USWHC -Chapter 139 Wealthy Relatives (Part 9)

“Why aren’t you leaving yet? Haven’t you already taken your silver nuggets?” Old Madam Ji glanced at Ergou Niang devouring food beside her, feeling a wave of disgust, and couldn’t help but want to give her a little jab.

Ergou Niang was busy hunting for meat all over the table. Hearing this, she immediately frowned. “I didn’t come for silver nuggets! I’m here to help my relatives!”

“Relatives?” Old Madam Ji snorted derisively through her nose. “Who’s your relative?”

“Who’s not?” Ergou Niang lifted her chin proudly. “Go ask Madam Sun yourself. My brother is the son of her cousin’s mother-in-law’s brother. That’s a close connection!” She then plopped a big chunk of fatty meat straight into her mouth.

Pfft. That connection—Zhu Jie almost choked on her garlic sprouts. Relatives? This is barely even remotely connected!

“What kind of connection is that? Master Sun is my husband’s seventh great-uncle’s eldest brother’s brother-in-law’s brother-in-law!” Old Madam Ji shot back, equally proud, tilting her head.

“That’s nothing. Can you deliver a message to Madam Sun?” Ergou Niang scoffed. “You’re taking so many detours!”

“Hmph. Can you deliver a message to Madam Sun?” Old Madam Ji retorted, looking down her nose at Ergou Niang.

“Why not? Didn’t you see? Madam Sun values me! I’ve been helping out here for two whole days!” Ergou Niang replied with pride.

In truth, although both sides were distant relatives, Ergou Niang actually had more standing with Madam Sun. Why? Because even if Madam Sun wanted to favor her own cousin at her mother-in-law’s house, she wouldn’t offend her mother-in-law’s relatives—this is female politics.

Old Madam Ji’s case was different. Sure, she could trace the connections through a few detours, but she took extra detours, and among men, there’s far less consideration. Master Sun himself probably couldn’t even figure out what kind of “relative” that was.

Ji Mei calculated all this in her mind and immediately felt that Ergou Niang could actually speak with more influence than her own mother. Just as Old Madam Ji was about to insult Ergou Niang a few more times, Ji Mei jabbed her mother hard with her elbow under the table. Old Madam Ji looked down, startled, at her daughter.

Ji Mei kept winking and pointing at her chest under the table. Was she trying to eat secretly?

Of course not. Old Madam Ji suddenly made a sound of realization, her eyes widening. What was she thinking?

Before anyone could figure it out, Old Madam Ji suddenly put on a bright smile, her face lighting up as she looked at Ergou Niang, leaving Ergou Niang completely stunned.

Was she eying the fatty meat in my mouth?

Of course not!

Zhu Jie watched as Old Madam Ji’s expression instantly transformed into a golden smile. She even took the meat from her own plate and put it into Ergou Niang’s bowl with a flattering smile: “Oh my, you really have the connections, Old Sister!”

Ergou Niang was momentarily thrown off by the sudden change in attitude but felt a small sense of pride, and a trace of her usual arrogant charm returned to her face.

“You’ve been helping out for two days now, Old Sister. You must know everyone in the Sun family, right?” Old Madam Ji asked eagerly, leaning in to probe.

“Of course I know!” Ergou Niang lifted her chin proudly, giving Old Madam Ji a quick, condescending side-eye.

Unexpectedly, Old Madam Ji endured the slight, and even more eagerly served dishes to Ergou Niang while asking, “Does the Sun family have any sons?”

“Of course! How could they not? Their son passed the top two levels of the imperial exams. He’s a scholar, and I heard that after the New Year, he’ll head south to serve as a prefect!” Ergou Niang said proudly, as if she were talking about her own child.

Old Madam Ji’s eyes widened. A prefect? That’s an official higher than the village head!

She was so excited she could barely speak. “Does the Sun son have a wife yet?”