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Chapter 320: Chapter 322 Your snake?_1
"Lord Qin, Lady Qin," Qiao Duo’er and Tan Zhenghong greeted them respectfully.
Qin Longyun gave a faint smile, "No need for such formalities, you are Yi Fan’s sister, so naturally you are my friend."
He knew Bai Yifan’s intentions, but to be the sister of Qin Longyun was not an easy title to hold.
All he could say was not to rush, if she is worthy, there will be time to acknowledge her later.
"Duo’er, I am a few years older than you, you can call me sister," said Chen Yiling in a soft and delicate voice.
Qiao Duo’er readily nodded, "Then I shall respectfully comply."
Lord and Lady Qin were very polite, but there was a hint of distance in their manners, which was all within Qiao Duo’er’s expectations.
After all, it was their first meeting, and being too intimate would make one feel uneasy.
She had never intended to easily recognize a new older brother; as long as she wasn’t made to kneel during the legal proceedings, that was enough.
As for the rest, they would interact in the future. If they got along well, they could form a heartfelt bond, but if they could not get along, then their relationship would end there.
This was the way of noble friendships, where everything would follow the heart, without being forced or fake.
Bai Yifan invited them to sit down and personally poured them tea.
Qin Longyun went straight to the point, "Yi Fan, have you encountered some trouble?"
Bai Yifan did not beat around the bush and spoke straightforwardly, "Someone purchased a Silver Ring Snake from Wu Cheng, attempting to use it to harm people."
This was all he could investigate; the rest was up to Lord County Magistrate to take action.
Qin Longyun furrowed his brows, the Silver Ring Snake’s venom was potent, and such matters could not be ignored.
"Lord Qin, there is another matter for which I would like to ask for your assistance," said Tan Zhenghong as he stood in front of Qin Longyun with hands folded in salute.
Qin Longyun nodded, "Speak, let me hear it."
"It is rather embarrassing to say that the mastermind behind this plot was targeting my wife and I. However, my second brother was bitten by the snake when he intruded uninvited, aiming to take my wife’s hairpin. Now, the hairpin has been retrieved, but he has yet to recognize his mistake. I ask for your help to give him a warning."
Tan Zhenghong was very candid; he saw this as an opportunity for a minor chastisement to serve as a warning.
If he grew too bold, he might steal from others, and that would ruin his life.
Qin Longyun squinted, "Do you have evidence?"
"At the time, my wife found the Silver Hairpin on him, and the doctor from Big Willow Village also witnessed it."
After mulling it over, Qin Longyun said, "I will conduct a private interrogation regarding this matter."
"Thank you, my lord," Tan Zhenghong thanked him again.
With Qin Longyun involved, the matter was handled smoothly, and within half an hour, they were in the court hall.
Qin Longyun first ordered that Wu Cheng be brought up for questioning.
"Wu Cheng, do you recognize this snake?"
Qin Longyun had someone bring the tray in front of Wu Cheng.
Wu Cheng’s complexion changed drastically, but he quickly composed himself, "My lord, I do not recognize it."
"Yet I have heard you caught a Silver Ring Snake similar in size to this one, and I’ve also heard that you’ve sold several venomous snakes recently, including this one. Is there any truth to that?"
Qin Longyun looked at Wu Cheng, his presence commanding yet not visibly angry.
"No, although there are few of these snakes, there isn’t just one. How can you be so sure it was me, my lord?"
Wu Cheng immediately argued, knowing that as long as he denied that the snake was his, no one could do anything to him.
Qin Longyun said indifferently, "Snake catchers use different medicines, leaving distinct scents on the snakes. Others may not detect it, but it won’t elude Young Master Bai of the Deji Hall. Someone, please fetch Young Master Bai."
