"You lot peel the eggs too. Put them in the basket once you're done," Wang Laoshi said.
Under the morning sun, ten Night Guards silently peeled the pig-blood-red eggs and placed them into the basket one after another.
"Hiss..."
Good Fortune Born handed over an egg. When he lowered his head, shock flashed across his face. At some point, both his hands had been sliced open by sharp blades, crisscrossed with dozens of wounds. Yet not a trace of blood seeped from them; they were pale, as though they had been soaked in water.
The others lowered their heads to inspect themselves as well. Every one of their hands was split open.
Everyone immediately understood why the eggs had turned red.
Wang Laoshi lifted the basket and placed it inside the threshold, smiling. "Little Master, these are your Red Fortune Eggs. Eat them all, and they will bless you with eternal life."
Sunshine Boy turned his head and asked, "Mother, can these eggs be shared with others?"
"My foolish son, these are great tonics. They were all prepared for you. Even if Mother craved them, I couldn't bear to eat them."
Sunshine Boy picked out the egg Good Fortune Born had peeled, cupped it in both hands, and placed it upon Weird Mother's huge palm. "This one is the best. Mother should eat it. I'll only eat ten. Please don't refuse, Mother. This is your child's filial devotion."
Good Fortune Born clenched his fists.
Weird Mother began to sob softly, her voice choked with tears. "My good son, you're still the one who loves Mother most. You truly are my good eldest son. Fine, Mother will eat this lovely red egg. You must finish all the others."
Sunshine Boy first tucked the Egg-Dividing Man's mugwort into his clothes, then gave