On the day Hu Xiaotian left the capital, Hu Buwei chose not to see him off. It was not that he was a heartless father; he simply disliked farewells. Besides, there was an important court assembly that day.
Hu Xiaotian was easygoing himself. He rose bright and early and went to his father's room to say goodbye. Their exchange was simple. "You're up early!" Hu Buwei said. As he recalled, this boy had always slept until he woke naturally. This seemed to be the first time in his memory that his son had risen early to pay his respects.
"The earlier I leave, the more ground I can cover in daylight," Hu Xiaotian said.
Hu Buwei nodded. "Everything ready?"
"More or less," Hu Xiaotian said.
"Have a smooth journey!"
Hu Xiaotian nodded and turned to leave, then suddenly remembered something. He dropped to his knees and knocked his head against the floor three times with resounding thumps. After those three, he gave another three.
"That's enough, that's enough!" Hu Buwei said.
"Those last three were for Mother," Hu Xiaotian said. "When she comes back, help me pass them on by kowtowing to her."
His son's words dispelled much of the sorrow of parting in Hu Buwei's heart. He laughed and scolded, "You little rascal! Trying to get one over on me!"
"I'm not getting one over on you. Mother is!" Without waiting for his father to help him up, Hu Xiaotian rose and waved. "I'm off. Don't see me out. Really, don't. At your age, blubbering away would make you a laughingstock."
"Does your old man look like someone who loves sniveling?" Hu Buwei said with a laugh.
Hu Xiaotian turned and strode jauntily toward the door. "Take good care of Mother for me, and look after yourself while you're