Night fell quietly, warm lamplight shining from the windows of every household and driving away the chill of the winter night.
Inside the main room of the Fang Family's small courtyard, an oil lamp lit the modest space brightly and warmly.
The square table was packed full: two fragrant Roast Chickens,
a plate of richly sauced lamb that made one's mouth water, a basin of bone broth bubbling with heat,
and a serving of large chunks of braised beef beside them.
The dishes were simple, yet they carried the comforting warmth of everyday life.
Aside from the Roast Chickens Fang Yuan had brought back, Liu Wanwan had carefully purchased all the other hearty dishes during the day.
As Liu Wanwan ladled Fang Yuan a steaming bowl of bone broth, she sighed softly.
"Husband, you have no idea. The price of fresh meat at the market has gone up again lately. That lamb cost nearly thirty percent more than it did a few days ago."
Fang Yuan was picking up a slice of braised beef to put into his mouth. At her words, his hand paused slightly, and he immediately grew alert.
He set down his chopsticks and pressed, "Meat prices have risen that badly? What about grain prices?"
Liu Wanwan gently set the soup bowl before him. Her delicate brows knitted faintly, her voice carrying a trace of worry.
"Grain prices have risen badly too. A dou of good polished rice has gone from one hundred and twenty copper coins to nearly two hundred now!
Even brown rice has gone up quite a bit. Today, when I went to that Grain Store I usually visit to buy rice,
I heard one of the clerks muttering that the grain in their warehouse seemed to be running low too. Their owner was