Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 37 Zhu Yuanzhang: You have already chosen your own death!

A voice came from behind.

The person who spoke was Sun An, the eldest son of Sun Xingzu, the Grand Commander of Beiping.

After leaving with Qin Yubo that day, he did not return to his family with the other members of prominent clans, but stayed here and also registered to participate in the county examination.

Today, the two of them are taking the same exam.

As for his previous place of origin in Beiping and the related procedures, it would be harder than climbing to heaven for ordinary people and scholars, but for the Sun family, it was as easy as turning their hands.

All it takes is for someone at home to make a call and transfer the place of origin to Qingfeng County; it can be done in no time.

That's why the two of them met today.

Upon hearing Sun An's words, Ma Xiuying did not recognize the person in front of her, but since what he said made sense, she clasped her hands in apology and replied, "There were so many people in the private school back then, I really can't remember them all. I apologize for being presumptuous."

"It's alright."

Sun An waved his hand dismissively, showing no sign of mind.

Suddenly, he leaned close to Ma Xiuying, his waist almost touching hers with only two fingers' width between them. He put his hand on her shoulder, making a gesture of putting his arm around her back, and continued to laugh heartily, trying to build rapport between them. "Brother Wenxiang, you've already finished translating the ten questions for the county exam today. With your talent, this degree of scholar's qualification is practically in your pocket, easily attainable."

"Why don't we go to that brothel to relax and refresh ourselves for tomorrow's business?"

Sun An adopted a playful posture, winking and making faces, extending a sincere invitation befitting a member of his family.

As everyone knows--

His actions at this time.

Zhu Yuanzhang: You have already made your way to death!

Ma Xiuying instinctively raised her eyebrows slightly, then frowned, and gracefully stepped back, nimbly escaping his encirclement. She cupped her hands slightly and said, "Brother Sun, you must have misunderstood. There is another county examination tomorrow, and another the day after. How can we act recklessly today, lose our composure, and waste our energy?"

"If I miss the exam because of this, wouldn't that be a waste of time?"

"Youth fades quickly, Brother Sun, do not act recklessly, for you must know the principle that 'indulging in desires is difficult to cure.'"

After offering some gentle advice, Ma Xiuying turned and left.

Although the Ma family had no mansion or residence in Qingfeng County, the Qin family did.

Qin Yubo had arranged everything for his disciple long ago. Ma Xiuying only needed to go and stay there temporarily. It would be a peaceful stay for just five days without causing any trouble.

"A gentle breeze and auspicious omens, a prodigy descended from heaven, truly extraordinary. Judging from this, this person is not that frivolous and frivolous individual."

As he watched Ma Xiuying's figure disappear into the distance, the frivolous demeanor on Sun An's face vanished instantly, replaced by the upright and refined air of a scholar.

He nodded softly, then said, "He is young but not licentious; he will surely achieve great things in the future. My Sun family can place a heavy bet on this man."

After that, Sun An did not go to that brothel, but returned to his residence to prepare for the exam.

Although he didn't take the small county exam seriously, seeing how focused Ma Xiuying was just now, he was willing to pay more attention to it.

I am not as talented as Ma Xiuying, yet she is so hardworking.

How could he fall behind?

We should at least be able to look up to them.

……

During the five days of the county examination, people from Qingfeng County frequently came to watch, regarding it as a grand event.

For the candidates taking the exam, time flew by, especially for those who worked hard. They would even hold their books while going to the toilet, not wanting to waste a single moment.

Although Ma Xiuying had not yet reached that level, she still devoted herself wholeheartedly to the county examination.

If your attitude towards doing things is not right, you can deceive yourself, but the result will never lie.

"That Wen kid got off easy."

On the night the county examination ended, Ma Xiuying returned to her residence. Before going to sleep, she couldn't help but show a hint of envy on her face.

When I woke up again, all I saw was a warm, bright light.

Inside Kunning Palace, the textile tools on that side were still polished to a shine, just as they always had.

Ma Xiuying stepped forward and, with a few skillful movements, quickly spun silk threads into various objects.

Half an hour later, Ma Xiuying snapped out of her reverie, took the handkerchief Su Qing'er handed her, gently wiped the light sweat from her brow, and sat down in the hall to ask, "How did the silkworm-raising ceremony go?"

"Your Majesty, because you were unwell, His Majesty issued a decree to postpone the silkworm-rearing ceremony again. Have you forgotten?"

Su Qing'er answered in astonishment.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

After sensing the situation, Ma Xiuying did not notice anything amiss, so she was slightly moved and continued to inquire about what had happened during that time.

Su Qing'er recounted them one by one: the teaching of the princes, Zhu Yuanzhang's visit, and the booklet that Ma Wenxiang had previously compiled after secretly investigating various palaces.

Soon, Su Qing'er took out the booklet and handed it to Ma Xiuying.

After flipping through the pages, Ma Xiuying couldn't help but smile, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes.

The booklet contained precise and complete records:

[Consort Hu of Yongshou Palace: Hongwu favored her seven times in one year, in March, April, June, and August]

[He was favored three times in the second year of the Hongwu reign, in January, October, and so on.]

Besides Consort Hu, there are also records of Consort Dading, Consort Li, and others.

"This kid Wen, you've actually gotten yourself scared of him one day."

Ma Xiuying thought to herself, but didn't feel there was anything wrong with it.

It's normal for young people to be a little panicked when they encounter such a thing.

It's just that she had a hard time doing such a huge project.

There was a reason for it, so Ma Xiuying forgave it.

If Ma Wenxiang deliberately shirks responsibility or panics when things happen, Ma Xiuying will not let him off so easily.

"To be flustered in the face of adversity is a sign of incapable of shouldering great responsibilities. One should proceed cautiously and methodically, but one must never lack even ordinary courage. Otherwise, how can one accomplish a great undertaking that benefits the nation, the society, and the world?"

At this point...

Ma Xiuying's expectations for Ma Wenxiang are definitely not low.

"And this Consort Hu, she's quite thoughtful. And Little Six, he's become much more sensible."

Upon learning that Zhu Zhen and Consort Hu and her son had endured the hardships together at the Anle Hall in the Imperial Palace, Ma Xiuying felt a pang of envy.

Although she believed that her sons, including Xiao Anqing, Xiao Ningguo, Xiao Si Zhu Di, and the eldest Zhu Biao, were also close to her, she did not doubt the filial piety of her other children, but their private morality was quite lacking.

"Strong medicine should be used for severe cases, and overcorrection should be done when necessary."

At least Ma Xiuying did not think that Ma Wenxiang's actions in the Dabentang were inappropriate.

According to Su Qing'er, Zhu Su, the fifth son, has changed a lot recently. He is now following the rules of the palace more and more often and is no longer as carefree and ignorant as before.

"Your Majesty, Consort Hu has come again, saying she wishes to see you."

Su Qing'er smiled, her face beaming with joy.

Clearly, in her eyes, Consort Hu had already become "one of her own" in Kunning Palace, so she was happy to welcome her and was willing to open this door for her.