The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 99 Princess, I Don't Want to Try Anymore

In Yichun Courtyard, the autumn colors are in full bloom.

In the courtyard, there was a bamboo recliner. Princess Qin lay on it, her long grassland dress trailing on the ground, her waist tightly cinched, highlighting her curves.

The warm autumn sun shone on her, and she half-closed her eyes, looking languid and charming.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Li Jinglong stepped forward.

Princess Qin raised her beautiful eyes: "It's been so long since you've come. It seems you've gained something."

"What a great harvest!" Li Jinglong looked around the courtyard. "Where's Hai Li? We have to tell her about this wonderful news."

Princess Qin stretched out her slender hand and pointed to the door: "She's cooped up in there all day. Go and call her."

Li Jinglong took a few steps forward, pushed his way in, and went inside.

Then, her eyes widened.

The room was still damp and filled with a faint fragrance. Dresses that had been taken off were draped over the screen, and Hai Li stood in front of the screen.

She had just finished showering and was only wrapped in a bath towel.

Her long, wet hair cascaded over her shoulders, water droplets trickling down the ends and landing one by one on her delicate collarbone.

The bath towel barely reached her chest, revealing her rounded shoulders; the hem fell to her thighs, exposing her two long, straight, white legs to Li Jinglong.

"Why didn't you close the door while taking a bath in broad daylight?" Li Jinglong's gaze swept over him from top to bottom, looking carefully, without any intention of leaving.

Hai Li turned around and glared at him: "It was just me and my aunt in the courtyard. Who would have thought you would barge in?"

She didn't try to hide or scream; she simply turned slightly to the side and reached out to gather her long hair that was loose over her shoulder.

"Don't talk nonsense, it was the Princess who asked me to come in," Li Jinglong said, preparing to retreat.

I am a scholar and should not look at what is improper.

"Come here," Hai Li called out to him.

She turned and walked to the dressing table, where she sat down in front of the bronze mirror.

The bronze mirror reflected a face as beautiful as a lotus emerging from water, with a hint of languor and weariness in her eyes. She turned her head to the side, brushing her wet, long hair aside to reveal the back of her fair neck.

"Help me dry my hair."

"I'd be happy to help."

Without hesitation, Li Jinglong walked behind her, picked up a dry towel from the small table, and scooped up her wet, dark hair.

A faint fragrance wafted into the air.

His hand fell and rested on her rounded, fragrant shoulder.

"You've lost weight recently," he said as he continued to dry her hair.

Hai Li didn't dodge his hand, her beautiful eyes lowered: "Locked up here, unable to go anywhere, you'll suffocate sooner or later."

"You really want to go back to the grasslands?" Li Jinglong asked with a smile.

Hai Li sighed softly: "You Han people talk about returning to your roots after death, and we grassland people are the same. We want to be buried in the world of immortals after we die."

Li Jinglong bent down.

His arms wrapped around her from behind, gently embracing her slender waist, and he rested his head on her shoulder.

"Sister, I'll miss you so much."

Hai Li let him hold her, letting his breath brush against her ear.

After a moment, she let out a hum.

"You little bastard, all you know how to do is sweet talk."

Li Jinglong's hands started to wander.

"I can also make babies."

Hai Li grabbed his restless hand and turned him around.

She stood up, facing him, raised her hands, wrapped them around his neck, tilted her head slightly, and looked straight at him.

"Then let's go to the grasslands with your sister."

Li Jinglong: "————"

Go to the grasslands with you? Am I out of my mind?

"Never mind." Hai Li's beautiful eyes were misty. "I knew you weren't sincere."

Li Jinglong felt the pressure from the two bulges in his chest, and his breathing became heavier.

Hai Li tiptoed and pressed her moist red lips against his.

Li Jinglong reached his hands under her legs, preparing to lift her up in his arms. There was a soft couch three steps behind them, so he lay down on it.

"Let's go out." Hai Li slid her hands off his neck. "Auntie is waiting for us."

Li Jinglong gritted his teeth.

I can't take it anymore. It's always just a drill. When will we ever have real guns and ammunition?

Li Jinglong hurriedly went to the courtyard, let the cold wind blow on him, and calmed his restless heart.

Princess Qin remained reclining on the bamboo chair. She shifted her position, lying on her side, one hand supporting her chin, sizing up Li Jinglong with a playful smile.

Li Jinglong felt a little uneasy under her gaze.

Is this a sign of disrespect towards me?

He pretended to be nonchalant, sat down at the stone table, picked up the pot of cold tea on the table, poured a full cup, and gulped it down.

A short while later, Hai Li came out and sat down on the stone bench next to Li Jinglong.

"Speak, has the Emperor issued a decree?" Princess Qin adjusted her posture.

Li Jinglong said in a deep voice, "We have found out that the Darughachi in the north room of the scout headquarters is Li Siqi."

-

Princess Qin was slightly taken aback: "They found out so quickly. Li Siqi is useless now."

"Because his opponent is me," Li Jinglong said smugly.

Hai Li turned her head and glared at him: "You're just someone the emperor uses to deceive people."

Li Jinglong: "————"

"What will Emperor Zhu do with us?" Princess Qin's face turned cold.

Li Jinglong spread his hands: "His Majesty said that Hai Li can be allowed to return north."

Hai Li was overjoyed.

Princess Qin, however, was not pleased: "Then he must have conditions, right?"

"His Majesty also said that he can support your brother Toyin Temur and help Maidelibala become the next Khan," Li Jinglong said.

This time, Hai Li's eyes widened in disbelief.

It was already an accident that she was allowed to go back; why would Zhu Yuanzhang support her second uncle to ascend to the throne?

Princess Qin was silent for a moment, then said, "His calculations are indeed far-reaching. What do he want us to give in exchange?"

"It's very simple. Let your brother Tuoyin Timur's son and daughter be taken hostage," Li Jinglong said.

Hai Li lowered his eyes.

The King of Qin leaned his head back in his chair and looked up at the high and distant sky above, which was dyed by the deep autumn colors.

After a long silence, she spoke: "I promise, I will write a letter to my second brother today."

"Good!" Li Jinglong was also happy that his task was completed and he could go back and report.

Princess Qin was looking at him with a half-smile: "Do you want to annex Li Siqi's assets? The gold and silver treasures he has hidden in Guanzhong, plus the trade routes, represent a huge fortune."

"Your Highness, do you have a solution?" Li Jinglong asked.

Princess Qin nodded.

Li Jinglong stood up, took two steps forward, and bowed to Princess Qin: "Princess, I don't want to work hard anymore."

Princess Qin was amused by his money-grubbing attitude: "I'll help you, you help me."

"Your Highness, Li Siqi was a pawn left behind by your elder brother. Why are you handing him over to me so readily?" Li Jinglong asked warily.

The Queen of Qin said calmly, "No chess piece can be abandoned."

"This is great! If this happens to me, I'll have to think about it." Li Jinglong hesitated.

Princess Qin stood up: "Take your time to think it over, I'll go write the letter now."

Li Jinglong frowned.

Li Siqi wanted to bribe me, and Princess Qin also wanted to bribe me.

Am I, Li Jiujiang, a greedy person?

You have to be alive to enjoy it.