Old Master Ling heard the commotion at the door and hurried to check.
"Old Master, your old servant did as you instructed, but the young madam and young general refused to return. They also said that if the two young masters are not brought back today, they will stay in this courtyard and will not leave until the young masters are retrieved."
The butler repeated Feng Jin's words with a troubled expression. Caught between both sides as a messenger, he had run back and forth several times, his old legs feeling like they would give out.
"Two stubborn people, who knows who they take after! And this brat Ling Mohan is useless, can't even control his own wife. What good is he!"
He merely wanted to keep the two children with him for a few more days, and these two had the audacity to come knocking on his door.
Old Master Ling was so angry his beard bristled. If it were in the past, he would have grabbed a stick and chased them out.
But times were different. He was in the wrong now, with a handle held by others, so he could only endure.
"Grandpa... Grandpa... Hug..."
"Hug... Grandpa..."
As the two little ones began to babble, they reached out their small hands, clamoring to be held.
Old Master Ling, who had been full of rage, instantly broke into a smile upon seeing the two children, scooping them up one in each arm.
He had finally found an opportunity to bring the two little ones back. He hadn't doted on them enough yet, and now they were being snatched away. How could he bear it?
"Old Master, this stalemate won't do. We can't keep the young masters locked up forever. Why not let the young masters return with the young general and madam first? When you miss them, we can fetch them back then."
The butler was also tired of the situation and began to persuade Old Master Ling to send the children back.
Logically speaking, it was only natural for their parents to come and fetch their children. It was the Old Master who had forcibly kept them, refusing to let them go.
"Hmph, that little girl Feng Jin is so cunning. If these children go back with her, it will be difficult for me to fetch them in the future. And that brat Ling Mohan, I doted on him so much, and now he only listens to his wife!"
What angered him the most was Ling Mohan, his favorite among his grandchildren. Now, married, he had forgotten his grandfather, raising a thankless wretch.
"Grandfather, you speak as if we are in the wrong. First, you took the children away while we were not home, and now you are forcibly detaining them!"
Ling Mohan and Feng Jin pushed the door open, followed by several servants.
Feng Jin glanced at Old Master Ling and the two children, Da Bao and Er Bao, in his arms. Just as she had predicted, the butler, after leaving in a hurry, would surely report back to Old Master Ling.
Following behind the butler, they easily found their way back, effortlessly.
"Mom... Mom..."
"Hug... Mom..."
Da Bao and Er Bao became instantly excited upon seeing Feng Jin and struggled to be held by her.
Feng Jin stepped forward and took the two children. Although Old Master Ling was reluctant to part with his great-grandchildren, he was more worried about them getting hurt in a struggle, so he didn't stop her, allowing Feng Jin to take the children.
"Grandfather, you took Da Bao and Er Bao without a word. Feng Jin and I searched for half the night. Today we came to pick up the children, and you deliberately hid them, even claiming they were out. You'll say anything now, won't you? Have you thought of what excuse you'll use next?"
"Hmph... Next time, I'll just take the children and run away, so you can't find us!"
Old Master Ling said harsh words out of spite. If it were to actually happen, he would never take the children away.
"Grandfather, stop this nonsense. Finally, we can sleep peacefully. Can't you stop causing trouble?"
Ling Mohan was utterly speechless. If his grandfather hadn't hidden the children, they wouldn't have wasted so much time here.
"You brat, you're blaming me now? I'm telling you all today, it's impossible for you to take the children away!"
"Grandfather, stop making a fuss!"
Ling Mohan pressed his aching temples. What kind of situation was this, that he had to be caught in the middle and suffer.
"Grandfather, I will definitely take Da Bao and Er Bao away today!"
Feng Jin's stance was equally firm, showing no intention of backing down, and the situation instantly escalated to a boiling point.
"Feng Jin!" Ling Mohan stepped forward and tugged at her sleeve. "Besides, Grandfather is an elder. It's not right for you to talk to him like this."
Ling Mohan quickly stepped forward to mediate. With a way out, Old Master Ling's expression softened considerably.
"Alright, I won't make things difficult for you two. From now on, let the children come stay with me for a few days every so often."
The exact number of days was left vague, and Old Master Ling intentionally planted a seed of ambiguity.
"Within a month, the children can stay with Grandfather for four days."
Feng Jin made her final concession. Having them stay for four days a month was her bottom line.
"Four days? No, that's too little!" Old Master Ling refused without hesitation. He was the children's great-grandfather, and he had no right to speak.
"Then they won't stay at all!"
"How dare you! Do you really want to anger me to death!"
"Grandfather, four days is fine, four days!" Ling Mohan squeezed in between them. "When the children come over, it will be up to you how many days they stay. Just agree to it for now, and we can discuss it later when things have settled down, alright?"
Old Master Ling looked at Ling Mohan with satisfaction. "You brat, you're finally useful!"
"Alright, we'll do as you say, four days a month. You two hurry up and take the children and leave, don't bother me here anymore."
Feng Jin didn't linger. She picked up the children and turned to leave.
"Young General, Young Madam, it's almost time for dinner. Why don't you stay and eat before you go?"
As the butler's voice of invitation faded, Old Master Ling's angry voice boomed from behind, "Eat what? I'm already full of anger from them!"
"My appetite is quite good. When we get back, we'll have golden soup beef slices, roast duck, and small cakes."
Feng Jin's voice was loud, and every word reached Old Master Ling's ears. After speaking, she pulled Ling Mohan away.
"Old Master, what would you like to eat for lunch?"
"Eat what? You're clueless. Just go to the East Courtyard to eat."
The dishes Feng Jin had mentioned before leaving were all his favorites. This was clearly an invitation to him, and an apology. Seeing that there was food, he would condescend to not hold it against her.
"Have the small kitchen make more dishes later. Grandfather, you come and eat with us too."
"Okay, I'll go and inform them."
Ling Mohan replied softly. His grandfather's temper was becoming more like a child's, very particular about certain things, unable to tolerate the slightest dissatisfaction.