Feng Jin hadn't expected that Ling Laotaiye would notice something amiss so quickly, leaving him momentarily unable to respond.
After a brief silence, Ling Laotaiye began to defend himself, "I... I'm old now, how can I do these things? Don't overthink it, you're just imagining things..."
Feng Jin rolled her eyes in exasperation. It seemed Ling Laotaiye wouldn't give up until he reached the Yellow Springs. Feng Jin walked over, pointed to the two indentations on the cushion, and asked helplessly, "With such deep marks from your knees, it's obvious you were kneeling here. If you still deny it, let's compare and see if I'm wrongly accusing you."
Seeing that he could no longer hide it, Ling Laotaiye sighed in resignation. "Stop investigating, stop interrogating me. I admit it, alright? But these things were all my own idea to make the children happy. Don't use this as an excuse to trouble the two children. Take all your anger out on me!"
He was willing to sacrifice his reputation today, even his old face, if it meant his precious grandsons wouldn't be upset.
"Grandfather, how old are you? If you play around like this and something happens to your health, what will we do!"
Feng Jin had initially thought Ling Laotaiye was just a bit indulgent with the children, but she never imagined he would be so extremely doting. At his age, he was deigning to be ridden like a horse by two children.
She didn't know what to say, as she wasn't even worried about the scandal if this were to get out.
"I do these things willingly. I'm happy to be a servant to my precious great-grandchildren. I'm already one foot in the grave, how much longer do I have to live? To see the children smile more in my remaining years and happily call me great-grandfather would be my greatest joy!"
At his age, every extra day was a bonus. He didn't know how much longer he could spend with the children, but as long as he could see them happy, he was willing to do anything.
Ling Laotaiye sat down on a chair with a weary groan, holding his aching back. He snorted, "You blocking me like this is unfilial. I won't be able to rest in peace even if I die!"
Feng Jin was speechless. How did they get onto this topic? Why was this old man being so unreasonable and difficult to reason with?
"Grandfather, you're old and your health isn't good, so I won't argue with you. However, given your current behavior, I've decided to change the schedule from seeing the children once a day to once every five days. From now on, you'll only see them on public holidays!"
"What did you say... I'm warning you, if you dare stop me from seeing the children, I'll finish you!"
Ling Laotaiye shouted angrily, but Feng Jin had already left the room. His full rage could only be vented at the empty air.
Feng Jin had anticipated the impact of her words and had rushed away before Ling Laotaiye could fully erupt.
As soon as she stepped out, she saw Cai Qing running towards her in a hurry.
"Young Madam... Young Madam, have you beaten the two young masters?"
Cai Qing's first question upon seeing Feng Jin was whether the two children had been beaten. She looked around, unable to see the young masters.
Could it be that the Young Madam had been too harsh and the two young masters couldn't even get out of bed? With this thought, Cai Qing's heart sank, and she began to sweat with panic.
"Young Madam, why aren't you speaking? Did you really hit the two young masters?"
Feng Jin rolled her eyes. Did she really have a face that looked like it would hit children? Why did everyone she met worry if she would hit the children? These were her own children, born after ten months of pregnancy and nearly losing half her life. Was she some kind of wicked stepmother who would beat her own children severely?
"I wanted to teach them a lesson, but I didn't get the chance."
Just as she was ready to act, someone had already taken the children away. Where was she supposed to go to discipline them?
Once she confirmed that the children hadn't been beaten, Cai Qing breathed a sigh of relief, a faint smile on her face. She patted her pounding heart, which had been startled, and murmured, "Thank goodness... thank goodness, the two young masters are alright. That's great... great..."
"Don't be happy just yet. You still need to find some people to find Steward Wu and bring the children back."
Steward Wu wasn't young, but his legs were still quite capable. In such a short time, he had disappeared with the two children.
The Ling Manor was so large, it would take some effort to find them. She wondered where they had gone...
"That's easily done. I'll go find them right away and I'll definitely find the two young masters and bring them back safely. Young Madam, you can rest assured."
Cai Qing patted her chest to guarantee it, then hurried out. After searching the entire manor, she finally found Steward Wu and the two children in the backyard.
"Steward Wu, why are you here? You made me search everywhere! I've scoured the entire manor to finally find you..."
Cai Qing panted, clearly having run all the way back. She was out of breath and sweat beaded on her forehead.
Hearing the voice behind him, Steward Wu and Da Bao and Er Bao turned their heads in unison.
"Miss Cai Qing, how did you find us here?" Steward Wu instinctively reached out to shield Da Bao and Er Bao. He knew that wherever Cai Qing was, the Young Madam would surely be nearby.
He had to keep a close eye on the two young masters, to not fail the old master's instructions and have the Young Madam snatch the children away again.
"Steward Wu, the old master has already agreed for my Young Madam to take the two young masters back. The Young Madam sent me to find you and bring the young masters back."
Cai Qing deliberately used the old master as an excuse, otherwise Steward Wu would never let her take the young masters.
Even so, Steward Wu still didn't believe her. "No, without the old master's direct instructions, I cannot give you the young masters."
"Steward Wu, the Young Madam is the biological mother of the young masters. Isn't it natural for a mother to take her children? You can't forcibly keep the young masters here."