't worry, Yanran. They'll be here soon."
Just then, a sharp-eyed villager called out, "They're here!"
Da Zhuang quickly looked in the direction indicated and saw several horses appearing in the distance. The leader was adorned in magnificent armor, with a powerful and imposing presence.
"It's Third Son!"
Da Zhuang's heart stirred with excitement.
Since the day they parted ways, Third Son had been fighting in the northern frontier. With several fortified cities under their control, the Daling Frontier Army had established a solid foundation. Over the past few years, they had gradually pushed back the barbarian tribes, forcing them to send envoys to the Da Ling capital city seeking peace, offering annual tributes in exchange for a place to survive.
This was the first time the barbarians had submitted since the founding of the Da Ling kingdom, and the emperor was pleased. He rewarded the soldiers stationed in the northern frontier generously.
As for Wang San'er, he had earned glorious achievements and was now the Grand General of Zhenyuan.
Thundering hooves echoed through the air, as if shaking the entire earth. Wang San'er's heart raced like an arrow, and he urged his horse forward, breaking away from the formation and charging ahead alone.
"Big Brother! Big Sister-in-law!"
Even while still on his horse, Wang San'er excitedly called out and then lunged into Da Zhuang's arms.
"Haha, you little rascal, you're as tall as your big brother now!"
Looking at Wang San'er, who had grown into an adult, Da Zhuang couldn't help but feel emotional.
He still remembered when Wang San was a child, always playing with the bow and arrows his mother made for him, riding a branch like a horse, and boldly declaring that he would go to the northern frontier to fight the barbarians and become a Grand General.
At that time, everyone thought he was just a child who didn't know any better. But who could have imagined that a few years later, Wang San'er would truly become a Grand General?
It all seemed like a dream.
"And is this Little Yanran?" Wang San'er let go of Da Zhuang and smiled at Little Yanran. "Call me Third Uncle!"
"Third Uncle," Little Yanran timidly called out and quickly hid behind Da Zhuang, revealing only her cute little head.
"Don't be afraid, Third Uncle is not a bad person."
Wang San'er laughed and patted his own body. He realized that he had been so eager to come home that he forgot to bring a gift for his niece, and he felt a bit regretful for his absentmindedness.
Finally, he took a sheathed dagger from his waist and handed it to Little Yanran. "Here, this is the personal dagger of the barbarian king. Third Uncle is giving it to you."
"But this is not appropriate!"
Da Zhuang quickly intervened.
Aside from the fact that Little Yanran was only four years old and might not be suitable for such a dangerous item, the significance of this dagger, obtained by Wang San'er from the barbarian king, was not to be taken lightly.
How could they give such a precious item to a child?
"It's fine," Wang San'er placed a dagger in Little Yanran's hand. "Hold it!"
The dagger felt cool in her hand, and Little Yanran liked it.
"Thank you, Third Uncle."
"Good girl, I'll teach you how to use the dagger later."
"Yes."
As he watched Little Yanran tightly gripping the dagger, her eyes shining, Da Zhuang couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
Don't be fooled by Little Yanran's timid appearance and think she's a scaredy-cat.
Wrong!
And it's a big mistake!
Ever since Little Yanran learned to walk, He Wan village has never had a moment of peace!
Every day she climbs trees, catches birds, climbs onto roofs, teases other people's dogs, plucks feathers from the family's big goose... There's never a day without some trouble, and the sun never sets on her mischief!
Da Zhuang helplessly glanced at He Xiaoya and said, "I wonder who she takes after."
"Of course, she takes after her mother!" Wang San'er said with a laugh. "Hahaha... It's no wonder her mother dotes on her so much."
Da Zhuang:...
"Oh, by the way, I saw a large caravan on the road just now. It seems to be from the Prince of Yizhou."
"How far away is it?"
"Not far, we should be close."
As they spoke, a brightly adorned caravan was approaching.
To show respect for Liu Yun, Da Zhuang led the villagers to advance one hundred steps to welcome them.
Liu Yun was the first to jump off the carriage, followed closely by Song Prefect and his wife, Wang Er and Du Xiao Hui, as well as the spirited Wang Xiao Si and the nearly equally tall Liu Yao.
"No need to be so polite, everyone," Liu Yun got off the carriage and smiled at everyone. "I'm not a stranger, don't I come here every month?"
The villagers all laughed along.
Of course, why would they? The Prince of Yizhou almost treated He Wan village as his own home, and he was very kind to the villagers, without any airs of being a prince.
Those old women who had proposed marriage to him in the past still had the audacity to propose to him now.
Of course, it was all in jest. With Liu Yun's current reputation and status, there was no girl in Baichuan County who could match him.
Song Prefect and his wife also smiled and dispensed with formalities.
"Second Brother!"
After greeting the Prince of Yizhou and the prefect, Wang San'er rushed forward and gave Wang Er a bear hug.
Among the scholars, Wang Er was already considered strong and robust, with considerable strength.
But in front of Wang San'er, he was like a little child. He almost had the breath squeezed out of him.
"And Xiao Si!"
Wang Xiao Si hurriedly backed away. "Third Brother, don't come near me! I can't handle it..."
"Haha, you can't escape!"
Held tightly by Wang San'er, Wang Xiao Si expressed his helplessness, while Liu Yao, who was standing aside, laughed so hard she couldn't straighten her back.
At Yangming Academy, Wang Xiao Si was quite arrogant, even Wang Er and Xiao Hui couldn't quite control him.
Who would have thought there were people he was afraid of!
After the greetings, led by Liu Yun, everyone returned to the village.
Wang San'er hadn't been back for several years, and the changes in the village were drastic. Except for the houses in his own family, everything else felt unfamiliar.
Fortunately, the large waterwheel his mother made was still in the courtyard, making him nostalgic for his childhood.
"Has Mother... never come back?"
When they heard this question, everyone fell silent.
Da Zhuang shook his head and said, "He should come back this year."
He had been saying this for three years now.
In these three years, there have been significant changes in the entire Daling region.
And his brothers at home have undergone even greater changes.
Da Zhuang is now the head of the family, with nearly 20,000 mu of fertile land and fields, with 10,000 mu purchased by his mother and another 10,000 mu bestowed by the emperor three years ago.
In these three years, he has also purchased tens of thousands of acres of mountains and forests, all of which have been developed to cultivate a large number of fruit trees. Some of them will bear fruit next year.
He plans to buy more mountains and forests when winter comes.
Because his mother once said, "Green waters and lush mountains are as valuable as mountains of gold and silver."
And his mother loves mountains and forests, so he must buy more. What if his mother returns and sees so many mountains and forests? She might not want to leave again.
Wang Er achieved great academic success in this year's imperial examination and became the top scholar.
With the arrangements made by the old emperor, he was allowed to stay in the capital and enter the Hanlin Academy. After one year of experience, he would be appointed to a position in the Ministry of Household, and after three to five years, he could be transferred out of the capital as a prefect of a province.
Once he had achievements in politics, he would naturally become a Shangshu, or even a prime minister.
Du Xiao Hui's efforts have made Yangming Academy flourish in Yizhou Prefecture. Almost all children of reading age in Yizhou can attend Yangming Academy for free if they are willing to go.
This act of kindness has earned Wang Er unparalleled fame and praise from the people all over the world.
As for Third Son, he has become a general after these years of fighting. He is only waiting for Grand Marshal Xu to grow older, and he might directly take over the position of Grand Marshal.
As for Wang Xiao Si, he is still studying diligently. The teacher said he will probably pass the Tong Sheng examination next year.
But what is most impressive is not this, but his understanding of mathematics.
Even Wang Er cannot compare to him in this aspect.
This kid thoroughly studied the books on mathematics left by his mother and became proficient in it on his own. When he ran out of books, he would spend all day pondering on his own and even wrote a book on mathematics that was unheard of by everyone.
And Xiaoya, she gave birth to a daughter before the new year.
Everyone knows that her mother loves granddaughters, so she must be very happy.
Unfortunately, her mother has been gone for three years and hasn't been able to see everyone's growth and changes with her own eyes.
"All right, whether Lady Li comes back or not, we should still enjoy this Mid-Autumn Festival," Liu Yun said, breaking the silence. "What delicious dishes have been prepared for dinner? My stomach has been growling for a while."
"Then let's eat," said Da Zhuang, the head of the family. "Set up the tables and chairs in the courtyard and enjoy the moon while eating."
The fragrant dishes were quickly brought to the table, but they were not extravagant delicacies, just simple homemade dishes.
Braised goose, stir-fried pork with peppers, chicken stir-fried with green peppers, braised pork...
Looking at these dishes, everyone knew what Xiaoya had in mind.
These were all her mother's favorite dishes.
And beside Liu Yun, there was an empty seat left.
However, as the sky gradually darkened, and the full and round moon rose in the east, Li Yao's figure did not appear.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
How could such a festive occasion be without fireworks?
As He Wan village was illuminated by the splendid fireworks in the sky, a graceful figure emerged from the depths of the dense forest.
"Oh my, you're finally back."
Li Yao tidied her unkempt hair and looked at the fireworks above the village, smiling with delight.
Three years had passed, yet she showed no signs of aging. On the contrary, she appeared even younger.
Her clear eyes sparkled with a touch of liveliness.
She hurried back home at the fastest speed, neglecting to greet her family, and rushed into the kitchen.
Although they were leftovers, they were dishes she enjoyed. The rice in the pot was still warm, so she didn't hesitate to help herself, scooping a large bowl of rice and pouring the vegetables from the plate into it.
Mmm, the home-cooked meal truly had a more delicious flavor than any barbecue.
And this rice soup, after taking a sip, she felt rejuvenated.
As she was enjoying her meal, a small figure suddenly ran into the kitchen, startled to find someone stealing food.
Li Yao looked up and saw a three or four-year-old little girl with watery eyes that twinkled, carrying a delicate dagger at her waist.
"Who are you?" Little Yanran showed no fear. "And why are you in my kitchen?"
Li Yao instantly realized that this was Little Yanran.
She had grown so much already?
"Are you Little Yanran?"
"I am."
Li Yao smiled, setting down her bowl and chopsticks. She gently patted Little Yanran's head and said softly, "Good girl, call me Grandma."
Little Yanran's eyes brightened. "Are you Grandma?"
"Yes."
"Grandma, you're finally back!"
"Yes, I'm back." Holding Little Yanran's small hand, Li Yao walked out of the kitchen with long strides. "Come, let's find your father."
Outside, a group of people were gazing at the fireworks, completely unaware of the chilling aura approaching from behind.
"Father, Grandma is back!"
Everyone was startled and turned around.
In the alternating light and darkness, who could it be if not Li Yao, the person they had longed for day and night?
"Mother!"
"Aunt Li!"
"Lady Li!"
Looking at those familiar faces, Li Yao's smile was warm, but her voice was colder than autumn dew. "Who was the little brat that gave Little Yanran a dagger? Step forward, and I promise I won't kill him!"
Everyone's hearts jolted, and after exchanging glances, they burst into laughter together.
This mother, she hadn't changed one bit!
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The End