Shen Xitang’s embroidery needle hovered over the pupils of the figures in the "Children at Play" tapestry; the Ice Silkworm Silk shimmered with an eerie indigo hue under the candlelight.
Qingdai stepped across the threshold carrying a bundle of patchwork fabric sent from the Cao Residence. Mixed into the dark patterns of the Shu brocade, Liaodong tungsten sand vibrated against a magnetic board as the loom operated, spelling out the Mobei secret code: "Slaughter the city at the hour of the Dog."
"Madam says to add a longevity lock pattern," Qingdai said, unfolding a pattern book of gold and silver thread. Half a sulfur crystal slipped from the lining of the pages.
Chapter 52