The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

The sun was shining brightly, and the spring breeze was gentle.

It's a perfect day for lying down.

Li Jinglong was indeed lying down on a bamboo couch, one leg draped over the armrest, the other dangling and swaying, his eyes staring blankly out of the courtyard.

Half an hour has passed, and the position hasn't changed.

The passing maids and servants were used to it and went about their business.

"Brother," Li Zengzhi said, walking over from the other end of the corridor, "it's already this late, aren't you going to the palace today?"

"I dare not go."

"What's wrong?"

Li Jinglong withdrew his gaze: "His Majesty has become a pervert, it's terrifying."

"..." Li Zengzhi sighed, "If you keep talking like this, I'll cut ties with you sooner or later. Don't let your entire family be implicated when you're executed."

Li Jinglong glanced at him listlessly: "Look at you, you pathetic sight."

Li Zengzhi sat down beside him: "Didn't you say the case was going well? Why do you look so dejected?"

Li Jinglong sighed deeply: "The task His Majesty has asked me to do will offend all the nobles."

Li Zengzhi held his teacup and pondered for a moment: "Brother, how about we split up the family?"

"What do you want to do?" Li Jinglong was speechless.

Li Zengzhi said matter-of-factly, "You've offended someone, don't drag me down with you."

Li Jinglong glared at him: "He really is my younger brother."

"We're brothers, we have to protect one of us, right?" Li Zengzhi spread his hands, "to continue the lineage of the Duke of Cao's family."

Li Jinglong pulled his leg back from the armrest, making a move to get up and punch someone. But halfway up, he collapsed back down.

Forget it, I'm too tired.

He gave a weak groan: "I'll beat you up when I have the strength."

Birds flew over the courtyard wall.

A strong, resonant voice echoed from outside the courtyard wall: "The sun sets beyond the mountains! The sun sets beyond the mountains! The sun sets beyond the mountains!"

Li Jinglong sat up abruptly and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Hoeing the fields at noon! Hoeing the fields at noon! Hoeing the fields at noon!"

He got up and walked outside.

"This code is so damn uncultured," Li Zengzhi said with a look of disgust.

He knew that his older brother's gang of cronies had arrived.

Back when Dad was alive, those guys would shout like that from outside the wall, inviting Big Brother to go out and have fun.

Li Jinglong strode out the gate and saw Wang Dong standing on the opposite side of the street.

"What do you want?" He walked over.

Wang Dong chuckled: "Boss, wanna go have some fun at the brothel?"

Snapped!

Li Jinglong slapped him on the back of the head: "I'm in mourning! How can I go to a place like that?"

"Boss, you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't go," Wang Dong said.

Li Jinglong glared at him: "Get out of here! Don't use this excuse if you want to go."

"Really!" Wang Dong exclaimed anxiously, "Your old flame, the courtesan Xiao Cui, has caught the eye of an old geezer who wants to redeem her from her servitude."

Li Jinglong's expression changed: "Don't talk nonsense, Xiao Cui and I are innocent."

Wang Dong looked incredulous: "Just tell me, are you going to rescue them or not? Little Cui is only eighteen, a beautiful young woman. That old man is at least sixty, his face full of wrinkles. Can you tolerate that?"

"Which old bastard is that?" Li Jinglong roared. "He dares to forcibly buy girls; he's completely lawless!"

Wang Dong shrugged: "I don't know, but he's certainly generous, asking for three thousand taels right off the bat."

"Boss, you'd better hurry, or it'll be too late. Little Cui is crying at the brothel right now, calling your name as she cries."

Li Jinglong was about to leave.

But he paused.

No, I can't go like this. If someone finds out and reports me to His Majesty, I'm finished.

I need to find someone to take the blame with me.

……

The Imperial Music Bureau.

In front of the gate, cars and people were bustling about, and the faint sounds of traditional Chinese instruments drifted out from inside the building.

Li Jinglong and Zhu Bai stood side by side at the door.

Zhu Bai gripped his longsword, his face grim: "Jiujiang, are you sure someone really abducted a young woman and sold her into this brothel?"

"Absolutely true." Li Jinglong nodded affirmatively.

"What was the woman's name? Who abducted her? And who sold her into this family?"

Li Jinglong paused for a moment: "Your Highness, these details are not important."

"unimportant?"

"The important thing is, Your Highness, Prince Xiang, you are a chivalrous prince. You should draw your sword to help those in need. Others may ignore things like the abduction of women, but can you do the same?"

Zhu Bai raised an eyebrow.

He had initially been somewhat skeptical, but suddenly his blood boiled: "This matter, I, the king, am determined to handle."

Li Jinglong gestured, "Your Highness, please!"

The two strode into the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment district).

Upon entering, a wave of heat, smelling of alcohol and incense, hits you.

Upstairs and downstairs, laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air, accompanied by the melodious sound of a pipa.

The madam's eyes lit up the moment she saw Li Jinglong: "Oh my, Young Master Li, you've finally arrived! It's been so long since we've seen you, the girls have missed you terribly."

Li Jinglong coughed and said, "The usual arrangement."

Zhu Bai stood there, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, with a long sword hanging at his waist, and a heroic air about him.

The madam sized him up: "This young master looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time here?"

"This is Young Master Zhu," Li Jinglong introduced.

The madam stepped closer and said with a fawning smile, "Young Master Zhu is so handsome."

Zhu Bai's face flushed red instantly.

Li Jinglong suppressed a laugh, put his arm around Zhu Bai's shoulder, and led him upstairs.

As the two walked uphill, many people recognized him.

"Oh! Young Master Li."

"Have you had a good time, young master?"

"Brother Jiujiang, it's been a long time, you still look as dashing as ever."

Li Jinglong smiled and nodded all the way, his demeanor composed.

Zhu Bai followed behind him, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

Reaching the second-floor stairwell, Li Jinglong turned around to face the noisy crowd in the lobby on the first floor.

A sly glint flashed in his eyes, and he slapped Zhu Bai on the shoulder: "Everyone, today's entire bill is on Young Master Zhu! Come on, scream!"

The lobby on the first floor instantly erupted in chaos.

Zhu Bai gritted his teeth: "Li Jiujiang! You've ruined me!"

The madam approached with a smile, covering her mouth with a handkerchief: "Young Master Zhu, he's just teasing you."

Li Jinglong laughed loudly, put his arm around Zhu Bai's shoulder, and walked forward along the second-floor corridor.

"Relax, Your Highness. With that murderous aura you exude, anyone who didn't know better would think you're here to ransack the house."

Zhu Bai glared at him, his ears turning red.

Soon, the two arrived at the door of a private room at the end of the corridor.

A small wooden sign hangs on the door with two words written on it: Listening to the Rain.

Li Jinglong raised his hand to push the door open.

"Young master!" the madam quickly stopped him, "Xiao Cui already has a customer today."

"Are we having guests?"

"Yes, yes, yes." The madam nodded repeatedly. "I'm so sorry, how about this, I'll call Chunlan over for you? Chunlan plays the pipa very well, I guarantee you'll be satisfied. Or Xiahe will do too, Xiahe is good in bed."

Li Jinglong's face turned cold: "Have you lost your mind? You dare to steal my girl."

Clang!

He kicked the door open.

Zhu Bai was completely stunned.

"Zhu Twelve!" Li Jinglong waved his hand. "Go! It's time to show your true skills."

With a flash of cold light, Zhu Bai drew his longsword and rushed into the private room.

The madam was terrified, her face turning ashen: "Young master, young master, calm down! This is the brothel!"

"Don't worry about it. If you anger Young Master Zhu, he'll remove you from the list of officials in the capital." Li Jinglong grabbed her arm.

He turned and followed Zhu Bai into the private room.

Inside the private room, candlelight flickered and incense smoke curled gently.

A girl dressed in a plain-colored silk dress is playing the zither. She has beautiful features and skin as smooth as jade.

An old man was sitting at the low table, drinking wine.

The wine glass was raised to his lips, not yet put down.

Zhu Bai's longsword was already resting on his shoulder.

"Your Highness Prince Xiang?" the old man exclaimed in surprise.

Zhu Bai's eyes widened: "Ma Sandao?"

Li Jinglong's mind went blank.

Oh no, I've run into someone I know.

He reacted very quickly, slamming the door shut behind him.