The war in the south was calmed, and Zhu Yuanzhang had more time to spend with his family. On this day, everyone gathered in the dining room to eat, and suddenly bad news came, Zhang Shicheng took advantage of the unpreparedness of others, hanged himself, and the jailer in charge of guarding him knew that he was guilty, and he also committed suicide in fear of the crime.

"This dog thief, this king has the heart to spare him from death, and he still does this, and his death will make this king bear the reputation of being unkind. Come, burn his body to ashes, scatter it at the gates of the city, and let thousands of people trample it down! Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely angry and took the case.

The women and children in the room were suddenly silent, and they didn't dare to make a sound. There were two young children who were just about to puff their mouths, but they were taken down by their mothers.

Ma Xiuying knew that she couldn't eat this meal, so she hurriedly asked everyone to go back to their rooms, so she comforted Zhu Yuanzhang, "Lord Wang, don't be angry with your body for others, and scare the child." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang said indignantly: "Except for no freedom, I have never treated him badly in other aspects." If I had known that he would die without repentance, I should not have wasted my energy. ”

"A man dies like a lamp goes out, so why bother with a dead man? The most despicable thing about destroying people's corpses is that you might as well bury Zhang Shicheng alive and explain the reason, so that the world can see clearly that you are not that unkind person. Ma Xiuying thought to herself, if there is no freedom, no relatives to accompany her, and she is imprisoned all her life, it is really better to live like this than to die. A generation of heroes has fallen to such a point, and it has to be sympathized.

Zhu Yuanzhang cares most about people's hearts, listened to Ma Xiuying's words, calmed down and said: "Forget it, scheming with a dead person will make me fall behind,"

Ma Xiuying glanced at Xun Ying, "Go and summon Yuan Xinglai, just say that Wang Yenian has been in Su for more than ten years before Zhang Shicheng's death, protecting the territory and the people, lightly dismissing the meager endowment, and doing a lot of good things for the people, which is a big husband, and let Yuan Xing bury Zhang Shicheng on behalf of the prince." He asked Zhu Yuanzhang again, "Does the prince think it's good to arrange like this?" ”

"Hmm." Zhu Yuanzhang snorted, which was a tacit acquiescence, he knew that Ma Xiuying wanted to promote Yuan Xing like this.

After Yuan Xingcheng became a parent, Ma Xiuying asked for a position of lieutenant general in the army for him, and the official position was not too high, so he could be regarded as self-reliant. During this period, the battle in Pingjiang was nearing its end, and other places were also tentatively scheduled for war. Military generals can't be promoted without military merits, so Yuan Xing stayed tepid in the position of Zhonglang general, and Ma Xiuying asked him to handle Zhang Shicheng's funeral on behalf of Zhu Yuanzhang, just to raise his prestige and let him gradually enter the eyes of the world.

Xun Ying immediately arranged for someone to summon Yuan Xing in the army, and when Zhu Yuanzhang left, she said casually to Ma Xiuying, "I heard that Zhang Shicheng has been on hunger strike to death, and I thought he would starve to death first, but I didn't expect him to hang himself, so it can be seen that he really doesn't want to live." ”

"What did you say?" Ma Xiuying raised her head suddenly, her eyes wide.

Xun Ying hurriedly repeated, "Is there something wrong?" ”

"Of course!" Ma Xiuying raised her voice, "Since Zhang Shicheng chose to go on a hunger strike, why did he hang himself, besides, he has been on a hunger strike for many days, how can he have the strength to hang himself, and he can successfully avoid the surveillance of the guards?" You let Yuan Xing come to me after seeing the prince. Out of professional sensitivity, she became suspicious of Zhang Shicheng's unnatural death.

Xun Ying welcomed Yuan Xing into the mansion and whispered: "The prince is in a bad mood, you have to deal with it carefully." In addition, the princess has something to say to you. ”

"I see, thank you for your advice." After Yuan Xing became married, his arrogant personality was somewhat restrained, his actions were more stable, and his demeanor and etiquette were readily available, and he visited Zhu Yuanzhang first, and never mentioned what Ma Xiuying was looking for him.

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly dissipated his anger, and when he saw Yuan Xing, he said, "I guess you have heard about Zhang Shicheng's death. Lone sent you to deal with his funeral. Remember to bury Zhang Shicheng thickly, so that the world will know that I, Zhu Yuanzhang, am not the narrow-minded person. ”

"Weichen understands that he will not live up to the prince's order." Yuan Xing arched his hand, he knew that Zhu Yuanzhang's purpose was not only to bury Zhang Shicheng, but also to let the people and soldiers know that Zhu Yuanzhang was a benevolent and righteous man who could repay grievances with virtue.

"There you go." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction.

Yuan Xing followed Xunying to the garden, and saw that the tea was lukewarm, obviously Ma Xiuying had been waiting for a long time. He stopped and asked softly, "Sister, what's the matter?" ”

Ma Xiuying motioned for him to sit down, looked at him a few times before saying, "It seems that someone to take care of it is different, this new robe was just made by your daughter-in-law, right?" ”

Yuan Xing's face turned red and stammered: "Xiao Miao, she is very diligent......"

Ma Xiuying warned pointedly: "I heard that you often don't go home in the barracks? Hmph, don't take other people's care for granted, people are mutual, always shaving their heads and burdens are hot, no one can stand it after a long time, the Yuan family still expects you to pass on the ancestry! ”

"I see......" Yuan Xing's head was lowered to the instep of his foot.

Ma Xiuying snorted, "Don't just say you know, but also take action, and let me hear your words that you are not at home......"

Yuan Xing hurriedly interrupted her words and begged, "Sister, I'll go back in the evening......"

Ma Xiuying nodded, "Okay, I won't say it, lest someone look for cracks everywhere." ”

Even if Xun Ying covered his mouth, he couldn't hide the sneering laughter leaking out.

"Sister!" Yuan Xing raised his voice slightly, and his face was redder than a monkey's fart.

Seeing that his face couldn't hold back, Ma Xiuying's words changed, "I have something to do with you." ”

"What?" When it came to business, Yuan Xing's expression became solemn.

"When you bury Zhang Shicheng, pay attention to his corpse, there is something wrong."

"Sister mean?"

Ma Xiuying frowned slightly, "Your brother-in-law has already ordered to guard Zhang Shicheng to guard the good student, but he was able to find a gap to hang himself, I think this matter is a bit strange." ”

Yuan Xing raised his eyebrows, and understood, "Sister, don't worry, I'll go and find out." ”

After Yuan Xing left, Xun Ying asked: "Why doesn't the master directly tell the prince about your suspicions, if Yuan Xing goes to investigate, he will definitely not be able to hide it from the prince." ”

Ma Xiuying's eyes were slightly cold, "Tell him directly, he may be making a big move again, it's better to find out the matter first." Besides, I just want the prince to know about this, and I don't want someone to secretly make some small moves behind his back. ”

"Oh." Xun Ying followed behind Ma Xiuying in an understandable way.

Zhu Yuanzhang saw the two of them come in and asked, "I heard that you met Yuan Xing just now?" ”

Ma Xiuying smiled, "Yuan Xing's boss has no descendants, so I can't urge him." There is no elder in the family to take care of things, only I am worried. ”

"You, it's just a worrying life, worrying about the affairs of the house, and worrying about his affairs, so that you can rest well and always don't listen." Zhu Yuanzhang said with a little dissatisfaction that since Ma Xiuying was injured, his body has become weak and often sick, and he really doesn't want to let Ma Xiuying overwork.

"He's my brother-in-law, and he's not an outsider, I don't care who cares about him?" Ma Xiuying pursed her mouth, she and Yuan Xing have relied on each other for many years, although they are not related by blood, they are better than sisters and brothers, and Zhu Yuanzhang is not unaware.

"Okay, okay, he's your brother-in-law, and he's also my brother-in-law, so he's in charge." Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head dotingly, and coaxed Ma Xiuying's words, who told him not to see Ma Xiuying unhappy.

"Of course, I'm such a younger brother, so I naturally hope he is well." Ma Xiuying muttered a few words, which can be regarded as revealing the matter.