Two nights after dancing for the Crown Princess, I headed for the well once more and found a slip of paper wedged between two bricks. I tugged it out when I was sure no one was looking and returned to Shen Li Gong.
This was the fourth message I had ever exchanged with Secretary Han. Was he going to talk about the dance? He must have been in attendance with the other Ministers; only that I didn't manage to catch sight of him.
A good thing, in hindsight. I might have become even more nervous.
The candlelight flickering, I unfolded the paper with trembling fingers as I sat down on my bed. My swollen left eye made it a little hard to read, but I scrutinised the words.
"The carp informs of the blue moon that wanes with illness. The blue sword sends regards. Not to worry."
Dread grew in my chest as I crushed the paper in my hands. Secretary Han only used code when talking about my family and Yin Shang. He had told me what referred to whom before I entered the Palace.
