BSI Chapter 5 The Ceremony of Conferment
Chapter 5 The Ceremony of Conferment
After a few words, Ma Wenxiang dismissed the guests.
He didn't want to be the villain, but in order to live a peaceful life in the palace in the future, he had to make an example of him to deter others.
Empress Ma was the mother of the nation, and her majesty and power were unmatched. Yet, even so, there were still villains who deliberately provoked her.
If Ma Wenxiang doesn't take swift and decisive action, the troubles he'll face in the palace for the next few decades are unimaginable.
……
Consort Hu, accompanied by Zhu Zhen, left Kunning Palace shortly afterward.
Their figures were spotted by Mao Xiang and a group of men from the Imperial Guard Commandery, who were secretly watching them.
Mao Xiang's gaze narrowed slightly. He noticed that Consort Hu was walking with a limp, and that the Sixth Prince Zhu Zhen was covering his small hands and blowing on them from time to time. He had already made some guesses in his mind.
He then went to Kunning Palace to inquire carefully before finally returning to Qianqing Palace and telling them everything.
"Hahaha!!!"
Inside the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang's rare, loud laughter rang out, his voice booming and clear, a sound that was both joyful and heartfelt.
"The girl is still the same girl. She can help fight enemies on the battlefield and secure the rear. How could mere palace affairs be a problem for her?"
"In the past, it was just that my sister was kind-hearted and ignored it. Now, with just a little effort, she can keep the palace peaceful for a long time."
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, his face glowing, even more delighted than after finishing dealing with the affairs of the previous dynasty.
He had already finished his lunch and didn't ask the kitchen to reheat it. He simply had a bowl of hot soup to fill his stomach.
Zhu Yuanzhang sat down again, slamming his fist on the table in front of him, making a loud "bang bang" sound.
He reviewed the situation again, but couldn't help frowning once more: "But the girl was still a bit too soft-hearted. Provoking the Empress is no small crime."
"Mao Xiang, convey my decree: Consort Hu is to be temporarily confined to the Cold Palace. If she shows remorse, she will be released back to Yongshou Palace in half a month; if she shows no remorse, the confinement period will be extended."
"Your humble servant obeys."
Mao Xiang withdrew in response.
Zhu Yuanzhang gradually suppressed his smile and closed his eyes briefly to rest.
There are still many official matters to be dealt with this afternoon. According to the usual schedule, they should be dealt with until at least 1-3 PM before they can be barely resolved. Otherwise, if they pile up until tomorrow, the number of official matters will only increase, not decrease.
……
Kunning Palace.
After resolving the matter of Consort Hu, Ma Wenxiang's pent-up frustration completely dissipated, and he was now practicing the Eight Pieces of Brocade with Zhu Di.
The most basic and gentlest movement in health-preserving exercises.
"Hold up the sky with both hands to regulate the three jiaos. Inhale when lifting up and exhale when lowering down. Guide the qi with your form and lead the qi with your mind, so that the body and form become one."
Ma Wenxiang's movements were precise and his breathing was smooth, all to help Zhu Di learn as quickly as possible.
He deliberately slowed down his movements so that the feeling of stretching in his body could be felt more promptly and clearly.
Although Zhu Di was at an age when he was very active, he was able to remain calm and composed under the tutelage of Empress Ma over the years.
After completing a set of Eight Pieces of Brocade exercises, Ma Wenxiang finished the routine.
Seeing no further action, Zhu Di pouted and mustered his courage to ask, "Mother, what is the purpose of practicing these things?"
"This is the way to maintain good health."
As Ma Wenxiang spoke, he began to practice a new set of Baduanjin exercises. "The key to health preservation is perseverance. If you practice it for a long time, it can prolong life and strengthen your body."
Zhu Di also practiced alongside him, but only once.
He memorized about 70-80% of it, and now even without following Ma Wenxiang, he can practice it quite well.
At just over ten years old, he paid no attention to the concept of "health preservation" and was not intimidated by Ma Wenxiang's words.
"Gurgle."
A sudden rumble came from his stomach, and Zhu Di blushed.
"Is Xiao Si hungry?"
Ma Wenxiang smoothly withdrew from the position, touched his somewhat empty stomach, and chuckled, "Qing'er, go to the Imperial Kitchen and remember to prepare plenty of meat."
"From now on, the expenses of Kunning Palace will be the same as those of other palaces and gardens, and there is no need to deliberately save money."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Su Qing'er was overjoyed and quickly made the arrangements.
Not long after, Ma Wenxiang's stomach also started to rumble.
He sighed and abandoned his original health regimen.
I never expected this.
Just practicing a few sets of Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade) resulted in such a strong physical reaction; the rate of energy depletion is far too fast.
Of course, it is also very likely that it is related to the fact that there was not much food eaten before.
"He died before he could even begin to cultivate his health."
"Looks like I'll need to have an extra meal and replenish my energy before anything else."
Not long after, Su Qing'er returned with the meal prepared by the Imperial Kitchen.
The stone table was filled to the brim with food.
Ma Wenxiang looked at her.
Su Qing'er took a small step back, head bowed, already prepared to be scolded, but still subconsciously explained in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I think the Fourth Prince is at the age where he is growing, so I ordered a little more..."
"Your Majesty, please punish me. It was indeed a bit extravagant and wasteful."
But then, the expected reprimand didn't come. Instead, Ma Wenxiang praised her, saying, "Qing'er did well. It was my oversight just now. Xiao Si really needs to grow taller, especially, otherwise he might have a hard time finding a wife in the future."
While laughing, Ma Wenxiang picked up a meat pie from the plate next to him, placed it in front of Zhu Di, and then ladled him a bowl of fragrant mutton soup.
"Thank you, Mother."
Zhu Di picked up the meat pie.
They rolled up lamb and scallions inside and ate it with great relish.
He does have some potential to be a "mukbang" streamer.
After watching for a few moments, Ma Wenxiang's mouth watered, and he couldn't resist joining in.
Halfway through the meal, we realized there was still quite a bit left.
Ma Wenxiang then distributed the items directly to Su Qing'er, Sun Miaoran, and other eunuchs and maids in the palace.
In the past, Kunning Palace also had the rule of serving food separately, but it was after the meal rather than during the meal. Although the difference was not significant, it was still somewhat unexpected.
The people of Kunning Palace were surprised for a moment, then took the food and ate it heartily, finding it fragrant and delicious.
……
Just as Ma Wenxiang was gradually regaining his strength and feeling warmer, Xu Da and Tang He, who had not yet been granted the title of Duke, were sitting opposite each other in a rather luxurious mansion in the capital.
The two men, with their swords drawn and horses poised, still maintained the demeanor of military generals.
However, compared to their former status as captains, they could now be considered powerful figures in the Ming Dynasty, dressed in silk casual clothes, and already possessing a certain air of nobility.
"I heard from the palace that the investiture ceremony will be held in the capital soon. My brothers can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. With your past merits, Tiande, you're at least a Duke."
Tang He, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, exuded a somewhat unruly air as he devoured the fatty meat with great relish.
Xu Da had a square face and his eyes were full of righteousness. His movements were much more refined than Tang He's, and he spoke with more caution: "It depends on the Emperor and Empress's wishes. As a subject, I dare not speak recklessly."