The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 197 Be Careful or I'll Die in the Qin Palace

The changes in some things are so unexpected and jaw-dropping. It was obvious that the issue of Zhu Chong's marriage was originally being formally discussed, which was worth exaggerating.

But suddenly, everything changed. The problem was that Ma Xun was not calm enough, which led to a big joke. So he had to take the blame for this matter.

Ma Xiuying looked at Zhu Biao and said, "You will go to the Secretariat later. Remember that you will be fined for half a year and confined to your home for a month."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Ma Xiuying, then said to Zhu Biao, "You will be fined half a year's salary and confined for half a month. Do you understand?"

Ma Xiuying turned her head and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang without saying anything.

Li Zhen said cheerfully, "Just talk it out. This matter is also my fault. He was kind-hearted and wanted to protect his sister and didn't want his nephew to suffer. Don't blame him, you two are young and rash. When you were his age, you were not as good as him."

Ma Xiuying said unhappily, "Brother-in-law, he just takes advantage of his young age to do things without considering the consequences. If he continues to do so in the future, what should we do?"

"Mother, my uncle is just too concerned. If it didn't concern you and me, he wouldn't be like this." Zhu Biao said quickly, "I will issue an order in a moment. Master Song and the others will not be able to make sense."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "My brother-in-law has been fined and put under house arrest. The matter is over and no one is allowed to mention it again."

As for whether Ma Xun was worried or resting peacefully because of being confined to the mansion, that was his own business.

Ma Xun was driven out of the Qianqing Palace in a daze. Li Wenzhong hurriedly came to greet him, "Uncle, what happened?"

"It's okay." Ma Xun said with a smile, "I'll go back first, you two should stay away from them, so that they won't cause trouble for you."

The fire at the city gate affected all the innocent people, and Ma Xun was picked out and punished. If Li Wenzhong and Mu Ying were really caught, there would be no psychological burden to punish them.

In the Qianqing Palace, Ma Xiuying said worriedly, "I wonder if my little brother runs away one day, and it will all be your fault!"

Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to refute, but he was out of breath. "Wait until the donkey is born. You should go and see him more often. Raise his son by your side. I will see if he is fine."

Zhu Biao smiled and expressed his dissatisfaction, "Dad just thinks that uncle values his family, so he said that."

"He has been lonely since childhood and values his family." Ma Xiuying began to wipe away tears. "Now you treat him like this, how will he feel?"

Zhu Yuanzhang panicked and looked to Li Zhen for help.

Li Zhen instantly changed from a vigorous elder into a frail old man. He held on to the chair for a long time before standing up and walked out tremblingly.

It is not appropriate to say much about the Emperor’s family affairs now. Let the family of three discuss it themselves.

Zhu Biao also complained, "Dad, my uncle has always only cared about my mother. Now that you say this to him, I think my uncle will be even more unwilling to do things in the future."

Ma Xiuying suddenly said, "Don't talk to him about justice, talk about friendship. Your uncle is soft-hearted, just go and complain more."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao couldn't help but look at Ma Xiuying. The younger sister (mother) still had some means, and the younger brother (uncle) would definitely not be able to escape.

Zhu Yuanzhang then said angrily, "This old man Tao Kai has bad intentions. I have been through a lot and I know people's hearts well. If I really do this, I'm afraid the knot in my heart will never be resolved."

Ma Xiuying taunted, "Now you understand? Emperor Zhu won't listen to kind words of advice. Does he have to wait for someone to argue with you before he understands?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that he threw his sleeves and said, "I don't want to argue with you! Biao'er, your uncle will be confined to his house for ten days, and you are not allowed to visit him!"

Ma Xiuying stood up unhappily, "I can't live in this Qianqing Palace anymore. My daughter and I will go back to Kunning Palace so that he won't take his anger out on us. Boss, your uncle will fine you half a year's salary and confine you to your house for half a month. No forgiveness!"

Zhu Biao watched his parents leave and could only sigh, "Sweep the house first."

Qianqing Palace, when will it be the prince's turn to make arrangements?
The most important thing is that although his parents still seem to be angry now, from Zhu Biao's point of view, the couple will be talking and laughing together tomorrow.

But what should I do?

Should my uncle be grounded for half a month or ten days? Didn't he say it would be a month?

I still have to talk to my aunt first. My uncle is open-minded and doesn't care about some things. But my aunt is sensitive and she is pregnant now, so I can't let her worry too much.

There are also some things that develop so unexpectedly that no one knows what to say next.

Ma Xun had just caused a big disturbance at the Meridian Gate when the emperor's punishment came out.

The Ministry of Central Secretariat issued an order directly, deducting half a year's salary and confining him for half a month for his reckless behavior. The Queen also issued an order, ordering Ma Xun to go home and study, so that he could become wise and virtuous.

Ma Xun led the donkey and complained as he walked, "Shuning, I can only count on you. I've been busy running around, but after all, I'm an outsider. Once they close the door, I'm an outsider and I'm not a member of the group."

Liu Shuning advised, "You shouldn't say that. I'm not an outsider. The Crown Prince and the King of Qin have always respected you. How could they be dissatisfied with you?"

"What can I be dissatisfied with?" Ma Xun said angrily, "I offended the person and messed up the matter, so I shouldn't meddle in other people's business."

Liu Shuning could only persuade him at this time. The prince had already said a lot to her. The meaning was very clear, that is, he hoped that she could persuade Ma Xun.

In fact, in Liu Shuning's opinion, Ma Xun, the emperor's brother-in-law, is still very trusted by the emperor and empress.

He caused a scene at the Meridian Gate, beat up the Shangshu, and was said to have even gotten angry at the emperor. Which of these things wouldn't make people shudder with fear?

The emperor has become more and more domineering in recent years. Even in the early years, he was very majestic. It is estimated that apart from the queen, only the Duke Cao and Ma Xun dared to speak loudly in front of the emperor. After returning home, Ma Xun felt that he had been busy with many things during this period and had not had a good rest.

It is better to be confined to the house so that he can stay at home and accompany the pregnant woman.

Pregnant women tend to think too much, so the best thing to do is to talk to Liu Shuning at this time.

There were already several guards standing at the gate of Prince Xu's mansion. Since the imperial decree had been issued to put him under house arrest, it made their attitude clear.

Ma Xun lazily sat on a recliner basking in the sun, and Xu E hurried over, "Master, the Duke of Weiguo is kneeling at the door."

Ma Xun was surprised, "What's going on? Let them in."

Xu E was speechless. His master really didn't take the emperor's punishment seriously. He had said that he was under house arrest. The emperor's uncle was not allowed to go out, and no one else was allowed to come in.

Xu E explained, "A lot of things were leaked after the morning court session. I guess they heard it."

Ma Xun stood up helplessly, "What do these boys and girls know? They believe everything they hear. They may not even realize that they are being used as a gun."

Helpless as he was, Ma Xun strolled to the door and saw Deng and Deng Zhen kneeling there.

As soon as she saw Ma Xun, Deng cried and said, "Uncle, your niece is not worthy of you. I am grateful to you and was born into a military family. I know that it is difficult to disobey the emperor's order."

"You." Ma Xun thought for a moment and said, "I was the one who begged for your relationship with Lao Er. If you don't behave like a virtuous woman after you marry into the Zhu family, I will think I am blind. I will beat you to death first, dig out your eyes and then slam my head against the Qin Palace to death!"

Deng kowtowed heavily, "Niece will remember your uncle's teachings!"

"Get up." Ma Xun said, "Go back and study hard, learn how to be a good daughter-in-law. Now that you are not married, I treat you as a maid. When you and the second brother get married, I will treat you as a niece-in-law."

Then Ma Xun yelled at Deng Zhen, "Your sister is ignorant, and neither are you! Why are you crying? Does she still want a reputation? Go back!"

Deng and Deng Zhen kowtowed again, and the brother and sister stood up, wiping their tears.

Their mother stood at the gate of the mansion and could only kneel slightly to salute. Seeing this, Ma Xun could only quickly bow deeply.

As soon as he got home, Ma Xun was shocked, "How did you get here?"

Chang Mao showed his big teeth and said proudly, "I climbed over the wall to get in, so people outside don't know!"

"Go back!" Ma Xun was both angry and amused, "I was innocent in the first place, but you are guilty of coming here."

Chang Mao said nonchalantly, "What crime could my uncle have committed? At most, I will be beaten by His Majesty. I am thick-skinned and not afraid of being beaten."

Ma Xun said unhappily, "Go back, I'm not in the mood to talk to you."

"Then you have to wait for my sister." Chang Mao said, "I don't want to come either. I know my uncle is very angry now and will definitely scold me when he sees me."

Ma Xun was even more speechless, "Where's your sister?"

"Talk to my aunt." Chang Mao seemed helpless. "She just moved the ladder to climb the wall. What can I do?"

Ma Xun sat down on the chair, crossed his legs and began to take a nap. He was really tired after being busy on the road for the past two days.

Chang Mao sat next to Ma Xun with a shy face, "Uncle, my mother made roast lamb. Will she bring it to you later?"

"No." Ma Xun said proudly, "My cook is a great cook. I'll eat stewed chicken."

Chang Mao said again, "Uncle, how about I get you some small things? I heard that someone has an eagle, can I get it for you?"

Ma Xun immediately asked with interest, "Who raises the eagle? Can it hunt?"

"Of course, they are raised for hunting!" Chang Mao immediately became excited. "Wang De has trained several hunting dogs. I want all of them for you. The eagle is from the Hou family in Henan. His family was rich in the past."

Henan Hou Lu Ju was the co-director of the Privy Council of the Yuan Dynasty in his early years. He guarded Wu'an and other states and was considered one of the generals under the Yuan Dynasty Prime Minister Toghto.

"Leading Huang on the left and Cang on the right, a thousand riders are riding across the plain." Ma Xun was moved, "A gentleman does not take away what others like, and you can't ask for it. Go back and ask for me how to train a dog and raise an eagle."

Chang Mao nodded seriously, and then said flatteringly, "Uncle, Tang Ding and I have agreed to block the door of the Minister of Rites tomorrow."

"Nonsense!" Ma Xun cursed angrily, "Isn't it enough that I'm grounded? If you cause trouble again, I'll be responsible!"

Chang Mao understood that he should not block the door of the Minister of Rites.

Then Chang Mao continued, "Uncle, how about I find you two more horses? Your horses are too docile and can only be ridden normally, not as war horses."

Chang Mao is truly close to the uncle in front of him, and he treats him no less than his own uncle.

He was easy-going and kind to the three brothers of the Chang family. He had saved his father before and protected them everywhere.

Such an uncle is really rare, not to mention that he is going to make a scene just to protect the Deng family. If you don't respect such an uncle, there will be no one else in the world to respect!

(End of this chapter)