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

The atmosphere inside the hall was somewhat eerie.

All eyes turned to Zhu Zhanji as Zhu Zhanjun spoke.

Zhu Zhanjun spoke with such righteous indignation that many people found his words seemingly reasonable.

Even Yang Shiqi and Huang Huai, staunch supporters of the Eastern Palace faction, exchanged bewildered glances.

This Prince Huai occupies the moral high ground, which is truly difficult to refute.

Zhu Gaochi's face turned pale.

You know your own son best.

Zhu Zhanji most likely wanted to prove himself to the emperor.

That's when he ran over.

However, smallpox is not something that can be compared to ordinary things.

Zhu Di's gaze fell on Zhu Zhanji, remaining noncommittal.

The hall remained quiet for a while.

Zhu Di then spoke slowly.

"Zhanji, what do you think?"

When Zhu Zhanji heard Zhu Di's question, he felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the hatred in his heart for Zhu Zhanjun, slowly raised his head, and forced a smile that was more like a grimace.

"Replying to Your Majesty, Third Brother Zhanjun...you flatter me."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall before finally settling on Zhu Di's face.

"I know that I only have this empty title because of my grandfather's favor and the family's legacy."

"When it comes to such important matters as handling major events and pacifying the people, my grandson is still young and inexperienced, and his prestige is out of the question."

"The epidemic in Jurong is a matter of life and death for the capital region. If, due to my youth and ignorance, I handle it improperly and ruin the epidemic prevention plan set by my grandfather and the ministers, then I will truly have failed my grandfather's trust and the expectations of the people of Jurong."

He sighed.

"Besides, I heard it clearly outside the door just now. All the officials have already made thorough plans for the blockade, the distribution of medicine, and the reassurance of the people. What they lack is a 'reassurance' who can keep the situation under control and gain the trust of the people."

"If my grandson goes rashly, the people will see that he is just a young boy. They will not only be unable to feel at ease, but will also suspect that the court is taking this matter lightly, which will only increase their suspicions."

At this point, he bowed slightly, adopting an extremely humble posture:

"Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty to select another virtuous and experienced minister to oversee the region."

"I only wish to stay in the capital and run errands for my grandfather and all the officials, doing what I can to help with this crisis."

After speaking, he lowered his head and remained silent, his attitude humble, as if he truly felt guilty for his lack of ability.

Upon hearing this, the people inside the hall reacted with varying expressions.

They were all seasoned veterans in officialdom, so they could easily hear the evasive meaning in Zhu Zhanji's words.

Although I understand Zhu Zhanji, I still feel a certain amount of contempt for him.

Does someone who retreats at the first sign of trouble have the qualities of a leader?

Zhu Gaochi sighed inwardly, his gaze sweeping over his son Zhu Zhanji’s lowered head with mixed feelings. He felt a surge of frustration in his chest. This child was still too naive. He showed fear when faced with problems and couldn’t even keep up with polite words. How would he ever gain a foothold in the court?

He then thought again, smallpox is dangerous, and the plague-stricken area is filled with the smell of corpses. If Zhanji really went there, I'm afraid... He dared not think any further and could only secretly rejoice that his son had managed to smooth things over. Although he lost face, he saved his life.

Zhu Gaoxu stood to the side, his rugged face twitching slightly, his heart filled with disdain.

Zhu Zhanji's cowardly appearance, usually flaunting his status as the eldest grandson of the emperor, but when faced with a life-or-death situation, he runs away faster than a rabbit, utterly disgracing the Zhu family.

Zhu Gaosui huddled behind his second brother, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

He glanced at Zhu Zhanjun and saw the seven-year-old boy standing with his hands at his sides, a somewhat innocent smile on his face. A chill ran down his spine.

This kid was scheming from beginning to end. First, he put Zhanji in a difficult position, and then he forced him to admit defeat. This made him seem sensible and considerate of the bigger picture, while subtly putting the Crown Prince in a bad position.

That's so damn sneaky.

Zhu Di glanced at Zhu Zhanji with disappointment.

Zhu Zhanji was simply making a decision based on common sense, which should be understood.

But people are contradictory; they can both accept and understand decisions made out of fear, yet they also hope that such decisions are made with sufficient courage.

Zhu Di was no exception.

He said lightly.

"What you said makes sense."

"Since Zhanji admits he is not up to the task, do any of you ministers have a suitable candidate to recommend?"

Silence fell once again in the hall.

In the midst of this suffocating silence, Zhu Zhanjun suddenly stepped forward and said loudly:

"Grandfather, since my elder brother feels he is not up to the task, then I am willing to go to Jurong to oversee the epidemic prevention work!"

These words shocked the entire hall.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di abruptly raised his head, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes: "You? Zhanjun, you're only seven years old. How can the Tianhua plague zone be a place for child's play?"

Zhu Gaoxu was so anxious he almost jumped up: "Zhanjun! What nonsense are you spouting! Smallpox can kill people! What are you, a little kid, doing getting involved?!"

Zhu Gaochi also frowned.

He gave Zhu Zhanjun a deep look.

I have a feeling that there's something fishy about this nephew suddenly appearing now.

Yang Rong, Huang Huai, and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.

What's going on?

Zhu Zhanji's first reaction upon hearing this was astonishment; he almost thought he had misheard.

He suddenly looked up at the figure standing in the center of the hall, whose figure was still young but whose face was serious.

Immediately, a sudden realization dawned on me.

Damn it, he's been tricked!

That little rascal is full of mischief!

Zhu Zhanji sneered inwardly, his teeth clenched.

Did Zhu Zhanjun really want to go and die?

He clearly calculated that his grandfather would never allow a seven-year-old grandson to venture into the smallpox-infested area where death was a near certainty!

He was certain that after he volunteered, his grandfather would be moved and impressed, and would then resolutely refuse. He might even think more highly of him, thinking that he was responsible and courageous at such a young age!

And what about him? This eldest grandson of the emperor had just admitted in front of the entire court that he was "unfit for the job" and had cowered and retreated!

Zhu Zhanjun's sudden comparison made him look like he was being trampled into the mud.

Does this make him seem cowardly and irresponsible?

Having figured out this crucial point, Zhu Zhanji felt an inexplicable fire rush to his head, burning him so intensely that his internal organs ached.

He wished he could rush forward immediately and tear off Zhu Zhanjun's righteous and awe-inspiring facade.

After a while.

Zhu Zhanji took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

"Grandfather, my third brother Zhanjun... is indeed courageous and devoted to the country. He is a role model for us all."

"However, my third brother is still too young. The Tianhua epidemic area is extremely dangerous. If something were to happen to him, wouldn't it break the hearts of our Imperial Grandfather and Uncle Han?"

"I thought my third brother was always intelligent, but little did he know that Grandfather always cherishes his grandchildren. Wouldn't his act of stepping forward put Grandfather in a difficult position?"