A tragic night for the Zhao family
In the village of Zhao in Xinzhou, a family with the surname Zhao faced a devastating tragedy. Mr. Zhao, newly married for just a year, was left alone when his mother visited relatives overnight. That night, bandits invaded their home, killing Mr. Zhao, stealing valuables, and kidnapping his wife. The case remained unsolved, and the criminals were never caught.
With her son dead and daughter-in-law missing, Zhao’s mother lived alone for over 20 years, earning the nickname “Madam Zhao” from the villagers.
A mysterious visitor
During the Southern Song Dynasty’s Xianchun era, a scholar named Ye Maoqing from Jianchang Prefecture was on his way to the capital for the imperial examination. One evening, as he passed through Zhao Village, an elderly man suggested: “There’s an inn far ahead, but you can stay with Madam Zhao in the village.” Ye Maoqing decided to take the advice and stayed at the Zhao household.
Upon meeting Ye Maoqing, Madam Zhao felt an inexplicable warmth toward him. The young man bore a striking resemblance to her deceased son, so she invited him to stay. While she warmly hosted him, she secretly shed tears, leaving Ye Maoqing puzzled, but hesitant to inquire further.
The following day, Madam Zhao prepared a meal for Ye Maoqing and, before he left, gifted him 30 bundles of paper currency (issued during the Southern Song) and urged him to visit again on his return journey.
A reunion with revelations
Ye Maoqing reached Lin’an (present-day Hangzhou), where he passed the imperial examination and was appointed a registrar in Anle County, Fuzhou. On his return journey, he revisited the Zhao family, bringing cloth as a gift for Madam Zhao.
Overjoyed, Madam Zhao treated Ye Maoqing like family, and he stayed for several days. He wandered into the Zhao family’s backyard and noticed a portrait during his stay. Curious, he asked about it, and Madam Zhao explained: “This is my son, who was killed by bandits at the age of 19. My daughter-in-law was also abducted, and her whereabouts remain unknown.” As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.
Ye Maoqing inquired about the daughter-in-law’s surname, and Madam Zhao replied that it was Wei. She described her daughter-in-law’s age, birth date, physique, and appearance. Ye Maoqing was taken aback, realizing that these details matched his mother. Madam Zhao also mentioned that her daughter-in-law was five months pregnant when she was abducted. Stunned, Ye Maoqing did not reveal his suspicions, but parted from Madam Zhao with tears.
Justice served
Upon returning to Jianchang, Ye Maoqing’s father, Ye Zhong’er, and his mother, Mrs. Wei, were overjoyed at his success. Friends and family gathered to celebrate.
After the festivities, Ye Maoqing discreetly recounted his experiences at the Zhao household to his mother. Mrs. Wei quickly covered his mouth, warning: “Don’t speak of this. If that man hears, he’ll kill us both. He’s killed many before.”
It turned out that Ye Zhong’er was the bandit who had attacked the Zhao family. After abducting Mrs. Wei, he forced her to become his wife. Ye Maoqing was the child she was carrying when she was taken from the Zhao family.
Later, Ye Maoqing reported the matter to the prefect of Fuzhou. The prefect hosted a banquet and invited Ye Zhong’er, capturing him immediately. Ye Zhong’er was taken to the judicial office, where he confessed to the crime committed over 20 years before. The case was finally resolved, and Ye Zhong’er was executed. Ye Maoqing restored his surname to Zhao and revisited the Zhao family in Xinzhou with his mother.
After 20 years of separation, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law reunited joyfully, and Madam Zhao was delighted to have her beloved grandson back.
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