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

A few days later, news broke like a thunderclap in Nanjing: His Majesty the Emperor was unwell. According to the Imperial Hospital, it was due to overwork and a slight cold, and he had been resting in bed for several days.

The news immediately caused unrest throughout the government and the public.

The Crown Prince's Palace, in particular, was on high alert.

Zhu Zhanji's heart skipped a beat the moment he heard the news.

He couldn't sit still any longer and paced back and forth in the hall, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.

Jin Ying stood cautiously to the side, not daring to breathe.

"No!" Zhu Zhanji abruptly stopped in his tracks. "I have to go see my grandfather!"

His motivation wasn't entirely out of filial piety, but more out of concern.

If something were to happen to the Emperor, the struggle for the throne would instantly intensify.

Zhu Zhanjun has just achieved unparalleled merit and is riding high. If his grandfather were to fall at this time, the situation would be extremely unfavorable for him.

He had to personally investigate the truth so that he could earn a reputation for "commendable filial piety" in front of his grandfather.

"Jin Ying!" Zhu Zhanji shouted, "Go! Convey my order! Immediately go to the Imperial Hospital and fetch the finest century-old ginseng, lingzhi mushrooms, snow lotus, and... that top-grade bird's nest from the East China Sea! I want to personally brew a nourishing soup for my Imperial Grandfather!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Jin Ying bowed and accepted the order, then ran out in a flash.

Half an hour later, steam was rising from the small kitchen in the East Palace.

Zhu Zhanji rolled up his sleeves and stood in front of the stove, staring intently at the medicine jars.

He would sometimes urge the cook to add firewood, and sometimes he would personally stir the soup with a silver spoon, afraid that if the heat was not just right, the medicine would lose its efficacy.

"Your Highness, you are of such high status, why do you need to do it yourself? Let us servants do it," an old eunuch advised from the side.

"Shut up!" Zhu Zhanji shouted without turning his head. "My grandfather is bedridden, how can I, as his grandson, stand idly by? This soup must be cooked by my own hands!"

He cursed inwardly.

A bunch of blind fools.

If I let you do it, how can I show my filial piety?

Seeing the soup he personally prepared, the Emperor will surely remember his kindness.

After another half hour, a bowl of thick, dark soup with a strong medicinal aroma was finally cooked.

Zhu Zhanji personally packed the contents into a brocade box and ordered people to carry it in a palanquin, which then traveled swiftly towards the Qianqing Palace.

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

Qianqing Palace.

The light inside the hall was dim, and the curtains of the dragon bed hung low.

Zhu Di was leaning against the dragon bed, his face was indeed somewhat gloomy, and he seemed listless. He was being served medicine by a young eunuch.

Several trusted ministers stood by the bedside, including Yang Rong, Jin Youzi, and Xia Yuanji, their expressions revealing their worry.

Princes Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu, and Zhu Gaosui stood on either side, while Zhu Zhanjun stood quietly behind Zhu Gaoxu, his bright eyes subtly observing the expressions of everyone in the hall.

Zhu Gaochi frowned, his gaze frequently falling on Zhu Di's face, full of concern and anxiety.

Zhu Gaoxu appeared somewhat agitated, and tried to speak several times, but was silenced by a single glance from Zhu Di.

Zhu Gaosui huddled behind his second brother, his eyes darting around, seemingly lost in thought.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall. A young eunuch peeked out from the doorway and was then signaled by Meng Ji's eyes. He quickly walked to Meng Ji's side and whispered a few words in his ear.

Upon hearing this, Meng Ji's expression shifted slightly. He walked to the dragon bed, bowed, and reported, "Your Majesty, news from the Eastern Palace says that His Highness the Crown Prince was extremely anxious upon hearing of Your Majesty's poor health. He personally brewed a bowl of nourishing medicine in the palace and is currently waiting outside the palace to request an audience with Your Majesty to show his filial piety."

As soon as he finished speaking, a slight commotion arose in the hall.

Several cabinet scholars and nobles close to the Crown Prince, such as Jian Yi and Lü Zhen, immediately showed their approval and began to whisper among themselves.

"His Highness the Crown Prince's filial piety is truly commendable; he is indeed a blessing to our Great Ming Dynasty!"

"His Majesty is unwell, and Your Highness personally prepared the medicine. This thoughtfulness is truly rare!"

"Yes, Your Highness has been well-versed in etiquette and filial piety since childhood, and now you are personally involved in these matters, demonstrating your benevolent and filial heart. You will surely be a wise ruler in the future!"

"His Highness the Crown Prince is truly a wise and virtuous grandson!"

A chorus of praises rose and fell, echoing throughout the hall.

Zhu Gaochi stood aside, listening to these praises, and a smile appeared on his face.

What my son did today has made him proud.

Zhu Gaoxu snorted coldly and cursed under his breath as he loaded the goods.

Zhu Gaosui remained calm and composed.

Zhu Di waved away the eunuch who was feeding him medicine, raised his eyelids, and glanced at everyone in the hall with a seemingly casual look. He coughed weakly twice and slowly said, "Oh? Zhanji... personally brewed the medicine?"

"Indeed, Your Majesty," Meng Ji quickly replied. "His Highness the Crown Prince said that Your Majesty has been working hard on state affairs, which has caused you to fall slightly unwell. As your grandson, he is extremely worried and insists on personally preparing a nourishing soup for Your Majesty to show his filial piety. He is waiting outside the palace right now."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di nodded slightly.

"That child... is very kind. Let him in."

He felt somewhat gratified.

Although I knew that Zhu Zhanji was probably just there to show off, it was still a gesture of goodwill.

Meng Ji accepted the order, turned around, and announced loudly towards the outside of the hall: "Summon His Highness the Crown Prince to an audience!"

The palace doors slowly opened, and Zhu Zhanji stepped in, carrying an exquisite brocade box.

His face carried just the right amount of worry and concern. His steps were steady, but his gaze quickly swept over everyone in the hall. He glanced at Zhu Zhanjun and then looked away.

snort!

That little brat has no sense of propriety at all!

This time, he will surely win the Emperor's favor!

Zhu Zhanjun glanced at the tall and imposing Zhu Zhanji and pursed his lips.

What a load of crap.

Zhu Zhanji walked to the dragon bed, knelt respectfully, and held the brocade box high above his head with both hands: "Grandson Zhu Zhanji greets Imperial Grandfather!"

"Hearing that Your Majesty is unwell, I am extremely worried. I have personally brewed a bowl of Ginseng and Poria Cocos Qi-Boosting Soup, hoping that Your Majesty will drink it and recover soon, so as to put the minds of all subjects at ease!"

His voice was sincere and his tone earnest, and coupled with his worried expression, it was indeed quite infectious.

Several ministers close to the Crown Prince in the hall once again showed their approval and nodded in agreement.

Yang Shiqi stepped forward first, bowed to Zhu Di, and said, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince is inherently filial. Upon hearing that Your Majesty was unwell, he personally took charge of the cauldron and prepared the medicine. Heaven and earth can bear witness to such a sincere heart!"

Yang Pu quickly echoed, "Scholar Yang is absolutely right! His Highness the Crown Prince has been intelligent since childhood, and is also benevolent and filial; this is a blessing for our Great Ming Dynasty!"

"Your Majesty is in good health and has such a virtuous grandson; this is truly a double blessing!"

Several other officials from the Eastern Palace also spoke up, their words full of praise, as if Zhu Zhanji's soup was the only cure for the emperor's ailments, and his filial piety was enough to move heaven and earth.

Zhu Di watched this scene expressionlessly, but felt somewhat uncomfortable inside.

He was just pretending to be dying, not actually dying.

These ministers, however, were eager to openly and secretly praise the Crown Prince, wishing he would just die now and pass the throne to him.

Zhu Zhanji knelt on the ground, listening to these praises, secretly pleased with himself, but still maintaining a humble and respectful expression on his face.

He held the brocade box high with both hands and said in a deep voice, "Your Excellencies flatter me. I was merely doing my duty."

Zhu Zhanji raised his head and looked at Zhu Di with sincere eyes: "Grandfather, the medicine is still warm. Please drink it while it's hot so that your grandson can rest assured."

Zhu Di nodded.

"You're so thoughtful."

"It's no wonder these noblemen praise your virtuous grandson."

Zhu Zhanji immediately became excited.

"Grandfather has worked so hard for the country and its people; my humble offering is truly insignificant."

Whether one is virtuous or not is not important.

"The most important thing is to have a heart that cares about Grandpa Huang."

He glanced at Zhu Zhanjun, whose hands were empty, with ill intent.

"Jun-di, don't you think so?"

Zhu Zhanjun rolled his eyes.

You're virtuous!

The Crown Prince doesn't use salt when he eats!

The first NaCl of the Ming Dynasty.