Chapter 89: Purple Immortal Demoness
In the afternoon, Gan Ning had just returned to his manor when he met Xiao Qiao hurrying out with three female guards. Xiao Qiao’s bright eyes lit up, and she leaped forward to hug Gan Ning’s arm.
“Gan Lang, when did you return?”
Gan Ning regretted agreeing to let her call him Gan Lang; she was still too young.
“I returned today. Where are you going?”
“I rescued some orphans and am taking them some clothes.”
Gan Ning was startled. “Where did these orphans come from?”
“They were originally street beggars inside the city. I saw they were very pitiful, so I arranged a place for them to stay. It’s going to get cold soon, and they are still wearing thin clothes. I’m going to bring them some warm clothes.”
Gan Ning was a little surprised. He didn’t rush to question Xiao Qiao and said, “Go and come back quickly. Don’t linger outside. Sang Zhi, stay behind; I need to talk to you.”
“I know!” Xiao Qiao, with two female guards, got into a carriage and left in a hurry.
Gan Ning said to Sang Zhi, “Follow me!”
Sang Zhi didn’t know why her master was looking for her and nervously followed Gan Ning into the study.
Gan Ning sat down and asked, “First, tell me about these street beggars.”
Sang Zhi sighed. “It happened the day before yesterday. Miss Qiao found three siblings outside the restaurant. They looked about six or seven years old. Miss Qiao was going to give them some money and leave it at that, but as soon as she gave them the money, the beggar chief snatched it away and also injured the eldest of the three siblings. The three siblings cried bitterly. Miss Qiao, in a fit of anger, ordered us to beat up the beggar chief and drive him out of Nanchang City.”
“Later, it turned out that the three siblings actually had a family, but their father had died, leaving only the widowed mother and her four children. They lived in a dilapidated shack, and their mother fell ill. They relied on the three siblings begging for a living.”
“So Xiao Qiao helped them?”
Sang Zhi nodded. “Miss Qiao asked a physician to treat their mother and prescribe medicine, bought them two piculs of rice, and today she was going to buy them some old clothes and bedding. Although Miss Qiao can be a bit rash sometimes, her heart is truly kind.”
“Tell me, how is she rash?”
“Actually, it only happened once! She went to watch the county magistrate try a case and felt that the magistrate’s judgment was unfair. She immediately cursed the magistrate as a muddle-headed official, saying that he must have taken bribes and was wrongly judging cases. The magistrate, knowing her identity, had no choice but to declare the court adjourned and reschedule the trial for another day. This incident caused quite a stir and spread throughout the county.”
So that’s how it was. No wonder Lu Su complained to me.
“Is there anything else? Many powerful families also filed complaints against her, why?”
“Miss Qiao likes to stand up for the weak. When she sees someone bullying the weak, she intervenes. However, these were generally scoundrels and ruffians, and she didn’t have any conflicts with powerful families or noble families!”
“Think again, something must have happened, otherwise people wouldn’t call her the Purple Immortal Demoness behind her back.”
Sang Zhi thought for a moment and suddenly realized. “I remember now, it was about ten days ago. She made us beat up a group of young masters because those young masters had spoken disrespectfully and mocked the master first, which angered Miss Qiao. Later, they saw that the two Miss Qiaos were beautiful and started to tease them, even touching them. They were beaten quite badly that time; they were all knocked down.”
Gan Ning was startled. “Madam was also there?”
Sang Zhi hesitated for a moment, then bowed quickly. “This matter is quite serious. Subordinate originally intended to report to Master alone.”
Hearing that the situation was serious, Gan Ning’s gaze became stern. “Report now!”
“Yes, sir!”
Sang Zhi bowed and said, “It happened at the Chaisang Restaurant. That day was Madam Yang’s birthday. Madam was celebrating her birthday at the restaurant with her mother and Miss Xiao Qiao. At the time, a group of young masters in the next room were shamelessly mocking and insulting the master.”
“What did they mock me about?”
Sang Zhi sighed. “They said the master was a river bandit, and some other things… anyway, they said very unpleasant things.”
“What did they say? Tell me!” Gan Ning said with a dark expression.
“They said… they said the master was a turtle wearing an official hat, pretending.”
“And then?”
“Then Miss Xiao Qiao was so angry she trembled all over and rushed over to curse them as a bunch of useless gluttons. Madam ran over to persuade Miss Qiao. Unexpectedly, they discovered the sisters were beautiful and surrounded them to tease them. They also sent over twenty ruffians to block the door, not allowing us to help. Later, I jumped in through the window and rescued Madam. Madam was almost insulted.”
Gan Ning narrowed his eyes, a murderous glint flashing within them. After a pause, he asked again, “Besides this, were there any other conflicts with the young masters of noble families?”
“Definitely not. I guarantee it to Master.”
Gan Ning asked coldly, “The shopkeeper must recognize those young masters, right?”
“Possibly. They certainly weren’t here for the first time.”
Just then, Da Qiao came in with tea. Sang Zhi bowed and retreated.
“Husband, when did you return?”
Da Qiao’s beautiful eyes were filled with emotion. Her husband had been away for half a month, and her neck had grown sore from waiting.
Da Qiao hugged her husband’s neck and sat in his arms, acting spoiled. “You were away for so many days, did you miss me?”
Gan Ning put his arm around her waist and smiled, “How could I not miss you? I just wanted to come back quickly.”
Gan Ning whispered a few words in her ear, and Da Qiao’s face turned even redder. She nestled in his arms, acting spoiled, but her beautiful eyes were filled with joy.
After the two of them lingered affectionately for a moment, Gan Ning finally asked, “Sang Zhi just told me that you were bullied?”
Da Qiao’s pretty face immediately turned red, and anger shot from her eyes. “A whole group of scholars actually spoke such vulgar words. They must have studied their books to a dog’s belly.”
“Sang Zhi said they also touched you?”
Da Qiao gritted her teeth. “The others just took advantage with their mouths, they didn’t dare to act. Only the leader, a scholar, who was drunk, grabbed my wrist and tried to pull me into his embrace. I struggled desperately to break free from his hand, but he was very strong, and I couldn’t get away. Fortunately, A Yu was fierce. She reached out and scratched that person’s face, and only then did he fail.”
“And then?” Gan Ning pressed.
“Then he rushed forward again and pushed A Yu away, moving towards me. I was so scared I retreated and accidentally fell. He tried to pounce on me, but I kicked him in the lower abdomen. He then became enraged and grabbed my hair, slamming my head against the wall. Just then, Sang Zhi flew in from outside the window and punched him in the face, rescuing me in time. Otherwise, I would have been insulted by this person.”
“Did he touch you?”
“He grabbed my hair and slammed my head against the wall, twice.”
Gan Ning examined Da Qiao’s forehead; there was still a faint bruise. His expression immediately turned very grim, and he asked coldly, “What was his name?”
“I only know his surname is Qi. They all called him Young Master Qi.”
“Didn’t you tell him who you are?”
“I did. I shouted, ‘I am General Gan’s wife, don’t mess with me!’ Everyone else was scared and quietly retreated, but he stared at me like a mad dog and didn’t listen at all.”
“I understand this matter.”
Gan Ning nodded. “I’ll talk to Xiao Qiao later. Don’t worry, I won’t scold her. You just sit next to me and don’t say anything, okay?”
“I understand!”
…..
Not long after, Xiao Qiao returned. She went directly to Gan Ning’s study and saw Gan Lang and Elder Sister both sitting there. She stepped forward and smiled, “I’m not disturbing you, am I!”
Gan Ning pointed to a divan opposite him. “Sit down too!”
Xiao Qiao saw that Gan Lang’s expression was somewhat somber and sat down uneasily.
“As soon as I returned today, someone complained to me, saying that you are called the Purple Immortal Demoness in Nanchang City. Do you like this nickname?”
Xiao Qiao pouted. “I’m not a demoness!”
“I’ve heard many of your deeds. We will discuss them in four parts. The first part is you defending my reputation in the restaurant and protecting Elder Sister. Although you beat those young masters of noble families badly, I will support you in this matter. Whoever dares to criticize you, I will deal with their entire family.”
Xiao Qiao’s bright eyes lit up. If Elder Sister weren’t nearby, she would have excitedly leaped into Gan Lang’s arms.
Just as she was about to speak, Gan Ning raised his hand. “Don’t rush. There will be times for you to cry later!”
Xiao Qiao immediately deflated. Gan Ning smiled again. “The second part is you helping orphans and supporting the poor. You did the right thing, and I am very happy. I will reward you properly later.”
Xiao Qiao whispered, “Gan Lang, their father died in battle, leaving behind a widowed mother and children, which is very pitiful. Can the government help them!”
Gan Ning was startled. “Was their father one of my soldiers?”
“Their father died in the naval battle at Xiakou a few months ago. The government gave them military fields, but their uncle forcibly occupied them, and the mother and children were driven out. Their mother fell ill at that time. They truly had nothing and could only rely on the three children to beg for food.”
Gan Ning felt a heavy weight in his heart. Died in the naval battle at Xiakou, those were his soldiers!
“I understand. I will send people to investigate tomorrow and will also help them reclaim their property.”
Xiao Qiao was overjoyed and stood up to bow. “Thank you, Gan Lang, for your righteousness!”
Gan Ning pointed at her. “You stand here and don’t move. The remaining two parts are for severely criticizing you!”
Xiao Qiao pouted, looking very unwilling.
