Li Xianyun's drawing of the bird's nest was shaped like a little wooden hut that could fit two small birds inside.
The birds had to enter and exit through a round hole.
The round hole was not too large; the birds had to squeeze themselves through it.
This ensured good concealment, and the birds were willing to live there.
In the past, Li Xianyun kept birds and had made nests for them out of straw, similar to those found in trees, but the birds never settled inside, instead scattering the straw everywhere.
As they flapped their wings, bits of straw flew all around, making it hard to clean up.
After she switched to a well-concealed wooden bird's nest, not only were the birds willing to "live" inside, but she no longer had to toil so hard cleaning it.
As soon as the plans were drawn up, the sound of knocking and hammering echoed from Erfang.
Li Xianyun, worried the noise might disturb Yelu Yan while reading his memorials, glanced up and saw Yelu Yan gazing at her intently.