Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 71 Ma Wenxiang's Tragic Situation in Kunning Palace

In the pavilion of the Imperial Garden, Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang were playing on the swings when they saw Zhu Di walking towards them from the direction of Kunning Palace.

After paying his respects each day, he would often linger here for a while.

Although the three of them often bickered and their relationship wasn't particularly deep, they were still brothers born of the same mother. Blood is thicker than water, so they wouldn't pretend not to know each other.

"Little Fourth Prince, a 'good prince' in the eyes of our father and mother, but unfortunately, he is not a 'good child' in their eyes either."

Upon meeting, Zhu Shuang made a face and made a sarcastic remark.

"What nonsense are you talking about, Second Brother? You and I are princes, and we are meant to shoulder these heavy responsibilities."

Zhu Di, with a stern face, acted as if he were the elder brother, and reprimanded him.

"hehe."

Zhu Shuang ignored him and sneered, "What are you pretending for? Trying to imitate your elder brother, the Crown Prince, again?"

"Let me tell you, in the Zhu family, the eldest brother, the Crown Prince, is the boss. It's not your place, the fourth brother, to lecture us. Just keep pretending, and you'd better keep it up forever."

"Don't think we can't see what's really going on in you, and don't think everyone else is a fool."

After Zhu Shuang's sarcastic remarks, he grabbed Zhu Gang's hand, and the two brothers ran off happily.

Zhu Di was scolded, but he was not angry. He just stared blankly for a moment, then sat down on the swing that Zhu Shuang had just sat on. He then sighed deeply: "He is a good prince, but not a good child... It is never fair to treat the common people, let alone the imperial family."

Second brother, third brother, how could I, Zhu Di, not see through it?

"On the contrary, I'm the one who sees things most clearly. I never crave things I couldn't have from birth..."

The people in Fengtian Hall and Kunning Palace were never their "fathers and mothers," but always the high and mighty Emperor and Empress, the Emperor and Empress of the Ming Dynasty.

In their hearts, there was only their eldest brother, Zhu Biao.

Born into royalty, one must accept this fate.

……

The last day has passed.

As night deepened, the moonlight flickered, sometimes bright and sometimes dim.

The night breeze in Kunning Palace rose and fell, carrying a slight chill.

Summer is approaching, and the croaking of frogs echoes throughout Qinghu Lake, surrounded by lush green grass.

Inside the Kunning Palace behind the Imperial Garden, Ma Xiuying was making final arrangements: "When that young Wen wakes up, don't restrain him. I need to learn from him and remember his words and actions; I will investigate him when I return."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Su Qing'er and Sun Miaoran responded in unison.

Afterwards, the Kunning Palace fell into darkness, and Ma Xiuying fell into a light sleep.

……

Inside Ma Wenxiang's room in Beiping City.

The mother, Wang Shiyun, looked at her son, who had taken off his clothes and gone to sleep, with a particularly complicated expression in her eyes.

Beside the bed, the father, Ma Xiulin, Grandpa Ma, and the whole family rushed over. Even Ma Jin, who was outside the house, was quietly eavesdropping.

Although Ma Wenxiang wasn't completely naked at this moment, he was practically naked.

He exuded an air of insecurity and unease.

He bit his lower lip, looking like a wronged young boy who had been mistreated, and said pitifully, "Mother, didn't I already tell you? Your Majesty is a good person, and she seems to enjoy it, so don't be so reserved."

"Your Majesty is a good person. We will continue to live as we always have."

"You brat, you're not afraid, but we are. That's the Empress!"

Ma Xiulin glared and scolded.

Grandpa Ma remained expressionless, simply watching quietly.

Ma Wenxiang gave an awkward smile.

The members of their family have always been ranked in a hierarchical manner, with each member subduing the others, much like a "food chain".

He naturally dared not refute any further.

The father was afraid of the mother, the mother doted on Ma Wenxiang, Ma Wenxiang was afraid of the grandfather, but the grandfather also doted on him.

At the top of the family food chain is the old man, who is also soft-hearted and protective of his own.

They can sacrifice a lot for their family, and no matter how far they go, they are still family.

Ma Wenxiang yawned, his eyelids almost drooping, and said wearily, "I'm going to sleep first, I really can't stay awake any longer."

"Will it work if I don't sleep?"

Grandpa Ma suddenly asked a question.

"Master~" Ma Wenxiang drawled, his voice thick with a nasal tone, and then couldn't help but yawn. "The Empress probably didn't even think of this method before. There's no use in us just guessing. We might as well get some sleep and be well-rested so we'll have the energy to deal with it tomorrow, right?"

One sentence silenced the old man, who could only wave his hand and say, "Sleep, everyone disperse."

Grandpa Ma went out first, and Ma Xiulin followed closely behind.

Only the mother, Wang, remained in the house.

With his mother by his side, Ma Wenxiang felt very safe and soon fell into a deep sleep.

……

Silent all night.

As the croaking of frogs outside the window gradually subsided and the sky brightened, a new day had begun.

"Sleeping is truly the most beautiful thing in the world."

Ma Wenxiang stretched and yawned, loosening his somewhat heavy body. He muttered, "After eating and drinking my fill, and then taking a nap, I feel completely refreshed."

The unique musky scent of Kunning Palace filled his nostrils, both refreshing and making his heart tighten.

The familiar surroundings reminded him that the body swap had been successful once again.

This time, Ma Wenxiang dared not act recklessly again, and was already prepared to face Zhu Yuanzhang or the princes the moment he opened his eyes.

"Whether you stick your neck out or not, you'll get stabbed anyway, so let the storm rage on."

He silently encouraged himself and slowly opened his eyes.

But the scene before him stunned him: Sun Miaoran had a cold face, and Su Qing'er stood with her hands on her hips, staring at him angrily, her eyes filled with hatred as if she wanted to tear him to pieces.

"This is the bathtub, these are the toiletries, and the palace's textile work should also be put back on track. As for the old private school, we can talk about it when we have time."

Sun Miaoran's tone was icy, devoid of any emotion.

Ma Wenxiang chuckled awkwardly and muttered, "Couldn't you ladies be a little nicer? I'm still holding the title of Empress, after all..."

"hehe."

Su Qing'er sneered, her hands on her hips making her look like a ruffled hen. "You're the Empress? I'm the Emperor himself. What, does Your Majesty expect us two servants to serve you now?"

"To expect you to be waited on hand and foot, with everything done for you, including dressing and washing?"

Halfway through her sentence, Su Qing'er's face flushed red with anger.

The thought that this guy in front of her had taken the Empress's body, and that she had even undressed in front of him, made her feel incredibly sad.

She wanted nothing more than to tear that despicable guy apart again.

Even if I am very likely to marry the person in front of me in the future, that's a matter for the future. Being a good wife and mother is not my time now.

"Alright, alright, my two dear sisters, whatever you say goes, is that acceptable?"

Ma Wenxiang had no choice but to raise his hands in surrender.

There's nothing we can do; the Empress has human rights.

This farm boy, who had just passed the county-level examination but hadn't even passed the prefectural-level examination, had no rights and could only accept his fate.