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

Zhang Jiali stood there, his moon-white robes fluttering in the wind, a book in his hand. His features were indifferent, and the corners of his lips were slightly upturned as he looked at her.

"Lord Shaoqing?" Shen Zhizhi blinked in surprise.

Zhang Jiali leaned down slightly, his eyes filled with endless smiles. "The reason I couldn't sleep all night is because a distinguished guest has come to visit."

Shen Zhizhi stared at the jade-like face before her, her earlier fear long forgotten, replaced by a dazed expression.

Putting everything else aside, the male protagonist written by this author is really well done.

"Miss Shen?"

Seeing that she remained silent for a long time, Zhang Jiali was slightly puzzled.

Shen Zhizhi realized she had made a blunder, lowered her eyes awkwardly, and hurriedly dusted herself off. "Ah, I've disturbed you tonight, Lord Shaoqing. I'll leave now. Farewell, farewell."

Shen Zhizhi turned to leave, but a gentle voice came from behind her.

"Miss Shen, please wait."

Shen Zhizhi blinked, then turned her head in confusion.

His eyes were calm, with a hint of a smile. "Miss Shen, there's no need to rush. If you don't mind, you can stay here tonight to avoid encountering your pursuers again."

Shen Zhizhi was already worried about where to stay tonight, and when she heard him say that, she shook her head like a rattle-drum.

"No problem, no problem at all. Then I'll have to trouble you, Lord Shaoqing."

Zhang Jiali pursed his lips, a faint smile in his eyes, "Then Miss Shen, please rest for a while, and I will tidy up a guest room."

He turned and went inside.

Shen Zhizhi found a seat and looked around.

The courtyard is not grand or spacious; it can only be described as small and exquisite. The lintel and door panels are even covered with tiny cracks.

There were no rare flower species around, but rather patches of loose soil, as if someone wanted to plant something.

Shen Zhizhi couldn't help but click her tongue in amazement. As expected of Zhang Jiali, who was known for his incorruptibility, he remained frugal and thrifty even after becoming the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

Lost in thought, Zhang Jiali came out of the house, saw her in a daze, and smiled with his eyes downcast.

He walked slowly to the stone chair directly in front of her, sat down, picked up the teapot on the stone table, slightly gathered his sleeves, and poured her a full cup of tea.

"What was Miss Shen thinking about just now?"

Shen Zhizhi smelled the refreshing aroma of tea, looked up and smiled, "No, I was just wondering why Lord Shaoqing, who holds such a high position, is still willing to live here?"

Moreover, Zhang Jiali now knows his true identity. If it were anyone else, they would have already gone to claim their relatives. But he has no desire for power at all, and is willing to stay in this corner.

Zhang Jiali lowered his eyelashes and smiled, “It’s enough to shelter me from the wind and rain. There are still many people in this world who don’t have enough to eat or clothes to cover their bodies. Compared to them, I am already extremely lucky.”

Shen Zhizhi was so moved she almost cried. He truly deserved to be the male protagonist of the story, with a heart full of love and selfless dedication.

"By the way," Zhang Jiali suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with confusion, and asked, "Why did those people who were chasing Miss Shen try to kill her like that?"

Shen Zhizhi fell silent when she heard Zhang Jiali ask her that question.

Shen Qinshou is his future official wife, so she can't just tell him directly that it was Shen Qinshou who sent people to kill her, can she?

If her careless words cause Zhang Jiali to lose his affection for Shen Qinshou, who knows what kind of terrible mistakes will occur in this lousy novel later on.

Just as Shen Zhizhi was about to make up an excuse, the person in front of her spoke first.

"If it is inconvenient for Miss Shen to say, then she shall not say. I was being presumptuous."

Know when to advance and when to retreat, and never lose your composure.

Shen Zhizhi's fondness for the perfect male lead in front of her increased even further.

She scratched her head sheepishly and sincerely thanked him, "Thank you."

Zhang Jiali smiled, pursing his lips.

His gaze shifted and landed on the hexagonal glass lantern in her hand, and he asked in surprise, "Miss Shen, did you get this hexagonal glass lantern from that old man's lantern stall on the street?"

"Ah? You mean this?" Shen Zhizhi paused for a moment, then smiled and held up the glass lamp. "It was indeed given to me by the old vendor after I solved the riddle at the lantern stall."

I was running so frantically that I almost forgot I was carrying a lantern.

Zhang Jiali stared intently at the glass lamp in her hand, his gaze deepening.

Shen Zhizhi thought he liked the thing, so she generously handed him the glass lamp, saying, "Do you like it? If you like it, I'll give it to you."

"it's not true."

Zhang Jiali smiled and declined, but still reached out and took the glass lamp, stroking its body with a gentle gaze.

"I once passed by a lantern stall and happened to hear this riddle about how many dou (a unit of volume) of wine was in the wine jug. Unfortunately, I am not knowledgeable enough to solve this riddle."

Now that Miss Shen has obtained this item, has she solved the riddle? Could you please answer it for me?

Zhang Jiali's words were sincere, and his calm eyes looked directly at her; this was the epitome of a gentleman.

Shen Zhizhi smiled and nodded, clearly explaining her solution.

Zhang Jiali's brows furrowed with confusion until she finished speaking, at which point the bewilderment in his eyes dissipated, and his lips curved into a smile as pure and unblemished as a piece of fine jade.

"I see. Miss Shen, your quick wit is truly admirable." His voice, carried by the evening breeze, echoed through the night sky, bringing warmth to those who heard it.

"Actually, it's nothing. In our area, even elementary school students can solve this problem." Shen Zhizhi blushed at the praise and waved her hands repeatedly.

She looked up again, her tone filled with admiration, "It is indeed Lord Shaoqing who is outstanding, exceptionally talented, and possesses a broad mind that cares for the country and its people. I admire him greatly."

After saying that, he picked up his teacup and downed the tea in one gulp instead of drinking wine.

Hearing the laughter, Zhang Jiali picked up the teacup and, as expected, drank it all in one gulp.

Shen Zhizhi put down her teacup and stared at Zhang Jiali's jade-like face, completely infatuated.

【Duckhead, how about you change the mission? Let me seduce the male lead?】

Ya Dan screamed in terror: "Ah! Host! You're not allowed to think like that! The male lead is the female lead's official love interest! You'd better take back that dangerous thought!"

Shen Zhizhi was speechless. "Tch, stingy."

After a moment's thought, Zhang Jiali suddenly said, "Miss Shen, I have another question that I would like to ask you to answer."

"Hmm?" When her name was called, she immediately sat up straight. "Please speak, Lord Shaoqing."

Zhang Jiali pursed his lips, picked up the teapot, and slowly poured tea.

"I have only been an official in the court for a few days. I first met Miss Shen in the Imperial Garden of the palace. Apart from that, we have had no further interaction."

He paused in pouring tea, looked up at Shen Zhizhi who was staring at him with a puzzled expression, and smiled slightly.

"Then, Miss Shen, how did you know at a glance that I was the newly appointed Vice Minister, and how did you know my surname?"

Shen Zhizhi:! ! !

Ya Dan: !!!

The idea of ​​one person unifying the country terrified them.

[Oh no, host, don't let the characters in the book notice anything amiss! Explain yourself!]

Ya Dan's noisy voice, carrying an electric current, kept ringing in Shen Zhizhi's mind, giving her a terrible headache.

[Shut up, aren't I trying to find a solution?!]

Unexpectedly, a casual remark was enough for Zhang Jiali to pick up on something amiss; his memory and intelligence were simply terrifying.