The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 110 Busy Looking Forward to the Future

To enter the palace normally, one must either be summoned by the emperor or request permission, and in either case a palace token is required.

Even adult princes and princesses were not allowed to enter the palace without a decree. Without a palace seal, it was called "trespassing into the palace", which was a serious crime.

Ma Xun naturally had the palace talisman, and as long as Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying did not take it back, it would be valid for a long time.

No matter whether Ma Xun is alone or with his wife, no matter whether he is holding Wangcai or carrying a whistle, a sword or a gun, he can enter the palace.

"Little brother!" Guo Xing, who was standing on the city wall, greeted happily, "Just go in directly. Everyone knows that you have a special order from the higher-ups."

Ma Xun raised his head and said, "Brother Guo, it would be safer to check it out. Did you start guarding as soon as you came back?"

Guo Xing smiled and said, "I've been resting for a few days. I was originally a high-ranking guard."

Guo Xing, Guo Ying and Guo Decheng were all Zhu Yuanzhang's guards. When he went out to fight, they guarded Zhu Yuanzhang's military tents. When he was in the capital, they guarded the imperial city. They were true confidants.

Ma Xun smiled and said, "Come down and talk if you have nothing to do. I just want to talk to you about Lao Shi."

The so-called tenth son is Zhu Tan, also known as the Prince of Lu. During the ceremony of enthroning him as the king, he was held by Ma Xun throughout the whole process. He is also the son of Consort Guo Ning and the nephew of Guo Xing.

Zhu Tan was also very famous in history. He took elixirs that made him immortal and practiced sexual techniques, so he died at the age of 20. Therefore, his posthumous title was "King Luhuang". Although he was obviously a prince, his tomb had a Ming Tower, which was the form of an imperial tomb.

Moreover, the nine-feathered crown unearthed from his mausoleum is the only surviving evidence of ancient crown clothing in the world.

Guo Xing immediately said, "Then I'll come down right away."

Ma Xun handed the reins to Liu Shuning and said, "Then take Wangcai back to the courtyard first. If I'm not busy, go and talk to her. Help me complain and say I want to hide away for a few days."

Liu Shuning smiled and nodded. She now had just the right grasp of many things.

Including his interactions with Ma Xiuying and complaining on behalf of Ma Xun, his sense of propriety is very well grasped.

Guo Xing came down from the tower, and when he saw Ma Xun, he smiled and said, "Hasn't it been just two days since you left the palace? You haven't received any imperial decree yet, and it's rare for you to take the initiative to enter the palace."

Ma Xun couldn't help but complain, "It was Brother Tang. He followed Li Xiang to my house. And Brother Tang also went there."

Guo Xing was stunned for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Little brother, do you have a grudge against Li Xiang?"

"I don't have any grudges against him, I just don't like being dragged into the court by him." Ma Xun said directly, "Brother Tang wants to be the Duke of the Kingdom, so he asked me to say something bad about Feng Sheng. If I had that ability, I would help you get the title of Duke of the Kingdom."

Guo Xing immediately felt embarrassed. He had followed Zhu Yuanzhang for a long time, was his confidant, and had made many great contributions. In theory, he could be granted the title of Duke.

However, "he did not follow the orders of the commander, did not observe discipline, and although he had merits, they were not enough to cover up his faults", which determined that he could only remain a marquis.

"Big Mouth did something wrong, how can I embarrass you?" Guo Xing couldn't help but complain, "We told him several times not to get involved with Li Xiang, but he just wouldn't listen."

Ma Xun complained, "It's not that Brother Tang doesn't listen, I just think that as long as Li Xiang says a few good words, Brother Tang will take it seriously."

Guo Xing also nodded repeatedly and said very depressedly, "It's useless to say it. Sooner or later, Big Mouth will get into trouble because of these things."

Guo Xing and Li Shanchang also had a very good relationship, but it was only about official business and they actually had no personal relationship.

As for the good relationship between Ma Xun and the Guo brothers, it was because Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying both recognized the Guo family. Concubine Guo Ning was Ma Xiuying's right-hand man, and Zhu Yuanzhang also liked and trusted the Guo brothers.

In the "Record of Ancestral Instructions" drafted by Zhu Yuanzhang, the designated relatives included the Xu Da family, the Tang He family, and the Guo family (Guo Ying).

As for the Chang family, it is not counted now, because Chang Wan will be counted once she becomes the Crown Princess. As for Li Wenzhong, Mu Ying and Ma Xun, they are naturally real relatives.

Guo Xing asked curiously, "Little brother, what happened when we talked about my old man Ten?"

"I think the child is very cute and smart. When he grows up, he will study with me?" Ma Xun said, "When the time comes, go talk to Concubine Ning and let the tenth child study medicine and mathematics with me. That's how I taught the Qin princes."

Guo Xing said happily, "That's great. Nephews should learn skills from their uncles!"

Ma Xun is naturally not Zhu Tan's biological uncle, but the nominal mother of Zhu Tan and other princes is Ma Xiuying, so they have to call Ma Xun "uncle".

It is not necessarily important whether Ma Xun has real talent or not, but he is willing to teach Zhu Tan as his 'nephew', which is Zhu Tan's advantage over some other illegitimate sons.

What's more, even though many people complained that Ma Xun was not doing his job properly, few people really thought that he was useless. He still had some real skills, but unlike the generals in Huaixi, he was not good at fighting.

Guo Xing then said somewhat embarrassedly, "Well, my Jingyi is also skilled in archery and horse riding, and has a gentle temperament. When I take Chang Mao to practice martial arts, I can also teach Jingyi." Ma Xun directly complained, "I was just laughed at by Chang Mao before. He said that he could kill me in three moves. Then let me ask, how many moves can Jingyi take to kill me?"

Guo Xing was also straightforward, "Chang Mao likes to use a big knife, but his first few moves are powerful. He is only good at three moves and has no stamina. My Jing Yi has a steady temperament and strong stamina, so he can wear you down and disarm you."

Ma Xun turned and left. Everyone thought that beating me up like a game was like playing for ten-year-old boys, so how could I teach them martial arts?
Seeing Ma Xun leaving angrily, Guo Xing stomped his feet, thinking that he had said the wrong thing.

"Brother, it's a deal!" Guo Xing said loudly, "I'll let him go to your house and learn skills from you! You've changed your stick to a gun, so just follow my Jingyi and practice. You two are similar!"

Ma Xun walked even faster, it was really embarrassing!

Before we even reached the courtyard, a young eunuch came running over and said, "My Lord, the Queen is calling you to the Rouyi Palace."

Ma Xun readily followed the advice, but he felt something was wrong as soon as he arrived at Rouyi Palace. It was because he was embarrassed.

There were many beautiful women in Rouyi Palace. It was not only Liu Shuning who talked to Ma Xiuying, but also Concubine Li Shu and Concubine Guo Ning. These two were the concubines who took over the harem after Ma Xiuying's death in history.

As well as Concubine Da Ding, and Guo Zixing's daughters Concubine Guo Hui and Concubine Hu Chong.

The only special case among Zhu Yuanzhang's concubines was Concubine Sun, who was naturally included. She was named Concubine at the beginning of the year and her status was higher than that of other concubines. Empress Zuo Ma was famous for her internal affairs.
Ma Xun said, "Your Ma Xun greets Her Majesty the Queen and wishes all the imperial concubines well."

Concubine Sun and others stood up one after another. Even Concubine Sun, who was the most favored and had the highest status, would not accept the full courtesy from Ma Xun, let alone this was in front of Empress Ma.

Ma Xiuying smiled and said, "Why, are you unhappy to see so many imperial concubines?"

Concubine Sun smiled and said, "Your Highness, I am a cautious person. All of us are his sisters and we all love and protect him, but he is the one who is so reserved."

Concubine Guo Ning also smiled and said, "Shuning is still the best. This sister-in-law often talks to us. But my younger brother only likes to drink and brag with those men, and he doesn't know how to teach us the art of health preservation."

Concubine Guo Hui smiled and said to Ma Xiuying, "Sister, although you taught me Tai Chi. But I also know that Tai Chi was created by me, so I still want my guidance."

"Shuning, Shuning can do it." Ma Xun spoke first. He really didn't want to get involved in the harem. "She is very good at Tai Chi, not worse than Her Majesty the Queen."

Seeing that Ma Xun was getting anxious, Concubine Guo Hui asked with a smile, "No matter how good she is at Tai Chi, can she be better than you? Big sister, is it because I am hiding something from you that I dare not teach us?"

The other concubines were also laughing. Ma Xiuying was not angry and joined in teasing Ma Xun.

After all, Ma Xun is the 'younger brother', and there is a slight age difference between them, so there is no need to avoid suspicion. It is quite interesting to tease these youngsters.

Ma Xiuying smiled for a while before saying, "It just so happens that Shu Ning is here too. I want to ask you two, why haven't you made any progress after being married for more than half a year?"

The other imperial concubines immediately began to exert collective pressure. They were all "experienced people" in this matter. Those who did not give birth to sons also gave birth to daughters, so naturally they had a "say".

Ma Xun had truly miscalculated. He had thought he could find some peace and quiet by hiding in the palace, but now he was being "besieged" by everyone.

"Take care of your body, that's for giving birth to a healthy baby." Ma Xun said with his old tricks, "I want to give birth to a son, and I want the strongest and cutest one."

This tactic might have worked before, but it doesn't seem to be of much use now.

These imperial concubines were still urging him, saying things like "he has reached age", "time to hurry up", "the bloodline of Prince Xu must be continued", etc.

Not only Ma Xun felt a tingling sensation on his scalp, Liu Shuning was under even greater pressure. If they did not give birth to a son, these two would have no say and would simply become sinners.

After finally escaping from the women's army, Ma Xun ran back to the courtyard, "Brother-in-law."

The maid in the courtyard hurriedly said, "My Lord, Marquis Enqin has left the palace."

"He went to Bao'er's place?" Ma Xun was immediately disappointed. "He didn't say when he would be back?"

The maid replied, "Marquis Enqin will be back in about five days."

This was a big deal. Li Zhen took Li Jinglong out of the palace, and Ma Xun would be targeted. He had originally hoped that this respected brother-in-law would help protect him, but now he was afraid that he could not hide.

No, Li Zhen left the palace at this time not only because he missed his son. It is estimated that he was probably out to take charge. As long as he was with Li Wenzhong, the people in Huaixi would not dare to bargain with Li Wenzhong.

In order to be granted a title and get promoted, many people worked hard during this period. After all, the official positions of these military generals in the early Ming Dynasty were hereditary. If they did not have a title, they would strive for a higher position so that their descendants would benefit from it in the future!

(End of this chapter)