Nian Shutong's movements were caught in full view by Fu Yunhe, and he had to admit that these were the best-treated ducks ever.
He personally plucked them, while Nian Shutong employed a special technique to give them a full-body massage.
He ensured that never again would there be such treatment.
About twenty ducks were divided between two roasting ovens.
The duck roaster was tall, the type with a narrow top and a wide belly, like a large clay pot.
The ducks were hung with iron wires, brushed with honey, and suspended inside the oven, with charcoals burning below.
It was some kind of fruitwood, which Nian Shutong had originally planned to use for wood carving because she thought the wood was fragrant.
But now, she had used all of it as charcoal for roasting the ducks.
Nian Shutong was determined to have this roast duck.
At first, the roasting duck didn't smell of anything, and nobody paid much attention.
