USWHC -Chapter 195 Proposal of Marriage (Part 5)

As soon as Old Madam Ji heard this, she immediately became unhappy. “How is it different? My Meizi can bear children—can she bear children too? A healthy body is my Meizi’s best dowry. And I gave birth to her so beautifully—that’s the best dowry of all! Does that young lady from the Duke’s mansion have that?”

Someone actually came to propose to you? Auntie Fei could no longer hold herself back. She rolled her eyes fiercely toward the sky, and the pleasant look she had earlier disappeared. Lowering her voice, she said seriously, “Sister Ji, I’ve worked as a matchmaker for many families. There are plenty who negotiate conditions during a proposal, but something this unrealistic—I’ve never seen even once. You’d better think it over carefully. I can try to secure more benefits for your family, but comparing yourselves with the Duke’s mansion… forget it.”

“Why forget it? In what way is our Meizi worse than others?” Old Madam Ji said stubbornly. “It was the Sun family who took a fancy to our Meizi—our Meizi never took a fancy to them! With someone like our Meizi, becoming the principal wife of a wealthy household would be more than enough. They’d better know their place—don’t pick up a treasure and fail to recognize it!”

Hearing her speak with such confidence, Zhu Jie couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. So Old Madam Ji has been bargaining this whole time! But with such an imposing attitude, wasn’t she afraid the negotiations would collapse?

Sure enough, Auntie Fei suddenly sprang up from the bed. When she landed, it made a loud “duang!” sound—as if the ground had shaken.

“Then I’ll go back and relay this to the Sun family. But Sister Ji, think it over carefully as well. Such a good marriage—don’t miss it!” With that, Auntie Fei left without even turning her head back.

Old Madam Ji watched her go but didn’t see her out. Instead, she maintained an air of pride, as if victory were already in her grasp.

Auntie Fei strode away quickly for a while. When she noticed no one calling her back, she gradually slowed her steps. How am I supposed to report this to the Sun family? Old Madam Ji might dare to say such things, but she was afraid of being laughed at by the Suns.

Unfortunately, the Ji family seemed to have all made up their minds—no one called her back. She could only resolutely leave the Ji household.

But not long after Auntie Fei left, Old Madam Ji immediately began to feel uneasy. Looking flustered, she turned to Ji Yi and asked, “Erhan, are you really sure the Sun family will agree?”

Of course they won’t, Ji Yi thought silently. But on the surface he looked completely confident. “Of course, Mother. Right now the Sun family needs something from us. Meizi is no worse than that young lady from the Duke’s mansion. On what grounds would they refuse?”

“Really?” Ji Mei also started to feel nervous. “But judging from Auntie Fei’s reaction, it seemed like we’d said some huge joke!”

It was a joke to begin with! Zhu Jie sneered inwardly, but her gaze shifted meaningfully toward Ji Yi. So it was you behind the scenes, instigating Old Madam Ji. No wonder she dared to make such outrageous demands today.

Old Madam Ji might not understand Ji Yi’s hidden intentions, but Zhu Jie understood perfectly well—he was deliberately trying to discourage the Sun family from continuing the marriage proposal.

“Mother, don’t you want the bride price anymore?” Ji Yi said seriously. “The Sun family doesn’t lack that little bit of money. If they can give it to the Duke’s mansion, they can certainly give it to our Meizi too. To them, it’s just small change—it all depends on whether you dare to ask for it.”

“Really?” Old Madam Ji became completely hesitant now. She wanted the money, but she also wanted to marry into such a prestigious family.

Ji Yi once again gave her a firm reassurance. In a crisp voice he declared, “Really. Absolutely.”

Really trying to ruin your marriage prospects, Zhu Jie silently added behind him. But she had no intention of warning them. As long as the Sun family got a little lesson, she would be satisfied—and Ji Yi’s method wasn’t bad at all.

“Mother, if we really get that much money, how should we spend it?” Eldest Brother Ji had already begun calculating.

Before Old Madam Ji could answer, Ji Mei immediately cut in, “Of course we should add more to my dowry!”

“Dowry? Why would you need a dowry? Your belly is your dowry!” Eldest Brother Ji retorted immediately. “Once you get to the Sun family, what will you lack? Nothing at all. So what’s the point of a dowry?”

“Oh? So you expect me to marry over carrying ten carrots or something? You’re unbelievably greedy!” Ji Mei snapped back angrily.

The two of them had already started arguing over money that hadn’t even arrived yet. Watching their serious expressions, Zhu Jie found it genuinely amusing.

What a bunch of people who don’t know their own limits.