20demayo Chapter 55 Everyone is Playing the Self-Preservation Game
Chapter 55 Everyone is Playing the Self-Preservation Game
But Ma Xiuying didn't care about any of that. Instead, she hugged Wang Shiyun in front of her and continued to cherish this hard-won family bond.
……
"It really is Her Majesty! It really is Her Majesty!"
"But how could this be?"
On the other side, Ma Jin, who had already imprisoned the commander and deputy commander in the Qingfeng County government dungeon, had just walked out of the cell.
The bright red sun outside was dazzling, but at that moment, he felt a chill in his heart, a very unpleasant feeling.
So, was the person he saw in Kunning Palace the Empress or Ma Wenxiang, the farm boy from Qingfeng County?
For a moment, Ma Jin covered his head, his eyes opening and closing intermittently.
He couldn't tell the difference, he really couldn't tell the difference anymore.
"Enough, enough. Better safe than sorry. This matter can only be handled by Her Majesty. When we arrive at Kunning Palace in the capital tomorrow, Her Majesty will surely make her decision."
Ma Jin also didn't want to believe what had just happened, but there were some palace secrets and the situation within his Ma family that no one but true members of the Ma family could know.
Especially his expression, his posture, and his palace demeanor just now—it's impossible for a peasant boy to have done that.
As the last member of the Ma family, Ma Jin paid close attention to Ma Xiuying, the lady.
The more you pay attention, the more familiar you become; the more familiar you become, the more uneasy you feel.
That's why the scene just now happened.
He temporarily acknowledged the other party's status as an empress, which was the wisest choice he made in a short period of time after much deliberation.
In this way, even if it turns out to be a misunderstanding in the end, it will at least show that Ma Jin is very respectful to the Empress.
Even if it's fake.
He was willing to listen; if it were true, wouldn't he be even more favored by the Empress?
His unwavering loyalty is a testament to heaven and earth.
"However, if this peasant boy dares to deceive me, even if he is truly a member of my Ma family and has been highly valued by the Empress, he may be spared the death penalty but will not escape punishment. I will not let him off easily."
Ma Jin snorted coldly, clenched his fist, and the sunlight reflected in his eyes revealed a hint of ruthlessness.
After Ma Jin left...
The number of elite soldiers from the garrison he was accompanied by also increased.
This scene undoubtedly startled Li Zizhi, the magistrate of Qingfeng County, and Huo Tianlang, the county clerk.
The two of them had no idea what had happened in Qingfeng County, or how things had suddenly changed so drastically.
In the blink of an eye.
The power of Qingfeng County thus fell into the hands of Ma Jin, and had nothing to do with the two of them.
It should be noted that such acts of arbitrarily wielding military power and altering local authority without the approval of the Ministry of Personnel are extremely taboo in official circles.
Even if it were to reach the Heavenly Court in the future and be discovered by His Majesty in the palace, it would not be an easy thing to get over.
"Ma Jin is, after all, a relative of the emperor, surely he wouldn't be that foolish?"
Li Zizhi said slowly.
Huo Tianlang responded, "Whether it's true or not, it has nothing to do with you or me. At least we can keep our official hats."
Huo Tianlang spoke slowly, and Li Zizhi nodded in agreement.
That's why he cooperated so well just now.
Otherwise, do you really think that he, the county magistrate, is made of paper?
These are all frontline officials, upright and just magistrates, not some nobody; they are the real local "Kings of Hell."
The two were sitting comfortably on the fishing platform.
Ma Xiuying, from Majia Village, led the Ma family from Majia Village to the former Ma residence in Qingfeng County.
Even the elite soldiers of the garrison who knew the secret have now become his personal guards, and they are absolutely not allowed to leave his sight at any time.
Although Ma Xiuying wasn't worried about them revealing the matter, she still needed to take necessary precautions.
This is a matter of great importance; we cannot afford to make any mistakes.
Upon arriving at the Ma residence, all the members of the Ma family became somewhat reserved in their attitude towards Ma Xiuying.
Fortunately, no one in the Ma family dared to ask questions easily. Besides, even an upright official would find it difficult to settle family disputes, let alone outsiders like them.
There was just a hint of probing in his words.
"Young master, what happened at home? Why are even your uncle and grandfather behaving so strangely?"
"Alright, this is a matter concerning the young master's family, and we should not get too involved. Otherwise, it would displease the young master and cause more trouble."
That being said, these family members, as well as the scholars and officials from Qingfeng County, were all quite obedient to advice.
Therefore, after causing a series of disturbances, the Ma family quickly returned to calm.
After a long while, it was still not dark.
Ma Jin then led the commander, deputy commander, and his officials back to the Ma residence.
He went straight to the inner bedroom, and upon seeing Ma Xiuying, he cautiously called out, "Your Majesty."
"There's no need to verify my identity any further. Once we arrive in the capital, the truth will come out. Or do you want me to recount in detail how you, Ma Jin, entered the capital five years ago and how you came to know me?"
Ma Xiuying began to speak.
When Ma Jin remained silent, she casually recounted a few minor incidents.
Ma Jin lowered his head even further, unable to even disbelieve it anymore.
Many of the Ma family's secrets were known only to the two of them.
Although it's a small matter, it's enough to show the big picture from a small detail, and to prove everything.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty. I dared to doubt Your Majesty before. Please forgive me."
Ma Jin immediately kowtowed and begged for forgiveness.
"You are the only member of the Ma family left in this world. Moreover, this matter was carried out on my orders. How could I really blame you? Besides, you did it for the sake of the country and the nation with good intentions. It is only reasonable for you to be a little cautious."
Ma Xiuying said slowly, "If you still don't believe me, then set off for the capital now. As for the imperial examination, you can take it near the Imperial Academy in the capital, which will not delay the future of that farm boy."
Ma Xiuying spoke with such confidence that Ma Jin was even more convinced.
Although from the bottom of my heart.
He still couldn't quite believe that such mysterious and strange things existed in the world, but at this moment he had no choice.
The wisest choice, like that of the former county magistrate Li Zizhi and county assistant Huo Tianlang, is to do as little as possible and make as few mistakes as possible, which is the best way to protect oneself.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
So Ma Jin could only bow in response once more.
After Ma Jin left, Ma Xiuying looked somewhat dazed.
She hadn't intended to reveal her identity so quickly, but the events in the palace, coupled with the sudden provocation from the commander, had ignited a fire within her.
His initial calm shifted slightly, and he spoke his mind without thinking.
Moreover, Ma Xiuying knew that if she stayed outside the palace for too long, she would eventually give herself away.
Rather than waiting for further changes, it's better to lay the cards on the table as soon as possible.