The Great Ming Demon Pill: Your Majesty, please address me as the Crown Prince!

Qianqing Hall.

"Your Majesty, Minister Xia Yuanji's memorial..."

Meng Ji respectfully presented a memorial to Zhu Di.

Zhu Di rubbed his temples and waved his hand dismissively.

"No need to give it to me."

"I don't even need to look to know this fellow is here to complain about being poor again."

"Ever since I appointed him as Minister of Revenue, no matter what I do, he always comes up with the excuse that the national treasury is empty."

Meng Ji respectfully stepped aside.

Zhu Di seemed to have thought of something else, and suddenly said.

"I haven't seen Zhanjun these past two days..."

"Is this kid behaving himself in the main hall?"

"Could Yang Rong possibly control him?"

Meng Ji said respectfully.

"Your Majesty, the Third Prince has been visiting the Grand Hall quite frequently these past few days."

There has never been a case of truancy.

Zhu Di nodded in satisfaction.

This kid is still teachable.

"This kid is relatively well-behaved."

Meng Ji looked puzzled, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Zhu Di glanced at him.

"What's wrong?"

"Just say what you have to say."

Meng Ji smiled wryly, and then recounted in detail how Yang Rong had followed the example of the Imperial Academy in selecting a "hallmaster" in the main hall, and how Zhu Zhanjun had been elected as a class monitor.

Zhu Di chuckled upon hearing this.

"That kid is really clever and mischievous."

"That Yang Rong is lazy too. How can a bunch of elementary school children compare to the students of the Imperial Academy?"

"Letting them choose who governs them is tantamount to embezzling from their own positions."

"I'll have to talk to him about it later."

"That lad Zhanjun is quite something. He's managed to win the respect of all the students in the main hall and even set up a management team. He's got ideas; no wonder he's my grandson!"

Meng Ji smiled, then hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"I've recently heard that His Highness the Third Prince seems to be involved in some kind of business..."

Zhu Di waved his hand, picked up the memorial again, and said casually.

"It's alright, it's good enough that the little monkey can go to school on time."

"Let him do whatever he wants."

"I don't believe he could cause any trouble under Yang Rong's nose in the Grand Hall."

................

evening.

The Prince of Han's Palace.

Zhu Gaoxu slumped back into the chair with an air of nonchalance.

A side hall of the Qianqing Palace, the Prince of Han's residence.

Zhu Gaoxu sank into the large rosewood armchair, his brows slightly furrowed.

Logically speaking, he should have left the capital long ago.

The only reason he can stay here is because he's been clinging to the place.

Everything is for the position of Crown Prince!

However, the current situation is very unfavorable to him.

His father clearly had no intention of passing the throne to him.

Headache!

Zhu Gaoxu rubbed his temples.

At this moment, the soft tinkling of jade pendants came from outside the hall. Princess Wei, the wife of the Prince of Han, personally carried a cup of warm ginseng tea and walked in with light steps.

She gently placed the teacup on the table beside Zhu Gaoxu and said softly, "Your Highness returned home very late today. Is there some trouble in the palace? Please have some tea and calm your mind."

Zhu Gaoxu grunted through his nose, picked up the teacup, and gulped down a large mouthful without caring about the heat, his thick eyebrows still tightly furrowed.

"What else could it be?"

"The boss's people are finding all sorts of faults for the Northern Expedition. That old bastard Xia Yuanji only knows how to complain about being poor all day long!"

He slammed the teacup down, making a crisp "clang" sound.

Lady Wei sat down on the embroidered stool beside him, picked up a round fan, and gently fanned him, softly comforting him: "Your Highness, please calm down. His Majesty is wise and discerning, and naturally knows of Your Highness's merits and hardships."

She paused, her gaze drifting towards the sky outside the palace.

"Speaking of which... Zhanjun hasn't returned home for several days. I feel a constant emptiness in my heart and miss him dearly."

"I wonder if he is doing well in the palace? Is he being carefully taken care of in his daily life?"

Zhu Gaoxu's lips twitched.

That brat Zhan Jun almost got himself killed in front of the old man!

This is a complete rip-off!

"Don't mention that brat!"

"He's doing very well, even more carefree and happy than he was in the Prince's mansion!"

"For some reason, Father Emperor took a liking to the boy and thought he was clever. He granted him a temporary residence in a side hall of Qian Yuan Palace and allowed him to travel between the palace and the main hall."

"With the old master personally watching over him, what could possibly happen to him? It's better he doesn't come back; it saves him from running around the mansion and causing trouble!"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wei felt somewhat relieved.

Recalling the fragmented conversations she had overheard from palace ladies and servants recently, she hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, "Your Highness, I've heard some rumors lately, though I don't know if they're true... It's said that Zhanjun isn't just studying at the Grand Hall; it seems... he's also involved in some kind of 'business' with the sons of several families, including the Duke of Yingguo and the Duke of Chengguo. Apparently, they've amassed quite a bit of money and valuables. He's still so young; wouldn't such actions...?"

"Business?" Zhu Gaoxu interrupted her gruffly, his face full of disdain, even finding it somewhat laughable. "What kind of business can a toddler in open-crotch pants do? It's just kids playing around!"

His mind was now preoccupied with the power struggles with the Crown Prince, matters of state, and how to further gain his father's favor. He had no patience to ponder the affairs of a six-year-old child.

In his view, as long as Zhu Zhanjun doesn't cause any major trouble, it would be a pleasant surprise if he could occasionally show his face in front of the old man. As for what he was doing, it wasn't worth his attention.

"Women shouldn't believe everything they hear," Zhu Gaochi said curtly. "With Father Emperor watching over him in the palace, nothing serious will happen. I'm tired; let's not bring up these trivial matters again."

....................

Ten days later.

Cheng Guogongfu.

Chen Rui looked at Zhu Yi with a nervous expression.

"Cousin, the money I invested should have been returned to me yesterday, right?"

"Why is there still no movement?"

He's timid and has always only invested in three-day return programs, not daring to invest for longer periods.

I've made quite a bit of money these past few days, and I went all in on my savings a couple of days ago. But the money that was supposed to be returned yesterday hasn't come in yet.

Zhu Yi remained calm.

"Cousin, don't panic when something happens."

"I'll go take a look for you."

"Isn't it just half a percent profit?"

"Does His Highness really care about such a small amount of money?"

Upon thinking about it, Chen Rui realized it made sense, and gave an awkward smile.

"My cousin is right; it's just that I lack self-control."

Zhu Yi coughed lightly.

"I'll go to the palace to see the Third Prince. My cousin will be waiting for me at the mansion."

Chen Rui immediately said.

"Thank you very much, cousin."

..............

British Duchy.

"My lord, someone is looking for you outside," a maid said respectfully.

Zhang Mao rolled over and muttered curses.

"A bunch of bastards! They didn't say a word when they were making money, but now that they've missed out on a day's pay, they're coming to complain!"

....................

The Marquis of Anyuan's residence.

Liu Wen couldn't help but say.

"Nephew, I recently heard that yesterday was supposed to be the day to distribute the rebate money, but His Highness didn't seem to make any move."

Liu Zhong pursed his lips.

"Fourth Uncle, what's the panic?"

"That's something for people who buy the three-day rebate plan to worry about. Didn't you buy a two-week investment plan?"

Liu Wen's lips twitched.

He panicked because it took so long to buy the item.

He's gone all in; if he doesn't get his money back, he'll have lost everything he'd earned before.

..................

Three more days passed.

The Eastern Palace.

Zhu Zhanji calmly put down the book in his hand and said in a low voice.

"Jin Banban, how's Zhu Zhanjun's business lately?"

Jin Ying had no suspicions, but said with a hint of schadenfreude.

"Your Highness, I heard this from outside. It's said that the Third Prince's 'business' has... run into trouble these past few days."

Zhu Zhanji was taken aback, somewhat surprised.

"trouble?"

Tell me in detail.

"Yes." Jin Ying took a half step forward. "In the past few days, many noble sons have sent people to the palace to ask the Third Prince about the situation. But these days, apart from attending classes at the Grand Hall, the Third Prince spends the rest of his time in the side hall of Qian Yuan Palace, and ordinary people can't see him. Those who invested money are now nowhere to be found, their money is gone and they can't find him either. They're as anxious as ants on a hot pan."

Zhu Zhanji's eyelids twitched and his pupils dilated slightly as he listened.

No, he just sent someone to invest the money, and then they disappeared without a trace.

Jin Ying didn't notice his expression and continued to laugh.

"If you ask me, it seems that His Highness has really messed up this time."

"What does a six or seven-year-old know about business?"

"Perhaps he initially made some money and put on a show of wealth, but now he can't cover his losses and has no choice but to hide from everyone."

"The money those privileged sons invested is probably... gone down the drain."

Zhu Zhanji trembled, his face turned pale instantly, and he felt dizzy.

Skipping stones?!

Then what about all the wealth he painstakingly accumulated...?

My money, just like that, gone?!

He roared inwardly.