The firewood in the fireplace crackled, its flames dancing through the room.
Outside the window, snow was still falling.
Three days later, the snow stopped.
Under the escort of messengers, Little Stone and Elizabeth hurried back to the Royal Wilderness.
When the carriage stopped at the courtyard gate, Su Li was clearing the snow from the yard.
The carriage door opened, and Little Stone was the first to jump down.
He was already over seventy. His hair was gray-white, his face covered in wrinkles, and his back was bent so badly he could barely straighten it when he walked.
Elizabeth followed behind him, slowly stepping down with the aid of her cane.
She was in slightly better shape than Little Stone, but not by much. White hair, reading glasses, and age spots covering the backs of her hands.
"Father."
Little Stone walked up to Su Li and called out.
The guards standing beside the carriage all froze.
They looked at the young, handsome man before them, then at the gray-haired old man. Their minds simply could not make sense of it.
Th-this was father and son?
No matter how they looked at it, shouldn't it have been the other way around?
Su Li set down his shovel and brushed the snow from his hands.
"You're back?"
"Mm." Little Stone nodded. "The moment we received the letter, we rushed back."
Elizabeth came over and bowed to Su Li.
"Godfather."
Su Li waved a hand. "None of that empty ceremony. Come inside. It's cold out here."
The two followed Su Li into the house.
The guards remained where they were, staring at one another.
"Captain, should we..."
"Shut up." The guard captain lowered his voice. "Don't ask questions."
Inside the house, Saina and Elena were seated beside the stove.
The moment