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

The main hall, with its west wing.

This place was where officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and Hanlin scholars took turns teaching and lecturing, and it was usually quite quiet.

Today was different. Several lecturers and attendants gathered together, whispering and discussing something, and the atmosphere was quite lively.

"Has any of you tried the white sugar from Yuxuetang?" Xu Dejia, the chief eunuch dressed in a blue official robe, spoke first, stroking his beard. "These past few days, the whole capital has been talking about it, saying that it is as white as fresh snow, sweet and refreshing, far superior to ordinary maltose and brown sugar, and even the tribute sugar from the palace may not be able to compare."

An older lecturer beside him stroked his beard, shook his head, and sighed, "I haven't seen it. I sent my servant to queue twice, but both times he returned empty-handed. The shop is packed with people—servants of noble families, managers of wealthy merchants, and even ordinary people—all crammed in. I heard that they have a daily limit, and if you go a little late, it's sold out."

"It's more than just sold out!" another middle-aged scholar interjected, lowering his voice. "This white sugar is currently the most sought-after commodity in the capital."

"That's right." Xu Dejia nodded. "Yesterday, at my wife's birthday banquet, I had the good fortune to see a small packet of it, which I obtained through many connections. After the banquet, I added a little to the tea, and it was indeed extraordinary! The sweetness was pure and clear, without any bitterness, and the tea soup was even clearer. It's just a pity that there was too little of it, only enough for everyone to have a taste, and we couldn't enjoy it to our hearts' content."

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces showed expressions of regret and longing.

Although they were noble civil officials with modest salaries, such rare and elegant items were both a source of culinary pleasure and a topic of conversation for them.

Yang Rong glanced at them, inwardly disdainful.

Although he was curious about white sugar, he didn't focus his energy on it.

Compared to these Hanlin scholars and Attendant Scholars, his vision was set on the entire Ming Dynasty.

Just then, footsteps came from the porch outside the door, growing louder as they approached.

The discussions inside the side room abruptly ceased.

The lecturers and scholars straightened their clothes and resumed their usual solemn demeanor.

The door was gently pushed open, and a child of about six or seven years old, dressed in the everyday clothes of a prince's heir, stepped in. It was none other than Zhu Zhanjun, the Prince of Jiyang.

His gaze swept over everyone in the room, a smile spreading across his face. He bowed respectfully to the teachers and said, "Student Zhu Zhanjun greets all the teachers."

Xu Dejia and the scholars quickly returned the courtesy: "Your Highness Prince Jiyang is too polite."

Zhu Zhanjun straightened up and blinked his dark eyes.

"Just now outside the door, I seemed to hear the gentlemen talking about... white sugar?"

The scholars exchanged glances.

Xu Dejia coughed lightly and stroked his beard, saying, "It was just a casual chat. This item has been the talk of the town lately, and we were just a little curious ourselves. Your Highness is so young, yet you know about it?"

Zhu Zhanjun smiled but did not answer Xu Dejia's question.

"I have come today to bring some small gifts for you gentlemen."

"The gentlemen work very hard every day to teach students to read and understand principles."

"Having nothing to repay you with, I thought I'd bring this item so that you gentlemen can have a taste and express my gratitude."

As he spoke, he waved behind him.

The personal attendant, who had been quietly standing outside the door, immediately came in carrying several exquisite and small brocade boxes.

The brocade box was no bigger than the palm of your hand, wrapped in plain brocade and tied with a matching silk ribbon, making it look very elegant.

Zhu Zhanjun personally accepted the boxes and distributed them to the lecturers and scholars present, one box for each person.

His movements were natural and his attitude was sincere.

"This is 'Frost and Snow Sugar' produced by Yuxuetang, which is the white sugar that has been rumored recently."

"The students find its taste refreshing and sweet, and it can be enjoyed with tea or added to desserts. Please, gentlemen, do not find it offensive and give it a try."

The scholars accepted the brocade box, which felt slightly heavy. Upon opening it, they found sugar granules as white as snow and as clear as shattered jade, housed in a small, equally white porcelain jar. The appearance alone was enough to catch their eye.

That pure, sweet fragrance wafted out almost imperceptibly.

The crowd, who had just been lamenting the scarcity of sugar, were momentarily stunned as they looked at the generous amount of white sugar in their hands.

Xu Dejia was the first to react, and quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness's generous gift is too much for us to bear. This item is precious; Your Highness, Prince Jiyang, should keep it for yourself..."

"Master Xu, there's no need to refuse." Zhu Zhanjun interrupted him, his smile sincere. "It's just some food. My grandfather often taught me to respect my teachers. This small gift is just a token of my appreciation; it's really nothing. I only hope that you teachers won't find it presumptuous."

He spoke eloquently and with impeccable manners, and even invoked the emperor's name. How could the scholars possibly refuse?

So everyone bowed again to express their gratitude, their tone more sincere than before: "Your Highness is benevolent and filial, and considerate of your teachers and elders; we are deeply moved!"

"Your Highness is so young yet so well-mannered and sensible; it is truly a blessing for the imperial family."

Zhu Zhanjun accepted the greeting with a smile, and then exchanged a few pleasantries about his studies. His attitude was extremely respectful, befitting a studious and courteous imperial grandson.

Once the room had quieted down a bit, he suddenly spoke to Xu Dejia.

"Master Xu, I heard that Xue Qi, a student in our class, has recently made some mistakes?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Dejia stroked his beard and then remembered the little rascal who dared to burn paper money for him, and couldn't help but say angrily.

"This child lacks discipline."

Zhu Zhanjun smiled slightly.

"Mr. Xu, Xue Qi is still young, and it is normal for him to occasionally make mistakes in his words and actions."

The Book of Rites says: "Jade that is not carved cannot become a vessel; a person who does not learn cannot know the Way." The faults of students still need to be examined and corrected.

"The teacher is a mentor who imparts knowledge and teaches skills. He has a broad mind and will not hold grudges against ignorant students."

"I hope that you will consider his young age and give him more opportunities to teach and guide him. In time, he may be able to understand the principles and pursue learning, and live up to your kindness today."

Upon hearing this, Xu Dejia immediately understood Zhu Zhanjun's meaning and laughed heartily.

"His Highness Prince Jiyang is right."

"Then punish him by making him copy the Book of Rites."

Zhu Zhanjun nodded in satisfaction.

This old man is right!

He glanced at Yang Rong, who had remained silent not far away.

Yang Rong was writing a manuscript, seemingly oblivious to everything around him.

Zhu Zhanjun picked up a box, walked up to Yang Rong, and said with a smile.

"This is for Scholar Yang."

Although Yang Rong was a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince in history, he only took sides after Zhu Di made his stance clear.

For now, even if he's biased towards the Crown Prince, this old fox won't show it.

Since that's the case, he can try to get it done.

Even if they can't win him over, it's still a win to make the Crown Prince doubt Yang Rong's stance.

In this world, you need your own power base!

Yang Rong glanced at him and pondered for a moment.

"Your Highness Prince Jiyang is too kind."

"However, I, Yang, have not performed any service and cannot accept this gift."

"Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the room froze, becoming slightly awkward.

Everyone looked at the gifts in their hands, unsure whether to take them or throw them away.

Although Yang Rong was referring to himself, everyone felt that he was being indirectly criticized.

Zhu Zhanjun chuckled and said in a low voice.

"Scholar Yang, if you don't accept it, how can Chamberlain Xu accept it?"

"If Master Xu won't accept it, how will you gentlemen accept it?"

"Scholar Yang, you don't want to be ostracized by your colleagues, do you?"