The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

The following day, at the Eastern Palace.

Li Jinglong followed behind Zhu Biao, looking around as he went: "Your Highness, your place is rather plain, not as nice as the Marquis of Linchuan's residence."

Zhu Biao didn't even turn his head: "Stop talking nonsense and hurry up."

"This is my first time here, shouldn't I take a good look around?" Li Jinglong looked up and said, "Oh, this thrush is well-maintained, its feathers are glossy, and its call is crisp."

"That's what I personally fed it, that's all it likes," Zhu Biao said.

Li Jinglong immediately said, "This bird looks magnificent and has the bearing of a dragon and phoenix."

Zhu Biao ignored him and, while walking, gave instructions: "You, as the Junior Chamberlain, don't need to report for duty every day. Yunwen is good at studying, but he doesn't like to move around. Come every few days and take him riding horses and practicing martial arts."

"Your Highness, I'm alright at riding horses, but as for martial arts, I'd rather not. I'm afraid that if I practice too much, I might become the best in the world and scare you all." Li Jinglong sighed.

Zhu Biao turned around and glared at him: "Where do you get your confidence?"

"I am self-aware," Li Jinglong said, spreading his hands. "I know my own limitations. If I were to spar with His Highness one day and get knocked down by a single punch, where would I put my face? Would the Duke of Cao's mansion still have any dignity?"

Zhu Biao laughed in exasperation: "I don't expect Yunwen to go to the battlefield in the future. The main purpose of practicing martial arts is to strengthen the body."

"Alright then." Li Jinglong looked up. "Your Highness, let's be upfront about this. The training will be tough, and if the little prince cries, please don't feel sorry for him or make things difficult for me later."

Zhu Biao said seriously, "If he misbehaves, you can discipline him as you please, even spank him."

"My dad did the same thing back then. He shoved me into the hands of a horse riding instructor and said, 'If you don't behave, beat you to death.' And that instructor was a tough guy; he really did beat me to death." Li Jinglong said speechlessly, "Do all fathers in this world have a grudge against their sons?"

Zhu Biao glared at him: "Spare the rod and spoil the child, that's the Zhu family tradition."

As they spoke, the two walked to the front of an attic.

The sound of children reading aloud came from the attic, their voices rising and falling, each word measured and distinct.

The two went into the attic.

A seven- or eight-year-old child was sitting upright behind a desk, reading. Beside him stood an elderly man with white hair and a serious expression.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince." The old man bowed quickly upon seeing Zhu Biao enter.

The child put down his book, stood up, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Father."

Is this Zhu Yunwen? The future Jianwen Emperor?

That extraordinary genius who single-handedly brought down the throne?

Look at this little one, so fair-skinned, with delicate features, and a well-behaved and sensible appearance.

"This is Mr. Lü Ben," Zhu Biao introduced.

Li Jinglong naturally knew who this Lü Ben was: the father of the Crown Princess Lü and the Crown Prince's father-in-law.

"Greetings, Mr. Lü." Li Jinglong bowed.

Lu Ben smiled faintly: "Young Duke, there's no need for such formalities."

Zhu Biao beckoned to Zhu Yunwen: "Yunwen, come here."

Zhu Yunwen obediently stepped forward.

"Jiujiang is now the Junior Chamberlain of the Crown Prince's Palace. He will teach you horseback riding and martial arts in the future." Zhu Biao pointed at Li Jinglong. "You must study hard."

Zhu Yunwen bowed respectfully to Li Jinglong, saying, "I'll be relying on you from now on, Cousin Jiujiang."

"Your Highness is too kind. I'll just teach you randomly from now on, and you can practice however you like. We'll make do with each other." Li Jinglong grinned.

A hint of disdain flashed in Zhu Yunwen's eyes.

Li Jinglong noticed it immediately.

Heh heh.

This little brat, only seven or eight years old, has already learned to play favorites? He's all polite on the surface, but deep down he doesn't take me, his cousin, seriously at all.

"Your Highness, has there been any result regarding the case of my junior, Lü Yang?" Lü Ben asked with a worried expression. "I don't want Your Highness to show favoritism, I'm just anxious and want to know the result as soon as possible."

Zhu Biao frowned slightly: "This case is not yet closed. His Majesty issued an edict yesterday, ordering Jiujiang to cooperate with the Ministry of Justice in handling this case."

Lu Ben was clearly startled and looked at Li Jinglong.

"Don't look at me," Li Jinglong said, shrugging. "I don't know anything yet."

"Mr. Lü is also anxious." Zhu Biao smiled. "You all get familiar with each other first. I'm going back to Wenhua Hall."

After saying that, he turned around and left the attic.

Zhu Yunwen returned to his seat and sat down, acting like a little adult.

He glanced at Li Jinglong and said, "Jiujiang, I know you can't teach me anything. This is all Father's arrangement."

Li Jinglong was slightly taken aback, then a smile appeared on his lips: "Your Highness is right."

Hey, so you're putting on airs with me now?

Your father just left, and you've already changed your attitude? You're too lazy to even pretend anymore?

Aren't you afraid I'll turn around and complain to your father? Or are you just a little bastard who doesn't take me seriously at all, and is sure I can't cause any trouble?

"You were able to enter the Eastern Palace because of your father," Zhu Yunwen continued. "Your grandfather and father only gave you a position to avoid discouraging the meritorious officials."

"Your Highness sees things very clearly," Li Jinglong nodded with a smile. "Your Highness has indeed seen through my meager abilities at a glance."

Zhu Yunwen snorted: "So, from now on, when you come, just sit for a bit and leave. We'll all just put on a show and get by."

Li Jinglong was overjoyed: "That's wonderful! Your Highness's idea is brilliant, it saves me so much trouble. If you can't ride a horse in the future, and His Majesty and the Crown Prince ask, I'll just say that Your Highness is too stupid and I can't teach you."

Zhu Yunwen's face turned pale instantly: "You!"

"presumptuous!"

Lu Ben, who was standing to the side, shouted angrily, "How dare you be disrespectful to the grandson of the emperor! You are just the son of a duke, how dare you spout such nonsense in the Eastern Palace?"

"Bullshit!" Li Jinglong scoffed. "I speak like this to His Majesty too. This little grandson of the Emperor acts more arrogant than his imperial grandfather? What, His Majesty didn't find me rude, so who gives you the right to lecture me?"

Lu Ben was so angry that his beard was trembling: "You really are an rude and dissolute young master."

"Alright, alright." Li Jinglong waved his hand. "It's good that we've talked things out. I'll just drop by every now and then, show up briefly, and leave. Let's not bother each other. Bye-bye."

He turned to leave, and a beautiful woman walked in from outside.

She was dressed in an elegant palace gown, dignified and beautiful; she was the Crown Princess, Lady Lü.

Li Jinglong bowed and said, "Your subject greets the Crown Princess."

Lady Lü smiled slightly: "Jiujiang, are you in such a hurry to leave?"

"Yes, there's a dish simmering on the stove at my home," Li Jinglong said seriously.

Lady Lü: "..."

"I take my leave." Taking advantage of her moment of distraction, Li Jinglong tried to slip away.

"Wait a moment," Lady Lü called out, "I have something to tell you."

Zhu Yunwen snorted: "Mother, just let him go. I'm not going to learn how to ride a horse from him."

"This is not your business, it is Lü Yang's business. Didn't His Majesty issue an order for Jiujiang to cooperate with the Ministry of Justice in handling this matter?" Lü said.

"Him? Investigating a case?" Zhu Yunwen scoffed.