Chapter 52: Family Matters

Ma Xun was currently in a state of being completely content with just himself to feed and having no family to worry about, and coupled with the fact that he had no concerns regarding his livelihood, he appeared exceptionally carefree.

After leaving Liu Bowen's mansion, Ma Xun did not return to his own estate; he simply instructed He Da to go back and bring over the prepared local specialties.

Grandpa Mao, Chang Mao, was not standing at the mansion gates, but when the guards saw Ma Xun approaching, not only did they refrain from stopping him, but they also enthusiastically welcomed him while sending someone to notify Chang Yuchun.

Since they were all old acquaintances, there was no need for such formalities.

Upon reaching the main hall, Ma Xun said, "Brother Chang, would you like me to take your pulse?"

Ma Xun had no real skill in taking pulses; he only possessed a half-baked understanding. However, everyone had already decided he was a divine physician, and having him take their pulse was the only way they would feel at ease.

Chang Yuchun immediately smiled and stretched out his arm. "That would be the best thing. I don't trust those quacks."

Madam Chang also chimed in, "Little brother, it really is fortunate that you are here, otherwise how would this entire family of mine survive!"

Ma Xun smiled and replied, "Since we are all family, there is no need for such courtesies. Wan'er and the others follow the Crown Prince in calling me uncle; could I just stand by and watch Brother Chang get into trouble?"

Chang Wan blushed, but she tacitly accepted these words.

Withdrawing his smile, Ma Xun asked, "What did the people from the Imperial Hospital say?"

Chang Yuchun answered without even thinking, "Those quacks are unreliable; what they say doesn't count."

Madam Chang immediately piped up, "They said your Brother Chang has a deficiency in both vital energy and blood, accompanied by excessive liver fire. I don't see it that way; with him being so robust and sturdy, how could he possibly be deficient?"

Ma Xun smiled and said, "That is pretty much what I expected. The Imperial Hospital probably told Brother Chang to take it easy and recuperate for a while, right? I asked the imperial physicians in the palace a couple of days ago and also looked at the prescription. Just resting and recovering peacefully is fine."

At this, everyone in the room was overjoyed. Everyone knew deep down whether the people in the Imperial Hospital actually had any real capability.

Madam Chang asked with a hint of worry, "Little brother, those people at the Imperial Hospital always play it safe. Do you think they wouldn't dare to use strong medicines?"

"Every medicine is three parts poison; Brother Chang just needs to rest and recuperate quietly for a period of time," Ma Xun said, half-true and half-false. "I am not skilled in the art of convalescence either, but the prescription currently provided by the Imperial Hospital is quite suitable for Brother Chang."

Hearing Ma Xun say this, Chang Yuchun and his family felt even more at ease—such was the effect of Ma Xun taking a pulse. They would doubt what others said, but what Ma Xun said was definitely trustworthy.

Chang Yuchun said with some concern, "I've been resting for two months now, and I should be fully recovered. There will be battles next year; will I be able to make it in time?"

"I think there shouldn't be any major problems. Actually, I wanted to go into battle with Brother Chang, but the palace wouldn't allow it," Ma Xun said with some depression. "If we don't catch them next year, Wang Baobao will have already been driven out."

Chang Yuchun was filled with a mixture of regret and delight. "As long as I make it in time, little brother needn't worry. Next year, Xu Da and I will join forces to wipe out Wang Baobao, and in a couple of years, I'll take you along to defeat the Yuan Emperor!"

Thinking about it, that really was a strong possibility. With Xu Da and Chang Yuchun joining forces now, it was hard to say whether Wang Baobao would even be able to escape to Karakorum.

Chatting and laughing with Chang Yuchun's family, one could deeply feel that the relationship between the two households had grown significantly closer.

In the past, due to Ma Xiuying and Zhu Biao, Madam Chang and the others showed much care toward Ma Xun. But now, there was a much deeper sense of recognition; he was truly a younger brother (and a true maternal uncle).

Having enjoyed a meal there, Ma Xun was in high spirits and did not return to his own estate until after dark. It was better to go to sleep early and wake up early; although there were some nighttime entertainments nowadays, he wasn't very interested in them.

Early in the morning, Xu E softly called out, "Master, you should get up."

Rubbing his eyes, Ma Xun asked in confusion, "E'zi, why so early?"

Xu E explained, "Master, you gave the order yesterday for Lady Mu and the children to come over, and they are about to arrive."

According to his usual habits, Ma Xun liked to sleep until he woke up naturally. But with just a single word from this convenient uncle of theirs, those nephews and nieces-in-law had to rush over with their children.

Having lifted a rock only to drop it on his own feet, Ma Xun hurriedly got up to wash and rinse.

The sharp-witted and bright-eyed Mu Chun knelt down upon entering the main hall. "Greetings, Great-Uncle."

"Come here," Ma Xun said with a smile. "Great-Uncle doesn't study books, and my handwriting isn't good either, so I'll give all these writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones to you."

Mu Chun happily accepted them; not every child reacted with a bitter expression when handed after-school assignments.

Most of Zhu Yuanzao and Ma Xiuying's adoptive sons were capable in both civil and military affairs, with Li Wenzhong, Mu Ying, and Secretary Xu being the outstanding ones among them.

Ma Xun then said to Lady Mu, Secretary Xu's wife, and the others, "From now on, as long as I am in the capital, those who acknowledge me as their uncle should bring their legitimate sons over during major festivals and holidays, and let me know in advance about their legitimate sons' birthdays."

Lady Mu and the others stood properly and listened to the instructions. Even though Ma Xun was somewhat younger in age, his seniority in the generation was right there.

Naturally, everyone present was delighted by Ma Xun's words. They all knew Ma Xun's standing; previously, they had worried about wanting to acknowledge this uncle yet being unable to even cross the threshold.

Ma Xun then said, "Alright, I won't lecture you on rules because I don't understand those things. Since your husbands recognize me as their uncle, you should bring the children over to visit from time to time in the future. I still have matters to attend to."

After calling a group of people over, handing out a few gifts, and exchanging a few words, everyone was thoroughly pleased and happy.

No one felt that this was putting people through trouble, because Ma Xun possessed high status.

Having proper business to attend to, Ma Xun changed into a Daoist robe, led Wangcai the dog, and was about to head out when he bumped right into Grandpa Mao from next door.

Chang Mao darted over. "Uncle, I read military strategy books all night last night. Shall we go find the Censor-in-Chief?"

"You can read military strategy books another couple of days. I'm going over today to discuss the Dao of officialdom," Ma Xun patted Chang Mao's shoulder, extremely satisfied with this child. "Just be a bit thick-skinned, and I'll reward you with a fine saber when the time comes."

Chang Mao immediately nodded. "Then I'll go back and read some more. Uncle, how about I run around everywhere and spread the word that I'm currently studying military strategy?"

Ma Xun thought that made sense and said, "That's fine too. Only, your father's ability to command troops is formidable."

"That's different; I could never learn my father's military strategies," Chang Mao said with sound logic. "I'll just learn from Uncle, and Uncle can take me around to various households to seek instruction."

And just like that, the matter was settled!

Liu Lian was completely stunned upon hearing the news that Ma Xun had arrived, and he hurriedly rushed out of the estate. "Imperial Uncle-in-Law, my father has not yet finished court!"

Ma Xun smiled and said, "I was simply afraid of missing the hour, which is why I hastily wrapped up my household affairs and came right over. But since I'm already here, I surely can't just turn back, right?"

With Ma Xun putting it this way, Liu Lian naturally had nothing more to say. Besides, since betrothal gifts had already been exchanged and the wedding date set, there was no need to be overly formal.

Liu Lian accompanied him and sat nearby while Liu Shuning brought over tea. "Imperial Uncle-in-Law, have all the matters within your estate been properly arranged?"

"There aren't many matters at home," Ma Xun smiled and said. "I'm just a hands-off manager who doesn't manage anything at all."

Liu Shuning helped smooth things over by saying, "Since the Imperial Uncle-in-Law is busy with vital affairs of the state and military, naturally there is no need for you to worry about trivial household chores."

At the mention of this, Ma Xun perked up. "Speaking of which, my estate has three courtyards deep, and I always feel it's somewhat wasteful with a lot of empty land."

Knowing what Ma Xun's estate looked like, Liu Shuning asked, "Does the Imperial Uncle-in-Law wish to make some alterations?"

"I actually feel living there now is quite alright, but making some changes would work too," Ma Xun said. "Do you think I should make it more delicate and graceful, or more practical?"

After pondering for a moment, Liu Shuning replied, "Three courtyards deep is currently sufficient for the Imperial Uncle-in-Law's estate, but if the Imperial Uncle-in-Law were to have children and take in more wives and concubines in the future, I'm afraid it might become somewhat inadequate."

Ma Xun and Liu Shuning began discussing courtyard renovations and other matters, and there were quite a few things that needed to be taken into consideration.

"How much money and silver does the Imperial Uncle-in-Law currently have in his estate?"

"I don't really know. It should be plenty."

"Then does the Imperial Uncle-in-Law know how much grain the estate's farms have yielded?"

"How would I know that? I've been out fighting wars all year long. Are you talking about the farms outside the city, or the bestowed fields back in my hometown?"

Never mind Liu Shuning; even Liu Lian, who was sitting nearby, was left speechless. This Imperial Uncle-in-Law of theirs truly paid zero attention to household affairs!

Liu Shuning asked again, "The Imperial Uncle-in-Law's estate was bestowed by His Majesty. If you undertake construction and remodeling, wouldn't it risk exceeding the limits and violating regulations?"

This was a major issue; bricks, tiles, and ridgepoles were all strictly regulated according to official ranks.

"Calculated by the standards of a Duke, I shouldn't plant too many flowers around my house. What do you think of bamboo?"

Marrying and falling in love simultaneously meant building an emotional foundation in advance—he couldn't possibly just wait until lifting the bridal veil to suddenly scramble through the wedding night!