Xiao Hong had fled.
Wang Yang had expected it all along. He simply hadn't told Shen Yu Ning.
Before visiting the Shen Family, Wang Yang had already guessed that Xiao Hong might run. He had caught Xiao Hong off guard, exposing his secret affair and frightening him badly, but once Xiao Hong went home and thought things through, he would very likely realize the truth-the point wasn't that Wang Yang knew about his affair, but whether Wang Yang could prove it. What mattered was whether Wang Yang had evidence.
Although Xiao Hong couldn't be certain, leaving Xinye was safer. At the very least, he couldn't stay in the same place as the Princess Consort of Badong and hand others a weapon against him. From Wang Yang's observations, Xiao Hong was the sort who dared small deeds but shrank from great ones; he swaggered when nothing was wrong and lost his nerve when trouble came.
Between the affair and the decidedly complicated business of the Double Fifth, the fellow would probably pack his bags and flee overnight.
That assessment was precisely why Wang Yang had agreed without any qualms to help bring the child aboard-once Xiao Hong left, how would the county magistrate dare make trouble? It was also why he had told Shen Yu Ning beforehand that he couldn't handle the sale contract or household registration. Once Xiao Hong fled, there would be no one to demand the sale contract from. Even if he stayed, Xiao Hong might not submit obediently as he had last time. He might very well demand hard evidence from Wang Yang.
Produce it, and you were the boss. Fail, and you were spreading rumors. A false accuser faced the punishment for the crime he alleged. Without solid proof, would you dare shoulder the consequences and