Chapter 158: I Just Can't Stand People Showing Off Like That

"You certainly have a sharp tongue! Would you dare speak to us like that if the magistrate's officers were here?"

Yet Zhang Xiaolan was not intimidated in the slightest. Fueled by anger at their overbearing arrogance, she continued to spar with them merely to stall for time.

"There is no need for the young lady to concern herself with that. Just come keep me and my brothers company with a drink, and join this little singing girl for some fun—I guarantee you won't regret it!"

The scarred man did not seem the least bit worried about the authorities. Instead, he made a lewd and provocative remark to Zhang Xiaolan, making it plain that his malicious desires were far from small.

In truth, he felt quite secure. Although he could see she was dressed in fine attire, the scarred man had powerful backing that shielded him from any collusion between officials and merchants; otherwise, he would never have dared to act so lawlessly and tyrannically within the capital.

"I think you lack the fortune for that." Just as the scarred man was insolently harassing Zhang Xiaolan, another commanding and stern rebuke rang out. This proved far more effective, causing the scarred man to scan the crowd for the speaker.

Li Rui was mounted on a tall, fine steed. From a distance, he had spotted the congested crowd gathered to watch the spectacle. Originally, he had no intention of meddling and simply meant to find the local jurisdiction and leave it at that, but upon catching a familiar voice from afar, he had hurried over.

"Brother Li, what are you doing here?" Zhang Xiaolan was the first to spot Li瑞 and called out to him excitedly, waving her arms.

"That is the question I should be asking you." By now, Li Rui had dismounted and walked up to Zhang Xiaolan, casting a somewhat reproachful look her way. He shuddered to think that if he had been careless and failed to show up, Zhang Xiaolan would surely have been bullied.

"And who the hell are you, boy? Think you're somebody special just because you're sitting on a horse? If you know what's good for you, get lost and don't interfere with your grandfather's business!"

Regaining his composure, the scarred man roared even louder at Li Rui. Small wonder, really—how could a man of his ilk have ever laid eyes on a prince? He was only ever capable of terrorizing helpless commoners, and he continued to shout his threats with an arrogant swagger.

"Hmph! We'll soon see who is the one getting lost!"

Seeing that this suicidal scarred man remained utterly brazen, Li Rui adopted an even more majestic and stern stance to face him.

Zhang Xiaolan stared at Li Rui with eyes full of wonder. She had never seen him project such an imposing aura, and her heart began to flutter uncontrollably. She found herself utterly captivated by such a domineering man.

"Hey—I simply can't stand people showing off like this. Does your little punk-ass even know who is protecting us? I'll give you a name that'll scare you half to death!"

Hearing Li Rui take that tone truly provoked the scarred man's temper. As the tyrant of this neighborhood, how could he tolerate someone else acting so loftily in front of him?

He wanted to drop the name of his powerful benefactor to terrify his opponent, but in the end, the name never left his lips. No matter how one listened, it sounded entirely like empty bluster and posturing.

"No matter whose protection you have, it will do you no good. Since you dare to run amok here, I am going to turn you in to the yamen today to face justice."

Li Rui had originally waited for him to name his backer so they could settle all accounts at once. Street bullies who preyed on the common folk were a scourge that needed clearing out, and today he would punish the wicked, uphold the good, and drag this scoundrel off to rot in a deep prison.

"Don't talk big! If you little bastard doesn't crawl between my legs right now and beg your granddaddy for mercy, don't even think about walking out of here alive."

The scarred man spoke with utter arrogance, stepping forward to stand face-to-face with Li Rui in a defiant challenge of pure bravado.

He still had not realized that catastrophe was about to befall him. Within the imperial capital, regardless of whose backing someone possessed, Li Rui feared no one. Not only would he intervene today, but he vowed to sweep up their entire gang in one fell swoop before long.

"You certainly possess a grand tone, but such insolence will not be tolerated here."

A cold sneer crossed Li Rui's face as he moved with lightning speed. In barely two exchanges, he had seized the scarred man—who had been acting so fiercely just a moment before—and twisted both of his arms behind his back.

A wave of gasps rippled through the gathered crowd. Everyone murmured in admiration, praising Li Rui for having some serious skills. It seemed the singing father and daughter were saved after all, and the onlookers watched the beaten scarred man with joyful expressions of righteous indignation.