The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

The following day, at the Marquis of Linchuan's residence.

When Li Jinglong arrived, Zhu Bai was already there, waiting for him at the gate, with two middle-aged men standing beside him.

"Jiujiang." Zhu Bai beckoned, "Come here, let me introduce you. This is Hu Fei, my uncle; this is Liu Zheng, I have to call him uncle."

Li Jinglong mentally calculated: his uncle was Hu Mei's son; his aunt's husband was Hu Mei's son-in-law.

"I apologize for disturbing you today." He bowed slightly.

Hu Fei smiled slightly, his demeanor elegant: "Young Duke, you're too kind. Please come inside."

Liu Zheng gave a faint smile, which was considered a greeting.

Li Jinglong didn't mind and followed along with a smile.

Upon entering the gate, I was shocked.

This Marquis's mansion is magnificent!

The corridor is paved with white jade, and the pillars are carved with dragons and phoenixes.

How much will this cost?

Marquis Linchuan was definitely a huge corrupt official.

"The Marquis's residence is really well-built," he casually remarked.

Hu Fei modestly replied, "Not at all, it was just a quick tidying up."

Passing through the front hall and around the garden, servants and attendants thronged the path.

This grandeur and magnificence are so impressive, you'd think you'd entered a prince's mansion.

"Jiujiang, we have to have a competition today!" Zhu Bai said enthusiastically. "Your riding skills haven't gotten any worse, have they?"

"I was thrown onto horseback by my own father when I was a child, so I can't be wasted," Li Jinglong asked. "Does the Marquis's mansion have a horse farm?"

"My father is fond of horsemanship, so he specially set up a small horse farm in the mansion." Hu Fei's lips curled up.

A mansion with a horse ranch, how big must that be? Is this a marquis's residence or a royal hunting ground?

The group walked through the back garden and then through a gate.

Suddenly, everything became clear.

Li Jinglong stood firm.

Looking around, there are at least several acres of land, enough for two horses to run side by side for several laps.

The location of this horse ranch is clearly not within the original area of ​​the Marquis's residence; it looks like it was forcibly expanded by demolishing the neighbor's house.

"This horse ranch may not be big, but it's convenient. My father likes to ride around here a couple of times in his spare time to stretch his muscles," Hu Fei said proudly.

Li Jinglong nodded in agreement: "Your Excellency has a refined taste."

Beside the horse farm, a two-story pavilion was built, with upturned eaves and carved beams and painted rafters. The windows upstairs were half open, and the sound of a zither drifted out from inside.

With a horse ranch and a music pavilion, the Hu family certainly knows how to enjoy life.

When I build my manor in the future, I'll have to build a horse farm too.

"Bring the horses here," Hu Fei shouted.

The servants, who were prepared in advance, brought two horses, one pure white and the other jet black.

They were all tall, magnificent horses with glossy coats; one look was enough to tell they were no ordinary breeds.

"This is a Ferghana horse, a descendant of the Akhal-Teke breed," Hu Fei said with a smile. "My father went to great lengths to acquire it."

Zhu Bai stepped forward, his eyes shining: "What a fine horse! A truly fine horse! Jiujiang, come on, let's have a race!"

"Let's have a contest, Zhu Twelve, but don't go complaining to the Crown Prince if you lose." Li Jinglong raised an eyebrow.

The two mounted their horses.

After riding around a few times, Li Jinglong decided to just ride the horse away.

This little mare is so damn easy to ride!

"Jiujiang!" Zhu Bo pulled on the reins. "Everyone says you only know how to listen to music in brothels and indulge in eating, drinking, and merrymaking, but your riding skills haven't deteriorated."

Li Jinglong dismounted: "I only know how to ride a horse. I can't compare to Your Highness. You are proficient in riding, archery, and swordsmanship."

"Hahaha! You were forced to practice by your old man, but my skills were forced out of me by my fourth brother." Zhu Bai laughed loudly.

Li Jinglong's expression was strange.

In the Zhu family, the older children always took care of the younger ones.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao raised Zhu Di, who in turn raised Zhu Bai.

Zhu Yuanzhang only cared about having children, and he was incredibly prolific.

"Your Highness, Young Duke," Hu Fei greeted, "You've been riding for so long, you should rest. Let's go upstairs for a cup of tea to soothe our throats."

Zhu Bai nodded: "Okay, I'm thirsty."

Li Jinglong followed and entered the attic.

As soon as he entered, Li Jinglong felt a chill.

It's already April, and the sun is shining brightly outside, but as soon as you step into this building, there's a chilly feeling.

"This old minister greets Your Highness." An old man stood in the hall.

He was dressed in a brocade robe and had a gold belt around his waist; he was none other than Hu Mei, the Marquis of Linchuan.

The emperor's father-in-law, Zhu Bai's maternal grandfather.

"Grandpa." Zhu Bai quickly stepped forward.

Li Jinglong also stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Junior Li Jinglong greets Your Excellency."

"Jiujiang, what a handsome young man, he's just like your father in his youth." Hu Mei smiled slightly.

"That's incomparable. My father is both talented and handsome." Li Jinglong shrugged. "As for me, I only have a good-looking face."

"Hahaha! Your father was the most handsome man in the Ming Dynasty back then, and all the girls in the world admired him." Hu Mei laughed loudly.

Li Jinglong's lips curled up slightly.

Historical records describe my father's appearance as follows: dignified, with clear eyes and eyebrows, a restrained heroic spirit, and a particularly outstanding demeanor.

He was indeed a handsome man, and famous throughout the world.

It is said that Luo Guanzhong's portrayal of Zhao Yun was based on his father's image.

White robes and silver armor, long spears and fierce horses.

But this kind of beauty is completely different from the foundation general.

Foundation, don't even try to get involved.

"Come, sit down, sit down," Hu Mei invited.

As soon as Li Jinglong sat down, a maid brought up a tea tray.

He took a sip of tea, and the music started playing again.

Following the sound, in the corner of the pavilion, sat an ancient zither. Behind the zither sat a woman, whose features were exquisite and whose demeanor was elegant.

Extremely beautiful.

They really know how to enjoy life.

……

Li Jinglong stared intently at the beautiful woman playing the zither.

His eyes were lecherous, and he made no attempt to hide it.

Hu Mei sat at the head of the table, her smile playful.

Everyone says that the eldest son of the Duke of Cao's mansion is a complete wastrel, spending his time in brothels and indulging in music. His reputation is indeed well-deserved.

"Young Duke!" Hu Mei said with a smile, "This woman's name is Qiu Xiang. If you like her, you may take her away."

Li Jinglong's eyes lit up instantly: "Really?"

"Just a lowly woman," Hu Mei chuckled lightly. "There are plenty of others like her in the manor."

"Then this junior will have to accept the offer without being impolite," Li Jinglong said with a sneer. "I am like Cao Cao, and I have a fondness for women."

Hu Mei was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter.

Hu Fei laughed along, shaking his head as he laughed.

He really is a spoiled brat, a complete good-for-nothing.

Zhu Bai's face turned red, and he glared fiercely at Li Jinglong.

"Father-in-law," Liu Zheng, who had been silent all along, winked at Hu Mei, "This is probably not appropriate. The Duke of Shao is still in mourning. If His Majesty knew that you, Marquis, had sent a female musician to him, His Majesty would certainly be displeased."

Hu Mei suddenly snapped out of her daze and slapped her forehead: "Right, right, I forgot about that."

"Enter the village quietly, don't fire your gun." Li Jinglong blinked. "Uh, it means deliver it stealthily after dark."

Zhu Bai couldn't stand it anymore: "Jiujiang, you've got some nerve! If Father finds out, he'll break your legs."

Li Jinglong cursed inwardly: Zhu Twelve, are you brain-dead?!

I took Qiu Xiang away to investigate a case!

Do you even know how to investigate a case?

Am I the kind of womanizer?

"Young Duke," Hu Mei smiled, "after your mourning period is over, I'll find you an even more beautiful one."

Li Jinglong sighed regretfully, "My lord, I took it seriously! Don't try to renege on your promise later!"

"Not bad, not bad!" Hu Mei laughed heartily.