“Does he have a death wish? Does he think his life is too long, offering himself up to that living Yama, Lu Zhixing, for amusement?” 

Shen Xinghuai had died at Lu Zhixing's hands at least seventeen or eighteen times, and Shen Ruoyu had relived those moments countless times through her rebirths. He, on the other hand, instead of running and hiding, had gone looking for trouble. This time, things looked grim.

Handing some of her jewelry and clothes to Xiao Chun, Shen Ruoyu asked, “Xiao Chun, how did you learn that my brother went looking for Lu Zhixing before he disappeared?” Shen Ruoyu had a hunch that things weren't so simple; her brother was definitely hiding something.

Xiao Chun immediately replied, “Miss, it was Xiao Liu, the young master's attendant, who told me. Now that the young master is missing, do you have any leads?” Xiao Chun hesitated, ultimately deciding not to relay Master Shen’s words to Shen Ruoyu. 

The Master had said, “He's just a jinx anyway. It wouldn't be worth it to offend the Prince of Yu's residence for his sake. If it really was Lu Zhixing who took Shen Xinghuai, then we'll just have to sacrifice him.” Lately, Xiao Chun had witnessed the improving relationship between the siblings. Even if she told Miss what her father had said, Miss wouldn't abandon the young master.

“Right now, we only have suspicions, no evidence. It would be unwise to rush to the Prince’s residence and demand his return. Let's go back to the manor and see if we can find any clues.” Shen Xinghuai's whereabouts were unknown, but she hadn't been reborn this time, so at least his life wasn't in immediate danger. 

If her brother had truly been kidnapped, then who was responsible? Could it really be Lu Zhixing? It had only been a few days since her latest rebirth. Lu Zhixing shouldn't have reached the point of resorting to such unscrupulous methods to get Shen Xinghuai.

Shen Ruoyu returned to the manor, intending to search Shen Xinghuai's room for any valuable clues. Just as she arrived at the Shen manor gates, she saw a figure struggling to scale the high wall. The man wore a luxurious purple fox fur cloak, paired rather flamboyantly with a bright red robe beneath. This bizarre and eye-catching ensemble could only belong to Jiang Peizhi. Sometimes, even Shen Ruoyu wondered how someone with such a handsome face could have such terrible taste.

Master Shen consistently looked down upon Jiang Peizhi, a frivolous playboy, and had even issued a "wanted" order within the manor, commanding the staff to drive him out on sight. Jiang Peizhi hadn't visited Shen Ruoyu for a while. Today, he was barred from entering through the front gate, and the dogs at the back gate nearly bit him. Left with no other option, he resorted to scaling the wall.

“Damn it, what is this thing made of? It's killing me! Does the Shen family spend all their money on building walls?” Jiang Peizhi grumbled as he climbed, his posture comically awkward.

Hearing this, Shen Ruoyu quietly circled behind him. “When did Young Master Jiang learn to climb walls, like some lovesick youth?”

The sudden voice startled Jiang Peizhi. His grip loosened, and he tumbled down. His back landed squarely on the ground with a thud. He grimaced, feeling as though his bones had shattered.

“Ouch, Yuyu! Can't you speak normally? I got beaten black and blue by the old man for bringing you your favorite sweet and sour mandarin fish, and here you are, scaring me half to death! Did you make a new friend and forget all about me?” Jiang Peizhi groaned as he pulled himself up, ready to unleash his fury. But seeing that it was Shen Ruoyu, his anger dissipated.

"If you're here for fun and games today, I apologize, but I have a pressing matter to attend to. We’ll have to do it another time."

Shen Ruoyu assumed Jiang Peizhi had come to amuse himself, but his reaction was immediate and frantic. “No, Yuyu, what are you talking about?! I’m here on serious business! After the academy dismissed today, I saw your brother being taken away in a carriage by a man wearing a silver mask!”

"Really?! A man in a silver mask…" It was as Shen Ruoyu suspected. Her brother hadn't been taken by Lu Zhixing. The young lord never bothered with such clandestine tactics. If he had taken someone, she would have heard about it. But she had no recollection of a man in a silver mask. Why would he kidnap Shen Xinghuai?

***

While Shen Ruoyu was consumed with worry, Shen Xinghuai awoke from his unconsciousness. He lifted his heavy eyelids, a damp, decaying smell assaulting his nostrils. He tried to move, only to find himself bound by heavy chains, unable to break free.

The rattling of the chains as he struggled attracted the attention of the masked man. The faint sound of black boots scraping against the ground grew closer. The man in the silver mask stopped before him. “Awake? Want some water?”

The man's voice was deep and magnetic. His figure was taller than Lu Zhixing's. Shen Xinghuai was certain he had never met this man before.

“Who are you? Why have you brought me here?” Shen Xinghuai remembered being intercepted by the man's carriage. He had smelled a strong, sweet fragrance emanating from the masked man, and then everything went black.

The man didn't answer. His hand, icy cold, gripped Shen Xinghuai's face, studying him. “I just wanted to see what kind of bewitching charms this fox spirit, who has Lu Zhixing so enamored, possesses. It seems you do have a certain allure…”

The man leaned in, attempting to kiss Shen Xinghuai's lips, but he twisted away. “Get away from me! I don't like men. My heart belongs to another.”

“What Lu Zhixing can have, I can have too. I want you…” The man wasn't angered by the rejection. His long fingers traced the lines of Shen Xinghuai’s beautiful, androgynous face.

The touch of those hands on his face felt like insects crawling on his skin.

“You’ll be disappointed. If you release these chains, I’ll kill myself right here. I detest everyone except my sister. Men, women, I loathe them all.” He had been careless. Returning from the plum garden, he hadn't noticed he was being watched. Now, Shen Xinghuai worried that his negligence would endanger his sister.

“Your sister? That wild girl raised by the Northwest army? The one with no manners? Don't tell me you think she'll come to rescue you.”