Chapter 25: Empress Ma

The great doors of Wu Ying Hall slowly opened.

Zhu Yuanzhang led Zhu Biao and Shiniu out.

Upon reaching the palace exterior, the sunlight was blinding, and Shiniu couldn't help squinting slightly.

"Father, are we going straight to Kunning Palace?"

Zhu Biao asked in a low voice, his gaze occasionally drifting toward Shiniu.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and stepped ahead.

His stride was long, so Shiniu had to quicken to keep up.

They passed through the long palace corridor, flanked by vermilion walls; occasionally palace maids and eunuchs hurried by, kneeling instantly upon seeing the Emperor.

Shiniu, however, seemed somewhat uneasy.

He surveyed the surrounding environment.

Accustomed to the roughness of a military camp, the sudden elegance here made him feel wholly uncomfortable.

Along the way, the floor was paved with gleaming Jin bricks, the walls bore intricately carved patterns, and even the trees beside the path were trimmed neatly.

"Kid, relax a bit; don't be so restrained."

Sensing something, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke without turning his head, his tone a little gentler than in the hall.

Shiniu gave a hum, yet remained stiff.

Zhu Biao walked to his side and whispered, "Don't be nervous; Mother is very kind."

Shiniu gave him a glance.

The boy, who resembled him, spoke gently and elegantly, his eyes clear, truly putting one at ease.

Yet Shiniu still didn't understand why the Emperor was taking him to see the Empress.

They arrived at Kunning Palace.

The palace was slightly smaller than the Wu Ying Hall earlier, but more refined.

Two palace maids stood at the entrance; upon seeing Zhu Yuanzhang they immediately knelt and said, "His Majesty, blessings."

"Is the Empress here?"

"The Empress is inside the hall sewing clothes; I will go report at once."

"No need."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and then walked straight in.

Shiniu followed, stepping over the threshold.

Inside the hall a faint sandalwood incense burned, the furnishings were simple yet exuded elegance.

On the soft couch at the center sat a woman.

She wore plain everyday attire, without makeup, and was busy with needle and thread in her hand...

Hearing footsteps, she lifted her head, and upon seeing Zhu Yuanzhang she smiled gently, saying, "Zhong Ba, did the morning court disperse this early today?"

Then her gaze fell behind Zhu Yuanzhang.

First Zhu Biao, she nodded and said, "Biao'er has also arrived."

Then she saw Shiniu.

Empress Ma's smile froze on her face.

The needle and thread in her hand fell to the floor, producing a sound.

She rose slowly, her eyes fixed on Shiniu's face, her lips trembling slightly.

"This... this is..."

Zhu Yuanzhang stepped forward, supporting her arm, and said, "Young lady, sit down first."

Empress Ma, however, broke free of his hand and walked step by step toward Shiniu.

Her steps were a little unsteady, and Zhu Biao hurried forward to assist.

Shiniu stood in place, watching the Empress approach.

She was about forty years old, with a kindly face, but now her eyes were filled with tears.

"Child... what's your name?" Empress Ma asked, her voice trembling.

"Shiniu."

"How old are you?"

"Fourteen..."

Empress Ma reached out, intending to touch Shiniu's face, but stopped mid‑air.

Her hand trembled.

"Zhong Ba... what on earth is happening?" she turned to Zhu Yuanzhang, tears already streaming down.

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, took the Jade Pendant from his chest and handed it over.

Empress Ma took the Jade Pendant, glanced at it once, then clenched it tightly in her palm.

Her knuckles whitened, she swayed, nearly unable to stand.

Zhu Biao hurriedly helped her sit down.

"Young lady, don't get agitated; the child's foster father said he was found in the twelfth month of the fifteenth year of the Zhizheng era, wearing this Jade Pendant. We've already ordered an investigation to find out what really happened in that war."

Zhu Yuanzhang sat beside her and said.

Empress Ma seemed not to hear, staring only at Shiniu.

Her gaze swept inch by inch over his face, from brow bone to nose bridge, from lips to chin.

"So... so alike... looks exactly like Biao'er, only sturdier..." she murmured to herself.

Shiniu was at a loss for what to do.

He is not used to being stared at like this.

Zhu Biao noticed his unease and said softly, "Mother, you scared him."

Empress Ma finally came to herself, wiped her tears, and tried to calm herself, saying, "Child, don't be afraid. Come, step closer so I can see."

Shiniu glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang, saw the Emperor nod, and then took two steps forward.

Empress Ma examined him carefully, then suddenly said, "Turn around."

Shiniu heard this and was slightly puzzled, but still turned around.

Empress Ma's gaze fell on the back of his neck.

Beneath the collar there, a faint red mark could be seen.

"Wait!" Empress Ma stood up, went behind Shiniu, and gently lifted his collar.

A crescent‑shaped red birthmark was clearly visible.

Empress Ma inhaled a cold gasp and staggered backward, caught by Zhu Biao.

"Mother!" Zhu Biao exclaimed.

Empress Ma pushed him away, stepped forward another step, and with trembling hands touched that birthmark.

Her fingertips were icy; when they touched Shiniu's skin, Shiniu involuntarily drew his neck back.

"It… it's this birthmark… the Cinnabar I marked by hand back then… it's this… right at this spot…" Empress Ma's voice seemed forced out of her throat.

She turned, tears streaming like rain, and said, "Zhong Ba… is Yong Er, our Yong Er."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly rose and said, "Are you sure…"

"I'm sure! This birthmark is the Cinnabar I marked when I gave birth to the two brothers, Biao Er on the left shoulder, Yong Er on the back of the neck, both crescent‑shaped; I remember it perfectly!" Empress Ma said excitedly.

She grabbed Zhu Yuanzhang's arm and said, "And look at his face; it's molded just like Biao Er's, only darker and sturdier…"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Shiniu, then at Zhu Biao.

Indeed, the two standing together had eyebrows, eyes, and nose bridges almost identical.

Only Zhu Biao was whiter, refined and elegant, while Shiniu was rougher and more resolute.

Zhu Biao's eyes also reddened.

He stepped before Shiniu, examined the boy who might be his own younger brother, and the more he looked, the more he felt the resemblance.

Shiniu, surrounded by three people, felt even more uneasy.

He didn't quite understand what had happened, only that Empress Ma was crying sorrowfully, and the Emperor and Crown Prince's gazes toward him had become strange.

"Child… these years… have you been well?" Empress Ma came back again, this time without hesitation, and gently placed her hand on Shiniu's face to ask.

Her palm was warm, bearing a thin callus.

Shiniu froze for a moment, and for some reason did not dodge.

"It's fine, Father treated me well," he answered honestly.

"Your father… I mean, the old man who adopted you, he…"

"He passed away last year," Shiniu said.

Empress Ma's tears welled up again as she said, "I've caused you suffering… my child…"

Shiniu looked at her, puzzled.

Zhu Yuanzhang coughed and said, "Girl, we still can't be certain. I've ordered the Grand Physician to prepare the Blood Kinship Test and sent people to investigate the events of that year. Until it's clarified…"

"What else is there to investigate? The Jade Pendant is his, the birthmark matches, the appearance is identical to Biao Er's, the age fits; how could such a coincidence exist in this world!" Empress Ma said excitedly.

She tightly grasped Shiniu's hand, as if fearing he would run away, and said, "This is my Yong Er; I won't be mistaken. How could a mother ever mistake her own child!"

Zhu Yuanzhang fell silent.

Indeed, it was extremely similar.

So much so that even he, the Emperor who has weathered countless storms, believed in his heart that this was his long‑lost second son.

"Even so, we must complete the procedure; this is royal protocol, and it gives the officials and the people a proper explanation," Zhu Yuanzhang finally said.

Empress Ma also understood this reasoning, yet she could not bear to let go.

She pulled Shiniu onto the soft couch and sat, looking him over from head to toe, alternating between crying and laughing.

"How have you spent these years?" she asked hoarsely.

Shiniu thought for a moment and said, "I followed Father hunting, farmed, and after Father left, I joined the army."

"Joining the army… was war hard?" Empress Ma, feeling tender, touched his hand, which was large and rough, covered with old calluses and scars, and asked.

"Not hard; we had food," Shiniu shook his head and said.

Empress Ma's tears fell again.

The child's words were simple, yet each sentence made her heart ache.

How many hardships must one endure before a simple meal no longer feels like suffering?

Zhu Biao watched from the side, his heart a tangle of feelings.

If this truly is his twin brother, then all these years he has been wandering outside, while he himself has been in the palace…