Ming Dynasty: Empress Ma and I swapped clothes!

Chapter 145 Another Liu Bowen!!!

"That's enough."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed deeply, realizing that one cannot achieve multiple goals at once.

At this moment, Zhu Biao suddenly spoke up: "Father, you've misspoke."

"Where did you say something wrong?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was quite puzzled by the birth of his crown prince and was also curious about what other explanations he could come up with at this moment.

"When Ma Wenxiang enters the court as an official in the future, I'm afraid his mother in the palace will not be Li Shanchang in the court, but rather the Imperial Censor, Master Qingtian, the Earl of Chengyi, Liu Bowen."

"He is like Mr. Bowen, occasionally showing a bit of laziness. He has never been willing to care about the affairs of the dynasty and the country. Unless His Majesty appoints him, he will probably try to avoid it if possible."

Zhu Biao's vivid description made Zhu Yuanzhang burst into laughter.

Many things don't seem significant when you don't think about them carefully, but upon closer examination, the similarities are truly remarkable.

That rascal really does resemble Liu Bowen in some ways.

"It's perfect timing. Let him, the Censor-in-Chief, be the chief examiner for this first imperial examination. It will also help them forge a teacher-student relationship."

Zhu Yuanzhang had a love-hate relationship with Liu Bowen.

What Zhu Yuanzhang loved was that Liu Bowen was not power-hungry. Although he was willing to display his talents, it would not affect his imperial rule. In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang recognized Liu Bowen's ability to govern the Ming Dynasty. What he hated was that he felt Liu Bowen looked down on them, these commoners, for his aloof and arrogant style.

Despite Liu Bowen's diligent service to Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yuanzhang harbored a deep-seated resentment towards him.

He simply cannot be completely at ease.

"Father is wise."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly again.

"However, this kid is a bit different from Liu Bowen. This kid is just like us, a peasant. But he's just a little luckier, as he happened to be born during the peaceful and prosperous Ming Dynasty, which is why he was able to study."

"Otherwise, given his family's circumstances, it would be a pipe dream for him to want to study during the Northern Yuan period."

Zhu Yuanzhang, in a moment of self-praise, ended up praising himself instead of Ma Wenxiang.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao smiled slightly again and said, "Father is wise."

As a son, he couldn't possibly expose his own father's shortcomings; that would be truly inappropriate.

"Your Majesty... no, it should be you. How can this person still be in bed so early? So lazy, how can he possibly serve the nation in the future?"

Early in the morning, Su Qing'er came to Ma Wenxiang and subconsciously addressed him in this way. After addressing him, she immediately corrected herself and then looked at him with a pout.

Ma Wenxiang waved his hand, then chuckled and said, "Entering the court to become an official is a must. However, it's a place with high pay, little work, and close to home. It's a place with high position, great power, and light responsibility. Once I've been in office for a year or two and made a fortune, I'll resign and stay here at the Imperial Academy."

"They are the real God of Wealth, no one would be so blind as to offend us."

Ma Wenxiang's words, though seemingly reasonable, were undeniably lacking in ambition.

Sun Miaoran walked over slowly. Although she arrived late, she felt relieved when she heard Ma Wenxiang's thoughts.

While she may indeed lack ambition, it must be said that this kind of behavior and approach is what ensures the stability of her home and puts her future family at ease.

Although she wasn't the first wife, being the second wife was quite good for someone of her background, especially considering the special privileges granted by the emperor.

The future Madam Ma will become the principal wife of the Ma family.

As for Sun Miaoran and Su Qing'er, they were both confidants of Empress Ma, and their camps were on the same side from the beginning, so there was no need for them to boost the morale of others and diminish their own.

In the future, given our similar interests, we will be of the same ilk.

Moreover, Sun Miaoran also knew some face reading and could see that Ma Wenxiang's eyes were full of affection, undoubtedly a pair of peach blossom eyes. In the future, he would probably not only have these few female confidantes in this house, but he might even marry another wife someday.

At this moment, Su Qing'er was so angry at Ma Wenxiang's words that she put her hands on her hips and couldn't recover for a long time. Then, seeing Sun Miaoran walking over, she acted coquettishly and pleaded, "Sister Miaoran, please lend a hand and help us pull this bad man up, okay?"

"I really can't move him by myself."

Sun Miaoran smiled slightly at the request and was quite happy to agree.

So the two of them exerted their strength.

Ma Wenxiang escaped from the bedding that seemed to be sealed by primordial power.

Then came another flurry of activity, and just as he was having breakfast, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of soup: "What did you say?"

"A whistleblower office has already been set up, and palace maids have even collected a large amount of evidence against Marquis Wuding, as well as other marquises from the previous dynasty?"

"Does this palace maid have a death wish?"

Ma Wenxiang was stunned once again, and he really didn't expect that anyone would have such audacity.

Su Qing'er then pursed her lips, disliking Ma Wenxiang's behavior even more.

Sun Miaoran then took out a handkerchief to wipe Ma Wenxiang's mouth and explained at length: "This action was taken by the people of the Marquis of Wuding's mansion when they had no other choice."

Under normal circumstances, one would never do something so foolish.

However, recently, the Imperial Guards have been conducting a thorough investigation in the palace, and given the incriminating evidence against the Marquis of Wuding's family, it is bound to be uncovered no matter what.

Rather than waiting until he was imprisoned, he figured it was better to turn himself in at this newly established whistleblower office and try to get leniency. It was his only chance, and he had no other choice.

Upon hearing this, Ma Wenxiang nodded slightly in understanding. After all, even a cornered dog will jump over a wall, and a cornered rabbit will bite. Thinking about it this way, it makes sense.

But then Ma Wenxiang glanced at the two men in front of him and gave an embarrassed smile: "This matter doesn't concern me as much as you might think?"

"What do you think? This whistleblower office was someone's idea. If Marquis Wuding and Marquis Changxing don't survive this ordeal, Your Majesty will indeed be in trouble."

"Hehehe."

Ma Wenxiang was initially terrified, but then he quickly thought about it.

How is that possible?

He is the master of the six palaces. Although he is not real, how could Marquis Wuding and Marquis Changxing possibly know?

So, Ma Wenxiang calmed down once again.

At this moment, he could vaguely guess what Sun Miaoran and Su Qing'er were thinking, but they were completely wrong.