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

After a while.

Zhu Yicai sighed.

"Your Highness's talent is beyond our reach."

"It seems I'll never catch up with Your Highness in this lifetime."

Zhang Mao, Li Heng, Zheng Yu, Zhu Zhanqi, Liu Zhong, and others agreed wholeheartedly.

Li Heng touched his chin again.

"Your Highness, there's a banquet being held at the Crown Prince's Palace tonight to celebrate the eldest grandson's birthday. Will you be attending?"

Zheng Yu found it somewhat strange.

"The Crown Prince's Palace has always been frugal, so why is it holding such a lavish banquet for the eldest grandson's birthday?"

Zhu Zhanqi chuckled.

"Yesterday, I heard my father say that the reason why the Crown Prince's Palace is holding this banquet is because my aunt wants to invite many noble ladies to the palace so that her son can choose a satisfactory imperial concubine as soon as possible."

"Third brother, are you going?"

Zhu Zhanjun raised an eyebrow.

He knew about his older brother's birthday banquet.

However, he knew nothing about what Zhu Zhanqi was talking about.

After all, he doesn't spend much time at the Prince of Han's residence these days.

He didn't want to go at first, but after thinking about it, he smiled and said...

"Of course we should go and take a look."

"However, I remember that last year, the Lady of Pengcheng recommended Lady Sun to enter the palace and was placed in the care of my aunt. Now it seems that my aunt is not very satisfied with this Lady Sun."

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

The Eastern Palace.

Zhu Zhanji sat alone by the window of his study, holding a special edition of the "Da Ming Xin Bao" newspaper in his hand, his face gloomy.

The words in the newspaper article, "An Initial Explanation of the Philosophy of Mind—A Record of Prince Qinhuai of Jiyang's Discussion on the Dao," pierced his eyes like needles.

What sages?

He's just a naughty kid.

Fuck!

This kid can cause trouble wherever he goes.

Can't you just behave yourself?

The door was gently pushed open, and Crown Princess Zhang slowly entered, carrying a cup of ginseng tea.

She glanced at the crumpled newspaper on the table and her son's ashen face, and understood.

She placed the teacup beside Zhu Zhanji and said gently, "Why should my son get upset over those empty titles? You are the eldest son of the Crown Prince, the rightful eldest grandson of the Emperor."

"No matter how clever Zhu Zhanjun is, he is still just a son born out of wedlock. The higher he jumps now, the harder he will fall in the future."

Zhu Zhanji looked up, his eyes filled with resentment.

"Mother, didn't you hear what they're saying outside?"

"Everyone says he's a celestial being, a sage who appears only once every five hundred years!"

"If this continues, what will the court officials think? What will the common people think?"

Zhang sat down beside her son and gently took his hand.

"My son, how could you be so confused?"

"He's only six years old; you'll be able to get married in a few years."

"Once we get married and have a great-grandson, our family will be even more secure."

"Even if His Majesty admires him, would he really jeopardize the foundation of the nation's legitimate succession for the sake of a mere child who hasn't even lost all his teeth?"

"Has such a childish thing ever happened in any dynasty throughout history?"

Seeing that Zhu Zhanji's expression had softened slightly, Zhang continued, "The more outstanding Zhu Zhanjun is, the more people will be wary of him."

"Leaving aside the King of Han, which of the seasoned and prudent ministers in the court would genuinely be willing to support a child who acts recklessly and disregards etiquette?"

"The tallest tree in the forest will surely be felled by the wind."

"We just need to sit back and watch it rise and fall."

She paused, then softened her tone: "Tonight is your birthday banquet, and also a good opportunity to choose your future imperial consort."

"I have invited the daughters of noble families and civil officials of suitable age to enter the palace."

"You should cheer up and take a good look."

"Marrying a wife who is of excellent family background and appearance, and having children as soon as possible, is better than anything else."

"As long as your lineage continues and your position is secure, no matter how much trouble Zhu Zhanjun causes, it will all be in vain."

Zhu Zhanji took a deep breath and slowly nodded: "Mother is right."

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

evening.

The Eastern Palace was brightly lit, and the sounds of sheng, xiao, and pipe music could be faintly heard.

Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi sat upright in the main seat with a warm smile, while Crown Princess Zhang sat beside him, her demeanor dignified.

Below them sat Yang Shiqi, Jian Yi, Xia Yuanji, and other officials of the Eastern Palace on either side, followed by Duke Xu Qin of Wei and other nobles, as well as some civil and military officials who were close to the Eastern Palace.

The atmosphere was harmonious as everyone toasted and drank together.

Zhu Gaochi was known for his benevolence and kindness, and he treated his officials with leniency. As a result, everyone relaxed and chatted and laughed.

The conversation naturally turned to the "philosophy of mind" and the Prince of Jiyang, which had been the subject of much discussion in the capital recently. However, on the grounds of the Eastern Palace, everyone was much more cautious in their words, mostly offering general praises such as "a unicorn has emerged from the imperial family" and "His Majesty's wise teachings."

As the birthday celebrant, Zhu Zhanji, dressed in brand-new princely robes, sat upright below his parents, responding to everyone's congratulations with a proper smile.

But out of the corner of my eye, I can't help but glance at the other side.

Zhu Zhanjun was lounging in his seat, showing off grapes to Zhu Yi and the others.

"This kid..." Zhu Zhanji sneered inwardly, "He has no manners, whether standing or sitting, he's really disgracing the royal family."

Meanwhile, in the side hall of the rear palace of the East Palace.

Here, several tables were set up with screens and beaded curtains as slight partitions, specifically for the families of nobles and civil officials who came to attend the banquet.

Crown Princess Zhang made special arrangements so that all the eligible young ladies from each family could sit in the front, in a well-lit area, so that Zhu Zhanji could meet them by chance when he came over.

Most of the girls were fourteen or fifteen years old, just the time when they were about to bloom. They were all dressed up, with beautiful hair and pretty faces. Some were quiet with their eyes downcast, while others were smiling and whispering. The air was filled with a faint fragrance of perfume and the vibrancy of youth.

After a while.

Zhu Di, dressed in casual clothes, strode into the hall with a majestic and imposing air, followed only by a few personal eunuchs.

Upon seeing this, everyone in the hall hurriedly rose from their seats and knelt down in unison, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Di laughed and casually waved his hand: "Get up, all of you. There's no need for such formalities."

"Eat what you want, drink what you want, everyone sit down."

After expressing their gratitude, everyone returned to their seats.

Zhu Di walked straight to the main seat, where Zhu Gaochi had already stood up to make way, and Zhang also quickly bowed.

Zhu Di sat down in the main seat, his gaze sweeping around the hall before finally landing on Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Zhanjun, who was stuffing grapes into his mouth.

"Zhanji, Zhanjun, come to me." Zhu Di beckoned.

Zhu Zhanji immediately straightened his robes, strode forward, and bowed respectfully: "Grandson greets Imperial Grandfather."

Zhu Zhanjun wiped his hands, strolled over, and greeted them with a grin, "Grandpa Emperor, you've come to freeload too?"

Upon hearing this, many people in the hall couldn't help but twitch at the corners of their mouths.

Zhu Di, however, seemed to be used to it, and jokingly scolded, "No respect for elders!"

He first looked at Zhu Zhanji, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Hmm, you've grown taller again and look like a grown-up."

"Today is your birthday. Your Imperial Grandfather wishes you peace, health, and academic success in the future."

He beckoned, and a eunuch behind him stepped forward carrying a plate.

"This Chengni inkstone has been with me for many years. Today I bestow it upon you. I hope you will study diligently and live up to my expectations."

Zhu Zhanji accepted it with both hands, his heart filled with excitement.

"Your grandson thanks Your Majesty for your generous gift. I will certainly remember your teachings and study diligently!"

He couldn't help but give Zhu Zhanjun a provocative look!

His grandfather's affection for him remained unchanged.

The Emperor bestowed upon Zhu Zhanjun a personal inkstone, but not one; this is a victory!

He won one game against Zhu Zhanji, while Zhu Zhanjun won none, making this a total of two wins!

He won two games against Zhu Zhanji, and Zhu Zhanjun won none, making this a total of three wins!

"..."

Zhu Zhanji won 99 wins, while Zhu Zhanjun won none, making this a hundred wins!

He won every battle, and he won far more than a hundred.

Victory never ceases; victory fuels victory, and victory is inexhaustible!

What does Zhu Zhanjun have to compare with him?

Zhu Zhanji felt like Qin Shi Huang had been struck by lightning; he was completely stunned by the victory.

Zhu Di ignored Zhu Zhanji and turned his gaze to Zhu Zhanjun beside him.

"Hey kid, why were you looking so listless just now?"

Zhu Zhanjun chuckled.

"Grandpa, my elder brother is in high spirits because of all the good things happening. He's celebrating his birthday and choosing a wife. I'm so envious of him."

"I can't choose my wife, so of course I'm listless."

Zhu Zhanji felt somewhat embarrassed upon hearing this. Although Zhang Shi had tacitly agreed that he should "choose" a wife, it was still a little awkward for Zhu Zhanjun to bring it up.

Zhu Di pointed at Zhu Zhanjun and said with a smile.

"You, you're actually envious of your older brother?"

Everyone envies others, but little do they know that others also envy them.

"Zhanji, do you envy Zhanjun?"

Zhu Zhanji secretly wished he could kill Zhu Zhanjun, but when Zhu Di asked him a question, he naturally smiled.

"Of course I greatly admire Zhanjun."

"Hearing that Zhanjun is both making money in business and studying Confucian classics, how can one not envy his colorful life?"

Zhu Di stroked his beard and chuckled.

"This is it."

That's just how people are.

"Always think other people's things are better."

"Zhanji, Zhanjun, let me ask you, if you were to switch bodies, what would you do?"

Zhu Zhanji pondered for a moment.

This time he learned his lesson.

In the past, when his grandfather asked him and Zhu Zhanjun questions, he always gave a very measured and formulaic answer. Although it was respectable, it was too official.

Grandfather always liked Zhu Zhanjun's nonsensical and nonsensical answers, which always made him laugh heartily.

Zhu Zhanji's eyes darted around, and a sly smile, learned from Zhu Zhanjun, appeared on his face.

"Grandpa Emperor, if I were to become Zhanjun, I would definitely rush to Yuxue Hall, withdraw all the money, and write a contract to give it to myself."

Zhu Di burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"Zhanji, when did you become so reckless?"

"But that's true, Zhanjun is indeed rich, and Grandfather wants some too!"

Zhu Zhanji was delighted upon hearing this.

This time, I finally guessed the right exam question.

He raised an eyebrow at Zhu Zhanjun.

You rascal, I've already stolen your witty and cunning answer.

Let's see how you respond.

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Zhanjun and said with a smile.

"Zhanjun, what if you became your older brother?"

Zhu Zhanjun said with a serious expression.

"I want to do more good deeds for my older brother, such as helping the poor and providing disaster relief, caring for those helpless children."

"In addition, because my elder brother Zhanji always likes to play outside and doesn't spend much time with our parents, I will go back and spend more time with my uncle and aunt on his behalf."