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

After passing the artificial hill, the view suddenly opens up, revealing a garden full of blooming flowers vying for attention, a beautiful sight that should soothe the soul.

However, the scene of bullying on the cobblestone path shattered this picturesque paradise.

Amidst the blooming flowers, a young man in a plain robe was forced to kneel on the ground by a servant.

Even in such a disheveled state, he could not conceal the noble elegance that emanated from his very being, making him unforgettable at first glance.

Shen Zhizhi's eyes lit up. The one with such outstanding temperament must be the clear-headed male protagonist, Zhang Jiali!

"Ha, do you know that I am the son of the Minister of Justice? Let alone kidnapping a woman on the road to take as a concubine, so what if I kill someone? You dare to go to my father and report me? If you mess with me, ten lives wouldn't be enough for you!"

Upon reaching Zhang Jiali, a man in blue robes with a fleshy face, a fat head and big ears, spoke while arrogantly raising his head, his face full of disdain and mockery.

The man in blue was named Liu Risheng. His father was the Minister of Justice, a second-rank official. Because of his wealthy family and the fact that his family spoiled him, he became arrogant and lecherous.

He had just encountered a village woman while strolling through the market. He was captivated by her beauty and wanted to take her as his concubine, but she refused to comply.

Liu Risheng naturally refused to let her go, and his men were about to tie her up and take her back, but fortunately Zhang Jiali happened to pass by and stopped this evil act.

He arrested Liu Risheng and brought him to the yamen for the county magistrate to judge the case. However, the county magistrate was afraid of the powerful and released Liu Risheng that same day.

Even after being released, Liu Risheng was still relentless and went to the woman's house to coerce her. When Zhang Jiali learned of this, he was furious and reported his unfilial son's crimes to the Minister of Justice.

Unfortunately, the Minister of Justice had a son late in life and doted on this only son. He did not take any action on the matter, only giving him a verbal reprimand.

This made Liu Risheng even more smug. Today, he happened to run into Zhang Jiali at the palace banquet, which led to the scene before him.

"That man in white..." Chu Chouchi frowned, about to speak.

But Shen Zhizhi interrupted indignantly, "Your Highness also feels sorry for that man in white, right? He was clearly doing a service to the people, yet he was humiliated like this because of his status. People who bully others by taking advantage of their power deserve to die!"

"..."

Chu Chouchi paused for a moment. What he really wanted to say was that the man in white was indeed quite nosy.

But looking at her righteous indignation, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue and nodded calmly.

"Yes, indeed."

Looking at Zhang Jiali in front of him, although he was kneeling on the ground, he still stood up straight and remained calm.

He spoke calmly and slowly: "According to the laws of the Crown Prince, anyone who forcibly abducts a woman shall be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane. If Minister Zhang insists on protecting the young master, then I, Zhang, will report to the Emperor and let the Emperor decide."

This blatant threat immediately enraged Liu Risheng.

"I think you're asking for death! You're just a lowly fourth-rank scumbag. I'm being polite by talking to you. Since you don't appreciate it, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Zhang Jiali was not afraid of him at all. He repeated each word in a firm and powerful voice: "According to the laws of the Great Throne, those who forcibly abduct women shall be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane."

Liu Risheng was used to being treated with deceit and flattery, and he was furious at Zhang Jiali's unyielding attitude.

He trembled all over and ordered his men, "Press him down on the ground! Today, I'm going to beat him until he remembers how hard my fists are!"

"Yes!"

The servant holding Zhang Jiali's shoulders received the order and raised his hand to strike the back of his head.

"Whoosh—!"

With a sudden loud sound, a silver light swept out from the darkness!

The attendant behind Liu Risheng reacted quickly and pulled him back!

"Ah!" Liu Risheng looked terrified as the arrow whizzed past him, the sharp gust of air it brought making his legs go weak and he collapsed to the ground.

"Buzz──!"

The fallen arrow arrogantly embedded itself in the soil at his feet, the shaft almost half-buried, indicating that if it had hit him, it would have pierced his abdomen.

The attendant behind him saw the character 'red' engraved on the arrow and immediately understood. He wanted to warn his master, but it was too late.

"Who?! Who the hell attacked me?"

Liu Risheng was furious and completely forgot that anyone entering the palace was forbidden from carrying weapons such as knives, spears, and halberds; anyone who violated this rule would be punished for treason.

Therefore, the only one who would dare to openly carry arrows in the palace was the arrogant Second Prince, who looked down on everyone.

"You dare to dodge my arrows, Liu Risheng? Are you tired of living?"

A cold voice came from above, and Shen Zhizhi blinked, looking up at Chu Chouchi, who was holding a bow and arrow at some point.

His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, his hands still fully drawn back on the bow, his gaze devoid of any emotion as he looked ahead, as if sizing up prey.

Everyone looked over, and upon recognizing the person holding the bow and arrow, they quickly knelt down and loudly bowed in respect.

"This servant greets Your Highness the Second Prince!"

At the same time, he couldn't help but gasp, his eyes filled with undisguised surprise.

Your Highness?

The Second Prince has only entered the palace a handful of times, so why is he attending a palace banquet today?

Moreover, you don't need to go through the Imperial Garden to get to Yonghe Temple; you have to go around the artificial hill to get there.

Could it be that it's all to save this Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?

"Second, second, second, Your Highness, spare my life! Second Prince, spare my life!"

Liu Risheng's legs were already weak from the arrow, and he turned pale with fright when he saw who it was.

In this great kingdom, who doesn't know that the Second Prince is incredibly cruel and tyrannical, a demonic being who can kill or maim anyone he sets his sights on?

Liu Risheng was so frightened that he trembled and almost fainted.

However, he knew better than anyone that even if he really fainted, the Second Prince would probably send someone to pour a basin of boiling water on him to wake him up.

Seeing Liu Risheng transform from an arrogant tiger into a servile coward, Shen Zhizhi was in high spirits, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

She clapped her hands at Chu Chouchi and cheered, "Your Highness, your archery skills are superb! This arrow is more than just a shot!"

"Why is it not simple?"

Chu Chouchi slowly lowered the bow and arrow, glancing sideways at Shen Zhizhi, who stood beside him with her chin agape and a foolish expression. A slight smile played on his thin lips as he showed great interest in her words.

She laughed loudly, "It even hit my little heart! My heart is pounding wildly for His Highness's heroic figure!"

[Congratulations, host, Chu Chouchi's corruption value has decreased by 1.]

Shen Zhizhi was already used to Ya Dan's reminder, after all, she had now figured out a side of Chu Chouchi that no one else knew.

This narcissistic man loves to be praised.

She smiled and her smile widened.

[Congratulations, host, Chu Chouchi's corruption value has decreased by 1.]

Chu Chouchi was so shocked by her laughter that he froze, secretly feeling ashamed and annoyed that this woman was so bold as to say such explicit love words in broad daylight.

But the blush on his earlobes screamed that he was thoroughly enjoying it.

Calming himself, he picked up his bow and arrow and strolled forward leisurely. The crowd hurriedly moved aside, making way for him.