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

After returning to the Prime Minister's residence, Shen Zhizhi immediately went into Zhiyun Pavilion and never stepped out again, nor did she allow anyone else to enter.

During this time, Chu Tu and others all intended to visit her, but she declined to meet them all, citing physical discomfort.

Without needing to speculate, Shen Zhizhi knew why they had come; they simply wanted to find out if she really intended to marry Zhang Jiali.

She transmigrated into the book for a mission, and marrying Zhang Jiali would help her complete her mission, so she naturally wanted to seize this opportunity.

But how could she explain these things to them? And how could the reasons behind this be explained in just a few words?

During this time, Shen Zhizhi also heard Shen Chaoyan say that Qu Yuanye was her biological father.

However, Shen Zhizhi did not show a strong reaction to this.

After all, she already knew that Shen Hongsheng was not the original owner's biological father.

However, to her slight surprise, the original owner's biological father turned out to be a legendary healer from the martial arts world, something she had not anticipated.

Shen Zhizhi rested her chin on one hand, gazing silently at the snowflakes fluttering against the window frame, her eyes slightly lowered.

I imagine the Second Prince must hate her to the core by now, right?

It's alright. In a few days, once she completes her mission and leaves this plane, he will forget everything.

But for some reason, the thought that Chu Chouchi would forget her with hatred made her feel as if something was gripping her heart, causing her excruciating pain.

She clutched her aching chest, gently shook her head, and shook off these jumbled thoughts.

Just as he was about to turn back to his bed, a light knocking sound came from outside the window.

Before she could ask who it was, she heard a soft sigh from outside:

"I have been searching for you for so long, and now I know that you are still alive. You will not see anyone else, and you will not even let your father take a good look at you?"

Shen Zhizhi froze, her hands unconsciously gripping the window frame, and it took her a long time to come to her senses.

master?

She slowly got up, walked towards the door, and opened it.

Snowflakes blew in with the cold wind, lifting her hair and causing her to squint.

"Master, what brings you here?" Shen Zhizhi hesitated for a while before speaking softly.

Qu Yuanye sighed softly, looked at her for a long while, and then continued, "I heard that you have been staying at home since you returned to the Prime Minister's residence, and I am worried about you. Besides, there are many things I want to talk to you about in person, or even just to see you."

After a moment's thought, Shen Zhizhi had no choice but to step aside and let Qu Yuanye into the room.

Qu Yuanye looked around at the furnishings in the room. Although everything she used was of the highest quality, it was clear that these items had been added later.

His heart was filled with bitterness. He hadn't been able to take good care of his own daughter all these years, leaving her to suffer such treatment in the Prime Minister's mansion.

Qu Yuanye walked slowly to the table inside the room and sat down, her eyes still scanning the surroundings, as if trying to discern the details of her life over the years from this small space, attempting to piece together the past years that she had never participated in.

Shen Zhizhi closed the door and walked to the table, standing quietly to the side. For a moment, the atmosphere in the room was somewhat dull and oppressive.

"It's my fault for being useless, taking so long to find you." Qu Yuanye broke the silence first, his voice trembling with barely perceptible sobs.

Shen Zhizhi felt a lump in her throat and shook her head at him, "Over the years, you have done everything you could to find me. Heaven has been kind to you and has taken pity on your sincere heart, which has finally allowed us, father and daughter, to be reunited."

Unfortunately, the original owner of this body has long since passed away.

If she were still alive, she would surely have been able to personally experience this belated family affection and enjoy the love and protection from her biological father in the days to come.

However, once she leaves this world, Qu Yuanye will probably embark on another journey to find his family.

After all, Qu Yuanye was just a tool in the original work. After he cured Zhang Jiali of the poison, he never appeared in the original work again.

Looking at Qu Yuanye's overjoyed expression, Shen Zhizhi felt a surge of emotions within her. After hesitating for a long time, she finally mustered her courage and called out:

"father!"

Let her complete what the original owner couldn't say aloud.

Although the sound was not loud, it was exceptionally clear in the quiet room.

Qu Yuanye's body trembled violently. When he realized she was calling him "father," his eyes instantly reddened, and he struggled to hold back his tears.

He excitedly reached out and grasped Shen Zhizhi's hand tightly. His thin lips trembled, as if he had a thousand words to say, but for a moment he could not find the words.

Shen Zhizhi's gaze fell on the wooden middle finger carved on the dressing table.

After a moment's thought, she stepped forward, picked up the item, and handed it to Qu Yuanye. "This is something left by my mother. I think you should need it."

After all, once she leaves, this wooden carving will most likely be discarded as ordinary junk in the Prime Minister's residence. It would be better to entrust it to someone who can cherish it and treat it as a treasure.

Qu Yuanye took the wood carving and carefully stroked its texture, his eyes filled with longing. "Your mother used to often give me the middle finger, saying that it was a unique proof of her love for someone."

The oppressive atmosphere was instantly broken by his words, and Shen Zhizhi's lips twitched violently.

No, is this reasonable?

Her adoptive mother really takes advantage of people's ignorance to bully people from ancient times.

Qu Yuanye held the wooden carving with great affection, and asked expectantly, "Did your mother leave this behind, or any message?"

"..."

Shen Zhizhi thought about the letter she had read before and suddenly felt extremely overwhelmed.

Her mother had given birth to 520 children for the mission, which means that before she met Qu Yuanye, she had had physical intimacy and emotional entanglements with 519 men of all kinds.

Even if one initially harbors love, in the end, the pressure of the mission inevitably numbs them, causing them to forget the true meaning of love.

It's just a pity for this miserable father. If he knew that his beloved hadn't even left a message, he would probably fall into endless sorrow and loss.

After much deliberation, Shen Zhizhi ultimately couldn't bear to let Qu Yuanye know this cruel truth.

She lowered her eyes slightly, a hint of regret and self-reproach on her face, and said softly:

"Father, to be honest, Mother did leave a letter, but I was too naughty and mischievous as a child, and I don't know where I lost it."

Upon hearing this, a look of disappointment flashed across Qu Yuanye's eyes.

Shen Zhizhi bit her lower lip, pretending to try hard to remember, and after a slight pause, continued:

"I vaguely remember that my mother mentioned in her letter that she had accidentally discovered that she had a serious illness, and that the illness was very dangerous and incurable, and she knew that her time was coming to an end."

She understands that you are truly devoted to her, and if you knew her situation, you would definitely rush to find her without hesitation.

However, she truly couldn't bear to let you witness her growing increasingly haggard from illness, which is why she resolutely married into the Prime Minister's household, hoping to completely sever all ties with you.

Qu Yuanye gripped the wooden carving tightly with both hands, his voice hoarse from sobbing: "How could your mother be so foolish? No matter what the illness was, I would have tried my best to find a cure for her."