Chapter 5: There is a son in the family named Mu Yang

Yang'er, later your father and I will take you to school, and you must be obedient and listen carefully while you are there. Also, last night your father and I discussed giving you a name...

The next day, early in the morning, the Green Branch couple got up, and Yun Mu Yang also rose early. The mere thought of going to school filled him with an inexplicable excitement, perhaps due to the innate desire flowing in his blood. Seeing Yun Mu Yang so excited, Green Branch felt happy for him, but when she recalled the admonitions from Yun Bo Zhen before his passing, she couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy. A scholar is of no use; she hoped her child would not pursue an official career in the future, and even becoming a warrior would be acceptable. She could only sigh.

Do not rush, at this hour, sir is probably still on his way to the school! Take your time, by the way, Yang'er, have you gone to count the gifts we are to present to the teacher? There must be no mistakes whatsoever!

His father, tomorrow he will send Yang'er to school, but Yang'er does not even have a school name yet

Father, Mother, does Yang'er still go by the name Yang'er?

Understood, Mother. Everything has been counted, not a single item is missing! Celery, lotus seeds, red beans, jujubes, longan, dried lean meat strips... and..." Seeing Yun Mu Yang counting one by one on his fingers, the two from the Green Branch couldn't help but smile, yet they did not interfere with him. One busied herself in the kitchen, while the other went into the room to coax Zhong Jian.

"Alright, I will definitely make you two more large ones," Liu Lvzhi said with a smile

Indeed! Wait a moment, once your father brings back the prey, we will head down the mountain.

As dusk approached, Green Branch and a few others finally returned. Along the way, Yang Er was extremely excited, as it was his first time visiting the market. Although the outside world had been chaotic in recent years, even this remote village could sense the turmoil, and the town was in utter disarray. There were also government conscriptions and tax levies, and people said that a war was imminent, causing widespread anxiety. However, for some unknown reason, things had calmed down over the past year, and the town gradually returned to its former liveliness. The Zhong An family of four arrived in the town, and Yang Er saw many new and interesting things, spending the entire day asking questions, which annoyed Green Branch to no end. However, Zhong An, seeing Yang Er so happy, answered all his questions, and when he encountered something he did not know, he would say, "This father does not understand, ask your mother; she is knowledgeable." By evening, with the moon bright and the stars few, Yang Er was also tired. The two brothers had just lain down for a short while before falling asleep, while Zhong An and his wife tidied up for a long time before finally going to rest.

Then it is settled, we shall name him Mu Yang. Tomorrow we will send him to the school. I have heard that the teacher at that school was originally a traveling doctor

"Father, you are back, what a big roe deer!" Zhong An laughed heartily, patting Yang'er on the head. Yang'er turned around and ran into the kitchen, shouting, "Mother, Father is back, and he brought a roe deer!"

However, after a short while, Zhong An had fallen into a deep sleep! Lü Zhi noticed that Zhong An was sleeping soundly, while she herself was wide awake. The reason she named her son Mu Yang was that she remembered how Yun Bozhen often taught her poetry and prose during her pregnancy, and took her to watch the sunset, recalling how beautiful the evening sun was... She glanced at her husband sleeping beside her, sighed softly, and then revealed a faint smile, embracing Zhong An and drifting into a deep sleep.

Indeed, we will take Uncle Li's ox cart to the town later. Tomorrow you will be going to school, so today we should take advantage of the market to exchange for some salt and household supplies. You must be obedient later on.

"Father, Mother, please hurry and have breakfast! I want to go to school," Yun Mu Yang urged.

Indeed, the old gentleman's surname is Zhang. I remember that Yang was delivered by him and the midwife from the east of the village! If it weren't for him, who knows if Yang and I would have already turned to dust!" At this point, Lü Zhi felt a bit melancholic, so she continued, "Not only is Old Mr. Zhang skilled in medicine, but he is also quite knowledgeable! Alas... Originally, Yang's biological father was a teacher at that school, but after he passed away, Old Doctor Zhang stayed in our village to teach. Our village happens to be situated in the middle of three villages, and the other two villages do not have any teachers, so the children all come to our village's school to learn some characters. Perhaps Yang could even learn some medical skills from this Doctor Zhang."

As dawn breaks, a cool breeze blows, the sound of birds chirping incessantly on the mountain, and a wisp of blue smoke rises gently from a small house halfway up the hill

Haha, of course, he is also called Yang Er, his name is Zhong Mu Yang. Do you like it?" Zhong An said cheerfully

Green Branch listened and no longer said anything

Isn't it called Yang Er?

Understood, Mother, will Father and my younger brother be going as well

The child Yang'er was named so because his biological father was born during the Chongyang Festival. Before his father passed away, he had also chosen a name, but he did not inform me. After he left, I named the child Yang'er, hoping that when he learns of this in the future, he will remember his biological father. At this point, Lvzhi's eyes turned slightly red. Zhong An embraced Lvzhi's shoulders and said, "Do not be sad anymore. When Yang'er grows up a bit, we will tell him. But for now, what name should we give him?"

This is also the case; no matter how difficult it gets, it cannot be difficult for the three of you. Although I have no great abilities, I can still buy a piece of cloth. As for Yang's schooling, you need not worry. Tonight, we will not return to the mountain; we will go back directly. It is not acceptable for the three of you to live on the mountain all the time.

Understood, do not wake your younger brother, quickly go and pour a cup of warm tea for your father said Lu Zhi, holding a steaming bowl of white porridge and a pancake as she came out with a gentle expression

Liu Lvzhi felt a warmth in her heart upon hearing these words. Although her husband was not as handsome or learned as Yun Bo, he took care of her in every way. Over the past three years, he had not allowed her and their children to suffer even a bit. "No, it's still not necessary. We have enough clothes. However, I need to send Yang'er to school tomorrow. Moreover, with autumn approaching and rumors of possible war, it is better to buy more household essentials like salt and rice."

Alright, mother, please make a couple more pancakes, as Yang Er might eat them recently

It is true that Yang has been clever since childhood and learns things quickly. You have already taught him to recognize many characters, so perhaps this old gentleman might indeed take him as a disciple and teach him some medical skills. In the future, Yang won't have to endure the hardships I faced, wandering in the wind and rain, climbing mountains and crawling through fields, just to secure three meals a day. Don't think too much; get some rest early so that you can send little Mu Yang to school tomorrow. Zhong An also sensed the sadness in Lu Zhi's words and had no choice but to change the subject.

"Good, I have a new name now..." Yun Mu Yang, upon hearing himself being called Zhong Mu Yang, was extremely excited. He circled around Zhong An and Lu Zhi, causing Zhong Jian, who was sleeping in the room, to wake up as well.

"Mother, are we going to the town today?" A cheerful and clear voice came from the grass hut halfway up the mountain

"You are back, let's eat something first!" After hearing this, Zhong An served himself some porridge and drank it. Once he finished, he said, "Child's mother, let's go to the market later to buy some fabric, so I can make clothes for you all. Autumn is approaching, and although it is not too cold yet, it is still good to make one."

The green branch lowered its head and thought for a moment before saying, "Why not call him Mu Yang! I hope he grows up happily under the sunlight, with the heavens watching over him"