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

"Since this proposal was put forward by Your Highness, then naturally Your Highness will also do your part."

Before the officials could react, Chu Chouchi stood up, bracing himself against the table, and strode towards the center of the hall, bowing slightly.

"Father, I am willing to donate five thousand taels of silver to help the disaster victims overcome this calamity."

Chu Shilong trembled violently, his eyes filled with surprise, and the cup in Empress Ming's hand almost fell to the ground.

Chu Tu, standing to the side, rubbed his ears in disbelief, trying to confirm whether the voice he had just heard really came from his cold-faced elder brother.

He had assumed that his elder brother's retort to Hua Pengtian was merely an act of revenge for what happened in the Yonghe Palace that morning.

Who would have thought he would stand up for those disaster victims?

Helping disaster victims get through this ordeal? That's ridiculous!

When did this cold-hearted and aloof imperial brother start to worry about the survival of the people?

Everyone present stared in disbelief, looking at Chu Chouchi as if they had seen a ghost.

Has the Second Prince changed his ways? This is beyond their comprehension!

Empress Ming clenched her fists under her sleeves and glared angrily at Chu Yan, who was still drinking and making merry. This good-for-nothing of hers could still be indulging in pleasure at a time like this.

That one glance sent a shiver down Chu Yan's spine, instantly clearing his alcohol-fueled mind.

He hurriedly put down his wine cup, stood up, and cupped his hands in greeting: "Father, I am also willing to donate one thousand taels to help alleviate your urgent needs."

"Good! Good!" Chu Shilong was overjoyed, and stood up with a flick of his dragon robe: "Chi'er and Yan'er have been so generous, is there any other minister who is willing to donate silver?"

"General Hua, I've heard that you're planning to renovate your residence recently..." Chu Chouchi stared intently at Hua Pengtian, feigning difficulty, "This renovation matter..."

"It is of utmost importance to share the Emperor's burdens. We will discuss the repairs later." Hua Pengtian gritted his teeth and, in order to protect himself, had no choice but to reluctantly agree, "Your subject is willing to donate one thousand taels."

Chu Chouchi smiled with satisfaction.

"Your subject is willing to donate five hundred taels," another courtier said, rising and bowing.

"Your subject is willing to donate three hundred taels..."

"Your subject wishes..."

Under Chu Chouchi's invisible pressure, officials gradually rose and offered silver.

Hua Pengtian felt a pang of heartache. Looking at Zhang Jiali, who was still kneeling on the ground without saying a word, he couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

His eyes darted around, and he asked in a loud, sarcastic tone, "How much does Lord Shaoqing intend to donate?"

Shen Zhizhi's pupils darkened, and she cried out that something was wrong.

Who in the imperial court doesn't know that the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is poor and incorruptible?

If Zhang Jiali couldn't produce the money, then his request in the main hall to have the funds from the construction of the Qifu Palace used to help the people was simply courting death and would surely enrage the emperor.

"My purse is empty, with only a few taels of silver left to supplement my household expenses," Zhang Jiali said slowly after a slight pause.

Having caught someone red-handed, Hua Pengtian was secretly pleased, but on the surface he sighed and scolded, "Your Excellency Shaoqing keeps asking His Majesty to postpone the construction of the Qifu Palace for the sake of the people, but you won't donate a single penny. Your salary, which was just paid two days ago, is now reduced to nothing but scraps of silver."

Zhang Jiali remained calm and explained, "My salary was used yesterday to buy several bushels of rice and distributed them to the disaster victims who arrived at Dachu City."

"Hmph, empty words are meaningless. Who among us can vouch for you?" Hua Pengtian sneered, deliberately making things difficult for him.

Shen Zhizhi frowned in distress, pondering a solution, when she heard Chu Chouchi speak up for the first time ever.

"I saw it."

Zhang Jiali was slightly taken aback, then looked up blankly.

"Second Prince, this..." Hua Pengtian's face turned ashen, a thousand words stuck in his throat.

It seems that the Second Prince is determined to make things difficult for him today.

"I see. It seems I misunderstood you, Lord Shaoqing." Hua Pengtian swallowed his bitterness and put on a smile. "I just wanted to increase the disaster relief funds to avoid having too many disaster victims and not having enough money."

"General Hua is truly devoted to the people, afraid that even a penny of silver might be missing." Chu Chouchi's gaze was fixed on him, and the corners of his lips curled up.

Hua Pengtian wiped the sweat from his brow and bowed slightly. "The way of an official lies in solving the suffering of the people, and this is what I should do."

"I see." Chu Chouchi let out a soft "ah".

"Yes." Hua Pengtian's smile was forced.

Chu Chouchi curled the corners of his mouth, paced around him, and kept scanning him with his eyes. Hua Pengtian was so stared at that he broke out in a cold sweat and almost lost his footing.

What he said next almost made him kneel down.

Chu Chouchi chuckled softly, his voice like a nightmare: "Since General Hua is so kind, then General Hua can pay for Lord Shaoqing's share of the silver."

"Huh?" Hua Pengtian didn't react at first, but after understanding the meaning of his words, he immediately wailed, "Second Prince—!"

Chu Chouchi immediately interrupted him, "General Hua, are you unwilling?"

“No, Your Majesty…” Hua Pengtian tried to argue.

“Then that means you agree.” Chu Chouchi didn’t give him a chance and interrupted first: “A total of two thousand taels. Since you have agreed to it in front of the Emperor, I hope General Hua will not go back on his word.”

Shen Zhizhi blinked, and looking at Chu Chouchi's serious yet nonsensical manner, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

Sigh, why did you provoke him?

Now look what happened, everyone's unhappy, right?

"Hahaha! Good! General Hua, I really have to thank you on behalf of the common people!" Chu Shi laughed heartily, promptly putting a hat on his head.

Hua Pengtian looked miserable and helpless, but couldn't find any words to refute him. In the end, he could only nod with tears in his eyes.

The ministers, who had just been annoyed by Hua Pengtian, felt their resentment lessen slightly upon seeing his miserable state and couldn't help but cast a sympathetic glance at him.

[Congratulations, host! Chu Chouchi's corruption value -5]

As soon as Ya Dan finished her report, Chu Chouchi strode back to his original position, raised an eyebrow at Shen Zhizhi, and his face clearly said, "Praise me."

"Second Prince, you're awesome!" Shen Zhizhi couldn't hide her joy at the thought that his "darkening value" had decreased by a few points, and she gave him a thumbs up without hesitation.

Chu Chouchi pretended to be calm, but his ears were tinged with a blush.

Chu Tu took in the entire harmonious scene.

He held the wine cup, his narrow, almond-shaped eyes slightly upturned, giving Shen Zhizhi a meaningful look.

He said that meddling in other people's business was not like his elder brother's style.

Could it be because of Shen Zhizhi that he repeatedly spoke out for justice?

If that's the case, then things will get interesting.

"Then, the disaster relief funds will be..." Chu Shi flicked his dragon robe, sat back on the imperial chair, and looked around to make a decision.

Zhang Jiali's eyes flickered slightly, and as if thinking of something, his tone was filled with anger: "Your Majesty! In the past, after the disaster relief funds were distributed, those in charge of them arbitrarily embezzled their share, resulting in very little of the disaster relief funds reaching the hands of the people."

Your Majesty, I humbly request that you entrust this to me so that I may go and provide disaster relief. I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's command.

As soon as Zhang Jiali finished speaking, Hua Pengtian couldn't sit still any longer.

"Your Majesty! Your humble servant is also willing to share the burden. Let me handle the disaster relief this time!"