Chapter 15

"Chapter 15: Beating Up Aunt Qin, Avenging Ningning!"

Shen Ningning blinked her innocent eyes, "Grandpa, has the snake venom been cured?"

Mr. Fu Yuansong smiled kindly, "I went to the mountains to pay respects to my ancestors but was accidentally bitten by a venomous snake."

"Luckily, you found me and sucked out the poisoned blood in time. The doctor said it would have been too late any later. Without you, my old life would have been lost!"

Mrs. Chen stepped forward, "The county magistrate has been looking for you. He found out you were in Xiangyun Village when he saw me selling red berries."

However, Shen Ningning had not returned to the Qin family.

This morning, Mrs. Chen saw Aunt Qin leading a group of constables, saying they were going to the mountains to find Grandma Qin, and she knew Aunt Qin was doing it to capture Shen Ningning!

So, she hurried to the county to inform the magistrate.

Mr. Fu Yuansong took out the red berries, which he had not had the heart to eat.

Seeing this, the villagers finally understood that Shen Ningning indeed hadn't stolen anything!

Those red berries were hers to begin with!

Tears welled up in Shen Ningning's eyes as she realized the county magistrate had come to thank her.

Thus, in a soft, choked voice, the little one asked, "Grandpa, can you stand up for Ningning?"

"What wrongs have you suffered?" Fu Yuansong asked with concern.

Only then did he raise his head to notice that the small courtyard was filled with people.

There were tearful old women held back by their sons and daughters-in-law, several constables, as well as Mr. Du, the wealthy man, and his entourage.

Observing the dirt and disarray on Shen Ningning, Fu Yuansong's expression instantly turned cold.

He bent down to lift the little girl, addressing the crowd sternly, "What is going on here?"

Constable Wang took the opportunity to step forward and explain the situation succinctly.

Grandma Qin also volunteered the reasons behind it.

After hearing the whole story, Fu Yuansong, with a strong voice, bellowed, "How dare you!"

The villagers were so frightened that they knelt down.

"This is clearly a case of a wicked daughter-in-law tormenting a child and throwing her sick, injured mother onto the mountain, utterly heartless!"

"You don't believe the testimony of Lady Qin, and you're ready to put a four-year-old child in mortal danger. In my eyes, you are even worse than those wolves!"

Aunt Qin fell to her knees with a thud, begging for mercy, "Please spare our lives, Your Honor! Our family was really too poor to get by, or we wouldn't have abandoned the old lady! We wanted to bring her back to take good care of her!"

Fu Yuansong remained unmoved.

He looked at Shen Ningning, "Little benefactor, what do you think should be done with them?"

Shen Ningning's eyes, red and swollen, stared at Aunt Qin.

"Apologize to me and admit that you slandered me!" she said.

Fu Yuansong immediately fixed Aunt Qin with a stern gaze.

Aunt Qin felt incredibly aggrieved in her heart!

Bowing to this little orphan was more painful for her than death itself!

But under Fu Yuansong's pressure, she still sobbed and begged for mercy.

"Ningning, I was wrong. It was just a moment of folly that made me think of those sinister tricks. You didn't steal those things. I was just angered by your backtalk. But please, forgive me, considering we are still family, okay?"

The next second, Shen Ningning turned her head to look at Fu Yuansong.

Her voice was soft yet firm, "I also want her to be punished, to know how much pain I felt!"

Aunt Qin was so angry she nearly passed out.

She shrieked, "I apologized as you asked, why are you still holding this against me?!"

Fu Yuansong was both shocked and furious, "She's so malicious; did she often beat you?"

The villagers, who had been reluctant to speak up for Shen Ningning, now started to talk.

"Yes, she often beat the child. Sometimes we could hear Ningning crying from night till dawn."

"That's not all. Wang Guihong is notoriously fierce in our village. When Ningning was three, she made her wash clothes, or else she would beat her mercilessly."

"Several times the child was beaten till her skin split open. When she got angry, she would even lock up Grandma Qin and forbid us to speak for Ningning, or she would curse us too."

Mrs. Chen testified, "All of this is true. I personally saw Aunt Qin throw the half-paralyzed Grandma Qin onto the mountain."

"This is outrageous!" Fu Yuansong had never seen such a vicious woman.

He immediately ordered, "Punish Wang Guihong with a hundred lashes, and her husband too, for condoning evil and disrespecting his mother, also a hundred lashes! Both are guilty of heinous crimes, to be imprisoned immediately for a month to serve as an example!"

Aunt Qin collapsed to the ground in terror.

Prison? She had never been imprisoned before!

She looked at Mr. Du, crying, "Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law, you must save me!"

Mr. Du's face turned ugly, struggling to maintain his dignity.

He had thought today would be the end of Shen Ningning, but who could have expected the county magistrate to intervene.

Mr. Du, swallowing his pride, stepped forward to negotiate, "Your Honor, regarding Wang Guihong..."

He hadn't even finished speaking when the county magistrate lost his temper.

"Mr. Du, you previously donated grain and were graciously appointed as an official. You should cherish this fortune."

"As an official, you must discern right from wrong. Regardless of your relationship with this person, you shouldn't shield them. This matter ends here; I do not wish to hear any pleas for anyone!"

"Moreover, little Miss Shen is my benefactor. I will personally ensure her welfare!"

Fu Yuansong remained adamant, leaving Mr. Du no room to argue.

He could only shake off Aunt Qin's clinging hands and gloomily mount his carriage to leave.

The villagers of Xiangyun Village were somewhat stunned.

When Mr. Du usually visited their village, wasn't he always arrogant and commanding?

To flee like a rat in such a manner was truly unprecedented!

Shen Ningning looked towards the villagers.

Those who had falsely testified for Aunt Qin hastily departed.

Fearing that Shen Ningning might ask the county magistrate to punish them too.

Aunt Qin and Uncle Qin were dragged away, wailing in despair.

"Mother! You can't abandon me! Mother!" Uncle Qin looked at Grandma Qin, trying to plead for her intervention.

But Grandma Qin, heartbroken by her son's actions, closed her eyes and wept silently.

Constable Wang also bowed and left with his officers.

The crowd dispersed like scared birds and animals.

Only then did Fu Yuansong set Shen Ningning down.

"Child, is there anything else you want?" he asked kindly.

The little one's long lashes fluttered, her appearance pure and endearing.

"Grandpa has already taught those bad people a lesson, I don't want anything else."

Fu Yuansong smiled, "You saved my life; how could I only help you with this small matter?"

Saying this, he looked up and scanned the surroundings.

"How about this, I'll send people to repair your house and build a bigger one for you, so you and your granny can live comfortably, would that be good?"

This was a blessing that others would beg for.

But upon hearing this, Shen Ningning gently shook her head.

"I want to live back in the mountains, with the wolves."

No matter how well furnished, this house here was not her home.

Fu Yuansong had also heard about her living with the wolf pack.

Hearing this, he hesitated slightly: "Then..."

Shen Ningning suddenly looked up and asked proactively, "Grandfather, I want to study. Could you send me a few books?"

After today's events, the little girl had fully realized.

She had no parents to rely on, only herself.

By studying, she could understand many things and become strong enough to protect the wolves and Granny.

Fu Yuansong immediately nodded in approval, "Of course, there’s no problem. But if you haven't studied before, learning on your own will be challenging."

After a moment's thought, he said, "Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll send someone to pick you up on the first day of next month."

"I serve as an official near the capital, in Guangyang County, and have some connections. There's a good private school there, and I can recommend you for admission."

"You needn’t worry about food and lodging, as the school will provide for it. Study for two days, rest for four, which is also enough time for you to return here, keep company with your wolf pack, and care for your grandmother. How does that sound?"

Such a great opportunity!

Shen Ningning was overjoyed.

She quickly said, "Thank you, Magistrate Grandfather!"

Fu Yuansong laughed heartily, speaking affectionately, "I feel a special connection with you, child. From now on, just call me Grandfather Fu."

Granny Qin staggered over to kowtow to the county magistrate, but Fu Yuansong stopped her.

"Your granddaughter is very brave and kind. She was willing to suck out the snake venom for me, a stranger, which is truly noble! So, anything I do in return is only proper."

As the hour was getting late, Fu Yuansong finished speaking and bid farewell to the grandmother and granddaughter.

Shen Ningning and Granny Qin, having gone through trials, supported each other as they prepared to leave.

Just then, Old Lady Chen called out to them.

"Ningning... Granny, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Dear readers, please rate Ningning and leave good reviews. Ningning's rating has dropped TUT my poor fourth treasure."