The insider is exposed
This bizarre and outrageous pattern was definitely not created by the well-behaved craftsmen in the palace weaving workshop.
Ding Wei's pupils suddenly contracted, and a chill ran up her spine to the top of her head.
This is not a provocation, it is a declaration of war from the depths of darkness.
Without a moment's hesitation, she turned around and quickly returned to the weaving workshop.
The workshop was silent at night, with only the oil lamp in the corner illuminating her frosty face.
She didn't alert anyone, but instead issued a secret order to her guards in the dark: "Thoroughly investigate all weavers and craftsmen in the workshop, especially those with more than 20 years of experience. I want every trace of their history from birth to the present. Anyone with any connection to the temple will be killed without mercy!"
The order was like an icy blade, cutting through the tranquility of Thebes.
The intelligence network operated with unprecedented efficiency. In just one night, a dusty file was delivered to Ding Wei.
An old craftsman in his sixties named Kaba was the personal servant of Amenhotep, the high priest of the Temple of the Sun, twenty years ago.
His crime was "leaking the oracle", and he was expelled from the temple. From then on, he became an insignificant old man in the weaving workshop.
Ding Wei's fingertips lightly stroked the four words "leak the oracle", and a cold smile appeared on her lips.
Leaking the oracle?
I'm afraid he knew a secret that he shouldn't have known.
She remained calm but acted with drastic force.
She ordered people to make ten exact copies of the "Single Snake Devouring the Sun" painting, selected the most realistic one, and hung it in the most conspicuous place in her bedroom.
She then arranged for several trusted maids to go around the palace, especially in places where the Hittite delegation might pass, and to make mysterious comments: "Her Royal Highness seems particularly fond of the single snake pattern. I heard that she intends to give this brocade as a supreme gift to the visiting Hittite princess to demonstrate the supreme power of Egypt."
The bait has been cast, just waiting for the fish to bite.
The news spread like wildfire in the palace, and within two days, the poisonous snake lurking in the dark could no longer hold back.
Late at night, in the weaving workshop, a dark shadow sneaked in like a ghost.
With a clear goal in mind, he rushed straight to the dark room where the brocade was stored, with a flint and a cloth soaked in kerosene already prepared in his hands, determined to burn the ominous pattern to ashes.
However, as soon as he stepped into the dark room, several elite guards rushed out from the shadows on all sides, and several sharp scimitars were instantly placed on his neck.
In the firelight, the face of the visitor was clearly visible - it was a young priest, with fear and fanaticism still on his face.
Before the torture instruments in the interrogation room were stained with blood, the young priest completely collapsed under Ding Wei's gaze that seemed to be able to see through his soul.
He confessed everything like beans pouring out of a bamboo tube.
The high priest Amenhotep had already buried a large number of kerosene devices under the sluice gates on the west bank using the abandoned underground wooden corridors.
As soon as the Hittite delegation arrived and the border war was about to break out, he would ignite the mechanism, burn the wooden corridors supporting the waterway, causing the main channel to collapse, and the Nile water would not be able to flow into Thebes.
At that time, this city of all gods will instantly turn into a drought-stricken land with a thousand miles of barren land, the people will be filled with resentment, and the royal power will be shaken!
What shocked Ding Wei even more was the words the young priest roared out in despair: "All of this was relayed by someone in the Queen Mother's palace!"
There is an insider around Queen Mother Nefer!
This news was like a heavy hammer, hitting Ding Wei's heart hard.
She did not report the matter to Ramses immediately.
The angry pharaoh might immediately cleanse the Queen Mother's palace, but this would only alert the real mastermind and allow him to escape.
She needed a plan, one that could catch all the poisonous snakes in one fell swoop.
She asked to see Isis, the high priestess of the Temple of the Moon, overnight, and in the name of the princess, requested to hold a grand "Temple Purification Ceremony", summoning all the priests in charge of water conservancy, rivers, and irrigation affairs in the temple to pray to the Nile God together.
Isis looked at the cold light flashing in Ding Wei's eyes and agreed immediately without asking a single question.
The next day, the Moon Temple Square was solemn and dignified, with hundreds of white-robed priests gathered together.
Ding Wei, dressed in gorgeous clothes, stepped onto the altar step by step under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
She did not recite any prayers, but ordered people to bring out the brocade with the "Single Snake Devouring the Sun" and, in front of everyone's astonished gaze, she personally threw it into the burning sacred fire!
"This drawing is blasphemous and aims to overthrow the kingdom. It is a rebellious plot!" Ding Wei's voice was cold and resolute, and it spread to every corner of the square.
"Anyone who privately possesses, copies, or disseminates this painting will be treated as an accomplice to treason and punished by divine punishment. There will be no pardon!"
The raging fire devoured the brocade, and the hideous single snake twisted and struggled in the flames, eventually turning into ashes.
At this moment, a muffled sound was heard from the crowd of priests, and an old priest suddenly turned pale, convulsed all over, and fainted on the ground.
In the chaos, a bronze token engraved with a strange snake pattern slipped quietly from his sleeve. The crisp sound of "clang" was particularly harsh in the silent square.
Isis's gaze flashed like lightning as she stepped forward, pointed at the unconscious priest, and shouted, "I recognize this man! He was once the supervisor of the West Bank sluice. Three years ago, he lied about falling into the water and disappeared. Today, he's hiding in my Moon Temple!"
A single stone caused a thousand ripples! The whole audience was in an uproar!
Upon receiving the urgent news, Pharaoh Ramses was furious and personally led his guards to block the entire temple perimeter, with murderous intent filling the air.
At this tense moment, a figure slowly walked out from the depths of the temple.
His robe was as white as snow, spotless, and his face was handsome and indifferent. It was the high priest Amenhotep.
He ignored the swords and knives around him, his gaze fixed on Ding Wei. His tone was calm and without a trace of emotion: "Princess, you burned the oracle map with mortal fire. Aren't you afraid of attracting divine punishment and bringing disaster to the entire royal family?"
Ding Wei met his gaze fearlessly. Her eyes were as deep as an ancient well, but they concealed a whirlpool that could overturn everything.
"Divine punishment?" She sneered.
"Then do you dare to walk with me to the 'Heart Mirror Pool'? Before the gods and all people, let the divine pool reflect our hearts. If the water is clear, without a trace of the golden light that represents lies, I, Ding Wei, will commit suicide on the spot to atone for my blasphemy!"
The ministers were in an uproar again!
The "Heart Mirror Pool" is a legendary holy place for judging souls, and no one dares to try it easily.
Amenhotep sneered sarcastically. "You used Isis to make golden lotuses grow in the pond. Now you're using the same trick again. Do you still want to deceive the gods with this illusion?"
"This time!" Ding Wei's voice was firm.
“No gold dust, only the truth!”
She waved her hand, and the guards immediately displayed the bronze plate with the snake pattern and the confession signed by the young priest by the pool.
The evidence is conclusive and goes straight to the heart!
Amenhotep's gaze lingered on the bronze tablet and the confession for a moment, and an imperceptible fluctuation flashed in the depths of his eyes.
In the end, he did not accept the challenge. He just looked at Ding Wei coldly, turned away, and left behind an arrogant and threatening back.
That night, Queen Mother Nefer summoned Ding Wei alone in her bedroom.
She was silent for a long time, the candlelight reflecting her once majestic face, but now it had a hint of fatigue and complexity.
Finally, she spoke slowly, "I once thought you were just a foreign woman who rose to power through miracles... but you saved this city."
She took out a crystal clear jade hairpin from the jewelry box and handed it to Ding Wei.
"This is something I hold close to my body, but I found it in the bedroom of one of my maids a few days ago. She has already... dealt with it." There was a hint of decisive coldness in Nefert's voice.
"Take it. This is evidence, and I owe you something."
Ding Wei took the still warm jade hairpin and was about to express her gratitude when a rapid and loud bell rang outside the palace, followed by the galloping footsteps of guards and suppressed cheers.
A guard rushed into the palace and knelt excitedly, "Your Highness! Queen Mother! A large amount of unburned kerosene has been discovered at the west bank sluice gates. All the mechanisms have been dismantled by the Royal Guards! Thebes... is safe!"
Ding Wei didn't look back, but slowly walked to the window and looked out.
The moonlight tonight is as sharp as a knife, clearly illuminating the entire city of Thebes.
Even though the fire is out, the ashes are still hot.
She clenched the jade hairpin in her hand and whispered to herself. Her voice was so soft that it seemed to be blown away by the night wind, but it was filled with unquestionable firmness.
"Amenhotep, you can't escape."
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