Chapter 11: Am I Getting Married?

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Following Zhu Biao, I visited some close associates, most of whom were founding heroes of the nation and future dukes of the Ming dynasty. Although these men were mostly engaged in battles elsewhere, meeting their families was still possible. Not a single civil official appeared; as of now, Ma Xun was effectively the foremost and true maternal relative of the Ming.

After visiting several nobles, Ma Xun returned to the palace, where life seemed unchanged.

“Little brother, when you strike, be fierce; when you tease, be swift!” Li Zhen, hands clasped behind his back, guided Ma Xun as he practiced martial arts.

Ma Xun sheathed his staff and smiled. “Brother-in-law, these are just simple farmer’s tricks. You must think it amusing.”

Li Zhen encouraged him, “They’re enough for self-defense, but you lack some momentum. If you were on the battlefield, facing the enemy, your strikes would need to be fiercer. You’re still too merciful at heart.”

Ma Xun spoke frankly, “These skills of mine? If I really went to war, I’d be a joke.”

Li Zhen consoled him further, “Don’t say that. On the battlefield, it’s all about white blades meeting red blood. No matter how skilled you are, you can’t escape the hail of bullets and arrows. Winning is what counts.”

Personal bravery holds some value in battle, but unless one is like Xiang Yu or Li Cunxiao, it’s difficult to change the tide of war through individual strength alone.

While Ma Xun was practicing, Li Jinglong wielded a small wooden sword, swinging it about noisily—a clearly lively child.

Just as Ma Xun prepared to resume training, Zhu Yuanzhang’s voice came from outside, “If I don’t come see you, will you come to see me?”

Li Zhen quickly replied, “His Majesty is busy; how could we trouble him lightly?”

Zhu Yuanzhang was displeased. “Brother-in-law, little brother, you are family. Why so many formalities? Always so distant!”

Ma Xiuying, also displeased, turned to Ma Xun. “You’ve been in the capital half a month. Have you taken the initiative to visit your sister and brother-in-law?”

Ma Xun hurried to explain, “Brother-in-law and sister are busy. I’m living well—no worries about food or drink. Besides, my eldest brother-in-law teaches me martial arts, and I study with the crown prince. You don’t need to worry.”

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled and said, “One is my brother-in-law, the other my maternal uncle. You two are quite alike—both straightforward.”

Li Zhen agreed heartily. He had worried Ma Xun might be rash like some young men, but this boy was mature and steady, very proper in his conduct. Li Zhen admired such character.

Inside the room, Zhu Yuanzhang asked, “Little brother, have you seen your nephew’s wife? What do you think?”

Ma Xun smiled. “Such a big matter—I can’t just speak nonsense.”

Ma Xiuying interjected decisively, “You’re the uncle. You can speak freely. Tell us, what do you think of that girl?”

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“I think she’s good. Other than that, as long as the crown prince likes her, that’s what matters.” Ma Xun smiled again. “When the two children stand together, they look like a golden boy and jade girl, stealing glances at each other.”

Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying laughed. “Those two can’t hide their feelings. In a few years, they’ll have to marry.”

Ma Xiuying added with a smile, “My in-laws are formidable. Back then, she followed Chang Yuchun to Hexian to seek out your brother-in-law. Your brother-in-law didn’t like Chang at that time; he thought he was just a freeloader.”

Ma Xun teased, “I didn’t know that. I only knew General Chang was mighty, invincible across the land.”

Zhu Yuanzhang scoffed, “You weren’t there then. Old Chang looked like a freeloader, but was arrogantly formidable. I never imagined he had such great skill!”

Ma Xiuying continued, “While your brother-in-law crossed the river, I stayed to guard Hexian. The people of Chaohu, the Guo family, and others who had come seeking refuge, all their families were there, but their hearts were divided. I played the stern role; Chang’s wife played the softer one.”

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, “Chang’s wife is fierce—coming from a bandit nest, how could she not be formidable? Your sister didn’t bother with those shrews, but when Chang’s wife intervened, those shrews wouldn’t dare cause trouble.”

Ma Xun only smiled but understood; many of Old Zhu’s close associates came from humble origins.

Ma Xiuying smiled, “Zhu Biao and Chang Wan were the same age, playing together as children. At first, we thought nothing of it, but later realized something was off.”

Ma Xun curiously asked, “How did you tell?”

Zhu Yuanzhang beamed with pride, “Your other nephews are mischievous. My eldest nephew plays the stern role; Wan’er plays the soft one. Even the fifth son is like that now. When he heard Wan’er entered the palace, he hurried to confess his misdeeds.”

Ma Xun seemed to understand and smiled. “So that girl looks out for the second brother and the others? That’s good—Zhu Biao should take care of his younger siblings.”

Ma Xiuying smiled, “Exactly. We always thought they were just siblings playing together, but Zhu Biao and Wan’er took a liking to each other. Zhu Biao even has a brocade pouch embroidered with mandarin ducks.”

Ma Xun asked uncertainly, “Isn’t she not very good at needlework?”

Ma Xiuying laughed, “Not skilled, but not unskilled either. The mandarin ducks look like fat ducks, but Zhu Biao likes it.”

“Speaking of which, speaking of which!” Zhu Biao hurried in. “I heard your laughter from afar. You’re not talking about my uncle’s marriage, are you?”

Zhu Yuanzhang teased, “Saying you’re more capable than your uncle because you found a wife, while your uncle is twenty and still single. What shall we do?”

Ma Xun, overhearing, immediately felt uneasy. He had been subtly pressured to marry, but he had no clue how to proceed.

Zhu Biao said calmly, “Father, Mother, I think the Song family is quite suitable.”

“I know you’re close to Song Lian, but it’s not appropriate.” Zhu Yuanzhang responded immediately. “That old rascal Song Lian—I don’t like him. Your uncle is polite but not a genuine scholar. He couldn’t stand the Song family’s daughter.”

Zhu Biao then suggested, “Then choose the Duke of Xuan State. He is the Right Prime Minister and one of the earliest supporters. His family is good, his ability great; his granddaughter would be suitable for my uncle.”

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Zhu Yuanzhang was about to blow his top. “Are you deliberately trying to annoy me? Li Shanchang marrying your uncle? Impossible!”

Zhu Biao suddenly said, “Then choose the youngest daughter of Master Qingtian. I think she is suitable.”

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table and rose. “You little rascal, are you trying to play tricks with your father here?”

Not only Zhu Yuanzhang but also Ma Xiuying and Li Zhen knew the two previous candidates Zhu Biao proposed were not suitable and would never be accepted. Now, with those two rejected, the third was the real issue.

Ma Xun asked, “Who is Master Qingtian?”

“A pretentious, pedantic scholar. When the time comes to ennoble the meritorious officials, I’ll grant him the title of ‘Sincerity Earl’.” Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily, “He’s capable but not loyal to me. I despise him. Let’s see how sincere he really is!”

Ma Xun was stunned for a moment, then a little flustered—Sincerity Earl? Liu Bowen?

Ma Xun quickly looked to Ma Xiuying and said, “Sister, I really don’t like scholars’ families. I’ve heard that many well-educated ladies from literary families have bound feet. I don’t like bound feet.”

Ma Xiuying was surprised but quickly explained, “Don’t worry. Though foot-binding existed since the Southern Song, it was mostly to shape the feet and wasn’t considered unsightly.”

“That’s still no good,” Ma Xun said. “If she can’t even walk properly, that’s definitely unacceptable.”

At this time, the custom of foot-binding existed, dating back to the Southern Song, but as Ma Xiuying said, it was mainly to shape the foot and not the deformed ‘golden lotus’ of three inches.

Moreover, only the wealthy and noble families practiced it; common folk certainly wouldn’t, as women had to work in the fields.

“Wan’er told me Master Qingtian’s youngest daughter is well-educated, sensible, and naturally beautiful,” Zhu Biao continued. “Master Qingtian is from eastern Zhejiang, but that’s not an issue.”

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned in silence. Ma Xiuying, however, was very interested. “Really? Then tomorrow have Wan’er bring someone to the palace so your uncle can see her. If they really like each other, your uncle must marry first.”

Zhu Biao glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang anxiously. “Mother, I’m about to be betrothed, but my uncle isn’t married yet. How embarrassing! His marriage must be settled quickly!”

Zhu Yuanzhang agreed, feeling the urgency. “Tomorrow I’ll give your uncle an official post. Your uncle’s marriage must not delay your own.”

Ma Xun had no say at all. In this era, dreaming of love matches was just that—a dream.

Even if Zhu Biao didn’t decide, Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying would arrange everything. That was certain!