The First Uncle of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 64 Married Life
Ma Xun felt someone calling him, so he opened his eyes in a daze.

Liu Shuning said shyly, "Husband, it's time to get up."

Ma Xun raised his hand and placed it on Liu Shuning's shoulder. "It's only this time. There's no need to get up early."

Liu Shuning was really anxious, and hurriedly advised, "It's already at least 7 o'clock now, it's time to get up."

"We don't have such a rule in our family. You can sleep as long as you want." Ma Xun's hand began to slide down, squinting his eyes without opening them. "No need to get up, sleep a little longer."

Liu Shuning's pretty face flushed, and she advised again, "My husband, I should also go to pay respect to my parents-in-law and my brother and sister-in-law. If I don't get up, it will be so embarrassing if it gets out."

Ma Xun thought about it and it made sense. He was used to sleeping in at home, and the people around him never cared about it and were even quite indulgent.

But if he continues to sleep in today, he won't be affected too much, but Liu Shuning's reputation might be affected.

Thinking of this, Ma Xun also sat up, "Okay, get up."

Liu Shuning blushed and whispered, "Then you get up first."

"I'll get dressed quickly, you get up first." Ma Xun was concentrating and would definitely not get up first. "Hurry up, or someone will be here soon."

Liu Shuning's face turned even redder, but there was nothing she could do at this point. She could only muster up the courage to sit up.

After enjoying the scenery, Ma Xun quickly stood up, put on some clothes, and shouted at the top of his voice, "Moth, get ready to take a bath!"

Liu Shuning blushed even more, and she was a little curious, "My husband always dresses himself."

"Do you still want to help me put on my clothes?" Ma Xun asked, "Okay, I think that's a good idea."

Liu Shuning said quickly, "I thought my husband was a noble man, so he must have someone to serve him."

"What noble man? What's the big deal about wearing your own clothes?" Ma Xun laughed and wondered, "These people are hiding far away. They definitely don't dare to eavesdrop."

Liu Shuning's face turned even redder, but Ma Xun had already opened the door a crack and continued to shout, "Ezi, hurry up and prepare hot water for Madam to bathe and change clothes."

The next moment a response came from a distance, "Master, everything is ready."

The busy morning began. After taking a shower and changing clothes, Ma Xun and Liu Shuning hurried to the ancestral hall.

Xu E, He Da and others paid homage to the mistress, and Liu Shuning also gave rewards to everyone in the mansion.

Liu Shuning then spoke up, "Husband, do you want to serve tea to your sister?"

Ma Xun's scalp suddenly went numb. "If I go into the palace, I might not be able to come out for ten days or half a month."

Liu Shuning didn't know how to respond for a moment, so Xu E quickly said, "Master, don't worry. With Madam accompanying you today, you will definitely be able to go back quickly."

Liu Shuning also advised, "If the new bride is so rude when she enters the house, she will definitely be laughed at."

Ma Xun finally agreed, "I think we should be able to go there and come back quickly, so let's go?"

Xu E immediately helped Liu Shuning out of the house, already prepared.

As soon as he entered the palace, a young eunuch led Wangcai to the courtyard. Ma Xun realized that the situation was not good. The direction he and Liu Shuning took him was also the direction of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, so naturally they were going to the Xu Wang Sacrifice.

Ma Xiuying held Liu Shuning's hand with a smile on her face, and the relationship between the aunt and sister-in-law seemed to be handled well.

After the worship was over, they returned to Rouyi Palace. Ma Xiuying asked, "Little brother, what are your plans next?"

"Didn't I say before that I would be in charge of the Imperial College?" Ma Xun was puzzled. "I don't know much about it, so I'll just do it for show. I'll build a school at the foot of Jiming Mountain and specialize in teaching nursing."

Ma Xiuying also thought of this, "This is good, we are still using troops, and it is a good thing to have more medical officers and medical assistants." Ma Xiuying then said, "It is also good to find something serious to do, but don't forget to continue the bloodline of the clan as soon as possible."

Before Ma Xun opened his mouth, Liu Shuning quickly said, "Sister-in-law, be a good woman and continue the bloodline of our Ma family."

Ma Xiuying was very happy about Liu Shuning's sense of responsibility. She began to praise her, and it was not enough to praise her. She gave her sister-in-law more gifts and praised the Liu family for their good education of their daughter.

If it is not easy to reward Liu Bowen, then reward Liu Bowen’s two daughters-in-law.

Ma Xunku sat aside, watching Ma Xiuying and Liu Shuning holding hands and whispering affectionately, he was a little dumbfounded. These two hardly knew each other before, but now they are extremely affectionate.

In less than a moment, Zhu Biao, who had just finished school, came with his younger brothers and sisters.

Zhu Biao, the crown prince, stood aside, but Zhu Chong and his men still had to pay respects to their aunt. Although Liu Shuning was a little embarrassed, she accepted the gift after being persuaded by the Ma siblings.

When Ma Xun returned to the courtyard in a daze, he felt that he would have to stay in the palace for a few more days. He would not wait until Liu Shuning was pregnant before leaving the palace, but would just stay for a few days.

Li Zhen was very pleased to see that Ma Xun had started a family. She kept talking to him about how to support the family, etc., and Ma Xun listened attentively.

In the evening, Ma Xiuying brought Liu Shuning to the courtyard, and Zhu Yuanzhang also came with Zhu Biao. The whole family was together again, but the difference was that Ma Xun was no longer a bachelor.

Ma Xun seemed to be very comfortable and at ease, while Liu Shuning seemed a little embarrassed. This kind of "family atmosphere" was a little strange to her, and the royal family seemed to have fewer rules than her own family.

After finishing her meal and returning to the courtyard, Liu Shuning said with some concern, "My husband, His Majesty and His Highness are so kind."

Ma Xun said as if it was normal, "I was also worried at the beginning, but now I feel much better. Just don't cause them any trouble. We should focus on our duties and don't worry about other things."

Liu Shuning nodded repeatedly. She had been a little bit overwhelmed these past two days. Although she knew before that Ma Xun, the emperor's uncle, was very favored, she had not expected that the emperor's uncle, who was rumored to be extremely loved by the emperor and empress, was far more favored than the rumors said.

However, Liu Shuning soon understood why Ma Xun did not like entering the palace. She stayed in the palace until the end of the first month of the year, nearly half a month, before she was allowed to leave the palace at Ma Xun's repeated request.

When Ma Xun was in the palace, he would read books by himself, occasionally go to the main hall to supervise his nephews' studies, or go to the Imperial Hospital to select a few imperial physicians to serve as teachers for the "Nursing Department" he was preparing.

Liu Shuning was also busy, going to Ma Xiuying's place every day to learn how to manage the household and do needlework.

When Liu Shuning returned home, everyone in the Liu family was very happy.

When Liu Shuning returned to her boudoir, Liu Bowen said, "Prime Minister Li resigned due to illness."

Ma Xun nodded and said, "I just heard two days ago that your majesty granted him several acres of land in Linhao, set up 150 households to guard the graves, 1,500 tenants, and 20 ceremonial guards."

Zhu Yuanzhang rewarded Li Shanchang generously for his resignation.

The current Zhongshu Province has Wang Guangyang and Yang Xian as left and right chancellors, and Hu Weiyong has also become the assistant minister of Zhongshu Province under the recommendation of Li Shanchang. Liu Bowen is still the chief censor.

Liu Bowen said, "You are married now. Even though you are loved by the emperor and empress, you should not be arrogant and extravagant."

It was not easy to say much before, but now as Ma Xun's father-in-law, Liu Bowen is naturally qualified to educate him a little.

Liu Bowen then continued to ask, "You should go to the Imperial College more often. You only listen to the affairs of the Grand Military Governor's Office but don't talk about them."

Ma Xun also nodded and said, "I thought so too. I'm going to do my job. The Imperial College only watched but didn't say anything, not to mention the Grand Military Governor's Office."

Liu Bowen was even happier when he heard Ma Xun say this. Although his son-in-law had a special status, he was not domineering or arrogant at all, so it seemed that he did not have to worry too much.

What made Liu Bowen even more gratified was that he could tell from his daughter's expression that her married life was quite happy, which meant that she had married the right person.

(End of this chapter)