For her classmates, Yuanzi's stories, told with references to classical texts, were much easier to understand than those told by the teachers at the academy. Most importantly, she told them in a very interesting way, even more interesting than storytellers in the streets.
However, listening to Yuanzi's "storytelling" wasn't free; you had to pay with candy and snacks. If a classmate didn't have any decent candy or snacks at home, they would have to give her some spare coins, otherwise they wouldn't be able to listen to her "storytelling" in the pavilion.
It wasn't that she was greedy; it's just that she was like an ant, with an insatiable sweet tooth, to the point of being utterly insane. @Unlimited great stories, all at Jinjiang Literature City
Once, she couldn't resist her gluttony and devoured half a vat of sweet and sour garlic cloves from the mansion's kitchen. Her mouth was full of garlic flavor, and Luo Cuiwei caught her red-handed. She was so angry that she almost stuffed her into the vat to be pickled with the garlic.
Luo Cuiwei was worried that things were going too far, so she ordered the household to strictly control her sweets rations; although Yun Lie would occasionally see her pitiful state and "smuggle" a little to her, he would not give her too much.
It's pitiful that she has to work so hard to "make a living by performing" at such a young age, mainly because her family is very strict with her.
However, because she had to "perform" in the small academy every day to earn a living, she was always engrossed in reading after returning home. After all, her "customers" were always the same group of friends, and if she always talked about the same things every day, this "business" wouldn't last long.
That afternoon, as usual, it was time for her to "perform" in the pavilion.
The students presented their "audiobook rewards" from home, patiently waiting for her to enjoy them first.
While she was snacking, a classmate casually asked, "Yuanzi, what is your real name?"
Yes, even though Yuanzi was seven years old, everyone still called her "Yuanzi," even the teachers at the academy called her that. No one knew what her real name was.
"I haven't decided yet," Yuanzi said, holding half a pea cake in one hand, her cheeks bulging out. "My parents said I can have whichever surname I want, but I have to choose for myself."
Since the surname has not been decided, there is naturally no formal name.
She paused, swallowed the pastry in her mouth, frowned and sighed, "This is too difficult."
In Dajin, children may take either their father's or mother's surname, but this is usually decided by the parents at birth; letting the child choose their own surname is quite novel.
The other children found it strange and started offering suggestions all at once.
"Look at which surname has fewer strokes!"
Yuanzi stuffed another bite of pastry into her mouth, chewing as she shook her head: "It's not much different by more than a few strokes."
Of course, the character “雲” has fewer strokes than the character “羅”, but Yuanzi’s teacher had already analyzed it for her. The responsibility and constraints represented by the character “雲” were obviously heavier.
When one plan failed, his friends suggested, "Then let's see which of your parents has more influence at home!"
This line of thinking is quite unique, and the answer is quite obvious.
Yuanzi's eyes lit up, and she smiled and cupped her hands, saying, "Thank you for your guidance."
(two)
After returning home that day, Yuanzi solemnly approached her parents, her little face full of seriousness: "I've thought it through, my surname is Luo."
She thought that since she already had two younger brothers and three younger brothers, and perhaps more younger brothers and sisters in the future, there would always be a fool who would be willing to take the surname Yun.
Luo Cuiwei and Yun Lie exchanged a smile, and that was the end of it.
“Once a move is made, there’s no going back, remember?” Yun Lie chuckled and ruffled her hair. “Don’t think that just because you’re young, you can go back on your decision.”
"Father, rest assured, I will not go back on my word," Yuanzi nodded firmly. "After all, the Yun family doesn't have much influence in this family, and I'm not stupid."
“Yuanzi, don’t talk nonsense,” Luo Cuiwei said sternly. “That’s because your father is being lenient with me.”
Over the years, Yun Lie has always been more accommodating to her, which has spoiled her so much that she sometimes doesn't pay much attention to boundaries, allowing the child to speak so disrespectfully.
What a joke! Only Luo Cuiwei can bully her husband; no one else can.
Even his own daughter is not allowed.
With his wife's support, Yun Lie was in a great mood. His large hand on Yuanzi's head became slightly heavier, and he laughed, "Hasn't Confucius taught you the principle of 'seeing through things but not saying them'?"
Yuanzi, always adept at reading people's expressions, knew she had made a slip of the tongue and gotten herself into trouble. She quickly covered her head, squatted down, and put on a fawning smile: "I understand. The two princes of the Zhao Prince's Mansion are of equal status, but the one surnamed Yun should give way to the one surnamed Luo. Thank you for your teachings, Father and Mother. I will remember them."
Yun Lie nodded in satisfaction, while Luo Cuiwei rubbed her forehead in exasperation, feeling both annoyed and amused.
What an opportunistic kid!
(three)
Since she chose her own surname, her given name should naturally be bestowed upon her by her parents.
After all, Yuanzi was their first child. Luo Cuiwei and Yun Lie had already chosen many words that were both beautiful in form and meaning, but when it came time to make a decision, they were a little unsure.
Yuanzi thought for a moment, then tilted her head and suggested, "How about we draw lots?"
“Alright,” Luo Cuiwei rubbed her forehead and sighed with a smile, “You can write it yourself, and I can see if your handwriting has improved.”
As they were talking, Yuanzi's second younger brother, Azheng, stumbled into the study, angrily complaining, "San'er pulled my hair and cried."
This boy is almost five years old, but he doesn't have a proper name. Because he was born in the year when the Linchuan army was fighting against the Northern Di, he was given the nickname "Zheng".
Yun Lie scoffed, "He must have been crying because you beat him up, right?"
"He...he pulled my hair first!" A-Zheng threw himself into Luo Cuiwei's arms, hugging her waist and starting to wail and jump around. "I didn't hit him, I just gave him a little tug!"
The poor third child was only ten months old and had no power to resist.
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Yun Lie walked over, picked him up, and solemnly warned, "A child who clings to his mother all day long will not grow tall."
Luo Cuiwei, caught between laughter and tears, covered her forehead, speechless with emotion.
While grinding ink behind the desk, Yuanzi said with disdain, "Get out, get out, all of you, please get out and don't disturb my writing."
So Yun Lie grabbed A Zheng and took Luo Cuiwei's hand as they left the study to visit the third brother, who had been dragged to tears by his elder brother.