Year of the Boar, Fifth Month, Day 6.

I began putting my plan into effect yesterday... When Mother began her daily quiz on her "self-improving material" I actually answered one or two questions to her satisfaction. She did seem suspicious at first but I was very careful not be too enthusiastic and she actually offered me an extra plum at the end of the meal. This morning, I pressed the back of my hand to my forehead, very theatrically, several times during breakfast and when Mother asked if something was wrong, I insisted it was nothing. Before lunch I stood in front of my open window until my face turned pale and then put my hair up in such a style that I looked most drawn... I ate properly of course, but throughout lunch I noticed Mother looking at me curiously more than once. This evening, I pretended not to eat, answered more of Mother's questions dully and made sure I pressed my hand to my forehead a great deal. When Mother demanded to know what ailed me, at first I demurred, saying again that it was nothing. But after more questioning from Mother, I let it be known that I had been feeling unwell for a few days, I felt tired and weak, and my head hurt... I was sure it was nothing, of course... Mother's response to that was to force a second helping of roast duck on me and make sure that I ate a large portion of pureed raspberry for pudding. She even went so far as to ask me fewer questions this evening. I think my plan may work, but I shall have to be extremely careful not to overplay my hand.

I also realised why news from Houses other than Dying Crane, Silent Thunder and Fallen Sakura has been extremely thin on the ground and that is because my messengers now have no way to contact me. The three Houses furthest North of course, have carrier birds but I have never bothered to train any for the Houses closer to Pale Twilight. This means that they have no idea of my situation either and I must think of a way to rectify this.