Shen Ruoyu shifted uncomfortably under Lu Zhixing's faintly resentful gaze. "My lord," she reminded him, "you've spilled your tea." She hadn't expected a playful remark to bother him so much. Shen Ruoyu wasn't oblivious; his actions hardly painted him as the jealous type.

Shi An was decent. Although Lu Zhixing's confidant, in past lives, he hadn't succumbed to the same madness as his master. He had even helped her on occasion. Thus, Shen Ruoyu held a degree of goodwill towards him.

Thinking of this, Shen Ruoyu glanced at Shi An. Just as their eyes met, Shi An paled and looked down, fearing Lu Zhixing's misunderstanding.

Their interaction didn't escape Lu Zhixing. He scoffed, "It seems you don't value your life. Don't forget the antidote is in my hands. If you want to live, you'll obey me. Understood?" 

Enjoy looking at Shi An? I might as well gouge out your eyes and bring them back to the manor, so you can feast your eyes on him all you want.

Lu Zhixing's words were barbed. Shen Ruoyu found his thoughts unfathomable. If he thought a single antidote could control her for life, the young lord had miscalculated.

Unfazed, Shen Ruoyu turned her attention to the performers on stage. "Lu Zhixing, what if I'm not afraid of death? If you think this antidote can force me to do your bidding, you're mistaken."

Who didn't want to live? She did. She had done all this to change the course of events. But Shen Ruoyu refused to live as a sl4ve, groveling at another's feet.

The current Lu Zhixing was unpredictable, and this was before his descent into darkness. After Shen Xinghuai entered court as an official in her past life, Lu Zhixing's actions bordered on insanity.

The girl's nonchalance enraged him. Lu Zhixing rose, sweeping his sleeve across the table, sending cups and dishes crashing to the floor.

The shattering porcelain startled everyone in the pear garden. The delicate ornaments at Lu Zhixing's waist swayed with his movements. Shen Ruoyu watched him, bewildered. "My lord, what's wrong?" She couldn't understand his volatile temper. Every word she uttered seemed to strike a nerve.

Shi An bent down, gathering the broken pieces while softly advising, "My lord, please calm yourself. This is not the place for such outbursts."

Lu Zhixing's face was grim, his lips pressed tight. Zheng Ruyuan was returning to the capital, and the Emperor, against all advice, had ordered him to lead the troops. This departure was likely a one-way trip. After all, which emperor would tolerate a powerful, potentially rebellious minister in his court?

Before leaving, Lu Zhixing had considered giving Shen Ruoyu the antidote, but her indifference infuriated him. Everyone had weaknesses, but she seemed to have none. He had hoped to frighten her, but Shen Ruoyu remained seated, unnervingly calm. Lu Zhixing leaned against the table, feeling a sudden weariness. "Get out, before I strangle you!"

"Very well. I'll take my leave then. Farewell until the Spring Flower Festival, my lord."

Shen Ruoyu quickly departed the volatile scene.

Xiao Chun waited at the door. As Shen Ruoyu emerged, she offered a hand warmer and a fur cloak. "Miss, please warm yourself."

Clutching the warm hand warmer, Shen Ruoyu hurried towards the palace with Xiao Chun.

"Xiao Chun, do you know, Lu Zhixing is like a mad dog, snapping at my heels…"

Today was Zheng Ruyuan's return. It was Lu Zhixing's fault she'd missed the welcome feast she had prepared. Now, she could only see her sister after the imperial audience.

Heavy snow fell. When Lu Zhixing emerged, he saw only two sets of fading footprints in the snow. He couldn't understand himself lately. Why had he summoned her only to berate her?

"Shi An," he said, "I don't want to see that performer from the stage in this pear garden again."

The young man paused outside, snow gathering on his shoulders. He decided to return to his manor. It seemed there was no place that welcomed him.

Lu Zhixing walked through the snow. Shi An silently followed, holding an umbrella over him. "My lord, if you wish others to treat you well, you must first treat them well…"

Shi An's words struck a chord within Lu Zhixing, a pang of inexplicable sadness. He deflected the comment, turning to the subject of his deployment. "Shi An, if I don't return from this expedition, please see that my remains are buried somewhere warm."

This expedition was a trap. The Emperor would find any excuse to have him killed on the battlefield. Perhaps, as his father had said, he was born unlucky, destined to bring misfortune to those around him.

"My experiences are rather similar to Shen Xinghuai's…"

Perhaps this was why Lu Zhixing felt such empathy for Shen Xinghuai. Seeing that bright young man reminded him of his younger self. He only hoped Shen Xinghuai wouldn't become as consumed by darkness as he was.

The snow nearly reached the young man's calves. He still remembered meeting Shen Xinghuai on a snowy day like this.

Coincidentally, as Lu Zhixing looked up, he saw a furtive figure. He couldn't mistake that form and attire.

"Shen Xinghuai!" Lu Zhixing called out.

The young man froze, reluctantly turning around. Why had Lu Zhixing found him here? His persistence was a headache.

"What brings you here, my lord?"

Lu Zhixing approached Shen Xinghuai. Perhaps the snow had stirred his memories. He suddenly asked, "Shen Xinghuai, I've never told you this, but do you remember the beggar by the city wall…?"

Shen Xinghuai anxiously glanced towards Shen Ruoyu's retreating figure. Why had he been stopped now? He had almost caught up to his sister.

"I remember. That was you, my lord, wasn't it? Perhaps that cake was life-saving for you, but for me, it was just a simple act. You needn't harbor such deep feelings over it. I don't hold you in special regard. I would have helped any stray cat or dog in the same situation."

His biggest regret in over a decade was approaching that little beggar that day.