USWHC -Chapter 197 Proposal of Marriage (Part 7)

How could this be acceptable? Old Madam Ji had already been waiting at home for five or six days—how could she just let Auntie Fei leave like that?

Old Madam Ji hurriedly tried to keep her. “Oh, don’t go like that, Auntie Fei! If you leave now, I’d feel so bad about it. Come sit inside for a while. You can leave after you’ve rested.”

As she spoke, she turned toward the house and shouted, “Boss’s wife! Hurry up and make some tea for your aunt and put out some sunflower seeds!”

Listen to how virtuous Old Madam Ji sounded! If this were modern times, she’d definitely be the kind of good citizen who helps fallen elderly people up from the roadside.

Of course, she wouldn’t help unless there was something to gain from it.

Auntie Fei naturally knew why Old Madam Ji was suddenly so attentive. Seeing her act this way, she relaxed somewhat.

She had just overheard everything outside the door—so the Ji family was getting anxious! But that was good. The more anxious they were, the better.

Thus Auntie Fei “reluctantly” allowed Old Madam Ji to help her into the main room. But the moment she sat down, Sister-in-law You approached with an awkward expression, holding only a bowl of plain boiled water.

“Where’s the tea?” Old Madam Ji frowned the moment she saw it.

“Mother, we’re out of tea leaves,” Sister-in-law You replied stiffly.

Old Madam Ji immediately became displeased. “How could we be out? Isn’t there still half a packet in Second Brother’s chest?”

Sister-in-law You looked confused as well and glanced at Zhu Jie before saying, “I checked. There wasn’t any in the chest.”

“Second daughter-in-law, where are your tea leaves?” Old Madam Ji demanded with full authority, as if living in a communist society where what’s yours is mine.

Zhu Jie deliberately put on an innocent expression. “I used them to make tea eggs two days ago.”

“What?!” Old Madam Ji’s eyes widened instantly. “You dared to eat something that expensive? Where are the tea eggs then?”

“I already ate them,” Zhu Jie replied calmly.

“You ate them all by yourself? Such expensive things, and you didn’t share?” Old Madam Ji was furious. Tea eggs! That was something she had only heard about but never tasted—such a luxurious food!

Auntie Fei was drooling as well, sighing repeatedly. “What a waste of good things!”

But for some reason, Ji Yi suddenly burst out laughing, as if their conversation was extremely amusing.

Zhu Jie immediately turned to look at him. This guy was strange—really strange. Especially his sense of humor. It was very odd.

“Auntie Fei, what exactly did you come here for today?” Ji Mei had already run out of patience. While ingratiatingly offering the few sunflower seeds they had, she asked in a low voice.

Auntie Fei grabbed all the seeds in one handful and began cracking them noisily. “Isn’t it for your sake?” she said.

Hearing that, everyone’s eyes widened again, filled with anticipation.

Auntie Fei spat out a sunflower seed shell, gulped down a big bowl of plain water, wiped her mouth, then raised her head and continued proudly, “Let me tell you—you should really thank me. I put in a lot of effort for your Mei.”

“How so?” Old Madam Ji asked, so excited her heart nearly jumped into her throat.

The smug look on Auntie Fei’s face made it seem as if she had accomplished some tremendous feat. In a mysterious tone she said, “Mei’s matter—I’ve settled it!”

“What? They agreed to handle it according to the Duke’s residence standards?” Old Madam Ji jumped up in excitement.

Hearing this, Auntie Fei couldn’t help rolling her eyes toward the sky. These people still hadn’t given up on that idea!

But she still said proudly, “More or less.”

“More or less? What does that mean?” Ji Mei frowned slightly upon hearing that.

Auntie Fei quickly explained, “After all, we’re not in the capital right now. If we followed their customs exactly, a lot of things can’t be bought here quickly. And many of those customs don’t match ours anyway. So the Sun family thinks it’s better to follow the local customs here, but match the capital’s standards as closely as possible. That way, it won’t look any worse. What do you think?”

“Won’t look any worse?” Old Madam Ji’s eyes widened instantly. That good?

“So how exactly is it ‘not worse’?” Ji Yi, however, was much calmer than the others. Though the disappointment on his face was obvious—he truly hadn’t expected the Sun family to compromise!

Could it be that Young Master Sun had really taken a liking to Zhu Jie?

Hmph—she was his wife, wasn’t she?!

The thought made him even more annoyed.