Chapter 120: Reclaiming Her Name

When Yan Huaiwen saw his niece, he told her to wait for a moment.

He beckoned her over. The little one imitated proper etiquette and saluted, tilting her smiling face upward. “Uncle, Father invites you home for a meal.”

Liang Manshan praised, “Is this Brother Huai’an’s child? How intelligent and well-mannered.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Yu didn’t hesitate to show proper decorum, bowing to him. In her tender, childlike voice, she said, “Uncle Liang, why don’t you come to our house for a meal?”

Liang Manshan laughed heartily. “No need, my wife has already prepared food at home. But thank you, Uncle Liang appreciates your kindness. Another day, I’ll introduce my eldest son to you so you can play together.”

Yan Huaiwen watched as Liang Manshan took his leave, then turned back.

“You’re quite the little schemer.”

Yan Yu grinned. “Uncle Liang was really happy.”

“If you don’t truly mean an invitation, don’t extend one in the future,” Yan Huaiwen reprimanded lightly.

She nodded repeatedly to show she understood.

Only then did her uncle let her go, quickening his steps toward home.

Yan Xiangheng, trailing behind, asked her admiringly, “What were you thinking, inviting Liang Manshan to our house for a meal? Even Father didn’t say anything.”

“And why did you call Liang Manshan ‘Uncle’? Did Second Uncle teach you that? Is Second Uncle close friends with him?”

Strictly speaking, Yan Yu had overstepped a little.

However, she was still young, so Liang Manshan likely wouldn’t mind.

“I was calling Uncle home for dinner, and Uncle Liang was right there. Wouldn’t it be rude not to ask? Besides, he definitely wouldn’t come! Everyone in the village knows you don’t visit others’ homes at mealtime,” Yan Yu declared confidently.

“He and Father talk and laugh together. If Father calls him to help, he comes right away. They must be close, so calling him ‘Uncle’ isn’t wrong.”

Yan Xiangheng listened to his sister’s reasoning and fell into deep thought.

Father always said, ‘Among three people, there’s always one who can be your teacher.’ Wisdom isn’t limited by age—anyone can have insights worth learning from.

For some time, Yan Xiao’er had been dressing as a boy, but Father never allowed her to follow him around. Now, however, he had changed his stance, tacitly accepting that Second Sister was moving about under the name of Yan Xiao’er.

“Were you deliberately trying to make him leave?” Yan Xiangheng asked in surprise.

“Hahaha! Big Brother, you found out!” Yan Yu took off like the wind, leaving Yan Xiangheng standing there, stunned.

So, when Father called Second Sister ‘quite the little schemer,’ and she responded, ‘Uncle Liang was really happy’…

Thinking it over, aside from her young age, the key point might have been that ‘Uncle’ title. Liang Manshan wouldn’t assume Second Sister came up with it herself—he’d likely think Second Uncle taught her.

And indeed, that was what Liang Manshan believed. Brother Huai’an treated him as a close friend, so he must have taught his children to address him as ‘Uncle.’

He called his eldest son over—six-year-old Liang Fengnian.

“Scholar Yan’s second younger brother, Brother Huai’an, and I are good friends. His child is the same age as you. Tomorrow, follow me and find an opportunity to introduce yourselves.”

Liang Fengnian’s head shot up. He asked excitedly, “Is it Yan Xiao’er from the Yan family?”

“You know him?”

Both Liang Manshan and his wife looked at him in surprise.

Their child had been raised under the strict guidance of his grandfather. He had always been quiet and mature beyond his years, nothing like a typical six-year-old.

“The children over there formed a Junior Patrol. Yan Xiao’er is their leader,” Liang Fengnian couldn’t hide his excitement.

“The children over there” were the ones everyone envied.

Lately, both older and younger children had been talking about them—especially their patrol team, which was incredibly impressive.

They had weapons like adults and trained like adults.

Whenever the patrol team passed by, wielding bamboo sticks and sweeping through the grass, other children would trail behind, watching with wide eyes.

Now, his father was telling him he could meet the leader of the Junior Patrol.

Liang Fengnian was beyond thrilled!

“The Junior Patrol?” Liang Manshan recalled seeing them. “The ones who always march in formation?”

“Yes! That’s them!”

“They all follow Yan Xiao’er’s orders?”

Liang Manshan had seen them a few times, and there were quite a few children in that group who were older than Brother Huai’an’s son.

“We’ve seen them several times. When Yan Xiao’er speaks, they all listen.”

Liang Manshan chuckled. This was interesting.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “Later, I’ll be heading over again. Come with me.”

Liang Fengnian cheered and ran out to tell the other children, causing a commotion of excited chatter.

Liang Manshan’s wife watched their son’s retreating figure, her eyes misty. “That child has suffered so much. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him this happy.”

Liang Manshan fell silent.

Bandits deserved to die. They could never atone for their crimes.

…

Yan Huaiwen had just sat down when a steaming bowl of wontons was placed in front of him.

“Brother, eat while it’s hot. There’s plenty more if you need.”

Yan Lao’er continued serving food, scooping a bowl for his eldest nephew as well.

The last ones to return were the two girls.

Lately, Second Uncle had been handling the meals. While Da Ya had grown accustomed to it, she still felt a little embarrassed.

“Second Uncle, I came back late.”

Yan Yu proudly turned her little head. “Big Sister made me this small headscarf. Does it look nice?”

Everyone’s gaze fell on her head.

It was just a simple blue square cloth.

Li Xuemei praised, “Da Ya is skillful—the size is just right, and the stitches are tight.”

Da Ya’s face turned bright red. It wasn’t anything special, but her aunt’s praise made her feel undeserving.

“Big Sister said she made it a little bigger so it can shield from the sun, and I can use it even when I grow bigger.”

Yan Lao’er placed a large bowl of wontons in front of Da Ya, urging her, “You worked hard, eat up.”

Seeing his daughter flustered, Yan Huaiwen smiled warmly. “Qianchu carries herself with the grace of an elder sister.”

Yan Yu: …

She immediately voiced the question on behalf of the family. “Who’s Qianchu?”

Seeing his niece’s rare dumbfounded expression, Yan Huaiwen was amused.

“Qianchu is your Big Sister Da Ya’s name.”

Yan Yu’s heart brimmed with envy.

Such a beautiful name!

“What about me? Do I have another name?” she asked eagerly.

Finally! She finally had the chance to ask!

Yan Huaiwen glanced at Tianyou, who pretended to be busy, focused on serving wontons into bowls…

“Your name is Ruyu. Your father chose it.”

Yan Ruyu!

Yan Huaiwen asked, “Do you know why you were given this name?”

Did illiterate Yan Lao’er just remember the phrase ‘A house of gold in books, a beauty like jade in books’?

Being likened to the ideal woman in scholars’ hearts, Yan Yu suddenly felt immense pressure.

“‘When one speaks of a noble man, his warmth is like jade. Cherish and love him, like pearls and jade,’” Yan Huaiwen explained. “It’s a wonderful name, suitable for both boys and girls.”

Yan Yu immediately straightened up.

With Uncle’s explanation, her name suddenly sounded prestigious.

“Can I use this name from now on? There are too many people calling me ‘Second Sister.’” Yan Yu made a solemn request.

Yan Huaiwen considered it and said, “When moving around as a boy, just mention your place in the family as the second child. If needed, reveal only one character—Yu. Yan Yu.”

“Thank you, Uncle!” Yan Yu clenched her little fists in excitement.

Reclaiming her name had been quite the journey.