Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 67 Zhu Yuanzhang: Ma Wenxiang, interesting!

at the moment!

Ma Xiuying was nearly forty years old, and she had previously thought she didn't have much time left to live. In addition, she had given birth to five sons. In ancient times, she could definitely be called a qualified matriarch.

At this age, you see through many things and understand them clearly, so you can naturally let go of them after struggling with them for a while.

When it comes to matters between men and women, once you reach a certain level, not many people really care about them.

Especially at her age.

This was something that didn't require her, the empress, to do personally. For her, experiencing it with the body of a young man was no less than the feeling of being reborn.

Upon careful consideration, it's actually a good thing for her.

If an old woman could return to her youth, even in the body of a man, she would most likely agree; similarly, the choice would be largely the same for an old man.

With this matter concluded, the matter is temporarily put to rest.

……

As Zhu Yuanzhang left Kunning Palace, Zhu Biao approached him and asked softly, "Father, what did you and Mother discuss just now?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him and said, "What are you doing, a child, meddling in so many things?"

"How old are you? Focus your attention on official business. Oh, and don't forget to work on your physique. Since it's that brat's good intention, don't let him down."

"Now he can be considered almost an elder."

After Zhu Yuanzhang spoke in this way, Zhu Biao did not pursue the matter further.

Although he is now involved in government affairs, he still retains the curiosity of a young man, so it can't be considered wrong.

……

The following morning, inside the main hall.

Led by Ma Xiuying, Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang obediently sat down in the classroom, opened their books, and pursed their lips. Their sensible appearance really startled Song Lian, the Hanlin scholar who came to give the lecture that day.

The other princes are one thing, but how come even this usually unruly second prince has changed his ways?

Song Lian blinked, leaned forward in disbelief, and found that it was indeed true.

He wasn't dreaming, nor was he having a fit of hysteria; he was genuinely there.

Song Lian couldn't help but smack his lips, then picked up the scroll and walked forward. In a short while, he arrived at Zhu Biao's side, leaned down to look, and saw that the Second Prince was actually writing the sage's essay.

He started doing the classwork he had just assigned.

"How truly astonishing! Could it be that Her Majesty's discipline could actually turn something rotten into something miraculous?"

Song Lian muttered to himself.

And Song Lian was not the only one who was surprised.

Inside the main hall, the Fifth Prince Zhu Su, who had previously been fooling around with Zhu Gang and Zhu Shuang, took the initiative to come to the two of them after class ended and Song Lian left.

Seeing that their mother wasn't paying attention and was still playing outside with Princess Ningguo and Princess Anqing, they finally relaxed and whispered, "Second brother, third brother, what happened to you earlier? Did Mother give you a severe scolding?"

In Zhu Su's view, his third brother Zhu Gang might still have a chance to correct his ways, but his second brother Zhu Shuang was really in a precarious situation.

Based on his past personality, he was the troublemaker in the palace. He had been disciplined by the Emperor countless times, but he always did what he wanted. How could he have suddenly changed his personality after only a few days apart?

They're definitely lying low here, biding their time, and playing another trick.

At least Zhu Su would never believe it, that much is certain.

"Xiao Wu, what do you mean by that? Do you think that your second brother is really incapable of changing his mind? After all, you are a descendant of the Zhu family. Your second brother is not that bad."

Zhu Shuang pouted and said with a dissatisfied look on her face.

Zhu Gang also spoke up at the opportune moment: "And there's your third brother, me. We children can naturally appreciate the painstaking efforts behind Mother's teachings, which she personally oversees in every matter."

"It's only right that we turn over a new leaf now. Don't just think of the two of us; aren't you the same?"

With Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang working together, they managed to persuade Zhu Su in a short time.

He was dumbfounded, and after a moment of stunned silence, he said blankly, "The Empress Dowager is truly a divine being."

Today's class ended, leaving Zhu Su speechless.

He was pulled along by his two older brothers, Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang, and they all ran to the Imperial Kitchen: "We need to cook for the Empress Dowager. You can go and help out this afternoon. Don't tell your second brother that someone who can't even do a simple task like blowing on a fire is unworthy of being a prince or grandson of the Zhu family!"

"Why can't I do it? I can do it too."

Zhu Su blushed and immediately spoke, then rolled up his sleeves and got to work.

This must have been a real hardship for the imperial chefs in the Imperial Kitchen.

"Second Prince, Third Prince, Fifth Prince, your orders are sufficient; there is absolutely no need for such formalities."

"Your Highnesses are sons and grandsons of the dragon, destined for great things. A wise man keeps away from the kitchen; how can you do this..."

"What do you mean 'a gentleman should stay away from the kitchen'? My mother said that even a gentleman should cook, otherwise he would just starve to death."

Zhu Shuang retorted without hesitation, then squatted down and carried the chopped firewood inside to start a fire. His skillful fire-blowing movements astonished the imperial chefs and apprentices watching.

"My mother also said, 'If you can't even sweep your own room, how can you sweep the world?' If you can't even do these small, everyday things, how can you possibly bring prosperity to our Great Ming Dynasty in the future?"

"Besides, what prince or not, I, Zhu Shuang, am only a prince because I was born into the Zhu family and became a descendant of the Zhu family."

"Actually, there's not much difference between you and me. Even a prince who breaks the law is subject to the same punishment as a commoner, isn't he?"

Zhu Shuang's casual remark seemed to still be filled with the innocence of a young man, but compared with his previous behavior in the palace, it formed a huge contrast.

For a moment, the imperial chefs in front of them were stunned again.

Half a day later, the news actually reached Zhu Yuanzhang's ears.

"This servant congratulates Your Majesty. The Second Prince and the Third Prince have gone to the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a meal for Your Majesty and the Empress. I heard their cooking skills are quite good."

With a beaming smile, Yun Qi strode into the Qianqing Palace and presented the good news to Zhu Yuanzhang at his desk where he was reviewing memorials.

"hehe."

Zhu Yuanzhang let out a cold laugh that was hard to decipher; no one knew who had given it to him.

How could he not know?

For a moment, a strange feeling welled up inside me.

Suddenly, he felt that he, the dignified emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and his own sister, were actually worse at teaching children than that brat. It was truly a disgrace.

"We're getting more and more interested in this rascal."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, his eyes filled with an even stronger chill.

……

Achoo!

A sneeze escaped my lips. In the sweltering summer heat, could it be a heat-induced cold?

Ma Wenxiang touched his forehead. The whole family was all together, ready to embark on the road to the capital.

On the way, the elite soldiers dispatched from various garrisons were completely bewildered. They looked at Ma Wenxiang and the others in the center of the group from afar with complicated expressions.

Previously, Lord Ma Jin treated this young man with utmost respect, but then suddenly treated him as a junior and gave him some advice. This scene of being both an elder and a junior really confused them.

Fortunately, in the end, these elite soldiers of the garrison also chose to give up pondering and simply do their jobs well.