Chapter 16: A Perfect Match

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Ma Xun’s heart was filled with excitement. Although living in the palace was comfortable, it never felt quite free. Looking at the sprawling estate of over ten acres before him, Ma Xun was still somewhat stunned. Setting aside the three courtyards, there were pavilions, towers, artificial hills, and even a small martial arts training ground.

Zhu Zhuan presented the estate like a precious gift. “Uncle, this residence used to belong to the former Yuan dynasty’s military governor. It was originally a reward for Xie Zaixing, but that man defected to Zhang Shicheng, so His Majesty reclaimed it.”

Xie Zaixing was an early general under Zhu Yuanzhang. His eldest daughter married Zhu Yuanzhang’s nephew Zhu Wenzheng, and his youngest was promised to Xu Da. However, dissatisfied with his rank, he betrayed them to Zhang Shicheng and was later captured alive by Li Wenzhong.

Zhu Tang added, “Uncle, I think this estate is a bit small and doesn’t suit you! Uncle, how about your nephew helps arrange the house?”

Ma Xun immediately grew cautious and said, “You? Forget it, I don’t have the money for you to mess around. Just tidy it up; no need for grand renovations.”

Zhu Zhuan and Zhu Tang were instantly disappointed. They had many ideas and were determined to design a magnificent residence for their uncle. Unfortunately, he didn’t appreciate their talents and didn’t trust them.

“Her Majesty has sent thirty servants and maids, all longtime attendants of hers,” Zhu Zhuan said. “The maids have all reached an age where they can leave the palace and start families.”

This was also Ma Xiuying’s kindness. Usually, palace maids served their entire lives inside the palace, but Ma Xiuying pitied them and allowed those who reached a certain age to leave and many had marriages arranged.

Ma Xun was pleased. “That’s perfect; I don’t understand these things.”

At that moment, a guard stepped forward. “State Uncle, the eldest son of the Censor-in-Chief has arrived.”

Liu Lian, the eldest son of Liu Bowen and Ma Xun’s future brother-in-law, was highly cultured and excelled in poetry and prose, though he held no official post yet.

Seeing Ma Xun and Zhu Zhuan, he quickly bowed. Regardless of family manners, there was still a difference in status.

Ma Xun spoke first, “The Censor-in-Chief is skilled in geomancy, which I barely understand. Liu brother, I’ll trouble you to help arrange the residence.”

Liu Lian was modest, “Your Honor overestimates me. I’m not as learned as my father and know even less of geomancy.”

Zhu Zhuan promptly asked, “Then surely my aunt knows?”

Zhu Tang added quickly, “Who actually asked you to arrange it? You just want to please Aunt, why bother?”

These two nephews were of noble status and spoke bluntly. What they said was also Ma Xun’s true thought.

But thoughts are one thing; you can’t just say them out loud.

“Go away!” Ma Xun said curtly. “I told you not to come, yet you insist on following me. What about manners?”

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Zhu Zhuan and Zhu Tang were visibly displeased but dared not speak further out of respect for Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying’s authority. They were not afraid of Ma Xun but feared his powerful backing.

Liu Lian’s heart raced. The princes had made their stance clear. From their attitude and the way the State Uncle treated them, it was clear that Ma Xun was intimately connected with the Emperor and Empress.

For the Liu family, this was good news. Liu Bowen had been marginalized at court, ostracized by Emperor Zhu and officials like Li Shanchang, and was considering retirement.

Ma Xun quickly said to Liu Lian, “Children are immature; Liu brother, please don’t take it to heart.”

Liu Lian hurriedly replied, “Of course not.”

After a brief silence, Ma Xun said, “How about this, Liu brother—could you help counsel on the matter? If you don’t specialize in this, perhaps consult your father or someone else?”

Zhu Zhuan and Zhu Tang laughed openly, and Liu Lian could only smile wryly. The State Uncle was courteous but evidently not well-versed and made no attempt to hide it.

This was less about asking Liu Bowen to design the estate and more about having Liu Shuning handle it.

Liu Lian dared not make decisions and quickly said, “Your Honor, please forgive me. This is an important matter; I dare not act on my own. I will report back to my father, who will arrange everything.”

Ma Xun said immediately, “That’s right. Liu brother, come with me to take a look. It’s my first time living in such a large, elegant estate; I’m not quite used to it.”

Liu Lian felt like sitting on needles but had no choice.

The same went for Liu Bowen, who sat solemnly while being received by the Emperor and Empress in the Wuying Hall.

The Emperor’s expression was as cold as ever, which Liu Bowen had grown accustomed to. The Emperor’s disdain was well-known to him.

Ma Xiuying was warm and kind as ever, a breath of spring air, though Liu Bowen increasingly felt his daughter might not be safe. The Empress’s warmth was even more intense than before.

Having arranged the meal, Ma Xiuying said, “Mr. Liu, I heard from Wan’er that your daughter is not only skilled in needlework but also adept in the study of cosmology?”

Liu Bowen was a formidable figure, well-read in classics, astronomy, calendars, military strategy, and philosophy, especially skilled in cosmology.

In other words, an astronomer, statesman, strategist, and scholar.

Liu Bowen quickly said, “Your Highness is kind, but she is lively and spirited, not a gentle or refined person.”

This was truly a father’s love, unwilling to ‘humble’ his daughter even before the Emperor and Empress—more like a last stand.

“That’s perfect, my brother-in-law is mild-mannered; he needs a fiery wife!” Zhu Yuanzhang couldn’t bear to see Liu Bowen happy and said with glee, “Your eldest son studies poetry and classics, your second son studies Confucian texts and military strategy, and your daughter studies geomancy. Your lifelong learning hasn’t gone to waste.”

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Ma Xiuying gave Zhu Yuanzhang a reproachful glance, then gently said to Liu Bowen, “My brother has endured hardship and is steady and measured. Although he suffered early misfortune, he read widely, knows the classics, and is skilled in medicine—he healed both me and the Crown Prince.”

Liu Bowen was surprised. Previously there were rumors that the Empress and Crown Prince had been ill and that the State Uncle had helped, but now that the Empress said it herself, it carried a different weight.

Given Liu Bowen’s understanding of the Empress, even if she praised the State Uncle, she would not exaggerate.

“Your daughter is clever; I liked her when I last met her,” Ma Xiuying said directly. “My brother is steady and dignified, as you saw. When a man comes of age, he should marry; when a woman comes of age, she should marry. I think they make a perfect match!”

Liu Bowen really couldn’t show his displeasure. He truly did not want to marry into the imperial family, and no one in the clan wanted it either.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn’t care and said imperiously, “You’ve seen what kind of man my brother-in-law is—his manner and appearance are no ordinary man. If the Empress didn’t think your daughter was suitable, I doubt she’d be worthy of my brother-in-law.”

Liu Bowen roared inwardly: You look down on my daughter, and I look down on your brother-in-law!

“They’re a good match, no matter how you look at it!” Ma Xiuying discreetly pinched Zhu Yuanzhang and then said to Liu Bowen, “We’ll arrange the betrothal this year and the wedding next year. As the eldest daughter is like a mother, only I can handle the wedding arrangements.”

Liu Bowen had no choice but to agree, “I obey the imperial decree.”

It was clear Liu Bowen was unhappy. Ma Xiuying smiled and said, “My brother is neither arrogant nor arrogant but steady and sincere. After you get to know him, you’ll understand. He even turned down marriages with noble daughters. He has high standards and only has eyes for Shuning.”

Seeing Liu Bowen’s distressed expression, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn’t help himself. “Shuning belongs to the Zhu family!”

Ma Xiuying and Liu Bowen were numb. They were long accustomed to the Emperor teasing Liu Bowen as if the more frustrated the scholar from Qingtian was, the better the Emperor’s mood.

Ma Xiuying smiled at Zhu Yuanzhang, “She’s from my Ma family. My brother will not accept a noble title in the future.”

Liu Bowen breathed a long sigh of relief. Not taking a noble title was better; otherwise, the State Uncle’s future could be difficult. Not only would the imperial clan impeach him, but officials might as well, making him a target.

Looking at the Emperor and Empress’s closeness to the State Uncle and recalling their earlier meeting with Ma Xun, it was a stretch but somewhat a suitable match.

Most importantly, Liu Bowen understood that once the Emperor and Empress decided something, he had no room to refuse.

Ma Xiuying saw Liu Bowen did not object and smiled, “Let’s settle the betrothal this year and marry next year. How about it?”

Liu Bowen couldn’t refuse and said, “I obey the imperial decree.”