Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 97 New Backer, the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty

"Although you are not born to the Empress Dowager, she has ultimately shown some care and protection towards you. Therefore, from now on, you can be considered family."

"Cousin."

Zhu Biao immediately gave Ma Wenxiang a title.

Ma Wenxiang paused for a moment, then thought about it and realized it might not be entirely unreasonable.

His marriage to the Ma family was already predestined. From the perspective of Empress Ma alone, it seems natural to call him cousin; however, it would be more appropriate to call him younger cousin.

"Your Highness is too kind. Your Highness is older than me, how could I possibly take advantage of you?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao said nothing, but simply looked at Ma Wenxiang quietly.

Ma Wenxiang smiled slightly, then spoke again: "Since His Highness the Crown Prince is willing to address me that way, then so be it. Cousin... Actually, I would also be very willing to have another younger brother like His Highness the Crown Prince."

As soon as he said it, Ma Wenxiang wanted to slap himself a few times.

Heavenly Lord.

What nonsense is he spouting right now?

Could it be that he really doesn't want to live anymore?

"Why is he so cheeky?" Ma Wenxiang thought to himself, cursing incessantly.

Zhu Biao's face, which had been slightly serious just moments before, now showed a few smiles again, clearly indicating that he was quite satisfied with Ma Wenxiang's way of addressing him.

"Since we are family, there is no need to fear Father. No matter what happens, Mother and I will protect you."

Zhu Biao continued with a firm tone, "And regarding the incident that occurred in Qianqing Palace today, if you are afraid in the future, you can come directly to my palace."

"Wenhua Hall is my usual residence. If Father Emperor intends to make things difficult for me, you can ignore everything else and just come to Wenhua Hall and shout my name. Even Father Emperor will have to give me some face."

"The palace guards won't really make things difficult for you. Even if they follow the emperor's will, it's just a formality."

Upon hearing Zhu Biao's words, Ma Wenxiang inwardly exclaimed, "Holy crap!"

Goodness, goodness.

He had considered that Zhu Biao was the most powerful crown prince in history, but he never imagined that the other party's power could reach such a level.

He appears to have not yet ascended the throne, and has only been regent for a few years, yet his power within the palace is almost comparable to that of the Zhu Emperor.

Although it is highly likely that Zhu Yuanzhang tacitly approved of all of this.

The palace guards did not listen to Zhu Biao.

He became unhappy instead.

Even so, one can still see that Zhu Biao is extraordinary.

Therefore, Ma Wenxiang had no choice but to agree: "Yes, Your Highness."

Upon seeing this, Zhu Biao suddenly frowned again.

Ma Wenxiang wasn't stupid; after thinking it through, he changed his tune again: "Yes, cousin."

Although he was younger than Zhu Biao, Ma Wenxiang was mentally older, so he didn't really care too much about being cousins.

After hearing this, Zhu Biao finally smiled with satisfaction, then left the Ma family and slowly returned to the palace.

"Wen, are you alright?"

Grandpa Ma, his father Ma Xiulin, and his mother Wang Shuyun were waiting outside the courtyard wall at this moment.

Although I couldn't be of much help, I still instinctively walked over.

Ma Wenxiang chuckled softly, then said, "It's nothing, just His Highness the Crown Prince recognizing me. I did help His Highness with some small favors back in the palace."

Hearing Ma Wenxiang say this, the family members were finally relieved.

Even though the old man and the father were not people who were easily fooled, at this moment they really had no choice but to let Ma Wenxiang say what he wanted.

After all, it involves royal matters.

Since they were willing but powerless, only Ma Wenxiang, who was now barely considered half a member of the royal family, could get involved in some way.

For anyone else, the danger involved cannot be explained in just a few words.

That night, Ma Wenxiang tossed and turned, and the night seemed exceptionally long.

Even he felt a bit terrified.

Overnight, everyone arrived; it was clear that matters of the royal family were not so easy to deal with.

Once they reveal their identity.

If a commoner like him harbored even the slightest rebellious intentions, he would be condemned by everyone from Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang to the Crown Prince who had just arrived.

Ma Wenxiang could die so suddenly, it would probably only be a matter of moments.

Ma Wenxiang sighed silently to himself. At this moment, he could only take it one step at a time.

……

"Your Majesty."

The next day, Ma Wenxiang appeared in the palace again.

Normally, it would be impossible for a man from outside the family to come into this inner courtyard, but Ma Wenxiang is now engaged to a woman from the Ma family.

Marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers.

After Ma Xiuying, Ma Jin, her father Ma Xiulin, her grandfather Ma Tianlu, and her mother Wang Shiyun all approved of the engagement, the marriage was finalized.

Poor Ma Wenxiang, before he even met the Ma family girl, everything had already become a reality.

With the status of a maternal relative, it was reasonable for him to enter the inner court for another audience; at least on the surface, it was perfectly justifiable.

Under the watchful eyes of Sun Miaoran and Su Qing'er on his left and right, Ma Wenxiang could only swallow hard before continuing, "Didn't Her Majesty previously state that she would marry Miaoran and Qing'er to this humble subject?"

One wife and one concubine.

Now there's another maidservant, Ma. I wonder what Her Majesty's true intentions are.

This humble citizen truly has no idea.

"The daughter of the Ma family shall naturally be regarded as the principal wife. As for Miaoran and Qing'er, I have already discussed it with them."

Both of them will become your concubines.

Ma Xiuying smiled, then changed the subject, "However, given what you said before, there's nothing to be afraid of. You will treat them both very well, and after marriage, you will treat each other with respect and harmony, won't you?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Wenxiang gave an awkward laugh and nodded slightly: "That's how it should be. A man's word is his bond, and I certainly won't let the two young ladies down."

After hearing Ma Wenxiang's words, Sun Miaoran and Su Qing'er felt a little better.

Su Qing'er was a little better off, but Sun Miaoran was the main one. She lost her status as the legal wife in an instant. Anyone would feel uncomfortable in that situation.

However, many things don't go as planned.

Just like the matter of the Ma family girl, for Ma Wenxiang, this status as a maternal relative is still very important.

Although passing the imperial examination would cause inconvenience in the court, it was the only way to gain the trust of the royal family, without exception.

Otherwise, it would be Empress Ma Xiuying who wanted to help him.

For a time, they lacked a legitimate reason to act, and the procedures involved were naturally quite complicated.