Seeing that Ma Chao was really sweating as she expected, and had to wipe her sweat with a towel, Princess Wannian was quite proud. But then the scene quickly made her lose it. Because no matter how much sweat Ma Chao shed when he ate the soup cakes, and how hard he wiped his sweat, Princess Wannian saw that Ma Chao's face was not washed down by sweat, or wiped off by a towel. And what surprised Princess Wannian even more was that because of fever and sweating, Ma Chao's originally very fair complexion became even fairer. As a woman, she is not as white as a man, and Princess Wannian feels very frustrated.

Empress Dowager Dong watched with great interest as Ma Chao finished eating the soup cakes. Yesterday, when she heard Princess Wannian put forward this idea, she was also a little curious. But now that I think about it, Empress Dowager Dong began to complain that she was a little old and confused, and she actually followed Princess Wannian to mess around. However, Empress Dowager Dong couldn't help it, because Liu Hong didn't have many heirs, only three, so she gave half of her kindness to Liu Xie and half to Liu Man, the princess of Wannian. Therefore, she easily agreed to Liu Man's request for such nonsense. As for her other grandchild, Liu Wei, she doesn't like it.

Seeing that Ma Chao finished eating the soup cake, Empress Dowager Dong smiled and asked, "What do you think?" ”

Ma Chao put down the lacquer bowl, wiped his sweat with a towel, and said: "It is worthy of being made by a famous chef in the palace, and the minister has nothing left." ”

As soon as she heard this, Princess Liu Man of Wannian looked proud, and Empress Dowager Dong said happily: "I don't know, this soup cake is not made by the kitchen in the palace, but cooked by the stubborn granddaughter of the old woman. ”

Ma Chao was very surprised, and looked at Princess Wannian incredulously. Princess Liu Man of Wannian looked at Ma Chao's surprised look, and was unhappy, and said, "Hey, what are your eyes?" Can't this princess be both naturally beautiful and hardworking? ”

Ma Chao slightly disliked the proud posture of Princess Wannian, but in front of the Queen Mother, he couldn't say anything. can only apologize: "It's because the minister has eyes and doesn't know Mount Tai, please don't mind Your Highness." ”

Princess Wannian said: "This is about the same. You've even eaten Princess Ben's soup cakes! ”

Ma Chao understood that she meant to listen to a word of thanks, so he blurted out: "Oh yes, thank Your Highness for your love." ”

As soon as she heard the word "love", Princess Wannian's face changed, and she said hurriedly: "What do you love or not, this princess doesn't love you!" ”

"Ten thousand years, no rudeness!" Empress Dowager Dong couldn't stand it anymore, and frowned and reprimanded.

Liu Man stuck out his tongue and lowered his head slightly.

The eunuch removed the dishes and chopsticks in front of Ma Chao, and the Empress Dowager Dong said: "The granddaughter of the old woman has been stubborn since she was a child, so you don't have to care about her." ”

The Queen Mother said so, what else can Ma Chao say? Ma Chao said: "His Royal Highness is lively and cute, and he is also excellent. ”

Hearing this, Princess Wannian raised her head and looked at Ma Chao with a satisfied smile.

Empress Dowager Dong said: "Don't talk about her." Today, the old woman summoned Qingqing, do you know why? ”

"The minister is stupid, I don't know."

Empress Dowager Dong's face was plain and full of majesty, and she said slowly: "Since Qing is trusted by the emperor, the old woman will take a good test for the emperor." ”

Ma Chao secretly said that Empress Dowager Dong clearly wanted him, but she wanted to "compare" him, it seemed that she wanted to play the trick of sticks and carrots. Ma Chao didn't want to be controlled by others, and he didn't want to waste time here in Yongle Palace, he also wanted to ask to see Liu Hong as soon as possible and negotiate the deal, which was his top priority.

Ma Chao changed his indifferent and arrogant attitude, stood up from his seat, and said, "Your Majesty doesn't have to waste time. Your Majesty just wants your ministers to bow down to orders, doesn't you? ”

Empress Dowager Dong was so shocked that she opened her mouth slightly, then quickly calmed down and said lightly: "You are very smart. ”

Seeing that Ma Chao was so arrogant and straightforward, Princess Wannian asked angrily, "Hey, you dare to be rude to your grandmother!" ”

"Wannian, shut up!" Empress Dowager Dong turned her face sideways and said sternly.

Princess Wannian had to bow her head aggrievedly.

Ma Chao said: "Your Majesty should know that the minister has 30,000 Xiliang soldiers, and there is also the minister's father behind him who controls the entire sixteen counties of Liangzhou. If the weight is not heavy, I am afraid that the Son of Heaven will not summon his ministers to Shangluo. The minister could have refused to accept the order, but he was still willing to obey the king's order, because the minister had a request from the Son of Heaven. For the monarch and the minister, the minister has different views. The so-called monarch and ministers are the king's rewards to the ministers, and the ministers to the king's loyalty, in the final analysis, this is a transaction. If the deal is not fair, the deal will not be done. Today, His Majesty summoned the minister, and there must be a request for the minister, and the minister guessed correctly, right? ”

Empress Dowager Dong saw that Ma Chao was not easy to fool, so she had to tell the truth: "Not bad." Fang Caiqing said that the reason why Qing went to Luo was because he wanted to make a deal with the emperor. Yi Qing's wisdom should know that if the old woman obstructs and intervenes, Qing will have a lot of trouble. Therefore, if Qing wants to get what he wants, it is best to win the support of the old woman. ”

Ma Chao knew that Empress Dowager Dong's words were not false, and the so-called politics was to make fewer enemies and more friends. If you can win over the Empress Dowager Dong and get her support, then you will have a few more chances of winning and a lot less hidden dangers.

Therefore, Ma Chao bowed slightly to the Empress Dowager Dong and said: "Your Majesty is wise, the minister really needs the support of His Majesty, and the minister needs His Majesty's trust and support without reservation, scruples, and complaints." ”

Empress Dowager Dong smiled with satisfaction again, and she said, "This, the old woman can give to Qing." But I don't know what Qing wants the old woman to do with her support? ”

Ma Chao looked at Fan Ling, Dong Chong, Feng Zhen, Xia Yun and others, the stakes were very high, and he couldn't be cautious.

Empress Dowager Dong said: "The four of them are all the old woman's confidants for many years, so you can rest assured." ”

Ma Chao nodded, and looked at Princess Wannian suspiciously. Ma Chao didn't suspect that she was leaning towards any political force, but he was afraid that she was just a casual girl after all, such an important matter, what if she said something leaked?

Princess Liu Man of Wannian saw that Ma Chao was not at ease with him, and said dissatisfiedly: "What do you see? This princess is the closest person to my grandmother, and you actually guard against this princess? Isn't it, grandmother? In the end, Liu Man smiled again and took the hand of the Empress Dowager Dong.

Empress Dowager Dong was so angry that she gently slapped the back of Princess Wannian's hand, and Princess Wannian gasped in pain, "Hiss! Grandmother and granddaughter are also good for you! Why do you beat people, how embarrassing it is in front of outsiders......"

Empress Dowager Dong ignored Liu Man, she knew Ma Chao's concerns, and said: "Don't worry, although Wannian is a little willful, there is still some proportion. ”

Ma Chao nodded and said, "It's the minister's case, and I ask Your Majesty to forgive me." ”

Empress Dowager Dong said lightly: "Okay, Qing can say it." ”