The air around them seemed to freeze in that instant.
Song Luo watched the man's gaze turn as deep and cold as a frozen pond, and belatedly sensed a hint of danger. She hastily added two dry words: "It's fake."
Li Rongshang said nothing, merely sweeping his clear, cold eyes over her in a slow survey.
He seemed to have misjudged her—he had thought too highly of this little girl.
This girl was out of her mind.
Song Luo felt a twinge of guilt under his scrutiny, but at the thought of her brother's tragic death, she gritted her teeth and steadied herself.
She cleared her throat and began trying to convince him.
"Look, if you go be a mountain bandit, you'll be poor with no future, living every day on the edge of death.
Making a living by robbing homes and looting villages—not only is the reputation terrible, but you'd also be constantly looking over your shoulder."
"If the government ever sends a serious force and the soldiers wipe you out, you'd lose everything—even your life."
She paused, lifting her chin to make herself seem more confident: "In comparison, being my lover carries far less risk."
Li Rongshang watched her, watching those soft pink lips open and close, and only one phrase surfaced coldly in his mind: a silver tongue.
How could there be a woman in this world so shameless, yet so self-righteous?
She made the absurd idea of "pretending to be a lover" sound like a surefire, no-loss deal.
Li Rongshang withdrew his gaze, no longer having the patience to listen to her nonsense.
His thin lips parted slightly, and he coldly spat out two words.
"No."
Li Rongshang felt he was wasting his time—he might as well go back and keep following Song Nian.
With that, he rose to leave.
"Wait!"
Seeing Li Rongshang already out the door, Song Luo hastily dropped a few pieces of silver and chased after him.
"I can give you money." She followed behind him, her steps hurried. "Lots and lots of money—more than you'd earn robbing people on Wu Qishan in a whole year."
Li Rongshang didn't slow his pace.
Money? That was the last thing he lacked.
Seeing that Li Rongshang showed not the slightest sign of being tempted.
Song Luo immediately thought of her brother's tragic death. Her eyes reddened in an instant, tears welling up in them.
"I'm the legitimate daughter of the General's Manor—you won't lose out by being with me."
Li Rongshang stopped in his tracks once more. "Legitimate daughter of the General's Manor?"
Song Luo thought he was finally swayed, and quickly nodded. "My name is Song Luo, legitimate daughter of the General's Manor."
Li Rongshang considered it—if he stayed close to the General's legitimate daughter, he might actually be able to pry some useful information out of this naive little girl.
But then he reconsidered. The idea of being her lover was too absurd.
Li Rongshang asked, "Can I not do it? I could work as a menial servant at your manor instead."
That wouldn't do—their household had no shortage of servants.
She thought for a moment, and tears instantly streamed down her face. "I'm not asking you to actually do it—it's fake, just to make my brother angry."
The little girl's tears came on command, leaving Li Rongshang stunned.
He had no experience comforting people, and even less desire to comfort her.
Li Rongshang asked coldly, "Why make your brother angry?"
"My brother has fallen for a woman I don't like."
"I want him to spend every day just being angry, just scolding his shameless little sister. I want him so busy and frazzled that he has no time to meddle in other people's business!"
Li Rongshang faced her, a flicker of mockery passing through his eyes.
To get her brother's attention, she would ruin her own reputation without hesitation?
Song Nian really had a troublesome little sister.