With great luxury was the palace prepared, for all rejoiced at the downfall of the great Yen Sung, and all desired to do homage to the great son of the old official house of Tu.
During these days in the city, Ting Lang had not dared to seek out his mother, as he wanted first to expose their enemy; he came to the city under the name of Hu, and while Lady Yü had heard of the very wonderful young man, she did not dare to even hope that it might be her son; she asked no questions and no one mentioned the downfall of Yen Sung. The next day a steward came and told her he suspected the young man was her son; but she said:
“No, that cannot be; no such glory awaits our house. I have heard a little of the two brothers, but you have made a mistake.” The day after the downfall she was busy at home when a neighbour came in and said:
“Some great men have just entered our [[165]]street and are coming this way.” Just then a servant rushed in and said:
“They have come to get the Great Lady.”
The neighbours laughed and said, “What great lady? There is no great lady in this street.”
But the horsemen drew near the gate and awaited the chairs. The servant came and said:
“The great man, the new Chuang Yuan, has come for his honoured mother, the Lady Yü.” Then came the other servants one after another. Yü Yüch Ying put up her hand and protested:
“I am but a poor lone woman, living my life quietly. You have made a mistake, there is no great Lady Yü here.” Then in came Ting Lang, followed by his brother. In beautiful robes and special official cap, that told of his high rank, with all the glory of his position, she knew him; knew her boy who left her a little lad, returning to her with glory honestly won. As the sages truly say, “The son, though he goes thousands of miles from home, never leaves his mother’s heart; the son, though separated from his mother years, never forgets her, but carries her in his heart.” He now sprang forward and knelt before her, saying:
“Honoured mother, don’t come a step, I am unworthy.” To test his heart she said: [[166]]