The man looked down at Dabao with a helpless expression, crouched down to meet Dabao's gaze, and said in as calm a tone as possible, "What's wrong? Aren't you going to play with your brother?"
"Brother... pooped..."
Upon hearing this, Ling Mohan felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck his head, leaving him completely stunned.
This was the first time he had encountered such a situation, and he was suddenly at a loss. After a long period of bewilderment, it was Dabao's voice that snapped him back to reality.
"Daddy, brother... stinky, clean... clean..."
Ling Mohan took a deep breath, his gaze constantly scanning his surroundings. He couldn't see a single person. At this point, it seemed he would have to handle it himself.
Having made up his mind, he walked over to Erbao. This brat was specifically here to torment him. While Feng Jin was around, there was no mention of pooping, but as soon as she left, it started. It was too much of a coincidence. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The father and son stared at each other, neither of them speaking first. This made Dabao, who was watching from the side, anxious. He quickly tugged at Ling Mohan's clothes, signaling him to quickly clean up Erbao because it was truly too smelly.
"Clean... clean..." Dabao kept pulling at Ling Mohan's hand, his other hand pointing at Erbao.
The man sighed helplessly, resigned to picking up Erbao. The moment he pulled down Erbao's pants, he was hit by a foul odor that nearly made him vomit.
"Quickly... clean..."
Under Dabao's insistent urging, Ling Mohan managed to clean Erbao's bottom.
After busying himself with putting his pants back on, the ordeal was finally over. It was utterly exhausting.
Having his pants taken down in public, Erbao's face showed a hint of embarrassment. He lowered his head and remained silent. After a while, he simply turned and ran back into the house.
"Brother... wait..."
Dabao shouted loudly as he saw this, toddling after him on his little legs.
Ling Mohan leaned on his back, which was nearly bent double, and sighed helplessly, a bead of sweat on his forehead. Taking care of this brat was truly exhausting.
...
Feng Jin's gaze was fixed on the invitation in her hand. This child, just a few days old, was having a grand banquet. Was Chu Yanxi trying to show off that he had a firstborn son, or was Feng Ruoyan trying to flaunt how favored she was by Chu Yanxi, having successfully given birth to a firstborn son?
If that were the case, it would truly disregard Liu Menghan's feelings. It was rather surprising that the Empress would agree to such a banquet.
"Young Madam, you've been staring at this invitation for a long time. Have some ginseng soup to refresh yourself," Cai Qing placed the freshly brewed ginseng soup in front of Feng Jin.
"Go inform the Second Miss and tell her to accompany me to the Third Prince's mansion banquet tomorrow. Also, send her the pearl dragonfly gemstone coronet that was delivered to the manor just two days ago."
"Yes, Young Madam. This servant will go now."
Ling Wan was also growing up, and it was time for her to consider marriage. As the eldest sister-in-law and the mistress of the manor, these matters needed to be handled with urgency.
The banquet at the Third Prince's mansion this time would be attended by influential figures from all over the capital. It would be good for Ling Wan to go and gain some experience.
Moreover, it would be boring for her to go alone. Ling Wan could accompany her and chat to relieve her boredom.
...
"Second Miss, this coronet was sent by the Young Madam. The Young Madam asked me to inform you to prepare yourself to accompany her to the banquet at the Third Prince's mansion tomorrow," Cai Qing conveyed Feng Jin's instructions to Ling Wan.
"Eldest sister-in-law, why are you asking me to accompany you? I've never been anywhere before. What if... what if I embarrass eldest sister-in-law..."
Ling Wan's heart immediately panicked. She had only been outside a handful of times. In her life, she had never attended a banquet. The banquet at the Third Prince's mansion would surely be attended by princes and nobles. If a mere concubine's daughter like her were to attend, she would undoubtedly be ridiculed, causing the Ling family to lose face.
After much hesitation, Ling Wan spoke, "Cai Qing, please tell eldest sister-in-law that I won't be going. Going would only bring shame."
"Please forgive me, Second Miss. This servant is merely conveying the Young Madam's wishes. If Second Miss truly does not wish to go, you should speak to the Young Madam yourself. This servant dares not make decisions for the Young Madam on her behalf. This servant has delivered the item, and if Second Miss has no other matters, this servant will take her leave."
Cai Qing bowed slightly to Ling Wan and Madam Bai, then walked away directly.
Ling Wan looked at the exquisite and precious coronet on the table and couldn't help but reach out and touch it. This was the first time she had ever seen such a magnificent piece of jewelry.
Touching it, it felt bone-chillingly cold. Such a coronet would surely be heavy when worn on the head.
"Mother, perhaps I shouldn't go. If I cause a scene, it will be embarrassing for eldest sister-in-law and the Ling family."
Ling Wan felt timid. Just looking at the coronet made her heart tremble.
Madam Bai sighed slightly, stepped forward, and pulled Ling Wan to sit down. "It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be a concubine's daughter. It's my fault for being incapable and not being able to give you the same opportunities as the legitimate daughters."
"No... how is this Mother's fault? If Mother hadn't given birth to me and raised me with such hardship, where would daughter be? Daughter will never forget Mother's kindness. It's this daughter who is unpromising and cannot give Mother a good life."
Ling Wan shook her head and denied it. If Mother hadn't protected her as she grew up over the years, she would have lost her life long ago. From childhood, Mother always gave her the best things first.
The meager charcoal fire in the harsh winter was also saved for her, and the thick cotton quilts were all covered over her. She would never forget Mother's kindness.
Madam Bai wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and sighed helplessly, "Wan'er, if you truly do not wish to go, then Mother will go and speak to the Young Madam for you."
"No... Mother..." Ling Wan shook her head, reaching out to touch the gemstone on the coronet, as if she had made up her mind. "Mother, I will go. I can understand eldest sister-in-law's good intentions. She wants me to go out and gain experience. I am already so old, and I will get married sooner or later. Once I am married, it will be a different world, and no one will be able to protect me anymore. I will have to bear everything myself."
"Wan'er... my good child, it's all my fault for being useless, forcing you to endure so much hardship."
Madam Bai hated her own powerlessness even more, unable to give Ling Wan the best life or protect her.
"Mother, don't say such things anymore. I am very happy to be your daughter in this life. With Mother by my side, no matter how difficult life is, I feel that every moment is sweet."