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

Several hours later, as the sun began to set, the horn signaling the end of the hunt rang out in the hunting grounds.

The imperial grandsons and members of the royal family returned one after another on horseback. The guards piled their prey on the designated open ground and began to count it.

Zhu Zhanjun's prey was piled up like a small mountain, making it particularly eye-catching.

Not only were there ordinary pheasants, rabbits, and roe deer, but also a huge black wild boar with an arrow piercing its eye, as well as several eagles and geese falling from the sky.

In comparison, the gains of the other imperial grandsons, though considerable, were far less impressive.

A crowd gathered around, their gazes complex as they looked at the "small mountain," whispers of amazement and envy filling the air.

By this time, Zhu Zhanji had also finished washing up and changing his clothes, and had returned to the field.

He changed into a clean riding and archery outfit, his face was no longer dirty, but his expression was still somewhat pale, and his eyes held a lingering sense of shame and gloom.

He strode to the emperor's presence and respectfully bowed to Zhu Di, who sat regally on the high platform: "Grandson Zhanji greets Imperial Grandfather."

Zhu Di's gaze, which had been filled with undisguised admiration, fell on Zhu Zhanjun and his prey.

Hearing this, he turned his head to look at Zhu Zhanji. The eager smile on his face faded slightly, and he simply nodded, saying in a calm tone, "Yes, you're back. You need to be more careful in riding and archery from now on."

Having said that, she stopped looking at him.

Zhu Zhanji maintained his bowed posture, his fingertips slightly clenched, feeling as if he had been pricked by a needle in his heart.

The Emperor's indifferent attitude contrasted sharply with his kindness towards Zhu Zhanjun.

He straightened up, stepped aside, and lowered his eyelids to conceal the surging jealousy and resentment in his eyes.

Zhu Di, however, turned to face the crowd again, especially Zhu Zhanjun, who had been called to his side, a very pleased smile spreading across his face.

He rose personally, walked to the pile of game, patted the sturdy hide of the black boar, and said loudly, "Today's hunt has been fruitful for all my sons and grandsons, and their archery and horsemanship are skillful, which pleases me greatly. However, the one with the most game, and the one that best demonstrated courage and skill..."

He paused, his gaze fixed intently on the small figure beside him, and raised his voice, "It belongs to my grandson, Zhu Zhanjun!"

He reached out and patted Zhu Zhanjun's still-childish shoulder heavily, his voice booming with undisguised pride: "Good! Good! Good! One arrow through the eye, instantly killing the mad boar."

"His arrows never miss when aimed at a soaring eagle! Such divine strength and archery skills are beyond the reach of even seasoned veterans! Zhanjun, you are truly a prodigy of our Ming Dynasty!"

"Born with divine courage, he will surely become a pillar of our Great Ming Dynasty, a renowned general protecting the nation!"

These words struck like a thunderbolt, resounding in everyone's hearts.

Zhu Di's high expectations and high praise for Zhu Zhanjun were made no secret of his feelings.

Zhu Zhanji stood in the crowd, listening to his grandfather's lavish praise of Zhu Zhanjun. Every word felt like a red-hot knife, stabbing hard into his heart.

He is the eldest grandson of the emperor, and all the praise and expectations he has received have always belonged to him!

Now, it has been taken away by this cousin who suddenly appeared, who acts absurdly but is also exceptionally talented!

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his palms, barely managing to maintain a semblance of calm. But the slight trembling of his sleeves and the almost bursting flames in the depths of his eyes betrayed the overwhelming jealousy and hatred within him.

The imperial grandsons, such as Zhu Zhanhe, Zhu Zhanqi, Zhu Zhanjun, and Zhu Zhanyong, all cast envious and even somewhat awe-inspiring glances at Zhu Zhanjun.

Having witnessed the astonishing archery skills firsthand, and now hearing the emperor personally bestow upon him the title of "Great Ming Qilin" and a future "National Protector General," they felt not only amazement but also an indescribable sense of emotion.

This six-year-old cousin (or older cousin) is probably really going to soar to great heights.

Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi stood expressionless behind Zhu Di. His chubby face revealed little emotion, but his gaze swept briefly between Zhu Zhanjun and Zhu Zhanji before he lowered his eyes, as if everything before him was irrelevant, or as if everything was contained in silence.

Prince Zhao, Zhu Gaosui, had a complex expression. He glanced at the smug Zhu Zhanjun, then at Zhu Zhanji, who was barely suppressing his jealousy. A subtle, enigmatic smile appeared on his lips, as if he were both sighing and laughing, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

At this moment, Zhu Gaochi, the Prince of Han, grinned widely, his teeth and eyes disappearing in a wide smile.

He slapped his colleague's shoulder forcefully, pointed at Zhu Zhanjun, and shouted, "See that? That's my son! My own son! Hahaha!"

His pride was evident. He had long forgotten the frustration he had felt earlier because of Zhu Zhanjun's various "troublesome" words and actions. He felt that although his son was a bit of a scoundrel, his skills really made him proud!

The old man's praise carries more weight than anything else!

The atmosphere in the room became both subtle and heated because of Zhu Di's words.

Zhu Zhanjun said earnestly.

"Grandpa, my meager skills are hardly worthy of being called divine prowess."

"When my grandfather raised his army during the Jingnan Rebellion, he used the small town of Beiping to fight against the armies of the whole country. He led his troops and repeatedly defeated powerful enemies."

"Baigou River, Zhengcunba, Lingbi... which battle wasn't fraught with danger, and which battle didn't our Imperial Grandfather personally brave arrows and stones, leading the troops into battle?"

"This vast land was conquered by you, my imperial grandfather, with your sword and spear."

"My imperial grandfather is the most valiant general of our Great Ming Dynasty."