Chapter 1: The Godly Prodigal Son

It is merely thought that girls are of little value, and that even the King of Hell does not accept them; it seems that the King of Hell also favors males over females. Tang Yi was completely speechless

With an open heart and a relaxed spirit, I suddenly felt hungry, having not eaten anything for almost an entire day. It was time to offer a meal to the five internal organs. Tang Yi crawled out of bed; the small bamboo house was no more than about 20 square meters, offering a complete view.

In the first half of his life, Tang Xiucai experienced a smooth and prosperous journey. However, he subsequently failed three consecutive provincial examinations. During this period, his elderly father passed away, leading to a loss of financial support. Lacking business acumen, within a few years, his family fortune dwindled significantly

This family is currently in a rather, um, quite dilapidated state

"It's done, my first embrace!" Tang Yi shouted in his heart, but the man paid no attention at all, instead taking advantage of the situation, pressing his stubbled face against Tang Yi's small face and laughing triumphantly.

A deep voice replied: "Sigh, what nonsense are you talking about? Everything is increasing in price, you know that as well as I do. Why don't you go buy it tomorrow?"

Scholar Tang was momentarily taken aback, suddenly realizing that his son's height had reached his shoulders, no longer the small child he once was, resembling a finely carved jade figure.

In order to bury his wife, he mortgaged their house in Taicang Prefecture, arranged the funeral, and since the two of them could no longer afford to live in the prefectural city, they could only temporarily stay in Liuhe Fort, which is more than thirty miles away.

This startled Tang Yi, what on earth is this, so well hidden?

At that moment, the stairs suddenly made a noise

Tang Yi searched his memory and quickly recalled that this person's surname was Zhu. He owned a noodle shop and was also the owner of this small bamboo building, serving as Tang Yi's landlord

The night breeze gently disperses the lingering heat of summer, and from the deep alleys, the sounds of barking dogs and crowing roosters occasionally emerge

Zhu Zhanggui smiled broadly and praised, "As expected of a child from a scholarly family, you truly understand etiquette, unlike those two live donkeys in my house! Young master, I won't go in; here are a few things for you to keep."

Last year, my wife suffered from a miscarriage, which left her with lingering health issues. Her condition deteriorated day by day. Scholar Tang sought medical treatment and medication, selling off all our family assets, yet he was still unable to save his wife's life

The clear imprint of fingers suddenly swelled on his face, and Tang Xiucai could no longer contain himself, bursting into tears, weeping inconsolably.

It took him a full two days to accept reality, as memories flashed in his mind like scenes from a movie

Tang Yi picked up a bone and was washing it with clean water when he faintly heard sharp curses coming from a distance

Tang Xiucai sat up suddenly after a moment of daze, raised his hand, and struck his own face hard twice, leaving Tang Yi with no time to intervene

A few days ago, my son went to the temple fair and climbed up the big locust tree to watch the excitement. As a result, he fell down and lost consciousness on the spot. At that moment, Tang Yi arrived from another world

Sitting alone by the window of the bamboo building, Tang Yi listened to the commotion outside, feeling particularly absurd. Just a few days ago, he had been a young talent recently promoted to deputy county head. At under thirty years old, his rise without any background had detonated a small bomb among his classmates, prompting those he hadn't been in touch with for a long time to come and congratulate him. For the first time in his life, Tang Yi experienced the feeling of being envied by others.

Tang Yi stole a glance and was taken aback. He saw Tang Xiucai with tears and snot flowing together, a sight he had never witnessed in his two lifetimes—such a man in such deep sorrow, the pillow soaked in a large patch.

"It's done, have some soup and then sleep."

Tang Yi, filled with joy, lifted the lid and looked inside, only to be stunned at once; it was completely empty, not even a grain of rice could be found. His stomach grumbled uncontrollably, and gritting his teeth, he continued to search. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his vision was filled with golden stars, nearly causing him to faint.

Compared to Tang Yi in his previous life, he is not much older. ... The ancients were indeed quite eager to marry; just the thought of calling a man in his thirties "father" makes Tang Yi feel an urge to spit blood

Tang Yi's eyes widened in shock; a graveyard, mind you, is of utmost importance not only in the Ming Dynasty but also in many places in later generations. The resting place of one's ancestors is sacred, and anyone who sells it is unworthy of being called a descendant.

Turning around to the head of the bed, he plunged his head down, his body remaining motionless

Upon entering, he saw Tang Yi, and a sudden expression of ecstasy appeared on his face. He abruptly reached out and lifted Tang Yi into his arms

Upon hearing this, Tang Xiucai immediately released his grip in frustration and suddenly noticed the soup pot.

Where is it

While speaking, he placed a mat on his hand, set the pot on the table, and then brought over two large coarse porcelain bowls, completing the arrangement. The "fellow" on the bed remained motionless like a corpse; must he be forced to call for his father!

Speaking of Tang Shen, he can be considered a minor official's second generation. He married at the age of 15, became a scholar at 16, and at 17, his beloved wife gave birth to their son, Tang Yi

Where did the meat bones come from, girl

"Young Master, I truly apologize, my family member is just too... too much!" Manager Zhu, understanding the situation, advised: "As long as it is cleaned properly, it can still be eaten. Let it simmer a bit longer; the injured person should drink some bone broth to recover quickly"

If this continues, I will end up bedridden again

Forget it, as the saying goes, an inch of time cannot be bought with an inch of gold. Even if I lose my status, wealth, car, and connections, having lost fifteen years of youth is nothing to be proud of. A wolf roams the world eating meat; perhaps in the Ming Dynasty, I would fare even better!" Tang Yi thought arrogantly

The footsteps grew increasingly hurried, and Tang Yi weakly shook his head. The ugly daughter-in-law must meet her in-laws. With a frail body, she still had to rely on others for sustenance. At most, she could just call out "father," and it would not be without its benefits.

Tang Yi listened for a while, unable to suppress a sigh. Manager Zhu is indeed a good person, but his wife is too exceptional, sharp-tongued and mean, unwilling to accept even the slightest loss.

Little girl, you have finally woken up, now your father can rest assured

While speaking, Manager Zhu reached out to unfasten his clothing and began to pull something out from inside.

Tang Yi was squatting by the fire, completely unaware that the door had quietly opened. A middle-aged man stumbled in from outside, his tall figure clad in a light blue robe, which was still stained with dirt. His pale face seemed to bear traces of tears.

When it rains, it pours; a leaking roof is met with a night of heavy rain, and a broken boat encounters a headwind.

Tang Yi was completely taken aback, saying, "I am a man, a genuine man!" Unfortunately, his protests were of no use. The Tang family had a long history of only having male heirs, and after much difficulty, they finally had a boy. His parents and grandparents were all afraid that the King of Hell would take their grandson away, so they gave him a nickname, calling him "Girl."

A broken wooden bed, a three-legged table, two chairs, and in the corner of the wall, there are two jars, one for water and one for rice

Father's surname is Tang and his given name is Shen, not too old, just recently reached the age of thirty

What the shopkeeper Zhu sent, and also, can we refrain from calling me 'girl'?

I will go, I will go; I have never been at a disadvantage!

Oh, a few bones, not worth much, no need to thank me! Besides, I am even afraid that Master Tang might not want them. " Manager Zhu hurriedly put down the bones and said, "There are still chores at home." Then he went downstairs

Young Master, you have awakened. Thank heaven, Lord Tang can finally rest assured

From pawning to selling houses, and then to graveyards, this prodigal son has become increasingly formidable, reaching a truly divine level! Just as Tang Yi was lost in thought, Tang Xiucai suddenly disregarded everything and climbed up, plunging headfirst into the water tank

Yet this feeling is too fleeting, as if spring has barely begun and winter has already arrived. On the way back, he was unexpectedly struck by a large truck. When he awoke again, he found himself in this cramped and oppressive bamboo house, hot and stifling, with injuries on his body. Every bone ached with a piercing pain, and countless fragments of memories collided in his mind, making it feel as if his head might explode.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be several bones, which appeared to be lamb leg bones based on their size, still bearing large chunks of red and white lamb meat at the joints. Seeing Tang Yi's puzzled gaze, Manager Zhu's face flushed with embarrassment.

After shaking my head, I quickly washed the lamb bones. I changed the water three times, ensuring that all the blood was thoroughly cleaned. The stove was burning vigorously, and I placed the pot with a missing handle on it, adding the lamb bones and clean water. I turned the heat to high, and soon the water in the pot began to boil, bubbling vigorously, releasing a rich aroma.

Oh, so you have taken a liking to someone and given your money to a seductress, life is going to be unbearable!

He traversed through time and space, and the boy who took over his place was named Tang Yi. This year, he is not yet thirteen years old and resides in Taicang Prefecture, Suzhou, in the Southern Capital of the Ming Dynasty. He can be considered from a scholarly family; his grandfather served as a county magistrate, and his father is a scholar. He barely qualifies as a first-class citizen among the gentry, farmers, artisans, and merchants.

He suddenly sighed and said with a sense of desolation: "No more calling, no more calling m.hetushucomcom, the son has grown up."

Tang Yi suddenly pushed open the door and looked up, only to be taken aback; the person before him was not Tang Shen.

It is also good to cook some porridge

Crying at the place of sorrow, the two shoulders kept heaving. The more one silently sobbed, the more it harmed the body. What on earth is going on? Although Tang Yi was reluctant, the person before him was still his father, and he could not just stand by and do nothing.

Gently approaching the bedside, he asked in a low voice: "Father, what has happened to you?"

Father is unfilial, father deserves to die, father, father has sold the land of the ancestral grave!" After saying this, Tang Xiucai covered his face and did not dare to look up at anyone

Useless good-for-nothing, I gave you one hundred wen, and you only brought back this little bit of sheep bones. How is that enough to make soup? Tell me, did Wang the butcher cheat you?

If it were Tang Xiucai at home, that scholar, who was full of scholarly spirit and would not accept food offered without effort, would most likely refuse the kind intentions of Manager Zhu. However, Tang Yi was different; looking at the lamb bones, he could not help but salivate. As the saying goes, one must bow their head under a low eave, and besides, he could repay the kindness later. Tang Yi bowed and said, "Thank you, Uncle Zhu"

Boom

The person is in his forties, with a slightly hunched back, and his dark face is covered with deep wrinkles. Upon seeing Tang Yi, he immediately broke into a broad smile

Ah, is Dad back?" Tang Yi's head suddenly felt much heavier.

The once familiar friends and classmates have all vanished, leaving Tang Xiucai with a profound understanding of the feeling of desolation and the rarity of visitors at his doorstep

Tang Yi merely thought that he had been running outside all day, utterly exhausted, and said little, focusing intently on simmering the soup. After about a quarter of an hour, the broth presented an enticing milky white color, and a rich aroma wafted up to his nostrils

"It is Uncle Zhu, do you have something to discuss? Please come in and have a drink of water!"