Sunlight streamed through the lattice-like gaps of the window, falling in strands. As it touched the luxurious screen, it twisted abruptly.
"What's wrong with Xiao Bai?" The voice of Empress Yuan, usually gentle and kind, now struck like thunder.
Tang Xiaobai squeezed her palm, intending to shake her head and say it's nothing, but then hesitated and stopped in her tracks.
"Behind the screen... there seems to be something..." The little girl pointed with a trembling, delicate pink finger.
Empress Yuan's face froze for a moment, then she smiled and said, "Perhaps the cats from the Imperial Concubine's place came to play again. Xiao Bai, don't be afraid—" She signaled to the palace maid, "Go and check the back!" After that, she extended her hand to Tang Xiaobai, "Come, Xiao Bai."
Tang Xiaobai swallowed and took a step forward, sneaking another glance at the screen.
The palace was vast, and though there were windows on all sides, the lighting was not very good.
