Chapter 53: Triplet Couriers... Chaos Ensues
"I don't see why we can't help," Su Rui declared, arms crossed.
Su Lin nodded. "We're strong. Fast. Smart."
Su Zhi added with a proud grin, "And cute."
Su Yanyue gave them a look. "Delivering food is serious. You have to be careful, on time, and not eat the deliveries."
"We would never," they chorused—though their slightly guilty glances suggested otherwise.
Still, she had to admit they had been pestering her for days about helping more. And after yesterday's smooth delivery in Baihe, orders had doubled. Steamed buns, pickled radish, chicken porridge, sweet rice cakes—her little kitchen team had turned into a full production crew.
So after a moment's pause, Yanyue said, "Fine. You three will deliver these small lunchboxes to the repair tent on the east side. No detours. No mischief. No bribes in the form of sugar buns."
"Yes, General Mama!" they saluted in unison.
Yu Shiming, quietly trimming bamboo nearby, stifled a chuckle.
"Don't encourage them," Yanyue muttered, handing the boys a small basket each.
Off the triplets marched, heads held high, baskets swinging with pride.
---
Fifteen minutes later, all three were standing in front of a confused old carpenter.
"So you see," Su Lin was explaining patiently, "if you trade us your dried plums, we'll give you a bun. You win, we win."
The man blinked. "Aren't you supposed to deliver the buns?"
"We are," Su Rui said brightly. "But we also accept... alternative payment methods."
"Like pickled eggs," Su Zhi offered helpfully.
Just as the old man was about to trade them his breakfast in exchange for theirs, Yanyue appeared behind them like a silent ghost.
The boys froze.
She slowly crossed her arms. "Alternative payment methods?"
The old man immediately bowed, sensing danger. "Ah, Miss Su! I was just—just admiring the children's entrepreneurial spirit!"
"I see." Her smile didn't reach her eyes.
The triplets tried to retreat. Su Zhi offered her a pickled egg in apology. Su Rui gave his best angelic smile. Su Lin held up his bun like a peace offering.
"You three," she said, "are banned from deliveries until you understand the meaning of 'professionalism.'"
"But we made a chart!" Su Rui wailed.
"With arrows and symbols!" Su Lin added.
Su Zhi sniffled dramatically. "I didn't even eat anything... yet."
Yanyue handed their baskets to a nearby auntie and marched them back toward the house.
Yu Shiming stood by the gate, waiting with crossed arms and a barely restrained grin.
"What happened this time?" he asked.
"Apparently, my sons were running a mobile barter stand."
Yu Shiming raised an eyebrow. "Creative."
"Don't encourage them."
As punishment—light, of course—she made them wash radishes for dinner. By the end, the kitchen floor was wetter than the radishes, and Su Zhi had somehow worn two buckets on his feet like shoes.
But even as she sighed and mopped the mess, Su Yanyue couldn't help smiling.
This was her life now. Not a palace, not a battlefield, but a warm home filled with laughter, little chaos-makers, and quiet support from the tall, quiet man who always helped her scrub carrots without a word.
And as the stars blinked awake in the evening sky, a fresh breeze carried the scent of stew and roasted chestnuts—and the promise of more delightful trouble tomorrow.