I have to investigate faster. My position in the palace is secure, and Brother Meng can help with the ministers. Lianfeng thought, sipping her tea.

She instructed Ren, 'Deliver a message to Shi Meng. He should get close to the Minister of Martial Affairs. We need documents about the tribe's massacre from the ministry.'

Minister Xiao is a cunning man; he wouldn't pass up the chance to build ties with Brother Meng, given his favor with the Empress.

Ren did as instructed and sent the message to Su stationery. Shi Meng had doubted his decision. He had made a reckless promise without considering the consequences fully. But a promise was a promise, he couldn't go back on his words. He had been visiting the stationery daily. They hadn't talked about how frequently he was to visit.

As usual on his way to court, he stopped at the stationery. "I want the three characters", he said, thinking he would have no response today either. He had also doubted whether Lianfeng's plan of communication would work or not.

But to his suprise, the man at the counter gestured with his hands and led him to a room. The room was mostly empty except a chair and a small round table with a small box on it. Rays of sunlight broke through the windows. The clasp of the box shone with sunlight falling on it.

The counter man glanced at him once before shutting the door, leaving Shi Meng alone with the box. Shi Meng opened the box. Inside was a piece of paper neatly folded. He picked up the paper and unfolded it. It read 'Brother Meng, get close to Minister Xiao from Minister of Martial Affairs. We need the documents about the tribe's massacare. I want to see if we can find any clues. I will sneak into the palace archives and check the documents there. If you have any message for me, write it at the bottom of the page.'

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

He wondered how he was supposed to write without ink and brush. His eyes fell on the box. He removed the red compartment and found brush and ink at the bottom of the box.

Shi Meng tapped the brush against the inkstone, staring at the blank space below Lianfeng’s message. Could he really pull this off? If Minister Xiao suspected anything, it wouldn’t end well. But a promise was a promise. He let out a quiet breath and wrote, 'I will try to get close to Minister Xiao, but I can't guarantee I'll get the documents. Also, do not do anything rash. I will visit once a week to the stationery, if there's an urgent message, have your attendant deliver it.'

He placed the ink and brush at the bottom and the paper on the compartment. He exited the room quietly, closing the door before going. On his way out, he exhanged a quick glance with the counter man.

In the Palace, Lianfeng had sent Wu Hi a message and was impatiently waiting for a reply. Her foot tapped against the floor, an unconscious rhythm of impatience. She drummed her fingers against the table, eyes fixed on the doorway. The only time I can sneak into the archive will be when the guards change shifts. I will need her to cover for me. Having Ren do it, will be suspicious and anyone else well they won't have the ability to knock the guards unconcious if needed.

Ren arrived bringing two pieces of news. "I have two messages; one from Wu Hi, one from Shi meng. Which you would like to hear first?"

Lianfeng impatiently said, "Wu Hi one first."

"She is ready to help and will cover for you. While Shi Meng has this note for you." Ren said removing a piece of paper from her pocket.

Lianfeng grabbed the note and unfolded it quickly. After reading it, without hesitation, she folded it and held it over the lamp’s flame, watching the edges curl and blacken before turning to ash.

"What had he say?" Ren asked with curious eyes.

"He’ll try, but he isn’t confident he can get the documents. He also warned me not to act recklessly." Lianfeng stated.