Behind her, He Jie and Gao Yuanyuan exchanged glances, confusion growing with every trade.
One after another, more sickly oxen were brought forward.
And one after another, she bought them all.
There was no bargaining involved as she watched the grain disappeared and oxen gathered.
A quiet, uneasy feeling began to settle in the air.
He Jie finally stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Sister Hong… don't you think Benefactor might be angered if we keep doing this?"
Hong Yiting's hand stilled for just a moment on the reins of another frail animal.
She looked ahead, watching as her people led the newly bought oxen aside, tying them together.
It was a losing trade, anyone could see that.
She exhaled softly.
"I don't know what really goes on in his head," she said at last, her voice steady.
Then she tightened her grip and stepped forward to take the next rope.
"But the Benefactor told me to buy oxen from the people."
That was enough to convince everyone else.
