The Ming Dynasty: My sister, Empress Ma

The carriage passed under the stone bridge over the Qinhuai River and traveled slowly along the bluestone path of Wuyi Lane.

The autumn sunlight peeked through the gaps in the curtains, drawing a thin golden line on the hem of Ma Wenyuan's robe.

Zhu Biao remained silent for a long time before speaking.

"Uncle, are you nervous?"

Zhu Biao leaned against the cushion, turned his head to look at him, and his eyes held a hint of mischief.

Ma Wenyuan, however, remained calm.

"What's there to be nervous about?"

Zhu Biao paused for a moment, then laughed.

"When other people go to meet a girl, they're either so nervous they can't speak properly, or they rehearse their answers countless times beforehand. But my uncle is different; he acts like he's just going for a visit."

"It's just visiting each other's homes."

Ma Wenyuan said casually,

"Although I've never visited Mr. Song's home, I respect his scholarship. His daughter must be quite beautiful as well. If we click, great; if not, so be it. Why be so nervous?"

"So you're also nervous about going to the Chang residence?"

Zhu Biao fell silent.

After all, Ma Wenyuan was no ordinary subject; he truly dared to retaliate with his own wit.

Zhu Biao was only fifteen or sixteen years old; how could someone that age possibly outmaneuver Ma Wenyuan?

Ma Wenyuan smiled.

He was genuinely not nervous.

You experienced so much in your past life.

What's the big deal about meeting a girl?

Besides, this marriage was arranged by his own older sister, and Old Zhu gave his approval.

He's just going through the motions.

If you like it, great; if you don't, it's not like you'll lose your head. What's the panic?

The carriage stopped in front of a mansion deep in Wuyi Lane.

Ma Wenyuan alighted from the carriage and glanced at the gate of the Song residence.

The gate was small, with black lacquered copper rings, and on each side stood an old locust tree, its shade spreading out like a canopy, enveloping the entire alley in coolness.

Above the lintel hangs a plaque with the two characters "Song Mansion" written in a vigorous style, seemingly in the handwriting of Song Lian himself.

"Mr. Song isn't home. Isn't it too much of a disturbance for such a large group of us to come in?"

Ma Wenyuan turned to ask Zhu Biao.

"The Empress Dowager had already given instructions," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

"Mr. Song also instructed the household that if His Highness the Crown Prince and the Imperial Brother-in-law came, they should be received properly."

"Even though he's gone, the Song family is still here."

Ma Wenyuan nodded.

The gatekeeper went in to report, and it was only a moment later.

The main gate of the Song residence was then opened wide.

Zhu Biao did not display the arrogance expected of a crown prince, so the Song family did not know that Zhu Biao was coming and were not prepared in advance.

Now that we know, we naturally cannot neglect the Crown Prince.

Even if the crown prince was Song Lian's student.

Soon, a figure walked out of the house, followed by a large group of people.

The leader was slender with a dignified face and an air of scholarly refinement between his brows. His pace was neither hurried nor slow, clearly indicating that he had been raised in a scholarly family.

"This humble citizen, Song Sui, pays his respects to His Highness the Crown Prince, Duke Cao, and the Imperial Brother-in-law."

He lifted his robe to perform a grand salute, but Zhu Biao stopped him.

"Zhongheng, there's no need for such formalities. I'm just accompanying my uncle today, so let's skip the formalities."

Ma Wenyuan sized up Song Sui from the side.

He had heard of this person.

Song Lian's second son, whose courtesy name was Zhongheng, was highly accomplished in calligraphy, especially in small seal script, which was unparalleled in his time.

When later generations talk about calligraphy in the Ming Dynasty, Song Sui's name has a place.

However, the Song Sui standing in front of him at this moment already had a few gray hairs at his temples, making him look several years older than his actual age.

Song Sui led everyone inside, through the front yard, and around the screen wall, introducing the situation of the house as they walked.

"My father wrote to me a few days ago, saying that if His Highness the Crown Prince and the Emperor's brother-in-law were to visit, they should be treated with the utmost hospitality. However, I fear that my humble abode may not be enough for them."

Song Sui spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, and at a moderate pace, much like his father.

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Zhongheng, you're too kind. With Mr. Song away, Brother Sui has been managing the household affairs. Thank you for your hard work."

Ma Wenyuan walked on the veranda, his gaze sweeping over the layout of the courtyard.

The Song residence wasn't large, but it exuded a calm and refined elegance.

A clump of bamboo grows in the corner, a wisteria trellis hangs under the eaves, and even the bluestone slabs underfoot are laid out with a pleasing density. It's not the kind of deliberate opulence, but rather the scholarly fragrance that has been cultivated over time.

It can only be said that they are a family of scholars and a family of refined tastes.

However, it seems that even such upright people don't have a good ending.

"Zhongheng," Ma Wenyuan casually interjected, asking.

"Who are the people in the household now? I've only heard of Mr. Song's descendants over the years, but I've never met them. Today is a good day to get to know them."

Song Sui smiled slightly and said as he walked, "My father has three sons. The eldest brother, Song Zan, courtesy name Zhonggui, is currently in our hometown of Jinhua, taking care of the farmland and family temple, and is not in the capital. He is by nature indifferent to worldly affairs and dislikes official social interactions, so my father lets him be."

Ma Wenyuan nodded.

"I am the second son, Song Sui. I believe the Imperial Brother-in-law knows this. Although I am called a 'son,' I am not young anymore. I have wasted twenty-seven years of my life, achieving nothing but studying and writing at home and taking care of my elderly father."

Song Sui chuckled self-deprecatingly as she spoke.

"I heard people mention Zhongheng's calligraphy many times when I first arrived in Yingtian Prefecture. It's not like he wasted his time."

"There is probably no one else in this world who can write Small Seal script to the level of Brother Zhongheng."

Song Sui was slightly taken aback, not expecting that this renowned imperial brother-in-law in the capital would know about his calligraphy. He couldn't help but feel a bit more favorably disposed towards Ma Wenyuan, and bowed respectfully.

"You flatter me, Your Excellency."

The group walked through the covered walkway, around a small artificial hill, and were met by two people.

One was the old doorman we had just met, and the other was a young man in his early twenties.

He was handsome and refined, with a resemblance to Song Sui in his features, but possessed a youthful vigor that Song Sui lacked.

"This is my elder brother's eldest son, Song Shen," Song Sui said, pointing to the young man.

"Shen'er, come and greet His Highness the Crown Prince, Duke Cao, and the Imperial Brother-in-law."

Song Shen stepped forward quickly and bowed respectfully: "This humble subject, Song Shen, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince, Duke Cao, and the Imperial Brother-in-law."

Ma Wenyuan returned the greeting with a half bow, his gaze sweeping over the uncle and nephew.

Song Sui was twenty-seven, and Song Shen looked to be in his early twenties.

Song Lian, the old man, is truly still vigorous despite his advanced age.

"What is Song Shen doing now?" Zhu Biao asked casually.

Song Sui answered on his behalf: "Your Highness, this child just started school last year and plans to take the provincial examination next year."

Whether he succeeds or not depends on his own fate.

"Mr. Song's eldest grandson is indeed a handsome and talented man," Ma Wenyuan said politely.

Song Shen bowed slightly: "You flatter me, Your Excellency."

Song Sui then pointed to two teenagers watering flowers behind the artificial hill and casually remarked,

"Those are Shen'er's two younger brothers, Song Kai and Song Xun, who are both studying at home. We won't invite them over today to cause Your Highness any trouble."

Ma Wenyuan silently sorted things out in his mind.

Song Zan's branch of the family had at least three sons.

The eldest son, Song Shen, the second son, Song Yi, and the third son, Song Yun, were still young.

Song Sui must have had offspring as well.

Besides his first child, Song Lian also had a son, and his son had a grandson.

The Song family is truly a large and powerful family.

This is Song Lian's family fortune.

Three generations live together, their love of reading continues unbroken.

If nothing had gone wrong, the Song family, relying on their tradition of scholarship and literature, might very well have become a prominent clan in the region.

The flower hall is located on the east side of the main hall, with windows on three sides and water on one side.

The lotus pond outside the window has already finished blooming; the withered lotus leaves listening to the rain have a certain charm.

Everyone took their seats, and a maid served tea.

Song Sui sat beside him, his attitude respectful but not restrained. He chatted with Zhu Biao about matters of the court and exchanged pleasantries with Li Zhen about the military rations at the border.

Although Li Zhen was the Duke of Cao, he had managed logistics in his early years and had considerable insight into matters of grain and provisions.