Feng Jin, finding the two of them annoying, decided to scare them, and the effect was indeed very significant. As soon as she spoke, they instantly quieted down a lot.
Just as they were having a good time, Ling Mohan returned with Da Bao and Er Bao, both covered in dust and looking disheveled, which immediately dampened everyone's spirits.
She cast a resentful glance at Ling Mohan, seemingly blaming him for bringing the children back too early.
They were in the middle of something enjoyable, and such a good atmosphere was ruined by Ling Mohan.
"Eldest Brother."
"Your maid greets the Young General."
"Your maid greets the Young General."
The three who were sitting and studying how to play their cards all stood up in a fluster and bowed slightly upon seeing Ling Mohan arrive.
Ling Mohan swept his gaze over them indifferently, waved his hand to signal them to stand, his expression still very grim. He grabbed Da Bao and Er Bao with both hands and brought them directly to Feng Jin.
"Discipline your sons properly!"
Feng Jin raised her eyebrows slightly, seeing Ling Mohan's expression, it seemed he was quite angered.
This time, he must have thoroughly experienced the formidable nature of Da Bao and Er Bao. Suppressing a smile, Feng Jin feigned composure and asked, "What happened? Weren't you going to see the lantern festival? Why are you back so soon?"
The lanterns were best viewed at night. The sky had only just begun to darken, so why did they return in such a hurry? It was truly unusual.
"Ask your good sons what good deeds they've done!"
At this point, even a fool could hear Ling Mohan's anger. If he weren't holding back, he would have already given Da Bao and Er Bao a good beating.
The three standing by felt a bad omen and each thought of a reason to leave.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, I still need to go back and collect the dried tea fruits. I'll be going now."
Ling Wan was the first to react, quickly finding an excuse and then hurrying away in a panic.
"Madam, your maid will go check on the soup simmering on the stove."
"Madam, your maid will see if there's anything that needs help."
Cai Qing and Chu Qing also left one after another. The room, which had been lively moments ago, suddenly became empty.
Feng Jin sighed helplessly, beckoned to Da Bao and Er Bao, and took out a handkerchief to wipe the dirt from their faces.
They had gone out for a pleasant outing, but after such a short time, they returned so disheveled. She wondered what had happened.
"Tell me, what exactly happened? Were you robbed, or did you go robbing?"
"Mother, Father... Father broke his promise. He said he'd take us out to play, but when we got there, he wouldn't let us play anything, not even buy us anything to eat..."
As soon as Da Bao opened his mouth, he launched into a torrent of accusations against Ling Mohan, recounting all his grievances. He truly felt wronged, having finally gotten a chance to go out and play.
In the end, nothing was accomplished. He vowed never to go out with Father again.
"You still have the nerve to say that, you brat! I think you really deserve a spanking!"
Ling Mohan instantly became enraged, reaching out to grab Da Bao and give him a few hard slaps on his bottom.
"Mother... Mother, save me!"
Da Bao screamed in terror, darting around like a headless fly, and burrowed directly into Feng Jin's arms, seeking protection.
"What are you doing? Do you want to commit domestic violence? If so, beat me first."
Feng Jin shielded Da Bao in her arms and directly confronted Ling Mohan. He really had the nerve, being such a grown man, to actually want to hit his son.
Protected by his mother and seeing that Father dared not move, Da Bao became even more arrogant and began to provoke Ling Mohan.
"Mother, when we came just now, Father was already going to hit us. Fortunately, Er Bao and I ran fast, otherwise, we would have been beaten."
Upon hearing this, Feng Jin shot Ling Mohan a stern look. She knew Ling Mohan was capable of hitting children.
"You really are... you really are something..."
She fumbled for words for a long time before managing to utter such a phrase of commendation. She truly couldn't think of anything else to praise Ling Mohan's behavior with.
"Don't listen to this kid's nonsense. Ask him why I didn't buy him tanghulu to eat. Ask him how many he ate in one go!"
Ling Mohan stood up, pointing furiously at Da Bao, and asked in a loud voice.
Feng Jin's gaze shifted from Ling Mohan to Da Bao, her eyes questioning him.
"Mother... I... I only ate a few. Father is too... too stingy not to buy me any."
"Just a few? You really have the nerve to say that. You ate more than ten tanghulu in one go, and you're still calling me stingy for not buying you more? Do you want to see what's in your stomach!"
Ling Mohan felt as if a ball of fire was building in his chest, about to explode.
"You're not afraid of bursting if you eat so much!"
Feng Jin was shocked. Eating more than ten at once, how could his stomach hold so much?
"Mother, it wasn't just me who ate them. Er Bao... Er Bao also ate."
In desperation, he could only shift the blame to Er Bao, to help him bear some of the burden.
"I only ate one. You ate the rest."
He absolutely refused to admit to such groundless accusations. Er Bao explained the situation directly.
"But... but I was hungry, and couldn't I eat a few more?"
Under Feng Jin's intense gaze, Da Bao lowered his head slightly, feeling a little guilty.
Feng Jin sighed helplessly. This child was truly a cause for concern. It seemed her decision to find him a teacher was indeed the right one.
"Also, this brat saw people performing with fire and wanted to try himself. If I hadn't held him back, he would have been captured and sold off as a street performer by now..."
Feng Jin was shocked to hear Ling Mohan's words, but she also believed that Er Bao was indeed capable of such things.
"You... you really don't make things easy for anyone!"
"Mother..."
Ling Mohan glared fiercely at Da Bao, deeply regretting not having given him a good beating earlier, wishing he had thoroughly spanked him to make him behave in the future.
"Just behave yourself. If you dare to cause trouble again, I'll lock you in the dark room."
Knowing full well Da Bao's character, Feng Jin threatened him directly. She feared that without such a threat, Da Bao would not behave.
"Mother, don't you love me anymore? You're going to lock me in the dark room too."
Da Bao pouted his little lips, and with the slight shimmer of tears in his eyes, he truly looked as if he had suffered a great injustice, appearing pitiful and aggrieved.
"Yes, you're not good at all. You're not as obedient as Er Bao. I really don't want you anymore."
"No, Mother, Mother can't abandon me."