Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

"The son thought that although the expenses were a bit higher, his stepmother was still covering for him."

Guo Shoulu blushed slightly.

"I never imagined it was Father who instructed the accountant!"

"I was actually very pleased to discover that you had secretly pledged allegiance to His Highness Prince Ying."

Guo Xun gestured for Guo Shoulu to sit down.

"Back then, I was tricked by Duan Chaoyong, who devised a plan to bring Tao Zhenren along and introduce him to His Majesty."

Tao Zhenren was well aware that Duan Chaoyong was deceiving the emperor, but as one of the recommenders, he was in a difficult position, just like his father.

Looking back now, Master Tao only said to His Majesty that Duan Chao was skilled in magic and alchemy, and was a rare talent in the arts.

After Duan Chaoyong proposed to refine the "red lead" elixir to help His Majesty achieve immortality, he stopped agreeing.

From then on, Tao Zhenren, though ordered to select women from the common people with Duan Chaoyong, was tasked with obtaining "red lead" for alchemy.

However, Master Tao never interfered with Duan Chaoyong's refining of the "red lead" elixir, and he didn't even touch the elixir he refined, let alone persuade him to use it.

It's like they're trying to distance themselves from everything.

Given His Majesty's favor towards Master Tao, he may not necessarily hold a grudge against Duan Chaoyong after discovering that Duan Chaoyong had deceived the emperor.

After all, it's true that Duan Chaoyong knew how to refine elixirs, and it's also true that the "red lead" elixir had miraculous effects.

From beginning to end, only Duan Chaoyong boasted to His Majesty that he could achieve immortality through two years of secluded cultivation.

Master Tao initially accepted 10,000 taels of silver from Duan Chaoyong, but after realizing he had been tricked, he never had any further private dealings with him.

But my father is different. Duan Chaoyong started out refining "immortal silver" for the Marquis of Wuding's mansion. It was I who presented the artifacts made of "immortal silver" to His Majesty.

Even the so-called "celestial silver" was actually money I used from the Marquis of Wuding's mansion to cover up the hole for Duan Chaoyong.

Once His Majesty issues an edict ordering the Imperial Guard to investigate Duan Chaoyong, these matters cannot be concealed, and he will inevitably be implicated.

"Father, the iron certificate of our Marquis of Wuding clearly states that the person himself is exempt from death twice, and his descendants are exempt from death once, but treason is not pardoned."

Guo Shoulu quickly comforted him,

"His Highness the Prince of Ying once promised his son that although his father had committed the crime of deceiving the emperor, he was only misled by treacherous people and had no intention of plotting rebellion."

This imperial edict, bestowed by the Emperor Taizu, will surely ensure the safety of the Marquis of Wuding's household.

"With such a good son as you, the Wuding Marquis's Mansion, which has been passed down for a hundred years, will not be ruined by your father."

When I reach the afterlife, I will be able to face the ancestors of the Guo family.

Guo Xun let out a long sigh.

"Hmph, do you know why Duan Chaoyong thinks that His Highness the Prince of Ying will definitely come if I hold a banquet at the Marquis of Wuding's residence?"

He assumed that His Highness the Prince of Ying would be worried about not being able to continue receiving the "Red Lead" elixir after leaving the capital and returning to his fiefdom, and that he would definitely come to the banquet if he knew that His Highness would also be attending.

Hehe, Duan Chaoyong spends all his time refining elixirs in the West Garden and has never had the chance to get close to His Highness Prince Ying.

It is said that after His Highness Prince Ying was bestowed with the "Red Lead" elixir, he began to frequently summon palace maids to Chonghua Palace.

This swindler, despite his elaborate schemes, has finally suffered a major setback.

Others may not be able to tell whether Your Highness has taken the "Red Lead" elixir, but do you think I, who take it every day, can't tell?

You should also know that His Highness Prince Ying has not actually been consuming the "red lead" elixir bestowed by His Majesty for an extended period, right?

"Father, His Highness has not only not taken it for a long time, but he has never taken it even once."

Guo Shoulu nodded.

"His Highness also experimented by throwing the 'Red Lead' elixir into the fire, and it burned directly into charcoal."

The "Red Lead" elixir was not actually refined in an alchemy furnace; Duan Chao's so-called "alchemy" was just a facade.

His Highness believes that this elixir may have been mixed with an evil substance that he had heard of in the martial arts world.

This evil substance, apart from not having such a strong aphrodisiac effect, has effects after consumption and reactions after the effects wear off that are extremely similar to the "red lead" elixir.

However, this kind of evil object is extremely difficult to prepare, and Duan Chaoyong simply did not have the means to do so in the capital. It must be that someone was providing it to Duan Chaoyong.

His Highness ordered me to befriend Prince Yan in order to uncover the person hiding behind Duan Chaoyong!

"There's actually someone behind Duan Chaoyong!"

Upon hearing his son's words, Guo Xun's expression changed slightly.

"I have always thought this man was just a charlatan. If there is someone manipulating him behind the scenes, his approach to His Majesty is probably for another purpose!"

Who exactly is this person? Has anyone found out?

"Every time Prince Yan leaves the capital, I inform His Highness, but His Highness sends people to follow him and they always lose track of him."

Guo Shoulu shook his head and said,

"This time, His Highness said he would send out truly skilled experts to track them down, but as for what they found out, I have no idea."

"Duan Chaoyong's eldest disciple is no ordinary person; he's managed to shake off their pursuers time and again!"

Guo Xun's heart sank.

"This is a skill that a disciple of a quack alchemist should not possess!"

Duan Chaoyong's identity as a conman was also fake; it was an act for me to conceal his true purpose.

What exactly are he and the people behind him plotting?

Could it be that they really intend to rebel?!

If that's truly the case, then my hosting of the banquet for His Highness Prince Ying at the Marquis of Wuding's residence this time is probably part of some ulterior motive!

"Could they possibly dare to plot against a prince who is the regent?"

Guo Shoulu blurted it out.

"Duan Chaoyong deceived the emperor, and although His Majesty was misled, His Highness Prince Ying saw through it clearly."

Guo Xun remained silent for a moment,

"If Your Majesty truly intends to allow Prince Ying to remain in the capital to oversee the country after leaving the pass, handling state affairs as Crown Prince Yiwen did back then."

Everyone in the court knew that His Majesty intended to change the crown prince to His Highness.

It's even possible that His Highness sent experts to track Prince Yan and discovered some important clues, but these clues were also noticed by the person behind the scenes.

There are no sorcerers around His Highness Prince Ying, so he will not be deceived by them. It is only a matter of time before they are dealt with.

In a life-or-death situation, what wouldn't these people do?

Your secret allegiance to Prince Ying has at least provided a way out for the Marquis of Wuding's household.

I had originally planned that once His Majesty issued an order to investigate Duan Chaoyong for deceiving the emperor, I would immediately request to resign my title of Duke of Yiguo, pass on the title of Marquis of Wuding to you, and become a monk.

Having come this far, and with His Highness Prince Ying interceding on his behalf, His Majesty will likely not pursue the matter further.

But if His Highness Prince Ying is murdered, who will protect the Marquis of Wuding's mansion?

If His Highness Prince Ying had been assassinated at the Marquis of Wuding's residence, even on the way there or back, no one in the entire Guo family would have escaped unscathed.

This concerns the life and death of the Guo family; we must take action!

If Duan Chaoyong and the people behind him really intend to plot something sinister, they may already have accomplices in the court and spies in the palace.

My father invited His Highness the Prince of Ying to a banquet, and there is a high possibility that someone is secretly watching.

Your Highness and I have no personal relationship. If we were to dismiss our attendants and have a private conversation, it would surely arouse suspicion and alert the enemy.

Shoulu, you should go ahead and arrange a private meeting with His Highness first.

I told Your Highness everything about Duan Chaoyong's plan for me to host a banquet for Your Highness at the Marquis of Wuding's residence, along with his reasons and my suspicions that he might have ulterior motives.

"Whatever Your Highness desires in dealing with this matter, the entire Marquis of Wuding's residence will fully cooperate!"