The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 8 Father-in-law, a real tough guy.

Li Jinglong finally got a good night's sleep.

I slept until the next morning, when my stomach started growling and rumbling, and I couldn't take it anymore, so I slowly got up.

After washing up, I strolled to the front hall and found that Li Zengzhi had just gotten up as well.

The two brothers met briefly, both looking sleepy.

"Big brother, what are we doing today?" Li Zengzhi slumped into a chair.

Li Jinglong yawned widely: "Weren't you going to study at the Imperial Academy?"

Li Zengzhi chuckled: "Brother, you'll have to go back to Wenhua Hall to study too, right?"

These words reminded Li Jinglong.

In the original owner's memories, after the Grand Hall in the palace was destroyed, some of the sons of nobles followed the Crown Prince to study at the Wenhua Hall. Xu Da's son Xu Yungong, Chang Yuchun's son Chang Mao, and of course, Li Jinglong, the eldest son of the Duke of Cao's mansion.

"How about we stay out a few more days?" Li Jinglong winked.

"I'll listen to you, brother," Li Zengzhi readily agreed.

The two brothers exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.

The servant brought out breakfast.

It's very simple: plain porridge, a few side dishes, and two steamed buns.

Li Jinglong picked up the bowl of porridge, blew on it, and carefully took a sip.

Hmm, it doesn't smell like paper money.

"If Father were here, we would have been beaten long ago for being this slow," Li Zengzhi sighed as he chewed on a steamed bun.

Li Jinglong rolled his eyes in annoyance: "When have I ever been the one getting beaten up while you were hiding?"

Li Wenzhong was very strict in managing his household, especially when it came to meals.

The habits developed from marching and fighting are that you have to eat quickly and cleanly. Anyone who dawdles or chews slowly will get a slap.

Unfortunately, Li Jinglong was a slow eater when he was a child and was often beaten. As for Li Zengzhi, that kid was very clever. As soon as he saw his father's expression was not right, he immediately poured the bowl into his mouth.

"You're the eldest brother," Li Zengzhi said, shrugging confidently.

"Hehe." Li Jinglong smiled knowingly. "From now on, as the eldest brother, I'll treat you like a father. I'll give you a good beating."

Li Zengzhi didn't take it seriously at all: "Brother, like you said, let's just lie down and not bother with each other."

"This capital city is too inconvenient. There are too many people and too many rules." Li Jinglong put down his porridge bowl. "In the future, I'll build a large and quiet estate outside the city. I'll buy some beautiful women, listen to music, and exercise. What a blissful life!"

Li Zengzhi said in a serious tone, "Brother, I'm still young and don't understand these things."

Li Jinglong: "..."

"Sigh, I haven't even reached adulthood yet, and they won't even let me into a brothel."

"Brother, after you come of age, you should get married," Li Zengzhi said.

Li Jinglong glared: "Marry whom?"

"Have you forgotten? Your father has arranged a marriage for you since you were little." Li Zengzhi raised his eyes.

"Holy crap!" Li Jinglong slapped his forehead. "It's Yuan Hong's daughter."

That's Yuan Hong, the commander of the Taiyuan Garrison, who came to carry the coffin yesterday.

Li Zengzhi looked at him with schadenfreude: "Uncle Yuan came to carry the coffin yesterday, I wonder if he's still in the capital."

"Arranged marriages are unacceptable! Who knows what his daughter looks like?" Li Jinglong said with a look of resistance. "You can't just open a blind box when you marry a wife, can you? What if she's a shrew? What if she's a tiger?"

Li Zengzhi thought about it seriously and said, "Then you're in big trouble, brother."

"That's it!" Li Jinglong slammed his fist on the table. "My happiness for the rest of my life! I want to listen to music, exercise, and live like a god. If I marry a shrew, all of that will be ruined!"

The two were talking.

The steward trotted in and bowed, saying, "Young Master, Lord Yuan Hong has arrived."

"Who?" Li Jinglong's eyes widened.

"Lord Yuan Hong, Commander of Taiyuan Guard," the steward repeated.

"Brother, I'm leaving now. I won't disturb you two, father-in-law and son-in-law." Li Zengzhi winked at Li Jinglong, then slipped away.

Li Jinglong rubbed his forehead.

This kid runs faster than he used to when he dodged his dad's slaps.

He straightened his clothes and went to greet them personally.

Yuan Hong is not well-known in historical records, but he was definitely a formidable figure, not just any ordinary formidable one.

Because his second daughter married Li Jinglong, who was his future wife.

His third daughter married the King of Min and became a proper queen.

His son, Yuan Rong, married Zhu Di's eldest daughter.

Yuan Hong formed marriage alliances with the Cao family, Zhu Yuanzhang, and Zhu Di.

What kind of godlike move is this?

Your circle is really messy!

As they approached the gate of the mansion, they saw a tall figure standing at the bottom of the steps. Yuan Hong was not wearing armor today, but rather a plain blue robe.

"Uncle Yuan!" Li Jinglong stepped forward quickly and clasped his hands in a salute.

"Young Duke," Yuan Hong returned the greeting with clasped hands, "I've come specifically to take my leave."

Li Jinglong was slightly surprised: "So rushed?"

"His Majesty has granted my permission, so I can stay in the capital for three days," Yuan Hong said. "I have to leave early the day after tomorrow. That's why I came to see you before I leave, to say a few words."

"There are still two days left, no rush," Li Jinglong said. "I'll invite you to Taibai Tower for drinks. Taibai Tower's Qingjiu is the best in the capital."

"Not today," Yuan Hong shook his head. "I have to see Marshal Xu. He's my old marshal. I can't come back and not see him."

Li Jinglong: "..."

Xu Shuai, Xu Da.

Go see him, there's nothing wrong with him.

"Then tomorrow!" Li Jinglong shrugged.

"I've invited a few brothers to meet up tomorrow, all of whom I haven't seen in years," Yuan Hong grinned. "It won't feel right without a drink. Those old geezers, we went through thick and thin with the Commander back in the day, and it's been years since we last saw them. If I don't get them all drunk tomorrow, I'm not Yuan Hong."

Ha ha.

Li Jinglong's lips twitched.

Turns out he's a member of the working world.

His social engagements were more packed than those of high-ranking government officials; he'd meet with the old marshal one day and his old comrades the next, his schedule meticulously planned.

No wonder you were able to marry into the Duke's family and also into the royal family.

"Uncle Yuan, so you really came to say goodbye?" Li Jinglong sighed, rubbing his forehead.

Yuan Hong laughed heartily: "When you come of age and marry my daughter, we'll be family, no need for such formalities. I'll see you before I leave and give you a few words of advice. After the governor leaves, if you need anything, just say the word, and I'll handle it for you, making sure everything is clear and straightforward."

Li Jinglong looked puzzled.

Where did Yuan Hong get his accent?

The people in Northeast China are still Jurchens, and they don't speak with this accent.

"We're all your father's men, our best buddies."

"Hey bro."

"Yeah, yeah, bro! That's a great phrase, we're true bros!"

Li Jinglong: "..."

"If you need anything, just say so. We can't just not help!"

Li Jinglong was speechless.

Is this guy also from another time?

"I do have something to ask Uncle Yuan." He gestured to the chair. "Let's sit down and talk."

Yuan Hong sat down casually: "What's the matter? I'll explain everything to you clearly."