One Week Later
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THE DAYS FELL INTOa rhythm.
Mornings: Harvest, tend the gardens, check the water systems.The elevated cistern fed everything through climbing plants, and she'd gotten the flow just right.
Afternoons: Production work.Growing trade goods for Zhao Wei's distribution network.She harvested silk, velvet, soaps and the various items that sold well.She'd learned her patterns now, knew which plants produced regularly and how to maximize output.
Evenings: Experiments.New plants, new ideas, refinements to her systems.
The town had settled into treating her differently.Not just respect, though there was that, but a kind of awed curiosity.People wanted to know what she'd do next.What other impossible things she might create.
It was flattering.And a little overwhelming.
On the fifth day back, she was adjusting the elevated pond, trying to encourage the water lilies to spread more evenly, when she heard hoofbeats below.She looked down to see Jin dismounting.
He'd been by twice since she'd moved back."Checking on you," he'd said, professional as always.But both times he'd stayed longer than necessary.Helped with small things, talked.
"Permission to come up?"he called.
She activated a willow ramp."Always."
He climbed with the easy confidence of someone who'd done it several times now.When he reached the platform, he looked around with that slight smile, the one that meant he was impressed but trying not to show it."The pond looks good."
"Getting there.The lilies need encouragement to spread, but they're adapting."She wiped her hands on her work dress."What brings you by?"
"Patrol route."His tone was casual."Thought I'd check in."
"Your patrol route goes past my farm specifically?"she teased.
"It does now."He met her eyes, and there was something in his expression that made her heart skip."After what happened during the migration, I want to keep closer watch on outlying properties.Especially this one."
"Especially this one?"
"It's the most valuable property in the territory now.It needs more attention."
"Is that the only reason?"
He was quiet for a moment, looking at her.Then: "No.It's not the only reason."
The air between them felt charged suddenly.
Before she could respond, Walter appeared."Oh!Marshall Jin!Perfect timing.Could you help us with the rubber tree?There’s a pair of boots that needs a tall person to reach properly."
The moment broke.Jin smiled slightly."Of course."
They spent the next hour working together on small tasks.Jin was good with his hands—precise, efficient, not afraid of hard work.And he asked good questions about her farm, genuinely curious about how things worked.
"The retractable ramps are brilliant," he said, testing one."But what happens if you're not here to activate them?"
"They default to a retracted position.Safety first."She showed him the mechanism."And Walter can activate them if needed.He's authorized."
