Chapter 10: Family Ties

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Ma Xun was finally allowed to leave the palace. He led Wang Cai to the Meridian Gate, where from afar he saw the imposing and extraordinary Mu Ying.

Mu Ying beamed upon seeing Ma Xun and immediately saluted him. "Nephew greets uncle."

Ma Xun hesitated before speaking, since Mu Ying was several years his senior. "Wang Cai wants to go out. Is it alright to bring him along?"

Mu Ying smiled and replied, "Uncle worries too much. We were planning to ride horses and donkeys anyway; bringing Wang Cai along is no trouble at all."

Ma Xun glanced around quietly and asked, "You leading me out is one thing, but with the Crown Prince accompanying us, isn’t there a bit too few people?"

Mu Ying hurriedly reassured him, "There are guards outside the palace, all from the Yiluan Division, and they are all skilled warriors."

The Yiluan Division was the predecessor of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Relieved, Ma Xun then inquired, "How many battles have you fought?"

Mu Ying chuckled, "When I was twelve, I accompanied His Majesty on campaigns. Back then, the Emperor was besieging Jiqing, and I served close by. But I was only officially commissioned at eighteen."

He continued, "I hadn’t known uncle was in Fujian in those early years. That year, I captured Fenshui Pass, then guarded Jianning and commanded three garrisons. Otherwise, I would have come to visit you sooner."

Ma Xun joked, "I was ignorant not knowing I had family like you. If I had known, I would have sought you out. Honestly, I owe my return to you pacifying Fujian."

Mu Ying quickly downplayed it, "Uncle flatters me. I am but a minor officer; the pacification of Fujian was not my sole achievement."

Zhu Yuanzhang had many adopted sons, but Mu Ying was exceptionally special. Adopted at eight, he had been kept close all along, truly treated as one of his own.

Ma Xun smiled and asked, "Do you have children now?"

Mu Ying laughed, "I have a son, Mu Chun, four years old. My concubine is also expecting this year, so there should be another heir."

Ma Xun immediately complained, "Then why don’t you bring Mu Chun here? I, his great-uncle, must see my nephew’s son."

Mu Ying hurriedly explained, "Since you are inside the palace, it’s inappropriate to enter lightly. Once outside, I will have the family come to pay their respects."

Ma Xun felt awkward, "No, no, there’s no need to trouble your family."

Mu Ying solemnly said, "Uncle is our elder. We juniors must pay respects."

As they spoke, a scholar-dressed Zhu Biao approached. "Uncle, what are you and Third Brother talking about?"

Ma Xun immediately replied, "Just chatting about family. Your Highness, where are we going today?"

Zhu Biao smiled, "Uncle, where would you like to go?"

Ma Xun answered, "How about visiting Mu Ying’s residence?"

"Third Brother will definitely go. Today we only visit our own relatives," Zhu Biao said. "Please ask someone to notify them—we’ll have dinner there before returning to the palace."

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Mu Ying happily said, "I’ll have someone prepare right away! I was thinking since Your Highness and Uncle are busy today, I’d let my wife and children visit to pay respects."

Zhu Biao feigned displeasure, "Third Brother, Mother and Father say Uncle treats himself like an outsider, distant even. I think you’re the same—you’ve always kept your distance since I was little."

Zhu Biao glanced at Wang Cai beside them and asked, "Uncle not riding a horse?"

"Wang Cai has been stuck in the courtyard these days, getting restless," Ma Xun said sympathetically. "I just brought him out for a walk. Your Highness, may I stay outside for a while?"

Zhu Biao quickly refused, "Uncle thinks the courtyard too small? You’re still too formal with us. If you want to go to the training grounds, no one would stop you. Bringing Wang Cai out every day is fine."

Ma Xun was reluctant, "After all, this is the palace. It feels a bit uncomfortable and there must be rules."

Zhu Biao passed the buck, "If Uncle wants to stay outside, that’s up to Mother and Father. I’m a junior; I can’t decide for elders."

One must admit, this heir of the Ming dynasty was remarkably mature beyond his years.

Zhu Biao and Mu Ying rode horses, Ma Xun rode a donkey, accompanied by guards clad in vivid armor, as they traversed Ying Tian Prefecture.

Zhu Biao said, "We’ll first visit the Duke of E’s mansion. The Duchess of E and Mother are very close."

Perhaps fearing Ma Xun wouldn’t understand, Mu Ying explained, "The Duke of E is currently leading the northern campaign as Deputy General."

Ma Xun immediately realized—they were headed to Chang Yuchun’s residence.

"We’ll tour there first, then visit Uncle Tang’s family. Though Tang Bo is now in Taiyuan, Father is closest to him. Fujian was pacified by Tang Bo," Zhu Biao continued. "After that, we’ll visit Uncle Zhou’s home. Both Zhou and Tang were Father’s childhood friends."

Tang He and Zhou Dexing were childhood companions of Zhu Yuanzhang, even closer than Xu Da from the same hometown.

Zhu Biao continued, "Then we’ll visit Uncle Xu’s home, along with Uncle Guo’s and Uncle Deng’s families in the afternoon."

Ma Xun listened quietly. These matters were beyond his authority; he was merely a guest following the hosts’ lead.

Upon arriving at the Duke of E’s mansion, a stout middle-aged woman immediately led her children in kneeling. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, greetings."

"Please rise, Duchess," Zhu Biao said warmly with a smile. "Today we’re ordered to accompany the National Uncle to visit relatives. The first stop is the Duke of E’s."

This middle-aged woman was Chang Lansi, wife of Chang Yuchun, a steadfast ally and pillar during Ma Xiuying’s time managing the rear.

This fierce woman had followed Chang Yuchun since his days as a bandit hero, also raising her unruly younger brother, Lan Yu. Without her bold spirit, he wouldn’t have survived.

Hearing Zhu Biao’s words, Chang Lansi smiled brightly, while a young maiden beside her blushed deeply.

This was Chang Wan, Chang Yuchun and Chang Lansi’s legitimate daughter, the same age as Zhu Biao. Not formally betrothed yet, they were childhood sweethearts, inseparable since youth, merely awaiting official engagement.

Beside Chang Lansi were three boys—Chang Mao, Chang Sheng, and Chang Sen—each looking like mischievous rascals, constantly bickering.

Upon entering the mansion, Chang Lansi kindly inquired, "How has Her Majesty the Empress been lately?"

Zhu Biao immediately replied, "Well. Now that we’ve found Uncle, Mother is very happy."

The unruly boys swarmed to bother Mu Ying, begging their eldest brother to teach them horse riding and warfare. Previously, their own maternal uncle Lan Yu had taught them, but he was now also on the northern campaign.

Chang Lansi looked at Ma Xun happily. "The Empress had no family before; now that the National Uncle is here, it’s good. Wan’er, go pay respects to your uncle."

Chang Wan immediately knelt, "Your niece pays respects to Uncle."

Ma Xun was numb and told Zhu Biao, "Help her up. I have nothing to give you all now. The Empress had given me some gifts earlier; I’ll have them delivered soon."

Chang Wan quickly said, "Uncle’s first time in the capital; your niece dares not trouble you with expenses."

Zhu Biao smiled and helped her up, "Uncle isn’t married yet, so don’t be shy about accepting gifts. As an elder, it’s improper to refuse."

Looking at the young boys and girls before him, Ma Xun smiled and said to Chang Lansi, "I’d always heard of golden boys and jade girls, but never knew what it meant. I must say, Crown Prince and your daughter truly fit that description."

Chang Lansi happily said, "National Uncle is too kind. My daughter looks quiet, mediocre at studies, and poor at needlework. Old Chang spoiled her, teaching her horse riding and spearplay instead."

Gazing at Chang Wan, this was the historical Crown Princess Chang who bore Zhu Biao’s eldest legitimate son, Zhu Xiongying.

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "She’s not an outsider; I won’t be polite. Duchess, please prepare lunch. I must first take Uncle to visit other uncles before returning."

The spirited and efficient Chang Lansi immediately said, "At least have some tea, right? No matter what, let Wan’er serve tea to the National Uncle."

Zhu Biao agreed, and Chang Mao and the others were promptly called over.

They had bowed to the Crown Prince at the gate, but once inside, they were to pay respects to their honorary uncle.

The future Crown Princess brought tea, and Ma Xun accepted it without hesitation. "Next time tea shouldn’t be served like this. Other gifts will be sent later. Take these golden leaves as a token."

Chang Wan blushed deeply but showed no shyness. "Thank you, Uncle, for the gift."

"All gifts come from the Empress and are meant for you," Ma Xun smiled at Chang Lansi and Zhu Biao. "When the Crown Prince marries, according to folk custom, should I as your uncle sit in the place of honor?"

Teased, Zhu Biao became flustered. "Uncle, I am the heir apparent; I cannot marry by common folk’s rites! When I marry, you will have to pay respects!"

Chang Wan quietly tugged at Zhu Biao’s sleeve. Annoyed and embarrassed, Zhu Biao quickly said, "Uncle isn’t married yet. Duchess, do you know any suitable matches?"

The attack and defense had shifted—this time it was Ma Xun who grew anxious!