Tiger Owl

Chapter 89 Purple Fairy Witch
In the afternoon, Gan Ning had just returned to his residence when he encountered Xiao Qiao rushing out with three female guards. Xiao Qiao's eyes lit up, and she jumped forward to hug Gan Ning's arm.

"Gan Lang, when did you get back?"

Gan Ning regretted agreeing to let her call him Gan Lang; she was still a little too young.

"You're back today. Where did you go?"

"I rescued a few orphans and gave them some clothes."

Gan Ning was taken aback. "Where did this orphan come from?"

“They were originally beggars in the city. I felt sorry for them, so I arranged a place for them to stay. It’s going to get cold soon, and they are still wearing only thin clothes. I went to bring them some thick clothes.”

Gan Ning was somewhat surprised, but he wasn't in a hurry to question Xiao Qiao. He said, "Go and come back quickly, don't linger outside. Leave Sangzhi here, I need to talk to you."

"I understand!" Xiao Qiao hurriedly got into the carriage with two female guards and left.

Gan Ning said to Sang Zhi, "Come with me!"

Sangzhi, unsure of what her master wanted to see her about, nervously followed Gan Ning to the study.

Gan Ning sat down and asked, "Tell me first, what's the story with the little beggar?"

Sangzhi sighed and said, "It happened the day before yesterday. Miss Qiao found three siblings outside the restaurant. They were about six or seven years old. Miss Qiao was going to give them some money and be done with it, but the beggar leader robbed them as soon as she gave them the money and even injured the eldest brother. The three siblings hugged each other and cried bitterly. In a fit of anger, Miss Qiao ordered us to beat the beggar leader up and drive him out of Nanchang City."

Later, it was discovered that the three siblings actually had a family, but their father had died, leaving behind a widow and her three children living in a dilapidated house. Their mother had fallen ill, and the three siblings relied on begging for a living.

"So Xiao Qiao helped them?"

Sangzhi nodded. "Miss Qiao asked a doctor to treat their mother and get medicine. She also bought them two bushels of rice. Today she is going to buy them some old clothes and bedding. Although Miss Qiao is sometimes a bit reckless, she has a really good heart."

"Tell me, how was she reckless?"

"Actually, it was only once! She went to watch the magistrate hear a case and felt that the magistrate was being unfair. She angrily cursed the magistrate on the spot, saying that he was either a muddle-headed official or had taken bribes and was making wrongful judgments. The magistrate knew her identity and had no choice but to adjourn the court and reschedule the trial for another day. This incident caused quite a stir and spread throughout the county."

So that's how it is. No wonder Lu Su complained to me.

"What else? Many powerful clans have also filed complaints against her. Why?"

"Miss Qiao likes to stand up for the weak. If she sees someone bullying the weak, she will take action. But she usually only targets scoundrels and thugs. She has never had any conflicts with powerful families!"

"Think again, something must have happened, otherwise people wouldn't call her the Purple Fairy Demoness behind her back."

Sangzhi thought for a moment and suddenly realized, "I remember now, it was ten days ago. She made us beat up a group of young gentlemen because they were rude and mocked our master, which angered Miss Qiao. Later, when they saw that the two Miss Qiaos were beautiful, they started to flirt with them and even touched them inappropriately. We beat them badly that time, and they were all knocked down."

Gan Ning was taken aback. "The madam is here too?"

Sangzhi hesitated for a moment, then quickly bowed and said, "This matter is quite serious. I originally intended to report to Master alone."

Hearing that the situation was serious, Gan Ning's expression turned stern. "Report now!"

"Follow the order!"

Sangzhi bowed and said, "The incident happened at Chaisang Restaurant. It happened to be Madam Yang's birthday that day. Madam Yang was celebrating her birthday with her mother and Miss Xiao Qiao at the restaurant. At that time, a group of young men next door were recklessly mocking and insulting the host."

What were they mocking me for?

Sangzhi sighed and said, "They said our master is a river pirate, and some other things... well, they said some really nasty things."

"Tell me what you said!" Gan Ning said with a stern face.

"They said...they said the master was a turtle wearing an official hat, putting on airs."

"and then?"

"Then Miss Qiao was so angry that she trembled all over and rushed over to curse them as a bunch of good-for-nothings. The lady ran to persuade Miss Qiao, but they found out that the sisters were beautiful, so they surrounded them and harassed them. They even sent more than twenty wicked servants to block the door and prevent us from rescuing them. Later, I jumped in through the window and saved the lady. The lady was almost humiliated."

Gan Ning narrowed his eyes to slits, a murderous glint in them. After a long pause, he asked again, "Besides this matter, are there any other conflicts with the scions of aristocratic families?"

"There's definitely none left, I assure my master."

Gan Ning then asked coldly, "Shopkeeper, you should know those scions of noble families, right?"

"It's possible; it's definitely not their first time here."

At this moment, Da Qiao entered with tea, and Sang Zhi bowed and withdrew.

"When did my husband return?" Da Qiao's beautiful eyes were filled with anticipation. Her husband had been away for half a month, and her neck was aching from waiting so long.

Da Qiao wrapped her arms around her husband's neck, sat in his lap, and said coquettishly, "You've been away for so many days, have you missed me?"

Gan Ning put his arm around her waist and laughed, "How could I not have thought about it? I was just thinking about coming back as soon as possible."

Gan Ning whispered a few words in her ear, and Da Qiao's face turned even redder. She nestled in his arms and acted coquettishly, but her beautiful eyes were full of joy.

After a brief moment of tenderness, Gan Ning asked, "Sangzhi just told me that you were bullied?"

Da Qiao's pretty face immediately turned red, and her eyes shot out anger. "A group of dignified scholars, how dare they utter such vulgar language? All their reading has gone to waste."

"Sangzhi said they even tried to touch me inappropriately?"

Da Qiao gritted her teeth and said, "Everyone else just talked big but didn't dare to actually do anything. Only the leading scholar was drunk. He grabbed my wrist and tried to pull me into his arms. I tried desperately to break free, but he was very strong and I couldn't get away no matter what I did. Luckily, A Yu was very fierce. She reached out and scratched his face, so he didn't succeed."

"And then?" Gan Ning pressed.

"Later, he rushed up and pushed Ayu away, then approached me. I was so scared that I backed away and accidentally fell. He tried to pounce on me, but I kicked him in the stomach. He became enraged and grabbed my hair, slamming my head against the wall. Just then, Sangzhi flew in through the window and punched him in the face, saving me in time. Otherwise, I would have been humiliated by this man."

Did he run into you?

"He grabbed my hair and slammed my head against the wall twice."

Gan Ning examined Da Qiao's forehead and noticed faint bruising. His expression immediately turned grim, and he coldly asked, "What's his name?"

"All I know is that his surname is Qi, and they all call him Young Master Qi."

"Didn't you tell her who you are?"

“I told him, I shouted, I am General Gan’s wife, don’t do anything reckless. Everyone else was scared and quietly backed away, but he stared at me like a mad dog and wouldn’t listen to me at all.”

"I know about this,"

Gan Ning nodded. "I'll talk to Xiao Qiao later. Don't worry, I won't scold her. Just sit next to her and don't say a word, okay?"

"I see!"

...........
Before long, Xiao Qiao returned. She went straight to Gan Ning's study and saw Gan Lang and his sister sitting there. She stepped forward and said with a smile, "I didn't disturb you, did I?"

Gan Ning pointed to the couch opposite him, "You sit down too!"

Seeing that Gan Lang's face was somewhat gloomy, Xiao Qiao sat down with unease in her heart.

"As soon as I got back today, someone complained to me that you're being called the Purple Fairy Demoness in Nanchang. Do you like that nickname?"

Xiao Qiao muttered, "I'm not a witch!"

“I’ve heard a lot about your deeds. Let’s divide it into four parts. First, you protected my reputation and my sister in the restaurant. Although you beat those scions of wealthy families badly, I’ll stand up for you. Anyone who dares to criticize you, I’ll deal with their whole family.”

Xiao Qiao's eyes lit up. If her older sister hadn't been there, she would have excitedly rushed into Gan Lang's arms.

Just as she was about to speak, Gan Ning waved his hand, "Don't rush, there will be a time for you to cry later!"

Xiao Qiao immediately deflated, but Gan Ning smiled and said, "In the second part, you did the right thing by helping orphans and helping the poor. I am very happy and I will reward you well later."

Xiao Qiao whispered, "Gan Lang, their father died in battle, leaving behind orphans and a widow. It's so pitiful. Let the government help them!"

Gan Ning was taken aback. "Their father was one of my soldiers?"

"Their father died in the Battle of Xiakou a few months ago. The government gave them land for the army, but their uncle forcibly seized it. The mother and her three children were driven out. Their mother fell ill at that time. They really had nothing and could only rely on their three children to beg for food to survive."

Gan Ning felt heavy-hearted. Xia Koushui had died in battle; those were his soldiers!

"I understand. I will send people to investigate tomorrow and help the mother and daughter get their belongings back."

Xiao Qiao was overjoyed and stood up to bow, saying, "Thank you for your righteousness, Gan Lang!"

Gan Ning pointed at her and said, "You just stand there and don't move. The remaining two parts are going to be a lot of criticism for you!"

Xiao Qiao pouted, looking unwilling.

(End of this chapter)