Chapter 350 (2/2)

Liu Hanyun was initially startled to see him here, but her surprise was quickly replaced by joy. Holding Xi-er, she went forward to greet him. ”My lord, why are you here? Why are you saying that? This servant has been in the estate all day and hasn't gone out at all.”

It was rare for Ning Yuxuan to take the initiative to come here, so Liu Hanyun was extremely happy. She put Xi-er down and nudged him towards Marquis Moyu. ”Go on, say father.”

Xi-er looked at Ning Yuxuan blankly. He took a tiny step back before hiding behind his mother. He clutched her skirt and silent.

Ning Yuxuan half crouched down to ruffle Xi-er's hair. He quietly repeated his question. ”You didn't go out today?”

”No.” Liu Hanyun shook her head. She had only gone as far as the back gate.

Ning Yuxuan paused, then he turned to look at the doorway. Guibai had already returned from the back of the residence. He saluted with his hands and reported, ”Teacher Ji left the estate and hasn't come back yet.”

Liu Hanyun's heart skipped a beat.

Ning Yuxuan smiled as he asked, ”Where did the teacher go? It's already so dark outside.”

Guibai shook his head and glanced at Liu Hanyun.

Liu Hanyun lowered her eyes and said, ”This servant only spoke a few words with him before returning to my courtyard. This servant doesn't know where Teacher Ji went afterwards.”

The smile on Marquis Moyu's face dimmed. He stood up and looked at Liu Hanyun as he said, ”Yun-er, I don't like it when people lie to me.”

Liu Hanyun straightened her back, pursed her lips, and said, ”This servant hasn't lied.”

Ning Yuxuan kept his gaze on her as he said, ”Teacher Ji is very important to the heir. Just like how your brother is very important to you.”

This was a threat. Liu Hanyun's heart turned cold. Her older brother, Liu Rufeng, was about to be promoted to be an official that worked in the capital. The Marquis was arranging the matter. Because of his relations.h.i.+p with her, the paperwork for her older brother's promotion would soon be completed. Their foster mother was getting old, and she wouldn't able to take good care of her, so she could only hope that her older brother could return to the capital sooner.

(T/N: Ning Yuxuan originally mentioned Liu Rufeng as Liu Hanyun's younger cousin in chapter 313. Either the author forgot about this, or Ning Yuxuan doesn't know Liu Hanyun's family tree very well.)

Right now, the marquis didn't have any evidence that she had anything to do with Teacher Ji leaving the estate. Why was he directly jumping to threatening her like this? Liu Hanyun furrowed her brow. She kneaded the handkerchief in her hand. She didn't know what to do. Behind her, Xi-er felt even uneasier by the mood in the room. He turned around and half-stumbled and half-scurried into the wet nurse's arms.

”Since you haven't lied, then I'll just go look for myself.” Ning Yuxuan was smiling as he tucked a wisp of her hair behind her ear. ”Have a good night's sleep.”

”My lord!” Her eyes widened in incredulity. ”It's already so late. Are you really going to personally go out to search for him?”

”En.” Ning Yuxuan continued walking without turning backing.

Liu Hanyun felt panic creeping up. She wasn't panicking that the marquis would find and bring back Teacher Ji. She was panicking because she realized that Teacher Ji already had such an important spot in the marquis's heart. Then, what about the women in his harem? What place did they have in his heart?

Translator Ramblings: During my first read of the novel, I only thought, aww, what a nice romantic gesture for Ning Yuxuan to go out and search for Ji Man himself. But, it feels sad and unfair that Ning Yuxuan only thinks of his second son, Xi-er, when he wants an excuse to check on Ji Man, but doesn't want to admit it.