The group traveled with light steps.
Yuanwei taught them to sing, adding cheerful voices and laughter to the journey.
Listening to their singing, Yun Manman could not help feeling her mood brighten.
She gazed toward the distant Qilian Mountains and thought of the opportunities in this life of hers.
She turned and stopped to look at the smiling faces behind her. Her light, lilting voice held a trace of languor, letting anyone who heard it feel an unfettered freedom.
"Heed not the sound of rain piercing woods and beating leaves; why not sing and stroll at ease? Bamboo staff and straw sandals, lighter than a horse; a straw rain cape against mist and rain, come what may through life."
Tongtong froze slightly and unconsciously recited it to himself, then a flash of admiration crossed his eyes.
"Sister Manman, what a wonderful poem. You can almost feel a breadth of spirit that transcends the world, yet it also holds aspirations beyond the mundane."
Standing at the front, Yun Manman looked at the bewildered little ones and curved her lips slightly. This was the literary brilliance of the ancients.
The carefree, unfettered attitude in these lines had made them widely beloved by modern people.
"I think it's good too. My name is Yun Manman. Today, I'll give you my surname. Each of you can take a character from this poem for your name. There are exactly twenty-eight characters."
For characters such as "sandals" and "horse" that did not sound nice, they could simply use homophones.
Everyone was rather stunned. Names could be chosen like this?
Tongtong was the first to react, cupping his hands in thanks, his clear eyes filled with gratitude.
"Yun Mo bows in thanks to Sister Manman for granting me a name. I swear lifelong loyalty unto death and will never harbor a second allegiance."
The little ones behind him also reacted, stepping forward and copying Yun Mo as they cupped their hands. Their voices were childish, yet unusually firm.
"Yun Ting, Yun Chuan, Yun Lin, Yun Da, Yun Ye... bow in thanks to Sister Manman for granting us names. We also swear lifelong loyalty unto death and will never harbor a second allegiance."
Yun Manman watched the scene, feeling very satisfied.
"Good. I'll give you trust in return and make you strong.
"I can lead you to carve out a path of our own in this world where four kingdoms stand like the legs of a great cauldron.
"A path where even imperial power won't dare move against us lightly."
When the group set off again, the atmosphere was even more harmonious.
Everyone kept repeating their own name. Though they could not write it, it sounded impressive.
Along the way, Yun Manman explained her family's circumstances, leaving everyone looking shocked.
Then, studying Yun Manman's expression, they finally realized she was not joking.
Everyone joined hands in a circle and laughed around Yun Manman, leaving her rather puzzled.
"What are you all so happy about?"
Yun Mo and the others exchanged glances and said in unison, "Sister Manman, that's our secret!"
Somewhat helpless, Yun Manman chased after those who had run off.
This was children's nature: lively, restless, and mischievous. Ever since coming to this era, she herself seemed to have gained a little more of a young girl's nature.
By the time half the sun slowly slipped behind the mountains, twelve hours had passed.
Only when Yun Manman entered the village and saw her family's little ramshackle house did she feel exhaustion well up through her body.
Yun Manman had not realized that, deep down, she already regarded this place as her true home. That was why seeing it gave her a sense of peace, of dust finally settling.
Four people sat at the entrance with their backs to them, all propping their chins in their hands as they stared toward the mountain behind the house.
"Ah... husband, why do you think Manman still hasn't come home today?"
Old Father Yun gazed at the mountain behind the house, his eyes full of worry. Hearing Madam Zhou's words, he lowered his head and gently patted her shoulder to reassure her.
"Xiuniang, don't worry too much. I have a feeling that child will definitely come home today."
Yun Zewu and Yun Zeren were also listless. After a long while, Yun Zewu pouted.
"I think I smell roast duck."
Yun Zeren sniffed deeply several times and nodded too. "I smell steamed buns as well, and..."
Yun Manman stopped behind them, a faint smile on her face and a hint of mischief in her voice.
"And the scent of osmanthus cakes too, right?"
Yun Zewu slapped his thigh and hurriedly answered, "Right, that's the scent of osmanthus cakes! How did you..."
The four turned their heads, saw the young girl smiling sweetly before them, and all froze.
Madam Zhou was the first to rush over and hug Yun Manman, her muffled voice carrying reproach.
"You worry us to death, disappearing for so many days! Aren't you capable, Yun Manman!"
Warmth flashed through Yun Manman's eyes, and she gently patted Madam Zhou's back.
"Mother, nothing will happen to me. You just take good care of yourself. That's what will put my mind at ease."
At that moment, Yun Zewu and Yun Zeren rushed over with reddened eyes, hugged Yun Manman around the waist, and burst into tears.
"You're a bad sister! We thought you didn't want us anymore! Boohoo... why didn't you come home?"
Yun Manman felt rather helpless. She still was not very good at comforting people, so she lifted the osmanthus cakes in her hand.
"Stop crying. Wash your faces and hurry up and have something tasty. Crying won't get you anywhere."
Old Father Yun looked her over, and only after confirming that Yun Manman was unhurt did his heart settle.
Hearing Yun Manman awkwardly comfort the two children, he could not help laughing.
He was just about to ask about her trip into the mountains when he saw the dense crowd of children behind her. Surprise flashed through his eyes. This...
"Manman, what's going on behind you? Where did these children come from?"
Madam Zhou, Yun Zewu, and Yun Zeren also stopped their chatter and crying, all looking up toward the children behind her. At the sight, they were too shocked to speak.
Only then did Yun Manman tell her family about Yun Mo and the others. Madam Zhou offered no opinion, while pity flashed through Old Father Yun's eyes.
"Manman, these children are certainly pitiful, but we simply can't afford to feed them now. They'll starve to death with us just the same!"
Yun Manman swept her gaze over the plot of land behind her. It was a decent spot, and quite large!
"Father, Mother, I'll go see the village chief in a bit. We'll build houses over all this land, and I'm also going to buy all the vacant land in the village."
Old Father Yun and Madam Zhou exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock.
This girl had probably never farmed and did not know how expensive good farmland was now, let alone building houses. That would take no small sum of silver.
Worried that speaking bluntly would discourage his daughter, Old Father Yun changed the subject and asked indirectly.
"Manman, what game did you catch in the mountains this time? Did you sell it for a lot of silver?"
A smile filled Yun Manman's violet eyes. She blinked mischievously, leaned closer to the two, and said quietly,
"This time in the mountains, I saved a wealthy merchant from Jiangnan who was nearly bitten to death by tigers."
"Ah! Tigers! Manman, you..."
Yun Manman hurriedly reassured Madam Zhou. "I'm very capable. I killed all six tigers and even took them to the county town and sold them for two thousand taels of silver!"
"Ah..."
Old Father Yun and Madam Zhou gaped in shock. Was their daughter really this fierce?
"To thank me, that wealthy merchant offered me a residence in the county town. I wanted to come home, so I refused him right away. Then, with no way to repay me, he finally gave me a thousand taels of gold as thanks."
Old Father Yun and Madam Zhou looked utterly bewildered. They exchanged a glance, looked at Yun Manman, and spoke in unison.
"Child, do you have a fever again?"
Yun Manman turned her wrist, letting two gold ingots slide from her sleeve, and placed them in their hands, looking more than a little pleased with herself.
"Father, Mother, feel these and see whether they're real. I've hidden all the rest of the gold."