Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 58 This humble commoner, Ma Wenxiang, greets Your Majesty and Your Highness the Crown Prince

"What, are you still reluctant to part with it?"

Ma Wenxiang smiled.

"Uh-huh."

Zhu Gang nodded slightly and said pitifully, "Mother, could we not go back for now? I think it's actually quite nice here in this little village."

"If Mother wants to go back, she can go back alone. If my second brother and I miss her, we'll just go back to the palace. Second brother, don't you agree?"

"Uh-huh."

Zhu Shuang still had that arrogant personality, but her temperament had changed a lot.

It's clear that Ma Wenxiang was right to make them suffer like this; at least they won't treat others like they're not human anymore.

Even servants are human beings.

"Then at least go back to the palace first, so that your father can rest assured."

"In a few days, you will all be granted titles and fiefdoms. Your father will then arrange your respective fiefdoms. It may be difficult to meet again after that."

Ma Wenxiang shared this news.

Zhu Gang and Zhu Shuang, who were standing in front of them, had actually known about this for a long time, but they hadn't paid much attention to it before.

It was only when Ma Wenxiang brought it up again that I truly realized the specifics of the situation.

"We're going back to the palace with Mother."

Zhu Shuang walked up to Ma Wenxiang, looking at him with a very gentle gaze.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Gang slowly replied, "Now that we can go out and play, let's go back to the palace with Mother Empress."

"No, it's better to go back to the palace with Mother. We'll spend the next ten days or so with her, and she should enjoy some family time."

These two rascals are becoming more and more sensible now.

Even Ma Wenxiang felt a warm current flow through his heart when he heard this.

"it is good."

With his eyes slightly moist and his voice choked with emotion, Ma Wenxiang readily agreed.

After finishing all the tasks for the day, the family put away the smoked cured meat and all the tidied items. The extras were distributed to the neighbors next door and the big shots in the village who had helped them during this period.

Some things can't be kept forever; being considerate of others is being considerate of yourself; it's always good to be a good person.

As night deepened, a curfew was imposed in the capital.

Before the curfew, Ma Wenxiang and his entourage had already returned to the palace through Chongwu Gate.

Upon arriving at Kunning Palace, the hall was dimly lit.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang also returned to their respective residences. Their relationship had actually improved since they traveled together.

"Where did Miaoran go? And Qing'er, didn't she come back earlier this afternoon?"

Ma Wenxiang asked to himself.

And at the very moment he stepped into Kunning Palace.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed within the palace, and the palace maids and eunuchs lit candles, instantly transforming the dimness into a bright, golden glow.

"What's going on here? How did Kunning Palace end up like this?"

Ma Wenxiang mimicked Empress Ma's tone and immediately rebuked her.

But some things just can't be hidden forever.

A figure slowly walked in from outside the main hall of Kunning Palace.

"She imitates it quite well, it's a pity she's not one of our girls."

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was cold, "If our sister were in this situation, she would not make a fuss, but would remain calm, find the mastermind behind it, and then quietly deal with him."

"So who exactly are you? Why are you impersonating the current Empress? Do you know that this is a capital offense, punishable by the extermination of three generations of your family and deceiving the Emperor?"

Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, Su Qing'er, Sun Miaoran, and many other figures appeared one after another in front of Ma Wenxiang.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were filled with solemnity, and deep within them was a strong killing intent.

Even Zhu Biao behind him, as well as the two female officials Su Qing'er and Sun Miaoran, looked at Ma Wenxiang with an unprecedented sense of distance and wariness.

They couldn't believe it. They couldn't fathom when their mistress had been switched with another woman, and the person in front of them looked so much like her, even sharing similar habits.

If His Majesty had not tested him today, I'm afraid no one would have been able to tell the difference.

"Who exactly are you?"

This question was asked by Zhu Biao.

Ma Wenxiang's true identity is currently known only to a few of them.

Consort Sun, Consort Hu, and even Zhu Di (the fourth son of Emperor Yongle) in the palace were unaware of this.

Zhu Biao stepped forward, showing no fear; his gaze was even more complex than Zhu Yuanzhang's.

This is because he truly benefited from the upbringing of this "mother" in front of him.

His physical condition, his way of dealing with people, and his usual daily habits are all several times better than before.

Zhu Biao simply couldn't understand: if the person in front of him was a villain, why would he do these things? If the person in front of him was a rebel, why would he treat him so well?

Could there be some deeper scheme at play?

The more complicated his thoughts became, the more confused Zhu Biao became.

If Ma Wenxiang had shown even a hint of malice, perhaps he would have felt more at ease.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone and after a thorough interrogation, if Ma Wenxiang were to continue to resist, he would truly be the most foolish person in the world.

Looking at the father and son standing at the pinnacle of power in the Ming Dynasty, Ma Wenxiang bowed with the air of an empress, saying, "This humble subject greets Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!"

As soon as Ma Wenxiang finished speaking, he immediately admitted to the impersonation.

Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes in anguish and flicked his sleeve: "Mao Xiang."

Mao Xiang, the commander of the Imperial Guard Commandery, strode out from behind and came to Ma Wenxiang. Two of his trusted men were about to put shackles and chains on him.

Ma Wenxiang was very cooperative and offered his hands.

Just as everything was going smoothly, suddenly, Crown Prince Zhu Biao, who was closest to Ma Wenxiang, shouted, "Let's see who dares!"

"The Empress is of such high status; who dares to shackle her today? You all have quite the audacity."

"As a subject, how dare I overstep my bounds like this?"

Crown Prince Zhu Biao exuded majesty, but his calm gaze held a hidden undercurrent as he stared intently at Mao Xiang, who was not far from him, and the men of the Imperial Guard Commandery.

At this moment, Mao Xiang and everyone in the Commandant's Office dared not move, and could only wait for the next order from His Majesty or His Highness the Crown Prince.

This is the truly wise move.

"Biao'er".

Looking at the scene before him, Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice, "She is not your mother."

Zhu Biao retorted directly: "Father."

He remained unyielding.

The two stared at each other for a long time before Zhu Biao finally gave in and said, "Mother, you can be temporarily imprisoned in Kunning Palace, and all your treatment will remain the same."

"If anyone dares to be even slightly unwelcome, don't blame me for being ruthless and unleashing a massacre."

Zhu Biao, who was known for his benevolence in the palace, said these words at this moment, which shows that he was extremely angry and willing to commit murder.

In this contest between father and son, Zhu Yuanzhang ultimately lost.

This was simply because he also did not want to actually take Ma Wenxiang away.

After all, if the person in front of me isn't my sister, then where is my sister?