"Where are those two rascals?" Feng Jin scanned the courtyard, unable to find any sign of the two little scoundrels, and directly asked Cai Qing, who was standing nearby.
"The young masters have been taken by the Old Master," Cai Qing replied instinctively, but immediately regretted it. The young madam was clearly in a temper and would surely give the two young masters a good beating. If only she hadn't impulsively reported them.
"Young Madam, the young masters are still young, please don't hit them. Perhaps you should wait until your anger has subsided."
Cai Qing directly blocked Feng Jin, refusing to let her pass. Although the young masters were a bit mischievous, they were very caring towards her on a daily basis.
Whatever good food they had, they would always bring it to her first. She truly couldn't bear to see the two young masters being beaten.
"I won't hit them, I'll just educate them and talk some sense into them."
Feng Jin's tone was laced with helplessness. Did she really seem like someone who would hit children? No matter what, she was their mother. She wasn't so wicked as to drag the children over and beat them severely.
Once Cai Qing was certain that the young madam wouldn't hit the children, she slowly took a step back, clearing a path.
Feng Jin seized the opportunity and bolted out the door. Just as she reached the entrance, she bumped into Ling Mo Han, who had just returned.
"You've just returned and you're already so angry. Where are you off to now?"
"To discipline the children. You've spoiled these two, and if I don't intervene now, it'll be too late."
After speaking, Feng Jin pushed Ling Mo Han aside and walked straight out.
Ling Mo Han was left standing there, bewildered and clueless as to what had happened. He had only just returned, and this was the situation.
"Cai Qing, tell me, what's going on?" Ling Mo Han asked Cai Qing, who remained where she was. Perhaps only Cai Qing would know the details of the matter.
Cai Qing hesitated for a moment before recounting everything to Ling Mo Han. It was only by having the young general intervene that the two young masters could avoid a beating.
"That's all?"
"Yes, Young General, please hurry. If you delay any longer, given the young madam's temper, she will surely beat the young masters."
Cai Qing urged him anxiously, genuinely not wanting to see the two young masters get beaten.
"It's nothing. They do indeed deserve a beating. It's good for Feng Jin to teach them a lesson. Let's see if they dare to be so naughty again."
Ling Mo Han showed no inclination to intervene. Instead, he felt it would be beneficial for them to receive a scolding. At least it would teach them a lesson and make them more obedient in the future.
Children couldn't always be indulged and pampered. They needed to be educated.
For the two days they were away, the children had been with their grandfather. Given their grandfather's doting nature, these two children must have become utterly unruly. It was also necessary for Feng Jin to help correct them.
"Young General, you're really not going to intervene?"
Seeing Ling Mo Han already seated and sipping tea, Cai Qing realized that the young general had no intention of getting involved. Her tone became anxious as she inquired.
"I don't plan to. You go take a look, and help your young madam bring those two troublemakers back."
If he went, he would surely spoil things. It was better to let Feng Jin be the bad guy alone.
"Then... then this servant will go take a look first." Cai Qing hesitated for a moment before deciding to go and see for herself.
…
Feng Jin stormed in with great momentum, startling the young servant guarding the entrance. Upon seeing Feng Jin, he could barely stammer out a coherent sentence.
"Greetings... Young... Young..."
Before he could finish speaking, Feng Jin had already passed him. The servant remained stunned.
"Are you really that stupid? The Old Master specifically instructed that if the Young Madam or Young General arrived, he was to be informed immediately. Now the Young Madam has gone inside, and you haven't gone yet!"
Someone nearby slapped him. After a long period of daze, the servant finally came to his senses and quickly responded, his legs slightly trembling as he moved towards the courtyard.
"Young Madam, you're back?" The butler, upon seeing Feng Jin, was momentarily stunned. He quickly recovered and shouted towards the inner room.
He hurriedly stepped forward to block Feng Jin, deliberately stalling for time. "Young Madam, why are you back so soon? Didn't you stay out for a few more days..."
The butler spoke incessantly in front of Feng Jin, trying to buy some time for Old Master Ling inside to prepare.
"Butler, please don't stop me. No matter how much you try to block me, I must go in today. And in such a short time, Grandfather couldn't possibly have tidied up much. Please step aside and let me in."
From the moment she arrived, she could see clearly that Steward Wu was trying to delay her. It was all to buy Old Master Ling inside more time. And the servant guarding the door, wasn't he just acting as a messenger?
"This... Young Madam..."
His intentions exposed, Steward Wu felt a flush of embarrassment. He coughed lightly, trying to conceal his awkwardness.
"Young Madam, it would be better if you... if you waited a bit before going in, to avoid getting angry later..."
Steward Wu still spoke with some bashfulness. If the Young Madam were to see what was inside, there would likely be another uproar in the courtyard.
Feng Jin had already prepared herself mentally. She bypassed Steward Wu and walked in.
"Young..." Steward Wu was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, almost stamping his feet.
"Butler... Butler..." The servant guarding the door rushed in breathlessly.
"Keep your voice down! What's all this rushing about!"
"Just now... Young Madam... Young Madam came in..."
"Alright, I already knew. I told you to guard the door for a while, and you can't even handle such a small matter. You'll have to wait for the Old Master to punish you!"
"They're so useless. They can't even stop one person. Who knows how the Young Madam will make a scene later."
Feng Jin pushed the door open and walked in. She saw Old Master Ling sitting flustered on a chair. The two children were also standing obediently beside Old Master Ling, smiling at Feng Jin, appearing incredibly well-behaved.
"You're back. Did you have a good time?" Old Master Ling asked Feng Jin with a smile upon seeing her.
Feng Jin's gaze fell upon the two children. She examined them and pulled Er Bao forward. "Why is your collar crooked? And why isn't your belt tied properly..."