Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 33 Zhu Biao's Godfather! Competing with Zhu Yuanzhang for a Woman

"You bastard."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang breathed a sigh of relief, and the anger on his face eased slightly. However, he still couldn't hold back his words, laughing and scolding, "Our sister will surely live to be a hundred years old."

"Yes, yes, yes!!! Your Majesty, the Empress will surely live to be a hundred years old."

The imperial physician quickly agreed, nodding repeatedly.

"That's enough, step back."

Zhu Yuanzhang only let him go after hearing these auspicious words.

After the imperial physician left, Zhu Biao finally felt relieved.

His pounding heart gradually calmed down, and as he recalled the various changes that had occurred in the past few days, he finally found a reasonable explanation for them.

"My mother works tirelessly, managing both the affairs of the court and the vast inner palace within our own household."

"Father Emperor has only just fallen asleep after working so hard in the Wuying Hall. Everyone knows that Father Emperor is diligent, only needing to sleep for two or three hours a day. But who knows that Father Emperor's health is different from that of ordinary people?"

Zhu Biao said in a heavy tone, "But Mother Empress? She is a woman with limited energy. She has to take care of both the court and the harem, and she also has to work hard for us royal children. Over time, she became exhausted and her body and mind were depleted, which is why she fainted that night."

"Indeed, we, as your sons, have been unfilial."

Although Zhu Biao spoke with self-reproach, his eyes remained fixed on his father, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, without backing down an inch.

It is commonly believed that the founding father and son of the Ming Dynasty were primarily Zhu Yuanzhang and secondarily Zhu Biao. This was indeed the case in the early stages, but as time went on, the focus had quietly shifted.

Zhu Yuanzhang placed all his hopes on Zhu Biao, and the power he delegated to him far exceeded that of any previous crown prince.

Even though Zhu Biao was only fourteen or fifteen years old at the time, he was already able to participate in the political affairs of the Wuying Hall and even attend court in the Fengtian Hall. The power he held was far beyond that of the imperial nobles of the same status.

"What does Father think?"

Zhu Biao's words were laced with sarcasm.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face burned. He wiped his face with his sleeve and said in a gruff voice, "I know. What? Does this brat think he can lecture his old man like this?"

"We'll just avoid doing it again in the future."

He spoke weakly and without conviction, letting out a soft snort.

Zhu Biao then slowly left, adding in a fatherly tone before departing: "Father Emperor has plenty of energy for sexual relations. If necessary, it's best not to go to Kunning Palace again."

"There are already many concubines in the harem. If Father Emperor still feels that it is not enough, you may hold another selection. Your son can do it on Father Emperor's behalf."

"She's already protecting her mother at such a young age; she's truly our child."

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw Zhu Biao displaying his might and his son scolding his father, he didn't feel embarrassed at all; on the contrary, he felt quite pleased and proud.

"For the first thirty years, observe how the father respects the son; for the next thirty years, observe how the son respects the father."

Zhu Yuanzhang was already over thirty years old, and he was truly gratified to have such a sensible and protective son.

Seeing Yun Qi suppressing a laugh, Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him, annoyed and embarrassed, and spat, "What are you laughing at? Haven't you ever seen a son scold his father and the father still love his son?!"

"His Highness the Crown Prince is wise and mighty, and His Majesty is even more so. The prosperity of our Great Ming Dynasty is promising for generations to come."

"This servant congratulates Your Majesty! Congratulations!"

Yunqi had a sweet tongue; with just a few words, he steered the family matter between father and son to national affairs, making Zhu Yuanzhang feel very pleased.

……

As evening approached, Ma Wenxiang woke up after tossing and turning.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw that familiar and intimate face beside the phoenix bed.

Why hasn't Zhu Chongba left yet?

Could it be that you've been waiting here for most of the day?

The founding couple had a good relationship, but that's not necessary now.

Ma Wenxiang could no longer pretend to be deaf and dumb, so he could only weakly say, "Your Majesty, let's go to the Wuying Hall. State affairs cannot be neglected for even a day."

"We just got here, and they're already trying to kick us out?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said aggrievedly.

Seeing that Ma Wenxiang looked unwell, he knew that the patient needed rest. Having many people around and trivial matters would not be conducive to quiet recuperation, so he quickly said, "Don't worry, sister, we'll just wait a little while. We'll come back when you feel better. We won't delay your recovery."

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang was exactly like a henpecked husband who ranked last in the family.

He had just been scolded by his son in the Qianqing Palace not long ago, but now he was still meek and submissive in front of his daughter-in-law. Where was even a trace of the majesty of the emperor who had established the country?

However, he is a happy henpecked husband.

Any man in the world who has such a virtuous wife would probably be happy to be managed by her all the time, and would be completely willing and delighted to be with her.

Ma Wenxiang relaxed slightly, and could hold on for a while longer.

He sat up, leaning his upper body against the soft pillow behind him, but he noticed Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze subtly drifting towards Su Qing'er and Sun Miaoran inside the Kunning Palace. His heart tightened, and he blurted out instinctively, "Chongba! You can't touch Qing'er and Miaoran."

"I have already promised them that I will choose a suitable husband outside the palace and marry him when I reach the appropriate age; if that doesn't work out, you can choose another husband from all over the country, but you must not have any wicked thoughts again."

Ma Wenxiang spoke in a measured and urgent tone, which ironically made it seem natural.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly pleased, but then felt as if a huge black mark had been placed on his head without warning. He said in a low voice, "Sister, am I that kind of person?"

"We're all getting old, how can we be as reckless as we were when we were young?"

"hehe."

Ma Wenxiang gave a forced smile and turned his head away, refusing to look at Zhu Yuanzhang in front of him any longer.

When it comes to men's personalities, Ma Wenxiang is the most qualified to speak on this.

They didn't believe Zhu Yuanzhang's words at all.

Disgusted by Ma Wenxiang's behavior, Zhu Yuanzhang wisely got up and left.

He just left.

The atmosphere inside the Kunning Palace suddenly relaxed, and the palace maids, eunuchs, and even the guards patrolling outside all breathed a sigh of relief.

Sun Miaoran's tense little face became round again.

Su Qing'er patted her chest, which had grown quite well recently due to the improved food at Kunning Palace, and looked terrified, her voice still trembling with fear: "Your Majesty, Qing'er was almost scared to death just now."

While comforting Su Qing'er, Ma Wenxiang unconsciously glanced at Sun Miaoran beside him, a smirk playing on his lips. He immediately teased, "Miaoran, you wouldn't happen to want to become His Majesty's concubine, would you?"

Ma Wenxiang vaguely remembered.

In the harem of Emperor Hongwu Zhu Yuanzhang, there was indeed a woman named Sun who was both beautiful and intelligent; she must be the Sun Miaoran before us.

But Sun Miaoran replied seriously, "Your Majesty is joking. Marrying His Majesty is indeed a great blessing, but Your Majesty has already promised Miaoran to someone else. Miaoran already has someone she loves, so how can she be promised to someone else?"

"A woman should not serve two husbands; even among women, this is absolutely forbidden."

Ma Wenxiang, however, became intrigued and pressed for details: "Then, Miaoran! If I change my mind and allow you to choose for yourself, will you choose His Majesty or that young man outside the palace?"