Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

How did this guy figure that out?

I am not one of those royal family members who grew up in the deep palace and never had any contact with the lives of ordinary people.

After transmigrating to this world, from Gucheng County to Xiangyang Prefecture, Wadian Town, Biyang County, and then to Linqing Prefecture, I lived as an ordinary person for quite some time.

Lu Chen was very confident that his attire, demeanor, and speech would not give him away.

Looking at Guo Shoulu, who was kneeling on the ground, he thought it was good that he had laid his cards on the table; there was no need to beat around the bush anymore.

"Young Master Guo, this is not the Wenhua Hall. Stand up and speak."

Lu Chen sat up straight.

How did you guess my identity?

"What Your Highness bestowed upon me yesterday was a 'red lead' elixir refined by Duan Chaoyong."

Guo Shoulu quickly replied,

"That Duan Chaoyong was recommended to Your Majesty by my father and Master Tao. I saw this item in my father's possession several months ago."

Upon seeing him yesterday, I immediately recognized him.

After taking the medicine, my father praised it highly, saying that he could regain his youthful state even at the age of sixty.

I have long been curious and wanted to experience it for myself.

However, even when my father's most beloved fourth brother wanted one, my father refused to give it to him, so I didn't dare to ask.

This "red lead" elixir is so precious that only an extraordinary person could produce it.

After leaving the Yihong Pavilion this morning, I returned to the Marquis's residence and asked my father who might have this "elixir of immortality".

According to my father, ever since he recommended Duan Chaoyong to His Majesty, this "red lead" elixir has become a tribute exclusively for His Majesty.

Apart from Duan Chaoyong and Tao Zhenren, no one else could have contact with them.

Although Master Tao and Duan Chaoyong jointly presided over the selection of young girls from the common people to obtain "red lead" for alchemy, for some reason, Master Tao never touched this "elixir of immortality".

Not only was he dissatisfied, but he also never took any of them.

Duan Chaoyong told his father that the "red lead" elixir he refined had only been offered to the Emperor and given to his father privately.

"In that case, the source of the 'red lead' elixir I consumed yesterday can only be Your Majesty."

"I have long heard that His Majesty often bestows 'elixirs' upon his subjects."

Moreover, what Chao Yong said to your father may not necessarily be the truth.

If he could secretly give the "Red Lead" elixir to your father, why couldn't he give it to someone else?

Lu Chen glanced at Guo Shoulu.

"How can you be sure that I was the one who gave you this 'elixir' yesterday?"

"Your Highness, I am not actually sure whether Duan Chaoyong has given it to anyone other than my father."

I even believe that the possibility that he gave it to others is greater than that he didn't.

Guo Shoulu thought for a moment,

"However, this 'Red Lead' elixir is now a tribute to His Majesty and is extremely precious."

No matter who Duan Chao gave it to in private, it would be regarded as a treasure. Even if he did not use it himself, there was absolutely no reason for him to give it away casually.

According to my father, this "red lead" elixir is difficult to refine and is limited in quantity; His Majesty has only bestowed six upon it.

Three of them were bestowed upon Yan Song, the Minister of Rites, and the other three were bestowed upon His Highness Prince Ying.

My father believed that the person who sent me the "red lead" elixir yesterday was Yan Song's son, Yan Shifan.

I did not deny it, and echoed my father's words.

But in truth, I know very well that the "Young Master Lin" I met here yesterday could not possibly be Yan Shifan.

This was a gift from the Emperor, and Yan Song would never give it away. Even if Yan Shifan obtained it from his father, he would only use it himself.

Why would I give this to someone I've only known for two hours?

Only His Highness Prince Ying, as His Majesty's younger brother and a prince assisting the Crown Prince in overseeing the country, possesses a noble status and would not care too much about this item.

After saying that, Guo Shoulu secretly glanced at Lu Chen's expression.

Your Highness, please don't ask any more questions. I dare not say anything more.

What truly convinced him was that it was His Highness Prince Ying who had given him the "Red Lead" elixir yesterday was something else entirely.

That was the palace secret my father had told me about.

This stuff has incredibly miraculous effects and is extremely precious. No man who obtains it would be willing to give it away instead of eating it himself.

Only His Highness Prince Ying, who is rumored to be indifferent to women, would consider this item as a mere trifle, something he could casually bestow upon others.

"Guo Qing is clever and quick-witted, yet he holds only the nominal title of Imperial Attendant, spending his days in brothels, gambling dens, cockfighting, and horse racing. What a waste of his talents!"

Lu Chen laughed.

"Your father, Duke Guo Xun, is trusted by His Majesty and is now implicitly the head of the nobility."

Your family, the Marquis of Wuding, Guo, was personally granted the title of Marquis by Emperor Taizu, and was bestowed with a certificate of merit and honor that was shared with the nation.

Even if one has committed some crime, one can be spared death; how could there be such a great calamity?

If those iron certificates were truly effective, how did so many nobles die at the founding of the dynasty?

"My father was unfortunately misled by wicked people and committed the heinous crime of deceiving the emperor. I dare not conceal this from Your Highness."

Seeing that Lu Chen showed no anger, Guo Shoulu bowed down again.

"I only ask that Your Highness grant my entire Guo family a way out."

"Since you are so honest with me, I'll give you some reassurance first."

Lu Chen knew that if you were to employ someone, you had to provide them with a safety net and eliminate their worries.

"Your Guo family's iron certificate clearly states that the person himself is exempt from death twice, and his descendants are exempt from death once, but treason is not pardoned."

Your father committed the crime of deceiving the emperor, but it was because he was misled by others, and he had no intention of plotting rebellion.

This imperial edict was bestowed by the founding emperor, and I will never allow it to be undeserved.

If you can redeem your father's crime by performing meritorious service, I can also preserve your title of Marquis of Wuding.

Duan Chaoyong first bewitched your father, and then used your father to coerce Tao Zhenren into vouching for his deception of the emperor. He is the mastermind behind this crime and his intentions are deserving of punishment.

However, the "red lead" elixir he refined has been regarded by His Majesty as a true "elixir," and he is now in seclusion in the Western Garden to cultivate immortality.

His Majesty will not listen to anyone, not even his own brother's advice.

If we openly investigate Duan Chaoyong, it will surely displease His Majesty.

In my younger days, I heard of an evil substance that, apart from not having such a strong aphrodisiac effect, was extremely similar to the effects and reactions you experienced after taking the "Red Lead" elixir yesterday.

I believe that Duan Chaoyong most likely added this substance to the "Red Lead" elixir.

The so-called "red lead" of the woman was likely just a cover-up.

As far as I know, this evil object is extremely difficult to make. How did Duan Chao obtain it?

Did he make it himself, or was it given to him by someone else?

What other schemes does this evil object have to seduce the king?

If this matter is not investigated thoroughly, I will not be able to eat or sleep in peace.

"Your Highness, my father has close ties with Duan Chaoyong. If I were to find an opportunity to contact someone close to Duan Chaoyong, no one would find it strange."

Several months ago, when Duan Chaoyong first arrived at the Marquis's residence to refine "immortal silver" for his father, I recognized several of his disciples.

Guo Shoulu understood Lu Chen's meaning.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly and redeem my father by performing meritorious service."