The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Chapter 154 What's so great about bragging?

The villages in the countryside are adjacent and they often visit each other. Hu Yaozu is a celebrity, and he attracts attention wherever he goes.

Sure enough, quite a few people were craning their necks to look in this direction from afar, whispering among themselves.

"I knew the Hu family would come looking for trouble and demand an explanation."

"Hui Niang's actions of taking advantage of the situation were indeed unethical. I heard that she married him without any matchmaker or betrothal, and without the consent of the Hu family elders. This is no different from human trafficking."

"Your words are unpleasant to hear. But you can't blame the Wei family for this! The girl herself agreed to it; no one forced her."

"That's right, what do you mean by 'no matchmaker, no betrothal'? The Wei family is poor, but Hui Niang came from our village. Don't you know what kind of person she is? She and Shouzhong are both kind people. Don't be too harsh with your words. The village head of Xilin Village even went over for the banquet."

“But if Hu Dazhu is home, this matter will not be accomplished.”

"That's not necessarily the case."

Someone raised their chin and said, "My sister-in-law is from Xilin Village. When she went back to her parents' home, she said that the girl was very opinionated and good-looking. She couldn't stay in the Hu family anymore, so she got married."

The phrase "I can't stand it anymore" carries a deeper meaning.

Someone looked Hu Yaozu up and down and couldn't help but sigh: "The young scholar is even more handsome than the last time I saw him. I heard that he has been recommended to study under the county teacher. That's amazing! Although he is not from our village, when he becomes successful in the future, we can go to his house to ask for some wedding cakes and share in his joy."

"Who told you that? We don't know anything about it!"

"Who else could it be? His mother, Wang Cuihua, always takes the opportunity to brag about him everywhere."

When Wang Cuihua, who is thoughtless and easily offends people, is mentioned, everyone's eyes flash with contempt.

"Didn't Hu Dazhu beat her so badly she couldn't get out of bed when he came back?"

Why are you jumping around again?

"So what? Would Hu Dazhu beat her to death for his niece? If it were me, even with all these injuries, I'd sit at the door every day praising my son's abilities."

How impressive!

They spoke in hushed tones that were inaudible to others, but Shunzi, who was learning martial arts from Rongdi, listened to every word.

Are you kidding me?! Would he allow fake news to spread?

Shunzi exaggeratedly shouted at the woman over there.

"What? The county teacher?"

"I'm aware of this."

"The teacher and I live in the same alley."

Upon hearing this, Hu Yaozu's eyelids twitched, and he had a bad feeling before he was stopped.

"Hu Yaozu, right?"

Shunzi squinted at him, wishing he could rub him under his feet: "Quickly tell me that the county teacher doesn't think much of you. Don't let everyone misunderstand."

His voice is very loud.

His words caused a great stir, and everyone gasped in surprise.

Hu Yaozu's face darkened, and he was trembling all over.

"you--"

"What am I?"

Shunzi: "Master Fu has a very high reputation in the county. Of the three students he previously took in, one became a tribute student and the other two became successful candidates in the provincial examinations."

"We don't accept just any kind of goods."

"That's why I didn't like you."

Hu Yaozu was trembling all over.

He had never suffered such humiliation before!

It's already embarrassing not to be selected!

The words Zhao Niangzi said back then still sting me to this day.

Master Zhao will regret turning him away! Sooner or later, he will rise above Master Zhao.

But what's wrong at home...?

How could you be so foolish?

Let your mother say such things outside!
Now that it's failed, how can he save face?
Hu Yaozu felt that the scrutinizing gazes behind him were like sharp knives that could cut through flesh and blood.

He was utterly embarrassed: "There must be a mistake at home."

"I was just helping a nobleman from the capital in the county with registration and filing. I did have a few meetings with that Master Zhao. I even visited his home."

As for other matters, he refused to discuss them.

No sooner had the words been spoken than a woman’s loud voice rang out.

“Yes, the Chu family from Sandun Village went to the county and said they met a scholar outside the post station. He looked quite promising, like he was destined to be an official…” “Then…then he must have been able to speak with important people!”

Hu Yaozu straightened his back.

He nodded gently to those people.

"I only helped in the best of my ability, and I also benefited a lot during those days."

Shunzi scoffed.

"Looking like a human but acting like a dog."

"The post station is short-staffed, and since someone is eager to help, we might as well use them."

"What's there to brag about?"

Women: ...

Is this true or false?

It was something to be proud of, but how did it become so undignified because of what this stranger from out of town said?

However, this outsider was no ordinary person. He had managed to rescue the Zhao family's young man unharmed.

We can't just make things up.

Under the astonished gazes of everyone, Shunzi showed no restraint whatsoever. She stepped forward and casually straightened Hu Yaozu's clothes in a friendly manner.

"What do you mean, 'mistake'? I know that's just an excuse!"

"Not only are you hypocritical, but your family is also full of short-sighted people. What wouldn't you do to gain some respect from the villagers?"

Shunzi: "Today you say you can go to study in the county, tomorrow even the Grand Tutor of the court will have to call you teacher."

"If you say you've sat on the dragon throne some time from now, I won't be surprised."

As he spoke, Shunzi turned to ask Zhao Yu.

"So, isn't he amazing?"

Zhao Yu was an honest man and couldn't understand the sarcasm.

He frowned.

"That's not a good statement."

"In this world, scholars and writers all respectfully address the Grand Tutor as Master, while Brother Hu is merely a student..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

Shunzi interrupted, "He's so capable."

Zhao Yu cupped his hands in greeting: "Only His Majesty can sit on the dragon throne..."

Shunzi continued to interrupt.

"So what? If he puts in a little effort, the whole country will belong to the Hu family."

Zhao Yu: "But the students feel..."

"enough."

Unable to contain himself any longer, Hu Yaozu coldly retorted, "Speaking ill of the emperor? You have enough heads to chop off!"

Shunzi: ...

He was so scared.

What's wrong with the dragon throne?
If the general gave the order, Rong Di could march on the capital and blow it up.

Hu Yaozu: "Stop talking nonsense! Your aggressive and slanderous behavior is an attempt to cut off my path to the imperial examinations. This is not the behavior of a gentleman."

Don't think he didn't hear Shunzi call Wei Shouzhong "Uncle".

"I am upright and honest, say what you will!"

Hu Yaozu was unwilling to argue with him. He had not forgotten the purpose of his visit.

“Uncle Wei, neither my father nor I agreed to this marriage, so it doesn’t count.”

“Wanmei is still young, and my mother… my mother is confused, which is why you succeeded.”

He was a scholar, and even though he resented the Wei family, he had to maintain his dignity and integrity, and could not hurl insults like a shrew from the countryside.

"Don't blame me for speaking harshly, but your Wei family is so poor that I look down on them and don't want to see Wanmei suffer and be punished."

"Is Wei Shen worthy of her?"

"You're clearly just trying to trick Wanmei into a marriage to bring her good luck!"

Hu Yaozu said, "To be honest, I am highly regarded by the Vice Minister of Justice. We're all from the same village, and I don't want to make things difficult for you. Please send Wanmei back! You can each marry someone else in the future! Otherwise..."

Who?
Straight: ? ? ?
Is that the Vice Minister of Justice who always seems eager to serve tea and water whenever he sees the general?