Li Wei immediately perked up when she heard that another painting had been completed.
As for whatever major matter Gu Jinzhi had mentioned, she felt it could wait a little longer.
"Little Zengzi," she called softly.
"Yes!"
Zeng Yi hurried forward, took the sandalwood box from the little eunuch, deftly opened the lid, and pulled out a delicate scroll.
He casually handed the box to the little eunuch, then carefully untied the bright-yellow silk ribbon around the scroll and slowly unfurled the painting before Li Wei.
The painting showed Li Wei dressed in heroic military attire, astride a divine snow-white warhorse.
One hand pointed diagonally toward the sky while the other held the reins. Her gaze, directed beyond the painting, was deep and tranquil.
The warhorse reared on its forelegs, head held high as it whinnied. It looked truly magnificent.
The pose and composition of the entire painting were a one-to-one recreation of that classic work, "Napoleon Crossing the Alps at the Great St. Bernard Pass."
Li Wei nodded repeatedly as she looked at it. The Imperial Painting Academy truly concealed countless talents.
Though it used a half-worked, half-freehand style, completing it in just two days was indeed remarkable.
She gave a satisfied order. "Not bad, not bad. Take it to be printed."
At her words, a radiant smile immediately bloomed across the little eunuch's face, as though he had received an enormous reward.
He took the painting back from Zeng Yi, carefully rolled it up, respectfully placed it in the sandalwood box, and hurried away to handle the matter.
Having painters produce portraits of herself was not because Li Wei was vain. It had a very practical purpose.
With the Factory Guard System promoting her tirelessly, all the people around the capital were grateful for the Empress Madam's virtue,