"Miss Mei," came a sudden hiss.
Meili looked up to see Feng Bao crouched beside her.
"Take this with you to Commander Bai," he passed her another sealed message tube, this one slightly bigger than the message tubes carried by pigeons. "It's of critical importance that it makes it into the Commander's hands," he pressed the tube into her palm, and she tucked it inside her sleeve.
She nodded as seriously as she could, from her ungraceful position on her hands and knees poised before the tiny dog hole.
"I will, Chief Eunuch Feng. I will give it everything, including my life if I have to."
"You must stay alive in order to deliver it, so do you utmost to stay safe, Miss Mei. You've been good for our Lord, thank you for your service to the Dragon Throne," he gave her a rare smile.
Meili's unshed tears slipped down her cheeks now.
"L…look after the Emperor for me, Feng Bao. The Crown Prince will arrive soon. Keep him alive until then."
