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

A day later, the farewell banquet arrived as scheduled.

Inside the banquet hall, beaded curtains fluttered gently, golden cups were filled with wine, and the table was laden with delicacies. Ministers, dressed in magnificent robes, filed in one after another, creating a lively atmosphere.

As Chu Chouchi, dressed in a magnificent robe, passed behind Chu Tu, he casually lowered his gaze and asked, "Is the poison ready?"

"Naturally." Chu Tu responded softly, his eyes revealing a hint of provocation and arrogance. "This medicine is taken from a thousand-year-old Yin-cold herb, and it is also a mysterious drug that can destroy a person's Yang energy. If one takes this medicine, one will definitely become impotent and lose all future prospects."

To secure his position as crown prince, having many children is essential for a monarch; if he becomes a mere eunuch, he will surely lose power.

Gong Muze would certainly not allow himself to become impotent for life just to marry a concubine's daughter; he would definitely come to him seeking an antidote.

The poison was terrifying; even with the antidote, he could only maintain his virility for a few days, but that was enough for him.

After all, once the effects of the medicine wore off in a few days, Gong Muze would have already returned to the Han Palace Kingdom.

This way, he can both obediently annul the engagement and suffer the consequences, killing two birds with one stone.

Upon hearing this, Chu Chouchi smiled and sat down next to him. "Fortunately, I didn't destroy your poison-making place that day."

Chu Tu: ? ? ?

"You even considered destroying my poison-making facility?!" Chu Tu was furious at his nonchalant remark.

Chu Chouchi raised his eyes coolly, somewhat casually saying, "Why are you making such a loud noise? Didn't I fail to achieve my goal?"

"In that case, Your Highness should thank Your Highness?"

Chu Tu gritted his teeth; if it weren't for the palace banquet, the two of them would probably have fought to vent their anger.

Chu Chouchi raised an eyebrow and ignored him.

Seeing that he remained silent, Chu Tu did not want to see him suffer. He slightly raised his eyes and glanced at Gong Muze directly in front of him, then got up to go over.

Before he could even move, Chu Chouchi, who was sitting to the side, swiftly stretched out his long leg and kicked him without making a sound.

Chu Tu was completely bewildered by the kick. Suppressing his anger, he turned his head away and said in a low voice, "Why did you kick me?!"

"Are you really planning to just let this go? Without even giving a reason?"

Chu Chouchi picked up his wine glass, pretending to drink, while trying to keep their interaction from attracting attention. "By doing this, aren't you just telling him outright that you're going to poison his wine and put him on guard?"

"..."

Chu Tu was slightly taken aback. After thinking for a moment, he suppressed his anger and realized that what he said made sense.

After hesitating for a long time, he asked in a low voice, "Then what should we do?"

Chu Chouchi slowly curled his lips, a hint of amusement flashing in his dark eyes.

Before Chu Tu could ask any more questions, Gong Muze's eyes lit up slightly, as if he had seen someone, and he got up to greet them.

As Shen Zhizhi, who arrived late, entered the hall, she was just about to find a place where no one would notice her when she saw Gong Muze's eyes narrowed as he walked towards her with ill intent.

“Miss Shen, since you will become my Crown Princess tomorrow, you should also cultivate your relationship. I have reserved a seat for you.”

Gong Muze's shamelessness made her want to roll her eyes.

I never imagined that someone could be so shameless. I had just spoken ill of her a few days ago, and today she comes to talk to me about cultivating feelings.

Her eyes twitched, and she curled her lips, retorting without any politeness: "Thank you, Your Highness, but it is a pity that I do not wish to sit beside such a hypocrite. I am aware of the principle that one is influenced by one's surroundings."

Gong Muze's face fell, and a murderous aura surged in his eyes. "Words can be dangerous. Miss Shen should be more careful with her words. Otherwise, when you arrive in the Han Palace Kingdom, don't blame me for turning my back on you and making you suffer."

"At worst, we'll both perish." Shen Zhizhi looked up at him directly, her eyes no less cold than his.

Ha, now that she's off the main storyline, she's going to die anyway, so she'll drag that bastard down to hell with her before she dies!

Gong Muze was so angry he felt like his guts were tied in knots.

Tomorrow he will go to the Prime Minister's residence to marry her. He had planned to take advantage of today's banquet to whisper sweet nothings to her, making Chu Chouchi furious but powerless to do anything about it.

I never expected this woman to be so ungrateful, daring to oppose him!

Gong Muze's expression darkened. He reached out to pull her, but a gust of wind, carrying a wine cup, suddenly appeared from nowhere.

The wine cup slammed straight at Gong Muze's outstretched wrist, the force of which made him quickly pull his hand back.

Shen Zhizhi blinked, already knowing who it was. Before she could turn around, Chu Chouchi swaggered over.

He curled his lips in disdain, looking down at Gong Muze with a haughty air. "Even the black dogs in my residence know not to touch my robes with their paws. What, has the Crown Prince not been taught this?"

Upon hearing this, Gong Muyan nearly fainted from anger.

Isn't Chu Chouchi's statement a blatant insult, implying that he's even worse than a dog?!

Their gazes met in mid-air, a crackling sound like electricity, their murderous intent sending chills down the spines of the ministers present.

Seeing that Gong Muze was too angry to reply, Chu Chouchi raised his eyebrows at him provocatively and pulled Shen Zhizhi back.

Walking up to Chu Tu's side, seeing him still sitting in the same spot, he frowned slightly, reached out and grabbed him by the back of the collar, pulling him back, "Get out of the way."

Chu Tu took a half step back, glanced at Chu Chou Chi's slightly flickering eyes, and understood immediately. He feigned displeasure and said, "Chu Chou Chi! What are you doing?!"

Shen Zhizhi blinked, glancing at the large empty seat that could comfortably accommodate three more people. "Actually, it would be fine to just have the palace servants bring out another chair..."

"I have no interest in sitting with him!" Chu Tu angrily flung his sleeves and left without a second thought.

Chu Chouchi raised his eyebrows, ignoring him completely, displaying extreme arrogance.

After the two finished their tacit performance, Chu Tu casually glanced around.

Everyone was already seated, and there were no other empty seats. His gaze 'coincidentally' landed on the empty seat next to Gong Muze, and he stepped forward.

Sitting above, Chu Shi observed the expressions on his two sons' faces, finding it amusing in his heart but remaining calm on the surface.

Looks like there's going to be a good show tonight.

Chu Shi raised the corners of his mouth and smiled as he raised his cup towards the hall, "Today, we have specially set up this banquet to bid farewell to Princess Mu Yan and the Crown Prince as they leave the Great Throne tomorrow. Everyone, please do not be reserved and enjoy yourselves to the fullest."

May the Crown Prince and Princess have a safe journey and a bright future!

Everyone offered their blessings in unison, and the clinking of glasses produced a clear and resonant sound.

As soon as Shen Zhizhi sat down, she was startled to feel a chilling gaze sweeping over her.

Looking up with some confusion, he saw Empress Ming's vicious gaze almost tearing Chu Chouchi to shreds from her high position above him.

She couldn't help but turn to the side and tug at Chu Chouchi's sleeve. "Second Prince, Empress Ming's eyes looked like she wanted to devour you alive. What did you do to offend her?"

Chu Chouchi rested his chin on one hand and stroked the cup. "It's just that she stewed the treasure passed down from her family into chicken soup. It's nothing serious."

“Oh… so…”

Shen Zhizhi nodded, but after belatedly realizing what he meant by "chicken soup for the soul," she was almost so shocked that she jumped off her chair.

She stared in astonishment, her eyes wide. "Then, then, that thousand-year-old ginseng wouldn't be a treasure passed down from Empress Ming's family, would it?"