Dongfang Minghui refused to give up and ran her fingers over the Feather-Demon Diagram. After feeling over a broad area, she began working through smaller sections from top to bottom, inch by inch, as though caressing an especially precious gift. Just as she had expected, she discovered uneven textures beneath her fingertips.
Seeing how absorbed she was, Her Majesty the Elf Empress smiled in delight. "It seems you've discovered the secret of the Feather-Demon Diagram."
"Your Majesty, in my haste-" She had wanted to uncover the secret of the white silk, but had never intended to pry into the Feather-Demon Diagram's secrets.
"There is no harm in telling you."
Her Majesty the Elf Empress summoned a female elf who was fluttering her wings in midair and whispered instructions into her ear. The elf then spread her wings and flew away.
"Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that seeing the real Feather-Demon Diagram might give me ideas I shouldn't have?" Dongfang Minghui had not expected the empress to be so understanding. She had prepared a whole basketful of stories and had not even had the chance to tell them before the empress agreed. For a moment, she was both excited and happy, yet also worried for the Elf Clan. These adorable little elves were too innocent and too kind. She always felt that they might encounter a swindler at any moment.
Her Majesty the Elf Empress glanced at her and smiled without answering. When the little elf returned carrying something like a small bucket, Dongfang Minghui had the good fortune to witness the Elf Clan turn decay into wonder.
Her Majesty the Elf Empress sprinkled the water from the little bucket evenly over the Feather-Demon Diagram. Hints of color emerged on the white silk, which had been even whiter than paper. Guided