"Ah... the chicken-feeding class," Cui Zhi blinked and came up with a name for it.
Xu Wan was baffled: "Chicken-feeding?? Where are they feeding them?"
"In the courtyard by the grand study," Cui Zhi replied, torn between laughter and exasperation. "Mr. Su specifically had the servants release all the purchased chickens there so the young masters could tend to them up close—to inspire them when writing reflective poetry."
Xu Wan: "..."
Well, she shouldn’t be too surprised.
Just the day before, they’d been sent to pick lotus pods in the river, and the day before that, they’d been digging up flower beds to plant vegetables. Today, feeding chickens seemed perfectly reasonable. Mr. Su was simply bringing his rural daily chores into the city for them to experience.
For the young boys, this was a completely novel adventure—one that could spark their creativity in unexpected ways.
Xu Wan took a deep breath to steady herself and asked, "How many chickens did they buy?"
Cui Zhi answered quietly, "A hundred."
Xu Wan immediately froze, then exclaimed in shock, "Are they opening a chicken farm?!"
Cui Zhi struggled to suppress her laughter. "Madam, perhaps you should eat first. After breakfast, you can go see for yourself."
Xu Wan quickly shoveled down a few bites, changed into more practical clothes, and headed over with Cui Zhi.
At the entrance of the Marquis Manor Elite Class, Xu Wan had barely stepped inside when a yellow blur came flying at her.
Shen Yibai shouted as he lunged forward, "Stay still! If you jump off me, I’ll break your legs!"
Xu Wan dodged just in time, watching as Shen Yibai crashed past her and snatched up the tiny yellow chick.
Shen Yibai beamed triumphantly. "Got you! Aren’t you going to thank me for saving your life?"
The speechless chick: "..."
In the distance, Wei Xinglu called out, "Xiao Bai, hurry back! You still have more chickens to catch!"
"Oh, right! Coming!" Shen Yibai scrambled up from the ground, greeted Xu Wan with a quick "Auntie!" and dashed back to his chicken-chasing duties.
Xu Wan surveyed the courtyard—swarming with yellow chicks and boys leaping about—and remarked to Cui Zhi, "This isn’t the chaotic ‘chickens flying and dogs jumping’ scene I imagined."
Cui Zhi nodded. "No wonder the accounting office said a hundred chickens only cost three hundred coins. Turns out they bought all chicks—no wonder it was so cheap."
Xu Wan hadn’t been supervising, but the manor’s servants were at Su Xi’s disposal. If he wanted something bought, it would be—especially something as simple as baby chickens.
Xu Wan chuckled. "Even adults would go mad trying to catch a hundred full-grown chickens, let alone these boys. Mr. Su is clever—having them tend to cute little chicks instead. No wonder they’re not complaining and are actually having fun."
In a small pavilion, Su Xi fanned himself while issuing commands like a general:
"Shen Yibai, be gentle! Don’t crush the chick before it even has a chance to fall."
"Zong Wenxiu, speed up! You’re the slowest—at this rate, you’ll still be catching chickens by nightfall."
"Wei Xinglu, you’re supposed to be catching chickens, not dancing with them! What’s next, a chicken waltz?"
"Zong Jincheng, watch your feet! There are chicks right under you—one misstep and you’ll send them straight to Buddha."
"He Zheng, what are you doing? I’ve seen nets for fishing, but never for catching chickens! Put that fish scoop away!"
Su Xi grew increasingly animated, finally rising from his stone seat—only to spot Xu Wan approaching. His mischievous old-man act immediately toned down as he greeted her with a smile. "Good morning, Madam! Here to watch the chicken chase?"
Xu Wan smiled back. "Indeed. This courtyard is lively today. Are you enjoying yourself, Sir?"
Su Xi couldn’t suppress a grin. "Enjoying? Pah! I’m just supervising—not joining in the fun."
Xu Wan thought to herself: Your smug expression says otherwise.
But for the sake of adult dignity, she pretended not to notice and asked, "Where are they supposed to be taking the chickens?"
"Over there." Su Xi pointed to a fenced-off area. "That’s the pen they built this morning. Crooked as it is, it’ll do."
Xu Wan glanced at it. Honestly, the boys had done a decent job—only Su Xi’s high standards made it seem shoddy.
She nodded. "No wonder they’re only now catching chickens—they must’ve spent the whole morning on this."
Su Xi sighed. "These kids can’t even catch chickens properly. By the time they’re done, the chicks will starve—" He suddenly stood up again, shouting, "Hey! Zong Jincheng! You stepped on a chick! I just told you to watch your feet! What are those big eyes of yours looking at? Your mother isn’t going anywhere!"
Zong Jincheng had been sneaking glances at Xu Wan, eager to talk to her, but in his distraction, he’d accidentally trodden on a chick.
At Su Xi’s scolding, he looked down and saw the poor thing—one leg crushed, now limping helplessly.
The little troublemaker’s world shattered. He wailed in despair, "House Physician! Where’s the House Physician?! Someone check my chick’s leg!!"
"..."
The House Physician arrived with an air of resignation.
After examining the chick and bandaging its leg, he delivered his diagnosis: "A minor fracture. It’ll heal in about ten days with proper care."
Zong Jincheng nodded fervently. "I’ll take good care of it, I promise!"
The House Physician rolled his eyes and hurried off with his medical kit. First humans, then pigs, now chickens—soon even the manor’s dogs will demand check-ups.
Despair.
Zong Jincheng had Shunzi fetch a basket, where he gently placed the injured chick, naming it "Fluffy" in remorse. He instructed Shunzi, "Guard Fluffy for me. Once I finish catching the rest, I’ll come back to apologize properly."
Shunzi scratched his head. "Yes, Young Master."
Su Xi sat back down, muttering, "What nonsense. Your House Physician spoils him rotten—even treating a chicken... I don’t know whether to laugh or scold."
Xu Wan giggled. "Isn’t this a new experience for you too, Sir?"
Su Xi conceded, "It is novel. But credit to you—this boy listens well. If he’d been a spoiled brat, this kind of coddling would’ve turned him into the most notorious playboy in the capital."
Xu Wan silently looked up at the sky.
She didn’t dare admit that Mr. Su might have stumbled upon the truth.
