diymy Chapter 78 Zhu Biao: One-Day Mother, One-Life Mother
Chapter 78 Zhu Biao: One-Day Mother, One-Life Mother
The night deepened.
Inside the Wuying Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang had temporarily left, leaving only Zhu Biao to handle the few official duties remaining. The oil lamps in the hall had already been refilled three times.
"This servant greets Your Majesty."
Suddenly, Yun Qi's respectful voice came from in front of the Wuying Hall.
As a servant, I don't care whether the lady in front of me is real or not; I just need to do my job well.
Ma Wenxiang successfully entered the Wuying Hall, but after looking around, he did not see Zhu Yuanzhang.
He felt a little relieved.
Compared to Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao was undoubtedly easier to deal with.
Ma Wenxiang had made specific inquiries before choosing a suitable time.
This is what we call the wisdom of ordinary people.
"At such a late hour and with such heavy dew, why has Mother come here so suddenly instead of going to bed?"
Upon seeing Ma Wenxiang, Zhu Biao, whose thoughts were unclear, did not expose him but instead inquired about him with a tender manner.
Ma Wenxiang chuckled and looked around.
Zhu Biao noticed his subtle movements, smiled, and then said, "Everyone else, please leave for now. I need to have a proper discussion with the Empress Dowager."
"Yes, Your Highness."
A response came quickly from outside, showing that Zhu Biao's power in the palace was certainly no less than that of Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying.
His title of Crown Prince is well-deserved and truly fitting.
"Your Highness, please don't address me like that anymore. When we're alone, I can't possibly bear the responsibility."
Hearing Ma Wenxiang's somewhat respectful words, Zhu Biao's eyes flickered. After a slight pause, he spoke again, seemingly with some unknown thought in mind: "Mother, what is the meaning of such words?"
Once she is the Empress Dowager, she will always be the Empress Dowager.
"Your Majesty's words are truly too much for your son to bear."
Ma Wenxiang scratched his head, but seeing Zhu Biao's words, he didn't want to think about it too much.
This is a matter between royalty.
He should do less to avoid making mistakes.
He has come here now to prepare some medicinal meals for His Highness the Crown Prince.
"It's not a good thing for Your Highness to rest so late. You should replenish your energy. Otherwise, over time, your body will develop problems, and the energy you regain before you fall ill again may be depleted."
Ma Wenxiang subconsciously spoke considerately, causing Zhu Biao's gaze to widen once more, before he suddenly asked, "What exactly do you want? Why are you being so kind to me?"
"Actually, you didn't need to do any of this, did you?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince is a good person, and good people should be rewarded. Moreover, now that I have caught Your Highness's eye, it is only natural that I should help Your Highness with your cause."
Besides, wasn't His Highness the Crown Prince just as kind to me before? How could I not repay him?
Ma Wenxiang said slowly.
"Is this all the repayment I can get?"
Zhu Biao's eyes flickered slightly.
Ma Wenxiang then realized he didn't understand what the other party was talking about: if it wasn't a repayment, what could it be?
When he looked at Zhu Biao again, the other man had already lowered his head and continued to handle official business. It was unlikely that Ma Wenxiang could take another look at him.
"Alright! Put this meal down, and then return to Kunning Palace."
Just as Ma Wenxiang was about to say something more, Zhu Biao's heavy voice rang out.
He had no choice but to obediently comply: "Yes, Your Highness, this humble subject obeys."
Zhu Biao remained unmoved, showing not the slightest reaction.
Ma Wenxiang looked embarrassed, but he could only obediently listen and turn around to leave Wuying Hall.
The moment he stepped out of the palace gate, the fine wolf-hair brush in Zhu Biao's hand snapped sharply at the tip.
Ink splattered on the bright yellow Xuan paper, spreading into a dark blotch, just like the turbulent emotions churning within him at that moment.
"If only I had known this would happen... I regret it now."
He murmured softly, his voice filled with an indescribable sense of loss.
……
Meanwhile, Ma Wenxiang slept exceptionally well that night.
He was convinced that he had pleased the Crown Prince, and that as long as he avoided Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, he could live a peaceful life in the palace without any worries.
……
Meanwhile, on the official road leading to the capital, a carriage was moving steadily forward.
Ma Jin calculated the journey, looked up at the person opposite him, and felt extremely conflicted.
The person in front of you is in the body of a peasant boy named Ma Wenxiang, but inside he is Empress Ma Xiuying.
He was truly unsure how to address her, so he cautiously asked, "Judging by the time, it's almost time to return... Are you Your Highness?"
"no."
As soon as Ma Xiuying uttered two words, Ma Jin secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Her voice rang out again, carrying a familiar, authoritative tone: "What? I'm not? Or are you?"
Upon hearing this, Ma Jin instantly realized what was happening. His previous sense of relief vanished, leaving him only with a mixture of amusement and trepidation.
He quickly bowed and apologized, saying, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me."
Ma Xiuying never intended to blame him.
This body swap is too bizarre. Even those close to him in the palace would take a long time to adapt after learning the truth, let alone Ma Jin.
She waved her slender hand, her tone softening: "Alright. Now that you've planned everything, how long until we can return to the capital?"
"Your Majesty, it should be another half month."
Ma Jin quickly replied.
Ma Xiuying secretly calculated that she would probably have to go through another body swap within half a month, but this was not a big deal for her.
She nodded slightly, then took out some books from inside the carriage to review them.
Even though her identity was already confused and the truth was gradually revealed, she never gave up on the imperial examination.
Now, under the identity of Ma Wenxiang, she will participate in the imperial examination as a farm boy, shouldering the responsibility of promoting the prosperity of culture and education. As for the final result, it all depends on her true talent and learning.
When Ma Jin saw that the Empress was no longer pursuing the matter, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but inwardly he couldn't help but lament: how much longer must we endure these absurd days?
He couldn't say for sure whether encountering this once-in-a-century event was lucky or unlucky.
Another person in the convoy was also completely bewildered.
Sun An looked at "Ma Wenxiang," who was engrossed in his studies not far away, with a puzzled expression.
In the past, Brother Wenxiang was always happy to meet and chat with him, but now he avoids him like the plague, only making excuses that he has to study hard for the Imperial Academy examination and subsequent imperial examinations.
The change was too rapid for him to adapt to.
Fortunately, when Ma Xiuying was unwilling to explain further, the Ma family would always tacitly help smooth things over.
With everyone's concerted efforts, the northward-bound team returned to harmony, only now the sound of reading aloud filled the air, adding a touch of scholarly atmosphere.
……
Looking back into the palace, Ma Wenxiang had just returned from the grand ceremony of the Silkworm Goddess Sacrifice.