The system forced me to blow up the female lead's fishpond.

It was Shen Zhizhi's first time entering the palace, and everything she saw was fascinating. She couldn't help but look around as she walked, admiring the red walls and yellow tiles, the magnificent and imposing sight.

Chu Chouchi turned his head and happened to catch a glimpse of her naive and ignorant appearance. He was about to tell her not to embarrass herself, but when his gaze fell on her, he couldn't say anything more.

Her steps were light and quick, her pretty face, lightly made up, was like a peach blossom in early spring, white with a hint of pink. The warm sun poured down, falling on her black hair, drawing a pale golden halo. Every glance and smile was captivating.

Chu Chouchi was somewhat dazed and stiffly looked away.

How come he never noticed how beautiful she was before?

Shen Zhizhi was still immersed in the extravagance of the palace's carved railings and jade steps when, upon reaching the Imperial Garden, a sudden burst of mocking laughter from behind the artificial hill pulled her back to reality:

"Ha! This matter has nothing to do with the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Just do your job and don't meddle in things that aren't your business!"

The arrogant tone carried an annoying sharpness, and one could tell from the conversation that some honest and upright official had offended a powerful and influential official.

Shen Zhizhi subconsciously looked up at Chu Chouchi, only to see him calm and seemingly oblivious, as if he didn't want to get involved in this matter.

Shen Zhizhi slowed her pace slightly. As a Chinese daughter who grew up under the national flag, she naturally couldn't stand seeing such things. But then she thought that in this feudal era, only those with great power were qualified to lend a helping hand.

How can someone like her, who can barely take care of herself, possibly save others?

Thinking this, she pursed her lips, gritted her teeth, and was about to leave.

But then another voice slowly came: "To cultivate oneself to be pure and upright, to act justly, and to be selfless in office are the principles of a subject's duty."

Shen Zhizhi stopped abruptly, her pupils shrinking sharply.

That voice, those lines—!

She stared straight in the direction of the sound, as if trying to see through the artificial hill.

"Now that I have been entrusted by the Emperor to serve as an official, I should be responsible for the people and not let them suffer injustice." His voice came again, lingering in my ears.

Her voice was distinct, warm, and gentle, yet it conveyed an unwavering determination and confidence.

Shen Zhizhi understood that there was probably no one else besides the original male protagonist who possessed such a righteous heart and unwavering courage.

As for the male lead Zhang Jiali's background, his fate was full of twists and turns.

He was born to the former empress, but was resented by the later Empress Ming, who bribed the midwife.

In the dead of night, the midwife, carrying a stillborn baby, took advantage of the late empress's unconscious state and staged a switcheroo.

The Emperor doted on the late Empress. When he learned that she had given birth to a stillborn child, he couldn't bear to see her cry. So he didn't let the late Empress see the child one last time and buried the child in the imperial mausoleum.

The late empress was unable to accept this fact when she woke up, broke down in tears, and eventually died of depression.

Zhang Jiali was carelessly abandoned by the midwife in the wild forest to fend for himself. Fortunately, the late empress's wet nurse heard the baby crying when she passed by the mass grave while chopping wood on the mountain.

The wet nurse saw the gold lock that the late empress had worn all her life hanging around the baby's neck, and realized that the child was the late empress's.

She originally intended to inform Zhang Jiali after settling him in, but the late empress had already passed away, and the secret remained buried for many years.

[This Empress Ming was utterly wicked!]

As Ya Dan listened to the plot that Shen Zhizhi recalled in her mind, she gritted her teeth and complained bitterly.

Zhang Jiali grew up among the common people and witnessed their suffering, which led him to become the top scholar in the imperial examination and enter the court as an official.

The wet nurse never expected the child to be so intelligent, and felt that perhaps heaven had taken pity on him and destined him to enter the palace.

Therefore, she told Zhang Jiali about her background, but Zhang Jiali knew that his mother had passed away and did not want to acknowledge his relatives. He only wanted to seek justice for the people and be an honest and upright official.

Unfortunately, the remaining princes were not satisfactory. Because the female lead was good to him, the male supporting characters were jealous and joined forces to frame him in various ways.

Fortunately, the male protagonist has a strong aura, and Shen Qinshou saves him when he is on the verge of death. She also discovers that the lock he carries is engraved with the royal seal and the late empress's childhood name - He'er.

Shen Qinshou persuaded him to acknowledge the emperor as his father. Zhang Jiali was enlightened and finally realized that power was extremely important.

He presented the golden lock to the emperor, who then showered the prince with affection.

For a time, the positions of Chu Chouchi and others became unstable.

Unfortunately, the villain's love-struck mind still failed to clear, and unable to harm Zhang Jiali, he tried every means to imprison Shen Qinshou.

She didn't know what happened after that, but according to the basic plot of the novel, Zhang Jiali would definitely take a step-by-step approach and defeat the various villainous forces one by one.

Finally, he and Shen Qinshou lived happily ever after.

[Host, the male lead has appeared. Please rescue him first!]

The task notification interrupted Shen Zhizhi's wild imagination. She was so excited that her breathing became disordered, and it took her a while to calm down and think of a solution.

Shen Zhizhi: [I definitely can't save them on my own. If Chu Chouchi goes to save them, he'll definitely leave a good impression on the male lead, and they won't die such a tragic death.]

Ya Dan nodded in agreement. [Perhaps this incident will even allow Chu Chou Chi to experience the joy of helping others, and his "darkening" level might even decrease.]

Most importantly, when the host completes a task, he can get reward points and then level up.

One person unifies the world and begins to envision the future.

Chu Chouchi, who was walking ahead, noticed that the person beside him had quieted down, so he stopped and turned his head in confusion: "What's wrong?"

Shen Zhizhi pursed her lips, hesitating to speak.

Although the idea is appealing, given Chu Chouchi's style, it would be quite difficult for him to save people.

"Since there's nothing else, let's go." Chu Chouchi narrowed his eyes slightly and turned to leave.

He heard hurried footsteps behind him, followed by a warm sensation on his wrist. He turned around in surprise.

The person in front of me was smiling radiantly, their warm and intoxicating breath wafting over me. "Second Prince, it seems something has happened over there. Shall we go take a look?"

"..."

Chu Chouchi paused, looking at her intently, his eyebrows raised: "What? Do you want me, Your Highness, to lend a hand?"

Shen Zhizhi's face was full of expectation. When she let go of his hand, she clasped her hands together and prayed.

"Please, please! Your Highness is wise and mighty, and whether or not to save them is entirely up to Your Highness. If we save them, Your Highness's image in the eyes of the ministers will be greatly enhanced!"

A hint of disdain flashed across Chu Chouchi's eyes, but he laughed again and said, "This prince disdains to put on any great image in front of them."

His face was solemn, and the imposing aura and dignified presence emanating from him made it hard not to believe that he had the right to be arrogant and conceited.

Shen Zhizhi was annoyed that she hadn't understood the situation.

Please, who is Chu Chouchi?

The original text describes a ruthless and cold-blooded devil who, even when vying for the throne, disdains to curry favor with officials.

His methods have always been limited to threats, coercion, and making an example of someone.

Before Shen Zhizhi could feel disappointed, the person in front of her had already walked straight toward the source of the sound from the artificial hill, glancing at her with surprise and uncertainty as she stood behind him.

He cleared his throat and explained somewhat awkwardly, "Well, consider it repayment for that ugly dog-like eagle."