Year of the Boar, Fifth Month, Day 4.

I cannot believe that my own brain has become so stultified that I did not think of this before... I finally realised earlier today that in order to get what I want, all I have to do is convince Mother that I have reformed! It's so staggeringly simple that it completely passed me by. If Mother believes that I have seen the error of my ways, I shall be granted at least a little freedom, perhaps enough even to get into the library and liberate some maps... Of course an overnight reformation will not do; Mother would never be convinced so I shall have to think of some way to effect a gradual transformation... perhaps I could begin by complaining of a headache or two... hmm... yes.. an illness could work wonders... I shall think more on this.