"Grandfather, I've already said that you shouldn't spoil him so much. If you fulfill their every request now, what will you do when they grow up and their desires are beyond your ability to satisfy? This will completely spoil the two of them. If you continue like this, I'll have no choice but to prevent you from seeing the children!"
Feng Jin's tone was firm and resolute, leaving no room for negotiation. For the sake of her children's future, she would absolutely not soften her heart.
"We live in the same courtyard, and you're telling me I can't see them? These are the Ling family's children, and I have every right to see them. Besides, how have I spoiled the children? It's just that when I play with them, I indulge their requests a little. If you never satisfy them, you will be failing them. When they grow up, they will envy everything they see!"
"I've raised plenty of children from a very young age. I've eaten more salt than you've walked roads, so naturally, I know how to raise children. If you don't believe me, leave the children here, and you'll see if the children I raise aren't better than yours!"
Old Master Ling resorted to provocation against Feng Jin, but he didn't expect that Feng Jin wouldn't fall for his tactics at all.
"Grandfather, don't try these tricks on me. I've made up my mind this time. I won't allow Grandfather to see the two children every day anymore. If Grandfather continues to have Steward Wu lead people to guard the courtyard, I'll have no choice but to take the children and live elsewhere."
As soon as she stepped out, she encountered Steward Wu leading several servants to guard the entrance. It seemed they intended to monitor her continuously.
If Old Master Ling continued like this, she would have to take the children and move out. After all, she had plenty of other residences outside.
As for Ling Mohan, if he was unwilling to leave, she wouldn't force him.
"You want to take the children and move out? That's simply preposterous!" Old Master Ling shouted furiously. "You are my Ling family's daughter-in-law, and the children are my Ling family's bloodline. As long as I'm still breathing, you'll never take the children away!"
He then shifted his gaze to Ling Mohan, who stood silently beside him, and glared at him fiercely. "Don't you have anything to say?"
"Grandfather, if Feng Jin insists on taking the children to live elsewhere, I have no objections. I can also move out with them!"
Ling Mohan's words almost sent Old Master Ling to his grave. In his rage, he pointed at Ling Mohan, his eyes burning with anger. "You ungrateful brat! You married a wife and forgot your mother, only siding with your wife. Look, I'll give you a beating!"
Old Master Ling grabbed his walking stick and was about to strike Ling Mohan. He truly felt he had raised him in vain, only for him to end up being a husband for someone else.
"Grandfather, what you're saying is that in the end, I have to spend my life with my wife. If I blindly follow your wishes, it will be I who suffers."
Ling Mohan was quite clear-headed at this moment, choosing the side that was most beneficial to him. He was now willing to offend Old Master Ling rather than risk offending Feng Jin.
If he angered Feng Jin and she took the children and left, he would be left alone and miserable.
"You... you..."
Old Master Ling pointed at Ling Mohan in frustration and shouted, "Get out! Get out!"
He truly didn't want to look at Ling Mohan anymore, feeling only a burning rage within him.
"Grandfather, I'll leave now."
Ling Mohan said without hesitation, then turned and took Feng Jin and the two children to walk out.
"You're going against your grandfather's wishes like this. Aren't you worried the old man will come looking for you later!"
Feng Jin looked at the man beside her, who appeared calm. He was much bolder this time, confronting the old master directly. This was the first time.
Previously, he always went along with Old Master Ling's wishes. What was going on this time?
"I was worried that if Grandfather got angrier, and then came looking for trouble with you, I would simply redirect his anger onto myself."
Ling Mohan's words sounded plausible, as if he was thinking only of Feng Jin. In reality, he was genuinely worried that Feng Jin might actually take the children and leave. He didn't want to be alone, so he decided to stand with Feng Jin and oppose his grandfather for now.
He figured he could apologize to his grandfather after his anger subsided. It was truly difficult to be caught in the middle.
"Is that so?" Feng Jin's tone rose slightly, her gaze falling on Ling Mohan with suspicion. She felt that what Ling Mohan was saying was highly unreliable.
"Naturally!" Ling Mohan responded without a second thought, his face displaying genuine sincerity. There was nothing that seemed amiss.
For a moment, Feng Jin couldn't tell if Ling Mohan was telling the truth or not, and she couldn't be bothered to think about it further, as it didn't seem important.
"What's wrong? Not talking anymore?"
Seeing Feng Jin remain silent for a long time, Ling Mohan's gaze shifted to her, observing her silently. He asked with a hint of unease.
"It's nothing..."
Feng Jin shook her head slightly, saying nothing more, and continued to walk forward.
She had nothing more to ask, so she naturally didn't say anything else.
After a pause, Ling Mohan continued to ask, "How did you know I took the children to Grandfather's place?"
"From the moment you left, I anticipated that you would take the children to Grandfather's. I didn't pry or ask anything further and intended to turn a blind eye, pretending nothing had happened. But as soon as I opened the door, I ran into Steward Wu and his men blocking the entrance."
"They had the entire courtyard sealed off so tightly. If I were to tolerate this any longer, I'd be a fool. I must teach Grandfather a lesson now and see if he dares to do this again in the future."
Actually, she hadn't intended to prevent Old Master Ling from seeing the children at first. It was just that this time, the old master had gone too far by having people guard her doorway. This was a form of surveillance, and she truly couldn't tolerate it any longer.
"This time, I'll listen to you. I'll do whatever you say," Ling Mohan quickly expressed his loyalty. This time, he was determined to stand by Feng Jin's side without any wavering.
After escorting Feng Jin and the children back, Ling Mohan did not leave. He stayed with the mother and children until late at night. Once he confirmed that Feng Jin had fallen asleep, Ling Mohan tiptoed out of the room and cautiously made his way out.