Chapter 279

Pfft… The big men behind the girl couldn't help but laugh, but quickly stifled it.

Xiao Ran retorted, "On what grounds?"

"On what grounds?" the girl lifted her chin, her braid swaying at her chest, and said, "Just because you look good to me! I thought the moment I saw you that you're worthy of being my friend!"

Tuan Tuan tugged Xiao Ran's sleeve: "Ninth brother, so the big sister wants to play house with you!"

Xiao Ran: "…What the heck is 'playing house'!"

The red‑clad girl was startled by the remark, looked at Tuan Tuan, let out a "Pfft" laugh and said, "Little girl, you're saying it right! Still, it's close enough!"

"Sister just thinks this brother of yours looks pretty, wants to invite him to sit with us at the Bridgehead Gang, have a cup of tea, get to know each other."

She fixed her gaze on Xiao Ran again: "How about it? Give us some face?"

Xiao Ran's expression darkened; as the Ninth Prince, how could he associate with people like these?

Their behavior is barbaric and indecent!

"I'm not going."

The girl raised an eyebrow: "Why?"

"Why?" Xiao Ran laughed in irritation, pointing at the two thugs, "You members of the Bridgehead Gang forcibly collect ill‑gotten money in broad daylight, oppress the people, run amok in the market. I won't befriend a gang like that!"

The men behind the girl instantly stirred, each glaring angrily.

The red‑clad girl raised her hand, halting them.

She withdrew the smile from her face, turned, and looked at the two thugs: "What he said, is it true?"

The short man immediately stammered, "M‑Master Young Chief Luo, we just collected a bit according to the rules…"

"Rules?" the girl's voice was icy. "Which rule of the Bridgehead Gang says you may forcibly collect ill‑gotten money?"

The tall man forced himself to argue, "B‑But the bridges of the prefecture are our territory; when they trade here, they're basking in our light…"

"Nonsense!"

The girl let out a sharp shout, startling the two thugs into a shiver.

She raised her hand, pointing at their noses, and scolded, "The Bridgehead Gang's rule is to protect the small merchants on and under the bridge, ensure fair trade, and keep the bridge safe!"

"Since when has that become an excuse for you to oppress the good?"

"My father entrusted this area to you, and you're looking at it like this?"

She grew angrier, lifted her foot, and kicked the short man's leg.

The short man let out an "Ow" and fell to his knees.

The girl turned to the onlookers, clasped her fists, and said, "Neighbors, I'm sorry."

"It's my lax supervision, I, Luo Hongli, that let these two scoundrels tarnish the Bridgehead Gang's reputation and disturb everyone's trade."

She said, pulling a small bag of silver from her bosom and handing it to a man, "Sixth Brother, go and give this to the vendors on the bridge; consider it our compensation."

"Understood." The man took it, turned, and left.

She looked at the strong men behind her: "Take these two scoundrels back to the headquarters and punish them according to the gang's rules! From today, expel them from the Bridgehead Gang forever!"

"If anyone else dares to use the Bridgehead Gang's banner to oppress the people," she swept her gaze over the crowd, "I will break his leg myself and cast him out of Jiangzhou!"

The decision was swift and clear, with rewards and punishments distinct.

The onlookers murmured among themselves:

"Young Chief Luo certainly knows what's right…"

"I heard she's only fifteen, a bit fiery, but always fair."

"If her father hadn't been injured recently, she'd be handling the gang's affairs, and this slip wouldn't have happened."

Tuan Tuan released Xiao Ningxun's hand, pattered over, and stood before Luo Hongli, looking up with admiration: "Sister, you're so amazing!"

Luo Hongli lowered his head, meeting those bright, sparkling eyes, and couldn't help but curl his mouth: "Little girl, do you think sister is impressive?"

"Mm!" Tuan Tuan nodded vigorously, "If you're wrong you admit it, if there's a villain you beat them, you're a great good person! And you're still so good‑looking!"

Luo Hongli laughed heartily, reaching out to rub Tuan Tuan's little head: "Your little mouth really knows how to talk!"

She looked at Xiao Ran again: "Now? Are you willing to join our Bridgehead Gang?"

Xiao Ran was momentarily speechless.

He truly hadn't expected that this seemingly arrogant and willful girl would act so upright.

Seeing his hesitation, Luo Hongli nonchalantly waved his hand: "Never mind, never mind, you're from out of town, right? Where are you staying? I'll come find you another day."

Xiao Ran instinctively replied, "We just arrived today and are staying at the Zui Jiangyue Inn."

Luo Hongli's eyes lit up: "Zui Jiangyue? Good, I'll remember that!"

She tilted her chin toward Xiao Ran, a sly smile on her face: "Then you must wait for me at the inn, don't sneak away, or else I'll scour all of Jiangzhou and still find you."

Xiao Ran: "…" His head ached a little.

Xiao Ningxun suppressed a laugh, stepped forward and smooth‑talked, "Young Chief Luo, we must take our leave now. Until we meet again."

"Fine!" Luo Hongli replied cheerfully, "Then we'll see each other another day! Little girl, Jiangzhou has many fun spots; next time sister will take you to eat something delicious!"

Tuan Tuan's eyes brightened: "Really?"

"Of course!" Luo Hongli pounded his chest, "Luo Hongli keeps his word!"

Only then did the party manage to slip away, continuing toward the teahouse.

After walking several steps out, Xiao Ran could still feel the scorching gaze behind him.

He couldn't help but glance back.

Luo Hongli was still standing there; seeing him look back, she waved at him vigorously, her smile radiant.

Xiao Ran immediately turned his head back and quickened his pace.

Xiao Ningxun finally couldn't hold back a light laugh: "Ninth Prince, it seems this trip to Jiangzhou won't be boring."

Xiao Ran gritted his teeth: "Xiao San!"

Tuan Tuan looked up at him: "Nine older brother, does Sister Luo like you?"

Xiao Ran stumbled.

Lu Qi and Xiao Er both turned away, pressing their lips tightly.

"Kids don't talk nonsense!" Xiao Ran's ears turned red, "She's a jianghu person, so wild, with no manners at all!"

"Oh," Tuan Tuan nodded, half-understanding, "but I think Sister Luo is pretty good—so capable and good-looking."

Xiao Ran rubbed his forehead, not wanting to continue the topic.

Fortunately, the Tianji Pavilion teahouse was already in sight.

Three-story pavilion, flying eaves and upturned corners, the plaque above the door bore three large characters: Tea-tasting Pavilion.

The courtyard was bustling like a market; at a glance one could see the business was booming.

Lu Qi rarely showed a proud expression: "Lord Master, this teahouse in River Prefecture is somewhat larger than the Fortune Luck Teahouse in Jingcheng; it's the biggest teahouse of our Tianji Pavilion."

"It's also the oldest, the tea and snacks are top-notch, the safest and most reliable……"

Before he could finish speaking, a wildly arrogant shout came from inside the teahouse, cutting him off:

"Shopkeeper, move quickly! Throw everyone out of here!"

"This young master wants to entertain distinguished guests; all idle people, get out! Today I've bought out the Tea-tasting Pavilion!"