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But Empress Dowager Zhang didn't ask.
Perhaps it was precisely because they had both once been unknown that she understood more clearly how much He Qing had changed. In Empress Dowager Zhang's view, there was something mysterious about He Qing. But since this mystery offered no harm to her, she naturally refrained from questioning. There are many things in this world that cannot be revealed to others.
She followed He Qing's lead and thought about it, then asked another question, "Are they trying to pretend that Taizu has entered their dreams?"
He Qing nodded and whispered, "You're pregnant, so it makes sense that your ancestors appeared in your dreams. And since Emperor Taizu was protecting the Chu Empire and giving advance warning, no one dared to neglect it. But to make this happen, we need a prop. This painting is a self-portrait of Emperor Taizu, hidden in Ganguang Palace and never shown to the public. Take note of it and take someone to find it as evidence."
Empress Dowager Zhang nodded slightly, and did not ask how she knew about the portrait that had never been shown to anyone. She just memorized a few features of the portrait.
He Qing instructed Empress Dowager Zhang to memorize the entire painting, then opened the incense burner, lit the charcoal fire and burned it. The remaining ashes merged into the incense ash, leaving almost no trace.
The two discussed the details again, He Qing said goodbye and left, and Empress Dowager Zhang began to take a nap with the people around her waiting for her.
The day passed quietly, but Empress Dowager Zhang was awakened by a dream that night, and her sleep was not peaceful. Aunt Qiu asked about the dream, but she was given a random excuse, which made her feel a little confused.
Over the next few days, whenever Empress Dowager Zhang went to sleep, she would inevitably wake up with a start. Her facial expression changed from initial uncertainty to fear and trepidation, with her mind hesitating to speak.
Aunt Qiu privately reported the matter to the Empress Dowager and even asked He Qing to ask her to find out what was going on and appease the woman, but it was ineffective.
Seeing that the problem was getting worse, the Empress Dowager had to take time out to visit her. Since she was here, she had to ask her what she had dreamed about.
Only then did Empress Dowager Zhang dismiss everyone and say to the Grand Empress Dowager, "This is absurd. I didn't dare believe it at first, but I've had the same dream repeatedly lately. I remember every word clearly, and the signs mentioned have all come true. I have no choice but to believe it."
"What did you dream about?"
"I dreamt of an old man in a tall hat, who claimed to be the spirit of Emperor Taizu. He said that a disaster was coming to the Great Chu, and that a grand sacrifice must be held in the southern suburbs on May 15th. All civil and military officials, royal family members and dignitaries must be present, and an imperial decree must be issued to all the people in the city to leave, in order to avert the disaster." said Empress Dowager Zhang.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager frowned slightly and understood why Empress Dowager Zhang was so worried.
If it were just an ordinary prophecy, whether true or false, it would be fine to tell it. But such a major matter naturally could not be casually commented on, so she did not mention it.
Empress Dowager Zhang observed her expression and continued, "This sounds truly absurd. I didn't take it seriously before. These past few days, the person in my dream has been pointing out some everyday things, like clothes getting torn by tree branches, and they've all come true. Last night, he even produced a self-portrait as proof, claiming it was hidden somewhere in the Ganguang Palace and has never been discovered."
"Really?" The Grand Empress Dowager stood up immediately. "Where is the painting hidden? I'll order someone... No, you go with me and retrieve it yourself!"
Empress Dowager Zhang naturally responded without hesitation.
Since the death of Emperor Xian, the Qianguang Palace had been sealed, with no one entering or leaving, save for a few eunuchs responsible for sweeping and dusting. Huang Xiu personally took the key to open the door, ushering the Grand Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother inside. He saw that in just a few months, the place had already become somewhat desolate and deserted.
Empress Dowager Zhang, supported by Aunt Qiu, led the way in front. She did not enter the main hall, but went around to the warm room at the back where the emperor took his daily nap. She took out a long bamboo tube from a corner against the wall that even the cleaning eunuch would not notice.
Things like this were usually used to hold scrolls of calligraphy and paintings. Although she still didn't know whether the contents of the paintings were the same as what Empress Dowager Zhang had said, the Grand Empress Dowager was already 60% to 70% convinced.
When the painting was opened, it was indeed a self-portrait of Emperor Taizu. Even the seal and inscription in the corner were exactly as Empress Dowager Zhang had described.
This painting was not even recorded in Taizu's diary. It was impossible for Empress Zhang to have seen it anywhere else except in her dreams.
At this time, people still firmly believed in divine right of kings and the spirits of the dead. Furthermore, the Empress Dowager, a woman, controlling the imperial court was a move that was both forced and unorthodox. While the Chu Dynasty didn't erect a stone tablet declaring "The harem is forbidden from interfering in government affairs," the fear of imperial relatives was a constant throughout the dynasties. Even the sight of a hen crowing at dawn was often taboo for court officials.
Now that Taizu has given a warning in a dream, it is an acknowledgment that the prince in Empress Dowager Zhang's belly is the legitimate heir of the Chu Dynasty. It is also an indirect way to vindicate her, the Empress Dowager who is in charge of the government.
So after seeing the painting, she had almost no hesitation and ordered Huang Xiu to send someone to the Council of State to invite several ministers over.
At this point, since the higher-ups had already expressed their views, the court officials had no choice but to believe it, regardless of whether they believed it or not. However, they also pointed out that while holding a sacrifice was fine, issuing an imperial decree forcing all the people in the city to leave was almost impossible.
The Chu Dynasty had enjoyed peace for a long time, and the population of the capital had grown rapidly. The city had even expanded several times, and now there were nearly a million people living in the city. Not to mention that many people simply wouldn't obey the imperial edict, and even if they did, there would be nowhere to accommodate so many people.
Therefore, several important officials were of the same opinion: "This matter is too disturbing to the people and may cause chaos. It is better to cancel it."
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