By the time he finished writing that sentence, dawn had already broken.
The candle in the study had burned to its end. The flame struggled twice atop the candlestick, then went out.
Three days later, Ginkgo Alley No. 3 Courtyard.
Elena opened the letter tube beside the stone table.
After reading the letter, she did not immediately offer her opinion as usual. Her fingers pinched the edge of the paper, her gaze fixed on the words "daughter."
She was silent for a long while.
Su Li came out of the woodshed and saw her expression. "What is it?"
Elena handed him the letter. "He changed the way he addresses me."
Su Li took it and skimmed it, then gave a short laugh. "'Daughter'?"
"Don't laugh." Elena's voice was somewhat complicated. "He's never used that tone before. Even when I was little, he called me by my full name."
Su Li set the letter on the table.
He understood what Old Ford meant. An old fox who had soaked in the arena of power for decades suddenly starting to call you by a pet name meant he had truly lowered himself. It was not an act. He had been forced into it.
"Are we going?" Elena asked.
Su Li thought for a moment. "We're going."
Elena did not ask why.
She knew Su Li had not made this decision because Old Ford's attitude had changed, but because of that great array.
If it was not dealt with, the ending of their previous life could repeat itself at any time.
"What are the conditions?" she asked.
Su Li held up three fingers. "First, the great array. Once we get there, we open the energy-release vent and completely eliminate the hidden danger. Second, that fifth-rank armor. I want to dismantle it with