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

Zhang stomped her feet hard on the ground and pulled Zhu Zhanjun to a side seat.

Although she had a slight smile on her face, her facial muscles were tense and her eyes were full of ferocity.

That brat!

They only exchanged a few words, and he even mentioned "old woman" a few times?

Are women over eight years old considered old?

Then what is she?

Is it time to go to the coffin?

Unlike Zhang's resentment, Zhu Zhanjun walked briskly.

As soon as he entered the side room, the low laughter and conversation inside stopped abruptly, and then more than a dozen pairs of eyes turned to look at him.

The side room was filled with the warmth of incense and the glitter of pearls and jade. Most of the guests were ladies of noble birth from dukes and marquises, as well as unmarried young ladies from various families. When they saw the conspicuous red robe of a prince appear, their eyes lit up.

A noblewoman dressed in a royal blue jacket with gold-embroidered sleeves and a gold-threaded hair ornament was the first to rise, smiling broadly as she approached. She was none other than the wife of Marquis Zheng Heng of Wu'an: "Oh my, this must be His Highness the Prince of Jiyang! He truly is a handsome man!"

As she spoke, she subtly pulled a little girl, about seven or eight years old and wearing a pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), forward slightly. "This is my little girl, named Zheng Xiuning. Her father often mentions His Highness's exceptional intelligence, and she has long admired him."

Lady Zhang Fu, the Duke of Yingguo, stepped forward and said with a smile, "Your Highness, at such a young age, you already have the ambition to save the world and bring peace to the people. Moreover, you are skilled in both literature and martial arts. The other day, your deeds of protecting our people and upholding our national laws on the banks of the Qinhuai River have spread throughout the capital. Truly, a hero emerges from among the young!"

Behind her were two girls, about eleven or twelve years old, who, though slightly shy, were also secretly observing Zhu Zhanjun with curiosity.

The ladies of other families, such as the Duke of Wei and the Duke of Ding, also gathered around, offering their praises and occasionally introducing their daughters, nieces, or granddaughters.

For a time, Zhu Zhanjun was surrounded by the sounds of birdsong and the fragrance of incense.

The girls ranged in age from five or six to twelve or thirteen. Some were lively and bold, looking directly at Zhu Zhanjun, while others were shy and reserved, only daring to glance at him out of the corner of their eyes.

Others seemed to have received instructions from their elders and were trying their best to appear dignified and serene.

These noblewomen and young ladies didn't necessarily want to curry favor with him.

Rather, it was their exceptional political acumen as nobles of the Ming Dynasty that led them, along with their husbands and families, to choose opportunistic paths.

Although Zhu Zhanjun was young, he was exceptionally granted the title of Prince of Jiyang.

This is unique among all the imperial grandsons.

Although everyone knows that Zhu Zhanji has the potential to become the Crown Prince, Zhu Zhanjun is currently extremely favored and has been granted the Bowen Pavilion. Who knows if Zhu Zhanjun will one day turn the tables and become the Crown Prince?

It should be noted that His Majesty is not the eldest son of the legitimate wife.

Who can guarantee that the next emperor will definitely be from the Eastern Palace?

They brought their own daughters and granddaughters over to get closer to Zhu Gaochi, hoping that they might become in-laws with him in the future. If Zhu Zhanjun became emperor, they would be making a fortune.

If Zhu Zhanji were to ascend the throne, even if he banished the Prince of Han, Zhu Gaoxu, and his family to a remote area, they would simply consider it as losing a daughter or granddaughter.

The family is very wealthy and has many daughters.

Using several daughters to hedge bets has been the practice since ancient times.

No matter who wins, they won't lose.

They'll help whoever wins.

Zhu Zhanjun greeted them calmly, fully aware of the thoughts of these noblewomen and their families.

However, he didn't feel uncomfortable.

That's just how politics is.

If you have no value, why should anyone pay attention to you?

This at least proves that, in the eyes of others, he had a chance to try.

Just as Zhu Zhanjun was greeting several dukes' wives and young ladies, a commotion suddenly broke out at the entrance of the side hall. Zhu Yi, Liu Zhong, Li Heng, Zheng Yu, and a group of his younger brothers rushed in.

They were all dressed in formal attire today, but being young and mischievous, they looked quite comical in their fine clothes.

"Squad leader! You've finally arrived!" Zhu Yi, with the loudest voice, rushed to Zhu Zhanjun's side, grinning broadly. "We've been waiting for you for ages! There are so many kinds of snacks in the side hall, and even some grape wine from the Western Regions. We're just waiting for you to come and try them!"

Liu Zhong pushed aside a little girl surrounding Zhu Zhanjun and whispered, "Class monitor, I just saw the Harlie delegation go into the main hall. Holy crap, those guys are tall and big, and they're still covered in body hair."

Zheng Yu greeted the ladies with a smile, then turned to Zhu Zhanjun: "Your Highness, we've been waiting for you."

Li Heng and Zhang Mao also looked at Zhu Zhanjun with smiles.

Zhang Mao couldn't help but say.

"Your Highness, the Kingdom of Halie has never been on good terms with our Great Ming Dynasty."

"Is there any explanation for your visit to our Great Ming Dynasty this time?"

Zhu Zhanjun smiled and patted Zhu Yi on the shoulder, then said to Zhang Mao, "The people in the delegation will be handled by the Emperor and the court officials. We just need to eat and drink well."

"Absolutely!" Zhu Yi tugged at Zhu Zhanjun's sleeve casually, plopped down on the soft cushions of the side mat, grabbed a piece of milk shortbread from the table and stuffed it into her mouth, saying indistinctly, "Squad leader, sit here! This place has the best selection of pastries. I just looked around, walnut shortbread, almond cream, jujube paste cake... and these Western Region raisins, they're so sweet!"

Liu Zhong, Zheng Yu, and the others also sat down around the table, grabbing food from the table with clinking hands. The clinking of cups and plates filled the air as the teenagers ate with relish, completely forgetting that there was a group of carefully dressed young ladies around them, trying their best to maintain their composure.

The young ladies were starting to lose their composure.

The daughters of noble families are young, but precocious.

They had also heard of Zhu Zhanjun's great name.

Although Zhu Zhanjun was still young, he was quite cute with his delicate features, and they were quite interested in him.

Unexpectedly, these mischievous kids dragged Zhu Zhanjun away to eat.

One of the young women in green tugged at the hand of the young woman next to her and whispered.

"Second Mistress, isn't that Zhu Young Master inside your younger brother?"

"Let him introduce us to him."

"The new milk tea drink at Yuxuetang, Mango Pomelo Sago, is really hard to buy."

"Limited quantities available daily, the price of one cup has skyrocketed."

"I heard that Yuxue Hall belongs to His Highness the Prince of Jiyang..."

Upon hearing this, the young women around them brightened up and nodded repeatedly.

At that age, milk tea is very attractive to them.

Zhu Erniangzi gritted her teeth and spat inwardly.

This brat is so engrossed in the Prince of Jiyang that he hasn't even noticed his older sister.

We must deal with this properly when we get back.

Zhu Erniangzi took a deep breath, put on a polite smile, and led the young ladies behind her gracefully to Zhu Yi's table.

She first curtsied in the direction of Zhu Zhanjun, then extended her slender finger and gently poked Zhu Yi's forehead, who was engrossed in eating almond milk.

"Ouch!" Zhu Yi clutched her forehead, looked up, and immediately shrank back. "Second...Second Sister?"

Zhu Erniangzi raised her eyebrows slightly and lowered her voice, saying, "You only care about food, can't you even see your own sister here?"

Zhu Yi awkwardly put down the pastries in her hand and wiped the crumbs from her mouth: "Second Sister, what brings you here? Didn't Father say you weren't feeling well and were resting at home?"

"Stop being so glib." Zhu Erniangzi glared at him, then put on a gentler smile. "Yi-ge'er, your sister and these younger sisters have long admired His Highness Prince Jiyang's demeanor and have heard of his intelligence and benevolence. It's a rare opportunity to meet him today, and we would like to get to know him."

"Since you are on good terms with His Highness, could you please introduce us?"

Zhu Yi felt goosebumps all over when he heard his sister speaking in a high-pitched voice.

Zhu Yi scratched his head.

"Second sister, you wouldn't happen to have taken a liking to His Highness, would you?"

"His Highness does not like old women."

Zhu Erniangzi was so angry that her face turned red and her neck bulged.

If it weren't for the presence of so many people, she would have really wanted to twist the boy's head off.

Just then, Zhu Zhanjun noticed the situation and came over with a smile.

"Zhu Yi, is this your sister?"

Zhu Yi nodded quickly.

Zhu Erniangzi bowed.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

The young ladies behind him also quickly bowed.

Zhu Zhanjun said with a smile.

"Zhu Yi had long said that he had an older sister who was as beautiful as an angel, and seeing her today, she truly is extraordinary."

Zhu Yi: "?"

Did I say that?

Zhu Erniangzi was only eleven or twelve years old, and she was overjoyed by Zhu Zhanjun's words.

Before she could utter two words of modesty, she heard Zhu Zhanjun speak again.

"Today is my first time meeting you all, sisters. I have nothing of value to offer, nor have I prepared any gifts. However..."

"Yu Xue Tang recently launched a drink called 'Mango Pomelo Sago,' which has become quite popular."

"What a coincidence. I have some connections with that owner, so why don't I have someone send some over for you all to try? It's just a small token of my appreciation, what do you say?"

Upon hearing this, several suppressed gasps immediately rose from the side seats.

The young women's eyes lit up instantly, exchanging surprised glances.

Zhu Erniangzi covered her mouth and chuckled, curtsying and saying, "Your Highness is too kind. That willow branch nectar is extremely rare these days, and it is truly astonishing that Your Highness can take it so freely. We sisters would be impolite to refuse such a generous offer."

All the young ladies looked at Zhu Zhanjun with smiles and thanked him.

Although everyone knows that Yuxuetang belongs to Zhu Zhanjun, these things are all done behind the scenes, and no one is foolish enough to bring them to the forefront.

Zhu Zhanjun waved his hand, appearing nonchalant: "It's nothing, as long as the sisters like it."

After saying that, he turned to his personal attendant who was standing beside him and whispered a few instructions.

The eunuch accepted the order, bowed, and quickly withdrew to make the arrangements.

Zhu Zhanjun immediately bowed to the group of young ladies and sat back down.

The young ladies returned the greeting and prepared to leave.

Just then, a waitress brought over half a roasted lamb.

Zhu Yi, who had been watching her older sister and class monitor talk and getting bored, suddenly started drooling when she saw the roasted lamb with its golden-brown skin, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

He quickly grabbed a piece of mutton that had been cut up and devoured it, his mouth greasy and smacking his lips.

Zhu Erniangzi and the group of young ladies behind her looked disgusted.

Zhu Erniangzi was initially quite happy; His Highness Prince Jiyang's words had earned her a lot of face in front of her fellow girls.

Seeing her younger brother's unhygienic eating habits made her feel ashamed and annoyed.

That's really embarrassing for her.

What kind of aristocratic children eat like this?

Are there any rules?

Zhu Erniangzi glared and said fiercely.

"Zhu Yi, the way you eat is so rude."

Zhu Yi was enjoying her meal when her older sister scolded her, leaving her completely bewildered.

He glanced at Zhu Erniangzi, who was staring at him with wide eyes, and at the many young women behind him who were looking at him with disgust, and felt somewhat embarrassed.

Zhu Yi felt quite embarrassed, and he was just about to say something to explain.

Then I heard a smacking sound coming from the side.

Zhu Yi turned her head and saw that Zhu Zhanjun was also gnawing on a leg of lamb.

He quickly replied.

"Your Highness, please slow down. Eating like this is too rude."

Zhu Zhanjun: "?"

Zhu Erniangzi, standing beside him, looked at Zhu Zhanjun with admiration and said softly.

"It's okay, that's what makes a boy bold."

Zhu Yi: "?"