Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 42 The Crown Prince is not like a Crown Prince, but more like an Emperor!

"Your Excellency, I understand."

Having said this, Huo Tianlang closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and his expression gradually returned to normal.

……

Inside the Imperial Palace in the capital, there is the Wuying Hall, which was specifically used to handle government affairs.

As night deepened, the moonlight outside gradually faded.

After finishing the last memorial at his desk, Zhu Yuanzhang stretched his back and let out a soft groan, feeling much better.

But as soon as they stepped out of the Wuying Hall, they saw a figure in the distance approaching them, seemingly having timed it perfectly.

"It's late, Father. Where are you headed now?"

Upon seeing that it was Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but show a hint of embarrassment. He laughed heartily a few times before saying, "Biao'er, we've been thinking of seeing your mother for several days now."

"Why don't you come along?"

Zhu Biao stared at his father with the eyes of a thief, and after thinking for a moment, he realized that his father was not the kind of person who could not control himself, so he nodded.

So, the father and son set off together for Kunning Palace.

However, from a distance, the scene of the father and son walking together appears quite upside down.

He had a son, but he didn't look like a son; he looked more like his father.

He became Zhu Yuanzhang's "father" in a very real way!

"Hey girl, we've come to see you."

Kunning Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand softly, dismissing the eunuchs and palace maids who had come to greet him in the hall.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that apart from the two female officials accompanying Ma Xiuying, everyone else in Kunning Palace had vanished.

"Hmph."

Zhu Yuanzhang walked briskly with a smile on his face, when suddenly he heard Zhu Biao's voice behind him.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression stiffened instantly, his eyes darting around before he continued, "Oh, right, and Biao'er too. I've been so busy with official duties lately that I've really neglected you, my dear sister."

"Why don't we invite Biao'er over too, so we can enjoy some family time together?"

Zhu Yuanzhang used this montage technique very cleverly. It was clearly Zhu Biao who took the initiative to come, but now he has claimed all the credit for himself.

Zhu Biao did not undermine her; he simply stepped forward to inquire about Ma Xiuying's health before voluntarily stepping aside to watch quietly.

The conversation between Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying, a husband and wife, was being watched by their son. For a moment, both Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying, the emperor and empress of the Ming Dynasty, looked rather uneasy.

Seemingly sensing this situation, without the old couple saying anything, Zhu Biao still got up on his own and left Kunning Palace temporarily.

The elderly couple's private conversations were being watched by their son, so they probably couldn't bring themselves to say them out loud.

"This guy's temper's getting worse lately, and he's even starting to boss us around?!"

Not long after Zhu Biao left, Zhu Yuanzhang sat down beside Ma Xiuying, gently stroking her soft hand, and began to complain like a child, his eyes filled with a pitiful expression.

Ma Xiuying was concerned about Zhu Yuanzhang, but even more so about her own son, Biao'er. So even when she heard this, her phoenix eyes gently fixed on him, she only smiled and said, "Then what do you want, Chongba? How about deposing Biao'er from his position as crown prince?"

"That won't do."

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head back and forth, clearly unwilling from the bottom of his heart.

The position of Crown Prince and future Emperor of the Ming Dynasty had already been decided, and the civil and military officials in the imperial court did not need to take sides. It was the first time in several dynasties that the turmoil over the succession to the throne had been so calm.

The two then began to whisper to each other, and the night gradually became deeper and longer.

Zhu Yuanzhang was already feeling a bit sleepy, so he yawned and looked drowsy.

The energy I had when I finished my official duties had vanished without a trace, and a deep sense of fatigue followed.

"Since it won't work out today, let's just stay here and get some sleep first."

Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Ma Xiuying smiled gently, showing no intention of refusing.

But it seemed that although Zhu Biao was outside the palace, he had a third eye in the back of his head, which allowed him to clearly see the situation inside the palace.

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang was about to take off his clothes and go to bed, he heard a series of dense footsteps approaching.

"Father, it's time to go. Don't disturb Mother's bedtime."

Zhu Biao appeared without making a sound.

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang had already taken off his belt and was preparing for the next step when he saw Zhu Biao pick up the belt again.

He knelt down and, with effortless ease, re-tied his father's clothes. "Now you can leave. There's no longer any excuse for staying in Kunning Palace."

"Father, please."

Zhu Biao remained expressionless, but his voice was firm.

After finishing his actions, he didn't care whether Zhu Yuanzhang was willing or not, and turned to Ma Xiuying and said, "Mother, it's getting late."

"My mother told me a few days ago that although I bear heavy responsibilities, I am still just a young boy with a tender body. Just like a tall building, if the foundation is not solid, it will eventually collapse."

"I urge my mother to set a good example for me."

At this moment, Zhu Biao not only made decisions for the emperor, but also for the empress, and coincidentally, no one in the palace could speak out against him.

These words are filled with the son's deep filial piety towards his parents.

Even though a smile appeared in Ma Xiuying's eyes, she was still helpless.

"That brat."

Zhu Yuanzhang muttered something under his breath, but ultimately, under Zhu Biao's intense gaze, he strode away with the air of a dragon and the stride of a tiger.

Not long after the two of them left, the eunuchs and maids who had been dismissed from Kunning Palace filed back in, tidied up the palace again, and then left once more.

"Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't seem like a Crown Prince at all; he's more like His Majesty."

Su Qing'er's eyes flickered slightly, and she uttered these witty words.

Only today can we do it.

In the previous dynasty, even such a joke would have been considered a serious offense and a grave charge.

"Sister Miaoran, why don't you tell us about it too?"

Su Qing'er suddenly turned the conversation towards Sun Miaoran.

Ever since the day the two learned that their mistress intended to marry them both to the same man, with both women sharing one husband, Su Qing'er began to intentionally or unintentionally target Sun Miaoran.

However, all of this is done openly, not covertly; what is needed is fair and aboveboard competition.

Su Qing'er was no match for Sun Miaoran, but the matter of choosing between concubines was not something that could be decided casually; it was up to her own mistress.

In Su Qing'er's opinion, the most important thing is to win the favor of her mistress.

She, Su Qing'er, was determined to be the matriarch of the household.

Seeing this, Ma Xiuying remained silent, watching with equal interest as the two young girls in front of her vied for a man's affections.

"Sister Qing'er is right. His Highness the Crown Prince is good in every way. He used to be a little weak, but recently his face has become rosy and he looks even more radiant. Even many of the guards in the Wuying Hall say that he has the appearance of His Majesty."

"It's all thanks to Your Majesty."