The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand: "Get up, what are you pretending to be so obedient in front of us for?"

Li Jinglong quickly got up from the ground, grinning and saying, "Hehe, my great-uncle still loves me the most."

"Your father's matter ends here," Zhu Yuanzhang sighed. "He is our nephew, and we also want him to shine through the ages."

"Your Majesty is wise!" Li Jinglong bowed. "My admiration for Your Majesty is like a surging river, endless and unstoppable, like the Yellow River overflowing its banks!"

Zhu Yuanzhang snapped, "Get lost!"

"Okay, get out of here right now!"

Li Jinglong turned and left, his actions swift and decisive.

"stop!"

Li Jinglong's feet were dangling in mid-air. He turned around, his smile more like a grimace: "Your Majesty, is there anything else?"

"You've accomplished your task." Zhu Yuanzhang raised an eyebrow. "We have something for you to do."

Li Jinglong's face immediately fell: "Your Majesty, what can I do? Find someone else."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled knowingly: "Weren't you quite capable just now? You were talking about Huo Qubing and how he illuminates the ages, you had a whole repertoire of stories to tell. I see you're quite clever."

"That concerns our father," Li Jinglong said with a bitter face. "Your Majesty, you know me. I'm just a stupid good-for-nothing who can't do anything."

Zhu Yuanzhang shrugged: "An incompetent fool? Then you shouldn't inherit the title of Duke of Cao. What use is a duke like this to us?"

"No!" Li Jinglong stepped forward. "Though I am foolish, I am wise! My loyalty to Your Majesty is unwavering, and heaven and earth can bear witness!"

Zhu Yuanzhang scoffed, "If they don't even help us, what kind of loyalty do they have?"

Li Jinglong gave up struggling: "Alright, what does Your Majesty need me to do?"

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, then asked, "Do you know Hu Mei?"

Li Jinglong shook his head decisively: "I don't know!"

"The twelfth prince's maternal grandfather, Consort Hu's father." Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes widened.

Li Jinglong blinked and mentally processed the information.

"That's Your Majesty's father-in-law!" he exclaimed, suddenly realizing. "What's wrong? Do you need me to go see him? That's easy, I'll bring generous gifts."

This is a great job! I'll go see the emperor's father-in-law, give him some gifts, have some tea, chat with him, and then go home to relax.

Beautiful!

"We have received a secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard." Zhu Yuanzhang's voice turned cold. "He, his son, and his son-in-law have committed numerous illegal acts."

Li Jinglong's smile froze on his face.

"Go and investigate," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Li Jinglong pointed to himself: "Me? Investigating a case? Your Majesty, you overestimate me!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "We intend to train you well."

Li Jinglong: "..."

"I know nothing about this. You should consult the Embroidered Uniform Guard. They are experts and experienced. I know nothing; sending me to investigate would only delay things."

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head: "This concerns imperial relatives, and there are some things that the Embroidered Uniform Guard cannot handle."

"Then let's find Xu Yungong!" Li Jinglong shifted the blame, "He's incredibly intelligent."

"You are the true imperial relative," Zhu Yuanzhang said. "You have the blood of the Zhu family in your veins. Of course we trust you."

Li Jinglong sighed, "Even I don't believe myself."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned: "It might involve the inner palace. Xu Yungong and the Embroidered Uniform Guards can't easily enter the inner palace. If you want to go to the palace to pay your respects to the ladies, you can investigate secretly."

"My aunt is no longer here, what's the point of me offering prayers?" Li Jinglong blurted out.

After saying that, he immediately shut up.

The death of Empress Ma was a taboo subject for Zhu Yuanzhang, a sore spot that no one could touch.

Li Jinglong wanted to slap himself.

You're so cheeky! You're such a cheeky person!

"I misspoke," he said, lowering his head.

"It's because your maternal aunt is gone that we don't know about many things happening in the inner palace," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a hint of sadness.

"Your Majesty, I obey." Li Jinglong had no other choice. "I will go and investigate."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up: "That's right! Do your job well, we see you as a promising talent."

Li Jinglong quickly shook his head: "Your Majesty, please don't have any hope for me. I'm just a fool."

Old Zhu, you're really good at both PUA and emotional blackmail!

No wonder you became emperor.

……

We left the Qianqing Palace.

Li Jinglong stood on the imperial road, deep in thought.

Hu Mei was originally a general under Chen Youliang, but later surrendered to Zhu Yuanzhang.

After surrendering, he fought in the south and north, making great military achievements. He successively captured many places in Fujian and was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Linchuan. He also received an iron certificate of immunity from death.

Later, his eldest daughter was taken into Zhu Yuanzhang's harem and made a concubine.

Hu Mei's status became even more prominent.

Historical records state that in the seventeenth year of the Hongwu reign, Hu Mei was suddenly imprisoned and subsequently forced to commit suicide. His son and son-in-law were also executed.

At the time, Zhu Yuanzhang did not announce the charges.

The court and the public were shocked, and all officials felt insecure.

A marquis, the emperor's father-in-law, was standing in the court yesterday, is in jail today, and will be dead tomorrow.

Who can stand this?

It wasn't until the twenty-third year of the Hongwu reign, after Li Shanchang was executed for the "Hu Weiyong case," that Zhu Yuanzhang officially announced Hu Mei's crimes.

"Because Mei's eldest daughter was a concubine, she and her son and son-in-law entered the palace to cause chaos, but the matter was discovered."

"Damn it," Li Jinglong muttered under his breath, "Could he be having an affair with one of the concubines in the harem? How dare he cuckold Zhu Yuanzhang?"

Zhu Yuanzhang, with a head full of green, roared in the Qianqing Palace.

The scene was too beautiful for him to bear.

But he immediately realized something was wrong.

If it's an affair, and specifically with a concubine, then the concubine involved will definitely not escape punishment.

No concubines were punished, not even Consort Hu Shun.

There's more to this case than meets the eye.

"Young Duke." A voice came from behind.

Li Jinglong turned around and saw a person walking towards him. The person was wearing a flying fish robe and had an embroidered spring knife at his waist.

Mao Xiang, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Commander Mao was just looking for you," Li Jinglong said.

Mao Xiang stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "His Majesty has already given instructions. Whatever assistance the Duke of Shao needs, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will provide full support."

Li Jinglong cut to the chase: "Tell me, what illegal things has Hu Mei's family done?"

Mao Xiang pondered for a moment before speaking:

"Hu Mei's family forcibly seized land from the people in their hometown of Mianyang. Some people filed complaints all the way to the capital, and many others were stopped on the way to file complaints. Her family even beat an elderly person in the village to death."

"Furthermore, they are colluding with merchants in the capital to smuggle tea in large quantities. The Ministry of Revenue has already noticed this, but due to Hu Mei's status, they have not taken any action yet."

In the Ming Dynasty, tea was a controlled commodity, much like salt.

"Aren't you incredibly audacious?" Li Jinglong couldn't help but say. "Killing people and smuggling—aren't you afraid of getting arrested?"

Mao Xiang shrugged: "They have immunity certificates, what's there to be afraid of?"

A pardon from death.

Li Jinglong nodded thoughtfully.

He knew that thing was useless, and the final interpretation rested with Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Anything else?" he asked.

Mao Xiang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Hu Mei often goes to the palace to see Consort Hu. I don't know anything about what happens in the inner palace."