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

Meeting her gaze, Chu Chouchi looked slightly puzzled.

Shen Zhizhi's eyes rolled around.

Today is Chu Tu's birthday, and both villains have gathered together. As the saying goes, friends meet over tea and make friends over wine.

If Zhang Jiali were invited to the banquet, the three of them might reach an agreement at the table. Even if they couldn't become sworn brothers, they could at least become friends.

The best way for a villain to turn the tables is to infiltrate the protagonist's group.

After thinking for a moment, Shen Zhizhi's bright eyes curved slightly, and she leaned closer with a consultative tone, "Second Prince, why don't you go and invite Lord Zhang to the banquet as well?"

Shen Zhizhi asked this question with extreme caution, and after asking it, she didn't even dare to raise her head.

Sure enough, after an eerie silence above, a cold laugh reached my ears.

"Looking for him?"

She cautiously raised her eyes, then reached out and gently squeezed his arm in a fawning manner. "Your Highness, Lord Zhang is deeply loved by the people of Nanliyue Star City. If you could become friends with him, then—"

As Chu Chouchi listened to her words, his gaze shifted from its original coldness to an increasingly complex expression.

While Shen Zhizhi was still talking non-stop, she suddenly felt two scrutinizing gazes fixed on her. Her thoughts returned, and she looked up.

She then met Chu Chouchi's dark pupils, his deep, pool-like eyes filled with complex emotions as he stared at her, his lips slightly parted, as if he had a thousand words to say.

So, everything she's done these past few days—whether it's distributing porridge or giving him a good reputation among the people—is all part of her plan to help him ascend the throne?

She—want to be the Crown Princess?

But what if he doesn't want to compete for that position? Should she then abandon him?

Shen Zhizhi's breath hitched, and she asked with confusion in her eyes, "Second Prince? What's wrong?"

This call finally pulled Chu Chouchi back to reality. Concealing the disappointment in his eyes, he whispered:

"Are you trying to get me to win over Zhang Jiali and have him support my ascension to the throne?"

"Wh-what?!" Shen Zhizhi's eyes widened suddenly, not reacting at all.

Before she could speak, Chu Chou leaned forward naked, his long, narrow phoenix eyes filled with hesitation, but in the end he sighed softly, his voice weakening:

"But if you desire it, I, Your Highness, am willing to contend for the throne."

Shen Zhizhi understood this time, and was stunned as if struck by lightning, her heart roaring silently.

What the hell!What the hell!What the hell!

This misunderstanding has blown up big time!

Throughout the entire story, Chu Chouchi's mind was filled with thoughts of Shen Qinshou. Only after Shen Qinshou and Zhang Jiali got together did he try to seize power and use his own influence to keep Shen Qinshou firmly by his side.

But right now, he doesn't care about the throne at all!

No! We absolutely cannot afford to make a mistake at this critical juncture.

"No! Your Highness, you've misunderstood!"

Shen Zhizhi hurriedly waved her hand, her eyes flashing with determination. She stood up straight and stared at him intently.

"Your Highness, that was not my intention. I only asked you to invite Lord Zhang to the banquet because I thought he was a person worth getting to know better."

Meeting Chu Chouchi's meaningful gaze, Shen Zhizhi's breathing quickened slightly, fearing he hadn't understood her meaning, and she continued:

"Your Highness, what is destined will eventually come, and what is not destined will be futile to force. You don't need to fight for it, lest you end up battered and bruised, and lose more than you gain."

If someone else were to ascend the throne in the future, Shen Zhizhi would certainly not try to persuade him otherwise.

But in the article, Zhang Jiali's actions all allowed her to say one thing with absolute certainty—

He was not the kind of person who would harm his own siblings.

This is because, in the original text, when discussing the matter of usurping the throne with his trusted ministers, Zhang Jiali said:

"If my brother and his companions realize their mistake and turn back from the brink, then simply exile them to the frontier, never to return to Nanliyue Star City. There's no need for such ruthless cruelty between brothers."

This statement moved many of Zhang Jiali's fans, who left comments praising Zhang Jiali's noble character.

Some fans expressed concern, questioning how a ruler who is so lenient can shoulder such a great responsibility.

But this worry is clearly unnecessary.

It must be said that Zhang Jiali did an excellent job. With his pure heart alone, he made the ministers obedient and willing to serve him and even plot a rebellion for him.

Even more outrageous is that Zhang Jiali has admirers from the imperial court to the martial arts world.

When Chu Chouchi and Chu Tu were vying for the throne, they repeatedly faced perilous situations. And a large portion of the assassins were martial arts practitioners.

This made Shen Zhizhi think that if any ministers really wanted to secretly harm Zhang Jiali, they would probably be killed by those martial arts heroes first.

Moreover, Zhang Jiali is a favorite of Heaven, and his aura is something that no mere villain could possibly defeat.

They are worlds apart, one at the highest heavens and the other at the lowest depths of hell; they are not comparable at all.

Even though he is not a prince now, he is still protected by the people. Imagine how many people will support him when he regains his status.

Chu Chouchi's chances of winning against him were practically zero.

She admitted that when she read the story and saw how the villains Chu Chouchi and Chu Tu turned evil and harmed Zhang Jiali later on, she wished that they would die as soon as possible.

But now that she's here, she can truly connect with them and experience their joys and sorrows.

She understood that, to her, they were no longer simply words existing in her mind.

They are real people.

Right now, right before my eyes.

At least, she didn't want him to die, and she wanted him to have a good ending.

Shen Zhizhi became increasingly flustered as she thought about it, her mind a jumble of thoughts she couldn't sort out. Her lips trembled slightly as she desperately reached out to grab his sleeve.

"Your Highness, please do not contend with anyone. Just live a peaceful and happy life, and may you be blessed with lasting happiness. Is that alright?"

Chu Chouchi was stunned by her words and stood there in shock. He was slightly surprised to see the fear in her eyes.

After a long silence, he finally smiled and said, "So, you don't care whether I can sit on the throne or not, do you?"

Shen Zhizhi nodded with all her might, "Yes! This humble woman only wishes for Your Highness to have a smooth life!"

As soon as he heard her words, he felt as if he had been struck a heavy blow. His gaze darted around in front of her, and a warm current swept through his heart.

Was she not after the position of Crown Princess? Did she only want him to be well? Did she approach him without any ulterior motives?

Looking into her determined eyes, Chu Chouchi's heart pounded like thunder. Unable to resist, he turned and walked towards the door, his steps hurried and disordered.

He paused briefly at the door, then turned and rushed into Chu's study.

Shen Zhizhi:? ? ?

Soon after, Chu Tu's furious roar came from inside the door:

"No, Chu Chouchi, are you out of your mind? Wasn't that the money you paid to me as compensation?"

"What are you buying? Fireworks? I think you look like fireworks!"

"Chu Chouchi!!!"

Chu Tu's final roar echoed throughout the courtyard. Chu Chouchi walked out of the study as if nothing had happened, met Shen Zhizhi's astonished eyes, and coughed awkwardly.

"Ben, Your Highness will go buy fireworks for you."

After saying that, he took a long stride and walked out.

Shen Zhizhi blinked, feeling both amused and exasperated.