Dawa found herself back in her palace when she woke up the next day. She blinked a few times, removing the sleep from her eyes, before sitting up.

How did I get back here? I remember listening to really beautiful music then…

She looked up as if deep in thought.

Did I fall asleep? On…

Realisation dawned and she felt slightly embarrassed.

I hope I didn’t offend General Zi by falling asleep on his shoulder or was it his lap? Argh! I can’t remember! But he did bring me back here without being seen so I need to thank him somehow…

She began to get off the bed when she felt something rustle her blankets. Curious, she lifted the sheet and her face softened at the sight of a paper rabbit hopping around on her bed.

How adorable! She presented her palm to the little paper creature and it hopped on. She lifted the rabbit to eye level and noticed some black streaks on the side.

Cultivators in Li have many ways of sending messages from one person to another. Usually, a messenger would deliver them but if one wanted to be discreet, turning the messages into little animals would do the trick. First, the paper is folded into the animal of choice, then a spell is used to animate the creature and give instructions for the creature to send the message to the recipient. The spell is of a high-level meaning that only those with a high cultivation base can execute it correctly.

Having not come across this method of correspondence, Dawa initially had no idea who made the rabbit and why was it covered in black ink. Upon closer inspection, she recognised some characters.

Ah! It must be a note…but how do I read it?

She fiddled with the rabbit who sometimes winced and retreated when uncomfortable. Dawa found it incredibly cute and continue to play with it.

Hehe~ It’s so cute. If I can’t figure out what it said, I can keep it as a pet…Oh but Gao wouldn’t like it. That eagle is too jealous sometimes.

At last, she tried to pour some spiritual energy into the rabbit, with the intent to dispel the enchantment and it worked. The rabbit magically stopped moving and unfolded to reveal marvellous calligraphy.

It worked! Now, let’s see what it says.

‘You know how to find me.’

Dawa scrunched up her face in confusion.

What is this?! Was it left here by mistake? No…no other people have entered the palace except for my staff so could it be General Zi?

She held the note in her hands and fiddled with it, thinking carefully.

I should confirm the sender. If it was General Zi who sent this note, I will know immediately. If not…

Dawa smiled coyly.

Then we will see who is keeping secrets in the palace.

She took out a piece of parchment paper and scribbled a quick note:

‘My thanks to General Zi for the message.’

She tried to morph her little piece of paper into an eagle just like Gao but it wasn’t working. She suspected that she doesn’t have the proper foundation for the skill to work.

She continued to think. She could send Bortu to deliver the message but the chances of her being seen are high. Given that she had no allies in the palace, it was too risky.

She walked past the cage housing Gao. The eagle perked as soon as he saw his master. She opened the door and allowed the bird to perch on her arm.

A voice that seemed to echo in the room rang out.

“Master, your wish?”

Dawa glanced at Gao sternly.

“There is no one in the vicinity.” The booming voice continued.

Dawa smiled, closing her eyes, “Forgive me for locking you up for so long.” She apologised to Gao who continued to stare at her with a strong yet gentle gaze.

Gao, “It is no matter to me. If Master’s wish is for me to stay, I will stay.”

Dawa nearly laughed out loud.

So you say, but you can be pretty stubborn too!

“Do you remember General Zi?” Dawa asked.

“Yes, Master,” Gao replied.

“Good.” Dawa nodded, “I want you to deliver this to him. Use your abilities to ensure you are not seen.” She instructed.

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“I will do as Master asks,” Gao replied.

Dawa tied the note to Gao’s leg and lifted her arm to let him fly. Gao flapped his wings and disappeared into the morning sun.

Bai Estate, Early Morning

Zi Siwei sat underneath the pagoda overlooking the pond, reading poems. He did not get any sleep the previous night so he felt quite drained of energy. Sneaking into Dawa’s palace to put her to bed and sneaking out of the imperial palace took most the night.

He was opting to nap with eyes wide open but he didn’t know if the Bai family was expecting any guests. Seeing someone with eyes wide open and unblinking would be a frightening sight indeed. As such, he was reading to distract his mind and body from the lack of sleep.

Just then, he felt a presence above him. He looked up and noticed a bird circling.

I don’t remember expecting a message. I wonder who it is?

He raised his arm and Gao landed on it. Zi Siwei recognised the bird immediately – it was Dawa’s eagle.

Wondering why Dawa needed to use her eagle to send him a message, he set Gao down on the pagoda table and read the message attached to his leg:

‘My thanks to General Zi for the message.’

Zi Siwei was confused.

Did I send her a message? I don’t think so…

He looked at Gao who had a peculiar gaze that seemed to look like that he was awaiting his next orders. It seemed almost human-like.

He sat down and examined the note. Either Dawa was sending secret messages or someone in the harem was. He didn’t want to suspect Dawa for breaking the rules but it seemed the most likely, at least for now.

He felt Gao’s stare acutely. His eyes darted to the bird again.

Do you know what I’m thinking?

He shook the thought out of his head.

It must be the lack of sleep, there is no way a bird could understand me…

In any case, Zi Siwei needed to reply Dawa but he hesitated. Even though he knew the correspondence between him and Dawa will stop after this message, the harem would find out sooner or later.

Ah! I know!

He took out a piece of parchment and wrote a quick message:

‘It’s not me.’

Perfect! A cryptic message that could mean many things. Now I need to fold it into an animal.

Zi Siwei folded the note into a mouse. Knowing that eagles like Gao liked eating small mammals, it was the perfect disguise. Gao seemed like the intelligent sort so he would probably not try to eat the paper.

He cast the spell to make the mouse move. The paper mouse scurried on the table and Gao, with his predatory senses, immediately caught it in his talons.

“Don’t rip it.” Zi Siwei warned, “Please take it back to your master.”

Gao lifted his wings and flew off.

Zi Siwei found the situation puzzling. Correspondence between concubines and officials are not new but the fact that Dawa discovered the note was worrying. Was someone trying to frame her or was she the one doing breaking the rules?

In any case, he hoped that she was shrewd enough to get herself out of it. It frustrated him to know he couldn't help her from outside the palace.

Dawa’s Palace, Imperial Palace

Dawa heard the flapping of wings and turned around. Gao had returned.

“That was quick,” Dawa spoke. She noticed something in its talons, “What is that?”

“A paper mouse.” Gao simply replied.

Gao let go of the mouse and Dawa picked it up.

How peculiar? Why would he make an animal enchantment and give it to Gao?

She dispelled the enchantment and read the note:

‘It’s not me.’

Her brow furrowed. This changes everything. She sat on her sofa and began to think.

There are a few explanations I can probably think of. The first one is that someone is trying to frame me for correspondence with outside men. That is the most likely scenario. I have no allies in the harem which will make me a target. However, I am a concubine with no power backing. My tribe is insignificant and I have little favour with His Majesty. As such, a second explanation can be proposed: The possibility that someone in the harem is communicating with outside men or officials. The girl must be from a great cultivation family, given the skill required for this animal enchantment, and the family must have a great standing at court. However, why would the little animal come to MY palace? Either the person who cast the spell is a novice or it was intentional. In any case, I am in trouble.

Dawa stood up from the sofa and paced around.

“Master,” Gao spoke, breaking her train of thought.

“Hm? Something you want to add?” Dawa turned to face Gao who is perched on the table.

Gao, “General Zi seemed to notice my intelligence.”

Dawa wondered what he meant by saying that.

“Are you suggesting I request his aid?”

“I do not insinuate anything.” Gao simply replied.

“Humph.” Dawa snorted.

Of course, he was suggesting I ask for his help...he wouldn’t say something like that otherwise.

She unfolded both notes side-by-side, thinking carefully.

First of all, I need to find out the meaning of ‘You know how to find me’. I will have to investigate the Imperial Palace’s secret places. I could start with the library…but I need to do so without raising suspicion. I rarely leave my palace so it would be tough…Oh! Concubine Ru is an avid reader. If I can make friends with her, I can gain access to the library without being revealing my plans.

It was lucky for Dawa that she has no bad blood with Concubine Ru. They rarely spoke but they were not on bad terms. Finding a way to gain her trust wouldn’t be tough but women in the harem are very mistrustful outside their inner circle.

If she suddenly decided to be Concubine Ru’s friend, it will raise suspicion before infiltrating the library. She needed to make the friendship seem natural.

Dawa sighed. She was not used to planning such big operations. Normally, after a while of deep thinking, she would stop for the day. However, she had no time for that. Her position in the palace was potentially in danger and if she didn’t act fast, she would be in hot water and no one would save her.

She suddenly regretted following Minister Hao’s advice too closely. She was all alone in this operation.

However, she was not one to easily give up. If she could skip all her Priestess training once a week, what more making friends with mistrustful and dramatic women?

“Bortu.” She called out.

Bortu came running, “Priestess.”

Dawa, “Find out as much as you can about Concubine Ru.”

Bortu looked confused, “Concubine Ru?”

Dawa nodded, “Much has happened, I will tell you once you gather some information about her.”

Bortu still looked confused but she bowed in confirmation before leaving.

However, Dawa suddenly remembered something, “Bortu.”

Bortu turned back to face Dawa, “Priestess?”

Dawa said nothing for a while, looking at Bortu with gentle yet unfeeling eyes. Bortu suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable and was about to ask again when Dawa replied, “It is nothing. You may go.”

Bortu exited her mistress’ chamber as per usual but couldn’t help but feel nervous just then. It was as if Dawa was warning her not to tattle or there will be consequences.

For sure, she will not tell a soul; not after that stare.