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

Shen Zhizhi ran wildly, and when she arrived at the porridge stall outside the city, she was completely shocked by what she saw.

The soup kitchen was in complete chaos. White porridge was spilled all over the ground, and the porcelain bowls were smashed beyond recognition. Refugees lay sprawled on the ground, clutching their stomachs in pain and wailing incessantly.

The scene can only be described in four words: utter chaos.

Shen Zhizhi was astonished, as this chapter was mentioned in the text.

However, it was because Shen Qinshou and Zhang Jiali were displeased with Chu Tu for distributing porridge together that Chu Tu poisoned the porridge, attempting to frame Zhang Jiali, who was in charge of the matter.

But now Chu Chouchi is in charge of the disaster relief and porridge distribution, Zhang Jiali is just assisting him, and Shen Qinshou has not participated in this porridge distribution and disaster relief. So who else would do this kind of thing? And what is their purpose?

Looking up, his gaze met the clear eyes of the yamen runners surrounding the porridge stall.

Shen Qinshou?! What's she doing here?

Shen Qinshou stood beside Chu Chouchi, looking as delicate as a little white rabbit that had wandered into a bustling city, but the provocative look in her eyes was like that of a venomous snake that had spotted its prey.

Tsk, as expected, the main plot is unavoidable; the female lead is destined to come to the porridge stall.

I can't figure it out, and it's all a mess.

Shen Zhizhi shook off her chaotic thoughts and looked out at the soup kitchen. Zhang Jiali's eyes were red as he tried to help the disaster victims, but he was violently pushed to the ground by some irritable people.

His snow-white robe was stained with mud, his hair at his temples was disheveled, and his once neat robe was now crumpled and torn by the disaster victims.

"You audacious commoners! This is Lord Shaoqing! Don't you value your lives?"

Li Zhuang reached out and put his arm around the displaced people who kept crowding over to vent their anger, then turned to Zhang Jiali and said, "Lord Zhang, please leave first. I'll take care of things here."

The disaster victims had already broken down, shouting:

"Our lives aren't worth it, you corrupt officials! If you don't want to give out porridge, what are you pretending to do!"

"Give us an explanation, or we'll fight you to the death!"

"That's right! We might as well die together!"

......

The refugees were in a frenzy, throwing whatever they had at hand. Zhang Jiali had nowhere to hide, and his white robe was stained again.

When Shen Zhizhi read this part in the original text, she felt extremely sorry for the handsome male protagonist, Qingfeng Mingyue. Now, seeing him being bullied like this right in front of her, she was furious.

As the last piece of gravel hurtled towards him, Shen Zhizhi rushed over and shielded him tightly behind her.

The pebble struck her squarely on the forehead, instantly causing it to swell and turn red.

"...Miss Shen?"

Zhang Jiali lowered his eyes and stared at the girl in front of him, who was a head shorter than him. Her gaze was firm, and she stood in front of him without hesitation.

Chu Chouchi, who was coldly observing the farce from inside the porridge stall, suddenly darkened his gaze when he saw the pretty figure not far away.

Is this how she always treats people?

Shen Zhizhi wanted to persuade her properly, but when she was hit on the forehead by a piece of gravel, the pain made her angry, and her tone became irritated.

"Haven't you all made enough noise?! Who's going to hear you shouting like that?!"

The disaster victims were stunned when they saw the petite woman suddenly rush out and let out such a roar.

Shi Ling and Shen Chao had just arrived when they heard the roar, and they stopped in their tracks, not taking another step forward.

Shen Zhizhi was truly furious.

In the original text, when Shen Qinshou went to Chu Tu to ask for the antidote, Zhang Jiali took care of them tirelessly and personally, never caring about the many scornful looks and misunderstandings he had suffered.

Thinking of this, Shen Zhizhi became even more furious:

"The matter hasn't been investigated yet, and you're already venting your anger recklessly. If your lives were truly worthless, why would Lord Zhang and the Second Prince bother setting up soup kitchens here? Someone is stirring things up, and you're running around like headless flies. Do you know how disheartening such behavior is?!"

"..."

The crowd fell silent. The girl's words, each one piercing to the heart, filled them with unbearable shame.

Seeing this, Zhang Jiali stepped forward and said, "Gentlemen, I will definitely give you an explanation for this matter. I have already sent someone to find a doctor. Those who are feeling unwell, please let the doctor examine them before we talk."

The disaster victims looked at each other, and after a long while, they all tacitly dispersed.

"Find a doctor to check if there's any poison in the rice. If not, cook another pot of porridge. Also, send more yamen runners to repair this porridge shed," Zhang Jiali instructed Li Zhuang as he turned to him.

"Yes, Lord Zhang," Li Zhuang replied.

Shen Zhizhi raised her hand and rubbed her temple, hissing in pain.

“Miss Shen.” Zhang Jiali stared at her for a moment, then handed her a handkerchief, his expression unreadable. “You didn’t need to do that just now.”

Startled, she quickly realized what he was talking about and smiled faintly, "It's alright. Lord Zhang is upright and incorruptible, and should not be misunderstood like this. Since I trust Lord Zhang, I should defend him."

Zhang Jiali lowered his gaze slightly, and after a moment said, "Miss Shen is too kind."

Shen Zhizhi took the handkerchief and smelled its unique fragrance. She felt lightheaded and her eyes gradually became hazy.

That damned original author!

Such a great male lead, why is the female lead he's paired with so abnormal? I must write a fanfiction when she returns to the modern world, so he can have a better match.

But speaking of the female lead...

Shen Zhizhi's face darkened, and she turned and walked towards the soup kitchen. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm worried about His Highness the Second, so I've come to bring him a bowl of chicken soup." Shen Qinshou's face was flushed with drunkenness as she looked at the wooden box on the table and spoke slowly.

It was all well-reasoned and supported by evidence, but Shen Zhizhi looked at her with a strange feeling.

"Host, do you suspect that Shen Qinshou poisoned you?" Ya Dan asked abruptly.

Shen Zhizhi: [The porridge distribution was fine yesterday, but today someone is poisoned. Shen Qinshou is highly suspicious.]

Besides, there are many people around here, and given Shen Qinshou's usual practices, it's highly unlikely that she would come over in broad daylight to deliver chicken soup to Chu Chouchi.

Showing courtesy for nothing is either cheating or stealing.

Shen Zhizhi scoffed coldly.

She ignored Shen Qinshou and strode towards Chu Chouchi. "Your Highness, this poisoning must have been premeditated. I request that Your Highness thoroughly investigate this matter."

Chu Chouchi raised a slight brow with his narrow phoenix eyes, his voice as cold as frost, "If Lord Zhang, as a junior minister, cannot even resolve such a case, then what use is he?"

He suddenly stood up, and his imposing height forced Shen Zhizhi to look up at him.

But then he saw a cold smile playing on his lips, and the black mole on the side of his nose accentuated his noble and aloof demeanor. “Even if Lord Zhang cannot solve this case, if he incurs the resentment of the disaster victims, wouldn’t Miss Shen still be there to take the danger in his place?”

After saying that, he took a long stride and quickly left.

Shen Zhizhi stood there, staring at Chu Chouchi's frost-covered back, somewhat bewildered.

No, what's wrong with this person again? Wasn't he perfectly fine yesterday?

Shen Zhizhi glanced at the bewildered Shen Qinshou in front of her and immediately understood.

It seems he wants to distance himself from her in front of his beloved. He's definitely in the late stages of being love-struck, hopeless.

Seeing Chu Chouchi leave, Shen Zhizhi didn't bother to have any further contact with Shen Qinshou and turned to leave.

"..."

Shen Qinshou bit her lower lip, staring intently at Chu Chouchi's unwavering figure, her eyes filled with murderous intent.

How could the Second Prince have ever abandoned her and left?

Ever since Shen Zhizhi got close to him, the Second Prince has completely changed, and even his elder brother, who had just returned from the expedition, was bewitched by her.

Shen Zhizhi, that vile woman, truly cannot be allowed to live!