The renowned actor's eyes, full of emotion, flitted about, lingering on Lu Zhixing from time to time. Lu Zhixing knew exactly what intentions lay hidden within those glances. 

“Do you presume that any stray cat or dog can catch this young master's eye? Since when has a lowly slave-born actor dared to look upon this young master so brazenly?!” 

The young man’s gaze turned icy. As a young master of esteemed status, how could he be subjected to the casual scrutiny of such a commoner? Or had these people truly believed the ridiculous rumors circulating in the capital, thinking that he, Lu Zhixing, was so frivolous that anyone could climb into his bed? 

Killing was ill-advised around the New Year festivities, lest the gods and Buddhas send down retribution. Unfortunately, Lu Zhixing didn't believe in gods or Buddhas. If they truly existed, why wouldn't they protect his devout mother, who spent her days in prayer and dedicated herself to virtuous deeds? He was about to stride onto the stage and teach the actor a lesson when he caught sight of a young woman at the entrance.

Shen Ruoyu and Shi An entered, chatting and laughing. The winter sun shone upon them, and at first glance, the handsome man and beautiful woman appeared as a perfect pair. “Thank you, Guard Shi. Just now, Rong Yan was causing a scene in front of my residence, and if it weren't for your intervention, I fear I would have been entangled with him for much longer.” 

She had intended to go out and speak with him clearly, to make Rong Yan give up completely, but she hadn't expected that upon seeing her, he would lunge at her like a mad dog, claiming he knew his mistake and was willing to make amends. 

“Ruoyu! Look at me… I know I was wrong, I deceived you, but we’ve known each other for so many years, do we really have to make things so unpleasant? I was also forced by circumstances… If I could, I would willingly experience what you went through.” 

Shen Ruoyu tasted for the first time the bitterness of being pestered by someone she loathed. She had once clung to Rong Yan in the same way; no wonder he grew to hate her more and more. “Rong Yan, didn’t you pride yourself on being a gentleman? Look at you now, what difference is there between you and the kind of person you despise?” Shen Ruoyu frowned, unable to shake the man off.

Seeing this, Shen Xinghuai stepped forward and shoved Rong Yan away. 

“Brother Rong, you’re a scholar, aren’t you? This is truly disgraceful. Your current barbaric behavior is no different from that of a butcher in the marketplace.” Shen Xinghuai felt a secret joy at his older sister finally seeing sense and no longer liking Rong Yan. He used to even imitate Rong Yan in his attire, just to win his sister's favor. 

It seemed there was no need for that anymore. The commotion attracted Shi An’s attention. He stepped forward and rendered Rong Yan unconscious with a swift chop to the neck, finally freeing Shen Ruoyu from the man. Shen Ruoyu instructed the house servants to carry Rong Yan away and throw him out on the main street, as far away as possible. If he were to die, he shouldn't die on Shen family property.

Even the usually taciturn Shi An was slightly flushed by Shen Ruoyu’s words. Blushing, he quickly shook his head. 

“No, no, Miss, you are too kind. I was merely following my master's orders…” Shi An, raised by Lu Zhixing, had a similar temperament to his master. Lu Zhixing had never seen Shi An so shy. Watching Shen Ruoyu chatting and laughing with him, a nameless fire suddenly ignited within him. 

“Shen Ruoyu, it’s been nearly an hour, did you die and come back to life on the way here, or did some man trip you up? Oh, let me guess, was it my handsome young guard who captivated you? If so, I’ll give him to you.”

Ignoring Lu Zhixing’s sarcastic remarks, Shen Ruoyu sat directly across from him and drained the warmed wine in one gulp. The hot liquid flowed into her stomach, warming her instantly. 

“Good wine. But I wonder, what is the reason the young master summoned me today?” 

“What reason? What reason could this young master possibly have, other than to create an opportunity for you and my guard to be alone, to fulfill your beautiful marriage?” 

Lu Zhixing couldn't recall why he had been angry earlier. Now, he only felt that Shen Ruoyu didn't take him seriously at all.

Shi An stood beside Lu Zhixing, not daring to breathe. Didn't the young master like Young Master Shen? Why did he now seem to be jealous of him and Miss Shen? “Oh my, what are you jealous of? Guard Shi is indeed a fine man. If the young master is willing to bestow him upon me, I shall certainly keep him well in my inner courtyard and never mistreat him.”

Shen Ruoyu’s words startled Lu Zhixing. Jealous? The moment the thought arose, he immediately rejected it. Although he wasn't always serious, he wouldn't be jealous over a woman. He wouldn't be jealous. “Shameless. Don’t flatter yourself. You know who I like. What are you? How could this young master possibly be jealous of you?” Such frivolous and wanton words, how could they come from a woman’s lips?