Da Bao, knowing his father all too well, had no hope whatsoever for the method Er Bao had just suggested.
Relying on their father was less likely to succeed than if they themselves pleaded with their mother. Perhaps if their mother was in a good mood, she would return the wooden sword to them.
Begging their father would be worse than not begging at all; in the end, he might even side with their mother and scold them both severely.
"No... Father will help us."
Er Bao appeared confident, clearly having devised a foolproof plan that would surely secure their father's help in getting their belongings back from their mother.
...
"Where is Cai Qing? I haven't seen her all day."
From morning until now, Cai Qing's figure had not been seen. It was only Chu Qing who was busy running around.
"Young Madam, don't you know? This morning, Lord Lu took Chu Qing out to procure items. It seems good news is imminent."
Chu Qing's lips curved into a smile, genuinely happy and moved for Cai Qing.
Since she had come to the Young Madam's side, besides the Young Madam, Cai Qing had treated her the best, truly caring for her like a younger sister. Seeing Cai Qing find her happiness, she was naturally overjoyed.
"How did Lu Shi suddenly become so enlightened this time? Such swift action. Is he preparing for a wedding?"
Feng Jin was very surprised by Lu Shi's change. It was incomparable to his previous slow-moving nature. Lu Shi was indeed doing well this time.
"Lord Lu must be worried that Sister Cai Qing might refuse to marry him again, so he's striking while the iron is hot."
Chu Qing had personally witnessed how worried Lu Shi was that Cai Qing might change her mind. Just yesterday, he had asked Sister Cai Qing several times if she was truly willing to marry him.
He was afraid that Sister Cai Qing had agreed to marry him on a whim again, so he naturally had to accelerate his pace and quickly marry her off to be the most secure.
"Truly worrying for nothing."
Anyone with eyes could see that Cai Qing genuinely liked Lu Shi, so why would she marry anyone else? It was all because Lu Shi was too hesitant and anxious.
However, it was good for Lu Shi to feel a sense of urgency; it would make him cherish her more and be content.
"When Cai Qing returns, have her find me. I have something to tell her."
It was unlikely she would see Cai Qing appear before her in the next day or two, so she could only ask Chu Qing to pay more attention and relay a message.
"Yes, Young Madam. This servant has noted it."
After a hasty meal, Feng Jin returned to her room to continue her study of medicine.
The clever Da Bao and Er Bao had been patiently waiting at the entrance, the place where Ling Mo Han invariably passed.
They waited for two to three hours before Ling Mo Han finally returned.
Upon seeing Ling Mo Han's figure, they immediately rushed forward and tightly embraced him.
"What's wrong with you two? Didn't I always admonish you to be steady in your movements and demeanor? What's with this haste?"
Ling Mo Han was slightly startled by their sudden rush and quickly pulled the two children clinging to him away.
"Father, Mother took our wooden sword..."
Da Bao raised his small face, his earnest gaze fixed on Ling Mo Han, his eyes filled with entreaty.
"And then?"
Ling Mo Han bent down, looking at Da Bao, and instead of continuing his sentence, he directly retorted. He wanted Da Bao to state his request first before he decided whether to help them.
"Father... will you help us get it back?" Er Bao tugged at Ling Mo Han's sleeve and stepped forward to say.
"Why did Mother take the wooden sword away?"
He did not agree to the two clever rascals' request but instead inquired about the reason behind the incident.
The two children exchanged glances, as if discussing countermeasures.
Ling Mo Han did not press them immediately but calmly observed the two, waiting to see what reason they would come up with.
After discussing it, Da Bao finally spoke, "Mother said we weren't allowed to play with it, that it was dangerous... so she took it away."
Just as he had guessed. It was no surprise that these two children had been playing in front of Feng Jin and then had it confiscated. They were too afraid to ask for it back themselves and had come to him, hoping he would help them.
These two were old beyond their years, quite cunning, and even knew how to find help.
"Didn't Father warn you not to play in front of Mother? It's your own fault for being caught, and Father can't do anything about it."
Since they hadn't listened to his advice and hadn't been careful to hide, now that it was confiscated, they shouldn't expect to play with it anymore. This was also a relief.
He was, however, a little worried that these two rascals hadn't sold him out. He needed to go back quickly and gauge their words; that was the most important thing.
"Father, you really are afraid of Mother!"
As soon as Er Bao spoke, Ling Mo Han stopped in his tracks. He turned around, his gaze falling on Er Bao, and directly pulled him closer, asking with great seriousness, "Who taught you these words? And who told you Father is afraid of Mother!"
"Everyone says so."
This statement encompassed everyone. He wasn't lying; everyone in the mansion knew that their father was most afraid of their mother. It was just that no one dared to say it to his face, so their father naturally assumed he hadn't heard it.
"How many people are in that 'everyone'?"
Ling Mo Han suddenly became a little anxious. He did indeed fear Feng Jin to some extent, but he wouldn't allow others to say it, especially when such words came from his own son. He felt that this boy looked down on him.
"It's true. Otherwise, why wouldn't Father dare to ask Mother for the wooden sword back? Father, you're just afraid of Mother."
Seeing his brother struggling to speak, Da Bao quickly jumped in to retort.
"Yes, Father is afraid of Mother!"
Er Bao added again, completely solidifying the notion that their father was afraid of their mother.
"You two just wait! See if I can get the item back, or if Father never feared Mother, and Father *respects* your mother, understand!"
Ling Mo Han felt a terrible headache from being angered by the two of them. He admonished them again and again, tirelessly.
He had to correct his image in Da Bao and Er Bao's hearts and establish his authority.
"Father, then go and get it! If you get it back, we'll believe you're not afraid of Mother."
Da Bao's eyes darted around as he continued to provoke Ling Mo Han. Er Bao's idea was truly brilliant; Father had already taken the bait.