Feng Jin had herself so tightly wrapped that only her head was exposed, making her look like a walking polar bear.
Ling Mohan was also surprised by Feng Jin's attire. She was bundled up too much. Although it was winter, wearing something so thick might make her ill.
There was a charcoal fire burning here, and he felt a bit hot even in his current clothes. He couldn't believe Feng Jin, dressed so warmly, wasn't feeling hot at all.
"Take off your outer layer. Don't overheat yourself."
"No, I'm not hot!"
Feng Jin refused without hesitation, putting on a calm facade and steadily bringing food to her mouth.
As she raised her hand, she subtly wiped the sweat from her forehead. It was indeed quite hot. Were the charcoal briquettes free, to be burned so prodigiously without any thought of cost?
"Um... who lit this charcoal fire? Using so much charcoal is such a waste. Don't they know about frugality and managing a household!"
It was so hot it was almost killing her. After sitting for a short while, she had already broken out in a sweat, and the clothes on her back were getting soaked.
"Mother, didn't you say to put more charcoal in the fire and make it really warm?"
Da Bao asked in confusion. Didn't Mother say earlier that they needed to make the room very warm for it to be cozy?
Why had she changed her mind after such a short time? It was truly strange.
A faint trace of embarrassment flickered across Feng Jin's face. When had she said that? She didn't remember. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"That was before. Now is now. They are not the same thing."
She was certainly not going to admit that she had said such a thing. It had nothing to do with her anyway.
Ling Mohan, who had been silent all this time, spoke up calmly, "Reduce the charcoal fire."
"Your subordinate obeys."
Lu Shi responded with great misfortune. He shouldn't have been standing there; he should have left earlier.
"Since you feel cold, then wear more clothes."
Ling Mohan said considerately. His sharp gaze immediately caught the conspicuous marks on Feng Jin's neck, making him feel a little uncomfortable.
"Stop looking. Hurry up and eat your food."
Feng Jin urged the two children impatiently, telling them to finish their meals quickly.
At such a young age, they were already so clever and full of hidden thoughts. They spent their days thinking nonsense and pondering useless things.
Feng Jin ate her food at an extremely fast pace, shoveling it into her stomach haphazardly. She finished quickly. "I'm done. You all eat slowly."
As soon as she finished speaking, Feng Jin fled the scene as if escaping under everyone's gaze.
Until the marks on her neck disappeared, she decided she wouldn't come out to eat anymore. It would be better to have the meals delivered to her room from now on.
"Daddy, what's wrong with Mommy? She's really strange today."
Da Bao looked at Ling Mohan with a puzzled gaze and asked. Mommy was truly strange today, like a completely different person from her usual self.
"Mother might just be too tired."
Er Bao chimed in, also finding his mother strange but unable to pinpoint exactly why.
"Er Bao is right. Mother is just too tired. You two shouldn't bother your mother. Let her rest well."
Ling Mohan said with a hint of awkwardness. Feng Jin had indeed been quite exhausted last night, and she really needed to rest well.
"Your servant greets the Young General." Chu Qing, holding a plate, bowed slightly to Ling Mohan.
Her eyes scanned the surroundings, but she couldn't find Feng Jin. She couldn't help but ask, "Young General, isn't the Young Madam here?"
"Sister Chu Qing, Mother said she was tired and went back to her room to rest," Da Bao said, speaking first. It seemed his mother was indeed tired, so he probably hadn't said anything wrong.
"Then..." Chu Qing looked at the bowl of porridge she had just prepared with some difficulty. She was a step too late.
"Then, can this servant take the porridge to the Young Madam's room?"
As soon as Chu Qing finished speaking, she turned to leave. Ling Mohan's voice sounded from behind her, "Give me the porridge. I'll take it over."
Then, under Chu Qing's astonished gaze, Ling Mohan took the porridge from her hand and walked out.
By the time Chu Qing reacted, Ling Mohan was no longer in sight, and the porridge had also disappeared.
"Sister Chu Qing, can we go out to play later?"
Da Bao walked up to Chu Qing, tugged at her sleeve, and said in a soft, sweet voice, his eyes full of pleading.
Chu Qing couldn't bear to refuse Da Bao and could only bend down to discuss with him kindly, "Can we just play for an hour and then come back? Young Madam said not to play for too long."
The weather was too cold today. The Young Madam had instructed earlier not to take the two young masters out to play for too long, and preferably to play indoors instead of going out.
But she really didn't know how to refuse Da Bao's request and couldn't bear to see his disappointed expression, so she could only negotiate with him like this.
"Ah..." Da Bao let out a slightly disappointed cry and lowered his head with a sad expression. After a moment, he raised his head again and said very reluctantly, "Alright then."
Being able to go out and play for a while was better than not being able to go out at all. Da Bao was quick to come to terms with it and then, holding Chu Qing's hand, eagerly walked towards the door.
When they reached the door, he didn't forget to turn back and call out to Er Bao, who was still standing in place, "Er Bao, hurry up!"
Time was short, and not a single moment could be wasted. After waiting for Er Bao to call out behind him, Da Bao immediately took Chu Qing's hand and ran out swiftly without stopping.
Er Bao shook his head helplessly. Having such a brother could only be considered his own misfortune. After hesitating for a moment, he followed Da Bao's footsteps.
...
After returning to her room, Feng Jin immediately took off her thick padded jacket. In just this short time, she felt as if she was about to die of heat.
The clothes on her back were soaked with sweat. The clothes stuck uncomfortably to her body, making her feel miserable.
Taking off her clothes now to let them air out indeed felt much more comfortable. Feng Jin looked at herself in the mirror. Her fair neck was covered in patches of purplish-blue marks.
She didn't know when they would disappear, and she still had to wear clothes to cover them up completely.
It was all because Ling Mohan had been so heavy-handed. How was she supposed to face people?
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. She had barely returned to her room and hadn't even warmed her seat when Ling Mohan appeared before her.
"Ah... why are you here?"