Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 3 Zhu Yuanzhang: My sister is extravagant, what's wrong with that?

After getting ready, Ma Wenxiang touched the new clothes he had just changed into. They were made of new fabric from the water towns of Jiangnan, and felt as smooth and delicate as water.

Upon hearing her mistress's words, Su Qing'er opened her mouth slightly, breathed a small sigh of relief, and gave a wink to the eunuch in the hall. Only then did the eunuch and the other palace maids step forward to deal with the situation.

Sun Miaoran followed closely behind Ma Wenxiang, just about to start talking about some recent major events in the palace, when she looked up and saw that the Empress had gone to bed again, and seemed to be taking a nap.

"Your Majesty?"

Sun Miaoran asked in surprise.

"Miaoran, I'm still a patient. Let me sleep a little longer and rest."

After spending several hours together, Ma Wenxiang had become quite familiar with the two women, and his casual way of addressing them now seemed perfectly natural.

"Then Your Majesty should rest well."

Sun Miaoran stepped forward and carefully lowered the curtain beside the phoenix bed. However, as she took a step back to leave, her gaze involuntarily fell on Ma Wenxiang on the bed. She felt that the Empress looked different at first glance.

It's especially like a lazy and greedy animal...

Big fat cat!

……

At lunchtime, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, did not handle official business in the Wuying Hall, but instead went to the Qianqing Palace to rest.

He had expected his sister to dine with him as usual, but she never showed up. Instead, he was greeted by Mao Xiang from the Imperial Guard Commandery.

Mao Xiang reported on the situation in the palace: "Your Majesty, rumors are circulating in the palace that the Empress intends to promote a culture of extravagance."

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled, instantly losing his appetite. He rose and strolled over to Mao Xiang, a half-smile on his face, his deep eyes piercingly clear, as if he could see right through people's hearts.

Mao Xiang lowered his head, not daring to meet her gaze. He immediately knelt on one knee, cupped his hands, and replied, "Your Majesty, it was a palace guard who reported that the Empress had just woken up today, and her meals were several times more than usual. She also ordered her personal maid, Su Qing'er, to change her into two or three new outfits. That's why there's this rumor circulating in the palace."

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Tonight, even we have four or five new outfits. And how many new clothes has my sister made for everyone in the palace—eunuchs, maids, concubines, even the guards of the Imperial Guard?"

"Why is it that nowadays, just because someone ordered a few more dishes and wore a few more clothes, they become so talkative?"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed coldly repeatedly.

Mao Xiang lowered his head even further than before, and shouted again, "Your humble servant dares not."

"check."

Zhu Yuanzhang walked behind Mao Xiang and arrived at the entrance of the Qianqing Palace.

He squinted, the shadow in his eyes seeming even darker than the golden sun in the sky above, chilling to the bone. "The year-end has just passed, and I originally wanted to listen to the girl's advice more and kill less, but there are just too many people in this world who deserve to die."

"Today we want to see who can't control their foul mouth and insists on having their heads cut off and their entire family wiped out before they're satisfied."

"Your humble servant obeys."

Mao Xiang spoke with force and conviction, nodding emphatically.

The Imperial Guard Commandery was the predecessor of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

With the imperial decree in hand, Mao Xiang summoned his men and began a search of the palace.

He didn't make a big fuss, but acted in secret.

After all, according to his judgment, this matter was most likely the work of someone in the palace. The inner palace has always been the Empress's territory, as everyone inside and outside the palace knows. This Empress is kind-hearted and generous, and does not want to hear about killing, so he can only investigate step by step and deal with it slowly.

But the fact that Mao Xiang was able to reach his current position proves that his methods were far from ordinary.

Yongshou Palace was the residence of Consort Hu in the imperial harem.

Although she was just an ordinary concubine in the palace, she gave birth to a son for Zhu Yuanzhang a few years ago, so she could be considered to have gained status through her son and was granted a title.

At this moment, Mao Xiang was secretly watching Yongshou Palace's residence, his gaze dark and unfathomable, already harboring murderous intent.

Just then, a subordinate came to report: "Sir, Consort Hu has just gone to Kunning Palace."

"Oh?"

Mao Xiang's gaze flickered again, then a stiff, cold smile appeared on his lips. "She certainly has a lot of nerve."

……

Kunning Palace.

"Your son greets Your Majesty, and wishes Your Majesty good health, peace, and prosperity."

When Ma Wenxiang woke up again, there was a child of about ten years old in the hall. He was polite and well-mannered, dressed in fine clothes. Although he was a child, there was already a hint of heroic spirit between his brows.

Seeing that Ma Wenxiang did not respond for a long time, Zhu Di cautiously raised his head and softly called out again, "Mother?"

Ma Wenxiang snapped out of his daze and couldn't help but smile.

Is this a case of unexpectedly becoming a father or an unexpectedly becoming a mother?

He gave a faint smile.

She had just sat up and was still under the covers, not yet undressed, but had only taken off her coat and lightly patted the edge of the bed.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Di's heart began to pound uncontrollably. The composure he had cultivated in the past when Empress Ma was teaching him and the other princes was instantly forgotten.

With a smile playing on his lips and a childlike excitement on his face, he quickly ran to sit down next to Ma Wenxiang.

Ma Wenxiang asked a few questions about homework in a low voice.

Zhu Di answered seriously with a straight face, but he was secretly delighted.

"Mother, you have me in your heart."

In the past, Zhu Yuanzhang, as a father, always focused most of his energy on his crown prince Zhu Biao. Although he showed fatherly love to his other sons, it was not much.

This care became a luxury that these princes in the palace could only dream of and never obtain when they were young.

Therefore, Empress Ma's unique maternal love became all the more precious.

Zhu Di was the fourth son of Empress Ma. Although he was not the youngest, he was close in age to her, only one or two years younger than the fifth son, Zhu Su. Therefore, the relationship between mother and son was quite good.

As the two were talking, Sun Miaoran walked in from outside the palace and announced, "Your Majesty, Consort Hu has arrived."

Consort Hu was the birth mother of Zhu Zhen, the future Prince of Chu.

Ma Wenxiang had some recollection of her, and after thinking it over, he sent someone to let her in.

"Your Majesty, it has been a long time since I last saw you. I heard that Your Majesty fainted before noon yesterday due to overwork, so I came here to bring you some tonics."

"Ultimately, you should prioritize your health, Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Although Consort Hu's rank was not high, her entourage was quite grand. She was not alone in Kunning Palace; the maids who followed her on both sides were also dressed in fine silks and satins, all of which were of the finest quality and very valuable.

"Oh, I never expected the Fourth Prince to be here today!"

Consort Hu sat upright at the tea table in front of Ma Wenxiang, covering her mouth and feigning surprise, her smug expression becoming increasingly obvious.

However, considering Empress Ma's power in the palace, they kept it half-hidden.

His despicable behavior is on full display.

Ma Wenxiang looked at the man. He had an oval face, almond-shaped eyes, a plump figure, and a broad brow. He had the appearance of a very auspicious person. Unfortunately, no matter how good his appearance was, it couldn't hide his rotten and stinking heart.

Zhu Di couldn't stand it and was about to shout angrily, but Ma Wenxiang gently stopped him.

"Mother?"

Zhu Di was indignant and said in a low voice.

Ma Wenxiang got up and stepped out of bed, and Su Qing'er, with great insight, draped a long coat over her shoulders.

Sitting down opposite Consort Hu, Ma Wenxiang poured himself a cup of tea, took a small sip, and slowly asked, "Sister, are you teaching me how to do things?"