BSI Chapter 72 Wives and Their Signatures
Chapter 72 Wives and Their Signatures
Ma Wenxiang draped a towel over his shoulder, then got out of bed, picked up the bathtub, and walked familiarly toward the well inside the walls of Kunning Palace.
After fetching water and washing up, Ma Wenxiang was sitting at his usual dining table when his expression suddenly tightened. He tentatively asked, "My dear sisters, please don't tell me I'm going to have to cook at the Imperial Kitchen again. It's a long way from there."
Looking at her mistress's face, yet hearing such vulgar, masculine language, Su Qing'er's face darkened. She took several deep breaths, calming herself for a long time before finally recovering: "You're quite the actor. Weren't you just like our mistress before? Why don't you seem like her anymore?"
Ma Wenxiang let out a long, drawn-out "uh," completely bewildered by the two of them.
What does this mean?
Should we learn from the Empress, or not?
He was starting to get a headache.
"You two, don't you dare imitate my lady."
Su Qing'er shouted loudly, still feeling unsatisfied, she took a step forward and attacked Ma Wenxiang, grabbing his dough, "You despicable fellow, how dare you keep toying with this female official like this."
"Do you even realize how utterly wicked you are, man?"
"Back in Kunning Palace, she was even undressing in front of you. Let me tell you, even if the Empress doesn't arrange a marriage, if you don't marry me, I'll tear you apart alive today."
"I'll marry you, I definitely will. I'll take you home as my concubine, just like we agreed before, okay?"
Sister Miaoran will be the first wife.
Even now, Ma Wenxiang still couldn't resist making witty remarks.
"No way. I want to be the first wife."
Su Qing'er immediately retorted.
Upon hearing this, Sun Miaoran's previously gentle gaze instantly changed, and she stared directly at her nemesis, Ma Wenxiang, waiting to see what he would say next.
Ma Wenxiang was both amused and exasperated, and quickly replied, "This matter is not up to us; it depends on Her Majesty's decision. Do you two dear sisters really think that ordinary people can decide their own marriages?"
"However, I can swear that from now on, regardless of who is older or younger, one will be the principal wife and the other a concubine, and there will be absolute equality in the family."
"Gender equality is everyone's responsibility."
"I can draw up a written agreement right now, and give it to Her Majesty as a witness. If I, Ma, dare to do anything disrespectful after marrying your two elder sisters, you can file a lawsuit directly with Her Majesty. Is that alright?"
Ma Wenxiang showed his utmost sincerity, and Sun Miaoran's eyes flickered, while Su Qing'er was clearly also moved.
Looking at it this way, this bad man in front of me doesn't seem so bad after all; at least his character is passable.
If it were any other man, he would have taken advantage of them long ago, but he's a little better.
Write it now. Right now.
Su Qing'er urged.
Sun Miaoran didn't say anything, but thoughtfully laid out the Four Treasures of the Study.
It could be said that all the bad things happened to Su Qing'er, and all the good things happened to her; she was definitely making a fortune in silence.
Ma Wenxiang saw this but didn't point it out: Su Qing'er was easy to deal with; despite her loud and boisterous demeanor, she was just a paper tiger. But Sun Miaoran, the older sister next to her...
He's impossible to fathom; he's probably the kind of guy who can keep his own man completely under his thumb.
At this moment, Ma Wenxiang seemed to be able to see his own future.
Could it be that I, Ma, am going to end up like Zhu Chongba, henpecked?
……
Finally, the agreement was signed, in duplicate.
Su Qing'er's copy was kept close to her body, while Sun Miaoran's copy was placed in a small box inlaid with a copper lock.
In their minds, Ma Wenxiang was destined to become a high-ranking official.
This document is extremely useful.
Officials care most about their reputation, and matters concerning their family life are also an important part of the evaluation.
Just then, a palace maid from Kunning Palace rushed in and whispered, "Your Highness, the Fourth Prince requests an audience."
"Please come in quickly, please come in quickly."
Ma Wenxiang slammed his hand on the table and shouted as if he had seen a savior.
If these two older sisters keep tormenting me...
He's probably going to be overwhelmed.
Sun Miaoran glanced at Ma Wenxiang indifferently, her eyes showing a hint of understanding; Su Qing'er then darted in front of him and rattled off everything that had happened in the palace since he left.
The details were clearly explained, including which places had been added to the Imperial Guard Commandery, which matters were temporarily delegated to the palace maids in charge of various palaces, and even the timing of meal delivery from the Imperial Kitchen.
Hearing this, Ma Wenxiang felt even more at ease.
"Don't try anything funny, or even if the Empress forgives you, His Majesty won't."
Su Qing'er puffed out her cheeks, looking threatening, but her eyes held a hint of reluctance.
Ma Wenxiang reached out and pinched her cheek, laughing as he said, "I know, my little wife."
"Pah! Pah! Pah! Who's your concubine?"
Su Qing'er immediately retorted loudly, her face flushed red, her evasive gaze and burning ears revealing her girlish thoughts, "I'm not married to you yet."
"Alright, alright, is that alright now, my first wife?"
Ma Wenxiang turned to Sun Miaoran and continued his flirtatious remarks, "My first wife has to cooperate a lot, or I'll give you a bonus later."
Sun Miaoran blinked, her expression unchanged, as if she was unaffected by his teasing.
In this Kunning Palace, the three of them were at least considered "one of their own." Although their priority was temporarily subordinate to that of Empress Ma, Ma Wenxiang was not particularly unhappy about it.
After all, Empress Ma was from her own family; she couldn't just abandon her relatives after getting married.
Ma Wenxiang is not that narrow-minded.
……
Just then, Zhu Di appeared at the palace gate, dressed in casual clothes, with an upright posture.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
He bowed with his hands clasped in a gesture of respect that was impeccable. His smile was just right, seemingly friendly, but in reality, it was somewhat rigid and lacked genuine emotion.
A thought suddenly flashed through Ma Wenxiang's mind.
Previously, he had to timidly imitate the Empress in Kunning Palace, but now that the Empress has given him special permission, he no longer needs to pretend.
Just like before!
With his identity set up like this, most people wouldn't even dare to think about it, let alone doubt it.
This allowed him to remain in the dark for a full ten days.
"Little Four, you've forgotten so quickly?"
Ma Wenxiang waved his hand, his tone as casual as if he were at home, "What did I tell you before? This is home, we're all family here, do whatever makes you comfortable, no need to be so formal."
talking.
He then looked at Su Qing'er as if it were his right, and ordered imperiously, "Why hasn't the breakfast from the Imperial Kitchen been delivered yet? What kind of behavior is this? Are you all spoiled rotten?"
"Have I been too lenient with them?"
As he spoke, he slapped the table, his smug expression making Su Qing'er roll her eyes. She muttered a few words, but still obediently replied, "This servant will go down and urge them right away."
Seeing Su Qing'er's "unconvinced yet forced to submit" expression, Ma Wenxiang was overjoyed and was preparing to do the same to Sun Miaoran...