Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 73 Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang: We love working the most!

Sun Miaoran smiled slightly and asked softly, "What would Your Majesty like for lunch? Would you prefer the usual congee and side dishes, or would you like the Imperial Kitchen to prepare some special snacks from Beiping?"

These words have a double meaning, and the implication is crystal clear: with the Fourth Prince around, you can certainly act lawlessly; but the Fourth Prince won't stay forever.

You'd better think twice after he leaves.

Ma Wenxiang instantly understood and immediately made a tactical retreat: "Alright, alright, Miaoran, you can handle the arrangements. You're in full charge of the affairs of Kunning Palace, is that alright?"

His tone carried a hint of resentment.

It's one thing to be "bullied" by women in modern times, but how come when you become the empress of the harem in ancient times, you still have to be controlled by two women?

Where is justice?

Where is the law of heaven?

Although he secretly found it quite amusing to be "bullied," Ma Wenxiang refused to admit defeat.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Sun Miaoran smiled gently as she turned to handle the day's affairs. Her methodical manner was exactly the same as Ma Wenxiang's when he was in Kunning Palace.

Only Ma Wenxiang and Zhu Di remained in the hall, and the atmosphere became somewhat quiet for a moment.

Ma Wenxiang broke the silence first, his tone as affectionate as a mother's: "What are you still standing there for, Xiao Si? Have you done your daily health exercises?"

"Although you are as healthy as your father, you should start taking care of your health early on, so you can live a long and healthy life. Especially when you have children later, you must teach them well, understand?"

This greeting, which was entirely selfless and purely out of concern, gave Zhu Di a jolt, and he nodded silently.

The standard smile on his face gradually faded, and suddenly a long-lost, heartfelt smile bloomed on his face, his voice slightly hoarse: "Yes, son thanks mother."

This time, the word "mother" was no longer distant, but rather filled with genuine warmth.

Ma Wenxiang nodded casually.

He didn't think that much about it at all; he just wanted to make up for some regrets that would be known to future generations.

The children born after this fourth child don't seem to live very long!

It needs to be taken care of.

Ma Wenxiang simply copied the way the old man and his parents from Majia Village treated him, bringing that warm family atmosphere to the imperial palace.

In his view, it was utterly insignificant.

But Zhu Di regarded it as a precious treasure.

……

"Xiao Si, bring me a stool."

"Xiao Si, this dish tastes good, try it. Bring some soup over."

"Yes, yes, that's it."

Breakfast was served in Kunning Palace, and Ma Wenxiang gave Zhu Di his instructions with great pleasure.

Su Qing'er and Sun Miaoran, who were watching, couldn't stop their lips from twitching.

"Your Highness, this is the Fourth Prince. Isn't this going a bit too far?"

Su Qing'er pinched Ma Wenxiang's body and whispered a reminder.

Sun Miaoran smiled.

She didn't say anything at this moment, but judging from her expression, it wasn't good either.

In their eyes, Zhu Di was a member of the imperial family, a member of the royal clan, and one of the three princes who would be granted the title of king. He was naturally highly respected.

How come he is now being ordered around by Ma Wenxiang, just like a servant, without any difference?

Upon hearing this, Ma Wenxiang scratched his head and was about to stop what he was doing when he saw that Zhu Di seemed quite happy: "Mother, is there anything else you wish to instruct me to do?"

Zhu Di was at a loss, unsure whether to listen to his empress or his two future wives.

The Empress's words were important, but his wife's words were equally important in Zhu Di's heart.

"Alright, that's enough for now. Your sisters Qing'er and Miao Ran care about you, so they don't want you to suffer any more."

"It's nothing."

Zhu Di paid no attention to Ma Wenxiang's words.

He wiped his face, then said excitedly, "I'm willing to do these things for my mother, I'm willing to help her."

Zhu Di smiled very happily.

Before Ma Wenxiang could say anything,

He kept adding rice and serving soup, practically becoming a waiter in the Kunning Palace.

Ma Wenxiang was both amused and exasperated, seeing Su Qing'er and Sun Miaoran glaring at him.

He was at a loss for words, spreading his hands and saying helplessly, "He did it on his own initiative; it was out of filial piety, so I couldn't refuse."

Ma Wenxiang spoke with an innocent expression.

"This absolutely cannot happen again."

"Although Her Majesty has granted you special permission, if you truly anger Her Majesty, His Majesty, and His Highness the Crown Prince, you will be in deep trouble."

Su Qing'er said all this for Ma Wenxiang's sake; it was out of her good intentions, and Ma Wenxiang could naturally feel it.

He thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "Okay, no problem."

Ma Wenxiang gave an OK sign.

Now that his wife is by his side, who will become his family, he is becoming increasingly unrestrained in his actions.

For a time, it seemed as if the Kunning Palace was being treated as the Ma family's territory, and everyone was overjoyed.

Inside Kunning Palace, apart from the worried Su Qing'er and Sun Miaoran, Ma Wenxiang was happy, and Zhu Di, who was doing his work, was equally happy.

The mother and son got along very well.

At breakfast, Zhu Di wolfed down three large bowls of food. When he left, he skipped and hopped, showing no trace of the demeanor of a prince about to go to Beiping. He was more like a child in his teens.

"Yes, Mother."

Zhu Di smiled smugly.

Thinking about yesterday's situation, he nodded slightly and began to devise a plan.

"Mother just returned to the palace yesterday, and in accordance with the rules of the palace, we must be serious."

"Second and third brothers are overthinking it."

"A mother is already a mother, how can she easily be changed back?"

Zhu Di trusted his own eyes and thus sided with Ma Wenxiang without hesitation.

At this moment, Zhu Di was no longer like the prince of the day before, with any resigned thoughts. Instead, he was filled with the pride and high spirits unique to young men.

Before long, they appeared in front of Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang.

At this moment, the two of them neither went to the main hall to study nor listened to the lectures of Hanlin Academician Song Lian, and continued as before.

Although he no longer whipped the palace maids and servants in the palace, he didn't really have much to do with the image of an excellent student; he just went around having fun.

Until Zhu Di came to them and stopped here, at the Taihu stone in the waterside pavilion.

Zhu Di smiled slightly and said, "Just now, Mother had me do many things and we had a very sweet meal together."

Zhu Di spoke with great pride.

Zhu Gang and the other man refused to believe it: "That's the Empress Dowager, not our mother."

"What do you mean by 'not speaking while eating' and 'not talking while sleeping'? We saw these palace rules very early on when we were having dinner with our mother and father yesterday and the day before."

"Anyway, my mother and I have already eaten. Believe it or not, it's up to you two."