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Chapter 596: Chapter 600: Missing_1
Child trafficking is a capital offense according to the laws of the dynasty, and Tie Niu did not dare delay, immediately having someone call Xiao Lingchuan over.
When Xiao Lingchuan heard it was about little Biyu, he came over right away, but after seeing the setup in the ancestral hall, he felt that something was off.
The scene was like interrogating a criminal...
Suddenly seeing Tan Zhengyuan, Xiao Lingchuan’s face darkened even more.
Tie Niu did not give Xiao Lingchuan a chance to escape, for as soon as Xiao Lingchuan had entered, he had the doors of the ancestral hall closed.
"Lingchuan, did you buy two maids from the Tan Family today?" Tie Niu took the initiative.
Xiao Lingchuan unhesitatingly nodded. They had already found him; hiding it any further would be useless.
Tie Niu spoke solemnly, "Tan Zhengyuan has no right to decide whether to sell those children or not. Your actions are tantamount to stealing children, and according to the law, you should be severely punished."
"Uncle Tie, I have nothing to do with this. It was Tan Zhengyuan who found me, saying he wanted to sell his daughter. I figured he was the father of the child, so I agreed. Besides, we’re from the same village, and I didn’t take any commission. I’m truly innocent!" Xiao Lingchuan hurriedly explained.
There are so many people sold into servitude in the Tooth Row, and at least half were sold by their parents—why hasn’t anyone been in trouble for that?
How come it’s only when it comes to him that it’s suddenly about child theft?
The village chief is just an old fool—it’s high time for a change!
"Everyone in the village knows that Tan Zhengyuan and I have divorced, and the child is under my care."
Hu’s Clan suppressed her anger and reminded everyone.
She became the laughingstock of the entire village right after she divorced, and even three-year-old children would mock her. How could Xiao Lingchuan possibly not know?
"Sister-in-law, I’m really sorry. I never concern myself with other people’s affairs; I truly didn’t know about this."
"Plus, I’ve never heard of a woman taking a child with her after being divorced. The seed belongs to the man’s family; the father always has the final say," Xiao Lingchuan argued deftly, the years he had spent socializing outside had not been in vain.
He delivered every word just right, hitting all the key points.
Qiao Duo couldn’t help but retort, "What’s wrong with a woman taking her child? Didn’t your wife take the child with her when she remarried another man? Seems like even the surname was changed."
Xiao Lingchuan’s temperament had undergone a dramatic change, becoming reclusive and narrow-minded, ruthless and malicious, and the most direct reason was his wife’s remarriage.
"You’re talking nonsense!"
Xiao Lingchuan said, angered.
Qiao Duo spread her hands, "It’s not a secret. You’re not still in the dark, are you?"
Xiao Lingchuan is a good brother, ready to give up everything for Xiao Biyu.
But he is by no means a qualified husband and father, for he always let his wife and child suffer.
So his current predicament is well deserved!
Tie Niu slowly said, "Lingchuan, just tell us the whereabouts of the children, and I can ask Lord Qin to give you a lighter punishment."
"I don’t know who the other party is, he only found me and said he wanted to buy two little girls, preferably real sisters, and not too old at that. That’s why he chose the Tan Family’s daughters."
"Actually, this was settled a few days ago, there was a stalemate over the price, Tan Zhengyuan insisted on twenty taels, people always thought that was expensive, only today did they relent, and I immediately informed Tan Zhengyuan. That’s all I know."
This means that the two girls are no longer in Big Willow Village.
And Xiao Lingchuan doesn’t know any specific details about the buyer; there’s simply no way to find them.
It’s already been the better part of a day, they might have already left the county city. In this vast sea of people, how could they possibly be found?
Once little girls are sold, their fate is no longer in their own hands.
The lucky ones may go to good families to become maids, the less fortunate might be scolded and beaten by their masters, and the most miserable end up in filthy places.
