The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 16 A Good Match
Ma Xun was filled with excitement. Although living in the palace was comfortable, he always felt that he was not free enough.

Looking at the house covering more than ten acres in front of him, Ma Xun was still somewhat shocked. Not to mention what was in the three-story courtyard, there were pavilions, towers, rockery, and a small martial arts training ground.

Zhu Chong said as if he was presenting a treasure, "Uncle, this house used to be the house of the former Yuan general. It was originally awarded to Xie Zaixing, but he ran away to join Zhang Shicheng, and was taken back by my father.

Xie Zaixing was an early general of Zhu Yuanzhang. His eldest daughter was married to Zhu Yuanzhang's nephew Zhu Wenzheng, and his youngest daughter was promised to Xu Da. However, he was dissatisfied with his position and rebelled against Zhang Shicheng, and was later captured alive by Li Wenzhong.

Zhu Gang also said, "Uncle, I think this house is still a little small and not worthy of you! Uncle, how about I help you decorate the house?"

Ma Xun immediately became alert and asked, "You? Forget it, I don't have the money for you to mess around. Just clean it up, there's no need to build a big building."

Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang were immediately disappointed. They had many ideas and were sure to design a magnificent house for their uncle. Unfortunately, their uncle did not know what was good and did not believe them.

"The Queen Mother sent away 30 servants and maids, all of whom are elderly people around the Queen Mother." Zhu Chong said, "The maids are also old enough to leave the palace and start their own families."

This was also Ma Xiuying's kindness. Most palace maids served in the palace all their lives, but Ma Xiuying felt sorry for them, so when they reached a certain age, she let them leave the palace, and many of them were arranged to marry.

Ma Xun was happy, "This is the best, I don't understand these things."

As he was speaking, a guard stepped forward and said, "Uncle, the eldest son of the Chief Censor is here."

Liu Lian, Liu Bowen's eldest son and Ma Xun's future brother-in-law, has a high level of literary accomplishment and is extremely good at poetry and lyrics, but he does not hold an official position yet.

When Liu Lian saw Ma Xun, Zhu Chong and others, he hurriedly bowed. Not to mention their family education, there was still a gap in their status.

Ma Xun took the initiative to say, "The Chief Censor is extremely good at geomancy, and I am not very knowledgeable about it. I will trouble Brother Liu to help decorate the mansion."

Liu Lian also said modestly, "You are too kind, my uncle. I am not even one tenth as talented as my father, and I don't even know the art of geomancy."

Zhu Chong immediately asked, "Then my aunt should know, right?"

Zhu Gang also said quickly, "Who really asked you to decorate it? I just want to please my aunt, what does it have to do with you?"

The two nephews were of noble status and spoke directly. However, what they said was indeed Ma Xun's thoughts.

But thoughts are just thoughts, they cannot be expressed out loud.

"Get out of here!" Ma Xun said rudely, "I told you I wouldn't take you with me, but you insisted on following me. Do you still want to be polite?"

Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang were not convinced, but due to the majesty of Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying, they dared not say anything. They were not afraid of Ma Xun, but they were afraid of Ma Xun's backers.

Liu Lian's heart was pounding, the two princes had made their point clear. Judging from the attitudes of the two princes and the attitude of the uncle towards the princes, the relationship between these uncles and the emperor and the queen was extremely close.

This is good news for the Liu family today, because Liu Bowen is not only alienated by the emperor in the court, but also excluded by Li Shanchang and others, who all want to retire and return home.

Ma Xun immediately said to Liu Lian, "The child is immature, brother Liu, please don't take it to heart."

Liu Lian quickly said, "I dare not."

After a moment of silence, Ma Xun said, "How about Brother Liu help me with the discussion? If Brother Liu is not good at this, can you ask your father, or someone else?"

Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang immediately laughed without disguising their laughter, and Liu Lian was also at a loss whether to laugh or cry. Although this uncle of the emperor knew the etiquette, it was obvious that he didn't know much and didn't try to hide it.

This is not something that Liu Bowen should design, this is something that Liu Shuning should design.

How could Liu Lian dare to make the decision on these matters? He quickly said, "Please forgive me, uncle. This is a serious matter and I dare not make the decision on my own. I will report to my father when I return and he will make the arrangements."

Ma Xun immediately said, "That's right. Brother Liu, please come with me for a walk and have a look. This is the first time I live in such a large and elegant house, and I'm not quite used to it." Liu Lian felt uneasy and uneasy, but he had no choice.

Liu Bowen also had no right to choose. The old man sat upright while the emperor and empress entertained him in the Wuying Hall.

The emperor had a cold face as usual, and Liu Bowen was used to it. The emperor didn't like him, and he knew it very well.

Ma Xiuying was still so kind and amiable, making people feel like spring breeze, but Liu Bowen felt more and more that his daughter could not be saved. The queen was now even more kind than before.

Ma Xiuying arranged the meal and said, "Mr. Liu, I heard Wan'er say that your daughter is not only good at needlework, but also good at Xiangwei?"

Liu Bowen was a capable man. He had read a wide range of classics, history, astronomy, calendar, military strategy, and ethics since he was young, and was particularly proficient in the study of astronomy and geography.

That is to say, astronomers, politicians, military strategists and writers.

Liu Bowen said quickly, "Your Highness is too kind, but my beloved daughter has an eccentric temperament and is not a lady with elegance or talent."

This is truly a beloved daughter. She is unwilling to be modest in front of the emperor and the empress, and even wants to make a final struggle.

"What a coincidence! My brother-in-law has a soft temper, so he has a fierce wife!" Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't bear to see Liu Bowen happy, so he gloated and said, "Your eldest son studied poetry and history, your second son studied classics and military strategy, and your daughter studied geomancy. What you learned in your life was not in vain."

Ma Xiuying rolled her eyes at Zhu Yuanzhang, then said to Liu Bowen in a gentle voice, "My brother has suffered a lot, and he is steady and sensible. Although he suffered in his early years, he has read a lot of books, and is familiar with classics, history, and legends. He is also an excellent doctor, and he cured me and the prince."

Liu Bowen was a little surprised. There had indeed been rumors that the Queen and the Crown Prince were ill and that it was the King's Uncle who did it. But now that the Queen had said it herself, the meaning was different.

Based on Liu Bowen's understanding of the queen, even if he praised the uncle of the emperor, it would not be exaggerated.

"Your daughter is smart. I liked her the last time I saw her." Ma Xiuying said directly, "My younger brother is steady and handsome. You have also seen that. Men should get married when they are old enough and women should get married when they are old enough. I think they are a good match!"

Liu Bowen really had no way of showing his displeasure. He really didn't want to marry into the royal family, and even his in-laws were unwilling to do so.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't care about that and said domineeringly, "You have seen what kind of person my brother-in-law is. His conversation and appearance are not ordinary. If the queen didn't think your daughter was okay, I don't think she is worthy of my brother-in-law."

Liu Bowen roared in his heart: You look down on my daughter, and I look down on your brother-in-law even more!
"They are a perfect match, no matter how you look at it!" Ma Xiuying pinched Zhu Yuanzhang secretly, and then said to Liu Bowen, "We should propose marriage. The eldest sister is like a mother, so I have to help him arrange the marriage."

Liu Bowen had nothing to say but to respond, "I obey your order."

Seeing Liu Bowen's displeasure, Ma Xiuying smiled and said, "My brother is not domineering or arrogant. He is a decent and honest person. Mr. Liu will know it after getting to know him. He is also talented. He originally planned to choose a legitimate daughter from among the nobles to marry him, but he didn't like her. That child has high standards and only chose Shu Ning."

Seeing Liu Bowen's distressed look, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help it anymore, "Shuning, this woman should belong to the Zhu family!"

Ma Xiuying and Liu Bowen were both numb. They had long been accustomed to the emperor teasing Liu Bowen whenever he had the chance, as if the more depressed Mr. Qingtian was, the better the emperor's mood would be.

Ma Xiuying smiled and said to Zhu Yuanzhang, "That's my Ma family. I will not accept the title of king in the future."

Liu Bowen breathed a sigh of relief. It was a good thing that he didn't become a prince. Otherwise, the uncle might not have a good life in the future. At that time, not only the royal family would impeach him, but all the officials might also impeach him, and he would be the target of public criticism.

Looking at how close the emperor and empress are to the king's uncle, and then thinking back to when I met Ma Xun before, after such a careful calculation, they can barely be considered a good match.

The most important thing is that Liu Bowen understood that he had no room to refuse anything decided by the emperor and the empress.

Seeing that Liu Bowen did not refute, Ma Xiuying smiled and said, "How about getting engaged this year and getting married next year?"

How could Liu Bowen refuse? He could only say, "I obey your order!"

(End of this chapter)