The purchase of the duck parts went smoothly. The errand boy introduced by Long Wu happened to have leftovers from fifty ducks, and Cheng Nuo offered a price so readily that she did not even haggle. She was looking for a long-term, mutually beneficial business relationship; she had no desire to lose a supplier over a few pennies. With money to be made, there should be enough for everyone to eat.
By the time they reached the town gates with their baskets, it was already time for the curfew. The city gates closed behind them with a resounding thud. The three Cheng siblings worked together to lift their cart onto the ox-cart, and the journey home felt much lighter and more pleasant.
Not long after, the ox-cart swayed and rattled into the village. Most houses were already locked up, some with their lamps extinguished for the night. Only the lantern hanging from the great elm tree in front of the Cheng house remained, casting a warm glow to welcome their kin home.
Chapter 74