USWHC -Chapter 203 Sold by Someone Yet Still Counting the Money (Part 3)

Zhu Jie’s mind was racing, but Ji Mei’s legs had already acted first. She happily headed straight toward Madam Sun, and it looked like the truth was about to be exposed!

Zhu Jie quickly took two steps forward. While keeping pace with Ji Mei, she secretly reached behind her and pinched her hard.

Ji Mei winced in pain and slowed for a moment. Zhu Jie immediately stepped ahead of her, blocking her path. With a graceful bow, she spoke politely:

“Madam Sun flatters me. However, Mei’er is young and of humble standing, so I dare not presume to sit in the seat of honor.”

As she spoke, Zhu Jie’s eyes darted around. When she saw Ji Yi sitting together with Eldest Brother Ji and the others on the right side, she quickly added:

“Mei’er will sit together with my second brother and the others.”

Her words were refined and somewhat formal, but they were reasonable. According to age and family hierarchy, Ji Mei indeed should be seated with the elder brothers. Of course, since she was an important guest today, even if Madam Sun had honored her with the main seat, it would still have been acceptable.

However, Madam Sun saw that “Ji Mei” spoke politely and followed proper etiquette. It was also the same “Ji Mei” she liked speaking, so she didn’t suspect anything. She simply smiled kindly.

“It seems I was the one who didn’t think it through.”

She assumed that since the formal betrothal had not yet been completed, Ji Mei might feel somewhat restrained. So she followed along and sat down on the right side.

But now the seating arrangement became terribly unbalanced!

Five people were crammed on the right side, while only one person sat on the left. This wasn’t a rotating banquet table—when people crowded together like that, everyone ended up with much less food!

Ji Mei immediately lengthened her face in displeasure.

“Second Sister-in-law, why did you pinch me again?” she whispered in complaint near Zhu Jie’s ear. Fortunately, being in her future in-laws’ house made her somewhat restrained, otherwise she would have shouted loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Do you want the Sun family to look down on you?” Zhu Jie said in a deliberately stern voice to frighten her. “Do you even know why you came here today? Do you think the Sun family really invited you just for a meal?”

“If it’s not for a meal, then what else?” Ji Mei froze. Was there something more going on?

Zhu Jie nodded seriously and whispered:

“Today the Sun family is here to examine their future daughter-in-law! They want to see what kind of person you are—whether you understand etiquette and know how to behave.”

“Really?” Ji Mei thought about it and realized it made sense. The Sun family had never really interacted with her before—at most they had seen each other from afar. Now suddenly they wanted to meet again before the engagement… there must indeed be a reason. She immediately felt Zhu Jie’s explanation was very reasonable.

“Just now, if you had gone and sat there, it would have shown a lack of manners. Look at Young Master Sun—he’s the young master of the Sun family. See where he’s sitting?” Zhu Jie even pointed toward Sun Shaoyan with great seriousness.

Ji Mei looked over. Sure enough, that handsome Young Master Sun hadn’t sat beside Madam Sun. He was actually seated even farther back than Ji Mei, directly opposite Madam Sun, at the very end of the table.

In truth, that seat was the vice-host position. As one of today’s main figures and a junior, sitting there to accompany the guests with food and drink was perfectly appropriate.

But Ji Mei didn’t understand any of that. Completely fooled by Zhu Jie, she even said gratefully:

“Good thing you reminded me, Sister-in-law. How would I know all these things?”

Hearing that, Zhu Jie immediately gave her a gentle smile.

“We’re family, after all. When you do well, we all do well. Don’t worry—today I’ll definitely help you. Later, no matter what they ask you to do, I’ll do it with you. Just follow my lead and you won’t go wrong.”

Ji Mei was deeply touched.

“Luckily I have you, Second Sister-in-law! Don’t worry—once I’m married, I definitely won’t treat you badly!”

Ji Yi had been listening carefully to their entire conversation. Others couldn’t hear it, but he was sitting the closest and caught every word. He was almost angered to the point of coughing up blood.

This girl had been sold off and was still happily helping count the money! At the end of it, would she even say “thank you”?

Sure enough, during the banquet Madam Sun paid special attention to Ji Mei.

“Miss Ji Mei, what dishes do you like to eat? Just tell me—I’ll have the maids move them closer to you,” Madam Sun said kindly.

The moment Ji Mei heard that, her eyes widened. She immediately thought: Can all the meat be moved over here?

She was just about to speak—but if she opened her mouth, wouldn’t Zhu Jie’s lie be exposed?