When Xiao Mo returned to Frost King's Manor, it was already evening.
The sun sank, spilling its light across the world.
At the manor gate, a man who had changed out of his armor and into plain clothes sat on the steps, holding a jar of wine.
Unlike the blood-soaked figure he had been on the battlefield,
the man now looked like an ordinary wealthy old gentleman, or perhaps a common martial artist.
"You're back."
Seeing Xiao Mo, Xiao Shi tipped his head back for a drink and smiled.
"Father." Xiao Mo cupped his hands in greeting, then asked, "Why are you sitting at the gate?"
"Waiting for you, of course." Xiao Shi smiled. "Are you free? How about we take a walk together?"
"If you're asking, Father, of course." Xiao Mo nodded.
"Then let's go." Xiao Shi set down the wine jar and rose, brushing the dust from his clothes before walking into the manor.
Xiao Mo followed beside Xiao Shi.
As they strolled, they chatted about the battlefield and exchanged their thoughts.
Xiao Shi also asked what the Emperor had said to Xiao Mo. Xiao Mo answered honestly; there was no reason to hide anything.
After hearing the conversation between his son and the Emperor, Xiao Shi fell briefly silent, but said nothing more.
As they walked, Xiao Mo gradually realized they were getting closer and closer to his mother's courtyard.
He glanced at his father and saw that Xiao Shi didn't seem inclined to leave.
Half an incense stick later, Xiao Mo and Xiao Shi arrived at Zhou Ruoxi's courtyard.
Though Zhou Ruoxi was now the matriarch of the Xiao Family, she still lived in this modest little courtyard.
Quite a few relatives from collateral branches had urged her to move into the main courtyard of Xiao