Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 63 Zhu Yuanzhang's belated affection is cheaper than grass.

This is the daily record.

This was a memorial that Ma Xiuying used to inform Zhu Yuanzhang about matters concerning the inner palace after she assumed the responsibilities of Empress.

Although it is said that "the empress should not interfere in politics," and the empress is the empress and the emperor is the emperor, they still have to work behind closed doors.

They were the founding couple of the nation. Zhu Yuanzhang could sit on the dragon throne, and Ma Xiuying could sit on it as well.

While Ma Xiuying was not required to interfere in the affairs of the imperial court, Zhu Yuanzhang naturally had the right to know about the affairs of the inner palace. Thus, the monthly daily records were created, which were exclusive to the inner palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang would naturally take a look at this memorial in his spare time, and he would also pay attention to the princes, concubines, and his own sister in the harem.

What's strange is that since the third year of Hongwu's reign, the affairs of the court have been incredibly busy: the first imperial examination of the Ming Dynasty was reopened, followed by the investiture ceremony, and then the upcoming conferment of titles in April.

The emperor lavishly bestowed titles upon his sons as regional princes, while also handling numerous matters related to the Northern Expedition.

Therefore, during the three body swaps between Ma Xiuying and Ma Wenxiang, Zhu Yuanzhang never even glanced at any of the memorials submitted by the imperial harem.

Once he had looked through it, he knew the clues very early on.

However, seeing is believing, and hearing is deceiving. Even if something is written on paper, once you actually see it, you might think your sister is joking with you.

It is absolutely impossible to believe it easily.

"If Your Majesty hadn't discovered the truth and found the evidence yourself, would you really have believed me if I had told you?"

Ma Xiuying asked another question, directly addressing the core issue.

Zhu Yuanzhang suffered repeated setbacks.

At this point, he was utterly defeated.

At this moment, Zhu Biao, nestled in Ma Xiuying's arms, sighed silently.

Only then did he understand his mother's intentions.

Some things are not that we are unwilling to say, but that we simply cannot say them. Only when the right time is right can we reveal the truth; otherwise, telling the truth will only make us a laughing stock.

Just like right now.

"The Empress Dowager is wise."

Zhu Biao spoke slowly, which seemed to both change the subject and ease the tense atmosphere between his parents.

"Yes, yes, yes!!! Our girl is the smartest. She's beautiful inside and out, and incredibly intelligent."

"Your Majesty pays respects to you, young lady."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately received the signal from his son, and took the opportunity to go down the steps. He then straightened his posture and began to bow to Ma Xiuying, further asking for forgiveness.

"Girl, we were wrong."

"We were really wrong this time. We shouldn't have doubted you, girl. If it really comes to it, you can hit us or yell at us, anything is fine. As long as it makes you feel better, we'll do anything."

"Girl, girl..."

……

Inside the post station in Daming Prefecture, a lone lamp flickers.

"Are you the Empress?"

"I am not an empress."

"Are you really not the Empress?"

"I am really not an empress."

During the question-and-answer session, Ma Jin's thick eyebrows were furrowed, while Ma Wenxiang looked innocent.

At this moment, Ma Wenxiang was still tightly clutching the phoenix-patterned jade pendant in his palm.

In the pitch-black room, the two looked at each other in bewilderment.

It took Ma Jin a long time to recover his senses.

"That was something Her Majesty herself admitted before?!"

Ma Wenxiang asked another question.

Upon hearing this, Ma Jin almost choked on his breath. His eyes widened like copper bells as he stared intently at Ma Wenxiang in front of him, wondering if the empress was making fun of him.

Ma Wenxiang told him to calm down and quickly continued, "It used to be the Empress, but not anymore."

"Impossible, absolutely impossible."

Ma Jin waved his hand dismissively, his entire demeanor calm and composed, a half-smile playing on his lips. His attitude was exceptionally firm. "From yesterday until today, we've been keeping a close watch outside the post station, not even a fly could escape. How could the Empress not be the Empress?"

"The Empress has never left the house, and no one has come in from around here either."

As they were talking, Ma Jin suddenly started crying and wailing, grabbing Ma Wenxiang's arm and pleading, "Your Majesty, please stop playing with me, okay?"

"My heart simply cannot take it anymore."

God knows how pathetic Ma Jin is right now.

I refused to believe she was an empress before, but she proved it.

He believed it.

But now the other party is saying that she is not the empress.

Now Ma Jin doesn't know whether to believe it or not, but none of that is the most important issue.

The most critical thing is...

He had already written the memorial and submitted it to the Secretariat through the prefect of Daming Prefecture.

Even if this memorial hasn't reached the capital or the Emperor yet, it will probably be delivered to the Emperor's desk sooner or later.

When that time comes, even if he has ten mouths, he won't be able to explain himself to Ma Jin, who is a relative of the emperor. Wouldn't he be completely ruined?

He was the only distant relative and sole heir left in the Ma family.

He doesn't even have a son yet, he can't just die like this. If he dies, he'll really be letting down his ancestors.

"Why can't I explain myself to you?"

Ma Wenxiang was at a loss.

He had tried his best to prove it, even going so far as to strip off his clothes and show it to the other party, but it was all to no avail.

It seems that in Ma Jin's eyes...

Even if he isn't the Empress now, he must be the Empress; there's no room for discussion on that.

"Your Majesty, regardless of whether you are truly an empress or not, we must go to the capital this time. You cannot refuse now."

Ma Jin suddenly stood up, wiped away the tears that had just been squeezed out of his face, and said in a serious tone.

I thought Ma Wenxiang would refuse, but to my surprise, he nodded calmly and said, "Okay, no problem."

It's just going to Beijing. Go early and come back early, or you can settle down in Beijing later and become a "Beijing resident".

Ma Wenxiang was overjoyed, thinking it was a wonderful thing.

He wasn't scared at all.

He had the Empress as his backer.

Who is he afraid of?

Zhu Chongba has arrived.

He dared to glance at the other person first before kneeling down and shouting "Long live the Emperor!" That's what you call ability.

Ma Jin's expression became even more complicated. Unfortunately, he couldn't tell anyone about this, and even the elite soldiers from the garrison who knew the inside story probably wouldn't believe it.

This is such a sensational story; anyone who believes it is a complete fool.

She was an empress before, but after waking up, she's no longer an empress?

Even Ma Jin himself couldn't explain it to himself, let alone others?

After Ma Jin left, he did not confine Ma Wenxiang.

Although nominally Ma Jin held the highest command authority over the team, the actual power lay with Ma Wenxiang.

His words were even more effective than Ma Jin's.

So, Ma Wenxiang left the small dark room and began searching for his family members in the group.

Ma Xiuying was indeed thoughtful, arranging for his family to be included as well. They are now all in the group heading to Beijing, saving Ma Wenxiang the trouble of searching for them later.

Upon seeing his family, Ma Wenxiang's tense nerves, which had been stretched thin in the Kunning Palace a few days prior, suddenly relaxed. He then sincerely called out from the bottom of his heart, "Father. Mother. Grandfather."