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

"According to the laws of the Great Chu, those who forcibly abduct women shall be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane," Zhang Jiali replied, bowing slightly.

Shen Zhizhi almost couldn't help but laugh out loud because of his serious and meticulous manner.

As expected of Zhang Jiali, he is law-abiding and behaves in accordance with the rules.

"Heh." Chu Chou's eyebrows turned cold, and he tapped his knuckles lightly on the jade table. "If that's the case, then you have something to say about my decision?"

Zhang Jiali lowered his eyes, "This humble subject dares not!"

Chu Chouchi's lips curled into a half-smile as he reached out and pulled the arrow deeply embedded in the soil. He then looked up.

"Then I'll give you another choice: do you want him flogged a hundred times, or do you want him thrown into the cave to be feasted on by those ferocious tigers?"

Meeting Chu Chouchi's sharp and sarcastic gaze, Zhang Jiali, who was standing in front of him, lowered his eyes, his handsome brows furrowed slightly, and he hesitated over the question Chu Chouchi had posed.

Shen Zhizhi gave Chu Chouchi a reproachful look. Wasn't this guy bullying her by asking that question?

If Zhang Jiali had chosen the former and offended Chu Chouchi, given his mad way of criticizing villains, he wouldn't have needed Shen Qinshou, the leading lady, to push things along; Zhang Jiali would have become isolated by the court officials.

As for the latter, it's even more impossible.

Zhang Jiali was not a sycophant or a bootlicker; he always had his own principles, was a man of his word, and was unyielding in his integrity.

He once said that heinous criminals should suffer the same torment as the victims, but the law cannot be changed.

The severity and appropriateness of punishment should be determined in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Qing Dynasty.

For him, the laws of the Qing Dynasty were his bottom line, an insurmountable galaxy.

Shen Zhizhi bit her lip, her mind a complete mess.

No!

If they continue this standoff, the stubborn male lead might offend this powerful figure.

Seeing that Chu Chouchi was about to say something more, Shen Zhizhi quickly spoke up: "Your Highness is compassionate and must be angry enough to want to execute him on the spot. But no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. Your Highness, please be lenient with him today. If he remains unrepentant, then punish him accordingly."

Upon hearing these words, everyone present couldn't help but twitch at the corner of their eye.

Your Highness?

he?

Have a compassionate heart?

This was the most absurd statement they had ever heard in their lives.

"Is that so?" Chu Chouchi glanced at the girl's bright eyes, quite pleased with himself, and curled his lips slightly.

But the next second, something came to mind, and an inexplicable emotion welled up in my heart.

If others said he was compassionate, he would think that person was opportunistic and sycophantic, but it was she who said it.

Could it be that she has misjudged his character because she has been so fond of him all these years?

If she knew he wasn't what she thought, would she...?

The thought of this possibility brought a wave of disappointment, instantly filling my chest.

"Second Prince?" Seeing his frosty expression, Shen Zhizhi assumed he was unwilling and nervously clenched her fists.

What to do? Is the plot destined to take no unexpected turns? Are Zhang Jiali and Chu Chouchi destined to clash on the day of the palace banquet?

Just as she was about to say something more, she heard Chu Chouchi order to the servant beside him, "Men, drag him to the torture chamber and give him one hundred strokes of the cane."

"Huh?" Happiness came too suddenly, and Shen Zhizhi didn't react for a moment.

"Thank you, Second Prince, for sparing my life! Thank you, Second Prince!"

Liu Risheng kowtowed repeatedly, tears streaming down his face with excitement. After all, being able to grasp a glimmer of hope from Chu Chouchi was practically like ascending to heaven.

Zhang Jiali stood with his hands clasped in front of him, slightly lost in thought, a look of unexpected confusion flashing across his eyes.

Why did he always feel that this woman he had never met was helping him?

Zhang Jiali was completely baffled, but after a moment he remembered to express his gratitude, "Thank you, Second Prince!"

"Let's go, the palace banquet should begin." Chu Chouchi waved his hand and walked away unhurriedly.

Shen Zhizhi followed closely behind, and when she reached Zhang Jiali's side, she heard him whisper two words.

"Thank you."

Shen Zhizhi paused slightly, looking over with surprise in her eyes.

Seeing her looking at him, Zhang Jiali didn't say anything more, but just smiled, his narrow eyes overflowing with amusement.

Just because of her few words, could he really guess that she was helping him?

He truly lives up to his reputation as the male protagonist of the story; his intelligence and talent are both top-notch.

Now that he knew, Shen Zhizhi stopped being coy and nodded to him openly.

In any case, the unpleasant encounter between Zhang Jiali and Chu Chouchi can be considered resolved.