Elena stared at him for three seconds, then tucked the list into the ledger.
"Let's go. Bring two extra sacks of flour next time. Saina said the last batch wasn't ground fine enough."
Barlow nodded three times in rapid succession and scampered back to the carriage.
The third shipment was the heaviest.
Red Leaf Manor's messenger did not arrive until the afternoon, two horses carrying four iron-plated chests. The messenger handed over Old Ford's handwritten letter, bowed, and left.
Elena opened the envelope beside the stone table.
The letter was twice as long as usual.
It began, as always, with, "To my daughter Elena, may this find you well." She read the wording that followed twice.
In the letter, Old Ford made a promise of his own accord: Elena could return if she wished, and stay away if she did not. Matters in the Royal Capital were not urgent; he would bear the family's affairs himself. All he asked was that she send a letter now and then to let him know she was safe and well, so that he, as her father, would know his daughter was living happily.
There was an additional line at the end: Should my son-in-law require materials related to the fifth tier, the first batch has been prepared in the accompanying chests. Further supplies will be added as needed.
Elena folded the letter and put it back into its envelope.
She leaned back in her chair, the charcoal pencil in her hand turning twice between her fingers, slower than usual.
"What's wrong?" Su Li came out of the woodshed, iron filings still clinging to his hands.
"My father has learned his lesson." Elena handed him the letter. "No more urging, no more forcing—and he's even sending you fifth-tier materials."
Su Li gave it a