She had also heard that after the children's opera troupe became popular in Kyoto, some unscrupulous dignitaries started making unsavory demands.

The troupe leader was startled and looked embarrassed. "Yes... but... I refused them all."

"really?"

The troupe leader, unsure how to discuss such sordid matters with the five-year-old girl before him, could only lower his head. "These promising talents, though I picked up from beggars' heels, I've still spent a great deal of time teaching them singing, recitation, acting, and martial arts. How could I not have some affection for them? Even a man couldn't watch these children be ruined by those despicable people! I... have declined many invitations from noble people... but... I'm also afraid that if one day I offend someone I can't afford to offend... I'll have no choice but to leave the capital!"

Xiao Youran nodded. This troupe leader was willing to give up such a good situation to protect these young actors, which showed that he was an upright and kind person.

She then said, "From today onwards, you will change your names and reside permanently at the Su residence! If you receive any further invitations from outside, you may choose the best one to accept."

The troupe leader was taken aback, then overjoyed. "How about we call it the Su Troupe? What does the young lady think?"

Xiao Youran pondered for a moment and said, "Su Yunban, that's a nice name."

The troupe leader was overjoyed. The Su-Yun Troupe—this meant that both the Su and Yun families were protecting them! If it was a legitimate invitation from the government, he would accept it; but if it was an informal invitation, he could refuse it with a clear conscience!

He bowed deeply, saying, "Yuan Hao thanks the young county princess!"

At this moment, Madam Su entered gracefully and, upon hearing this, asked, "What Su Yun Class?"

Xiao Youran said with a grin, "I was thinking that since we've all moved into the Duke's Mansion, the Su Mansion will be all quiet and deserted. How about we ask Master Yuan to stay at the Su Mansion from now on?"

Madam Su nodded, "The current level of this children's opera troupe is largely thanks to your scripts. Your mother has no objections."

"Yes, he then suggested renaming the opera troupe the Su Yun Troupe. I think it sounds pretty good."

Su's heart skipped a beat, and she waved her hand, saying, "Master Yuan, go back and pack your things today, and move into the Su residence tomorrow."

Yuan Hao bowed again, "Thank you, young county princess! Thank you, duchess!"

Just as he was getting up, he inexplicably blurted out, "Thank you, my little one!"

With a "ding".

Xiao Youran heard a long-lost voice.

However, she ignored her mother who was standing in front of her and just nodded with a smile.

Yuan Hao knew that the Su family had come and that the three of them must have something to say, so when the play on stage came to an end, he waved and led everyone away.

Madam Yun was still enjoying the show, but when she saw Madam Su, she gave up on watching and hurriedly called for someone to give her a reward.

Madam Su did not stop him, but Yuan Hao declined the reward, kneeling down and saying, "The Su Yun Troupe will be the exclusive opera troupe of the Su family from now on, and I dare not accept the reward."

Madam Su smiled and said, "Even if you stay at the Su residence for a long time in the future, you should still receive the reward you are entitled to. Master Yuan, please take it."

Yuan Hao then accepted the brocade box with both hands, thanked them profusely, and led everyone off the stage.

Madam Su shoved Xiao Youran, "Hurry up and explain it to your grandmother!"

Little Youran snuggled into the arms of the astonished Old Madam Yun and said coquettishly, "Grandmother! Weren't those young men on stage adorable?"

"She is very cute." Old Madam Yun lovingly hugged Xiao Youran. "But what does this have to do with the Su family?"

“They’ve become famous, so of course some shady characters will try to buy them off.” Xiao Youran had only spoken halfway when Madam Su sensed something was wrong. “What did you say?”

Madam Yun immediately understood, "Little Youran is kind-hearted and wants to provide shelter for these child actors who came from beggar backgrounds, right?"

Little Youran chuckled and snuggled closer to Old Madam Yun, "I wonder how long she can protect us."

Looking at Madam Su's rosy cheeks, Old Madam Yun smiled with satisfaction, "Ya Rong, I am very happy to see how you look now."

Madam Su blushed immediately, but quickly raised her head and said, tears welling up in her eyes, "Mother, so... my cousin was willing. Mother, I can finally call you that! Mother!"

Madam Yun's eyes also reddened. "Oh, oh, good child, good child!"

She understood what Su meant.

Although they were once as close as mother and daughter, the separation of her niece and son's marriage had created some distance between them. When the Yun family suffered misfortune, Madam Su disregarded past grievances and came to comfort this old woman, indirectly helping the Yun family through the crisis. Naturally, the two had long since put aside their past grievances and reconciled. However, in reality, she was only Madam Su's aunt, not her mother.

Hearing her call her "Mother" now, even though she knew before that she had called her "Mother-in-law," made her very happy. In the current situation, she knew that Madam Su truly considered her her mother.

Little Youran blinked. "Mother, didn't you start calling me Mother after you got married? I started calling her Grandmother too!"

Mrs. Su patted her head without explaining.

Before she knew Yun Yue's true feelings, she only addressed him as "mother-in-law" in a formal sense, not as "mother" in her heart.

Now that everything has been confirmed, she is naturally relieved and content.

Recalling what she had just heard Master Yuan Hao say, she suggested, "Mother, although Xiao Youran came to the Yun family with me, her name is not yet on the Yun family genealogy. Her surname Su is not quite right. How about adding the surname Yun before Su, so that her surname is Yun Su?"

She only thought of this compound surname after hearing the troupe leader say that he was going to change the name to Su Yunban.

Madam Yun asked in surprise, "Where is there a compound surname like Yun Su?"

At that moment, a tense voice rang out, "What? The surname Yun Su?"

Immediately afterward, a figure strode in; it was none other than the newly appointed Duke Yun Yue, dressed in court attire.

He looked at his mother with a nervous expression and said, "Greetings to Mother."

Without waiting for her mother's reply, she looked at Ya Rong with a worried expression.

Madam Yun chuckled, patting Xiao Youran's head to signal her to come down, and said, "We were just discussing the little girl's surname!"

Xiao Youran got down from the ground and rushed into Yun Yue's arms, "Daddy! Even if my surname isn't Yun, I'm still your daughter!"

Yun Yue was a little awkward holding her at first, but he quickly lifted her up and laughed heartily, "You're right! Even if you don't have the surname Yun, you're still my daughter!"

Little Youran looked at Madam Su and said, "Mother, my name is Su Youran! I don't want the surname Yun!"

Su looked at her helplessly, "You really don't want to?"

"Absolutely, absolutely, and without a doubt!" Xiao Youran nodded firmly, then turned to Old Madam Yun, "Grandmother, if I don't take the surname Yun, does that mean I can't be included in the Yun family genealogy?"

"Of course not!" Old Madam Yun knew that this little girl had always been very opinionated, so she didn't force her. "Since you don't want to, then let's give up."

"Mmm!" Xiao Youran looked at Yun Yue, "Daddy, what do you think?"