Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 130 Zhu Qiang's Terrifying Power! You Don't Deserve to Be My Mother

Consort Sun's eyes suddenly turned cold, and she shouted sharply.

Upon hearing this, Ma Wenxiang looked at her with even deeper disappointment: "A mere servant?"

He slowly repeated those four words, a hint of coldness in his voice, "They have parents, they are their own flesh and blood, how come in my sister's mouth they become lowly people?"

"In this palace, we nobles hold a prestigious position, but we are not born superior to others. Even as nobles, we must not be so arrogant and regard the lives of others as worthless."

"The investiture ceremony is still a few days away, and these are the last days for the Tenth Prince in this palace. In the days to come, you and your son should spend some quality time alone together; I will not stay any longer."

Ma Wenxiang's words were the final announcement, and also the only solution he could think of on his way here that satisfied both sides.

It upheld the legal principles while also showing some consideration for human feelings.

to this end.

He then went to great lengths to obtain this imperial decree.

The emperor is subject to the same laws as commoners, let alone a prince who has not yet been granted a title.

With favorable timing, location, and popular support, coupled with the fact that Zhu Qiang's status was far from allowing him to be arrogant, this is how things were handled today. This is the limit that Ma Wenxiang could achieve on his own.

Any more.

He was powerless to do anything.

"Sister, Your Majesty, Ma Xiuying."

As soon as Ma Wenxiang turned around, Sun Shufei's extremely resentful roar rang out behind him. Her address changed again and again, from the affectionate "elder sister" to the solemn "Your Majesty", and finally she directly called the Empress by her name.

This was an extremely disrespectful act that struck at the heart. The servants in the West Pavilion Palace and the imperial guards outside were all so frightened that they dared not breathe, fearing that they would be caught in the crossfire of this overwhelming rage.

If any other concubine dared to address the Empress by her given name in such a manner, she would likely have been beheaded long ago.

At this moment, since Ma Wenxiang remained silent, no one dared to presume to speak out.

He stopped and slowly turned around.

If we don't make things clear today, Consort Sun will never be satisfied, and trouble will surely arise in the harem in the future.

Since the other party insists on an explanation, he will give her one today.

"I am listening."

Ma Wenxiang remained calm and composed.

"If it were the Second Prince who committed the crime today, would Your Majesty still be so magnanimous as to punish a family member?"

Consort Sun's eyes were bloodshot, her face full of stubbornness. She stared intently at Ma Wenxiang, as if she had grasped at the last straw, determined to find out who was right and who was wrong.

Obviously.

Unwilling to accept her son's fate, she mustered her courage and pressed the Empress Dowager relentlessly against her.

Upon hearing this, Ma Wenxiang's expression remained unchanged; he simply said calmly, "The one who committed the crime is not Zhu Shuang."

"But what if it is?"

Consort Sun remained unyielding and aggressive.

Faced with this question, Ma Wenxiang's answer remained resounding and irrefutable: "There is no such 'what if.' The murderer was Zhu Qiang, not Zhu Shuang. That alone is enough."

As a human being, Ma Wenxiang is well past the age where he needs to explain everything to others.

Where in the world are there so many explanations?

Often, just getting a result is already a blessing.

You need to explain.

He needs to explain, everyone needs to explain, how can the court function?

For the sake of the greater good, necessary sacrifices are inevitable.

As for who is the one who should be sacrificed, that can only be left to fate.

This is the ruthless cruelty of the imperial family.

This time, Ma Wenxiang didn't linger; without stopping, he turned and left.

Behind her, Consort Sun went completely mad, shouting in a frenzied manner, "Ma Xiuying, you won't get away with this!"

"Today, my tenth son can't be made a king, and your second son's temperament isn't much better than mine. I curse you. One day, your second and third sons will end up like my children, reduced to commoners."

"Even worse off than commoners. Hahahaha."

This vicious curse, each word dripping with blood, echoed in the sky above Xiting Palace.

Ma Wenxiang remained silent and left without saying a word.

But just because he doesn't speak up doesn't mean others will remain silent.

Outside Xiting Palace, there were more than just Ma Wenxiang and his group.

As Ma Wenxiang returned to Kunning Palace, Mao Xiang led his men straight to Wuying Hall to report to Zhu Yuanzhang everything that had just happened in Xiting Palace, word for word.

Yun Qi arrived shortly afterward and confirmed that what Mao Xiang said was true.

In an instant, the atmosphere inside the Wuying Hall changed drastically.

A cold, mocking smile suddenly appeared on Zhu Yuanzhang's expressionless face, his tone filled with murderous intent: "What a fine Consort Sun! In my eyes, she was virtuous and well-behaved, a law-abiding person. I never discovered that she had such a vicious face. I will not let this matter go lightly."

"Yunqi".

"Your subject is here."

"Imprison Consort Sun in the Cold Palace, never to step out again."

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was as cold as ice: "As for Zhu Qiang, he shall be placed in the care of Consort Hu. Have someone find a residence in the capital, and after the enfeoffment ceremony, he shall be moved out of the palace."

"Grant him half a lifetime of wealth and honor, and let him behave himself from now on. If he dares to cause trouble again, he shall be punished as a commoner, without any leniency."

Zhu Yuanzhang originally did not intend to go to extremes, but Consort Sun's curse, which directly addressed his name, completely touched his sore spot.

She was scolding Ma Xiuying, his beloved wife.

Even though it was Ma Wenxiang who dealt with Zhu Qiang today, if Zhu Yuanzhang had Ma Xiuying instead, he probably would have done the same.

and so.

As the emperor, he must take drastic measures when necessary.

Otherwise, if the empress and concubines follow suit, and the established order is completely lost, it will be too late.

"I obey your decree."

Yun Qi responded, his voice carrying a unique operatic tone, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

In less than half an hour, the imperial decree reached the West Pavilion Palace.

Seeing the deathly resolve in Consort Sun's eyes, Yun Qi finally added, "Your Majesty, you mustn't take your own life. If you're gone, how much mistreatment will the young prince suffer alone in this world?"

"For the sake of His Highness, and for your own sake, you must live, and live well. Who knows, one day a general amnesty might be granted, and His Highness might have another chance to be granted a royal title."

In the end, this matter of the title of king is nothing more than a word from His Majesty.

Moreover, you and the Empress still have a past relationship. As long as you are willing to humble yourself, given the Empress's temperament, she will not hold it against you too much.

"What do you think, Your Majesty?"

These words were sincere and earnest.

Consort Sun listened intently for a long time before slowly nodding, a glimmer of hope for survival finally appearing in her eyes.

She wanted to say something more to Yunqi, but saw that he had already quietly left.

At least.

She now has a bit of a will to live, which is a blessing in disguise.

Consort Sun held Zhu Qiang in her arms and said softly in a hoarse voice, "Child, remember, this Eunuch Yun Qi has done you a favor today."