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

The Second Prince? It really is the Second Prince?

She was surprised but secretly delighted.

The Second Prince has never liked attending palace banquets, so why is he here today? Has even Heaven shown mercy and allowed the Matchmaker to act as a bridge between her and the Second Prince?

Thinking this, he looked at Shen Zhizhi, who was jogging forward, with a cold gaze.

Ha, Shen Zhizhi, that fool, actually dares to think that the Second Prince will make decisions for her?

The Second Prince has always been indifferent to matters that don't concern him. Let alone such trivial matters, even if someone were to commit suicide on the spot, he could turn around and leave without making a sound.

While everyone was still in shock, Shen Zhizhi had already lifted her dress and knelt down in front of Chu Chouchi with a thud.

The sound of her knees hitting the ground made Chu Chouchi frown slightly. Just as he was about to tell her to get up, he saw her wink and squeeze out two tears.

"How dare you! You have the audacity to offend His Highness the Second Prince! Guards! Drag him out!"

Hua Pengtian was just wondering what reason to use to punish this arrogant brat, and now that she has walked right into the line of fire, he can't blame her.

The guards beside him raised their swords and were about to step forward, but Chu Chouchi waved his hand to stop them.

He narrowed his eyes with interest, watching her performance. "What do you want me to decide?"

Shen Zhizhi looked up pitifully, "Your Highness! Miss Hua spoke recklessly and insulted my mother. I was so angry that I couldn't help but hit her."

"Shen Zhizhi! You're talking nonsense!" Hua Yulan was afraid that her dignified image would be completely shattered in front of Chu Chouchi, so she hurriedly denied it: "Second Prince, don't listen to her slander. She was the one who attacked first. If you don't believe me, you can ask the others present."

Chu Chouchi's gaze swept over the ministers and their families present, and many of them nodded in unison.

Shen Zhizhi sneered; she had long anticipated this outcome.

As a first-rank general protecting the country, Hua Pengtian wields great military power. If the Great Crown Prince were to produce a Crown Princess one day, aside from the Prime Minister's mansion, the eldest daughter of General Hua's mansion would undoubtedly be the first choice.

Under these circumstances, who would dare to offend the Hua family?

To oppose the Hua family is to oppose the future Crown Princess.

The ministers present were not fools; they all knew how to protect themselves, so how could they possibly speak up for her, an unfavored concubine's daughter?

"So, it seems Miss Shen was in the wrong? Is there anyone here who witnessed what just happened?" Chu Chouchi glanced at the crowd seemingly casually, the chill in his eyes sending shivers down one's spine.

The ministers looked at each other, speechless, and the entire inner courtyard of the Yonghe Temple fell into a deathly silence.

It's unclear why the Second Prince suddenly became interested in getting involved in this matter, but rumors can spread like wildfire, so how could the Second Prince possibly believe the one-sided story of this concubine's daughter?

For them, power, money, and fame are important, but the only thing they can give up is the so-called justice and truth. They are unwilling to gamble their future for these empty titles.

Isn't this what the power struggles in the imperial court are all about? Abusing power for personal gain, using influence to oppress others—it's nauseating.

"Your Highness, I have a dissent."

Suddenly, a clear and melodious voice came from the crowd, like the gentle sound of a flute slowly drifting in from the boundless night, softening the hearts of those who heard it.

Everyone turned to look for the source of the sound, and Zhang Jiali, dressed in a moon-white robe, walked slowly forward in a leisurely manner.

His gait was elegant and refined, causing the noble ladies present to blush and speculate about his identity.

Shen Zhizhi turned to look at Zhang Jiali, the only one who stood up to defend her, and was not surprised.

He was a man who did not favor the powerful, and so after taking office as the Junior Minister, he investigated all the cases thoroughly and was loved by countless people in the Great Chu Kingdom.

"..."

Chu Chouchi raised his eyes, and when he saw the person who had come, a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly.

As expected of Zhang Jiali, he dares to speak up and defend him at this critical juncture.

But he quickly suppressed that emotion and lazily asked, "Does Lord Shaoqing have any objections?"

Zhang Jiali stepped forward and bowed in response, "Your Majesty, I just saw that it was Miss Hua who spoke rudely to Miss Shen's deceased mother first, which is why Miss Shen took action."

Chu Chouchi raised an eyebrow, a sinister laugh escaping his throat. "Oh? Is that so?"

Zhang Jiali nodded, his tone calm, "What I have said is absolutely true."

"You, you, you're talking utter nonsense!" Hua Yulan's eyes were filled with fear and disbelief as she came to her senses.

Who in the entire court would dare to be an enemy of the Hua family?

This man is merely a junior official of the Court of Judicial Review, yet he dares to be so arrogant?

Chu Chouchi smiled slightly, the black mole on the side of his right nose making him even more alluring. "Is that so? I would like to believe Lord Shaoqing, but you are the only one speaking up in this courtyard now. I don't know who to believe."

Shen Zhizhi glanced sideways and secretly glared at Chu Chouchi.

This person has a really twisted sense of humor. Isn't he just trying to get Zhang Jiali to name other officials who saw the truth?

He just had to make Zhang Jiali a thorn in everyone's side.

As if sensing her gaze, Chu Chouchi tilted his head and looked at her with a playful smile on his lips.

Zhang Jiali was not troubled by this. He remained calm and composed, and his words were full of composure. "The Vice Minister of War, the Vice Minister of Revenue, the Chief Secretary, and other officials have all seen the truth just now."

The moment those words were spoken, the entire audience erupted in uproar!

The knees of the ministers whose names were called trembled as they knelt on the ground.

A hint of surprise flashed across Chu Chouchi's eyes as he stared intently at Zhang Jiali, his gaze filled with inquiry.

After a long while, a joyful laugh flowed from his throat like a stream.

"Oh? So, apart from Lord Shaoqing, everyone else has been deceiving me?"

The speaker said this casually, but the listener was terrified.

The courtiers were completely taken aback when the Second Prince made such a grave accusation; they immediately cowered to the ground, trembling uncontrollably.

Zhang Jiali leaned down slightly and parted his lips: "Yes."

"How dare you spout such nonsense in front of His Highness? Do you have a death wish?!" Hua Yulan was furious and her resentment reached its peak.

The next second, she suddenly stood up, pointing at Zhang Jiali and angrily rebuking him, displaying an unrestrained and outspoken attitude.

"Lan'er! Don't be so presumptuous!" Hua Pengtian yanked Hua Yulan away, his hair standing on end in anger.

The moment Hua Pengtian heard Zhang Jiali speak, he knew something terrible was about to happen.

He had long heard that the newly appointed Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was incorruptible, did not seek wealth or profit, was not afraid of death or offending people, and was simply a rare breed.

Hua Yulan felt helpless and aggrieved after being yelled at. She bit her lower lip in resentment and glared at Shen Zhizhi.

It's all this bitch's fault!

Hua Pengtian broke out in a cold sweat, but having spent many years navigating the political landscape, he quickly composed himself and began to devise a plan.

This was originally a minor matter, but if it were to be accused of deceiving His Highness, that would be disastrous.

It would be better to take the blame on Lan'er and that concubine's daughter first. With his military power, which prince in the palace wouldn't give him some face?

In this way, he could both extricate the officials from their predicament and establish the prestige of the General's Mansion in their eyes, achieving two goals at once and fulfilling both objectives perfectly.