Chapter 4: The Siblings Reunited

Ma Xun felt nervous, as he had essentially deduced the identity of Zhu Yuanzhang. He truly had not expected that he would arrive in Suzhou only to have Zhu Yuanzhang follow him there from hundreds of miles away just a short while later.

However, considering that Zhu Yuanzhang was a historically renowned workaholic and an emperor who rose to power on horseback amidst a chaotic era, this all seemed understandable. Yet, his heart remained filled with anxiety and fear. His achievements—rebuilding China, driving out the northern invaders—went without saying. But equally famous were his harsh, iron-fisted governance and the frequent, massive political purges; some even described him as cold-blooded, cruel, and prone to executing his meritorious officials. On second thought, however, the current emperor was not yet the terrifying Hongwu Emperor of his later years; the present Zhu Yuanzhang was still in his prime.

After a new day began, Ma Xun rose early as usual, only to feel awkward the moment he stepped into the courtyard. He had intended to feed his donkey, but instead found Zhu Yuanzhang doing it. Seeing Ma Xun’s sheepish grin, Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "What? You don’t recognize me as your big brother anymore?"

"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare," Ma Xun replied, even more embarrassed and at a loss, terrified of accidentally losing his head. "I was blind to the greatness before me; I hope you can forgive me."

Zhu Yuanzhang teased, "Where did you learn such sour, pedantic scholar talk? We are family; there is no need for such formalities."

Ma Xun hurriedly clarified his position, "I dare not cling to imperial relatives. As a commoner, I am merely following the last wishes of my ancestors. I truly have no other intentions."

Zhu Yuanzhang replied, "It is useless to tell me. Wait until your sister arrives, then we shall see."

Ma Xun asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, I have not yet acknowledged the Empress as kin."

"You will know once you see your sister; your facial features are identical," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile. "Don't be afraid that she won't acknowledge you. Over the years, she has often missed her parents and wept bitterly; it pained me to watch." Patting the head of his donkey, Wangcai, Zhu Yuanzhang added, "Now that she has a younger brother like you, she will be overjoyed!"

Ma Xun still did not know how to respond. Could one really confirm family ties just by looking at faces? While such cases existed—where some people simply didn't need DNA testing to confirm their lineage—Ma Xun felt there was still a distance between himself and Empress Ma.

Zhu Yuanzhang clapped his hands and said, "Since we have nothing better to do, I will teach you some horsemanship. You can accompany me to inspect the local garrisons."

A workaholic by nature, Zhu Yuanzhang could never stay idle. Since he had arrived in Suzhou, he intended to inspect the training of the garrison troops and survey the livelihoods of the people. As they walked out, Zhu Yuanzhang remarked, "Currently, Fengyang Prefecture oversees five prefectures and thirteen counties. Between the five—Bozhou, Suzhou, Yingzhou, Sizhou, and Shouzhou—there is only one thousand-man garrison here in Suzhou."

Ma Xun did not understand these things, but Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "So, would you rather study literature or martial arts in the future?"

Ma Xun quickly replied, "Either is fine; I will listen to the Emperor’s command."

"Why are you being so distant?" Zhu Yuanzhang teased. "I am your brother-in-law; naturally, I must look after you. Don't take this lightly. Whether you study literature or join the military, these are major life decisions."

After careful consideration, Ma Xun said, "Let us wait until Her Majesty the Empress arrives." He meant that he would wait for Ma Xiuying to arrive to see if she acknowledged the kinship and what her attitude would be. Zhu Yuanzhang immediately agreed, "That is true. Why am I arranging things for you? Your affairs should indeed be decided by your sister."

A guard led a horse over. Zhu Yuanzhang mounted it with ease, then jumped back down. "Do you know how to ride a donkey?" Seeing that Ma Xun did not even know how to mount a horse, Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, "You step on the stirrup and use the momentum to sit in the saddle—surely you can do that?"

The guard tried his best to hold the horse steady while suppressing a laugh, while the typically impatient Zhu Yuanzhang kept correcting Ma Xun’s posture. At one moment he was sitting too stiffly, at another his foot was too deep in the stirrup, or he was gripping the reins too tightly. It took quite some time before Ma Xun finally learned the basics of riding. It was only the most rudimentary horsemanship, enough to ensure he wouldn't fall off, but it could hardly be called true riding skill.

Being around Zhu Yuanzhang made Ma Xun feel very uncomfortable; the aura of this emperor, born from the grass roots, was simply too overwhelming to allow for relaxed conversation. Especially when Zhu Yuanzhang would deliberately show care and concern, it only made Ma Xun feel more uneasy, yet he had no way to voice any objection. After following Zhu Yuanzhang to inspect the training at the garrison, Ma Xun returned to the post station to tend to his foolish donkey, Wangcai, who knew only how to eat all day and had no sense of how to share anyone's burdens.

Back at the post station, Zhu Yuanzhang was not idle; candlelight flickered in his bedroom. "I, the emperor, believe that a founding monarch must have a virtuous empress as a helpmate to establish the great cause. Once the world is at peace, one must honor the wife's family to repay their virtues."

Zhu Yuanzhang, born a commoner, took up his brush. His calligraphy was not particularly refined, but it was neat and powerful. His literary style was not necessarily outstanding, but he was capable of writing. Mao Xiang spoke cautiously, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress will be able to arrive in Suzhou the day after tomorrow."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, "The Empress is a bit anxious. Go and arrange for the purchase of offerings and sacrificial items, and prepare a few sets of mourning clothes." Mao Xiang hurried to carry out these tasks, not daring to delay for even a moment.

Ma Xun found it increasingly difficult to eat or sleep. Although Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude toward him was good—seemingly meaning he didn't need to worry about being executed—the matter had not been truly settled, and no one could guarantee how the future would unfold.

Another day passed in Ma Xun’s anxiety. Early the next morning, he did not see Zhu Yuanzhang emerge from the opposite room. After feeding the donkey, Ma Xun said to a guard, "I should go to the temple." The guard immediately replied with fawning attentiveness, "Please proceed, honored guest."

Ma Xun then asked, "Is that honored guest going?" The guard only smiled and remained silent; he could not reveal the movements of His Majesty the Emperor. There was nothing more to say, and Ma Xun did not ask further. It was useless to ask, and it would do him no good. He continued on foot; although he had learned to ride, he found it very jarring, and felt that walking was more comfortable. As Ma Xun walked toward the small temple, a procession of moderate size was also heading in that direction.

Zhu Yuanzhang held Ma Xiuying’s hand and said, "Sister, our little brother has suffered some hardships, but he looks spirited. He has a good heart and character; he is a good lad."

Ma Xiuying wiped away her tears and said, "The thought of him wandering alone since he was ten just breaks my heart. Chongba, I have a favor to ask. Can we take our little brother back to Yingtian Prefecture?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was displeased, "Sister, what are you saying? He is my brother; naturally, I will take care of him!"

Ma Xiuying could not stop crying, "All these years I thought I was alone. Who knew I still had a younger brother? Finally, I have family on my mother's side!"

"You still have me, and you have Biao!" Zhu Yuanzhang comforted her, "Sister, let’s not cry. The brother has been found, and our father-in-law has been honored; we should be happy!"

Returning home often brings a sense of trepidation, especially when meeting a younger brother she had never known. Ma Xiuying felt both excited and uneasy, wondering what kind of person her brother truly was. When they arrived at the small temple and saw the dark, thin young man with hair of uneven length, Ma Xiuying stood still, tears streaming down her face.

Ma Xun was also stunned. Looking at Ma Xiuying at the entrance, he finally spoke after a long while, "Sister?"

Ma Xiuying began to trot toward him, her steps slightly unsteady, "Little brother, why didn't you come to find me! How could you be so heartless, not coming to look for me all these years!"

Ma Xun was at a loss; he didn't know whether to support her or comfort her, so he looked to Zhu Yuanzhang for help. Old Zhu immediately supported Ma Xiuying and said, "Sister, pay your respects to your father." Ma Xiuying immediately snapped back to reality, hurriedly wiping her tears, "Yes."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised a hand, and a group of palace maids stepped forward to drape mourning clothes over Ma Xiuying. Ma Xun stood there blankly, allowing the eunuchs and maids to dress him in mourning attire as well. Suddenly, Ma Xun became anxious, "Your Majesty, this is not appropriate!"

Ma Xiuying also turned her head, "Chongba, you are the Emperor!"

Zhu Yuanzhang, dressed in mourning clothes, immediately replied, "Sister, don't try to stop me! Wearing mourning for my father-in-law is my duty."

Ma Xiuying said no more, only pulling Ma Xun to the side to kneel. Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head and beckoned; five boys and two girls, all dressed in heavy mourning clothes, walked over. Ma Xun glanced at the leader, a youth with an elegant, scholarly temperament—could this be the Crown Prince, Zhu Biao?

"The mourning son, Zhu Chongba, along with the mourning grandson, Zhu Biao, pay respects to the father-in-law!"

After Zhu Yuanzhang finished his rituals, Ma Xiuying and Ma Xun immediately returned the gesture. This was the reunion of a sister and brother; this was the meeting of kin.