Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 56 Zhu Yuanzhang: Investigate the Empress!!!

"Hopefully, this kid Wen can hold on."

Ma Xiuying smiled faintly.

At that moment, she was indeed a little curious.

If Ma Wenxiang really slips up, how will Zhu Yuanzhang punish him? Perhaps he will have to find some Taoist masters from Longhu Mountain or monks from temples to pray for blessings and exorcise evil spirits?

It sounds fun just thinking about it.

As for whether it will affect the people's livelihood and the country, she will be able to return to the capital in just a few days, and then she can explain it properly.

Just a few days.

With the help of those in the palace, doubts within the palace can always be suppressed.

……

In front of the Wuying Hall within the Imperial Palace of the capital.

With his broad shoulders and thick waist, and mantis-like legs, Mao Xiang strode forward with a solemn expression, moving quickly.

When they arrived in front of Zhu Yuanzhang.

He bowed and kowtowed, speaking quickly: "Your Majesty, the Empress has left the palace and is now living with a farmer. She is teaching the Second Prince and the Third Prince, and her reputation has spread far and wide."

"oh?"

Zhu Yuanzhang held the memorial in his hands, a strange light flashing in his eyes. His expression then became somewhat odd, and he said in a low voice, "It's not time to leave the palace yet, why are you in such a hurry, sister? As for the training at that farmer's house, didn't we already agree that we'd go on the seventh day of the fourth month every year?"

"Perhaps it is because the Second Prince's behavior in the palace has become increasingly egregious lately that Your Highness is so impatient."

Mao Xiang quickly explained.

This explanation seemed reasonable enough, but it still aroused Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicion.

He raised his right hand and then ordered, "Report all the events that have occurred in the inner palace during this period."

After Mao Xiang withdrew, there were no Grand Secretaries in the Wuying Hall at that time, no cabinet had been set up, and even the position of Prime Minister had not been abolished.

Therefore, besides Zhu Yuanzhang, only the Crown Prince Zhu Biao was left to handle government affairs in the Wuying Hall.

Upon seeing his father's sudden action, Zhu Biao raised an eyebrow, stood up abruptly, and put the memorial in his hand aside.

It appears that the matter has been resolved.

"Father, what is the meaning of this? Could it be that you suspect Mother?"

"Biao'er, don't you think your sister, that is, your mother, has been acting a little too strangely lately?"

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke slowly, "The extravagance is one thing, but we also hope that our sister can eat and drink well and enjoy a peaceful life. She has done a very good job in other matters as well."

"The previous handling of Consort Hu's cold palace was in line with your personality."

"But why are Anqing and Ningguo also reading books?"

"Previously, the girl often said, 'Men have their own rules, and women have their own boundaries.' For these two little girls, she only taught them the Classic of Filial Piety and the Precepts for Women. Now, she has also taught them a lot about the essential principles of governing a country."

"When did this girl become so open-minded?"

As Zhu Yuanzhang spoke slowly, Zhu Biao became increasingly silent.

Some things you won't care about if you don't think about them, but once you think about them carefully, you'll understand the changes involved.

This small incident reveals a larger truth; it's a matter that affects everything, and the doubts will only grow.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhu Biao finally answered again in silence: "If Father really wants to investigate, the current situation, with Mother not in the palace, is the best opportunity."

"Moreover, if an investigation is to be conducted, one should question his trusted confidants."

Zhu Biao's words remained sharp, more like those of an elder to Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying, their biological parents. But it must be said that his judgment was correct.

"Guards. Summon the two female officials from Kunning Palace in the inner palace. We're going to interrogate them thoroughly today."

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke in a deep voice, his face expressionless.

As Yun Qi went to the inner palace to recruit people, Zhu Biao's teasing voice rang out again in the Wuying Hall: "Has Father considered the consequences? What will happen if Mother returns to the palace and learns of what Father has done?"

After Zhu Biao finished speaking, he leaned back tactically and then said, "Anyway, this matter has little to do with me. It was all done by Father Emperor alone. At most, I was just an accomplice. Father Emperor, you are the mastermind."

With just a few words, Zhu Biao absolved himself of all his guilt.

Zhu Yuanzhang was displeased upon hearing this. He chuckled, stepped forward, grabbed Zhu Biao by the neck, and then put his arm around Zhu Biao's shoulder.

The father and son naturally had to form a united front.

"Biao'er, what you're saying is really inappropriate. As the old saying goes, 'Like father, like son, they go to war together; like brothers, they fight tigers together.' Now is the time for you and me, father and son, to make our move."

"Add one more thing: Father said Mother is a tiger, and he wants to beat her?"

Zhu Biao spoke casually, but his words caused the face of the mighty Emperor of the Ming Dynasty to change once again.

This time, however, Zhu Yuanzhang was truly determined and had no intention of backing down.

Such a big thing happened in the palace, it should be investigated thoroughly, otherwise he really can't rest easy.

At Kunning Palace, only one of Su Qing'er and Sun Miaoran was present.

Another person was outside the palace, taking care of Ma Wenxiang at all times, along with the Second Prince Zhu Shuang, the Third Prince Zhu Gang, and others.

Although she had men from the Imperial Guard Commandery around her, most of them were men, how could they compare to the delicate thoughts of a young woman?

It's definitely not quite there yet.

"Father-in-law, what brings you here?"

Sun Miaoran had just finished dealing with palace affairs when she saw Yun Qi arrive at the palace.

"His Majesty has summoned me."

Yun Qi said calmly, "The Empress is outside the palace, not inside."

Sun Miaoran slowly spoke up: "No, no, His Majesty is not looking for the Empress today, but for the two female officials of Kunning Palace. Since there is only one of them today, they can come with me. We must not keep His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince waiting."

"His Majesty wishes to see me?"

Sun Miaoran subconsciously began to have wild thoughts. Could it be that His Majesty was about to favor her?

Sun Miaoran's expression changed slightly, but she immediately felt that it was unlikely.

After all, the Empress herself had spoken to His Majesty in person about her future.

With numerous beauties in the imperial harem, a selection process was held every few years.

Sun Miaoran was considered to be exceptionally beautiful in the palace, but the palace was never short of beautiful women.

Furthermore, His Majesty has always doted on the Empress, so how could he possibly delay his marital relationship with her for the sake of a mere female official like her?

She felt she wasn't good enough for him.

Thinking of this, Sun Miaoran felt relieved and nodded repeatedly, following Yun Qi into the Wuying Hall.

"This servant greets Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince."

Arrived here.

She bowed respectfully.

Seeing that Zhu Biao was also present, Sun Miaoran felt even more relieved and much more at ease.

But then Zhu Yuanzhang asked a question that made her heart clench again: "Have you noticed anything unusual about Her Majesty lately? For example, any behavior that is quite different from before?"