Tiger Owl

Chapter 59 Moving into a new home
The Yuzhang Prefectural Governor's Mansion has changed hands several times in recent years, and even Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang once lived here. Zhou Yu's uncle, Zhou Shu, was one of the governors.

After Zhou Shu's death, Zhuge Liang's uncle, Zhuge Xuan, was appointed as the governor of Yuzhang by Yuan Shu. Later, Zhuge Xuan was won over by Liu Biao and surrendered to him. Considering that Yuzhang was not safe, he sent Zhuge Liang and his brother to live in Xiangyang.

Later, Zhuge Xuan was forced to commit suicide by Liu Yao. After Liu Yao's death, Hua Xin became the governor of Yuzhang, followed by Sun Ben.

The governor's mansion was expanded once by Liu Yao, with the residential area alone expanding to twenty acres. Liu Yao paid special attention to security, and the surrounding wall was twenty-five feet high, making it difficult even for highly skilled martial artists to climb over.

Gan Ning arranged for Yang and her two daughters to live in the west courtyard of the rear residence. The west courtyard covered an area of ​​three acres and was previously the residence of Sun Fu and his concubine. The houses and courtyards were decorated very elegantly, which pleased Yang very much.

Gan Ning also assigned them several maids, all of whom were left over from the original residence. These maids were government slaves, and no matter who was the prefect, they were their masters.

There are more than twenty maids and servants in the mansion. Now they have a new master, who is said to be a very powerful young warlord, which makes them all very worried and afraid.

The previous owners were all gentle and refined middle-aged scholars. They were terrified of encountering a cruel and ruthless master. Beating and scolding were the least of their worries; if the master killed them on a whim, there would be no way to seek justice.

The maids and servants were all uneasy, but Madam Yang felt a different kind of unease. She had discovered today that the two inner maids in the main courtyard were both young and beautiful women. She was worried that they might steal her daughter's place.

Yang immediately made a decision to have her eldest daughter move to the main courtyard.

"Mother, I don't want to move there. Can't I stay in the west courtyard?" Da Qiao was embarrassed to move in with Gan Ning.

“You’re such a blockhead. Didn’t you see the two maids in his courtyard? They’re about your age and pretty. General Gan is young and promising. Do you think they won’t be tempted? Once the courtyard gate is closed at night, who knows what might happen? Listen to your mother, you should move in there. Then they won’t dare to do anything reckless.”

Madam Yang was an experienced woman, and she knew very well that with Gan Ning's conditions, he would definitely be the target of countless women. Two maids would definitely climb into his bed. Her daughter was a silly goose, and she didn't even know that her man had been taken away.

"Mother, General Gan might not agree!"

“Oh! How could he disagree? What do you think he’s taking care of us, mother and daughter? We’re no relatives, he just wants to take you two sisters. Your sister is still young, so he won’t take her in for now, but you’re different. You’re his woman. Even if he doesn’t touch you for now, your status is already set. Listen to your mother, move in today, understand?”

Da Qiao nodded gently, "Then I'll ask him first!"

..........
Gan Ning has been extremely busy lately, visiting various prominent families with Lu Su. Although everyone was very polite, Gan Ning felt that he was still lacking a little bit of recognition.

He did not have the noble family background of Huang Zu, nor the four generations of high officials of Yuan Shu, nor the imperial family background of Liu Biao, nor the widespread recognition of the Sun family of Jiangdong.

He came from a humble background and even had a despicable past as a river pirate, so although he is now the new ruler of Yuzhang, he still lacks a little bit of help to gain the general recognition of the upper echelons of Yuzhang.

Gan Ning then realized the importance of legitimacy that Cao Cao had mentioned. If he was the Prefect of Yuzhang appointed by the court, then his background and experience would be completely unimportant.

Lu Su sighed slightly, "My lord, we still need to write a letter to Cao Cao. He is probably still waiting for your explanation about Pengze County. Getting the appointment from the court is the key."

Gan Ning nodded, "I'll send someone to deliver a message to Xuchang first thing tomorrow morning!"

Gan Ning returned to his residence and had just sat down in the study when Da Qiao brought in a cup of tea.

Gan Ning hadn't seen her for a long time, and seeing the beautiful woman's charming smile instantly dispelled most of his gloom.

"How is it? Are you satisfied with your accommodation?"

Da Qiao said somewhat shyly, "It feels much bigger and more refined than the one in Chaisang. I really like it here."

Gan Ning spread out the letter paper, only to find there was no ink, so he smiled and asked, "Do you know how to grind ink?"

"meeting!"

Da Qiao skillfully poured some water into the inkwell and slowly ground the ink stick.

"Read a book?"

Da Qiao nodded gently, "Although Father is a military general, he still did his best to let my sister and me study. It is thanks to studying for a few years that I have come to understand many things." Da Qiao blushed and whispered, "My mother said that there is no one to take care of your daily life here, General, so she wants me to move here. Is it convenient for you, General?"

"What about you? Do you want to move here?" Gan Ning asked with a smile.

Da Qiao blushed and nodded slightly.

Gan Ning was delighted and took her hand, saying, "Come with me, I'll find you a place."

Da Qiao let him hold her hand, her heart filled with sweetness.

Gan Ning led her into the courtyard of his bedroom, which was opposite the study. There was a row of seven houses in front of the courtyard, but only one main entrance.

Upon entering the room, one finds the living room in the center, with a water clock placed on a shelf against the wall in front.

There is a door on each side of the living room.

Gan Ning pointed to the door on the left and said, "There are three empty rooms here. You can tidy up and stay here. I'll stay across the street."

Da Qiao thought they would live together, but it turned out they would live on opposite sides. She didn't know whether to be happy or disappointed.

Gan Ning gently pulled her into his arms and whispered, "When you're two years older, we can live together."

Da Qiao suddenly understood Gan Ning's kindness. Her nose tingled, and a warm current flowed into her heart. She bit her lip and whispered, "I'll wait for that day!"

Gan Ning kissed her forehead. "Go pack your things and move over!"

Da Qiao blushed and lowered her head, saying, "I still need to grind ink for the general!"

Gan Ning laughed heartily, "I had forgotten about it if you hadn't mentioned it. But we can grind ink together tonight. First, get me some food, then pack your things and move over. I'll write the letter tonight!"

..........
As night fell, Da Qiao brought hot water for Gan Ning to soak his feet, and then untied his hair bun, laughing, "It's obvious that the general tied it himself, so sloppy. I'll comb it for him in the morning from now on!"

Gan Ning reached out and put his arm around her slender waist, laughing, "Then you'll have to get up early!"

Da Qiao gently tapped Gan Ning's head with her comb and smiled, "Do you think I'm lazy? I get up before dawn every day and help my mother with many things. I've even gone outside the city to collect firewood."

"You're still going to chop wood?"

"I didn't chop anything! I couldn't possibly chop anything. I just went to collect branches. I took my sister with me to collect branches. At that time, Father died in battle, and the family had no income or savings. We had to dismiss all the servants and move to a small house. We didn't have money to buy firewood, so we had to collect firewood ourselves and also glean wheat ears from the fields!"

"What a pitiful child!"

Gan Ning simply picked her up and sat her on his lap, kissed her little face and said, "I won't let you suffer anymore."

Da Qiao buried her pretty face in his chest, feeling extremely shy, but she couldn't bear to run away.

Just then, her hand accidentally touched something, and she was stunned for a moment. What was this? She gently squeezed it, and Gan Ning chuckled.

She suddenly realized what was happening, and her face turned bright red with embarrassment. Unable to contain her shame any longer, she jumped up and ran back to her room.

Gan Ning laughed heartily from behind.

She leaned against the wall, blushing and covering her face with her hands. Her heart was pounding; she had actually pinched it herself—how embarrassing!

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(End of this chapter)