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

After an incense stick's time, we finally arrived at the entrance of Yonghe Temple, where most of the officials and their families had already arrived.

Because she was standing too close to Chu Chouchi, Shen Zhizhi received strange looks from the palace servants the whole way. Feeling uncomfortable under their gazes, she had no choice but to deliberately distance herself from him.

Unaware of this, Chu Chouchi, not wanting to be surrounded by those hypocritical ministers exchanging pleasantries, slipped into the Yonghe Palace courtyard, avoiding their sight.

Shen Zhizhi breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him enter the Yonghe Palace courtyard first, and then followed him in.

However, it was all in vain; what was bound to happen would happen anyway.

She had barely stepped into the courtyard of Yonghe Temple when people began pointing and whispering about her.

"Hmph! She dares to come here again! Which prince is she trying to pester this time? A mere concubine's daughter, thinking she can rise to the top and become a phoenix?"

Shen Zhizhi glanced at them. Although these words were not meant to attack her, she was the soul currently in this body, so it would be a lie to say she wasn't angry.

Even though they were angry, they were helpless.

The original owner was nominally the daughter of the Prime Minister's family, but her father didn't love her. If she had any conflict with these pampered legitimate daughters, she couldn't guarantee that anyone would stand up for her.

Thinking of this, she sighed deeply, realizing that feudal society had indeed done a great deal of harm.

Seeing that Shen Zhizhi had no reaction, the court ladies became even more audacious, their words becoming increasingly outrageous and their voices sharp and sarcastic, drawing the attention of onlookers.

"Miss Shen is really shameless, always clinging to the Second Prince. I wonder where she learned this shameful and despicable behavior?"

Undisguised mockery came from the crowd. Everyone turned to look and saw a young girl in a dark purple dress walking gracefully forward.

She had delicate features, slightly raised eyebrows, and an overbearing aura. She was undoubtedly a pampered noblewoman from a wealthy family, but her watery eyes were now filled with disgust.

Shen Zhizhi was completely bewildered.

She doesn't recall ever offending this person, does she?

[Host, this is Hua Yulan, the daughter of the Great General Who Protects the Nation.]

Ya Dan's reminder made the bewildered Shen Zhizhi suddenly realize the truth.

In the original story, Hua Yulan is considered Shen Qinshou's "plastic best friend," and has long harbored feelings for Chu Chouchi.

Originally, seeing that Shen Qinshou and Chu Chouchi had a good relationship, Hua Yulan was filled with jealousy and wanted to teach her a lesson. However, Shen Qinshou used her silver tongue to coax Hua Yulan into following her lead, and even said that she would help her pursue Chu Chouchi.

Hua Yulan believed it to be true and regarded Shen Qinshou as a confidante, helping her to deal with the original owner of the body.

Thinking of this, Shen Zhizhi's eye twitched, speechless.

So, after all this, Hua Yulan not only failed to discover that her real rival was right beside her, but instead became a tool for Shen Qinshou to use against her?

Wasn't it said that women in ancient times were very cunning? This magnolia flower is simply incredibly stupid!

Shen Zhizhi was quite disgusted and didn't want to have any arguments with her.

As he turned to leave, Hua Yulan behind him pressed him further and spoke again.

"That's true. She was born of a mother but not raised by one. After all, she's the daughter of a concubine. Like mother, like daughter. She's not fit to be in a respectable position."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhizhi felt inexplicably annoyed, but this was not her own emotion; it was merely the lingering consciousness of the original owner.

For the original owner, her early death was her greatest pain.

“Life is dull and tasteless, cattle and horses challenge humans.” Shen Zhizhi moved her lips, her voice barely audible.

"What are you muttering about?!"

Hua Yulan didn't hear clearly and took a step forward to pull her away, her face displeased.

"You think I'm giving you the cold shoulder?!"

Shen Zhizhi shouted loudly, turned her head sharply, seized the opportunity, and raised her hand to slap Hua Yulan across the face three times.

"Snapped!"

Hua Yulan was clearly not expected that she would dare to make a move, and she didn't react for a moment. Only when she felt a burning pain on her face did she scream at the top of her lungs.

"Shen Zhizhi! You're insane! You dare hit me! You actually dared to hit me!"

The sharp cry calmed Shen Zhizhi's anger somewhat, and made her a little more lucid.

She was both annoyed at herself for not controlling her emotions and secretly pleased.

Having been transmigrated into the book for so long, she's suffered constant frustration. Today, she can finally get her chance to make a move.

Besides, since we've already fought, let's just let things take their course.

With a "what's the use" mentality, Shen Zhizhi simply gave up and acted as if she were ready to "take her life or lose her head".

"So what if I hit you? I'd dare kick you too!"

Shen Zhizhi remained calm and, before Hua Yulan could continue wailing, raised her long leg and kicked her in the abdomen.

"what!"

Hua Yulan let out a scream and suddenly collapsed to the ground.

She collapsed to the ground, her face filled with shock, her eyes wide with rage, and roared at the top of her lungs, "Shen Zhizhi! You bitch! How dare you hit me?! How dare you?!"

"You've already hit her, why ask how you dared? Miss Hua, didn't you feel any pain? Why don't you slap her again?" Shen Zhizhi looked down at Hua Yulan with disdain.

Although Hua Yulan was deceived by Shen Qinshou, she was not a good person either, and she often embarrassed the original owner.

The onlookers were stunned by the farce unfolding before them.

"what happened?"

Hua Pengtian, who was exchanging pleasantries with the officials, heard his daughter scream and rushed over.

As soon as I approached, I saw Hua Yulan slumped on the ground, her clothes dirty and disheveled, tears streaming down her face. I couldn't help but frown and ask, "Yulan? What happened?"

"Father! Waaah!" Seeing Hua Pengtian arrive, Hua Yulan's eyes filled with tears, and she cried her heart out, feeling extremely wronged. "Father, you must do justice for your daughter!"

Shen Zhizhi's heart skipped a beat.

Damn it! You call for backup when you can't win, huh? If you're bad, practice more! If you can't handle the game, don't play!

Seeing his precious daughter crying so hard she was almost breathless, and glancing at the girl standing in front of her looking down at her, he understood.

Hua Pengtian was filled with rage and was about to unleash his fury when he saw the girl turn a corner and run wildly toward a deserted corner.

It's just calling for help, right? She can do that too!

Shen Zhizhi kicked wildly, running and shouting, "Second Prince! You must stand up for me, Second Prince!"

The sound startled everyone present.

Second Prince? Where is the Second Prince?

Everyone was astonished and immediately looked toward where Shen Zhizhi had run.

At some unknown time, a corner of a dark robe was faintly visible behind a thick pear tree in a corner of the courtyard.

Because the pear tree was so thick, it completely obscured the man behind her; unless someone looked closely, they would not have noticed.

The chattering crowd fell silent instantly. The ministers and noble ladies all held their breath, staring intently at the man who slowly rose from behind the tree—none other than the Second Prince of the Great Crown Prince Kingdom, a man feared by all.

"Your humble servant greets Your Highness the Second Prince!"

Upon seeing his true face, Hua Pengtian immediately stepped forward and performed a deep bow.

The ministers and their families behind him followed suit and bowed.

Hua Yulan trembled with excitement, and a blush quickly rose to her face.