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

"Third Prince, please listen to me! I'm doing all this for you, all to help you!"

Chu Tu sneered, his hoarse, low voice like a venomous snake burrowing into her ears: "For me?"

"Yes! Things have come to this point, so I'll just be frank, Your Highness. I've loved you for a long time."

At this moment, Shen Zhizhi didn't care about anything else; all she wanted was to find a topic that would interest him and get him to spare her life.

Chu Tu was taken aback, then suddenly tightened his grip on her neck, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Who doesn't know you're deeply in love with the Second Prince? Now, to save your life, you still want to deceive me?"

Shen Zhizhi felt like her throat was being crushed. She gasped for breath and made up a story, "Third Prince, if I truly love the Second Prince, why should I refuse the marriage bestowed upon me by the Emperor today?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Chu Tu loosened his grip slightly. "What do you mean?"

Shen Zhizhi's heart, which had been in her throat, eased a little. She had been annoyed by this arranged marriage, but now it seemed that God was still looking out for her.

Thinking of this, she pinched her thigh hard, turned to the side, and began to sob softly, "Third Prince, I know you are deeply in love with my sister, but you also know that the Second Prince feels the same way about her..."

Chu Tu lowered his gaze slightly, knowing that his second elder brother had some feelings for A Shou.

But Ah Shou had told him that she would only marry him in this life, and that he should not have any wild thoughts. So he never mentioned this to his second brother.

But what does this have to do with her?

Although Shen Zhizhi turned her face to the side, she kept glancing at Chu Tu out of the corner of her eye. Seeing the doubt on his face, she adjusted her expression and spoke with a desolate look:

"The reason I approached the Second Prince was simply to get close to him and make him give up his feelings for my sister, so that the Third Prince could win the heart of his beloved as soon as possible."

She bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes revealing an unspeakable contradiction and struggle, as if she was considering whether her next words were appropriate.

After a moment, as if she had made up her mind, she parted her red lips slightly and cried out, "I know that Your Highness loves my sister dearly. I dare not ask for too much. I only wish that Your Highness and my sister can live happily ever after."

To survive, Shen Zhizhi practically used all her acting skills.

Chu Tu looked at her thoughtfully, his peach blossom eyes beneath his sword-like eyebrows deep and dark, as if trying to find some clues in her eyes that she was trying to deceive him.

“If Your Highness finds me a nuisance, then in the future…” Shen Zhizhi’s voice was low as she slowly lowered her eyes, “I will not do such annoying things in the future.”

As she finished speaking, two lines of clear tears slid down her cheeks and landed directly on Chu Tu's wrist, which was restraining her neck.

Chu Tu's eyes darkened slightly, and as if burned by something, he quickly withdrew his hand.

"I'm leaving."

Shen Zhizhi hurriedly bowed, and before leaving, she slightly raised her eyes, casting a sorrowful and aggrieved gaze over him.

Chu Tu was stunned by that glance and stood there for a long time, unable to come back to his senses.

By the time he came to his senses, she had already disappeared from his sight.

Meanwhile, Shen Zhizhi, having just escaped the clutches of evil, rushed out of the palace at lightning speed, not daring to delay for a moment.

Chu Tu is a ruthless killer who doesn't care about his own life. Falling into his hands is no joke; one wrong move and you could succumb to poison and die.

[Host, you acted so well, I almost cried.]

Ya Dan, who was watching the whole thing from within her consciousness, was completely dumbfounded.

How can the host's mouth, which is full of fabrications, say such outrageous things? What's even more puzzling is that the two villains were completely fooled.

The book was right, you really can't trust what women say! Tsk!

Having survived, Shen Zhizhi was refreshed and even her steps were much lighter. "A person on the verge of life and death has great potential. It's normal for a robot like you not to understand."

【…】

Ya Dan was moved to tears.

On the other side, Shen Qinshou led Chu Chouchi all the way to the Imperial Garden. Seeing that it was quiet and deserted, she suddenly turned around and threw herself into Chu Chouchi's arms.

Chu Chouchi's hand, which was hanging by his side, suddenly froze. After realizing what had happened, he even had the urge to push her away.

But for some reason, there seemed to be some unseen force binding his thoughts, preventing him from taking the action.

The expected hug didn't come. Shen Qinshou lowered her almond-shaped eyes, a chill seeping into them.

In the past, when the Second Prince saw her throw herself into his arms, he was so excited that he wanted to meld her into his own flesh and blood. How could he be so indifferent as he is today?

That bitch Shen Zhizhi really did sow discord among them.

Not only did she cause the Second Prince to distance himself from her, but she even managed to get the Emperor to bestow a marriage upon her.

No, this opportunity to be alone with him is rare, she must win back the Second Prince's heart.

Concealing the anger in her eyes, Shen Qinshou raised her small face. Her red and swollen eyes looked as if she had just cried, making her appear pitiful and delicate.

“Brother Qiu Chi…” Shen Qinshou’s voice was tinged with tears, her index finger tracing circles on his chest, “Today the Emperor is going to bestow a marriage upon you and my sister, Shou’er is really so sad.”

"A-Shou." Chu Chouchi calmly grabbed her wrist, dodging her teasing.

Shen Qinshou looked up with a wronged expression, "Brother Qiu Chi, is A-Shou no longer important to you? Have you fallen for Third Sister?"

Shen Zhizhi?

Chu Chouchi curled his lips in a sarcastic manner.

Like her? No way!

But for some reason, upon hearing her name, he couldn't help but think of her smiling face blooming under the bright sun, and a slight ripple appeared in his usually calm eyes.

Seeing the person in front of her lose focus again, Shen Qinshou's brows and eyes were filled with anger.

In the past, when the Second Prince was with her, his heart and eyes were always on her. Now, his attention is so scattered. She simply cannot believe it if Shen Zhizhi isn't interfering.

No matter how distorted and indignant her expression was, when she looked up again, she still looked heartbreaking.

"Brother Qiu Chi, what are you thinking about?"

Called that, Chu Chouchi snapped out of his thoughts and weakly explained, "A-Shou, it's not like that, this prince just—"

Before she could finish speaking, Shen Qinshou burst into tears, feeling wronged.

"Brother Qiu Chi, A Shou really loves you so much. A Shou can't live without you. A Shou will die without you."

Chu Chouchi lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on her trembling, frail body. His chest tightened, and he finally softened.

Yes, how could he hurt Ah Shou like that?

Thinking back on the times he had caught a cold, it was Ah Shou who personally cooked soup and sent it to him. She could be said to have fallen deeply in love with him.

She repeatedly refused to marry him, probably because she wasn't ready.

Although Shen Zhizhi was also deeply in love with him, he did not want her to share a husband with other women; she should have her own pursuits.

However, he might hurt her deeply.

Chu Chouchi closed his eyes, trying to dispel the chaotic images in his mind, and took two steps forward to wipe away the tears from the corners of Shen Qinshou's eyes.

"A-Shou, don't cry. I've neglected you these past few days. It won't happen again."