Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

afternoon.

"Respectfully informing my Master."

A young Taoist priest walked up to Tao Zhongwen and whispered,

"I just found a familiar eunuch and quietly inquired about it."

Just half an hour ago, His Majesty ordered the Directorate of Palace Attendants to select several eunuchs and palace maids to serve the prince who was resting in his carriage, and also sent him a lot of royal snacks.

Not only that, the Imperial Household Department dispatched messengers back to the capital at full speed, demanding not only His Majesty's dragon robe and everyday clothes, but also a complete set of princely attire, from ceremonial to casual wear.

"So, the one who went into the fire with Lu Bing to save the emperor was actually a royal prince?!"

Tao Zhongwen stroked his beard.

"At the time, the man's face was covered in dirt, making it impossible to see his features, but he was undoubtedly an adult male."

This is the territory of Weihui Prefecture. There is only one prince here, His Highness Prince Ru. How could there be other princes?

But if he wasn't a royal prince, why would His Majesty bestow His Highness Prince Ru's elephant carriage upon this person?

Could it be that this person's appearance here was completely unexpected?!

I'm afraid it won't be long before His Majesty summons me to inquire about this matter.

"My disciple, go and inquire about that person again, the sooner the better."

Less than a quarter of an hour after the young Taoist priest left, an official from the inner palace arrived.

"His Majesty summoned Master Tao to the imperial carriage, as he has important matters to discuss with him."

. . .

Inside the imperial carriage.

"Master Tao is truly a virtuous man; everything he says is absolutely correct."

Upon seeing Tao Zhongwen enter, the Jiajing Emperor personally rose to greet him.

"Please offer a seat to Master Tao."

The eunuch serving nearby quickly helped Tao Zhongwen sit down on a chair to the side.

"His Majesty is the Son of Heaven, ordained by Heaven; how could he possibly be harmed by this mere fire calamity?"

Tao Zhongwen stroked his long beard lightly.

"My actions were merely following the trend; I dare not claim any credit."

"Master Tao is too modest. Last night, the palace caught fire, and dozens of palace servants died in the fire. I was able to escape unharmed, which must be due to the protection of the immortal master."

Seeing that Tao Zhongwen knew when to advance and retreat and did not take credit for himself, the Jiajing Emperor was very satisfied.

"The bestowal of titles upon the immortal master cannot be taken lightly. This place is too simple; let's wait until we reach Chengtian Prefecture to discuss it further."

"I have summoned the immortal master here because I have another matter to inquire about, and I hope the immortal master can enlighten me."

"For many years, I have been treated with the same courtesy and respect as Your Majesty."

Tao Zhongwen bowed slightly to the Jiajing Emperor.

"It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens."

Emperor Jiajing waved his hand gently, and the eunuch inside the carriage immediately understood, carefully exiting the carriage and closing the door from the outside.

"Immortal Master, there is something I do not understand."

At this point, only Emperor Jiajing and Tao Zhongwen remained in the carriage.

"If an eleven-year-old boy has sexual intercourse with a woman, is it possible for the woman to become pregnant?"

So that's how it is!

Upon hearing the Jiajing Emperor's question, Tao Zhongwen's mystery was instantly solved.

The child the emperor spoke of was none other than himself, the former Crown Prince of Xing!

Could it be that the mysterious member of the royal family who rescued the emperor with Lu Bing last night and was granted the carriage of the Prince of Ru is actually His Majesty's offspring?!

This matter involves royal secrets and is far too sensitive. If one says the wrong thing, it could lead to utter ruin!

Tao Zhongwen gestured with his fingers as if he were calculating, while weighing how to answer the emperor's question.

As far as he knew, an eleven-year-old boy was not fully developed, and even if he managed to have intercourse, it would be impossible for the woman to become pregnant.

Even boys who can complete the sexual intercourse process at the age of eleven are at least one in ten.

But could this blunt truth be told to the emperor?

Since the emperor asked this question, it is clear that when he was eleven years old and still the heir apparent of the Prince of Xing, he had indeed slept with a woman.

However, even he himself did not expect that the woman would become pregnant.

Do not!

Rather than believing that an eleven-year-old boy could impregnate a woman, it's more likely that the woman is carrying someone else's child.

The emperor was most likely deceived; the person who saved him last night could not possibly be his offspring.

But can I say that?

The fact that the man asked such a question is itself a form of self-affirmation!

Moreover, the one who asked this question was an emperor.

If I were to answer "impossible," wouldn't that be tantamount to denying the emperor's early "dragon might"?

Is it okay to say such things so casually?

Of course not!

Telling the emperor directly that he left behind a dragon seed would obviously not work!

I am at least 99% certain that this person is an imposter.

If my identity is exposed in the future, wouldn't I have to be buried with this person?

"If it were an ordinary boy, he would not be fully developed by the age of eleven. Let alone impregnating a woman, even completing sexual intercourse would be extremely difficult."

After a moment, Tao Zhongwen slowly spoke.

"However, I just did some calculations, and if it were His Majesty back then, it's not entirely impossible?"

"Master Tao, what do you mean by that?"

Emperor Jiajing's eyes lit up.

"Your Majesty was born with divine qualities, possessed dragon essence from an early age, and had abundant true yang energy and a full range of vital energy."

Tao Zhongwen stroked his long beard and laughed heartily.

"If there is a yin substance that corresponds and the time and day are in harmony, it is natural to nurture the innate qi. How can it be said that it is not possible?"

The *Huang Ting* states, "The boy is still a child, his yang essence is complete and firm," which perfectly describes the state of the emperor at that time.

"As expected of a celestial master, he was able to foresee that the child I was referring to was himself."

The Jiajing Emperor showed a look of admiration.

"To be honest, Immortal Master, in the thirteenth year of Zhengde's reign, when I was still the Prince of Xing in the Prince's residence, I once had a moment of passion and slept with a woman."

At that time, I had just turned eleven years old. I had heard the palace maids and eunuchs in the Prince of Xing's mansion talking about matters between men and women in private. But I was still too young, and my father did not arrange any concubines for me.

But I was also curious about matters between men and women at the time.

One day, while visiting the Lu family's residence, he inadvertently saw a beautiful woman secretly entering the woodshed alone in the back garden.

I have seen that woman before; she was a maidservant of the wet nurse.

Out of curiosity, I secretly followed her in, wanting to see what she was doing in the woodshed.

Unexpectedly, there was a large bed in the woodshed, and the woman was changing clothes there when I caught her red-handed.

She was the wet nurse's maid, so of course she recognized me at a glance. She seemed very scared at the time and begged me to keep it a secret and pretend that I had never seen her.

In return, she let me experience the pleasures of sex for the first time.

I was too young at the time, and I don't really understand how it started or ended.

I promised to keep it a secret, and of course I will keep my word. I have never mentioned this matter to anyone.

Strangely enough, I never saw this woman again in the Lu family after that.

She begged me to pretend I had never met her, and I kept my promise, never even inquiring about her name.

So many years have passed, I had long forgotten about this matter.

Unexpectedly, just a few hours ago, I heard news of her again!