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

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhizhi's chest suddenly trembled.

She found a gap in his embrace and hurriedly shook her head, "This humble woman was not sent by the First Prince to deliberately approach the Second Prince, this humble woman simply—"

Upon hearing her answer, Chu Chouchi felt all his unease vanish in an instant.

"If that's the case, then that's enough."

He released her, a smile playing on his lips, and interrupted her as she was about to explain.

Chu Chouchi held her shoulders tightly with both hands, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness, "Tomorrow the imperial edict for the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne will be issued, and your marriage will be on the agenda. Shen Zhizhi, are you willing to leave this Nanliyuexing City with me?"

Shen Zhizhi lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes like light fans, obscuring her bright eyes and making it difficult to discern her thoughts.

She was naturally willing. Now that she had accomplished all the tasks she was tasked with, she only needed to wait quietly for the plane to develop on its own.

Once everything returns to normal, Zhang Jiali and Shen Qinshou will naturally find themselves meeting and getting to know each other through a series of coincidences and chance encounters.

For her, the most important thing right now is to keep a considerable distance from Zhang Jiali.

As long as you can avoid the entanglements of marriage with him, then wherever you go will be the best choice.

Chu Chouchi was already in a state of turmoil, and now seeing her remain silent for a long time, his heart suddenly clenched, and his nerves tensed up as well.

Indeed, in this Southern Moon Star City, personal connections, kinship, and past events are all intertwined like spider webs.

She still has someone she cares about, so how could she easily give up everything, abandon her stability, and wander the world with him?

But what should he do if she doesn't want to?

Chu Chouchi felt a wave of sorrow, as if an invisible rope was strangling his throat. The more he struggled, the stronger the feeling of suffocation became.

A look of disappointment welled up in his eyes, and the hands that had been on her shoulders fell away. After a long while, he finally spoke:

"If you are unwilling, this prince—"

Before he could finish speaking, a delicate hand, as light as a butterfly, gently landed on his wrist.

Chu Chou raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of doubt. He subconsciously looked down and was instantly met with a pair of clear, watery eyes.

She parted her lips slightly, her voice clear and melodious like the tinkling of jade pendants, and replied solemnly, "Your Highness, I am willing to travel with you."

Upon hearing this, the air seemed to freeze for a few moments.

After Chu Chouchi reacted, his eyes shone brightly, as if twinkling with stars.

After his lips trembled for a moment, he stammered, "Are you really willing to leave this place where you grew up and come with me?"

Shen Zhizhi stared intently at him, then nodded emphatically without hesitation. Stray hairs fell across her forehead with the movement, further emphasizing her resolute determination.

Chu Chouchi was overjoyed, his ecstasy burning like fire, as if it would propel him to the heavens.

He was about to pull her into his arms when, for some unknown reason, the light in his phoenix eyes dimmed instantly.

He clenched his fist slightly beneath his sleeve, then turned to gaze at Shen Zhizhi. His thin lips parted slightly, as if he had a thousand words to say, yet struggled to remain silent.

Shen Zhizhi tugged at his sleeve and shook it gently. "Does Your Highness still have any concerns?"

Chu Chouchi lowered his eyelashes, remained silent for a long while, and finally spoke slowly: "If you leave with me, you will likely study exceptionally hard in the days to come. But if you stay here, then—"

Having said this much, he was unwilling to continue, his phoenix eyes revealing deep worry and unease.

Shen Zhizhi looked at his hesitant expression, nodded thoughtfully, and continued, "But if I stay here, I will become a high-ranking Crown Princess, enjoying endless wealth and honor, is that right?"

Chu Chou's red eyelids drooped slightly, his long eyelashes casting a fan-shaped shadow beneath his eyes.

He subconsciously moved his lips, wanting to say that even after leaving Nanliyuexing City, he would not let her suffer.

But the words he was about to say were swallowed back down his throat.

Since his birth in the palace, he has enjoyed a life of luxury, with all his food, clothing and daily necessities being the finest in the world.

However, once you step out of the forbidden palace and away from the bustling city of Nanliyuexing, the prince's honor becomes nothing but fleeting clouds.

At that time, he would be just an ordinary man, penniless and without any possessions. What could he possibly offer her to provide a more comfortable and affluent life than she has now?

He feared that after she left the palace with him, she would experience many hardships and, over the long years, regret the choice she had made.

And with what kind of mental strength will he bear such a heavy consequence?

Thinking this way, the impulse and courage I had just felt vanished.

He wanted to say something, but his throat was dry, and he didn't even know how to answer her question.

Shen Zhizhi glanced at his tense expression and couldn't help but want to laugh.

She took half a step forward, tilted her head to look at him, and her eyes suddenly curved into a smile. "Your Highness, now that things have come to this, you could at least offer me a glimpse of the future. Your honesty has caught me off guard."

"?"

Chu Chouchi was taken aback and looked at her with surprise, clearly not understanding her incoherent words.

Shen Zhizhi straightened up, blinked her clear and beautiful almond-shaped eyes, and smiled:

"What I mean is, wherever Your Highness goes, I will go."

The girl's voice was ethereal and melodious, yet also carried a hint of unrestrained cunning.

As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Chouchi's eyes instantly turned crimson.

His throat tightened, and he was too excited to speak. A surge of ecstasy coursed through his chest, threatening to engulf him.

Then, he stretched out his long arm.

Before Shen Zhizhi could react, she was pulled into his arms.

The embrace came so fiercely and violently that she almost suffocated. Chu Chouchi rested his chin on the top of her head, his body trembling slightly.

Shen Zhizhi felt his unique, faint fragrance lingering around her nose, and heard his warm breath and his low, choked voice in her ear:

I cherish your kindness and will never betray you.

Shen Zhizhi nestled in his arms, listening to his sincere words, and felt momentarily at a loss.

She was not a person of this world. To her, everything here was just an illusion, like fleeting clouds that would eventually dissipate.

When the dream ends, the person before you may return to their original position, while you will disappear without a trace.

Shen Zhizhi lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing the expression in them, and said softly, "Is it really that you are so happy, Second Prince?"

The person above seemed oblivious to the inappropriateness of her tone, still unable to contain his excitement, his eyes brimming with joy.

He smiled, his eyes sparkling like clear water, "Yes, only you are the one my heart desires."

Shen Zhizhi remained silent. She glanced up and saw Chu Chouchi seemingly bathed in light, his smile brighter than the clear river.

For a fleeting moment, she felt a sense of relief.

Fortunately, once she leaves, all traces of her existence will be erased.