"Young general, why are you here at this hour? The old master just went to sleep."
Steward Wu recognized the familiar voice at the门口 from afar and hurried forward to see Ling Mohan standing at the entrance, asking him urgently.
"How is grandfather's health today? Has he been any better since we left?"
Ling Mohan inquired with a hint of worry. He had indeed angered his grandfather greatly today, and he wasn't sure if his grandfather had calmed down yet.
"Young general, you may not know, but after you left, the old master threw a huge tantrum and punished several young servants. He was so angry that he barely ate anything in the evening. He only just fell asleep after drinking some calming soup. Perhaps you should return for now. The old master is still fuming, and even if he were awake, he might not be willing to see you. It would be best to wait a couple of days for his anger to subside."
Ling Mohan craned his neck to peer inside, seeing that the lights were already out and there wasn't the slightest sound from the room. He figured his grandfather was likely already asleep.
After a moment's hesitation, he said softly, "Then I shall take my leave. If there is anything, please report to me immediately."
Even if he went in now, he wouldn't receive a favorable reception and would undoubtedly be severely scolded. It was better to avoid provoking him. Returning now and apologizing properly once his grandfather's anger had subsided would be a wiser course of action.
At that time, his grandfather might not even punish him, but going in now would certainly result in a beating.
"Young general, rest assured. If there is anything concerning the old master, this old servant will inform you immediately."
Steward Wu repeatedly agreed. As he was escorting Ling Mohan towards the entrance, he suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "Young general, there is something else that has been on my mind for a long time, and I feel I must tell you. I hope the young general will forgive my presumptuousness."
"Steward Wu, you have served my Ling family your entire life. I have never treated you as an outsider. Please, say whatever is on your mind, Steward Wu."
"Then this old servant shall be bold. The old master truly dotes on the two young masters, but he has indeed spoiled them. However, young general, you must bring the young masters to see the old master from time to time. This old servant truly cannot bear to see the old master miss the young masters so dearly..."
He spoke with genuine concern for the old master and couldn't bear to see him missing the young masters day after day. It was this that gave him the courage to speak these words.
Ling Mohan sighed softly, "I understand what you are saying. Let this matter settle for a while. In a couple more days, I will bring the children to see grandfather. However... Steward Wu, grandfather trusts you the most. I will trouble Steward Wu to persuade grandfather a bit more, to not be so partial towards the children. If he continues to spoil them like this, it will truly ruin these two children."
While he could understand his grandfather's affection for the children, he also knew the saying "spoiling a child is like killing a child." If his grandfather continued to raise the children this way, these two boys would truly become spoiled.
Once their temperaments were set, it would be very difficult to correct them. He couldn't persuade his grandfather, and he thought that only Steward Wu could.
"That is natural. This old servant will do his best to persuade the old master."
"Good!" Ling Mohan nodded. With Steward Wu's assurance, he could temporarily put his mind at ease. He added a few more words of caution before taking his leave.
...
When Ling Mohan returned to his courtyard, the candles that should have been extinguished in the room were relit. As he pushed open the door, he saw Feng Jin sitting at the desk, lost in thought.
Upon hearing the movement at the door, Feng Jin lifted his eyes and turned his gaze towards Ling Mohan.
"The young general has returned. It is a cold and dewy winter night. What important matter compelled you to go out at this hour? Or is this matter... something you are trying to hide from me, and therefore you resorted to this strategy?"
Although Feng Jin's tone was light, the underlying anger could be heard.
Ling Mohan did not dare to linger. He immediately stepped forward and sat beside Feng Jin, clearing his throat slightly. "I... I went to see grandfather. We angered him greatly today, and I was worried about his health. I was also worried that you would be unhappy, so I went stealthily. I didn't expect you to know."
"I have told you everything. Please don't be angry with me over these matters... I truly didn't intend to hide it from you..."
He acted stealthily precisely because he was worried Feng Jin would be angry. If Feng Jin was still angry after he had already done it, then all his efforts would have been in vain.
Feng Jin sighed with a hint of helplessness, his gaze slowly shifting to Ling Mohan. "I am not angry with you. I just feel that if you even hide such minor matters from me, it shows a lack of trust.
"Or do you think I am such a petty person, who would quibble over such things? Your actions truly make me feel heartbroken."
In Ling Mohan's heart, was she truly such a petty and quarrelsome person, unable to tolerate such matters, and had to act so stealthily, deliberately hiding from her?
Thinking about it now, she felt an unbearable tightness in her chest.
"It was my fault. I was inconsiderate. I judged you with a narrow mind. Please be magnanimous and forgiving. Don't be upset over these trivial matters. It's not worth it if you fall ill. If you're angry, just hit me a few times to vent. Don't hold it in and make yourself sick, as that would be a loss."
Ling Mohan gently coaxed Feng Jin in a soft voice, lowering his stance. This was the first time he had ever spoken so gently to anyone.
He was truly worried that if he said the wrong thing, it would ignite Feng Jin's anger, and then it would be truly difficult to resolve.
Considering Ling Mohan's sincere apology, Feng Jin did not pursue the matter further. He finally sighed helplessly, glared fiercely at Ling Mohan, and squeezed out a few words, "I'll let it slide this time. If..."
"There will absolutely not be a next time, you can rest assured!"
Before Feng Jin could finish speaking, Ling Mohan accurately predicted her next words and immediately gave his assurance.
"Alright, let's go to sleep. I'm tired."
She had originally fallen asleep. If Ling Mohan hadn't made such a loud noise when closing the door, she wouldn't have woken up. After waiting for so long, she was already feeling sleepy and had been forcing herself to stay awake.