Feng Jin had not expected Old Master Ling to notice the clue so quickly, leaving him flustered.
After a moment of silence, Old Master Ling began to defend himself, "I... I am old now, how can I do these things? Don't you overthink it, you're just imagining things..."
Feng Jin rolled her eyes in exasperation. It seemed Old Master Ling would not give up until he was cornered. Feng Jin walked over, pointing at the two indentations on the mat, and asked helplessly, "With such deep marks from your knees, it's clear you were kneeling on it. If you still refuse to admit it, we can compare and see if I'm wrongly accusing you."
Seeing that he could no longer conceal it, Old Master Ling sighed in defeat. "Stop investigating, stop interrogating, I admit it, alright? But these things were all my idea to coax the children. Don't use this as an excuse to trouble the two children. Direct all your anger and frustration at me!"
He was willing to risk everything today, even his reputation, as long as his beloved grandson was not upset.
"Grandfather, at your age, why are you playing like this with them? What if something happens to your health? What would we do then!"
Feng Jin had initially thought Old Master Ling was merely spoiling the two children, but she never expected him to be so indulged. At his age, he was condescendingly offering himself as a horse for the children to ride.
She was at a loss for words, not knowing what to say, and not even worried about rumors spreading and making him a laughingstock.
"I do these things willingly. I am happy to be a beast of burden for my precious great-grandchildren. I'm already one foot in the grave, how much longer can I live? To see the two children smile more in my lifetime, to hear them happily call me great-grandfather, that is my greatest joy!"
At his age, every extra day was a bonus. He didn't know how much longer he could accompany the children. As long as he could see them happy, he was willing to do anything.
Old Master Ling sat down on the chair, supporting his tired waist with some effort, and snorted, "You all stopping me is filial impiety. If I die, I will not rest in peace!"
Feng Jin was instantly speechless. What was this all about? How did it get to this? Why was the old master so unreasonable and defiant now? She couldn't even reason with him.
"Grandfather, you are old and your health is not good. I will not argue with you about this. However, based on your current behavior, I've decided to change our visits from once a day to once every five days. From now on, you will only see the children on rest days."
"What did you say... I'm telling you, if you dare to stop me from seeing the children, I'll never forgive you!"
Old Master Ling shouted furiously, but Feng Jin had long since left the room. He could only vent his anger at the empty air.
Feng Jin had anticipated the impact of her words and had rushed out before Old Master Ling could react.
As soon as she stepped outside, she saw Cai Qing rushing towards her.
"Madam... Madam, did you hit the two young masters?"
Cai Qing's first words upon seeing Feng Jin were to ask if the children had been punished, and her eyes darted around, failing to spot the young masters.
Could it be that Madam had been too harsh and the young masters were bedridden? With this thought, Cai Qing's heart skipped a beat, and a cold sweat broke out on her forehead in panic.
"Madam, why aren't you speaking? Did you really hit the two young masters?"
Feng Jin rolled her eyes. Did she really have a face that looked like she hit children? Why did everyone she met worry if she would hit children? These were children she had carried for ten months, nearly losing her life to give birth to. Was she some kind of wicked stepmother to beat her own children so severely?
"I wanted to teach them a lesson, but I didn't get the chance."
Just as she was ready to take action, someone had already taken the children away. Where was she supposed to go to discipline them?
Relieved that the children had not been hit, Cai Qing slowly exhaled, a faint smile on her face. She patted her pounding heart, which was still racing from the fright, and murmured to herself, "Thank goodness... thank goodness, the two young masters are alright, that's great... truly great..."
"Don't be happy yet. You need to find a few people to locate Steward Wu and bring the children back."
Steward Wu was not young, but his legwork was quite impressive. How had he disappeared with the two children in such a short time?
The Ling manor was so large that it would take some effort to find them. She wondered where they had gone...
"That's easy. I'll go look for them now. I'll definitely find the two young masters and bring them back safely. Madam, you can rest assured."
Cai Qing patted her chest as she promised. The moment she finished speaking, she hurried out. After searching the entire manor, she finally found Steward Wu and the two children in the back garden.
"Steward Wu, why are you here? You made me search everywhere! I've turned the entire manor upside down to finally find you..."
Cai Qing's breathing was heavy, indicating she had run back. She was panting and sweat beaded on her forehead.
Hearing the voice behind them, Steward Wu and Da Bao and Er Bao turned their heads in unison.
"Miss Cai Qing, how did you find us?" Steward Wu instinctively reached out to shield Da Bao and Er Bao. He knew that wherever Cai Qing was, Madam would not be far behind.
He had to protect the two young masters well, to not fail Old Master's entrustment and let Madam snatch the children away again.
"Steward Wu, Old Master has already agreed for Madam to take the two young masters back. Madam sent me to find you to bring the young masters back."
Cai Qing deliberately used Old Master as a pretext, otherwise Steward Wu would never let her take the young masters back.
Even so, Steward Wu remained unconvinced. "No, without Old Master's personal instruction, I cannot give the young masters to you."
"Steward Wu, Madam is the biological mother of the young masters. Isn't it only natural for a mother to take her children? You can't forcefully detain the young masters like this."