Chapter 432 Sympathetic Gaze (Thanks for the future expectation of monthly ticket addition)

Xiaosuisui nodded and said cheerfully, "Champion Scholar, Champion Scholar! My Eighth Uncle is going to be the Champion Scholar!"

At her words, Ji Youze chuckled softly and reached out to pat Xiaosuisui’s head. However, she was sitting next to Old Madam Ji, a bit too far for him to reach, so he awkwardly withdrew his hand.

Ji Youlin picked up his wine, said nothing, and simply clinked glasses with Ji Youze before downing it in one gulp. He then handed him a folding fan.

"Although your Martial Dao is superior to mine, it’s better to have as many safeguards as possible. Take this; it might provide an unexpected advantage when you need it."

The folding fan clearly concealed a hidden weapon; everyone understood this without needing further explanation.

"Thank you, Sixth Brother. Your skill in crafting mechanisms and hidden weapons is profound. As long as you dedicate yourself to your research, you will undoubtedly achieve unexpected success in the future."

Ji Youze accepted it without ceremony and added some words that seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

Ji Youlin took a bite of food before speaking.

"I should be the one thanking you. If it weren’t for your guidance back then, I wouldn’t have found my direction. Enough said about that. In the future, if you need any mechanisms or hidden weapons, just tell me, and I’ll make them for you!"

When Ji Youlin said this, Old Madam Ji’s gaze fell upon Ji Youze.

So, the Sixth’s choice was also related to the Eighth? Just how many things about her youngest son did she not know?

Huo Xing’Er gave him an armband. Like Xiaosuisui’s small purse, it had a hidden compartment inside and also contained two protective talismans she had drawn herself.

Zhu Xiuxiu was even more direct. She handed over the deed to a large mansion in a prime location in Capital City, where land was worth its weight in gold.

Seeing what Zhu Xiuxiu gave Ji Youze, Third Master Ji silently paused in the act of presenting his own gift.

Ji Youze looked eagerly at Third Master Ji.

Everyone else has given their gifts, so this Third Brother definitely can’t get away. Besides, he’s the owner of Bright Moon Pavilion; he must have plenty of good things!

"What are you looking at? Isn’t what your Third Sister-in-law gave the same as me giving it? We’re husband and wife; what’s hers is mine."

Hearing Ji Youcheng’s words, Zhu Xiuxiu couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.

"What do you mean, ’what’s mine is yours’? That’s my dowry property! What does it have to do with you, Ji Youcheng?! My father was right about you; you’re just like a Pixiu—all take and no give! Be careful you don’t stuff yourself to death!"

Third Master Ji’s face instantly darkened. "What ’all take and no give’? Aren’t you disgusting? Such crude words! You uncultured, ignorant woman!"

"So I’m uncultured and crude, am I? I’m not even as good as the Yingying and Yanyan, those maids around you, is that it? If you despise me so much, then why don’t you agree to a divorce?"

Zhu Xiuxiu exploded right then and there.

Old Madam Ji was also stunned. She looked from Zhu Xiuxiu to Third Master Ji.

So that’s it! I’ve been wondering why things felt so strange between this couple since they reunited. This is the problem!

"A mutual divorce? You wish! The most you’ll get is a bill of divorcement from me. Forget about a mutual separation."

"Fine then! A bill of divorcement it is! Write it! Quickly, hurry up! Whoever doesn’t write it is a coward!"

Furious, Zhu Xiuxiu slammed her hand on the table. The impact sent the chicken leg, just placed in Xiaosuisui’s bowl, flying. She didn’t even notice as she stormed out of the dining hall.

WAHHH! Xiaosuisui wailed, looking at the airborne chicken leg, and burst into tears. "Boo hoo hoo... Third Aunt... Boo hoo hoo..."

"Why is Suisui crying?" Old Madam Ji, her chest tight with anger, picked up Xiaosuisui and began to comfort her. "There, there, Xiaosuisui, don’t cry. It’s all your Third Uncle’s fault. He’s so obsessed with money he’s gone blind to what’s truly important in life!"

Xiaosuisui nestled in Old Madam Ji’s arms. Hearing her grandmother’s words, she piped up, "Then if Third Uncle had no money, wouldn’t he stop drilling into those coin holes?"

Old Madam Ji felt her precious granddaughter had a point. "Exactly! He doesn’t cherish the people around him now. Let’s see what he’ll have left when he’s penniless!"

With that, she left, carrying Xiaosuisui.

At the dinner table, Huo Xing’Er, Xie Pan’Er, and Ji Youzhi, who knew Xiaosuisui’s particular way with words, couldn’t help but gape in surprise. They cast sympathetic glances towards Third Master Ji.