The Emperor put down the token and walked over to the self-sounding clock.
He discovered that the magpie that popped out was holding not just a slip of paper, but also a small, exquisite sachet.
Bright red flowers bloomed dazzlingly on the sachet, a crimson-gold dragon pattern winding through them. The Emperor immediately thought to compare Jiang Xian to this resplendent flower, with himself as the golden dragon, passionately entwined with her. The embroidery was done with extreme care. The style didn't quite resemble the popular techniques of the dynasty; it seemed to be a stitch Jiang Xian had developed herself, looking so vivid under the candlelight it seemed ready to leap off the fabric.
The magpie carving was not large to begin with. With the sachet now hanging from it, it looked like a tiny messenger, pitiable and cute, struggling under the weight of its burden yet still delivering a token of affection for the Emperor.
He opened the slip of paper:
