But how do we manage it?
“Don’t be so pessimistic. There’s still hope. At least the three of you are still alive, aren’t you? Madam, don’t talk about dying with Xue’er. If you two die, it will be the same as driving your son Nie Qing to his death,” Hong Xiaoduo advised.
“Young lady, it’s not that I’m pessimistic, but there’s really no other way out. I know my son is innocent, but I can’t save him. I know the eldest son’s family is trying to seize our property, but I can’t put up any resistance.”
"I'm such a useless person, living such a wretched and pathetic life is just suffering. I'd rather be dead." The more Shen spoke, the more desperate she became.
Hong Xiaoduo couldn't stand it anymore, so he stood up and paced back and forth in the already cramped space.
Seeing her irritable expression, the beggar standing at the entrance couldn't help but step back.
Seeing her like this, the Shen mother and daughter momentarily forgot their sadness and grief.
Hong Xiaoduo suddenly stopped and turned to look at the mother and daughter by the bed: "I have an idea. Why don't you give it a try? It might be a turning point for your family of three."
However, this matter…
"Young lady, please tell us your idea. We're willing to try anything, no matter how small the chance." Madam Shen's tone of voice changed with excitement.
The beggars nearby also pricked up their ears, wanting to hear what good idea the increasingly agitated young woman had come up with to help the poor mother and daughter.
It should be noted that this mother and daughter, a family of three, are all kind-hearted. Whether they beg at someone's home or by their side, they are never looked down upon, never scolded, and never leave empty-handed.
The food that Shen always gave her was never like the leftovers given by other wealthy families. Although it wasn't fancy or high-end food, it was always clean and fresh.
In winter, he would also order his servants to deliver new cotton-padded clothes.
And then there's Young Master Nie. When he begs for money, he never throws it on the ground like other wealthy people do; instead, he places it directly into their hands.
Therefore, everyone in the gang knew that this family of three was kind-hearted. Otherwise, the gang leader would not have inadvertently learned that the eldest branch of the Nie family was plotting to harm the mother and daughter, and would not have arranged for them to keep a close watch on them and wait for an opportunity to rescue them.
The people were rescued, but apart from providing them with food and lodging, there was nothing else we could do to help them.
Now that someone says they can help this family, that's wonderful.
Under the expectant gazes of the Shen mother and daughter, Hong Xiaoduo took a deep breath: "Do you dare to go to the capital to file a complaint? In any case, you two can't show your faces here now, and you have no relatives to turn to."
"First, exonerate Nie Qing. Once he returns, you and your daughter will have someone to rely on, and reclaiming the family property won't be difficult. If the person who framed him is indeed from the eldest branch of the Nie family, things will be even simpler. His case will be overturned, the person who framed him will naturally be punished, and the stolen family property can be easily recovered."
"Young lady, I want to appeal for my son's innocence and have his case overturned, but I don't know any officials in this matter. Is it feasible?" Madam Shen was uncertain.
“That’s no problem. I can introduce you to a high-ranking official in the capital. All you need to do is be determined and have the courage to do it,” Hong Xiaoduo told her confidently.
A high-ranking official? The mother and daughter, along with the beggar beside them, were all taken aback. They thought that no matter how high the official's rank, as long as he was working in the capital, he should be able to handle this matter!
"I am determined, as long as I can help Qing'er overturn her case and clear her name," Shen said with a resolute look in her eyes.
Hong Xiaoduo nodded, "That's good."
"You're probably not fit to travel right now, since it's already winter. Rest well for the next couple of days and get your strength back before you set off. After all, it's a long way from here to the capital."
"Also, you probably don't have much money left for your journey, right?" Hong Xiaoduo thought of another question.
"Young lady, our gang leader should be able to help with the travel expenses," a beggar nearby couldn't help but say.
"Leader? You are... the Beggars' Sect?" Hong Xiaoduo blurted out.
The beggar nodded, "Yes!"
"Wow, there's a Beggars' Sect here!" Hong Xiaoduo immediately thought of Hong Qigong, the leader of the Beggars' Sect, from the martial arts dramas she used to watch.
"Does your gang leader have a dog-beating stick?" Hong Xiaoduo asked again.
The beggar was a little confused by the question; weren't they just talking about something very serious?
“Our leader doesn’t have a dog-beating stick, but some of us do use it,” the beggar replied to her question.
In the gang, only those who are afraid of dogs carry dog-beating sticks. The gang leader, who is not afraid of vicious dogs, doesn't need to carry those things at all.
Upon hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo realized that she had gone off-topic and was overthinking things.
"Madam, this matter is settled. You should eat well and rest. I'll go back and make more careful plans." After saying this, Hong Xiaoduo walked out.
Madam Shen hurriedly agreed, but dared not let her daughter go to see the person off in her place.
As Hong Xiaoduo walked, she pondered the matter. When she returned to the front yard, the beggar who had led the way immediately told the gang leader, Uncle Zhou, what he had overheard.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Bo ordered someone to make tea.
Hong Xiaoduo didn't even need anyone to ask her to stay; she simply sat back down in the same chair.
"Did you just find out you're the gang leader?" Hong Xiaoduo asked first.
Zhou Bo laughed and said, "I don't know who just casually said that, but now I'm the gang leader. I just learned that you want to help that Shen family. I'll take care of the travel expenses. If there's anything else you need me to do, young lady, please just say the word."
"Travel expenses? Your Beggars' Sect is so rich?" Hong Xiaoduo asked with a smile.
Uncle Zhou shook his head and smiled: "Young lady is from out of town and doesn't know about me. I wasn't originally a beggar. When I was young, I was doing business outside, but because I trusted my fellow villagers, I was swindled out of everything. After I returned home, my wife saw that she couldn't live a wealthy life with me, so she made a fuss about divorce, and I gave in to her wishes."
My relatives were all sycophantic and domineering, which I found utterly tiresome. So I sold my old house, moved here, and bought this place. I took in some kind-hearted beggars, providing them with shelter, and that's how I ended up like this.
Although I am not exactly rolling in money now, I can still afford to provide the travel expenses for the Shen mother and daughter to go to the capital.
After hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo realized that this person had a story to tell!
"You can keep your money, but you don't need to take this travel money. I'll find a way to get the eldest branch of the Nie family to come up with it. Why not use the money of a villain?"
"As for other things to help with, does your subordinate have any reliable, clever people who have been to the capital and know kung fu?" Hong Xiaoduo asked.
"Does the young lady want me to provide a bodyguard to escort the mother and daughter to the capital? No problem, I have someone under my command who meets the requirements." Uncle Zhou immediately agreed.
"Alright, I'll go back and think about it some more. Goodbye..."
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