Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

"good!"

Lu Bing looked at Lu Chen and continued,

Before her death, Wang told her about the child exchange with her maternal relatives in her early years, about the "Lu Chen" she had been raising.

She also gave him the address of the relative who had adopted her biological son.

That's all they told him.

After Lu Kun's legal wife sent a letter to Chengtian Prefecture last April, "Lu Chen" learned that he was not Lu Kun's biological son, so he decided to send the letter to his adoptive mother's biological son.

The letter instructed that "Lu Chen" should go to the capital to care for Lu Kun when he was ill, and the person who would bring "Lu Chen" to the capital would naturally be you.

As for the relatives who adopted you, they live in Yunyang Prefecture, not far from that small town on the south bank of the river.

"That's not a good idea."

Although Lu Chen was secretly pleased, he still showed a somewhat worried expression.

"In that case, wouldn't my birth mother, Lady Wang, bear the blame for deceiving the emperor?"

"Don't worry, it's absolutely the best outcome that your birth mother will take this responsibility."

Lu Bing waved his hand.

"When my father was dying, he left a will instructing us to take care of you. I sent Yuan Xun south with the letter of appointment. After searching for you on the way to the capital, he also investigated your birth mother, Wang."

She was sold to Anlu Prefecture by human traffickers in her early years. When my Lu family bought her as a maid, she had no relatives at all.

Wang passed away two years ago, and your son is her only living relative.

No matter how serious the crime, it won't implicate anyone, and she herself won't be held accountable!

You are the son of the late Emperor Xian, and the only younger brother of the current emperor. You are to be granted the title of Prince.

How could the prince's birth mother commit the crime of deceiving the emperor?

His Majesty values ​​family ties most, and just because she gave birth to your son, the late Emperor Xian, he will certainly not hold her accountable.

Based on my understanding of His Majesty, your birth mother, Lady Wang, will most likely be posthumously honored as a concubine of the late Emperor Xian.

"Brother's plan is brilliant."

Lu Chen's face lit up with joy.

"In this way, no one will be held accountable. Let's do as you say, brother."

"good!"

Lu Bing glanced at Lu Wei.

"Let's start preparing now."

There are many people in Chengtian Prefecture who know the truth, so no matter how much preparation is made, there will always be loopholes. It's better to do nothing at all.

All those people knew was that Lu Kun's concubine, Wang, had lived on the estate with her son for eighteen years.

Wang is not a prisoner; she can take her child out anytime.

After a trip more than ten years ago, it's impossible for anyone to say for sure whether the son they brought back has become a completely different child.

However, someone needs to go to Yunyang Prefecture. I have to serve His Majesty every day and can't leave.

Second brother, you'll be the one to make this trip.

"Brother, leave this matter to me, I will handle it properly."

Lu Wei readily agreed.

"The small town that Lu Chen just mentioned is right on the Nanhe River. You can reach Gucheng County in a day by taking a small boat downstream. It should be very easy to find."

I plan to build a courtyard in the mountains, dozens of miles from the town, and decorate it to look like a place where a family once lived, but has since moved away.

The relative who raised Wang's child was actually Wang's biological son, who had been exchanged with her years ago and raised by her in Chengtian Prefecture.

When "Lu Chen" came to their door last year, they learned that Wang had passed away. Naturally, they wanted to reunite with their biological son and exchange the two children back.

It was impossible for Wang to tell her relatives that her son was of royal blood. Lu Chen's adoptive parents only knew that she was Lu Kun's concubine, and that was all they could tell Lu Chen.

It was only then that Lu Chen learned that he was the illegitimate son of Lu Kun, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and that his birth mother was Wang, Lu Kun's concubine, but that he had been switched with a relative's child since childhood.

As for why, Lu Chen's adoptive parents did not know, only that it was the will of his birth mother, Wang.

Lu Chen learns that his birth mother has passed away and his birth father is seriously ill. Although he is full of questions, he still switches identities back with "Lu Chen," the biological son of his adoptive parents who grew up with his birth mother.

Then, holding Lu Chen's travel permit, he embarked on his journey to the capital.

As for why the elder brother would personally write an appointment letter to let "Lu Chen," an illegitimate son, inherit Lu Kun's hereditary banner chief position, it was naturally Lu Kun's dying wish.

Lu Kun has followed my father and son for decades. Even if he has not made any great contributions, he has certainly worked hard. It is only natural for my elder brother to fulfill his dying wish.

After Lu Chen set off for the capital, his adoptive parents found the matter increasingly suspicious, as it involved a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and they were naturally afraid.

Since their biological son had returned to their side, along with a considerable amount of money left by Wang, they simply moved the whole family away from their original place.

As for where I went, I will leave some ambiguous clues.

Let the Eastern Depot investigate slowly; they're unlikely to find anything anyway.

The people in the Eastern Depot weren't stupid; they knew this matter was unlikely to yield any results, and even if they found it, it wouldn't amount to much.

I suspect that, in order to complete their task, they might even "find" evidence that a family that didn't exist had tragically died in the deep mountains of Yunyang Prefecture.

"That's right, all we need to do is make sure the Eastern Depot can't investigate any further."

Lu Bing laughed.

"With Lu Chen's own testimony, all the doubts point to his birth mother, Wang."

The relatives who raised Lu Chen were also kept in the dark by Wang Shi; whether they could be found or not was actually not important.

Lu Chen's appearance and voice are exactly like His Majesty's from more than ten years ago. His birth mother was a maidservant by his mother's side, so she had every opportunity to come into contact with Prince Xing back then.

With these two irrefutable pieces of evidence, His Majesty, the imperial family, and the court officials would all agree that Lu Chen was the son of the late Emperor Xian, and no one could raise any objections.

This also included Mai Fu, the eunuch who served as the director of the Eastern Depot and the chief eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Since Mai Fu has already determined that Lu Chen is indeed of royal blood, Lu Chen's experiences among the common people over the years are not actually that important.

For the Eastern Depot, which was in charge of the investigation, as long as they had a result to report, that was enough.

We will guide them step by step to uncover the truth.

"There's no time to lose, I'll set off tonight."

Lu Wei stood up.

"Lu Chen came from Chengtian Prefecture, and there were people along the way to prepare for the Emperor's arrival."

Among these people were both Imperial Guards and eunuchs, and there must have been quite a few among them who had seen His Majesty's true face.

Who can guarantee that Lu Chen wasn't discovered by these people?

I think it would be best for you, elder brother, to take Lu Chen to meet His Majesty tomorrow.

If someone reports to His Majesty before we do, we'll be at a disadvantage.

"Second brother's words make sense."

Lu Bing nodded.

"You set off now, leave things here to me."

After speaking, Lu Bing took off his cloak and handed it to Lu Chen.

"Now His Majesty has arrived in Weihui, accompanied by more than 10,000 people. Among them are quite a few who have seen His Majesty's true face. This post station is too crowded and no longer suitable for staying here."

"Come with me to the palace now, and I will introduce you to His Majesty first thing tomorrow morning."