Chapter 169: Immortal in the Painting
The hall fell silent in an instant.
Princess Ping Le’s red skirt billowed out like clouds.
The Empress Dowager leaned back on the soft brocade cushion, her eyes slightly narrowed as she scanned the densely packed scriptures on the embroidered scroll, and nodded gently.
“It’s thoughtful of you to have this filial piety.”
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing had always disliked Ping Le’s arrogance and bossiness, but this birthday gift clearly showed effort, making it difficult to find fault.
Empress Xie glanced over and also smiled, “These stitches are as fine as hair, and the lines are smooth and natural, showing no flaws at all… Ping Le’s embroidery has truly improved a lot.”
Ping Le’s lips curved upwards slightly.
She naturally understood the hidden meaning in the Empress’s words.
“Mother, you flatter me. For Imperial Grandmother’s seventieth birthday, Ping Le dared not be careless. I started preparing long ago, and every stitch and thread is imbued with Ping Le’s respect for my grandmother… I only hope the Medicine King Sutra blesses my grandmother with health and longevity year after year…”
She spoke eloquently.
The Empress Dowager was pleased, and cast a displeased glance at the Empress.
“Your filial piety is commendable! Later, I will hang it in my bedchamber and worship it daily, praying for the peace and prosperity of my descendants and the eternal continuation of blessings, so as not to fail Ping Le’s kind intentions.”
“Thank you for your great affection, Imperial Grandmother.”
Ping Le respectfully kowtowed again, and signaled to eight maidservants dressed in simple palace attire to carry the 《Medicine King Sutra》 embroidered scroll to the back hall for proper safekeeping…
Then, with graceful steps and elegant demeanor, she took her seat, her gaze sweeping over Wen Jia as if by chance.
Wen Jia lowered her eyes and sat upright, her fingers twisting the handkerchief tightly—every stitch and thread on that embroidered scroll carried the efforts of her, her mother, and Dong Xu. Ping Le could speak such falsehoods with a straight face.
Xue Sui sat beside Xue Yuechen, observing the entire scene as if watching a clumsy farce, her smile almost uncontrollable.
Xue Yuechen leaned closer and whispered into her ear.
“Wen Jia spent three months embroidering the Medicine King Sutra, and it has become Ping Le’s birthday gift to curry favor with the Empress Dowager. Ping Le’s actions are truly audacious…”
She knew about this matter and sounded quite indignant.
But she would not expose Ping Le in public. After all, a princess who had been confined twice and committed such a grave offense, yet could still stand here unharmed, was someone the Emperor cherished. No one would easily seek trouble for themselves.
“Imperial Grandmother, Wen Jia has also prepared a birthday gift.”
Wen Jia’s voice broke the lively atmosphere in the hall.
Everyone turned to look at Wen Jia.
Among the imperial clan, this princess was the least conspicuous, rarely showing her prowess.
It was only after she had struck the Drum of Hearing Petitions in the street that day, and the recent rumors in the capital that she had seduced the Imperial Son-in-law Lu, leading to Ping Le’s marital separation, that she attracted attention.
“You are also thoughtful. Present it.”
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing nodded slightly, her face full of smiles, speaking polite words. However, everyone could see that she was not particularly invested in her granddaughter’s gift.
Wen Jia gracefully rose.
She had deliberately worn a lotus-colored jacket and skirt today, with only a simple Bodhi hairpin in her hair, making her appear even more refined than usual.
She walked elegantly into the hall, and with the assistance of two maidservants, carefully unfurled the 《Immortal Offering Longevity Painting》…
The entire hall erupted in a clamor.
In the painting, the immortal had kind eyes, a cinnabar mole on his forehead, and a divine aura that bore a striking resemblance to the Empress Dowager, about seven or eight parts similar…
Wen Jia said softly, “This painting is titled ‘Immortal Offering Longevity Painting,’ a genuine work by the former dynasty’s Painting Sage Ye Fuzhou. It was enshrined at Penglai Pavilion for a hundred years. Your granddaughter obtained it through great effort, wishing for my grandmother to be like the immortal in the painting, with a lifespan as enduring as heaven and earth.”
The Empress Dowager leaned forward slightly, a spark igniting in her cloudy eyes.
“Is it truly the work of the Painting Sage?”
Wen Jia respectfully bowed, “Your granddaughter would not dare to deceive you, Grandmother.”
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing surveyed the gazes of everyone in the hall and pointed to the painting, saying:
“Look, everyone, look… does the immortal in this painting bear some resemblance to me?”
Empress Xie, following suit, smiled softly, “It’s more than just resemblance; this immortal is clearly the Empress Dowager herself…”
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing’s joy was evident, “I remember Sage Ye was most skilled at painting clouds and mist. The ink charm of Penglai Mountain is exactly like Sage Ye’s brushwork…”
Empress Xie nodded in agreement, followed by several other noble ladies who offered auspicious words.
“The Painting Sage passed away over two hundred years ago, yet to be able to depict the true likeness of Your Ladyship the Empress Dowager, it shows there is a divine will in the unseen…”
“It is truly an auspicious sign bestowed by heaven.”
“The Empress Dowager’s compassion and virtue are worthy of heaven and earth, thus she can receive such a divine painting…”
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing listened, her face beaming with smiles.
“It looks like it, it truly looks like it… Someone!”
She raised her hand, signaling for a nanny from the palace to arrange Wen Jia’s seat to her right, and said affectionately, “My dear child, come sit and tell your grandmother properly about the origin of this painting, are there any wondrous aspects…”
The Medicine King Sutra that Ping Le had presented earlier was enough to consume effort and demonstrate filial piety, yet it did not receive such praise…
It was clear that Empress Dowager Cheng Qing preferred Wen Jia’s gift.
Immortality and longevity were the blessings an aging old Empress Dowager most desired.
No amount of gold, silver, jewelry, silk, or satin could compare.
Empress Xie elegantly rose and raised her cup, holding her wide sleeves and smiling, “I will also offer a toast to the Empress Dowager—may the blessings of our Daliang be like the immortal mountains in the painting, eternal and unshakeable.”
The noble ladies all rose and followed suit, raising their cups.
Amidst the harmonious atmosphere, only Ping Le’s displeased scoff was heard.
“Imperial Sister, aren’t you perhaps being deceived?” she arrogantly swept her gaze over everyone, looking down at the painting with haughty disdain, and questioned without mercy.
“Although I don’t understand art appraisal, I know that Sage Ye always affixed his personal seal, ‘Fuzhou Sanren,’ to his paintings—”
She abruptly lifted the scroll and flicked it forcefully, “The color of this ink looks as if it was just applied. If you want to deceive someone, at least find a more skillful method…”
She then raised her eyes slightly, her gaze full of contempt, “Sister Wen Jia, you have great courage to present a fake to deceive Grandmother. What are your intentions?”
Her sharp and sarcastic voice did not cause Wen Jia to panic, but it made Empress Dowager Cheng Qing’s face instantly darken.
The auspicious sign of longevity she had just received was shattered…
How was this different from cursing her with a short life?
Whispers arose at the banquet, and several imperial clan noble ladies exchanged meaningful glances.
Ping Le slightly raised her chin, pointing at Wen Jia.
“Grandmother, Wen Jia, in order to curry favor, used such a base item to pass off as genuine, disregarding your blessings and longevity. This is truly rebellious…”
Facing her aggressive accusations, Wen Jia instinctively flinched.
It was the fear born from being bullied by Ping Le for so long. But for only a moment, she straightened her back, met Ping Le’s gaze, and under Xue Sui’s encouraging look, slowly knelt before Empress Dowager Cheng Qing.
“Your granddaughter dares to guarantee with her life that this painting is genuine. Imperial Sister Ping Le is causing trouble without reason and speaking slanderously. I hope Grandmother will grant me justice…”
Her words were weighty and resonant.
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing’s expression improved considerably.
“I naturally believe Wen Jia. Ping Le, do not speak nonsense…”
“Whether it is true or false, how can it be determined by Imperial Sister’s empty words?” Ping Le stroked the golden hairpin at her temples, her smile chilling, “Today is Grandmother’s birthday, and there are no shortage of art appraisal experts in the palace. Why not invite them to appreciate it together? It would also add to the banquet…”
With the conversation reaching this point, no matter how unwilling, Empress Dowager Cheng Qing had to agree.
She pondered for a moment and nodded slightly.
“Someone, go invite Old Master Lu and Grand Tutor Lu.”
The Old Master Lu mentioned by Empress Dowager Cheng Qing was the former Prime Minister Lu Jing, who had already retired. He was Lu You’an’s grandfather and a loyal minister during the Former Emperor’s reign, highly respected and trustworthy.
As for Grand Tutor Lu Kefu, he was even more learned and a renowned expert in appraising calligraphy and paintings.
In short, these two were both great scholars of the current era and master art appraisers.
Throughout the entire court, no one dared to disagree.
In less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, two white-haired old men hurried over, bowed, and stood in the hall, offering their greetings to Empress Dowager Cheng Qing.
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing said kindly, “Your two ministers are excused. Please rise.” She then gestured to the palace servants, “Present the painting and let the two ministers take a look.”
She did not mention the origin of the painting, and everyone tacitly remained silent.
The two old men clasped their hands and walked towards the ancient painting.
Lu Jing had managed the Central Secretariat for over a decade. Although he had retired, his hawk-like eyes were still sharp as blades. He stroked the texture of the paper, examining it closely under the bright candlelight. He scrutinized the brushwork, the seal, and the ink color one by one, and then sighed.
“I never expected that Sage Ye, who spent his life devoted to ink wash landscapes and rarely painted figures, would have such a divine stroke…”
After a moment, Lu Jing bowed deeply.
“Reporting to Your Ladyship the Empress Dowager, this painting is indeed an authentic work by Ye Fuzhou, without a doubt.”
Ping Le’s face turned ashen, and she stumbled back half a step.
“Impossible, the ink color is a newly mixed shade…”
Lu Jing said, “This old man will never misjudge.”
Lu Kefu stared intently at the painting, nodding repeatedly, and said with no small amount of astonishment:
“The paper is from the Plum Blossom edition of the former dynasty’s Baohuitang. The ink has penetrated the texture for at least two hundred years. The cinnabar on the immortal’s forehead was ground from Western Region pigeon blood stone. The unique layering and coloring technique has been lost for a long time, and others cannot imitate it. As for the personal seal…”
He exchanged a look with Lu Jing and looked deeply at Wen Jia.
“The ink color is indeed newer than the painting, but the style of the seal is perfectly consistent with the records in Ye’s painting manual. Twenty years ago, this old minister saw this seal in Suzhou. Although the seal knob was damaged, it was not difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake. I surmise that a later person found Ye’s original seal and reapplied it, which does not count as forgery.”
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing’s eyes, upon hearing this, smoothed out the wrinkles at the corners.
“When I was young, I loved Sage Ye’s calligraphy and paintings the most. To receive such a treasure at my seventieth birthday is truly a fated encounter with Sage Ye across two hundred years of time. Wen Jia, come closer—”
She removed the emerald green bracelet from her wrist and placed it on Wen Jia’s arm, a soft watery light appearing in her eyes.
“I will remember your filial piety, my child.”
Wen Jia naturally knelt at the Empress Dowager’s feet and cupped the elder’s hand in hers, “Your granddaughter heard that Grandmother dreamed of traveling to Penglai when she was young… This painting has been imbued with incense at the Buddha’s altar for a hundred years. I believe it is the Buddha who, moved by the Empress Dowager’s devout heart, specially bestowed this opportunity.”
“This painting must be a fake!”
Ping Le suddenly said coldly, ignoring Empress Dowager Cheng Qing’s expression, and glared at Wen Jia.
“Imperial Sister has always been short of funds, where did you get the silver to purchase such a precious painting? And from where did you obtain it?”
Wen Jia calmly and eloquently explained.
“It’s quite miraculous, actually. Your granddaughter did not spend a single coin on this painting. I obtained it by chance while staying at Pu Ji Temple. At that time, a down-and-out scholar saw me praying devoutly under the Bodhi tree and came forward to gift me the painting. I saw his worn clothes. I intended to give him some silver, but he refused it all, leaving only this painting and departing as if on the wind…”
“I thought it was a copy, but seeing the immortal’s divine aura resembled Grandmother, I didn’t discard it. Unexpectedly, I had a dream that night. That strange scholar said to me, ‘Present this painting as a congratulation; the noble will prosper.’ Only then did I find someone to appraise the painting and learn it was an authentic work by Sage Ye. I was overjoyed. Isn’t this exactly for Grandmother’s seventieth birthday?”
This tense situation, after her explanation, became filled with legendary color.
“Could that person be Sage Ye transmitting the painting through a dream…”
“It is rumored that before Sage Ye became famous, he repeatedly failed the imperial examinations and had a period of poverty and hardship…”
“Could it be that Sage Ye later achieved enlightenment and became an immortal, knowing that the Empress Dowager’s birthday was approaching, and specially manifested to bestow the painting?”
“An immortal descending to bring auspiciousness. Truly remarkable.”
The crowd discussed animatedly, speaking of it as if it were divine.
Wen Jia smiled humbly.
“I surmise that an immortal used me as a vessel to present this painting to Grandmother. It is Grandmother’s profound blessings that have moved the heavens; it should not be credited to Wen Jia…”
This praise was subtle, yet it was what Empress Dowager Cheng Qing loved to hear the most.
And just as Xue Sui had said, as long as the story was told well, it could turn dross into gold…
The hall buzzed with similar tales of encountering immortals who offered guidance.
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing was even more delighted.
“I will certainly worship it with sincerity and not fail the immortal’s blessing. Tomorrow, I will send the painting to the Imperial Ancestral Temple for worship, to bless Daliang with favorable weather, national prosperity, and peace.”
Ping Le watched with her own eyes as the Empress Dowager showed favoritism towards Wen Jia, her throat feeling as if a large stone were lodged there. Suddenly, she hardened her heart.
With a thud, she knelt in the hall.
“Grandmother, can the matter of Wen Jia offering a gift, seducing the Imperial Son-in-law, and disrupting my marriage be simply forgotten?”
This matter had been circulating for days, and Empress Dowager Cheng Qing had heard some of it.
Ping Le had originally intended to use the 《Medicine King Sutra》 to slap Wen Jia in the face, and then use the Empress Dowager’s hand to marry Wen Jia off to the Northern Territory, severing her ties with Lu You’an.
However, things did not go as planned. Wen Jia had managed to obtain an authentic work by Sage Ye, making the Empress Dowager overjoyed and showering her with favor…
Her plan having failed, she decided to tear off the pretense in public.
With rumors flying, she wouldn’t be the only one losing face. If one were to lose face, they would all lose face together. Lu You’an’s desire to be with Wen Jia would be impossible after today, and even the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, out of consideration for the imperial family’s reputation, would not be able to fulfill their wishes…
“Ping Le, what nonsense are you spouting? Has your old ailment flared up again?” Empress Dowager Cheng Qing slightly lowered her smile and warned her with a look.
Ping Le bit her lower lip and shook her head with a wronged expression.
“Grandmother, your granddaughter was focused on embroidering scriptures recently and was a bit tired, but my mind is not muddled…”
She coughed lightly, placing a hand on her chest, then gently stroked her abdomen, “Not only did Wen Jia seduce your granddaughter’s Imperial Son-in-law, but she also colluded with him to harm your granddaughter’s unborn child… Today, in front of all the Empresses and Madams, I ask Grandmother to uphold justice for your granddaughter.”
She bowed her head heavily to the ground.
Lu Jing’s expression changed slightly, and he remained silent.
Wen Jia was pouring wine for the Empress Dowager. Upon hearing this, she gently placed the glazed pottery cup on the table, hastily lifted her skirt, and knelt beside Ping Le, her voice soft and wronged.
“Grandmother, your granddaughter and Young Master Lu are pure and innocent, with no impropriety. Imperial Sister is slandering good people with malicious words; this is trying to take my life…”
“Well said, Wen Jia!” Ping Le sneered, “Do you think you can be with Lu You’an if you ruin my marriage? Dream on!”
“Imperial Sister, please do not wrong me again…” Wen Jia’s face turned pale. Suddenly, with a look of determination, she drew the Bodhi hairpin from her hair and held it to her throat.
“If no one is willing to believe in Wen Jia’s innocence, Wen Jia is willing to prove her purity with her death!”
“This is simply outrageous!” Empress Dowager Cheng Qing’s voice trembled, her tone helpless, “I wanted to have a peaceful birthday celebration, and you are trying to embarrass me?”
Ping Le dug her fingernails into her palm, staring directly at the Empress Dowager, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, allowing everyone in the hall to see the unshed tears in her eyes.
“If Grandmother does not believe me, you can ask an Imperial Physician to examine me in court…”
Two in one, muah～～
