Chapter 1
Once again, the ball landed in two men’s hands.
Lu Zhao, heir to the Marquis of Yongning, and Xie Chenzhou of the general’s household.
In family standing and looks alike, they ranked among the finest men in the capital.
At that moment, they were fighting furiously over my sister.
Her sweaty hand clutched mine. Beneath her anxiety lurked a trace of anticipation.
“Little sister, which one should I choose?”
I snorted in contempt.
“Hmph. Neither is any good.”
In our last life, my sister had married Lu Zhao. Before long, he had taken a whole collection of concubines, and his household knew no peace.
Later, the Marquis of Yongning’s family committed treason and nearly dragged our Shen family down with them.
Marrying into that household was out of the question.
I sighed.
“If you must choose, choose Xie Chenzhou.”
Trained in martial arts, Xie Chenzhou had already gained the upper hand in their fight.
At my words, his movements faltered.
Lu Zhao’s fist caught him squarely on the cheek.
In an instant, his face was bruised and swollen.
My sister was frightened. She hurried over and stood between them, crying.
“Stop fighting!”
“I choose young General Xie!”
“Lord Lu, please stop as well!”
Lu Zhao’s eyes widened in outrage.
“Qingtang, why?”
“I caught half the ball too. Will the Shen family go back on its word?”
My sister bit her lip, then gave me a troubled look.
“My little sister is beautiful and gentle, and bears a strong resemblance to me.”
“Why don’t you marry her, Lord Lu? Think of me when you look at her. Please, don’t make this harder for me.”
I almost laughed in anger.
I had told her not to choose Lu Zhao to spare her the fate she had suffered in our last life.
Yet she was pushing me into his arms instead.
Even her words were exactly the same as before.
I spoke firmly.
“You’re the one choosing a husband with an embroidered ball. There is no reason to throw me into the bargain.”
“You treat me as your substitute. Have you ever considered how I’m supposed to live with that for the rest of my life?”
My sister’s expression stiffened. She hastened to explain.
“Qingzhi, that isn’t what I meant…”
“Then please find a way to persuade Lord Lu yourself. Leave me out of it.”
She gave a subdued assent and was about to speak.
But Xie Chenzhou cut in first.
He stared at Lu Zhao with a faint, provocative smile.
“Lord Lu, failing to marry the woman you love is a small matter. Your family’s reputation is another.”
“After fighting me and going home empty-handed, how will the Marquis of Yongning’s household hold its head up when word gets out?”
Lu Zhao had looked hesitant.
At Xie Chenzhou’s words, his expression changed abruptly.
He changed his mind on the spot, pointed at me, and spoke through clenched teeth.
“Lady Qingtang doesn’t choose me. I accept that.”
“Now I want her.”
Having got what he wanted, Xie Chenzhou raised his brows at me and smiled in malicious delight.
That smile was all too familiar.
It was exactly like those decades we had spent trading sneers and insults.
I realized at once.
He had been reborn too!