The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Li Jinglong sighed, "Sister, you're here on imperial orders to help me investigate this case, aren't you afraid of trouble?"

"Of course!" Hai Li nodded.

Li Jinglong leaned closer and smelled a delicate fragrance: "Sister Hai, I'm investigating the case of the Marquis of Linchuan and his son."

Hai Li's gaze remained calm: "What does this have to do with the harem?"

Li Jinglong looked around and whispered, "I found out that Hu Fei and Consort Zhuang are having an affair."

Hai Li stared wide-eyed, her red lips slightly parted, remaining closed for a long time.

"Say it again?"

"Hu Fei and Consort Zhuang are having an affair. So, do you still dare to investigate?"

Hai Li hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Of course I dare! What's there to be afraid of?"

"Alright!" Li Jinglong clapped his hands. "Then let's help His Majesty catch his lover!"

Hai Li asked in surprise, "His Majesty already knows about this?"

Li Jinglong shrugged: "I already hinted at it."

"How did you hint at it?"

"I asked him what his favorite color was, what he thought of the grassland, and even recited to him the line, 'Spring's beauty cannot be confined within the garden walls; a branch of red apricot blossoms peeks over the wall.'"

Hai Li's lips twitched, and he rolled his eyes dramatically.

Li Jinglong enthusiastically began planning: "Next time Hu Fei enters the palace, let's act together. Once they're rolling around together, we'll rush in and catch them in the act."

Hai Li said irritably, "Ever since Consort Shu took charge of the harem, the rules have been very strict, and the Hu family father and son have never dared to enter the palace."

Li Jinglong waved his hand dismissively: "Sister Hai, you don't understand. Could Hu Fei have held back? Could Consort Zhuang have held back? They're both at that age where their blood is boiling and their passions are burning. It would be strange if they could have restrained themselves."

Hai Li glanced at him sideways: "Young Duke, you know a lot."

"I was just guessing. I'm a very upright person, and I never think about these kinds of messy things," Li Jinglong said.

Hai Li rolled her eyes at him: "How about I take you to pay your respects to Consort Zhuang first?"

Li Jinglong waved his hand dismissively: "Let's go."

Hai Li led the way, with Li Jinglong beside her, a faint fragrance wafting from her.

Along both sides of the imperial road, palace maids passed by from time to time. Each one was dressed in palace attire, with slender waists and graceful figures, some plump and some slender.

This harem is so conducive to making mistakes.

……

Zhiluo Palace.

This is Consort Zhuang's bedroom.

Wasn't it here that Hu Fei planted grass on His Majesty's head?

Li Jinglong followed Hai Li into the main hall, glanced around, and was stunned.

no one.

The main hall was completely empty; there wasn't even a maid or eunuch to be seen, let alone Consort Zhuang.

"Why haven't I seen Consort Zhuang?" Li Jinglong asked.

Hai Li chuckled softly: "That's just how Consort Zhuang is. She doesn't have as many rules here. In other concubines' palaces, eunuchs and maids stand in two rows, and you have to announce yourself before entering. Here? It's very casual."

Just then, footsteps were heard.

A woman walked out from the back hall; it was Consort Zhuang.

Leprechaun!

Li Jinglong looked up and those two words popped into his mind.

Consort Zhuang's attire was extremely alluring, with black silk flowing down her shoulders like a waterfall. As she moved, her beautiful hair danced in the air, making her face even more stunning and enchanting.

Her eyes were long and narrow, and with each blink, they held a captivating, almost bewitching smile. A seductive allure emanated from them, drawing one's gaze more than once.

She wore a thin, long dress that accentuated her stunning figure, with a glimpse of fair skin visible beneath her delicate collarbones.

She exudes a seductive charm that seems to emanate from her very bones.

Li Jinglong controlled his eyes.

Stay calm!

Li Jiujiang, you've seen it all!

Which of the ladies in the brothel wasn't beautiful? Which of them wasn't alluring?

"Your Highness, the Young Duke has come to pay his respects. Would you like to change your clothes?" Hai Li reminded her.

Consort Zhuang's beautiful eyes fell on Li Jinglong, and she sized him up: "Just a junior brat, he's not even fully grown yet, how could he possibly covet me?"

"Your subject Li Jinglong greets Consort Zhuang." Li Jinglong looked embarrassed.

Consort Zhuang chuckled, "The Young Duke is indeed a handsome man, just like your father. Rise, there's no need for such formalities."

As she spoke, she strolled slowly toward Li Jinglong.

Li Jinglong looked up and saw her approaching.

This woman is very unlucky.

"Your Majesty flatters me." He smiled. "I am but a spoiled brat, how could I dare to compare myself to my father?"

Consort Zhuang stopped in front of him.

A faint fragrance wafted over, making him restless and distracted.

"Young Duke, what brings you to see me today?" Consort Zhuang asked with a smile.

Li Jinglong sincerely replied, "Your Majesty, after my late father passed away, the scriptures used in the funeral were all handwritten by the ladies of the palace. I am deeply grateful, and I have come to the palace today to express my gratitude."

Consort Zhuang gave a soft "Oh," and said, "That was all Consort Shu's idea. She organized it; we just helped out."

"I still want to thank Your Majesty." Li Jinglong cupped his hands in thanks.

Consort Zhuang took a few more steps closer.

The distance between the two was already inappropriately close.

She tilted her head slightly and parted her red lips: "Li Jinglong, what's your courtesy name? We're relatives, it's more intimate to call you by your courtesy name."

His courtesy name was Zhengchun.

I really want to be Duan Zhengchun right now.

"Your Majesty, my name is Jiujiang," Li Jinglong said respectfully.

"Jiujiang," Consort Zhuang read softly. "A fine character. Come visit more often; we're all relatives, don't be distant."

She smiled charmingly, her red lips slightly upturned, her eyes sparkling.

Li Jinglong honestly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, I have remembered."

This woman is toxic!

Her smile is captivating.

……

Soon.

The two left Zhiluo Palace.

Li Jinglong took a deep breath of the outside air, feeling completely refreshed. The cloying fragrance in Zhiluo Palace had made him dizzy, restless, and his blood rushing to his head.

"Is Consort Zhuang beautiful?" Hai Li smiled meaningfully.

"Beautiful!" Li Jinglong blurted out.

Hai Li put her hands on her hips: "Then how about comparing ourselves? Who's prettier?"

Li Jinglong replied almost without hesitation: "You're beautiful."

Hai Li was stunned for a moment, then glared at him: "You little bastard, you just spout nonsense. How much of it is sincere?"

Not a single cent!

Girl, in this harem, you want to talk to me about sincerity?

Then I've wasted my time watching The Legend of Zhen Huan.

"Sister Hai, why are you comparing yourself to her? She's just still pretty, you're different," Li Jinglong said with a grin.

"What's different?" Hai Li glanced at him sideways.

Li Jinglong pondered for a moment and said, "You are a ripe grape, crystal clear and juicy, a bite of you will make your heart sweet."

Hai Li's pretty face flushed red.

"Stop being so glib." She spat and turned her face away.

Seeing that things were going well, Li Jinglong said seriously, "Let's get down to business. Next time Hu Fei comes to the palace, let's go together to catch him in the act."

Hai Li glared at him: "I'm in the inner palace, you're outside, how am I supposed to notify you?"

Li Jinglong pondered for a moment and said, "Go find Eunuch Wang and have him inform me."

"Wang Jinghong?" Hai Li frowned.

"Yes," Li Jinglong nodded, "The brave eunuch Wang Gonggong is reliable."

Hai Li pursed his lips.