The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

A small boat drifted by.

The boatman was wearing a straw hat. Wang Huidi nodded to him, and the three of them boarded the boat.

The small boat passed under a stone arch bridge, and the water ahead suddenly opened up, revealing a two-story painted boat floating on the river.

Colorful lanterns hung from the eaves, gauze curtains draped low, and the faint sounds of string and wind instruments drifted from the boat.

The three boarded the painted boat, and as soon as they entered the cabin, Li Jinglong froze.

The cabin was very large and decorated like a banquet hall.

A woman in white is playing the zither, while several girls in colorful clothes are dancing gracefully in the middle, their flowing sleeves fluttering and their waists swaying.

The surrounding area was bustling with activity. The men were half-lying down, each with a girl beside them. Some were feeding them wine, while others were playing drinking games.

It's so vibrant and full of life!

Li Jinglong's eyes lit up: "This place is great, Lao Wang, you should have brought me here sooner."

"Lord Li, please come often in the future," Wang Xizhe said with a smile.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Li Jinglong rushed straight into the group of dancing beauties.

The girls were startled by him, and their dance steps became disordered.

Li Jinglong stretched out his left arm, put his arm around a girl's shoulder, and then twisted his waist a couple of times with her, the movements practiced and skillful. The girl was taken aback at first, then burst out laughing at his antics.

Before the girl could finish laughing, Li Jinglong turned around and hugged another girl. He put his hands on her waist, tilted his head on her shoulder, and the girl was amused by him and swayed wildly.

Throughout the cabin, giggles echoed.

"The young Duke doesn't seem like an actor," Wang Xizhe laughed. "I was worried that bringing him here so quickly would expose this pleasure boat."

Wang Huidi chuckled lightly: "You don't know about his reputation?"

"The number one playboy in the capital, a complete good-for-nothing. Heh, coming to this place, he probably forgot even to observe mourning for his own father."

Wang Xizhe whispered, "Sir, are you trying to bring him in?"

Wang Huidi nodded: "If we bring him in, it will be easier for us to handle things in the future."

"If something goes wrong, he can take the blame." Wang Xizhe's lips curled up.

The two looked at each other and smiled simultaneously.

Li Jinglong, with his arm around a girl's waist, stepped out of the dance group.

He leaned back on the soft couch beside him, grabbed a pot of wine from the table, and took a big gulp.

The girl leaned into his arms without hesitation, as if she had no bones, and Li Jinglong embraced her without any ceremony.

His movements were fluid and graceful; he was clearly a veteran.

"What's your sister's name?" He turned his head, his eyes glazed with drunkenness.

The girl's eyes flickered, and she smiled charmingly: "This humble servant is Xiao Lian."

Fake name!

We need to get some information out of this girl.

Li Jinglong smiled and said, "Sister Lian, this is my first time here, and I don't know anything about it. You have to teach me."

Xiao Lian nestled into his arms, her breath sweet as orchids: "If you could spend some money to keep me here, I would be willing to teach you anything."

"I'm so poor I only have silver left," Li Jinglong laughed heartily.

Xiaolian was amused by him and giggled, giving him a light punch on the chest with her small fist.

"If it weren't for Minister Wang bringing me here, I would never have known that there was such a wonderful place in the capital," Li Jinglong said regretfully.

"There are quite a few important people on the pleasure boat," Xiao Lian said, moving closer.

"Oh?"

Li Jinglong raised an eyebrow. "Who is the manager of this pleasure boat? To be able to create such a nice place, he must be someone important. I should make his acquaintance."

Xiao Lian shook her head: "This... I don't know."

Li Jinglong frowned.

Holy crap, there are places like this in the capital?

Who would dare to be so bold under Zhu Yuanzhang's very nose?

Old Zhu asked me to investigate the case, is he just trying to get me to infiltrate the investigation?

"Lord Li!" Wang Huidi walked over. "Let's go to a private room."

Xiao Lian was unhappy and grabbed Li Jinglong's arm with both hands.

Wang Huidi smiled, took out a silver ingot from her sleeve, and casually tossed it to Xiaolian: "I'll come find you again next time."

She immediately released Li Jinglong, stood up, and curtsied, saying, "Thank you for the reward, sir."

"Hey, hey, I haven't had enough fun yet," Li Jinglong said, looking displeased.

Wang Huidi pushed him inside, saying, "Lord Li, let's eat first."

Li Jinglong was ushered into a private room on the inner level of the painted boat by Wang Huidi.

The private room wasn't large, but it was tastefully decorated. The Qinhuai River was right outside the window, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers.

"Drinking in this place is quite elegant," Li Jinglong said, sitting down. "It would be even better if there were one or two ladies to keep us company."

Wang Xizhe laughed loudly, "We're kindred spirits! Lord Li, we're kindred spirits!"

Wang Huidi laughed and said, "This time we won't call you 'Miss.' After this meal, we still have to go back to the Ministry of Justice."

"Go back my ass." Li Jinglong shrugged. "Miss Xiaolian is still waiting for me. I still have to fight her for three hundred rounds."

Wang Huidi sighed, "Lord Li, what if His Majesty summons us? We're not in the Ministry of Justice, what if something terrible happens?"

"Yes, that's right." Li Jinglong nodded. "If His Majesty summons me and I'm on a pleasure boat, I'll be in big trouble."

Wang Xizhe hurriedly said, "His Majesty must not know about this pleasure boat."

"Of course, it's not easy to find a good place." Li Jinglong looked curious. "Who's the manager of the pleasure boat? He's got some serious connections."

Wang Huidi smiled and said, "If there's a chance, I'll introduce you to Lord Li."

They didn't mention their names or when.

Li Jinglong didn't press further: "Alright, next time I come, I'll have to stay overnight. I'll fight anyone who tries to stop me."

Wang Huidi smiled and nodded: "Let's try the fish on this boat today. The fish on this pleasure boat are all caught fresh from the river early this morning. They are very fresh and taste amazing."

Before long, the dishes were served: a plate of braised fish, a plate of steamed fish, and other side dishes.

Li Jinglong picked up a large piece of fish belly and stuffed it into his mouth: "Mmm, it tastes much better than Taibailou."

Wang Huidi smiled and raised her glass: "Let's just have a few sips. We can't drink too much and go back reeking of alcohol. If His Majesty finds out, we'll be in big trouble."

Li Jinglong was speechless, and blurted out, "The entire court is hoping for His Majesty's passing."

"Be careful what you say!" Wang Huidi exclaimed in alarm.

"What's there to be afraid of on a boat?" Li Jinglong said nonchalantly.

Wang Xizhe smiled slightly and exchanged a glance with Wang Huidi.

After the three finished eating, they left the cabin.

A gentle breeze blew by, and a few people walked towards us.

"Lord Guo! You've arrived at this hour?" Wang Huidi greeted the leader.

The man smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "I brought some merchants from other places for drinks. They insist on seeing the best places in the capital."

"Lord Guo, you're busy," Wang Huidi said with a smile. "We're leaving."

Lord Guo's gaze fell on Li Jinglong, and he frowned: "Is he the young Duke of Cao's mansion?"

"Who are you?" Li Jinglong glared at him.

Wang Huidi quickly introduced, "This is Guo Huan, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Lord Guo."

Li Jinglong was secretly startled.

The Guo Huan case.

From the six ministries of the imperial court to local officials, from wealthy households and gentry to accounting clerks, heads rolled and tens of thousands of people were implicated.

"So you're Guo Huan!" He clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute. "I've long admired your name!"

Guo Huan was taken aback: "The Young Duke knows me?"

Li Jinglong gave an awkward laugh: "Hehe, that's all I'll say. It's our first time meeting, so saying 'I've heard so much about you' is just being polite."

Guo Huan: "..."

Wang Huidi smoothed things over: "Lord Guo, please don't take offense. The Young Duke is just that unconventional."

"The young Duke is a man of strong character; let's drink together next time," Guo Huan said.

Want to have a drink together?

With you?

That's practically suicide.

"Uh... okay. Next time, next time," he said with a smile.

Guo Huanchong and the other two waved their hands: "We'll go in first."

Li Jinglong watched his retreating figure and asked, "Are you very familiar with Lord Guo?"

"Yes." Wang Huidi nodded. "Lord Guo is truly all-powerful."

Li Jinglong frowned.

Holy crap.

Could Wang Huidi and Wang Xizhe also be involved in Guo Huan's case?

Old Zhu sent me here to gain experience; could he be setting a trap for me?