Xiao Man and Grandpa left the way they had come. As their oxcart departed from the large compound, a group of children followed them to the gate before being called back by the adults.
Xiao Man asked Grandpa, "We brought the cart in loaded with goods and left with it empty. Won't anyone get suspicious or start gossiping? This is a huge compound, after all. There are so many people and so many prying eyes!"
Grandpa glanced back and said in a low voice, "How would they dare? Even the little children are ordered to keep their mouths shut! Everyone in this compound, and many others besides, rely entirely on the Sun Family to survive! Why else do you think they're so desperately buying up herbs in secret? They don't have jobs, they can't do other work, and they have no fields or land of their own. If the Sun Family didn't find a way to support them, they'd never make it!"
Xiao Man nodded in understanding.
