My aunt is Queen Ma

Chapter 2: Shocked Queen Ma
When Empress Ma saw the words "Red Book and Iron Certificate", she was extremely shocked and even felt a chill on her back.

Zhu Yuanzhang did have this plan.

The problem is, only the two of them know about this.

When discussing this matter, he also deliberately drove out all the eunuchs.

Moreover, the two of them only talked about it that once and never mentioned it again.

How did Ma Yu know?

Speculation?

This is no better than moving the capital.

Although the matter of moving the capital was kept secret, anyone with sufficient knowledge could guess a little about it.

In fact, many people in the court wanted to place the capital in the north.

Otherwise, Zhu Yuanzhang would not have decided to go to Kaifeng for inspection so quickly.

The red seal and iron certificate are different, and this has nothing to do with the overall situation.

If this is really a speculation, it means that he has a very deep understanding of Zhu Yuanzhang.

It is a very terrifying thing to have everything seen through by a person of unknown origin.

Especially for a monarch, it represents great danger.

If at the beginning, she was just a little curious about Ma Yu.

Now it has become necessary to find out everything about the other party.

Otherwise she would have trouble sleeping or eating.

Thinking of this, she put down the secret report and said to the eunuch:
"Everyone, step back. No one is allowed to approach within ten feet of the main hall. Violators will be beaten to death."

"Yes." The trembling eunuchs filed out one after another, and soon only the mother and son were left in the hall.

Empress Ma looked at Zhu Biao and said, "Do you have any questions for me?"

Zhu Biao said seriously, "Yes, is the red seal and iron certificate real?"

Queen Ma thought to herself that it was indeed so, and said:

"Your father and I have indeed considered rewarding meritorious officials with red seals and iron certificates."

“But it’s definitely not because I’m stingy because I don’t have money.”

"The court is short of money, but it's not so short of money that it can't even afford to reward meritorious officials."

"We do this to express our gratitude for their hard work and contributions, and hope that they can share the joys and sorrows and prosperity of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Biao naturally would not doubt his mother, but he did not trust his father.

It is said that no one knows a son better than his father, and this is often also true in reverse.

He knew his father too well. As Ma Yu said, he was suspicious, sensitive, murderous, and liked to shock people with his eloquence.

No one except his mother could make him give in even half a step.

Many times he couldn't stand his father's temper.

The matter of killing the donkey after it has done its work...

Zhu Biao didn't dare to think any further. He was afraid that if he did, it would destroy the image of his father in his mind.

Suppressing his unfilial thoughts, he asked doubtfully:
"But how did Ma Yu know this? If he could even guess this, it would be too terrifying."

Upon hearing this, Empress Ma sighed inwardly.

On ordinary days, Zhu Biao would definitely say with admiration that his parents were wise and kind.

But this time he didn't, instead he directly asked Ma Yu how he guessed it.

It was obvious that doubts had already arisen in his mind.

Thinking of this, she hated Ma Yu so much that her teeth were itching.

It's all because of your nonsense that my well-behaved son has become suspicious of his parents.

But trying to explain some things will only backfire.

The main reason was that she didn't want to use parental power to force her son to obey her.

We hope that through equal communication, children and parents can be of one mind.

So she could only suppress her emotions and said along with Zhu Biao's words:

"Yes, this is what I am most worried about."

"There are too many suspicious points about him. You were right not to act rashly before."

Zhu Biao felt much more relieved now that his mother finally understood him.

Without discussing the issue of the Red Book and Iron Certificate, he asked:
"What are you going to do with him?"

Empress Ma said seriously, "I don't believe he's just a beggar. Let the Guards continue their investigation."

"I must find out his background thoroughly, otherwise I will feel uneasy."

"I'll send more people to investigate right away." Zhu Biao nodded slightly, then asked:
"Do I need to inform my father about this?"

Queen Ma shook her head and said, "Don't tell him for now, so as not to distract him."

Zhu Biao was not surprised by her decision. She didn't say she was afraid that his father would be distracted. It was obvious that she was afraid that his father would do something irrational.

But there are some things that don't need to be explained too clearly.

"Do we need to pick up my second brother and Chang Mao?"

Empress Ma asked in return, "What do you think?"

Zhu Biao said in a deep voice: "Since Ma Yu is willing to tell my second brother his secrets, why not let my second brother stay there for a while."

"Who knows, he might say something shocking next, or even reveal his origins."

"I'm more worried about Chang Mao. If he hears something he shouldn't and says something, it might cause unnecessary trouble."

Empress Ma said, "Alright, let the second son stay in jail for a few days."

"If we let him out, then Ma Yu will keep silent."

"As for Chang Mao, let's find a chance to release him."

Zhu Biao nodded, with an expression of wanting to say something but stopping himself.

How could Empress Ma not know what her son was thinking? She said:

"You want to meet Ma Yu?"

Zhu Biao said, "You can't hide anything from me. I want to meet him in person. Maybe I can get some useful information."

Queen Ma couldn't help but sigh in her heart, it's true that once a son grows up, he is no longer under the control of his mother.

It is true that he went to the prison to gather intelligence, and it is also true that he asked about the red book and iron certificate.

Afraid that Ma Yu would say something shocking again, she wanted to stop her son's actions.

But she also knew that if she really stopped him, it would only further fuel her son's suspicions.

I could only pretend to be ignorant and said, "Well, with your intelligence, I'm sure you can find out something."
-
At night, Empress Ma did not go to bed, but read the secret report over and over again.

My son’s doubtful look would appear in my mind from time to time.

What worries her more than the former is the latter.

She didn't want her son to have any misunderstandings about his parents, and she couldn't accept this result.

She did not blame Zhu Biao for not trusting his parents. It was just that Ma Yu's words were too rigorous and thorough.

It seems to be spoken casually, but each conclusion has a detailed reasoning process.

The most important thing is that he came right in all the results.

This in turn makes his reasoning process appear more convincing.

But as God knows, she really has no intention of abandoning the dog after the rabbit has died.

Alas, I just hope Ma Yu will stop talking nonsense tomorrow.

Otherwise, if he teaches Biao'er bad things, I will not forgive him.

Madam Ma thought angrily.

On the other side, Zhu Biao also suffered from insomnia.

Firstly, he felt guilty because he had doubted his father.

Secondly, it is Ma Yu’s final judgment on the red book and iron certificate, which is the death warrant of the King of Hell, and anyone who has it will die.

Is my father really a person who would destroy the bridge after crossing it?

What made him uneasy was that he didn't deny it at the first time.

In fact, if he understood psychology, he would understand that he was in the stage of mental formation, the stage of questioning rules, parents, and teachers, which is scientifically called the rebellious period.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be so easily persuaded by a stranger with just a few words.

It is precisely because he does not understand filial piety and doubts about his father that he falls into deep torment.
-
The next day, Zhu Biao first accompanied Empress Ma to meet with the ministers. After making sure that there was nothing serious, he left on the pretext of something.

Afterwards, he left the palace in disguise and went all the way to the Yingtian Prefecture Prison.

As early as when Ma Yu mentioned the idea of ​​moving the capital, he had already ordered people to clear out the surrounding cells without leaving any trace.

So that no one can hear anything they shouldn't hear.

So when he came in at this time, he was not afraid of being disturbed.

He did not go directly to the cell, but asked someone to bring Zhu Chong and Chang Mao over first.

Zhu Chong was not surprised to see him, and just casually said hello:

"Brother, you are here."

Zhu Biao was about to speak when Chang Mao rushed over, hugged his legs and cried:
"Your Highness, you are finally here."

"I was wrong. I won't do that again. Please let me out."

"You don't know... it's so scary, Ma Yu's mouth is so scary."

Looking at his brother-in-law crying and snotting, Zhu Biao was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, but he knew that being afraid meant there was still hope.

I was originally planning to teach him a lesson, but now it seems unnecessary, so I said softly:

"Don't be afraid, you will leave with me later."

"Go out and wait for me first. I have something to tell my second brother."

When Chang Mao heard that he was going to be taken away, he was extremely happy.

He hurriedly got up and ran to the prison gate to wait, as if he was afraid that Zhu Biao would forget him when he left.

After Chang Mao walked away, Zhu Biao turned to look at Zhu Chong.

But I found that he looked indifferent, and said helplessly:
"You, what can I say? Can't you just let Mom worry less?"

Zhu Chong said unhappily, "Brother, you are really wronging me. I didn't do anything in prison."

"Even after all this, if Mom is still worried, then there's nothing I can do."

"You..." Zhu Biao was really angry and scolded:

"If you really want to reassure Mother, you should study hard in the palace instead of going to jail and making trouble."

Zhu Chong stiffened his neck and said, "I'm not kidding. I have to learn horse riding and archery, military tactics, the Four Books and Five Classics..."

"I go to bed at three in the morning and get up at five in the morning. Do you know how hard and tiring it is?"

"It's still better in prison. No one forces me to do anything. I can rest as much as I want."

Zhu Biao was so angry that he laughed: "Bitter? Tired?"

"As a prince, you say your life is hard?"

"When you said this, did you ever think about the people of the world?"

"Which of the common people isn't suffering ten thousand times more than you? Who can they complain to?"

"Tired?"

"Dad works so hard for our family and the world, he only sleeps two or three hours a day."

"Mother has to manage such a huge palace and also find ways to win over the ministers."

"Dad is away at war, and the family relies on her to support them. She can only sleep two or three hours a day."

"I'm also learning what you're learning. Not only do I need to study, but I also need to help my mother with government affairs so that she can have more rest."

"Speaking of tiredness, who among us isn't more tired than you? Are we more qualified to complain than you?"

Zhu Chong was speechless and felt a little guilty.

But he was in his rebellious period, and even though he knew he was wrong, he couldn't bring himself to admit it.

He just turned his eyes away and pretended to be unconvinced.

After saying this, Zhu Biao felt a little regretful, thinking that his words were too harsh and hurtful.

So he slowed down his tone and said:

"I'm not saying this to blame you. You're still young and not ready to take responsibility."

"I just hope you understand that we are very lucky to be born into the royal family."

"If we don't work hard to hold on to all of this, it will be too late to regret when we lose it."

Looking at his elder brother who was giving him earnest advice and recalling the past, Zhu Chong felt mixed emotions.

In fact, the age difference between the two is only a little over one year, but the elder brother plays the role of half a father.

He worked a thousand times harder than me, but he never complained.

Look at yourself again...

Thinking of this, he finally lowered his head and said, "Brother, don't say anything. I will study hard when I get back and won't let mother and you worry."

Zhu Biao knew that he was too stubborn and wanted to save face, so he admitted his mistake by saying such words.

At that moment, he said happily:

"Okay, okay, my second brother has finally grown up. Mother will definitely be very happy to hear this."

Zhu Chong's expression was very unnatural, and he quickly changed the subject:
"You came to the prison to see Ma Yu, right?"

Otherwise, he could have been released by sending two people, so why would he have gone to the jail himself?

Do you think it's that easy for the prince to leave the palace?

Zhu Biao pretended not to notice his embarrassment and nodded:
"Yes, you have the most contact with him. What do you think of him?"

Zhu Chong thought for a moment and said, "He is a very strange person, indescribably strange."

Zhu Biao pressed on, "Tell me in detail."

Zhu Chong said: "His knowledge is very broad, covering astronomy and calendar, military operations, politics and the people."

"It's very mature in some ways, but very childish in some ways."

"They act completely clueless about common things in life, even worse than I do."

"It's as if he was the one who grew up in the palace."

"I really hate my father, but I admire my mother very much..."

He gave some more details to support what he said.

Some details were revealed by Ma Yu unintentionally, and some were obtained through trial and error.

These were not in the secret report, and Zhu Biao listened very carefully.

Through Zhu Chong's description, he gradually formed an outline of Ma Yu in his mind.

This is indeed a very strange person.

Although he is a beggar, he behaves like an ignorant young man who has walked out of a high-walled courtyard and is familiar with the world.

Thinking of this, Zhu Biao asked again: "Do you think what he said makes sense? Can it be used by the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Chong quickly shook his head and said, "I don't even know how to govern a country, so how can I know if what he said is useful?"

"But he was able to deduce our father's true purpose for going to Kaifeng, which shows that he has some real skills."

At this point, he seemed to remember something and asked again:
"Is the story about the red seal and iron certificate true?"

Zhu Biao nodded and said solemnly, "This is also the reason why I came to see him."

Zhu Chong couldn't help but take a breath. He thought he was just talking nonsense, but he didn't expect it to be true.

That's a big problem.

He doesn't care at all whether his father will abandon him or not.

I don’t even feel there is any problem.

So what if an emperor kills a few people?

What shocked him was that Ma Yu could even guess such a thing.

Too dangerous.

"You... what are you going to do with him? Kill him?"

Zhu Biao shook his head slightly and said, "I'll make a decision after I meet him."

(End of this chapter)