"That’s just how it is; we’ve come and caused displeasure," Third Great-Uncle also chuckled self-mockingly, then looked toward Yang Ruxin, "Girl, you’ve suffered for nothing since we’ve all become disliked....."
"Thank you, Great-Uncle," Yang Ruxin sincerely kowtowed to the two old men, "What you’ve done for us is already enough..."
"Ah!" Third Great-Uncle sighed, "In a while, I’ll have your Brother Rulin bring over two hundred jin of grain. With us few old ones around, we can’t let you and your mother starve...."
"I’ll also have Donglai send some grain to you shortly to get through these tough times...." Fourth Great-Uncle nodded as well.
"Thank you, eldest ancestor," said Yang Ruxin heartfeltly.
"How could we possibly let our uncles contribute the grain?" Yang Peili promptly waved his hands, "I will get it exchanged right away; please, don’t make it embarrassing for me..."
Third Great-Uncle turned his head to look at Yang Peili: "Get it exchanged?"
Yang Peili nodded quickly.
"Then hustle and exchange it," Third Great-Uncle nodded, "We will be watching here, so the grain doesn’t turn to stones again..."
Where would Yang Peili dare to let Yang Anshi handle it? He could only personally bring out the two hundred jin of grain and then watched as Yang Rulin and the others helped to move it to the back of the village.
"Dani, are you satisfied with this arrangement?" Third Great-Uncle walked up to Yang Ruxin.
"Thank you, Third Great-Uncle," Yang Ruxin lowered her head, looking pitiful.
"Dani, it’s like this: one can’t write two Yangs with a single stroke," sighed Third Great-Uncle, "One shouldn’t be too extreme in their actions. After all, you are the younger one, and it is right for your elders to discipline you, don’t you think? After all, Xiaofeng will have to embark on his official career in time..."
A frown that was barely noticeable crossed Yang Ruxin’s brow. This old man was too shrewd; her little ploy couldn’t fool him. This was a warning to her, for in this society, one could not exist independent of their family. Xiaofeng would need to study and pursue an official career, and that would definitely require family backing. Even if it wasn’t Yang Peili and his kin, other Yang members in the village could not be neglected.
At the very least, the lines of Third Great-Uncle and Fourth Great-Uncle couldn’t be broken.
Having realized this, Yang Ruxin quickly nodded: "Third Great-Uncle’s lesson is well taken; Xinxin will remember your teaching."
"Xinxin?" Third Great-Uncle raised his eyebrows slightly, "Is that your name?"
"The brothers and sisters of the Third and Fourth Uncles all have names, only we sisters of the main house don’t have proper names," Yang Ruxin nodded, "So, these past few days, I asked Brother Gu for help, and he helped name all my sisters. I was just thinking of finding a time to have the village chief enter them into the family register." Since Gu Qingheng was a scholar, saying he had helped with the names would preclude any doubt.
Of course, Yang Ruxin had also wondered why her father, who was a scholar, hadn’t given his own daughters names. It was very strange, but Yang Baiyue was already dead, so there was no way for her to understand his reasoning.
"Oh? What are the names then?" Third Great-Uncle seemed genuinely interested.
"I’m Yang Ruxin, ’Xin’ as in prosperity. Erni is called Yang Ruxue because it was snowing when she was born. Sanni was born in the middle of the night when everyone was asleep, hence she is named Yang Rumeng. Sini is called Yang Rumeng, wishing her a life as sweet as honey...."