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

Just then, a furious roar resounded throughout the Qian Yuan Palace.

"You brat!"

"Get the hell out here."

"You're always doing bad things, just swindling money from people, aren't you?"

Before he could finish speaking, a burly figure rushed in.

It was Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Gaoxu glared with his two round eyes, looking fierce.

Upon seeing Zhu Zhanjun, he was about to step forward and teach him a lesson.

This brat has no idea how hard it was for him to win the emperor's favor. If he drags his father into this mess, then he's really doomed.

Just then, an angry voice rang out.

"You little brat, you dare lay a hand on me?!"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Zhu Gaoxu immediately sprang to his senses.

He instinctively looked to the side.

Zhu Di was glaring at him.

Zhu Gaoxu felt a chill run down his spine, and his momentum immediately deflated.

Good heavens, what's that old man doing here?

Zhu Di glared fiercely at Zhu Gaoxu.

"Gao Xu, you're not getting any younger."

"Could you be a little more steady?"

"Look at Zhanjun, and then look at you."

"And you call yourself a father?"

Zhu Gaoxu was a little confused.

The old man's tone is off.

Why are you praising this kid?

He coughed lightly.

"Father, I heard that this boy is a fraudster..."

"Nonsense." Zhu Di's eyes widened. "Zhanjun is such a well-behaved child, much more reliable than you, his father."

"You, the dignified King of Han, would actually believe rumors so easily?"

Zhu Gaoxu: "???"

Is that correct?

Zhu Di glanced at him, snorted coldly, then patted Zhu Zhanjun's head gently.

"It's settled then."

"Grandpa Emperor has left first."

Zhu Zhanjun blinked and said in a low voice.

"Grandpa, please take care. I'll have someone send those things to you later."

Zhu Di stroked his beard.

"When Grandfather returns, he will immediately issue an imperial decree promoting you."

The grandfather and grandson smiled at each other.

Zhu Gaoxu, standing next to him, stared with wide, bewildered eyes.

immediately.

Zhu Di left without giving Zhu Gaoxu a second glance.

This left Zhu Gaoxu feeling extremely frustrated.

He said irritably.

"Third brother, what are you muttering to your royal grandfather about?"

Zhu Zhanjun coughed lightly.

"Father, Grandfather the Emperor is about to bestow upon me the title of Prince."

"Before, you called me Third Brother, and I didn't mind. What should you call me from now on?"

[Ding! You have obtained a golden treasure chest!]

Zhu Gaoxu: "???"

King?

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

the next day.

Zhu Di's imperial edict was quickly issued through the cabinet.

The Prince of Han's Palace.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

Zhu Zhanjun, the third son of the Prince of Han, is intelligent, quick-witted, and of pure and kind nature. Although still in his teens, he already displays remarkable talent; even in his childhood, he showed a strong desire to serve the world. Recently, he initiated the establishment of a class committee within the Imperial Academy to assist in managing the academy's affairs and improve the academic atmosphere, which greatly pleases me. Furthermore, he is deeply concerned about the fate of the nation and understands the difficulties of the times. His loyalty and filial piety serve as a model for the imperial clan.

I hereby bestow upon you the title of Prince of Jiyang, and grant you this imperial seal and edict, so that you may enjoy perpetual blessings and prosperity. Alas! My esteemed grandson, may you remain steadfast in your loyalty and integrity, diligent and frugal, and never disobey my command. This is my decree!

After reading the imperial edict, Meng Ji smiled and said to Zhu Gaoxu.

"Congratulations, King of Han."

"His Highness Prince Jiyang is truly favored by the Emperor."

Zhu Gaoxu looked completely bewildered.

He thought his son was bragging yesterday.

I never expected that he would actually be made a king.

Although the emperor's grandson was granted the title of king, it was not something to boast about.

But that's the scoring situation.

If he remembered correctly, Zhu Zhanjun, the Prince of Jiyang, was the only grandson of the emperor in this generation to be granted the title of prince.

This kid is awesome!

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

The Eastern Palace.

When Zhu Zhanji heard about this, he felt uneasy.

In the past, I was the only one who received special treatment from my grandfather.

Unexpectedly, there's now another Zhu Zhanjun.

The thought of Zhu Zhanjun made him feel increasingly unhappy.

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

Just a few days after the imperial edict was issued, the annual hunting festival of the Ming Dynasty took place.

Preparations were already underway in and around the capital. Zhu Di issued an edict that all members of the imperial family, civil and military officials, and other important figures would accompany him to the royal hunting grounds in the outskirts of the capital.

At dawn, flags fluttered and armor gleamed in the square outside the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Di, dressed in military attire, rode a tall horse, his gaze sweeping over the princes, grandsons, and officials lined up neatly below.

Zhu Gaoxu followed closely behind, still somewhat dazed about his son Zhu Zhanjun's enfeoffment as a prince. He would occasionally glance to his side. Zhu Zhanjun was wearing a specially made small-sized prince's robe and riding a gentle imperial horse. Although he was still young, he already had a certain composure.

Zhu Zhanji was also in the queue, his expression slightly complicated.

He was the eldest grandson of the emperor and had always been the most favored by Zhu Di. Now, seeing that Zhu Zhanjun had not only received a princely title but also occupied a prominent position on such an important occasion, his resentment grew even stronger.

As Zhu Di rode on his horse, his gaze swept over the orderly procession of imperial grandsons before him, a smile spreading across his face.

The wind swept across the hunting grounds, banners fluttered, and he spoke in a loud voice:

"Today's hunting expedition is not only a tradition passed down from our ancestors, but also a time to test the martial skills of our Zhu family descendants. I want to see if any of you imperial grandsons have neglected your archery and horsemanship!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Zhu Zhanjun gripped the small bow in his hand, while Zhu Zhanji pursed his lips, a hint of competitiveness flashing in his eyes.

Zhu Di gestured to Meng Ji, the chief eunuch beside him, and said, "Bring the horse here."

A short while later, Meng Ji personally led two guards to bring over a magnificent white horse with hooves as white as jade.

The horse was agile and strong, with a mane that flowed like silver threads and shimmered with a subtle luster in the morning light. Even when standing quietly in the arena, it exuded an aura of extraordinary valor.

"This horse is the 'Jade Dragon Steed,' a tribute from the Western Regions. It can travel a thousand miles a day and leave no trace in the snow; it is a rare and precious steed," Zhu Di said with a smile, stroking his beard. His gaze swept over his grandsons. "Today, during the hunt, whoever hunts the most prey will be granted this Jade Dragon Steed!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

Zhu Zhanji secretly tightened his grip on the reins, his eyes fixed intently on the Jade Dragon Steed.

This horse should rightfully belong to him.

Zhu Di cracked his whip: "It's getting late, everyone go into the woods. Return here before Shenshi (3-5 PM) to check the game!"

As soon as Zhu Di finished speaking, the imperial grandsons in the queue perked up, their eyes gleaming with eager anticipation.

Prince Zhu Gaochi of Han rode out first, his voice booming like a bell, and declared, "Father, rest assured! This bow of mine will not be empty today; I will surely hunt back the largest deer for you!"

He patted his chest, looking proud and bold, which drew the attention of the surrounding guards.

Immediately afterward, Prince Zhao, Zhu Gaosui, spurred his horse forward and laughed loudly, "Second brother, don't exaggerate! Hunting isn't just about strength; strategy is also crucial. I'm also eyeing this Jade Dragon Steed today!"

As he spoke, he adjusted the carved bow in his hand, his eyes gazing intently into the forest.

With the two princes taking the lead, the older imperial grandsons could no longer contain themselves.

Zhu Zhanjun, who was standing to the side, rode forward half a step and said respectfully, "Although I am of mediocre talent, I wish to take this opportunity to hone my archery and horsemanship skills and add to the fun for my imperial grandfather."

Zhu Zhanyong echoed, "Grandson will certainly do his best and live up to Grandfather's expectations."

Zhu Zhanji also composed himself. He took a deep breath, spurred his horse forward half a step, and bowed to Zhu Di, saying, "Your grandson will obey Your Majesty's command and will certainly take archery and horsemanship as his foundation, and carry forward the martial spirit of our Zhu family!"

After speaking, he glanced at Zhu Zhanjun out of the corner of his eye, his competitive intent growing stronger.

Zhu Zhanjun keenly caught the competitive glimpse in Zhu Zhanji's eyes.

His eyes darted around, and his little hand silently reached into his robes, his fingertips touching the cool little porcelain bottle—the very same [laxative spray] he had opened from the golden treasure chest earlier.

While everyone's attention was drawn to Zhu Di and several princes, Zhu Zhanjun casually steered his docile horse closer to Zhu Zhanji.

Under the cover of the horse's body and his robe sleeves, he quickly took out a porcelain bottle and sprayed it fiercely several times at the nose and hindquarters of the chestnut horse under Zhu Zhanji's horse.

The colorless and odorless spray quickly spread.

Zhu Zhanjun moved extremely quickly, immediately putting the porcelain bottle back into his arms after spraying it, his face still showing that harmless and obedient look, as if he had only adjusted the reins.

At first, there was nothing unusual.

Zhu Zhanji was fully focused, preparing to be the first to ride his horse into the forest, determined to win the first place.

However, after only a few breaths, the chestnut horse beneath him suddenly snorted uneasily and began to paw at the ground with its front hooves.

Immediately afterwards, a clear, embarrassing "grunt" came from the horse's belly.

Zhu Zhanji frowned and subconsciously tightened the reins: "Whoa?"

Before he could react, the chestnut horse suddenly reared up on its front hooves, letting out a painful neigh. Then its hind hooves buckled, and the horse's entire body began to violently lurch and twist!

It seemed to be in excruciating abdominal pain, completely out of control, no longer obeying the rider's commands, and began to pace restlessly in circles, kicking and tugging its tail tightly between its legs.

"What's going on?!" Zhu Zhanji was shocked and tried desperately to steady the horse, but the horse was completely out of control due to the sudden and severe discomfort in its abdomen. The horse was jolting more and more violently and was about to throw him off its back.

This sudden turn of events immediately drew everyone's attention.

Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaosui, and the others, who were about to set off, turned around in astonishment.

Zhu Di also frowned and looked in this direction.

Zhu Gaochi was greatly alarmed.

"Zhanji!"

"Nephew! Stabilize the horse!" Zhu Gaoxu shouted.