USWHC -Chapter 198 Proposal of Marriage (Part 8)

“Let me tell you, with my silver tongue, I managed to fight for the most benefits possible for you this time. Look—I’ve even brought the gift list!” Auntie Fei said proudly, handing a sheet to Old Madam Ji as if presenting a treasure. “You’ll definitely be satisfied!”

Unfortunately, Old Madam Ji couldn’t read. She was illiterate—how could she recognize those little black squiggles?

Of course, Auntie Fei never expected her to actually understand it. Handing it over was just for show, to bluff her.

Still, when Old Madam Ji saw the long, densely written list—over three feet in length—she immediately perked up. It was even longer than the old lady’s foot-binding cloth!

“Let me tell you, the Sun family is very sincere this time. Everything on this list is made of pure gold!” Auntie Fei said cheerfully.

“Pure gold?” Old Madam Ji’s eyes instantly sparkled like gold coins. “Which ones?”

“All of them! A golden chamber pot, a golden coconut, even the abacus is made entirely of gold. What do you think?” Auntie Fei’s grin stretched from ear to ear. “I fought hard to get all this for you!”

“Thank you! Thank you! You’ve really worked hard!” Old Madam Ji said with great delight. Then she turned to Sister-in-law You and ordered, “Why aren’t you bringing Auntie Fei a couple of sweet potatoes?”

Hearing Old Madam Ji’s repeated thanks, Auntie Fei instinctively stretched out her hands, ready to receive a monetary reward. But to her surprise, Old Madam Ji served her two sweet potatoes instead. They looked golden and delicious, but the value difference was enormous.

Auntie Fei couldn’t help cursing inwardly: What a miser! A true iron rooster—won’t pluck a single feather!

But in truth, she wasn’t running around for the Ji family anyway. Her real patron was the Sun family. As long as she could fool the Ji family, that was enough.

Old Madam Ji was satisfied, but unexpectedly Ji Yi spoke up again.

“Would the Duke’s mansion also accept such… material trinkets?”

Of course not! Wasn’t that basically insulting the Duke’s mansion? Their standards were far higher!

Naturally, Auntie Fei only thought that in her heart—she wouldn’t dare say it aloud.

Instead, she said seriously, “The Duke’s mansion’s gifts aren’t as practical as ours. Their things just look nice on display but aren’t really useful.”

Like antiques, land deeds, and gemstones as big as fists, Zhu Jie silently added in her mind.

But Old Madam Ji had already cried out impatiently, “Gold is better! Gold is definitely better!” In her entire life she had only seen a few pieces of gold. Now she was finally going to see plenty of it.

Hearing this, Auntie Fei immediately struck while the iron was hot.

“If your Meizi is satisfied, I’ll go inform the Sun family right away. The betrothal gifts can be delivered in a few days!”

“So soon?” Old Madam Ji asked in disbelief. With so many gold objects, even making them would take time!

Auntie Fei, however, looked completely calm.

“Of course! With money, what can’t be done? Once your Meizi becomes the lady of the house, whatever you want will be yours. You’ll eat from golden bowls, sit on a golden chamber pot when you go to the toilet, and even wipe your bottom with gold leaves. How wonderful!”

Wipe with gold leaves?

Old Madam Ji’s mouth fell wide open with excitement, drool practically pouring out like a waterfall.

Heavens! Such a life is right in front of her now. Was she… was she really about to become rich?

Ji Mei also seemed to feel that luxurious life was within reach. She unconsciously lifted her chin proudly, her nostrils almost pointing at the sky.

“Auntie Fei, listen to yourself—it should be that way, shouldn’t it?”

Good grief—using gold leaves to wipe one’s backside was now considered perfectly natural!

Zhu Jie couldn’t help but sneer, casting Ji Yi a teasing sideways glance as if to say: See? If they ever got rich, they’d probably become even more unbearable than anyone.

Ji Yi himself felt somewhat unhappy as well, but he simply continued pressing Auntie Fei with his words.

“Auntie Fei, are you really running around for our family? Or are you acting as someone else’s lobbyist?”

Well… she actually was. But Auntie Fei immediately grew displeased.

“Hey, Erhan, are you jealous of your sister Meizi or something? Why do I hear nothing good from you? If your sister marries well, won’t you benefit too?”

“Exactly!” Old Madam Ji joined in, criticizing him as well. “You can’t even find a wife yourself, so now you’re dissatisfied with everyone? What’s wrong with Auntie Fei? Back then she helped arrange things for you too. It’s your own fault you weren’t capable enough!”

Seeing their attitude, Ji Yi realized they had already been persuaded. Whatever he said now would probably be useless.

He sighed helplessly.

No way… could this matter really end up being settled just like this?