Chapter 287: You Really Didn't Go Find Your Third Brother

Tuan Tuan lies on the side of the barrel, puckers his lips: "Poor little fish…"

Xiao Er furrows his brow: "Third Young Master, look at that sachet."

It is an apricot‑yellow brocade sachet embroidered with winding lotus vines, lying in the small puddle that had just been spilled.

At this moment, the brocade at the sachet's edge is being slowly soaked by an identical blue‑purple hue, and that eerie color spreads thread by thread through the puddle, matching exactly the color on the dead fish.

Xiao Ningxun crouches, does not touch it with his hand, but pulls a handkerchief from his sleeve and gently lifts the soaked sachet.

Lu Qi steps forward and whispers: "The maid just said that this sachet was just bought by Miss Qian from the Ningxiang Hall."

Ningxiang Hall.

Xiao Ningxun's gaze darkens; he carefully wraps the oddly colored sachet and slips it into his bosom.

Tuan Tuan looks at him, puzzled: "Third Brother, why are you copying me?"

Xiao Ningxun: "…"

Tuan Tuan turns to the fish‑selling girl, pulls a silver coin from his Sachet and hands it to her: "Here."

The girl hurriedly waves her hand: "No, no! I can't take it."

Tuan Tuan shoves it into her hand: "Your fish are all dead, you can't sell them!"

The fish‑selling girl looks at him, her eyes rimmed red, and nods: "Thank you. I thought I wouldn't earn even a copper coin today."

Tuan Tuan waves: "No need to thank me! I'm leaving! I'll come back to see your fish next time!"

She stands, walks to Xiao Ran's side, and takes his hand.

Xiao Ran's face lights with surprise: "Xiao Budian, you actually didn't go looking for your Third Brother?"

Tuan Tuan looks puzzled: "Because I'm going to find Sister Luo! Sister Luo likes you, she wants to see you!"

Xiao Ran sighs: "…"

Tuan Tuan waves at the others: "Let's go, let's go! We're off to find Sister Luo!"

The group continues forward, and soon they arrive at the Bridgehead Gang's headquarters, Anji Bridge.

Cars and horses glitter on the bridge, and pedestrians weave like a tapestry.

At the east end of the bridge stands a three‑story bamboo building adorned with lanterns, quietly upright.

There is no plaque on the lintel; only a wooden sign hanging under the eaves, carved with the three bold characters "Bridgehead Gang".

When someone approaches, a robust man at the doorway, busy with ropes, immediately stands: "Who are you all?"

Xiao Er bows and says: "Please convey that a friend residing at Zui Jiangyue has specially come to pay respects to Young Chief Luo."

"Please wait a moment." The man turns and briskly walks into the building.

Soon, a crisp laugh rings out from inside: "You're here? As promised!"

Luo Hongli, still dressed in a sleek dark‑red outfit, steps forward.

She looks at Xiao Ran, a smile curling her lips: "Hey, little lord, just woke up?"

Xiao Ran's face reddens, he straightens his chest: "I always keep my word!"

Tuan Tuan cheerfully shouts: "Hello, Sister Luo!"

Luo Hongli laughs even brighter: "Xiao Nannian! Hello! Come, go inside with me."

She turns and leads the way: "Everyone, my place is modest, don't mind that! Please, come inside."

Inside, the first floor is very spacious, furnished with a dozen heavy solid‑wood tables and benches.

The second floor is much quieter; Luo Hongli leads them to a room by the window, where the river glitters outside, offering an excellent view.

Someone brings tea in large coarse‑ceramic bowls; the tea is dark and rich, with a mellow aroma.

Luo Hongli lifts her cup and takes a big gulp: "Sit down, the tea is plain, the water thin; make do with it, everyone."

Everyone takes their seats.

Xiao Ningxun lifts his tea bowl, takes a sip: "Young Chief Luo, we're bold to visit today because we have something to ask."

Luo Hongli sets down her bowl: "No need to be formal. I've long said that the ghost market knows, and the Bridgehead Gang may not be unaware. Whatever you wish to ask, just say it."

Xiao Ningxun nods: "Alright, I'll be direct. May I ask Young Chief Luo, how much do you know about Jiangkuo Trading Firm, and have they made any recent changes?"

"Shen Wanjin?" Luo Hongli snorts, "That guy always has a smiling face, like a friendly local miser."

"In fact, his hands are stained black. If you deal with him, be extra careful."

"As for changes," Luo Hongli thinks, "Jiangkuo Trading Firm sends two or three cargo ships each month with especially deep drafts, traveling only at night."

"My men once chased it for a while. The ship twisted and turned, finally slipping into Hei Wei Dang."

"Hei Wei Dang…" Xiao Ningxun silently notes the name.

Xiao Ran asks: "Have you ever heard of Qixiazi?"

"Qixiazi?" Luo Hongli ponders briefly, shakes her head, "Is that a Daoist title? I've never heard of him."

Xiao Ningxun pauses, then asks: "And Ningxiang Hall, Young Chief Luo, how much do you know?"

Luo Hongli startles: "Ningxiang Hall? That's a shop that sells cosmetics."

"The proprietor is a young widow named Tao E. She lives reclusively, and her goods are extraordinarily expensive, catering exclusively to the wives and daughters of wealthy families."

"I've heard nothing wrong with her. However, she's somewhat aloof and rarely deals with others."

Tuan Tuan suddenly lifts his head, his little nose twitches, and looks at Luo Hongli: "Sister Luo, why do you smell of medicine?"

Luo Hongli's expression darkens, her usual carefree air vanishes, revealing fatigue.

"Xiao Nannian, your nose is sharp," she sighs lightly, "To be frank, my father was secretly plotted against, severely wounded, and remains bedridden."

"I've hired every renowned doctor Jiangzhou Prefecture can summon, all to no avail."

"I attend to him daily, so I've absorbed the medicinal scent."

Tuan Tuan hops down from his seat, walks up to her: "Sister Luo, shall we go see if he's alright?"

Xiao Ningxun nods: "Since we're here to visit, it's only proper."

Luo Hongli hesitated for a moment: "Alright then, let's go take a look, it won't hurt."

She rose, leading everyone up to the third floor, and entered a room at the end of the hallway.

The room was filled with a strong scent of herbal medicine.

On the bed lay an old man with white hair and beard.

His eyes were tightly shut, his chest rising and falling slightly with each breath.

Luo Hongli walked to the bedside, gently tucked the blanket corner for her father, her eyes glistening with tears: "This is my father, Luo Zhenyue."

Several people stepped forward and examined closely.

Tuan Tuan curiously approached the bedside, looked up at the unconscious old grandfather, then glanced at Luo Hongli's tear-filled eyes.

Luo sister is so pitiful, her father is ill, she is very sad.

Tuan Tuan imitated her mother's manner, tiptoed, stretched out her little hand to touch Luo Zhenyue's forehead, and gently rubbed it.

Eh? Why is it cold here? Here too.

Tuan Tuan carefully pressed on Luo Zhenyue's forehead, slowly sliding to the temples, then the neck, all the way to the back of the neck.

Xiao Ningxun gently grasped her little wrist, shook his head, and said, "Tuan Tuan."

Tuan Tuan looked up at him: "Third Brother, the old grandfather's head has several spots that feel especially cold, like there are ice shards inside!"

Luo Hongli's breath caught: "What?"

Lu Qi's eyes flashed with brilliance, he exchanged a glance with Xiao Er, both simultaneously struck out, gathering internal energy at their fingertips, pressing toward the spot Tuan Tuan had just touched.

Their fingertips slid inch by inch, and both of their faces drastically changed.