Chapter 290: Chapter 291: Losing Composure

Gu Yifeng arrived at the study in the front yard, where there was nothing to do. He was angry with Sister Ning over there, also afraid of really losing his temper, and feared frightening Sister Ning, so he slipped away.

Li Si saw that the Marquis was angry and didn’t dare to disturb him. Speaking of which, like Shanmoi and the others, it was the first time he had seen the Marquis lose his temper towards Madam.

But what can servants like them do to persuade? As long as they don’t provoke the master into venting his anger on them, it’s fine.

Gu Yifeng stood up and strode out.

Li Si didn’t know what was up with the Marquis, hurriedly took a cloak from the side, and followed. The master and servant left the mansion, walked to a tavern on the street, and Li Si widened his eyes, not expecting the master to go drinking.

The Marquis had always been a steady person, never showing his emotions on his face. But whenever it involved Madam, he seemed to change and now even came here to drink.

Li Si suppressed his surprise and went in to serve.

In the mansion, Lin Youning cried for a while and then fell asleep. When she woke up, she saw it was snowing outside, so she sat up and called in Shanmoi and Hailan.

As soon as they entered and saw the girl with swollen eyes, they knew she had been crying and dared not bring it up, just saying that the Eldest Prince had instructed from the front yard that he wouldn’t be staying, and the Marquis had also gone out.

Lin Youning heard that her big brother had gone out and nodded, “Have someone bring the meal.”

No matter the reason, she knew never to mention Mrs. Dong in front of her big brother in the future, as that was his bottom line and a way to preserve her own dignity.

Lin Youning knew everyone was watching her, even though she had no appetite, she forced herself to finish a bowl of rice.

Shanmoi and Hailan knew the girl was not in a good mood.

After eating, Lingling only said she was tired and didn’t let anyone serve her, just drove everyone out, and she stayed in the room reading until it got dark outside. Seeing no sign of her big brother returning, Lin Youning went to bed early.

Gu Yifeng indeed got drunk and was helped back by Li Si. If he was drunk, he looked no different from usual, but walking was obviously wobbly, which clearly indicated he was drunk.

Shanmoi and Hailan heard the noise and hurried out to greet them, smelling the strong scent of alcohol on the Marquis from afar. They quickly stepped forward to pay respects, while Li Si, fearing the Marquis would lose his temper, loudly scolded them.

“The Marquis is tired, you all go away.”

Li Si shouted at them out of good intention, and Shanmoi and Hailan retreated, but couldn’t help worrying if the Marquis might argue with the girl after drinking too much.

Li Si escorted the Marquis to the door, watched him go in, closed the door, and stood outside, eavesdropping.

Seeing there was no argument inside, he let out a sigh of relief.

In the main room, Gu Yifeng walked to the window and saw the little figure on the bed had fallen asleep. Though his actions were somewhat beyond his control, his mind was clear. Smelling the strong alcohol scent on himself, he turned to the small warm pavilion, washed himself, and changed into a clean middle garment before returning.

After lying on the bed and gently pulling the person into his arms, Gu Yifeng saw she was sleeping but frowning deeply, showing she was unhappy before falling asleep.

His heart filled with regret; earlier, he shouldn’t have lost his temper with Sister Ning. Actually, as soon as he walked out in anger, Gu Yifeng had already regretted it.

Facing the little girl in his arms, Gu Yifeng didn’t know what to choose to be with her without letting her live so humbly.

But he knew now, with his mother still managing affairs in the mansion, he couldn’t reveal any other thoughts.

The next morning, when Lin Youning woke, she found the bed empty. Then she let out a bitter smile, realizing it was a dream; last night, she had remarkably dreamed of sleeping in her big brother’s embrace.

When Shanmoi and Hailan came to serve her, seeing the girl in a good mood, they recounted the Marquis returning last night to sleep.

“Did the master come back last night?” Lin Youning quickly asked.

Shanmoi and Hailan nodded, Shanmoi said, “But he got up and left before dawn. It seemed there was something in the barracks, people came, and the Marquis left.”

Lin Youning nodded, though visibly more spirited than before, “What about the Eldest Prince? When did he return to the mansion last night? Did any letter come from the master?”

“The Eldest Prince didn’t return last night, but he did arrive this morning. The little maid in the courtyard said he was covered in rouge, and there’s only one brothel in this border city, so he must have spent the night there.”

Hainan glared at Shanmoi, “Don’t speak recklessly in front of the girl. If Nanny Guo hears it, see how she reprimands you.”

Shanmoi stuck out her tongue, and Lin Youning laughed.

In the afternoon, when a letter from her brother arrived, it didn’t explain why he didn’t enter the city. Lin Youning sighed, knowing her brother’s stubbornness wouldn’t understand until faced with dire consequences. He didn’t look for help from the Prime Minister’s Mansion even after getting locked up in the big prison back then.

This stubborn temper, who knows who it resembles.

“But over at Aunt Wu’s place, in the morning she made something and sent it to the front yard, originally meant for the Marquis, but hearing he had left early, she met the Eldest Prince coming back and gave it to him instead,” Hailan explained.

Lin Youning immediately perked up, “What exchange could there be between the Eldest Prince and Aunt Wu?”

“Actually, there was no exchange; she just had Yangtao deliver the items to a servant by the Eldest Prince’s side and then turned back,” Hailan added.

“This is truly a coincidence. The Marquis left early in the morning, and the maids in the courtyard should know, as should Aunt Wu. Did she run into the Eldest Prince on purpose, or was it unintentional?” Lin Youning pondered carefully.

Hailan nodded seriously, “I also feel this is quite a coincidence, Madam usually doesn’t restrict the servants in the courtyard. Whether the Marquis is in the mansion or what’s his going-out time? Aunt Wu could easily find out. And yet, she coincidentally headed to the front yard with things, obviously aimed at the Eldest Prince.”

Lin Youning smiled wryly, “Our Aunt Wu really has good luck, the Eldest Prince didn’t stay in the mansion yesterday, and this morning she happened to meet him upon his return. Keep a close watch on her actions; if she continues to have any indirect contact with the Eldest Prince, then there must be something between them.”

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