Zhu Jie was eager to get on with it, but she didn't want to make it too obvious. "There isn't anything else to the embroidered ball, is there? I mean, is it dangerous?"
Tang Qisheng shook his head beside her. "There shouldn't be. It's already daylight, so the task ought to be over."
Still, to be safe, Jiang Cheng waited until the sun had fully risen above the horizon before examining the embroidered ball closely. It was made of fine, colorful brocade, and its delicate stitching showed how much care had gone into making it.
There was nothing unusual about its appearance, but as Jiang Cheng ran his fingers over it inch by inch, he suddenly paused. His fingertips had felt something inside—something hard, like a wooden plaque.
"Is there something inside?"
Zhang Qizheng, usually so calm and cautious, grew tense as well. Since arriving in this world, they had gathered only scattered clues, most of them connected to the tragedy that had taken place on Spring God Lake many years ago. The First Lady was key to that tragedy. How could he not be excited?
Jiang Cheng simply nodded. Li Bai pulled a small knife from her robe. Its blade glinted coldly in the dim light. "Cut it open."
"No." Tang Qisheng stopped her at once. Realizing he might have been too abrupt, he hurriedly explained, "Miss Li, you may not know this, but an embroidered ball is a symbol of great fortune, and such auspicious objects must be protected from misfortune. Once the ball is made, it has to be kept away from sharp tools like knives, axes, and scissors. There's a saying: 'Cut the ball, and a daughter comes calling.' It means that if the ball is cut open, then even if the marriage goes ahead and