Chapter 12: The Affliction of Breath

The Three Kingdoms were divided under Zhuge Liang, and the empire was unified under Liu Bowen.

Though slightly exaggerated, Liu Bowen, whom Zhu Yuanzhang regarded as his own Zhang Liang, played a pivotal role in the founding of the Ming Dynasty.

He was a Jinshi under the Yuan Dynasty, but his career was fraught with setbacks, leading him to resign multiple times and retire to the countryside. Only after repeated invitations from Zhu Yuanzhang did he come to serve as an advisor.

While Li Shanchang was the head of the Ming civil officials, the group of civil officials from eastern Zhejiang, led by Liu Bowen, Song Lian, and Wang Guangyang, formed the core strength of the Ming administrative system.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were persistently urging Ma Xun to marry. The reason was simple: it was time for him to settle down, start a family, and carry on the family line—an important duty.

In this era, many married at fifteen or sixteen; Ma Xun was already twenty, still single and alone, which made both Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying anxious.

Ma Xun was worried—was he expected to marry first and then fall in love later?

Before he could react, he was appointed to an official post—Commander of the Imperial Camp.

When summoned to the Kunning Palace, Ma Xun asked, “Sister, I have no special talents or achievements. Why would I be given an official post?”

Ma Xiuying smiled and said, “Just accept it. I know you don’t want to be a civil official. After discussing with your brother-in-law, we decided to give you a military post first. You can gain experience and perhaps be promoted to a marquis or general in the future.”

Ma Xun felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. “Sister, I know nothing about military affairs. How can I lead troops into battle?”

Ma Xiuying quickly reassured him, “Who told you to lead troops into battle? The family is counting on you to continue the lineage, so you won’t be sent to the battlefield. You’ll just train troops, review them, and help your brother-in-law reward the army.”

Ma Xun understood—it was a ceremonial position to earn military merit.

Ma Xiuying, beaming, said, “Today I met Liu Bowen’s daughter. She’s beautiful and has a good temperament.”

Ma Xun, unable to resist, asked, “Can I see her? If she’s suitable, we’ll marry. If not, we can keep looking.”

Ma Xiuying agreed without hesitation, “Tomorrow we’ll have Mu Ying take you there so you can see for yourself.”

Ma Xun then raised another concern, “If I marry, wouldn’t it be better to live outside? We’re all in the capital, and you’re always nearby. You can visit anytime.”

Ma Xiuying frowned, “Do you think we treat you badly?”

“No, not at all!” Ma Xun hurried to explain. “I’m just used to roaming free. Living in the palace feels stifling. I want to travel and see the world, but I can’t go anywhere in the palace.”

Ma Xiuying became even more displeased. “You have a pass and palace permits. Who can stop you from going around?”

Ma Xun quickly replied, “This is the imperial palace—I can’t really just wander about. Besides, I’m about to start a family. I can’t live in the palace. What would people say?”

His words touched Ma Xiuying’s heart. It was indeed inappropriate for Ma Xun to remain in the palace.

For now, having him stay there was a temporary measure because Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying worried about him being alone in the capital.

Zhu Yuanzhang strode in and asked, “What’s going on? Are you two arguing?”

“My younger brother wants to move out,” said Ma Xiuying. “I thought about it—if he marries, it’s not right for him to stay in the palace all the time. He also wants to travel around. What do you think?”

Zhu Yuanzhang instinctively wanted to ask if Ma Xun was heartless, but he soon understood.

Ma Xun was young and living in the palace was inconvenient. Most importantly, staying at his brother-in-law’s house would make him uncomfortable.

After some thought, Zhu Yuanzhang said, “Then we’ll find you a residence and arrange some servants. Don’t just think about having fun. The Ming is newly founded, and there’s still war in the north. You need to contribute.”

Ma Xun looked at Ma Xiuying and tentatively asked, “Sister, do you sometimes feel chest tightness or shortness of breath?”

Ma Xiuying was taken aback. “How do you know?”

Ma Xun grew nervous and pressed on, “Is it worse at night and early morning? Fever, night sweats, rapid heartbeat, and often ringing in the ears?”

Now Zhu Yuanzhang became anxious. “Little brother, what’s going on? How do you know this?”

Ma Xun had a bad premonition but spoke cautiously, “Father used to have these symptoms, and our ancestors too. They called it a ‘qi illness.’”

Their faces immediately changed. They had heard of this “qi illness” before.

It was another term for asthma, though Ma Xun wasn’t certain. Even hundreds of years later, it was incurable and had a hereditary component.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s face darkened. “Little brother, don’t scare me!”

“Sister’s husband, I wouldn’t joke about this!” Ma Xun said earnestly. “I’ve been thinking about it these days. I can’t keep silent. But I can’t think of a perfect solution yet.”

Zhu Yuanzhang momentarily lost his composure. “Those quacks in the Imperial Medical Institute—I want to chop off their heads!”

“Enough, Zhu Chongba!” Ma Xiuying regained her composure. “You know those doctors. Because of you and me, they only do just enough to avoid blame. When I’m well, they say I’m not sick; when seriously ill, they say the medicine is ineffective.”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes reddened, and he wheezed in anger.

Ma Xiuying looked at Ma Xun and asked, “Little brother, from what you say, this illness can’t be cured?”

Ma Xun nodded solemnly. “They say it’s hard to eradicate, but controlling it isn’t difficult, and it doesn’t greatly affect lifespan.”

“What does it matter if it can’t be cured?” Zhu Yuanzhang shouted, furious. “I’ll summon the finest doctors in the world! Let’s see if this illness really can’t be cured!”

Ma Xiuying raised her voice, “Zhu Chongba! Enough! Don’t you understand what asthma is?”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes welled with tears. Taking Ma Xiuying’s hand, he said, “Sister, don’t be afraid. We will surely find a way to cure you.”

“That’s nothing. Birth, aging, sickness, and death—natural laws,” Ma Xiuying consoled. “My father lived a long life, so I’m sure I’ll live to fifty or sixty.”

Zhu Yuanzhang grew anxious. “Not enough! You must live a hundred years! You must outlive me! If you go first, what’s the point of my life?”

Ma Xun suddenly felt awkward and quickly said, “Brother-in-law, sister, there’s no need for that. Don’t scare yourself, alright?”

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately turned to Ma Xun, eyes sharp, “Tell me, do you have a way?”

Ma Xiuying hastily intervened, “He’s just a child. What solution could he possibly have?”

“Sister, there really is a way. Didn’t I say before it can’t be eradicated?” Ma Xun quickly replied. “I’m afraid of dying too. I worry that if our descendants inherit this illness, what will happen?”

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were struck dumb. Children...

Ma Xiuying gripped Zhu Yuanzhang’s hand, full of guilt. “Chongba, it’s my fault. I’ve failed you and Biao’er.”

Zhu Yuanzhang was on the verge of tears but forced a smile to comfort his wife. “It’s nothing. Just asthma. We will find a cure. We will live a hundred years.”

Ma Xun felt overwhelmed. Even the emperor and empress, despite their status, were human. When it came to those they cared most about, they too were vulnerable.

Not wanting to cause misunderstanding, Ma Xun quickly said, “Brother-in-law, sister, it’s not so bad. With good care, one can live a respectable age. If we pay attention, we can surely reach seventy or eighty.”

Ma Xiuying wiped her tears and asked, “Little brother, do you have asthma?”

“I’m healthy, no asthma,” Ma Xun quickly replied. “Sister, in spring, let’s avoid smelling flowers too much. Don’t exert yourself or get too emotional. We can control it.”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes were red as he suddenly asked, “Are you a doctor?”

Ma Xun was stunned but instinctively said, “Since people in my family have asthma, I naturally know how to care for it.”

“You’re not allowed to leave the palace!” Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Ma Xun. “Until you cure your sister and nephew, you stay here. You want money? You’ll have it. You want people? You’ll have them. You find a way to cure your sister!”

Ma Xiuying was displeased. “Why make things difficult for him? He means well. You’re just being hard on him.”

Zhu Yuanzhang hurried to reassure, “Sister, I’m not making it hard. I’m just asking him to find a way.”

Ma Xun was speechless. Asthma was indeed hard to cure, but with proper care, it was manageable. Now that some facts were clear, they could take preventive measures early on.