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

Shen Zhizhi's eyes widened, and she opened her mouth in disbelief.

That's it? Shouldn't a normal person be anxious and helpless, asking, "Master, is there any way to break this?" What's going on here?

Undeterred, she gritted her teeth and asked, "Uh, Your Highness, did you hear what I said just now clearly?"

"Did you hear me clearly? So what? I, Your Highness, never believe in fate!" Chu Tu glanced at her sideways: "Even if the King of Hell comes to take my life, I will make sure he never returns."

Shen Zhizhi burst into tears, clutching her head.

No, are all villains this arrogant these days?

Does he even understand the meaning of "better safe than sorry"? Waaaaah.

In the end, Shen Zhizhi was tragically thrown out by the guards. Just before leaving, she turned her head back for one last look, still unwilling to give up.

Unfortunately, they didn't seem to regret it at all.

The Great Chu Kingdom did not have a curfew, so at night, the candlelight from the stalls gathered like stars, illuminating the entire street.

Shen Zhizhi walked along the bustling street, looking utterly dejected and extremely annoyed.

They thought they could find a breakthrough with Chu Tu, but they didn't expect that Chu Tu was much harder to fool than Chu Chouchi.

[Host, don't be discouraged, believe in yourself, you are the best.]

It would have been better if Ya Dan hadn't spoken; once she did, the tug-of-war between the two leaders was reignited.

"I believe that nonsense? Neither of these brothers is smart; they've been completely fooled by Shen Qinshou." Shen Zhizhi twitched her lips in annoyance.

At least when you barged into the Tu Prince's mansion today, Chu Tu didn't harm you, which proves he's showing you mercy.

Ya Dan's words improved Shen Zhizhi's mood slightly.

Indeed, today she so boldly broke into the Tu Prince's mansion without permission, and Chu Tu only had his men throw her out; he didn't really hurt her.

Although clearing his "simp value" will take some time, as long as he doesn't harbor any murderous intent towards her for the time being, she will have many more opportunities to take her time in the future.

After her mood brightened up a bit, she couldn't help but look up and survey her surroundings.

"Putting everything else aside, the nights in ancient times are truly beautiful."

As dusk settles and thousands of lights twinkle, a group of young men and women gather around a lantern stall, guessing riddles.

Shen Zhizhi was quite interested in solving lantern riddles. She excitedly squeezed into the crowd and quietly looked at the riddles on the lanterns.

"Get out of the way! Everyone, get out of the way!"

A rough and unruly voice echoed across the sky, instantly shattering this beautiful scene.

Shen Zhizhi frowned and looked toward the source of the sound.

A burly man, accompanied by his servant, forced his way into the lantern stall, scattering the crowd that surrounded him.

The people who have lived in Nanliyue Star City for many years recognized him at a glance as Zhu Shen, the eldest son of the Zhu family.

He was arrogant and unruly, and everyone within a hundred miles hated his words and deeds. But since ancient times, the people have not been able to fight against the officials, so they could only turn a blind eye to his evil deeds.

Some people who didn't want to cause trouble had no choice but to leave quietly, while only a few others still wanted to join in the fun.

"This glass lamp is quite beautiful, I'll take it." Zhu Shen raised his chin and pointed at the tallest hexagonal glass lamp hanging on the stall, his tone extremely arrogant.

Seeing the way everyone avoided him like the plague, the stall owner knew this man was not someone to be trifled with, but he still spoke in a neither humble nor arrogant tone: "Young master has good taste, but this young lady is still reciting poetry with me, so perhaps you should wait a little longer..."

Before he could finish speaking, two servants next to Zhu Shen kicked him.

"What do you mean 'yes'? Just obediently present whatever our young master Zhu wants."

Zhu Shen sneered, "A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. What kind of poetry can a woman possibly compose? You might as well give this glass lamp to me, and I might let you off the hook, you ungrateful scoundrel."

Shen Zhizhi had never seen such an arrogant and domineering guy before, let alone someone who belittled women, and she immediately felt dissatisfied.

[Host! Don't cause trouble! This person doesn't look like someone you want to mess with!]

Seeing Shen Zhizhi's angry expression, Ya Dan was afraid that she was going to hit her, so she quickly spoke up to stop her.

After all, they are now in the same boat; if something happens to the host, it will probably not survive either.

Shen Zhizhi pursed her lips and did not answer Ya Dan's question.

Of course, she wouldn't meddle in other people's business. After all, in this feudal society, only those with power have a voice.

Just as Zhu Shen was about to make a move to seize it, he stopped in his tracks after glancing at Shen Zhizhi, who was watching from the side. His playful and possessive gaze lingered on her.

His face lit up with joy. "Beautiful...so beautiful..."

Shen Zhizhi frowned, clearly feeling uncomfortable under that lewd gaze.

She turned to leave, but Zhu Shen stopped her.

"Little beauty, don't be in such a hurry to leave. How about we exchange some poems?" Zhu Shen stared at her with a face full of infatuation, his voice wicked and greasy.

The street suddenly fell silent, and the people around secretly felt a chill for Shen Zhizhi.

I wonder whose daughter this is. What bad luck! She's caught Zhu Shen's eye. Looks like she's going to be taken as a concubine again.

Inside a private room at the No. 1 Restaurant in the World, Nanliyue Star City.

A handsome man leaned against the window frame, resting his chin on his hand, and glanced displeasedly at the farce unfolding downstairs.

"Young Master, it seems to be the Third Miss. Shall we go down and help?" Shi Ling, the guard beside the man, glanced at the girl downstairs and asked.

The one referred to as the eldest son is Shen Chao, the legitimate son of the prime minister's ex-wife and the elder brother of Shen Zhizhi and Shen Qinshou.

He had just returned to the capital and, after meeting the emperor, wanted to see the long-lost bustling city life, but unexpectedly, he encountered such a drama.

Shen Chao picked up his cup and took a small sip, his interest piqued by the girl downstairs's completely unperturbed demeanor. "No rush."

Upon hearing this, Shi Ling had no choice but to give up and take a step back to continue watching the play.

Shen Zhizhi looked up at Zhu Shen, who was blocking the road, and knew that even if she wanted to leave now, she probably wouldn't be able to.

Shen Zhizhi doesn't like to cause trouble, but that doesn't mean she's afraid of trouble.

She was an orphan from a young age. As an adult, she practiced judo and karate diligently to gain the ability to protect herself. Most adult men could not beat her.

Zhu Shen and his two servants did not have any weapons such as swords or knives. Even if the three of them attacked together, she could barely withstand a few moves. If all else failed, couldn't she just run away?

Thinking of this, she confidently raised her eyes and said in a loud voice, "Since this young master looks down on women so much, why don't you have a contest with me?"

"Little beauty, do you want to compose poetry with me?" Zhu Shen stroked his chin, his already weasel-like appearance made even more despicable by the gesture and lewd gaze.

“If you lose to me, apologize to this old man.” Shen Zhizhi pointed to the stall owner who was being helped up next to the vendor.

Zhu Shen's face was lewd, and a wicked smile played on his lips. "Whatever the little beauty says, will do. But if the little beauty loses, she'll have to play with me."

A learned woman must be from a wealthy family, but judging from her attire, she doesn't seem to be from a rich family.

He didn't believe she had any real talent or skills.