The sun had just passed its zenith and was gradually setting in the west. Mu Family Village was enveloped in a gentle evening glow. Above the village, smoke from cooking fires rose and spread, each family starting to prepare dinner.
After helping with the cooking at the Zhou family, Lady Du returned to her own home. Even before she entered the courtyard, she could smell the thick aroma of grilled meat in the air. When she entered the main room, she found her children, all lively and excited, gathered around a charcoal basin. Her eldest daughter was holding a few long, dry branches that had chunks of meat skewered onto them, roasting over the charcoal fire. While roasting, she fanned the fire and occasionally sprinkled some seasonings on the meat.
When the children saw Lady Du had returned, they joyfully called out, "Mother, come and try these meat skewers. The ones that our eldest sister has grilled smell so good!"
