The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 62 Visiting
Needless to say, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is definitely a good day.

Ma Xun got up early in the morning, and everyone in the mansion was in a happy mood.

Ma Xun put on his clothes and started to wash. Xu E said happily, "Master, the lady's family should send someone over soon."

Although many traditional customs have disappeared or been simplified after nearly a hundred years of Yuan Dynasty rule, the current Ming Dynasty is constantly restoring traditional rituals.

The Liu family will send someone to decorate the new house soon, which is also one of the traditional customs.

He Da came running over in a panic, "My Lord, someone is coming from the palace."

Ma Xun was a little surprised, "Who's here? I didn't hear about it?"

"The streets are starting to quiet down." He Da said in a panic, "Uncle of the King, is the emperor coming?"

Ma Xun was also a little flustered, "Well, should we set up the incense table?"

Ma Xun looked at He Da, He Da looked at Ma Xun, and then they both looked at Xu E.

One is not knowing these etiquettes, and the other is not quite sure whether he knows these etiquettes.

Xu E quickly said, "There is no need to set up the incense table. If the palace sends an order in advance, then we have to set up the incense table. Now that there is no order, there is no need to set it up. But everyone in the mansion needs to prepare."

Ma Xun and He Da both breathed a sigh of relief. There were some things they really couldn't handle.

This is the situation in the Ma Mansion now. He Da is only responsible for guarding the house, while Xu E is responsible for the daily management of the mansion. The one is a military man and the other is a scholar, working in perfect harmony.

Ma Xun thought that it was most likely that Zhu Yuanzhang or Ma Xiuying was coming, or both of them were coming, because when Zhu Chong and others came before, they were directly escorted by guards.

Only when Ma Xiuying and Zhu Biao arrived did the streets become quiet in advance and there were guards along the way.

It’s the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, and we have a holiday now.

As expected, guards soon took over the protection inside and outside the Ma Mansion, and Ma Xun immediately ran to the gate of the mansion.

Two magnificent carriages appeared. Zhu Biao got out of the first carriage first, followed by Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying. Several children jumped out of the second carriage, all of them familiar faces.

Ma Xun quickly saluted, "Your Ma Xun, respectfully welcomes His Majesty the Emperor."

Zhu Yuanzhang said happily, "Get up, everyone get up."

Ma Xiuying also smiled and said, "You've moved here for a long time, but this is the first time your brother-in-law has come here. He still dares to say that he takes care of you. Is there anyone who can take care of you like this?"

Zhu Biao also said, "Mom is right. Dad is the only one in the family who doesn't know where my uncle lives."

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't care about these teasings at all. There were only a few people in this world whose teasings would not make him angry.

The first thing he did after entering the mansion was to take Zhu Yuanzhang and his entire family to the ancestral temple.

After offering incense, Ma Xiuying asked, "Still no one came to see you?"

Ma Xun sighed and said, "I asked someone to look for it from Ningbo to Funing, but I don't know if they can find it."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately advised, "Your sister is also sending people to help you look for it. They are asking along the way. You will definitely find it."

This is a bit frustrating. Ever since Ma Xun returned to Suzhou, Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying have been asking people to look for clues openly and secretly.

Ma Xun's life trajectory is easy to find, and many people still remember it. But many people don't remember Ma Taigong, that was more than ten years ago, not to mention Ma Xun's mother.

After coming out of the ancestral hall, Zhu Yuanzhang asked with a smile, "Do you want to be conferred the title tomorrow, or later?"

Ma Xun asked, "What's the difference?"

"That's definitely different. Tomorrow is a small imperial examination, a big day." Zhu Yuanzhang said happily, "Before the founding of the country, several dukes were conferred the title of Tiande. After the founding of the country, only your eldest brother-in-law and Yihuihou were promoted to marquis."

Liu Jizu, Marquis of Yihui, was the landlord who gave Zhu Yuanzhang a piece of land to bury his parents and brother. Therefore, Liu Jizu was posthumously named Marquis of Yihui, so that his descendants would be blessed.

Wang Ganniang, a neighbor, gave money and gifts to Zhu Yuanzhang, who was then sent to the temple to be a young monk. After becoming rich, Zhu Yuanzhang specially ordered Wang Ganniang's son Cao Xiu to change his name to Wang Wen, following Aunt Wang's surname, and even placed Aunt Wang's tablet in the imperial mausoleum to enjoy the royal family's incense and worship. The descendants of Liu Jizu and Wang Ganniang have always been the officials and officials of the Ming Imperial Mausoleum, and have been with the Ming Dynasty from beginning to end.

Ma Xun thought about it carefully and said, "Why don't I wait a little longer? It's not appropriate to be conferred the title of Duke before my eldest brother-in-law."

Ma Xiuying looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said proudly, "How could my brother be so ostentatious? Wait a little longer, and we will be conferred titles together."

"Isn't this just to double the happiness?" Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile, "But think about it, I really don't want to be conferred the title so early, then he will be the youngest duke."

"The second brother is the youngest." Zhu Biao laughed and joked, "When my uncle is a duke, the second brother will also be a duke."

In terms of age, Ma Xun is definitely the youngest, but in terms of seniority, Li Wenzhong is the youngest.

The title of Duke of Cao in history is also very special. Li Zhen and Li Wenzhong were both named Duke of Cao at the same time.

Suddenly, a few donkey brays broke the harmony, and Wangcai rarely ran in small steps.

"Just let them make noise, it's okay." Ma Xun quickly stopped Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying, "Wangcai is getting lazier and lazier. All he does all day is eat and walk around the yard. I scolded him many times, but he still won't run."

Zhu Yuanzhang joked, "If you are willing to whip it a few times, it will definitely run away."

Ma Xiuying rolled her eyes at Zhu Yuanzhang. Everyone close to him knew that Ma Xun loved Wangcai very much and would never be willing to whip the dog.

Zhu Biao looked outside the door, a little anxious, "Why haven't you come yet? Did you miss the time?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was also somewhat dissatisfied. "It is a blessing for them to marry my brother, why don't they take it seriously at all?"

"Why are you two in such a hurry? Is it time yet?" Ma Xiuying said with a smile, "Scholars are very polite. How can we easily visit them before the time comes?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Ma Xun and then teased Ma Xiuying, "Your family is a wealthy family with a long tradition of poetry and literature. Why does your brother always go to the Liu family for no reason?"

Ma Xiuying first glared at Ma Xun. It was rare that she couldn’t refute Zhu Yuanzhang. Her brother was so disappointing!

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately became arrogant and thought that not all educated people were polite.

After a while, He Da ran over and said, "Master, the Madam's family has sent someone."

"Let them in." Ma Xiuying urged, "Hurry up, be nice."

Liu Lian was also a little panicked. He knew that the emperor and the empress loved the uncle, but he didn't expect that the emperor and the empress were both in the uncle's mansion before the wedding. Now it can't be called the uncle's mansion, it's Prince Xu's mansion.

"Your Majesty, I, Liu Lian, pay my respects to the Emperor."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately urged, "Okay, go and set up the new house."

Liu Lian felt as if he had been pardoned. Under the guidance of Xu E, he went to the bedroom to start decorating the new house.

After a while, Xu E came over and said, "It looks OK. I guess everyone knows the master's character. The house is not extravagant."

Ma Xiuying smiled and said, "That's good. I'm just afraid she really is a spoiled young lady."

"I think you should find me another easy-to-give-up girl." Zhu Yuanzhang immediately offered advice. "What does that girl look like? Does she look easy to give birth to?"

Ma Xiuying was anxious, "Is this urgent for you or me? If she has trouble giving birth, can we let her in?"

Zhu Biao and Ma Xun were used to this. The loving couple in front of them often quarreled with each other and neither of them gave in.

Zhu Yuanzhang was relieved, "That's good, I was just worried that Miss Jiao would be too weak."

Liu Shuning is not simply a weak and delicate lady. Nowadays, people no longer believe that being skinny and slender is a good figure.

"Let the second and third sons go with us when the bride comes, and your sister will come to help tomorrow." Zhu Yuanzhang said proudly, "When the time comes, your eldest brother-in-law will also come, and the people like Li Xiangguo will have to behave themselves when they come."

It seems that Li Shanchang will not be able to serve as the Left Prime Minister for many more days, and his retirement and return home is a foregone conclusion.

(End of this chapter)