The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 157 Overjoyed
Liu Shuning was suspected to be pregnant, so naturally a lot of people were happy.

But the most nervous ones now are the few imperial doctors with goatees, because not only the emperor and the empress are staring at them, but also the king's uncle.

After the three imperial doctors took turns to check the patient's pulse, an old man immediately knelt down and said, "Congratulations, Your Highness. The Duke's wife is pregnant."

Look, the imperial physician is also a smart man. Although the child is Duke Xu's, the queen is still the head of the family.

Ma Xiuying was overjoyed and immediately said generously, "Reward, everyone in the mansion will be rewarded."

After saying this, Ma Xiuying was about to wipe away her tears, "Little brother, let's go and tell our parents the good news."

There is a temple of King Xu in the imperial palace, which was specially built for Ma Xiuying to commemorate her parents.

Corresponding to it is the Fengxian Hall, where Zhu Yuanzhang worshipped his ancestors. However, the Fengxian Hall is larger in scale, and no one argues with this. The fact that a shrine was built in the imperial palace for Ma Taigong shows the importance attached to Ma Xiuying and Ma Taigong.

Otherwise, look at history, how many emperors would build a shrine for their father-in-law in the imperial palace?
Ma Xun quickly stopped Ma Xiuying and said, "I will definitely go in a while. I will leave for Suzhou tomorrow."

Ma Xiuying nodded immediately, "That's right. We must tell our parents about this big thing. Our Ma family has an heir!"

From now on, the Ma family will not only have Ma Xun as the only child. Ma Xiuying also feels that she has done her best for her ancestors. Not only has she found her brother, but the Ma family has also grown into a large family.

Then Ma Xiuying said, "Shuning, follow me back to the palace later."

Ma Xun was anxious, "Sister, just stay at home, I can take good care of her."

According to Ma Xiuying's practice, Liu Shuning would have to wait until she gave birth to the child before she could leave the palace.

If Ma Xiuying had been allowed to do more, when the child was born, or was one month or one year old, he might be like Li Jinglong, and it was hard to say when he would leave the palace!

Zhu Yuanzhang also hurriedly said, "Sister, you should listen to me on this matter. He is a doctor, if you are worried, send someone to take care of him."

Zhu Biao also hurriedly advised, "Mother, my uncle and aunt are married, and they will soon give birth to my cousin. Let my aunt go to the palace to wait for the birth of the baby. What will others say about my uncle?"

Ma Xiuying was obviously too happy. A big part of the reason why Ma Xun was unwilling to live in the palace was that he felt uncomfortable there.

It would be inappropriate to bring Liu Shuning to the palace now. Besides, Ma Xun was a "miracle doctor", and arranging some maids to take care of her would be easy.

"I'll write to you Taishan later to tell you the good news." Ma Xiuying held Liu Shuning's hand and liked this sister-in-law no matter how she looked at her. "Uncle Chengyi is really amazing. He taught me such a good sister-in-law."

In the past, Ma Xiuying liked Liu Shuning more because of her personality and because she was her brother's sister-in-law.

And now that Liu Shuning is pregnant, her status will be greatly improved. She is now a "brother-in-law" and a contributor to the Ma family.

If she could try harder and give birth to a big fat boy, she would obviously be the fourth most important person in the Ma family.

Ma Xiuying, Ma Xun, and the later boys of the Ma family, Liu Shuning can only be ranked fourth.

Although Liu Shuning was very happy, she still had some sense of propriety, "Sister, it is all thanks to my parents' protection that I am blessed to continue the bloodline of my family."

Hearing Liu Shuning say this, Ma Xiuying became even happier. This sister-in-law was sensible and in the right position. Everything was centered around the Ma family.

"Chongba." Ma Xiuying looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "When my nephew is born, you will be appointed as a cavalry commander."

This cavalry commander is a fourth-rank honor, and the highest rank is left and right pillars of the country.

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately smiled and said, "Of course! When my nephew turns ten, I will make him the crown prince! It's too little to give him the rank of Cavalry Commandant first, it's more appropriate to give him the rank of Light Carriage Commandant!"

"A fourth-rank official is enough." Ma Xiuying looked at Liu Shuning's belly and was very excited. "My nephew will have a fourth-rank official status. It will be easy for him to enter the palace and ask for an audience."

This was really a great joy. The child hadn't been born yet, but she was already thinking about entering the palace to see her aunt. Besides, even if the child entered the palace, Liu Shuning should have accompanied him even if Ma Xun didn't bring him.

Ma Xun didn't say anything at this time. The Cavalry Commandant was just an honorary rank, even more "in name only" than the civil and military officials, and was not considered a formal official position.

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "My uncle is really amazing. He said that we will definitely have a child this year. I have to think about it. I still have my writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone. I have to give them to my brother."

"Too early, too early." Ma Xun also smiled happily and said, "Sister, brother-in-law, you can't spoil the child in the future."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately said, "If it's a son, name him Ma Zuyou, and his nickname is Lu'er."

Zhu Biao immediately took out a piece of paper and said, "Dad has already chosen a generation name for my uncle's eldest line. From now on, each of them will choose one character, and my uncle will choose another."

According to the Zhu family's custom, they named the children based on the generation name and the principle of the five elements.

However, the requirements were relaxed for Ma Xun. He only chose the generation name, and did not require the five elements to be mutually beneficial. After all, Ma Xun did not name his children according to the five elements.

"The ancestral virtues are returned to the old virtues, the virtuous and wise nurture filial piety and friendship, tracing the roots to practice kindness and grace, and the dynasties will run forward"

Ma Xun raised his head and glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang. It was not surprising at all that his brother-in-law came up with this generation name.

The choice of words is not necessarily very particular, but most of them are based on expectations for future generations.

It is estimated that Zhu Biao's branch has already drafted "Yun Wen Zun Zu Xun, Qin Wu Da Jun Sheng, Shun Dao Yi Feng Ji, Shi Liang Shan Yong Sheng". Looking at the expectations for Ma Xun, in fact, they are all emphasizing Ma Xun's identity and Ma Xiuying's kindness, so that the Ma family and future Zhu emperors can learn to be grateful.

As for Ma Zuyou and Lu'er, they actually emphasize the expectations for the child. The importance of this child to the Ma family is self-evident.

Just like Zhu Yuanzhang, all of his sons had the character "木" (wood) in their names.

When Zhu Biao gave Zhu Yuanzhang a legitimate grandson, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately forgot about generation names and the five elements and came up with a name called "Zhu Xiongying".

There is no way. There are always some special children, and some so-called rules can be broken. What's more, these are the rules set by Zhu Yuanzhang himself.

Ma Xiuying obviously had no objection, and she obviously knew about this matter. Having a nephew was more important to her.

Although we don’t know whether it is a boy or a girl yet, as long as there is movement, it’s fine.

There is nothing wrong with Ma Xun's health, so she will be able to give birth to a son after all.

It is an absolute joy that Ma Xun has a son.

Ma Xiuying was carefully instructing Ma Xun and Liu Shuning, fearing that the young couple might be negligent in doing anything.

As for Ma Xun, he is a doctor and seems to have some experience in parenting, but experience is one thing and whether he can take care of the child himself is another.

A doctor may just be an armchair tactician. He can teach others parenting theories in a very logical way, but he will be in a mess when raising children himself. This is normal.

"I'll arrange for a few people to come over later. They're all veterans." Ma Xiuying was in a good mood, but she was reluctant to let go of Liu Shuning's hand. "Just focus on taking care of the baby now, and don't worry about anything else."

Ma Xun also said, "It just so happens that I have a lot of things to do recently, and I don't have time to take care of Shuning. This matter needs my sister's help, otherwise it won't work."

Liu Shuning said quickly, "Sister, I'm not that delicate. When you were pregnant, you had to stay in Hezhou and worry about your husband. Now I just need to stay in the mansion and be at ease."

Liu Shuning felt more confident now that she was pregnant. She used to occasionally call Ma Xiuying "sister", and always addressed Zhu Yuanzhang as "Your Majesty".

It’s different now. In some occasions, you can call her "brother-in-law" and no one thinks it’s wrong. Instead, they feel that she has finally become a family member.

Ma Xiuying said, "That's different. Your parents are gone now, and there's no one from your mother's family to take care of you. How can that be possible? I had no other choice at the time. Besides, your brother-in-law's sister-in-law has been busy all the time. Can she really ignore me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded beside him. After he conquered Chuzhou, his brother-in-law took Baoer, and his eldest sister-in-law took Wenzheng and nieces to seek refuge with him.

When Ma Xiuying was pregnant, it was her sister-in-law who was always busy taking care of her.

Therefore, although Zhu Wenzhen was gone, Zhu Yuanzhang was always grateful to his brother and sister-in-law. Zhu Shouqian was named the Prince of Jingjiang and treated like a prince. This was what Zhu Yuanzhang considered natural and just, as a way to repay his brother and sister-in-law's kindness.

Ma Xiuying, who was in menopause, couldn't control her emotions anymore, "Zhongba, when the second brother and the others go back to their hometown, let Tiezhu go with them."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately nodded and said, "That's the truth, that's the truth."

The Ming Emperor's Mausoleum built in Fengyang contains not only the remains of Zhu Yuanzhang's parents, but also those of his brother, sister-in-law, and nephew.

Zhu Yuanzhang then looked at Ma Xun and said, "Is your sister-in-law's second brother in the army now?"

Seeing Ma Xun nod, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "He is also ambitious. This time he will join the Sichuan campaign. We should promote talents regardless of their relationship. He is the heir of Mr. Qingtian, so he can be used."

Ma Xiuying and Zhu Biao couldn't help but look at Zhu Yuanzhang, and Ma Xun also felt surprised.

In the past, Zhu Yuanzhang usually addressed Liu Bowen as "Old Man Liu" in private, but now he actually calls him "Mr. Qingtian".

It seems that Ma Xiuying is not the only one who is happy that Ma Xun has a son.

Ma Xun said first, "Brother-in-law, let's wait until the war is over. If my uncle can make military achievements, I will naturally help him to ask for an official title. It's a bit early to confer it now."

Ma Xiuying also advised, "Just give me an official title and ask me to take care of Shu Ning's family in the future. How can you give me such an official title and a high rank?"

Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice but to give up, and his wife and brother-in-law remained the same as before.

Even in such a happy moment, I don’t want more.

This made Zhu Yuanzhang feel helpless sometimes. He really wanted to take care of Ma Xiuying's parents' family and take more care of Ma Xun.

However, the two siblings always felt that they had gotten enough and were unwilling to ask for more benefits.

This is not false politeness, I really don't want it.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao, and Zhu Biao chuckled and shook his head slightly. There was nothing he could do.

When others become rich, even the most distant relatives would rush to them to ask for benefits. But now, my real relatives will be eager to get benefits if you dare to give them benefits.

My brother-in-law is like this, and so is my brother-in-law. It is so difficult for me, Zhu Yuanzhang, to take care of my relatives!
(End of this chapter)