tallest building

Chapter 336 Having Strange Dreams
After the emperor finished praying for rain and returned to the palace, it rained that afternoon. Although it wasn't a downpour, it was a light, continuous rain that nourished everything silently.

When the emperor broke his fast, the empress prepared a delicious lunch and also served imperial wine.

"Your Majesty's sincerity moves Heaven; look how wonderful this rain is!" The Empress ordered the windows to be opened so that the rain wouldn't seep into the house. Watching the rain through the window was a truly elegant affair.

"These banana plants outside the window looked droopy in the summer, but now that it's rained, they look bright and fresh." The Emperor was in high spirits, after all, his prayer for rain had been answered.

"Yes, banana trees only thrive in the rain. We water them quite often, but they always look listless." The Empress said, personally serving the Emperor a small bowl of soup. "Your Majesty, please have a bowl of chicken marrow soup. There's a little patchouli in it, so the flavor isn't too strong."

"Has the Empress had any strange dreams these days?" The Emperor asked suddenly as he took the bowl.

"Strange dreams?" The Empress was taken aback by the question, thought for a moment, and shook her head, saying, "I have never had any strange dreams."

"During my stay at the Water Dragon Temple, I kept dreaming of a small dragon crying in front of me at night," the Emperor sighed softly. "It looked so pitiful."

"Could it be a deity from the Water Dragon Temple?" the Empress speculated. "His Majesty went there to offer sacrifices, which is why he had this sensation."

The emperor said nothing more after hearing her words, and the rain still hadn't stopped after lunch.

But the emperor was busy with state affairs, so he left in the rain.

The Queen drank two cups of wine, and because she liked rainy days, she felt a little sleepy.

She instructed, "Have Mingqian come in and light incense. I want to get a good night's sleep."

The Empress had a habit of lighting incense during her rest time, and Wen Mingqian was already waiting outside.

After entering, he lit incense and asked the Empress, "Your Majesty, would you like me to give you a massage?"

"That's fine, it'll help me fall asleep faster." The Empress agreed without hesitation.

Everyone else was sent away, leaving only the Empress and Wen Mingqian inside.

Wen Mingqian's technique was skillful and his strength was just right. He massaged the Empress's head, neck and shoulders according to the acupoints, and the Empress relaxed completely in no time.

Gradually, his consciousness became blurred, and he entered a state of light sleep.

Without making a sound, Wen Mingqian added another pinch of dark red incense shavings to the incense burner and continued massaging the Empress.

The queen had a dream in which a small dragon cried incessantly at her.

"Where are you from? Why are you crying?" the Queen asked as she stepped forward.

"Mother, don't you recognize me?" the little dragon said, feeling wronged. "I'm Tan'er!"

"You are Tan'er..." the Empress said in disbelief, "How could you... how could you have become like this?"

"Mother, I'm trapped and can't be reincarnated," the little dragon cried. "My body hurts so much!"

The empress looked at it and saw that its lower body was pinned down, and she couldn't move it even if she tried to push it away.

With another exertion, I was jolted awake from my dream.

"What's wrong, Your Highness?" Wen Mingqian seemed startled and quickly asked.

"It's nothing, just a dream," the Empress said. "What a strange dream!" "Your Majesty has only been asleep for a short while. Why don't you lie down and calm down a bit more? Maybe you can fall asleep again," Wen Mingqian said gently.

The Empress said nothing and lay down again. Although she closed her eyes, her mind was in turmoil and she couldn't fall asleep no matter what.

The rain continued until dawn the next day. The Emperor slept in the Imperial Study that night and did not meet with the Empress again.

The Queen ate very little at dinner and seemed listless.

She didn't know if the dream she had was a real premonition, or if it was just a dream she had simply because she heard what the emperor said.

With June 18th fast approaching, Consort Hui became increasingly restless.

That night, he discussed with Steward Hu and Granny Xia: "Shen Fu's death anniversary is approaching. I wonder if Granny Zhang will secretly hold a memorial service in the palace this year?"

"He's just entered the palace, and the rules there are so strict, I'm afraid he might not dare to do it," Chief Steward Hu pondered.

“I don’t think so. This is the first time he’s returned to the palace in so many years. Can he really hold back?” Granny Xia disagreed. “If he were a timid and honest man, he would have already gone into hiding. Why would he come back to the capital?”

"In my opinion, it doesn't matter whether he performs the sacrifice or not, as long as we let him do it." Consort Hui couldn't wait.

"Does Your Highness mean to frame him?" Steward Hu understood.

"Prepare things in advance. Incense, candles, and paper money are essential, as well as a paper memorial tablet for Shen Fu. Hide it at his residence." Consort Hui had already made up her mind. "Then say someone informed on him, saying he secretly set up a mourning hall and burned paper money in his room. This is a major taboo in the palace. If the Empress finds out, she will definitely order an investigation. Even if he tries to cover it up, they will find the items."

The Empress will surely become suspicious upon seeing Shen Fu's memorial tablet and will definitely investigate thoroughly. At that point, his identity will no longer be able to be concealed.

"Your Majesty is absolutely right! Although ten years have passed and his appearance has changed drastically, the marks on his body remain unchanged." Granny Xia said, unable to contain her pride. "As long as Her Majesty the Empress wants to investigate him, he'll be like meat on a chopping board; how can he hide anymore?"

They were convinced that Zhang Ma was Wei Fu, and that Wei Fu was a eunuch who had been castrated, which could be clearly seen by simply stripping off his clothes.

So there's no use in denying it now. The Empress is a suspicious person by nature. With these two points laid out, it's impossible for him not to be alert.

Besides, Consort Hui is there to encourage him! She'll make sure his identity is completely exposed.

"Then this servant will take care of it right away," said Steward Hu. "Zhang Ma hardly ever goes back to her residence during the day, and the courtyard is empty, which is very convenient."

"Steward Hu, to be absolutely sure, let me know in advance when you go to put the things away, so I can go to the Imperial Kitchen and keep him occupied," said Granny Xia. "This time, he'll be doomed!"

"Be extremely careful not to let anyone see it. Once it's in, the matter is 80% complete." Consort Hui's goal was simply to arouse the Empress's suspicion, and then have her thoroughly investigate Zhang Ma. Whether the matter was true or not was irrelevant.

It's just a pretext.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, this servant will be extra careful." Chief Steward Hu also felt that this matter was not difficult, it was just a matter of being more cautious.

"The rain is still pouring down. Granny Xia, could you go and see if the eldest princess is asleep?" Consort Hui listened to the sound of the rain. "Tell her not to stay up late. Staying up late is very bad for the liver, and if the liver is damaged, the qi and blood will be insufficient."

"This old servant will go right away. Your Highness, please have someone serve you so you can rest." It was raining, making it inconvenient for people to move around, so everyone in the palaces went to bed early.

The eldest princess is still awake. She has been recuperating well in the palace these days, even more so than when she was at the Dong family.

"Your Highness, Her Majesty sent me to check if you are asleep. Please get some rest," said Granny Xia with a smile.

"I know, I'm not a three-year-old," the eldest princess said, yawning. "If you don't come and urge me, I'll go to sleep too."