“He truly resembles Shen Xinghuai. No wonder Lu Zhixing insisted on coming to this sort of place.” 

Taking a sip of tea, Shen Ruoyu shifted her gaze to the room opposite. A shadowy figure moved behind the swaying silk curtains. Despite the obscured view, she could discern from the vague outline that it was undoubtedly Lu Zhixing. Was this the legendary pursuit of a substitute for lost love? Did Lu Zhixing truly love her brother, or was he merely interested in that face?

“How did Lu Zhixing come to love your brother?” Jiang Peizhi inquired.

Shen Ruoyu shook her head. “Actually, I don't know how my brother attracted his attention.” 

Even after reliving her life so many times, she still hadn't figured it out.

As they spoke, the auction downstairs began. Everyone in the pavilion knew this courtesan had caught Lu Zhixing's eye; no one dared to compete with him. So, when someone inside the pavilion called out, “One hundred liang,” only Lu Zhixing countered with, “Two hundred liang.” Most were merely there for the spectacle; no one would risk their life vying with Lu Zhixing.

Yet, there was always someone unafraid of death. Upon hearing the bid, Jiang Peizhi loudly proclaimed, “Five hundred liang! I want his contract!”

A murmur rippled through the Tianxi Pavilion after Jiang Peizhi's bid. Those waiting for entertainment whispered amongst themselves, astonished that an unremarkable courtesan could be worth five hundred liang. It was truly unheard of.

“Does Young Master Jiang’s money grow on trees? Five hundred liang just like that? What are you going to do with him after buying him?” Shen Ruoyu admired his extravagant spending. He had so many servants at home and no particular inclinations. What use was a courtesan from the pleasure district? He was truly sparing no expense to provoke Lu Zhixing.

Jiang Peizhi patted his chest. “Don't worry, if there’s one thing Young Master has, it’s money! I don't believe this Lu Zhixing will keep bidding against me!”

The Jiang family's standing in the capital was due not only to their substantial contributions to the imperial treasury, but also to their funding of military supplies during wartime. This earned them the respect of Prince Yu, and even without significant political power, the Jiang family enjoyed considerable protection.

Even Prince Yu showed deference to the Jiang family, yet Lu Zhixing, for some inexplicable reason, constantly provoked Jiang Peizhi. Jiang Peizhi wasn't one to endure such treatment passively, and their relationship had become one of mutual animosity.

“Six hundred liang.” Lu Zhixing was captivated by that face and refused to give up. Even if it cost a fortune, he was willing to bid on this courtesan whose name he didn't even know.

His personal attendant couldn't bear to watch and whispered a reminder, “Your Lordship… the war in the south is intensifying, you still need to…”

The young man in purple frowned and slapped his attendant. “Silence! Since when do you dictate my actions?”

Despite his displeasure, Lu Zhixing couldn't use his status to exert pressure in this setting. He knew Jiang Peizhi was deliberately provoking him, yet he couldn't cause him public embarrassment. After all, in an auction, the highest bidder wins.

Six hundred liang? For a mere imitation, not the real Shen Xinghuai. If not for their similar appearance, Lu Zhixing wouldn't even spare the person on stage a second glance. Spending so much silver on a lowborn slave felt absurd even to him.

Yet, he was unwilling to let someone else snatch what he had first set his eyes upon, so he continued to bid.

Crossing his long legs, the young man leaned back in his chair and casually extended a finger. “One thousand liang!”

One thousand liang was enough to buy a mansion in the capital's finest district. A hint of joy flickered across the face of the waiting courtesan on stage.

Jiang Peizhi never backed down when it came to money. Just as everyone assumed Lu Zhixing would win, he pulled a stack of banknotes from his robes and slammed them on the table. “I offer three thousand liang! I'm taking this man back to the Jiang residence today!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Ruoyu heard steady footsteps approaching. Lu Zhixing had somehow arrived at their room. He lifted the curtain, his voice laced with sarcasm, “Young Master Jiang is truly wealthy. Are you determined to cross me today?”

The young man, hardened by years of military campaigns, appeared not only robust but also half a head taller than Jiang Peizhi.

Undeterred by his imposing presence, the youth placed his hands on his hips. “Yes, so what? Young Master has money to burn. What's it to you?”

Shen Ruoyu watched the unfolding drama from her seat, fearing the escalating tension might lead to violence. A mere double of her brother had already driven Lu Zhixing to this state. What if Shen Xinghuai himself were here? Wouldn't he go mad on the spot?

“You should be aware of the auction rules, Your Lordship. I simply feel my household lacks a servant, and he seems suitable. Have I broken any laws by purchasing him?”

Shen Ruoyu discreetly observed Lu Zhixing. His appearance starkly contrasted with his foul temper. People in the capital often praised his beauty, though she hadn't noticed it in her youth. Now, she realized Lu Zhixing's face was indeed striking. His skin was fair, his features refined. A pair of clear, narrow phoenix-like eyes were unforgettable, accented by a captivating tear mole at the corner of one eye. In her opinion, even her brother, Shen Xinghuai, might be slightly less handsome.

Perhaps her gaze was too intense, for Lu Zhixing, who had been locked in a confrontation with Jiang Peizhi, suddenly turned his attention to Shen Ruoyu.

“Who are you?” Lu Zhixing approached Shen Ruoyu. The person before him was ordinary-looking, yet their eyes bore a resemblance to Shen Xinghuai. Their gaze and the curve of their lips were even more similar than the courtesan downstairs.

“Your Lordship…” 

Shen Ruoyu felt a chill run down her spine under his burning gaze. Could it be? Could he see through her disguise even in this state? What if he seized upon this and made a fuss?

Seeing her startled expression, the young man's interest piqued. Lu Zhixing’s lips curled into a smile as he gently lifted her chin. “I haven't seen you here before. What's your name?”

This man never touched women. How horrified would he be if he knew he was currently touching Shen Ruoyu?

His calloused hand grazed her lips, a warm fragrance flowing between them. Shen Ruoyu's body tensed. “Your Lordship, I am not one of the courtesans here.”

She felt his fingertip trace the smooth skin of her neck downwards. She hadn't realized her disguise was so effective that even Lu Zhixing couldn't detect the deception.

“Hey! Your Lordship, this is my attendant! What do you think you're doing?!” Jiang Peizhi stepped forward to intervene, but Lu Zhixing abruptly recoiled.

His long fingers froze on Shen Ruoyu's fair, smooth neck. Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, he stumbled back two steps, clutching the table as he retched violently. “Ugh… ugh…”

He doubled over, his face pale, his stomach churning as if he had encountered something utterly repulsive.

“You’re… a woman? How dare you trick me!”

Lu Zhixing straightened up, his voice trembling with pain, a testament to his profound aversion to the touch of a woman.

Shen Ruoyu was momentarily speechless. Killing him with a single blow in her past life hadn't been enough. This time, she should find a way to torment him slowly. He had initiated the contact, yet he was now accusing her.

“It is I, Shen Ruoyu. Your Lordship, it has been a while.”

Realizing his nausea, Lu Zhixing forced himself upright. Under the scrutiny of the onlookers, he glared at Shen Ruoyu, his lips curling into a sneer. “Disgusting.”