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

Zhu Di remained silent for a moment.

"The old monk has some truth to it."

Yao Guangxiao then spoke softly again.

"Your Majesty, this old monk is not questioning His Highness Prince Jiyang's intelligence and loyalty."

However, too much of a good thing is bad.

"Your Highness is still a child, yet you have already presented many rare items and won the hearts of the people, and your reputation among the common folk is growing day by day."

"As the heir apparent, how could the Crown Prince not feel any turmoil seeing his younger brother so favored and constantly acting out of line?"

"During the reign of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Prince Qin, Li Shimin, achieved unparalleled merit, and his Tiance Mansion was filled with talented individuals, its power directly threatening the Eastern Palace. Although Gaozu was aware of this, he could not suppress his achievements, and his favoritism only deepened the resentment of Jiancheng and Yuanji, leading to constant conflicts. The Xuanwu Gate Incident resulted in bloodshed within the palace, with brothers killing each other. Although this led to the great achievements of Emperor Taizong, the brutality of the process serves as a cautionary tale."

"Your Majesty, the way to maintain balance lies in checks and balances. Now, His Highness Prince Jiyang's rising prominence has already drawn the attention of the Crown Prince. If this is not restrained, it may cause discord and lead to disaster."

He clasped his hands together and looked at Zhu Di with clear eyes: "What I have said today is by no means intended to sow discord between Your Majesty and your family, nor is it due to any personal grudge against His Highness Prince Jiyang or the Crown Prince."

"This old monk is already halfway to the ground. All I ask for is the stability of the Ming Dynasty, the harmony of His Majesty, his sons, and his grandsons, and that no further upheavals occur within the walls of the palace."

"His Highness Prince Jiyang is a rough gem, and needs to be carefully polished and guided so that his talents can be used for the right purpose, and he will not become arrogant due to excessive favor or attract jealousy due to his great power."

"This humble monk's opinion is also for Your Majesty's sake and for the long-term benefit of the Ming Dynasty."

After listening, Zhu Di remained silent for a long time, gazing intently out the window. The hall was completely quiet, with only the faint sound of sandalwood incense burning softly.

Yao Guangxiao stopped speaking, lowered his eyes and sat quietly, as if the earnest words he had just spoken had not come from his own mouth.

Finally, Zhu Di slowly exhaled, withdrew his gaze, and landed on Yao Guangxiao, saying calmly, "Your Excellency has put in a lot of effort, I understand."

Yao Guangxiao sighed inwardly.

He would never have bothered to get involved in this mess if Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji hadn't personally come to his door.

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

The next day.

Zhu Di was engrossed in reviewing memorials.

A short while later.

He held his vermilion brush in mid-air, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he had thought of something. He raised his head and said to Meng Ji, the eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial, who was standing beside him, "Go, invite the Prince of Jiyang here..."

Meng Ji was taken aback, then replied respectfully.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached from afar, clattering on the golden bricks outside the hall.

The two were taken aback.

A small figure darted in through the palace gate, the hem of his python robe billowing as he ran.

Zhu Zhanjun's eyes lit up when he saw Zhu Di behind the imperial desk, and he buried his head in Zhu Di's arms.

"Grandpa Emperor!"

Zhu Di was almost knocked over by him, and he helplessly rubbed Zhu Zhanjun's head.

"You little brat..."

"I wonder if Grandpa Emperor is getting old?"

"It can't withstand a bump like that from you."

Zhu Zhanjun looked up and chuckled.

"Grandpa, you're getting old."

"The wrinkles at the corners of your eyes are the wisdom accumulated over the years, guiding my Ming Dynasty toward a blueprint of national prosperity and strength."

Zhu Di chuckled to himself.

"Zhanjun, my grandfather once said, don't flatter people indiscriminately."

"But you're doing pretty well right now."

Every word comes from the bottom of my heart.

Meng Ji: "?"

Are there more experts?

Zhu Zhanjun's eyelids twitched as well.

His grandfather, the emperor, is getting old and irritable.

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Zhanjun and said with a smile.

"Hey kid, what brings you here to your grandfather's place?"

Zhu Zhanjun shook his head.

"Grandpa, I've heard that someone has been slandering me behind my back lately."

Zhu Di stroked his beard and said with an air of seriousness.

"Yes, there are quite a few."

Zhu Zhanjun said with a burning gaze.

"Grandfather, that's why I've decided to hold a grand discussion at the Imperial Academy and invite the greatest scholars from all over the country."

"A philosophical discussion?" Zhu Di looked bewildered. "Zhanjun, what are you doing?"

Zhu Zhanjun chuckled.

"Didn't someone say that my method of investigating things is a heretical and demonic path?"

"If that's the case, then let them discuss it."

"Truth becomes clearer through debate!"

Zhu Di was taken aback, as if deep in thought.

"Zhan Jun, you seem quite confident."

Zhu Zhanjun stood tall and held his head high.

"That's right."

"I can't let outsiders think that my grandfather is deliberately protecting me because he dotes on me."

"We, the younger generation, must also share the burdens of our Imperial Grandfather!"

"Please grant my request, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Di laughed heartily upon hearing this.

"Good lad."

"Grandpa Emperor has granted permission."

He suddenly felt relieved.

How could anyone not adore such an understanding grandson?

Looking at the energetic Zhu Zhanjun, Zhu Di couldn't help but say something.

"You better be prepared, kid, don't let anyone argue with you."

Zhu Zhanjun shook his head and said.

"My sword has never been ineffective!"

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

The next day.

The news that Zhu Zhanjun, the Prince of Jiyang, was going to invite the greatest scholars in the country to discuss philosophy at the Imperial Academy immediately became a hot topic in Nanjing.

The people were even more excited.

It's not that they're interested in philosophical discussions.

It's not because there's juicy gossip to be had, but because it's so exciting.

The Prince of Han's Palace.

Zhu Gaoxu snorted coldly.

"I recently had someone investigate, and it turns out these rumors were deliberately spread by someone."

"Damn it, it must have been done by someone from the Crown Prince's Palace."

"Your uncle seems kind and honest, but he's got quite a few tricks up his sleeve."

"Zhanjun, if you organize that ridiculous debate conference now, you're probably just doing what they want."

Zhu Zhanjun chuckled.

"When two armies meet on a narrow path, the brave one will prevail!"

Should I avoid his sharp edge?

Zhu Gaoxu: "???"

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

The Eastern Palace.

Zhu Gaochi smiled slightly.

"I have heard that Zhan Jun will be discussing philosophy with renowned scholars from all over the country at the Imperial Academy."

Zhu Zhanji smiled coldly, his eyes filled with excitement.

"This kid is really asking for trouble."

"From now on, with a little bit of cleverness, you'll dare to look down on everyone."

"I want to see how he'll lose face in front of the world!"

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

In the following days, the Da Ming Xin Bao and Huang Ming Bao newspapers began to report extensively on the Daoist conference.

Thanks to this, the sales of Huangming Daily even increased.

Six days later.

Imperial College (Guozijian)

Mingli Square.

The weather was overcast and gloomy, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

There was even a faint rumble of thunder.

The square was teeming with people and filled with a deafening roar, completely unaffected by the weather.

The students of the Imperial College, dressed in uniform robes, mostly gathered at the front and sides. Their expressions varied; some looked around excitedly, some whispered among themselves, and others looked disdainful and discussed amongst themselves.

Leading the procession of students were the Imperial Academy's Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Doctors, Assistant Instructors, and other academic officials, dressed in their official robes with solemn expressions.

Even more eye-catching were the temporary viewing tents erected on both sides of the square.

Inside the tent on the left, Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi was at the head, with the eldest grandson of the emperor Zhu Zhanji standing to the side, surrounded by a group of ministers who supported the Eastern Palace, including Yang Shiqi and Huang Huai.

Zhu Gaochi's expression was calm, his gaze distant, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Zhu Zhanji had a faint, cold smile on his lips, and his eyes kept glancing at the person opposite him.

On the right side of the tent were Prince Zhu Gaoxu of Han, along with Yu Qian, Kuai Xiang, and a group of students from the Imperial Academy, including, of course, mischievous children like Zhu Yi, Li Heng, and Zheng Yu.

Zhu Gaoxu, dressed in the everyday clothes of a prince, stood tall and proud.

Yu Qian, Kuai Xiang, and others looked solemn, while the students of the Imperial Academy who had stood up were excited and thrilled. They were members of the Society for Investigating Things, and today was of great importance to them.

Zhu Yi and others blindly cheered for Zhu Zhanjun.

Anyway, in their eyes, their boss will never lose!

Outside the square, there were also many Nanjing officials, celebrities, scholars, and even some well-known private scholars who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

They sat or stood, talking in hushed tones, their eyes all fixed on the high platform on the north side of the square.

The platform was currently empty.

Another full half hour passed.

The sky grew increasingly gloomy, thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed, but there was no one on the stage.

The crowd below the stage began to stir and discuss among themselves.

Nima.

They came early in the morning hungry to grab a spot, and have been sitting here for almost two hours.

They simply wouldn't start.

What the hell is going on?

The Prince of Jiyang has disappeared without a trace; is he playing games with them here?

Many people are discussing it.

Unable to withstand the pressure, Huang Guangyun, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, came over to ask Zhu Gaoxu.

"Your Highness, where is the Prince of Jiyang?"

Zhu Gaoxu rolled his eyes.

"How the hell should I know?"

Huang Guangyun: "..."

Zhu Gaochi couldn't sit still any longer either.

He was already overweight, and sitting there like this was really too much for him to handle.

He coughed lightly.

"Jin Ying, go ask the Prince of Han, where is your nephew?"

Jin Yingling said, "Step down."

Zhu Zhanji's face also turned pale.

He came early in the morning specifically to see the excitement, but now he's starving.

MD!

This kid is really good at tormenting people.

Zhu Zhanji gritted his teeth and said.

"father......"

"I think those great scholars are all old and about to faint from hunger."

"Could this kid be deliberately late to keep the old man waiting?"