Chapter 9: The Newly Minted Marquis of Ma

Ma Xun settled into the Imperial Palace, becoming a neighbor to Li Zhen. One was the Emperor’s brother-in-law, the other the Emperor’s sister’s husband; it seemed like a fitting arrangement.

Early in the morning, Li Zhen arrived leading Li Jinglong by the hand. "Little Brother, are you up?"

Ma Xun hurried out of his room. "Brother-in-law, I am."

Li Jinglong immediately called out in a sweet, childish voice, "Uncle-Grandfather!"

Regardless of whether Li Jinglong would one day become the Ming Dynasty’s first-generation god of war, the fair and chubby little boy was simply adorable. "Come here, Uncle-Grandfather has some money for you to buy fruit."

Li Zhen smiled and complained, "Little Brother, you’ve only just arrived in the capital, and His Majesty has only just bestowed some wealth upon you to help you settle in. Giving it away to the child like this—what sort of behavior is that!"

Ma Xun laughed. "I am an elder; naturally, I dote on the young. I have more than enough for food and clothing; what use have I for such fleeting wealth?"

As he spoke, Ma Xun pressed a jade pendant into Li Jinglong’s hand. "Take this. Our little Jinglong will surely grow up to be a gentleman!"

Seeing his grandson look toward him for help, Li Zhen said, "One should not refuse the gift of an elder. Keep it."

Li Jinglong happily accepted the pendant, and Ma Xun couldn't help but sigh that Li Zhen was truly a model for the imperial clan.

Li Zhen waved a hand. "Come to my place for a meal. Little Brother, I am older, so forgive me if I say something unpleasant: diligence is the path to excellence, while indulgence leads to decay. You have such fine martial arts skills; you mustn't let them go to waste."

Ma Xun quickly replied, "You are right to lecture me, Brother-in-law. I have been a bit lazy these past few days."

"Resting is fine; even ordinary people need a break," Li Zhen said. "Little Brother, are you getting used to living here?"

Ma Xun thought for a moment before answering honestly, "The courtyard is large and comfortable, but I am not used to having people wait on me. The night before last, I woke up and saw a young maid sitting on a mat, drowsing while keeping watch. I couldn't bear it."

Li Zhen understood his feelings. Both of them had come from poverty, so it was natural to feel uncomfortable with servants.

Li Zhen advised, "If you aren't used to having someone watch over you at night, have them rest in the small room next door. If you have no one serving you, His Majesty will certainly be displeased."

Ma Xun understood, but still remarked, "I am young and strong; I don't need so many people waiting on me. Having someone help me dress—just thinking about it makes me feel uneasy."

Li Jinglong chimed in with a piping voice, "Uncle-Grandfather, I don't dress myself; Grandfather dresses me."

"You are a child, so of course you are helped," Ma Xun laughed. "When you grow up, you will dress yourself."

Li Jinglong added, "Uncle-Grandfather, I like Wangcai."

Ma Xun turned toward the courtyard. "You can go torment that silly donkey later. All it does all day is eat and bray; it's grown quite fat."

Li Zhen’s breakfast was simple, lacking exotic delicacies. Even with his newfound status, he maintained the character of an old farmer.

He insisted that all the food be finished; not even Li Jinglong was allowed to leave leftovers in his bowl.

As soon as Ma Xun finished eating, a guard rushed over. "Greetings to the Marquis and the Imperial Brother-in-law. His Majesty summons the Imperial Brother-in-law to the Grand Study for his lessons."

It was time. His duties as a companion to the Crown Prince were officially beginning.

Li Zhen immediately smiled. "Go to your studies, Little Brother. I will take care of Wangcai for you."

A grim-faced Ma Xun followed the guard to the Grand Study. He felt awkward before he even took his seat.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao led the way, and the seven imperial princes bowed to him, calling him "Uncle."

Zhu Yuanzhang had ten sons by now, though the younger ones had not yet started their studies. This was only the beginning; the Old Emperor had his first son at nearly thirty and could still father children into his sixties—a testament to his longevity and long-term vitality.

Song Lian and the other grand scholars and doctors finally caught sight of the legendary Imperial Brother-in-law: tall, dark, thin, and sporting a short haircut that made him look like a man who had recently renounced his monastic vows.

Song Lian tested him carefully. The Imperial Brother-in-law was literate and had read some books, but that was as far as it went; one could hardly call him a scholar.

While the other princes studied, Ma Xun listened quietly, often on the verge of nodding off. Still, he forced himself to stay alert, occasionally picking up history books to pass the time. He didn't study hard, but he didn't disrupt the class either.

If any of his nephews failed to focus, he would team up with Zhu Biao after class to discipline them. He played the "bad cop" to Zhu Biao’s "good cop," frightening the likes of Zhu Di quite thoroughly.

Zhu Yuanzhang returned to the Qianqing Palace after a day of state affairs and asked, "Has Little Brother come to see us these days?"

Ma Xiuying looked slightly displeased. "He is used to being on his own and is too self-reliant. I heard he isn't even used to having servants."

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled. "He has found wealth but isn't used to it. Leave him be. Don't force him to act like a nobleman; let him do whatever makes him comfortable."

Ma Xiuying nodded. "I understand that, of course. I will tell the people in his courtyard not to be so overly attentive."

Zhu Biao, who was silently reviewing memorials, spoke up, "We cannot ignore it entirely. Uncle is a kind man and doesn't punish people for minor things, but without rules, those under him will lose their sense of duty."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were very satisfied with Zhu Biao’s insight. Ma Xun could be lenient, but his subordinates shouldn't take advantage of that to overstep their bounds.

Zhu Yuanzhang then asked, "How is your uncle doing with his studies?"

"He forces himself not to nod off and spends his time reading on his own," Zhu Biao said with a smile. "Uncle likes history books just as Mother does; he often privately consults the doctors when he doesn't understand something."

Ma Xiuying looked at Zhu Yuanzhang triumphantly. "Isn't my brother promising?"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and told Zhu Biao, "In a couple of days, take him out for a walk. Go visit your uncles."

Zhu Biao asked uncertainly, "Which uncles? Many of them are away at war."

"It's up to you," Zhu Yuanzhang said, sounding somewhat irresponsible. "Take Mu Ying with you. Go to whoever you like; just make sure you take your uncle."

Ma Xiuying brought in some food. "That is good. Your uncle is being driven silly by being cooped up. Aside from reading at the Grand Study, he only likes to tease Jinglong."

Zhu Biao immediately grew interested. "Mother, on this trip, I will look for a suitable match and find my uncle a wife!"

This was a major matter, and Ma Xiuying became serious. "Biao’er, what do you have in mind?"

Zhu Biao replied, "Ideally, we should find someone from a noble family—someone within our own circle would be appropriate. But Uncle has such a gentle nature that I am worried."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked calmly, "What is there to worry about?"

Zhu Biao explained, "Father, Uncle is gentle and kind. Though he hasn't read many books, he is reasonable and humble. Many noble families have become arrogant after attaining wealth, and I fear Uncle won't care for them."

Zhu Yuanzhang teased, "It sounds like you have the heart of an emperor, thinking your uncle shouldn't associate with military nobles because he is an imperial relative."

Zhu Biao remained unfazed and continued his analysis, "Can Uncle converse with a village woman? With his personality, what would he do if he met a shrew? If I am to find him a wife, she must at least be sensible, gentle, and virtuous."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed. "That is true. With your uncle’s personality, he might really be bullied by a shrew! If we find someone ignorant, they might not even be able to talk to each other."

Zhu Biao glanced cautiously at Ma Xiuying. "Uncle has high standards; I suspect she will need to be quite good-looking as well."

Zhu Yuanzhang flared up. "What kind of bad habit is that! Your uncle is no longer young; he needs someone sensible and capable of bearing children. He can take a concubine later if he wishes!"

Ma Xiuying also said coldly, "He says he hasn't forgotten his roots despite his sudden wealth, yet look at the bad habits he’s picking up!"

In the eyes of Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying, marrying a virtuous woman was paramount, and the priority was to ensure the continuation of the family line; concubines could be chosen for beauty later.

Zhu Biao spoke weakly, "Father, Mother, isn't this just the nature of men? Though Uncle is a bit dark and thin, he is quite handsome. Besides, if it were me, I would only want a beautiful and spirited wife."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying reacted immediately, caught between laughter and anger. "Marriage is decided by the command of parents and the words of matchmakers. You want to make your own decisions about your marriage?"

Zhu Biao quickly clarified, "Hasn't it already been decided? I grew up with the Chang family girl—we are childhood sweethearts. She is the one I want."

Zhu Yuanzhang scoffed, "She is the only one who can be your Crown Princess, alright? What, are you afraid that once I become Emperor, I will force you to change your wife?"

Watching their son’s sheepish grin, Ma Xiuying found it amusing. "Your marriage is nothing to worry about. Right now, we are talking about finding a wife for your uncle!"