Madam Deng nodded.
Master Deng drew a deep breath.
"When I first heard about this, I couldn't believe it either.
Our Bao'er is so young. How could he possibly have done such a thing?
But after investigating, I found it was the truth. I was utterly shocked myself.
That's why we must discipline Bao'er properly.
Martial arts training can temper his character. You must not soften your heart during this time."
Madam Deng stared blankly at Master Deng, then nodded and said,
"I'll do as you say!"
Master Deng breathed a sigh of relief. As long as his wife stopped softening her heart, what came next would be much easier.
For a while afterward, whenever Deng Qizhi went to Madam Deng to tearfully complain, she did not relent.
When Deng Qizhi saw that his tearful complaints did nothing, he came up with other methods.
At first, he merely threw tantrums and rolled around on the ground, but that did not work either.
Somewhere, he learned the routine of crying first, making a scene second, and threatening to hang himself third.
He slipped a rope around his neck and wailed,
"Father, Mother, our family has money anyway. Even if I learn nothing at all, this vast estate is enough to keep us fed and clothed.
Why must you force me to practice martial arts?
Father, Mother, I really can't take it anymore. Please let me off!"
As far as Deng Qizhi was concerned, his family was rich, and everything belonging to the Deng Family would be his someday. Why should he make life so hard for himself?
Madam Deng wept as she said,
"Bao'er, be good. Come down, and we can talk about whatever you want."
"Mother, promise me you won't make me practice martial arts anymore, all right?"
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