USWHC -Chapter 359 Jumping Into One’s Own Trap (Part 9)

Unexpectedly, the county magistrate smiled as if everything made perfect sense and said, “Consort Li shares the same thought. Such a delicate item must have been conceived by a woman, right?”

“Yes, yes! It was my daughter, Ji Mei, who came up with it!” Old Madam Ji blurted out excitedly, rushing to answer first.

Ji Mei came up with it? What kind of trouble is this now? Ji Yi and Zhu Jie were both stunned, staring at her speechlessly!

But Old Madam Ji, brimming with excitement, pushed Ji Mei forward and said, “Magistrate, you must speak well of her to that noble lady in the heavens and have her properly reward our Mei!”

Zhu Jie let out a cold laugh upon hearing this—so it was about money again. Truly, she was so obsessed with wealth that she couldn’t pull herself out of it, not even fearing she might one day drown in it!

“Your daughter? Not your daughter-in-law?” The magistrate hesitated, clearly having made inquiries beforehand, and now felt somewhat suspicious.

Yet Old Madam Ji looked absolutely certain, saying firmly, “Yes, yes! My daughter told her brother about it!”

The magistrate frowned slightly, but soon smiled again. “Is that so? What a clever young lady. However, there’s no need for me to relay this to Consort Li…”

He deliberately paused. Hearing this, Old Madam Ji grew anxious at once. “Magistrate, you must tell her!” If he didn’t, there would be no reward!

Seeing her anxious expression, the magistrate continued, “Because Consort Li has already said she wishes to personally meet this clever young lady—and, while she’s at it, learn how to make soap from her. I wonder if the young lady would be willing to teach?”

In truth, that question was unnecessary. When someone from the palace summoned you, how could you refuse?

Old Madam Ji hesitated for a moment, but for some reason, a different kind of gleam immediately flashed in her eyes. “Agreed, agreed! You agree, don’t you, Mei?”

Ji Mei was momentarily stunned, but when she thought of the beautiful clothes and glittering jewelry, she quickly nodded. “I’ll go! I must go!”

The magistrate was overjoyed. “Good! Tomorrow I’ll have someone escort you to the capital!”

Tomorrow? So soon? Old Madam Ji and Ji Mei exchanged glances. Then Old Madam Ji cautiously asked, “Magistrate… can I go along too?”

Unexpectedly, the magistrate’s face darkened instantly. “With the way you keep saying ‘I, I’ like that? Forget it. Don’t go and hold your clever daughter back!”

“Ah? I’ll stop saying it, isn’t that enough?” Old Madam Ji said awkwardly.

But the magistrate’s expression grew even worse. With a cold laugh, he said, “Consort Li only summoned her alone. Aren’t you afraid of offending her if you go as well?”

Hearing this, Old Madam Ji realized this noble lady wouldn’t be easy to serve. She quickly said, “I won’t go then, I won’t go!”

Ji Mei, however, widened her eyes in shock. What was her mother thinking, sending her alone to the capital?

The magistrate, satisfied with the response, nodded. “Good, then it’s settled. Tomorrow I’ll send people to fetch her.” With that, he seemed unwilling to continue small talk and stood up to leave.

“Being an official really is something!” Old Madam Ji couldn’t help but sigh as she watched the group stride out arrogantly.

Ji Mei immediately complained, “Mother, how could you let me go to the capital alone?”

“Why not go?” Old Madam Ji replied happily. “There’s money to be made—why wouldn’t we go? And are you foolish? I’m securing your future! Have you forgotten? The fortune-teller said you’re destined for wealth and honor! Maybe this trip to the capital will catch the eye of some high official. Forget being a second wife—you might even have the fate of becoming a titled noble lady!”

“A titled noble lady?” Ji Mei’s eyes widened instantly. That’s right! What kind of place was the capital? Throw a tile, and half the people you’d hit would be high officials, while the other half would all be imperial relatives!

Yes—she had to go to the capital!

Ji Mei’s eyes began to sparkle with excitement. She couldn’t help but feel that her mother truly had foresight!