Chapter 13: An Unprecedented Achievement
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Ma Xiuying was, of course, fully aware of her own physical condition. In her youth, she had thought that enduring some minor ailments would be enough to get through them—she was not so delicate. As her husband, Zhu Yuanzhang understood her at a glance. Moreover, he was well aware that his wife would occasionally suffer from bouts of chest tightness and shortness of breath.
Confused, Zhu Biao was summoned to the Qianqing Palace, accompanied by several elderly physicians with white hair and goatees. Nervously, Zhu Biao watched as the imperial doctors took Ma Xiuying’s pulse, then he himself was examined by several doctors in succession, equally bewildered.
After a cautious discussion, one of the elder doctors finally said, “Your Majesty, both Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince have balanced pulse readings; there is no sign of illness.”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression darkened further. He demanded sternly, “Are you certain of your diagnosis?”
The doctors, trembling with fear, replied, “Your Majesty, we are but humble physicians. We have found no abnormalities in Her Majesty’s or the Crown Prince’s pulses.”
Ma Xiuying was displeased. “I experience chest tightness and shortness of breath in the mornings and evenings. The Crown Prince sometimes has severe bouts of wheezing, especially since spring began. Doctors, are you sure there is nothing wrong?”
The doctors were now terrified, realizing the gravity of the situation. They knew well that both the Empress and the Crown Prince suffered from some respiratory ailments. However, diagnosing an illness in the Empress or Crown Prince was a delicate matter—good if it could be cured, but fatal if untreatable.
Standing nearby, Ma Xun spoke up, “The Empress and the Crown Prince have respiratory ailments, but they are mild and not life-threatening, correct?”
The doctors bowed repeatedly, their fervent kowtows seeming to confirm this.
Zhu Biao’s face darkened. “Respiratory ailments? But it is the same ailment that Empress Zhangsun suffered?”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s face turned ashen, his fists clenched tightly, veins bulging on the backs of his hands.
Respiratory illness had claimed the life of Empress Wende, whose name was immortalized for her virtue. She died at only thirty-six years old. She and Emperor Taizong of Tang had married young and supported each other for twenty-three years.
This naturally made Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao uneasy—Ma Xiuying was now thirty-six!
Ma Xiuying smiled and rose, saying, “Zhongba, Biao’er, you needn’t ask further. Respiratory ailments cannot be cured—I understand that well.”
She waved her hand. “You may leave.”
The doctors felt as if they had been granted a great pardon. Had they stayed longer, they feared they might be executed—either by imperial decree or by the Crown Prince’s order to confiscate their families.
Ma Xiuying held Zhu Biao’s hand, tears of guilt streaming down her face. “Biao’er, I have failed you by allowing you to live with this illness.”
Zhu Biao understood and, though anxious, instinctively comforted her. “Mother, my life is a gift from you, and so is my current fortune. Mother, we will find a way. Surely it can be cured.”
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Zhu Yuanzhang also shed tears. His beloved wife and son afflicted with this “incurable disease” shattered his heart.
Suddenly, Zhu Yuanzhang looked to the side. “Speak!”
Zhu Biao instinctively defended, “Father, what does this have to do with Uncle? Please do not take your anger out on him!”
Ma Xun earnestly reiterated, “Brother-in-law, sister, you are worried and confused. Respiratory ailments cannot be cured, and I have no such skill. But if we take care, it won’t be a serious problem. While it may not grant a long life, fifty or sixty years should be possible, right?”
Zhu Yuanzhang rejected that sharply. “Fifty or sixty years isn’t enough—my sister must live to a hundred!”
“Zhongba!” Ma Xiuying immediately warned, “Do you want your little brother to say something?”
Ma Xun quickly added, “If we take precautions and manage daily life carefully, the illness won’t worsen and won’t significantly affect lifespan. That’s all I can offer.”
Zhu Yuanzhang immediately declared, “If my sister’s lifespan falls short, I will claim it from you!”
Ma Xun was taken aback, and Ma Xiuying became anxious. “Zhu Zhongba, what do you mean? Little brother means well, and you want to harm him?”
“It was just angry words—I spoke too harshly,” Zhu Yuanzhang hastened to soothe and flatter them. “Sister, little brother is my own; how could I blame him?”
Zhu Biao also expressed his disapproval. “Father, you are the Emperor. If you speak in anger, you might truly endanger Uncle’s life. Even angry words should not be said!”
Watching from the side, Ma Xun silently thought that the Hongwu Emperor could be quite volatile, and only Empress Ma and the Crown Prince could somewhat restrain him.
Without hesitation, Ma Xun continued, “This respiratory condition does not necessarily mean death. If controlled and prevented from worsening, it will be fine. I have some methods and daily precautions.”
He went on at length, “Avoid excessive sorrow and joy, refrain from strenuous activity, keep the rooms clean and dry, and avoid pollen exposure. Your conditions are mild and pose no great threat.”
Zhu Yuanzhang listened intently, then suddenly shouted, “Send someone at once to cut down all the plum trees before the Eastern Palace! No flowers are to be planted in the rear garden!”
Ma Xiuying admonished Zhu Yuanzhang for overreacting but sent trusted ladies-in-waiting to the Eastern Palace immediately.
In front of Chunhe Palace of the Eastern Palace, there was a grove of plum trees—the largest wooded area in the entire palace, even larger than the rear garden.
Listening to Ma Xun’s serious medical advice and precautions, Ma Xiuying suddenly wept.
Zhu Yuanzhang was deeply distressed. “Sister, let’s heed little brother’s advice—he has a method!”
“I remember when I was young, Father sometimes had severe bouts of wheezing. I was over ten years old then and didn’t understand much,” Ma Xiuying said, holding Ma Xun’s hand with mounting guilt. “Little brother has cared for Father all these years. How old was he back then?”
Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao realized that Ma Xun’s deep understanding of these matters must stem from Ma Taigong’s severe illness years ago.
Even with a long-term family patient, gaining such expertise is no small feat—especially for a boy not yet ten years old. It must have been very difficult and required great filial devotion.
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Ma Xun’s expression was strange. Could his elder sister be going through menopause?
He quickly reassured them, “It’s nothing serious; experience with chronic illness helps. I dare not claim more, but currently, the Empress and the Crown Prince’s respiratory conditions are mild. If we take care not to let it worsen, they can surely live long lives.”
Old Zhu nodded in satisfaction, happily patting Ma Xun’s shoulder. “Little brother, you came back just right. Otherwise, your sister and I wouldn’t have known about this! You have done me a great favor!”
“We’re family—what else would I say?” Ma Xun quickly replied. “My sister and brother-in-law treat me so well, and the Crown Prince does not disdain my rustic ways and treats me kindly—I could not be indifferent to this matter!”
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and nodded, then said, “I won’t grant you a prince’s title—titles for the Xu princes are too powerful, and the Ming should not have non-imperial princes. I will bestow upon you the title of Duke of Xu and Supreme General Who Guards the Nation, hereditary without end. How does that sound?”
Ma Xun was stunned and quickly declined, “Your Majesty, that is too weighty. I have no merits and dare not accept.”
Ma Xiuying had not been in a hurry to confer a title on Ma Xun, thinking he should first seek opportunities to prove merit. But now her view changed.
“How can there be no merit? You saved Biao’er and preserved the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. A dukedom is a light reward!”
Ma Xun hurriedly said, “I did it for my sister and the Crown Prince. What need is there to speak of merit among family?”
Zhu Zhongba glared, displeased. “You know we are family, yet when offered rewards, you keep refusing. When did you ever treat us as family? And now you, the younger one, want to protect your sister and nephew, and when I, as your brother-in-law, offer you benefits, you act as if we’re not family?”
Zhu Biao nodded repeatedly and urged, “Uncle, Mother is the Empress, and I am the Crown Prince. You have achieved unparalleled merit! Besides, Grandfather was already the Prince of Xu; not allowing you to inherit the princely title would be unjust. The dukedom rightfully belongs to you and should be the foremost among all dukes!”
Ma Xiuying nodded vigorously as well. It was understandable if her younger brother didn’t want to be a prince. But he saved the Crown Prince and the Ming state—a truly unparalleled deed!
Ma Xun was so praised by this family of three that he nearly lost his bearings, feeling a bit swollen with pride. Had he truly achieved such an unparalleled merit?
After Ma Xun left the Qianqing Palace, Ma Xiuying immediately said to Zhu Biao, “When you become Emperor, be sure to treat your uncle well!”
“Mother, what are you talking about?” Zhu Biao said unhappily. “I know well how Uncle treats me.”
Ma Xiuying, well-read in poetry and history, put her knowledge to use. “Didn’t Emperor Wu of Han mistreat his uncle Tian Fen, and Emperor Gaozong of Tang exile his uncle Zhangsun Wuji? Is that not so?”
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement.
Zhu Biao smiled wryly and explained, “Mother, Tian Fen brought punishment on himself. My uncle is not such an arrogant or reckless man. Zhangsun Wuji, though he had great achievements, also made grave mistakes in his later years. My uncle is not like that!”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s mind moved swiftly. “I still must be cautious. I will give your uncle a golden decree that grants immunity from death penalty.”