The Ming Dynasty: My sister, Empress Ma

Don't you know that a wise person avoids standing under a crumbling wall?

Upon hearing her younger brother's words, Ma Xiuying became furious. "You, the Right Vice Commander-in-Chief, are you being sent to charge into battle?"

"What do Liao Yongzhong and Fu Youde do?"

At this moment, Ma Xiuying disregarded all etiquette and blurted out, "If you die, how will your sister live?!"

Ma Wenyuan was stunned by the scolding and didn't react for a long time.

It was Zhu Yuanzhang's arrival that broke the deadlock.

"Hehe, I don't think there's anything wrong with what I did, in fact, it's quite good."

Zhu Yuanzhang walked into the main hall with a smile. As soon as he entered, he saw Ma Wenyuan, who was shirtless and being scolded for being too timid to speak. He laughed even harder.

"The man had a minor injury, but it's nothing serious. He's back perfectly fine, isn't he?"

After offering a word of comfort to Ma Xiuying, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Ma Wenyuan and, seeing the shocking long scar on the man's chest, remained silent for a moment. "Next time you go to the battlefield, you must be more careful. You are a scholar; you should avoid leading the charge if possible."

"Yes!" Ma Wenyuan quickly looked at Zhu Yuanzhang.

Although he usually didn't really want to see his brother-in-law, Ma Wenyuan could only say it was good that his brother-in-law had come.

"There's going to be a next time?!"

Ma Xiuying, however, refused to back down. "Let me tell you, my Ma family has a history of scholarship and poetry passed down for hundreds of years. If it ends in my generation, I'll turn against you!"

This was said to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang, though unaware of when the Ma family had become known for its scholarly traditions, dared not refute it and repeatedly agreed.

"How about this, let my younger brother go and work in the Secretariat?"

Ma Wenyuan stood aside, not daring to utter a word, for fear that his older sister would turn her anger on him again.

"That's more like it."

After thinking for a moment, seeing that Ma Xiuying's attention was entirely on Zhu Yuanzhang, Ma Wenyuan quietly began to put on his clothes.

"And you!"

But this movement was noticed by Ma Xiuying.

But then Ma Xiuying pointed fiercely at Ma Wenyuan, "You're not getting any younger, you'd better get married this year!"

Ma Wenyuan immediately nodded.

"Alright, alright, let's go eat. The boys and brother-in-law are waiting."

Zhu Yuanzhang quickly changed the subject.

Only then did Ma Xiuying cease her criticism of Ma Wenyuan.

……

It was still the same main hall as before.

Ma Wenyuan even suspected that this was the exclusive venue for the Zhu family's banquets.

However, this time there was no commotion inside; the two second-generation Zhus sat quietly in their seats.

Even three- or four-year-old Li Jinglong was very quiet.

I wonder if they already knew Ma Xiuying was in a bad mood and were afraid of getting into trouble.

"uncle!"

This silence didn't last long. As soon as Zhu Di saw Ma Wenyuan following behind the Emperor and Empress, he immediately jumped up.

"I heard you were incredibly successful this time, pacifying Qutang, pacifying Kuizhou, and conquering Chongqing—victorious in every battle!"

Zhu Di ran up to Ma Wenyuan and said, "I've also heard that wherever your army goes, the local officials and garrison surrender without a second thought."

"Who told you that?"

Ma Wenyuan patted Zhu Di on the head and said with a smile,

"This is thanks to the Duke of Xin."

"I heard it from my elder brother. He said that if it weren't for my uncle, the Duke of Xin would have made a big mistake."

Ma Wenyuan wasn't surprised by these words, but he glanced at Zhu Biao and saw that Zhu Biao was speaking to his younger brother with a gentle expression.

Then attention returned to Zhu Di.

The Zhu family's caution remains as strong as ever; they know immediately what's happening in the army.

It's estimated that the Yiluan Division will be reorganized into the Embroidered Uniform Guard soon.

"Uncle, can you take me with you next time you go to war?"

Zhu Di held Ma Wenyuan's hand.

Upon hearing this, Ma Wenyuan's expression changed. He tried to stop Zhu Di from speaking, but it was too late.

"Zhu Di!"

Ma Xiuying retorted angrily, "What are you going to do on the battlefield? Are you going to your death?!"

As he spoke, he prepared to roll up his sleeves and start a fight.

Ma Wenyuan quickly shielded young Zhu Di behind her, saying, "The child doesn't understand these things, sister, please don't be angry."

Upon hearing the word "sister," Ma Xiuying's anger subsided, but instead of turning her anger into a smile, she straightened her face, looked around, and threatened,

"If I ever hear any of you say you want to go to the battlefield again, I'll break your legs!"

Many second-generation members of the Zhu family stood up and agreed.

Even Li Jinglong, upon seeing this, obediently got up from the table, bowed respectfully, and said, "I understand!"

This made Zhu Yuanzhang burst into laughter.

No one else dared to laugh, not even Ma Wenyuan.

This atmosphere only improved after the banquet officially began.

"Young brother, did you see Wenzhong when you went to Shu?" Li Zhen stroked his beard.

"No, Duke Cao is very busy."

"Why call me Duke Cao? Just call me Bao'er." Li Zhen said somewhat displeased. "Could it be that you don't want to give me, your relative, a chance?"

"I wouldn't dare," Ma Wenyuan said hastily, somewhat embarrassed.

It's a bit inappropriate to directly address Li Wenzhong as Bao'er.

He was, after all, a renowned war god.

"Uncle, I've recently started learning about the principles of things from my senior sister."

Zhu Di sat down next to Ma Wenyuan and muttered to himself.

This surprised Ma Wenyuan somewhat.

"How's your studies going? And who's your senior sister?"

"Sister Xu."

Zhu Di chuckled.

"I've only just started learning, and I'm still reading my senior's new theory on the investigation of things."

Ma Wenyuan was a little confused. When did Xu Miaoyun become the senior sister?

However, upon further reflection, Ma Wenyuan felt relieved. He only had three disciples in total, so why bother with all that?

"Study hard, it will be very beneficial for you in the future."

"Yes, that's what my senior sister said too."

Speaking of this, Ma Wenyuan was genuinely curious about where Xu Miaoyun and Zeng Xiu's research had progressed to.

Having been away from Yingtian Prefecture for so many days, and with both sisters being adept at divergent thinking, they might bring Ma Wenyuan some surprises.

Seemingly having overheard Ma Wenyuan and Zhu Di's conversation, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly asked,

"Little brother, what are you planning to do next?"

"I will obey Your Majesty's arrangements."

Ma Xiuying interjected.

"Just tell your brother-in-law what you want. You've done him a big favor this time, so he won't be stingy."

He spoke with a hint of resentment, clearly still holding a grudge.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and quickly said,

"Yes, speak boldly, anything is fine!"

Firstly, because Ma Wenyuan had indeed demonstrated his abilities, and secondly, because Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to appease his younger sister.

"I wish to establish a school."

Ma Wenyuan didn't hold back this time and immediately said...

"To run a school?"

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly, "You are still young, so starting a school... is certainly an option."

"I wish to establish a school for investigating things and acquiring knowledge."

Ma Wenyuan offered an explanation.

"Sure, sure. If you need money, just go to the Crown Prince and ask him to ask the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds for you."

Zhu Yuanzhang readily agreed to the matter.

It has to be said that Zhu Biao is truly the most secure crown prince. Now that Zhu is in his prime, the crown prince has even begun to participate in politics.

This kind of thing would never have happened during the reigns of Emperors Tang and Song.