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He Qing didn't immediately answer Empress Dowager Zhang's question. He slowly finished a painting, then rubbed his wrist, turned his neck, and tilted his head to say, "It's Emperor Taizu."
Empress Dowager Zhang was standing beside her, holding the table. She opened her eyes wide when she heard the words, looking at her and then at the painting.
Although the Tianzhang Pavilion housed portraits and calligraphy of the ancestors of the Chu Dynasty, this confidential location was accessible only to the emperor and important ministers. Bringing ministers to the Tianzhang Pavilion to view calligraphy and pay homage to the ancestors was a way for the emperor to demonstrate his trust. This practice, passed down to this day, has become the highest form of courtesy for ministers.
Although He Qing was a princess of the Chu Dynasty royal family, she had never been to the Tianzhang Pavilion or even the ancestral temple. How could she know the appearance of Taizu and even draw it?
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 you going to pretend that Taizu has entered your dream?"
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, and He Qing said goodbye and left. 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.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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