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

Even the swing set was meticulously decorated, its frame adorned with clusters of colorful, interwoven flowers.

The ropes wrapped around the swing set were also tightly entwined with emerald green vines, which were dotted with tiny flower buds.

[Host, did you modify this swing too?] The Ya Dan in my consciousness widened her eyes, clapping her mechanical hand repeatedly. [Master, please accept my bow.]

Shen Zhizhi arrogantly raised her head, [Don't praise me, don't praise me, it's just basic stuff.]

Last night, she sneaked into Shen Qinshou's courtyard and modified her swing to make it even more dazzling today.

Sure enough, the effort paid off.

She turned her head with a smile and tugged at Chu Chouchi's sleeve, her eyes full of pride, "Second Prince, do you think Second Sister's entrance was absolutely stunning?"

Chu Chouchi pursed his lips, too lazy to even lift his eyelids, and said, "Ugly, very ugly, ugly beyond belief."

Shen Zhizhi:? ? ?

Shen Qinshou sat on the swing, gazing at the astonished and amazed eyes around her. She concealed the confusion in her eyes, raised her head slightly, and looked proud.

Her figure was as light as a swallow, and the ribbons tied to her arms danced in the wind. She grasped the vines, lightly touched the ground with her toes, left the swing set, grabbed the colorful ribbons beside her, and swung lightly in mid-air.

Her figure was graceful and agile, every movement was just right, she twirled and leaped in mid-air, her arms combining strength and gentleness, a sight to behold.

When the music stopped abruptly, Shen Qinshou returned to the swing set and slowly descended, her every move like that of a goddess descending from heaven.

The room was silent for a long time before suddenly bursting into enthusiastic applause. It was obvious that Shen Qinshou had won the competition.

Empress Ming, seated on her high throne, gazed at the audience with a smile and turned her head to say, "Your Majesty, the second young lady of the Shen family's dance today was truly breathtaking."

Chu Shi glanced at the red-clad guards scattering flower petals on the observation platform, then at Shen Zhizhi who was clapping frantically, and could no longer suppress the smile in his eyes.

He tapped the table lightly with his index finger and chuckled softly, "Such a stunning entrance is something I have never seen before."

"Shen Zhizhi, daughter of Prime Minister Shen."

After the music ended, the shrill sound rang out again. Shen Zhizhi immediately retracted her bared teeth and reluctantly went to the center of the hall.

Chief Feng and Xiao Ling exchanged a glance, understood each other, and quickly took action.

As Shen Zhizhi stepped onto the stage, she was considering how to tell the Emperor that she was withdrawing from the competition.

In an instant, a group of soldiers dressed in neat guard uniforms quickly gathered below the stage like a tide.

Each of them stood tall and straight, full of energy, holding gleaming weapons in their hands, the sharp blades flashing coldly in the sunlight.

"Miss Shen will win! Miss Shen will win!" His voice was loud and powerful, as if it could pierce the sky.

The powerful shouts echoed throughout the palace, drawing the attention of the nobles and dignitaries present, who were all astonished.

Shen Zhizhi's lips twitched violently, and she was almost startled to the point of kneeling on the stage by the shout. She never expected that Chief Feng and Xiao Ling would make such a big fuss.

She stared awkwardly at the group of passionate guards below the stage, took a deep breath, composed herself, and then spoke slowly:

"Your Majesty, I know that my dancing skills are not as good as my second sister's. I am not here today to compete. I humbly request Your Majesty to allow me to withdraw from this competition."

Having learned her lesson the other day, Shen Zhizhi said she would never do it again. Since all her reckless actions were ineffective, she simply surrendered.

As soon as this statement came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

Although Miss Shen's dance just now was truly stunning and unparalleled, it is hard to surpass.

Even if I am not selected to be a dancer in such a grand competition today, it would still be a great honor to be noticed by the sons of high-ranking officials and nobles.

How could someone withdraw from the competition so cleanly and decisively?

Chu Chouchi was stunned, and his hands, which were hidden under his sleeves, unconsciously tightened.

He had thought that as long as she danced a simple dance, he would be able to say the words to let her be selected. But if she gave up the competition, how could he let her win the first place?

He suppressed the surging emotions within him, fixed his gaze on Chu Shi in his high position, and waited quietly for him to speak.

Chu Shi raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing Shen Zhizhi below the stage, a smile involuntarily appearing on his lips.

In this palace, everyone fights tooth and nail for fame and fortune, but it is rare to see her so readily give it up.

After a long silence, Chu Shi chuckled and said, "Fine. Since you insist, I will grant your withdrawal from this competition."

Shen Zhizhi felt relieved and quickly knelt down to express her gratitude: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

She then stood up, turned slightly to the side, and prepared to leave the stage, but heard Chu Shi speak again from behind:

“In the past, only one person would perform a dance at the Heaven Worship Ceremony. This year, let’s have more people. All the women who have entered the palace to learn dance will come and perform.”

Chu Shi lowered his brows and glanced around out of the corner of his eye. He stared at his son, who had almost jumped up when he heard that Shen Zhizhi wanted to withdraw from the competition, and curled his lips into a smile.

Ha, they're certainly impatient.

Empress Ming was still basking in the joy of Shen Qinshou's victory, but she was displeased when Chu Shi said this.

She quickly reached out and tugged at Chu Shi's sleeve, saying in a calm tone, "Your Majesty, there has never been such a rule before. The sacrificial ceremony to Heaven is a solemn event, and it is probably inappropriate to change it so casually."

Despite saying this, she was secretly plotting her own scheme.

Once Shen Qinshou wins first place, she will surely become the Crown Princess. At that time, Yan'er will go to the Prime Minister's residence to present betrothal gifts and marry Shen Qinshou.

However, if many women participate in the dance, then the position of Crown Princess might not be as prestigious.

Chu Shi, however, disagreed. He picked up the cup on the table, drank it all in one gulp, waved his hand, and said:

"Although the rules are established, people are adaptable. This year, I wish to make the ceremony even more lively and allow many talented women to showcase their talents. Your Majesty need not worry; I have my own plans."

Empress Ming's lips moved as if she wanted to say something more, but seeing Chu Shi's impatience, she could not refute him further.

She had no choice but to reluctantly release her grip on Chu Shi's sleeve, her phoenix eyes filled with displeasure.

Shen Qinshou, sitting in the audience, turned pale with anger, clutching her handkerchief tightly, her eyes revealing a hint of resentment and annoyance.

She was confident of victory, believing that as long as she stood out in the competition, she would become the focus of everyone's attention and pave a smooth road for her future.

However, the emperor has suddenly declared that all women who have entered the palace to learn dance must participate in the dance performance. As a result, the people who perform the dance for the heavens have lost their original special significance.

Shen Zhizhi stood there, tears welling up in her eyes, her legs, which she was about to take a step, suddenly felt as heavy as lead and wouldn't budge.

In the original text, only Shen Qinshou performed the dance. Now that the emperor has done this, what kind of female lead aura does Shen Qinshou have left?

"Don't panic, host. Maybe this is just to add some NPCs to highlight the female lead?" Ya Dan quickly comforted her upon seeing this.

Hearing Ya Dan's words, Shen Zhizhi felt somewhat at ease, though still harboring doubts.

It seems we'll have to wait and see how things go tomorrow.