The grown-up chickens refused to follow the script, randomly scaring the wits out of a young troublemaker.
Zong Jincheng went back to pull him up. "It’s fine if you stepped on them. No use crying over spilled milk. Just be more careful next time."
Shen Yibai pouted and said, "Got it. Everyone, watch your step—there are eggs on the ground too."
"Roger that!" the boys chorused in unison.
The five youngsters carried baskets on their backs and got to work. At first, they thought picking up eggs by hand was dirty, but using handkerchiefs proved too cumbersome. Besides, the eggs weren’t that filthy, so they soon got used to grabbing them barehanded.
The chicken coop was divided into sections. Xu Wan and Su Xi stood outside, watching them collect eggs. Since it was their first time, they weren’t very skilled. He Zheng’s basket quickly filled up, and as he bent down to pick up another egg, several rolled out from the top of his basket—
Crack! Crack! Crack!
"Aah… my eggs!!"
The others rushed over to help him steady the basket.
Wei Xinglu reassured him, "It’s alright, only three broke. The rest are still fine."
Zong Jincheng soon figured out a trick and quickly shared it with the others. "When picking up eggs, squat down instead of bending over. Otherwise, eggs will fall out from the back of the basket. Also, even though the baskets aren’t big, they get heavy when full and slow you down. Just fill them about two-thirds and then take them out."
"Got it, let’s do that!" Shen Yibai agreed while shooing the chickens aside. "Move, you royal highnesses! We’ll be done soon, just let us finish."
By the end of the day, they had gathered over a thousand eggs at the entrance. Seeing the quantity was sufficient, Su Xi decided against sending them into the duck coop and called it a day.
"Finally done… so tired," Wei Xinglu groaned, collapsing onto the ground.
He used to think the ground was dirty, but after a day in the chicken coop, he felt he was the filthy one. Might as well sprawl out—who cared anymore?
He Zheng flopped down next to him, resting his head on Wei Xinglu’s arm, completely drained. "See? I told you—studying is the easiest thing in the world."
Zong Wenxiu slumped over too, muttering, "Absolutely…"
The other two followed suit, and soon all five boys lay in a heap. Zong Jincheng mumbled, "I’m too weak to move. Carry me to the carriage, or I’ll sleep right here tonight."
Shen Yibai, eyes closed, chimed in, "Good point. Don’t even try dragging me away. I need to be lifted, carried, or cuddled…"
Su Xi walked over and lightly kicked him, teasing, "Cuddled? How old are you? Get up, or you’ll be staying here tonight—and tomorrow, you’ll be picking eggs again."
That threat struck like lightning.
The exhausted boys instantly sprang to life, eyes wide open, and bolted for the carriage like energetic rabbits.
"Hahahaha…" Su Xi’s laughter echoed through the farmhouse like a wicked villain’s.
Xu Wan shook her head in amusement. She waited by the carriage, arranging for the boys to wash their hands and faces before handing them fresh clothes to change into inside.
After all that fuss, the boys were mostly clean again—but still slumped against the carriage windows and walls, groaning about how miserable their day had been.
Little did they know, tomorrow would be worse.
The next day.
Zong Jincheng leaned out of the carriage and asked, "Shunzi, where are we going? We’ve been riding forever. Isn’t that the city gate up ahead? Are we heading to the outskirts again?"
He Zheng also peeked out the window. "Is Old Man Su making us pick eggs again?"
Shunzi shook his head. "I don’t know, young master. Mr. Su didn’t say."
Zong Jincheng gritted his teeth and retreated inside. "That old weirdo is definitely up to no good. Who knows how he plans to torture us this time."
Zong Wenxiu patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Jincheng, don’t overthink it. Mr. Su means well. Look how much our poetry improved yesterday—even Auntie praised us."
At the mention of his mother, Zong Jincheng pouted. "Sure, we improved, but it’s so exhausting and annoying. When is that old man leaving? Another month of this…"
He Zheng murmured, "I think after a month, even if we’re not poetry masters, we won’t be bad at it anymore."
Shen Yibai scoffed. "Still annoying. That old man’s lessons are pure torture. Auntie’s teaching is way more fun!"
Wei Xinglu nodded vigorously. "If only Auntie were a poetry master—then we wouldn’t have to suffer under Mr. Su."
The little troublemaker concluded, "My mom’s the best…"
After two hours of bumpy travel, they finally arrived.
"Young masters, we’re here."
The five boys stepped out, utterly baffled by the sight before them. This wasn’t a farm—it looked like a marketplace, full of stalls selling poultry, meat, and vegetables.
Meanwhile, Xu Wan and Su Xi alighted from two other carriages, directing servants to unload baskets of eggs—the very ones they had collected the day before. The boys suddenly had a bad feeling.
He Zheng stammered, "Th-the eggs came too? Weren’t they left at the farm?"
Su Xi approached with a grin. "Of course we bought the eggs you worked so hard to collect. Farm eggs are cheap—resell them, and you double your money. That’s how business works, understand?"
Zong Jincheng’s eye twitched. "Then have the servants sell them! Why drag us here to—wait. You’re not making us sell these eggs, are you?!"
His eyes widened in horror. After imagining countless ways they might suffer through farm labor, he never saw this coming.
Shen Yibai shook his head like a rattle-drum. "No way! We’re noble young masters! Selling eggs in public? My father and grandfather would die of shame!"
Su Xi chuckled smugly. "That’s why I picked a spot thirty miles outside the city—no one here knows you. No need to worry!"
The five boys: "!!"
No need to worry his foot!
This old man really was determined to torment them to death.
The four troublemakers were indignant, their pride refusing to budge. Only Zong Wenxiu tried to console them. "It’s fine, this is way easier—not dirty or tiring. Let’s just take the eggs to the market."
