Upon seeing the words "Iron Voucher," Empress Ma felt an incomparable shock, a chill even creeping down her spine.
Zhu Yuanzhang indeed had such intentions.
The problem was that only the two of them knew of this. When they discussed the matter, they had specifically dismissed all the attendants. Furthermore, they had only spoken of it that once and never mentioned it again.
How could Ma Yu have known?
A guess?
This was not like moving the capital. While the relocation of the capital was discreet, one with sufficient insight could deduce it. In fact, many in the court hoped for the administrative center to be in the north; otherwise, Zhu Yuanzhang would not have decided to go to Kaifeng for an inspection so quickly.
The Iron Voucher was different; it had nothing to do with the overall situation. If he had truly deduced it, it meant he possessed an incredibly profound understanding of Zhu Yuanzhang. To have everything seen through by a person of unknown origin was a terrifying thing. Especially for a monarch, it represented a grave danger.
If, at the beginning, she had only felt a sliver of curiosity toward Ma Yu, it had now transformed into a necessity to uncover everything about him. Otherwise, she would find no peace of mind.
Thinking of this, she set down the intelligence report and said to the attendants, "All of you, withdraw. No one is to approach within thirty paces of the great hall. Those who disobey will be beaten to death."
"Yes." The trembling attendants filed out, and soon only the mother and son remained in the hall.
Empress Ma turned her gaze to Zhu Biao and said, "Do you have questions you wish to ask me?"
Zhu Biao said sternly, "Yes, is the Iron Voucher real?"
Empress Ma thought, *As expected.* Aloud, she replied, "Your father and I did indeed consider rewarding our meritorious officials with the Iron Voucher. But it was absolutely not because we were stingy or short of funds. The court is short on money, but not so impoverished that we cannot afford to reward our officials. We did this because we were mindful of their arduous efforts and great contributions, hoping they could share in the hardships and prosperity of the Great Ming."
Zhu Biao certainly would not doubt his own mother, but he did not trust his father. It is said that no one knows a son like his father, but often, the reverse is also true. He knew his father too well—as Ma Yu had said, he was suspicious, sensitive, fond of killing, and enjoyed using eloquent arguments to intimidate others. Except for his mother, no one could make him yield even half a step. Many times, he could not even tolerate his father's temper.
The matter of discarding the millstone once the donkey is slaughtered...
Zhu Biao dared not continue thinking. He was afraid that if he did, it would destroy the image of his father in his heart. Suppressing his unfilial thoughts, he asked with confusion, "But how did Ma Yu find out about this? If he could even guess this, then it is far too terrifying."
Hearing this, Empress Ma sighed deeply in her heart. On any other day, Zhu Biao would surely have said with admiration how wise and benevolent his parents were. But not this time; he had asked directly how Ma Yu guessed it. Clearly, suspicion had already taken root in his heart.
Thinking of this, she felt a burning resentment toward Ma Yu. *It is all because you, brat, are spouting nonsense, causing my well-behaved son to doubt his parents.*
However, some things only backfire if one tries too hard to explain them. Mostly, she did not want to use parental authority to force her son into submission. She hoped to reach a consensus through equal exchange. Therefore, she could only suppress her emotions and follow Zhu Biao’s lead: "Yes, that is also what worries me the most. There are too many suspicious points about him. You were right not to act rashly before."
Hearing that his mother finally understood him, Zhu Biao felt much more at ease. He stopped discussing the Iron Voucher and asked, "How do you intend to deal with him?"
Empress Ma said solemnly, "I do not believe he is merely a beggar. Have the Gongwei Guard continue to investigate. We must get to the bottom of his background, or I shall not be at ease."
"I will dispatch more men to investigate immediately," Zhu Biao nodded slightly, then asked, "Do we need to inform my father about this?"
Empress Ma shook her head and said, "Better not tell him for now, lest it distract him."
Zhu Biao was not surprised by her decision. "Lest it distract him"—that was clearly a fear that his father would do something irrational. But there was no need to speak too clearly about some things.
"As for my second brother and Chang Mao, do we need to bring them out?"
Empress Ma countered, "What do you think?"
Zhu Biao said in a low voice, "Since Ma Yu is willing to share such secrets with my second brother, we might as well let him stay there for a while longer. Perhaps he will spill more astonishing remarks, or even reveal his own origins. I am actually more worried about Chang Mao; if he hears something he shouldn't and goes around talking, it might cause unnecessary trouble."
Empress Ma said, "Very well, let the second one stay in prison for a few more days, lest Ma Yu shuts his mouth if we let him out. As for Chang Mao, find an opportunity to release him."
Zhu Biao nodded, a look of hesitation on his face. Empress Ma, knowing her son's thoughts, said, "You want to see Ma Yu?"
Zhu Biao replied, "Nothing can be hidden from you. I wish to see him personally; perhaps I can extract some useful intelligence."
Empress Ma could not help but sigh in her heart; truly, a grown son is no longer under his mother’s control. It was true that he wanted to gather intelligence, but it was also true that he wanted to ask about the Iron Voucher. She wanted to stop him from acting for fear that Ma Yu would say something else shocking, but she knew that if she truly stopped him, it would only further fuel the suspicion in her son's heart.
She could only pretend to be unaware and say, "Very well. With your cleverness, I trust you will be able to find out something."
***
That night, Empress Ma did not sleep; she read the intelligence report over and over again. Her son's suspicious gaze kept surfacing in her mind. Compared to the former, it was the latter that worried her more. She did not want her son to have any misunderstandings about his parents, and she could not accept that result.
She did not blame Zhu Biao for not trusting his parents; it was just that Ma Yu’s words were too rigorous and well-reasoned. He appeared to speak casually, but every conclusion had a detailed inferential process. The key was that he had hit the mark on every result. This, in turn, made his reasoning seem even more convincing.
Yet, God is her witness, she truly had no intention of "killing the hound once the hare is caught." *Sigh, I just hope Ma Yu doesn't spout any more nonsense tomorrow. Otherwise, if he corrupts Biao'er, I will not forgive him,* Empress Ma thought with annoyance.
On the other side, Zhu Biao was also suffering from insomnia. Firstly, it was because he had actually begun to doubt his father, filling his heart with guilt. Secondly, it was because of Ma Yu’s final judgment on the Iron Voucher—that it was a "death warrant from the King of Hell," and that those who possessed it would surely die.
Was his father truly a man who would tear down the bridge after crossing it? What unsettled him was that he had not immediately denied it. In fact, if he understood psychology, he would have realized he was simply in the phase of intellectual formation—a stage of questioning rules, parents, and teachers, known as the rebellious phase. If he weren't in that phase, he would not have been so easily moved by a few words from a stranger. Because he did not understand this, the conflict between filial piety and his suspicion of his father left him in deep torment.
***
The next day, Zhu Biao first accompanied Empress Ma to receive the officials, and once he confirmed there were no major issues, he used an excuse to leave. He then went in disguise to the Yingtian Prefecture Prison.
Back when Ma Yu had spoken of moving the capital, he had already ordered his men to clear out the surrounding cells discreetly, so as not to be overheard. Thus, when he entered, he was not afraid of being disturbed.
He did not go directly to the cell but first had Zhu Shuang and Chang Mao brought out.
Seeing him, Zhu Shuang was not surprised and just greeted him casually, "Big Brother, you're here."
Zhu Biao was about to speak, but saw Chang Mao rush forward, grab his leg, and wail, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, you've finally come! I was wrong, I won't be foolish anymore, please let me out. You don't know... it's too terrifying, that Ma Yu's mouth is just too terrifying!"
Looking at his brother-in-law, who was covered in snot and tears, Zhu Biao was left between laughter and tears. However, knowing the boy was afraid meant there was still hope. He had intended to give him a lesson, but now there was no need, so he said gently, "Don't be afraid. You can leave with me in a moment. Go wait outside; I have things to discuss with my second brother."
Upon hearing he was being taken away, Chang Mao was overjoyed. He scrambled up and hurried toward the gate, as if afraid Zhu Biao would forget him.
When Chang Mao was far away, Zhu Biao turned to Zhu Shuang, only to find him looking indifferent. He said helplessly, "You... what am I to say? Can't you just let Mother worry a little less?"
Zhu Shuang retorted unhappily, "Big Brother, you're wronging me. I didn't do anything in prison. If Mother is still worried even when I'm like this, then there's nothing I can do."
"You..." Zhu Biao was truly angry now, and he reprimanded, "If you truly wanted Mother to rest easy, you should be in the palace studying martial arts and literature, not running off to prison to stir up trouble."
Zhu Shuang stiffened his neck and said, "I'm not stirring up trouble! Study, study, study! Archery and riding, military strategy, the Four Books and Five Classics... I wake up at three in the morning and go to sleep at five. Do you know how bitter and exhausting that is? It's better here in prison; no one forces me to do anything, and I can rest to my heart's content."
Zhu Biao was so angry he laughed. "Bitter? Exhausting? As a prince, you say you have it bitter? When you say that, have you ever thought about the common people of the world? Which commoner doesn't have it ten thousand times harder than you? Who should they go to complain to?"
"Tired of it? Father works himself to the bone for our family and for the world, sleeping only two or three hours a day. Mother manages the vast imperial palace and struggles to cultivate the court. When Father is off on a campaign, she holds the family together, also sleeping only two or three hours a day. The things you learn, I also learn. Not only do I have to study, but I also have to help Mother share the burden of state affairs so she can rest a little more. If we're talking about being tired, who among us is not more tired than you? Do we not have more right to complain than you do?"
Zhu Shuang was rendered speechless, a sense of guilt rising in his heart. But he was in his rebellious phase; even knowing he was wrong, he could not bring himself to admit it. He just turned his gaze away, feigning an unconvinced expression.
After saying this, Zhu Biao felt a pang of regret, feeling he had been too harsh. He softened his tone and said, "I didn't say these things to blame you. You are still young and the time has not come for you to shoulder responsibilities. I only hope you understand that being born into the royal family makes us very fortunate. If we don't work hard to grasp all of this, it will be too late to regret it when we lose it."
Looking at his earnest elder brother and recalling everything from the past, Zhu Shuang felt a complicated mix of emotions. In truth, there was only a year's difference between them, but his elder brother had been playing the role of a father. He was thousands of times more tired than himself, yet he had never uttered a single complaint.
And looking at himself...
Thinking of this, he finally lowered his head and said, "Big Brother, say no more. When I go back, I will study hard and not let Mother and you worry."
Zhu Biao knew he was proud, and for him to say such things meant he had admitted his fault. He said happily, "Good, good, good. My second brother has finally grown up. Mother will be very happy to hear this."
Zhu Shuang's expression was unnatural, and he quickly changed the subject: "You came to the prison to see Ma Yu, didn't you?"
*Otherwise, you could just send two men to release him; why bother coming to the prison yourself? Do you think it's that easy for the Crown Prince to leave the palace?*
Zhu Biao pretended not to notice his embarrassment and nodded: "Yes. You have had the most contact with him. What do you think of him?"
Zhu Shuang thought for a moment and said, "He is a very strange person. Unspeakably strange."
Zhu Biao pressed, "Tell me in detail."
Zhu Shuang said, "His knowledge is extremely broad. Astronomy, calendars, military strategy, governing and civil affairs—he has dabbled in all of them. He shows great maturity in some aspects, yet he is extremely childish in others. He is ignorant of things common in daily life, even more so than me. It's as if he were the one raised in the deep palace. He is extremely disgusted with Father, yet holds Mother in very high esteem..."
He mentioned several details to support his words. Some were things Ma Yu had revealed inadvertently, others were ones he had coaxed out through probing. These were not in the intelligence report, and Zhu Biao listened with great care.
Through Zhu Shuang's description, a silhouette of Ma Yu gradually formed in his heart. He was indeed a very strange person. He was clearly a beggar, yet he acted like an ignorant youth who had just walked out of a high-walled courtyard, knowing nothing of the world.
Thinking of this, Zhu Biao asked again, "Do you think what he said makes sense? Can he be of use to the Great Ming?"
Zhu Shuang shook his head quickly: "I don't even understand statecraft myself, so how would I know if his words are useful? But he was able to deduce Father's true purpose in going to Kaifeng, so he must have some real ability."
Mentioning this, he seemed to remember something and asked, "Is the thing about the Iron Voucher true?"
Zhu Biao nodded, his expression grave. "That is the reason I came to see him."
Zhu Shuang couldn't help but gasp. He had thought it was just ramblings, but it was actually true. That was a huge problem. He didn't care in the slightest whether his father would "discard the millstone," nor did he feel there was anything wrong with it. What did it matter if an Emperor killed a few people?
What shocked him was that Ma Yu could actually guess even such things. It was too dangerous.
"You... how does Mother intend to deal with him? Will she kill him?"
Zhu Biao shook his head slightly and said, "I will make my decision after I have seen him."