The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 14

Ma Xun is now at a loss for words. He originally thought that he could leave the palace, but now he has to work in the palace.

The good news is that I have gained my freedom. Now I have many places to go and I don’t have to accompany the prince to study all day.

The bad news is that I have become a 'nanny', or more precisely a health doctor, and naturally I have a lot to do now.

The construction of this imperial palace began three years ago. At that time, Liu Bowen, who was proficient in geomancy, chose this Feng Shui site and mobilized 200,000 people to fill Yanque Lake and build the palace.

Needless to say, the imperial palace is naturally magnificent and majestic. It also follows etiquette, responds to celestial phenomena, and conforms to nature. It is impeccable.

After all, this is the template of the Forbidden City, which laid the foundation for some architectural styles in later generations.

But Ma Xun felt that the terrain was a bit low, and it was also a bit damp after filling the lake to build the palace.

The plum trees in front of the East Palace were cut down at lightning speed, and the flowers in the back garden were also cut down. Many people were confused about what happened.

Then some news came out from the Imperial Medical Bureau, and His Majesty was furious and punished some doctors. Fortunately, thanks to the protection of the Queen and the Crown Prince, no one was killed.

Ma Xun, the emperor's uncle, was once again recognized by the public. Rumor had it that he diagnosed that the empress and the prince were ill, and people were in a panic for a while.

As for the fact that the title was not awarded immediately, it was temporarily stopped after much persuasion.

The reason why Zhu Yuanzhang agreed was not because he had given up the idea of rewarding his meritorious officials, but because he had originally planned to reward his meritorious officials after the Northern Expedition was successful, which would be next year if nothing unexpected happened.

When the time comes, they will be conferred titles together. Although there is a preliminary ranking and plan for conferring titles on the founding heroes, it still needs further improvement.

When Mu Ying saw Ma Xun, he knelt down and said, "I kowtow to my uncle. If the queen is ill, I will not be able to fulfill my filial duty. I will never forgive myself!"

Ma Xun quickly helped Mu Ying up, "What nonsense! The Queen is my sister, why do you have to do this!"

Mu Ying was still frightened, wiping away tears, and said, "The Queen has saved my life. If it weren't for Your Highness raising me, how could I be where I am today!"

"I really want to do something for the queen. You can arrange for someone to go to Guangdong." Ma Xun said, "There seems to be a medicine called Huajuhong there, which can dissipate phlegm and relieve cough. That thing looks like tangerine."

Ma Xun carefully looked at some herbs, but couldn't find Huajuhong, so he was anxious. The Compendium of Materia Medica hadn't been published yet, and some of the tributes in the future hadn't appeared yet.

Mu Ying immediately became serious, "Uncle, please tell me in detail. I'm listening carefully."

Mu Ying was taking notes seriously, and the young eunuch beside him was also taking notes, while a little maid ran away quietly.

Zhu Yuanzhang came and asked excitedly, "Brother, have you found the miracle medicine?"

"It's not a miracle drug, but it's a little bit useful." Ma Xun suddenly had a headache and quickly explained, "Brother-in-law, you sent someone to Guangdong, and some people there should know about this stuff. I call it Huajuhong, I don't know what others call it."

Zhu Yuanzhang patted Ma Xun's hand with satisfaction and said, "Little brother, if you have such things in the future, just arrange for someone to get them. You won't be afraid of not finding them."

Ma Xun was not afraid of not being able to find these things. What he was afraid of was being overjoyed and not being able to report back, as he was not a real doctor.

In this day and age, a cold can be fatal, not to mention asthma which still cannot be cured even if medical technology is greatly improved in the future!
Seeing that Ma Xun was about to leave the palace, Old Zhu was disgusted again, "Your sister and your nephew are sick, and you want to go out and find a wife. You are so generous!"

Ma Xun said hurriedly, "Brother-in-law, my sister and the prince are not sick, it's not a big deal, just take good care of them. Don't scare yourself, and don't scare them. If you feel better and don't get tired, you will get better naturally!"

Zhu Yuanzhang also nodded immediately. Although his sister and eldest son had respiratory diseases, they were not serious and did not affect their lives, so that was enough.

What he was afraid of was that his sister would become like Empress Changsun. This was a bit of a stressful and overreaction.

Looking at Zhu Yuanzhang, Ma Xun asked, "Brother-in-law, can I leave the palace now?"

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately urged, "Go, go quickly! If you don't like the daughter of that old man Liu Ji, come back and tell me!"

Deep down, he still hoped that Ma Xun would not like Liu Bowen's daughter. However, due to the opinions of the Queen and the Crown Prince, he could only accept it for the time being.

If Ma Xun also objects, then I can just be happy in secret.

It would be great to find a good woman for my brother-in-law. Finding a delicate and weak lady is not what a farmer should have. Continuing the family line is the first priority. It’s okay to have a big waist and strong shoulders, but at least she has to have a big ass to be able to give birth!

Ang ang ang

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the stupid donkey next to him with disdain, "Stupid thing, all it does is eat!" Ma Xun added, "It can't sit still, so you have to take it with you when you go out."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, "He really understands human nature."

Zhu Yuanzhang liked his brother-in-law Ma Xun more and more. He was good-natured, dutiful, and had saved the queen and the prince.

Now we are no longer as cautious and dutiful as we were in the beginning. We are closer now and have truly become a family. We don't have to be restrained all the time.

Zhu Yuanzhang instructed Mu Ying, "Take good care of your uncle. His martial arts skills are mediocre, and he won't be able to withstand a ruthless opponent."

Mu Ying quickly assured, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will protect your uncle's safety even if it costs my own life!"

"I'm just going to see my wife. Why do you say there's going to be a war?" Ma Xun didn't understand. "If it's really that dangerous, I'll go talk to my brother-in-law. I'll go and tease Jinglong."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent. If he ruined Ma Xun's plan, the queen would fight him. Ma Xun's marriage was a big deal!

Ma Xun, who left the palace again, looked at the people walking on the street and said, "Yingtian Prefecture is the capital after all, rich and prosperous."

Mu Ying said proudly, "Yingtian Prefecture is an important town in the south of the Yangtze River. Your Majesty has conquered it for fourteen years. This place is a place where dragons and tigers are entrenched. It is the foundation of our Ming Dynasty!"

Under Mu Ying's leadership, Ma found Liu Bowen's mansion. Liu Bowen was 59 years old and his youngest daughter was only 17.

But this is nothing. Liu Bowen had children relatively late. His eldest son was only 23 years old.

The original wife did not leave any offspring, and the second wife died after giving birth to Liu Lian, Liu Jing and a daughter. After she surrendered to Zhu Yuanzhang, she was rewarded by Zhu Yuanzhang with Zhang, who became a concubine. Although she also had two daughters, they were too young and were illegitimate daughters.

Liu Bowen took a few looks at the dark, thin and tall Ma Xun, smiled and bowed, "I am honored to meet you, uncle of the emperor."

"Your Highness, I am very polite." Ma Xun also hurriedly returned the greeting, "I am not familiar with classics and history, and Your Majesty and Your Highness the Queen are very dissatisfied with me and asked me to come and seek advice."

Liu Bowen felt bitter because her youngest daughter was called to the palace a few days ago. It was said that the queen even asked her name and date of birth in person, which was inappropriate.

But this is nothing. Men should get married when they are old enough and women should get married when they are old enough. Liu Bowen just doesn't want his daughter to marry some nobles.

There is no need to worry about the royal family because the princes are not of the right age.

A daughter is sought after by thousands of families. Liu Bowen loved and was proud of his daughter very much, but he didn't know that the Queen had her eyes on her and was going to marry her to the Queen's uncle who used to be a monk.

After entering the mansion, he sat there idle. Liu Lian and Liu Jing were also called over, ostensibly to ask for advice.

Mu Ying was anxious and said, "Minister Yushi, not all of your children are here, right? Uncle likes to drink tea, how about having someone bring him a cup of tea?"

The brothers Liu Lian and Liu Jing were very surprised, as they knew it very well.

Even though Mu Ying was the adopted son of the emperor and the empress and had led troops in battles, he loved reading very much. He and General Li Wenzhong usually wore Confucian scholars' clothes. It was no exaggeration to say that they were well-read. Why was he so rude now?
Liu Bowen knew very well that a daughter of a family was sought after by thousands of families, but now his daughter was to be picked by a noble, "Let my daughter serve tea."

Mu Ying immediately laughed, very happy, "That's good, that's good!"

Liu Lian and Liu Jing also realized that Mu Ying had married and had children, so he was the emperor's uncle?
For a time, the two brothers were mixed with joy and sorrow. They were naturally aware of the status of the queen. But this uncle of the emperor was said to be not well-educated and looked a bit vulgar.

A young girl walked lightly into the courtyard, carrying a tray.

"Father, please have some tea."

The sound is crisp and somewhat sweet.

Ma Xun's eyes are a bit straight, he has an oval face and fox eyes. He should be about 1.6 meters tall. He can be sweet or domineering.

Mu Ying immediately stood up and pulled Liu Lian and Liu Jing to his left and right. "Last time, I read some parts of the Classics that I didn't understand. Let's discuss it. Uncle has read a lot of books, and the Chief Censor can help me solve my doubts."

Liu Lian and Liu Jing still wanted to object, but they were no match for Mu Ying.

Liu Bowen sighed. It seemed that he could not save his daughter. The king's uncle must have taken a fancy to her!

(End of this chapter)