Chapter 18: All Settling Down!

The mansion was filled with distinguished guests, making the Ma residence lively and bustling, though most of the crowd consisted of women and some adolescent boys.

Chang Mao came rushing in like a gust of wind. “Mother, Eldest Sister is here, and so is Young Aunt!”

Ma Xun immediately spoke up, “Don’t spread rumors.”

Seeing Chang Mao still somewhat defiant, Lady Chang Lan added, “It’s enough to know in your heart. Now is not the time for idle talk.”

Chang Mao immediately lowered his flag, unwilling to argue further.

Chang Wan was poised and graceful; upon seeing Zhu Zhu and Zhu Tang, she greeted them with a smile. However, Liu Shuning, who followed beside her, blushed deeply—she was well aware of the underlying circumstances.

The two princes laughed and joked carelessly, but others’ eyes were filled with unspoken meanings.

Lady Chang Lan stepped forward and said, “Wan’er, you go to the inner courtyard first.”

Chang Wan glanced at Liu Shuning and asked with a bright smile, “Mother, I haven’t yet paid respects to my uncle and maternal uncle.”

Liu Shuning’s face flushed even more, but she had no words to say at this moment.

“Here comes the bride!” Li Jinglong, that mischievous scoundrel, shouted loudly in a childish voice, “The bride is here!”

Zhu Zhu and Zhu Tang immediately smirked wickedly; they naturally knew some things but dared not speak much. Yet they could encourage Li Jinglong, who was still naive.

Liu Shuning’s face was so red it seemed to bleed as Chang Wan pulled her forward.

“Niece pays respects to uncle and maternal uncle.”

“The humble servant pays respects to Marquis and Imperial Uncle.”

Li Zhen quickly spoke up, “We’re family, no need for formalities. This is home—make yourselves comfortable.”

Ma Xun shot a glare at Zhu Zhu and the others who had come closer, then picked up Li Jinglong and gave him a playful swat on the behind. “The child is young and naive, forgive him.”

Chang Wan immediately covered her mouth, and Liu Shuning whispered softly, “This humble one dares not.”

Ma Xun then looked at Chang Wan and said, “The Crown Prince will be arriving soon, and the Empress will come as well. You’re proud now, but later don’t say I bullied the Crown Prince because I’m an elder.”

Chang Wan immediately felt embarrassed and looked toward Lady Chang Lan. “Mother!”

Lady Chang Lan smiled and said, “Alright, if you still stir trouble in front of your uncles, you have only yourself to blame!”

After Chang Wan and Liu Shuning left, Li Zhen smiled and remarked, “She looks clever—definitely a good match.”

“I used to dislike those from civil official families, just a scholar myself. The daughters of military families mostly aren’t worthy,” Lady Chang Lan said bluntly. “But seeing her now, she suits my younger brother perfectly!”

Chang Mao rushed in again like a gust of wind. “Mother, people from the palace have arrived!”

Li Zhen and Ma Xun immediately left the residence, and the young nobles and others inside also went out. Lady Chang Lan, knowing her place, didn’t follow but instead headed straight to the inner courtyard.

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Ma Xiuying and Zhu Biao stepped down from the carriage one after the other, clearly pleased with the large crowd at the Ma residence gate.

“Crown Prince, your status is high. Take charge of the front hall to entertain everyone,” Ma Xiuying ordered directly. “Bring your uncles to meet people; they’ve been away from the capital and don’t know many.”

Zhu Biao smiled and said, “Mother, rest assured; I know my responsibilities.”

Ma Xiuying nodded with a smile and then strode majestically toward the inner chambers—her true domain.

Zhu Biao looked at Li Zhen and asked with a smile, “Uncle, is anyone missing?”

Li Zhen smiled and replied, “Those who should come have come; those who shouldn’t have come, came anyway.”

Hearing their exchange, Ma Xun also chuckled. Some arrivals might have been unexpected, but absences were certainly noted.

Zhu Biao presented the Crown Prince’s persona: gentle, refined, and as smooth as jade—a true dashing young gentleman.

Ma Xun was used to these dual faces—public and private personas were normal; everyone had their own characterization.

Just as Zhu Biao introduced the representatives of the noble families again, a maid hurried over to summon Ma Xun to the inner chambers.

Seeing Ma Xun approach, Ma Xiuying grasped Lady Chang Lan’s hand and said, “My younger brother has moved out now. I worry he might be bullied. Look at him—calling him a scholar isn’t an exaggeration.”

Lady Chang Lan quickly reassured her, “Your Highness, rest assured. I will treat him like my own brother and will never let anyone bully him.”

Ma Xiuying was greatly relieved. Her right-hand man was renowned among the nobility. Not to mention the womenfolk, even many marquises and dukes wouldn’t dare provoke him.

Lady Chang Lan warmly responded, “I used to think Your Highness was knowledgeable—maybe you learned that at the Guo family’s. Now I understand what family legacy means. The Imperial Uncle clearly has good upbringing. Our military families have some heritage, but nothing compares to Your Highness’s family.”

Xie, wife of Xu Da, felt Lady Chang Lan was excessively flattering. What great family was the Ma clan?

Seeing Ma Xun advance, Ma Xiuying smiled and said, “Wan’er, both of you come over.”

Chang Wan immediately grabbed Liu Shuning’s hand and stepped forward, then obediently stood beside Lady Chang Lan, leaving Liu Shuning standing with Ma Xun.

Ma Xiuying’s smile grew broader. “You two look like a perfect match. My younger brother’s housewarming brings me joy. I’ve already given your brother-in-law a gift; now here’s a hairpin for you.”

After speaking, Ma Xiuying removed a hairpin. Many noble ladies’ eyes turned red—it was a genuine phoenix hairpin.

Ma Xun accepted it awkwardly. “Sister, isn’t this a bit heavy?”

Ma Xiuying smiled, “Not heavy. It’s yours.”

Ma Xun stopped being coy and handed it to Liu Shuning. “A gift from the Empress—refusing is not an option.”

Liu Shuning’s flushed face seemed ready to bleed; her long eyelashes trembled. “This humble one bows in gratitude for Your Highness’s great kindness.”

Ma Xiuying was very pleased and encouraged them, “I’m older now and hold some status. I don’t ask much of you—just live honestly and well, continue the Ma family line. If you have talents, contribute more to the Great Ming.”

The Empress’s straightforward declaration left Liu Shuning speechless, and the other noble ladies could not help but speculate.

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They all clearly understood the Empress’s position and prestige. The Empress’s brother was, naturally, a coveted prize in many eyes—marrying into the Empress’s family meant greater wealth and honor.

Yet this Imperial Uncle had just arrived in the capital; many were meeting him for the first time. But now, the prize had already been swallowed whole by Liu Bowen from Zhejiang.

“Your Majesty, Empress, please also keep an eye on us from the Huai West!”

The Emperor and Empress acted decisively as always; once decisions were made, no one dared question them.

Ma Xun, being a man, only needed to show his face briefly in the inner chambers before returning to the front yard to receive guests.

After this housewarming feast, Ma Xun sat boldly in the main hall. “Are all of you from the palace?”

A middle-aged man missing an arm stepped forward. “Imperial Uncle, we’re not all from there. We were military households before, and after being disabled, we shamelessly begged His Majesty for positions.”

Ma Xun thought carefully and asked, “I remember the Empress mentioned you were He Da?”

He Da nodded. “Yes, I am He Da.”

“You’re mistaken!” Ma Xun said, heartbroken. “You were injured during the conquest and should have stayed in the military. Holding a military post would have benefited your descendants.”

He Da laughed immediately. “I do have a military post. After I was disabled, it was given to my son. Now I work in the Imperial Uncle’s residence to earn a living and not burden my son.”

“Alright, you’re the steward and head of security,” Ma Xun said with relief. “And you? Are you E Zi?”

A woman responded promptly, “Master, I am E Zi. The Empress took me in when I was in He County.”

Ma Xun said, “You and Uncle He manage the household affairs. Your first task is to arrange marriages for those unmarried men and women in the residence. We don’t deal with anything else—once married, that’s settled.”

He Da said at once, “Imperial Uncle, most in the household are married. It’s just those from the palace who haven’t found partners.”

Xu E Zi also felt troubled. “These matters still require your help, Imperial Uncle, to find suitable matches.”

Ma Xun rubbed his temples. “I’ll go ask Mu Ying. Don’t worry, I won’t delay you.”

Xu E Zi and others were naturally delighted. In the Ming Dynasty, household servants generally did not sign indentured contracts. Although there were so-called family-born children, the law forbade human trafficking.

If a noble family killed a servant, they would be punished.

“He Uncle, go fetch Mu Ying,” Ma Xun urged. “Also ask Sister-in-law Chang. I don’t know how to play matchmaker.”

Ma Xun’s residence was well situated, surrounded by officials and nobles, making visits convenient.