Chapter 205: The same insults have been used against men throughout history.

Jiang Jingyan was also among those with exceptional martial arts skills, so of course he could hear the faint whispers.

Although this person was a bit arrogant, he was quite quick-witted and soon figured out the intricacies of the situation, which is why he cursed the officials of Yangcheng.

In his opinion, why should so many grown men be afraid of a woman? They should just swarm her and subdue her, and then Yangcheng's power would be back, right?

But these officials are all very afraid of losing their lives. They haven't been driven to the brink of death, so why would they resort to such a desperate measure?

This is called weighing the pros and cons.

Jiang Jingyan, however, brazenly tore away all their pretenses, exposing their cowardice and fear of death.

They couldn't help but be subjected to a barrage of criticism.

Jiang Jingyan was too exhausted to retort after being scolded, and could only stare at Chunzhi half-dead.

Chunzhi, who was the center of everyone's attention, seemed to have finally had enough nuts. She casually wiped her fingers on her sleeve and raised her voice, "Gentlemen, why don't you go to the backyard and take a look? Whatever the matter is, worrying here won't solve anything."

The crowd was overjoyed to hear this and allowed them to go and take a look, meaning their movements were not restricted.

Does that mean they won't be silenced?

Hu Wen felt relieved, cupped his hands in greeting to Chunzhi, and followed the round-faced old woman quickly toward the backyard.

Other Yangcheng officials also took the opportunity to leave, but whether they went to the backyard or back to their own residences remains unknown.

Su Zhenzhen glanced at Chunzhi, "What are you planning to do next, sister?"

Chunzhi's expression remained unchanged. "Of course, I'll go back to the county office and continue reading."

Su Zhenzhen pointed at Jiang Jingyan, "Then what about him? Prefect Hu probably won't have time to deal with him."

With the marriage of Young Master Jiang and Miss Hu, Jiang Jingyan is now tied to the Prefectural Governor's Office. Any problems that arise will be blamed on Hu Wen.

Chunzhi didn't want to cause trouble for herself. "Let him stay here. Anyway, he won't die anytime soon, and he can't escape either. If this guy had any backbone, he probably would have killed himself long ago."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jingyan's already pale face turned even more ashen.

If General Hu Buwei were still alive, there would definitely be no problem with this marriage.

But that person has been dead for over 20 years, and Hu Wen and he weren't really related.

The family may not approve of this marriage, and may even feel that it lowers their social standing.

He had secretly come to Yangcheng, and if his father, the head of the family, found out, the consequences would be unpredictable.

The worst possible outcome would be for him to "die" in the Hu family, confirming that the Hu family was abusing their power and had ambitions for independence. This would not only allow them to use this as an excuse to demand benefits, but also to get rid of him, the one who brought shame to the family.

If Jiang Jingyan were someone who could sacrifice everything for his family, he would have committed suicide the moment he was captured.

Unfortunately, he is not.

He was frail from childhood, and it was no easy feat for him to grow up to be this old; he cherishes his life very much.

Even if he is rescued in the future and his family cannot tolerate him, he can go and seek refuge with Jiang Jingwei's cousin.

No matter what, he won't die.

Chunzhi saw through his desire to survive, so she mocked him mercilessly.

Jiang Jingyan could do nothing but glare angrily.

After Chunzhi left, Su Zhenzhen stared at Jiang Jingyan for a while. Once she was sure he wasn't incapable of causing any trouble, she had a servant lead her to the backyard.

All the officials from Yangcheng went home, and not one of them came to see what had happened.

However, this is only natural. When one's own life and fortune depend on others, how can one have the leisure to meddle in other people's affairs?

Su Zhenzhen could hear the suppressed sobs from afar.

"My daughter, my beloved daughter whom I've raised with such tenderness, how could this joyous occasion turn out like this? I think it's all because of this ill-arranged marriage."

A deep male voice followed, scolding, "What are you yelling about? Why did this marriage turn out badly? Did Yu'er eat something wrong?"

Su Zhenzhen walked in and saw that Madam Hu was attacking Hu Wen inside the room.

"What do you mean she ate the wrong thing? Yu'er only ate the pastries I made for her. Are you implying that I, her own mother, harmed her? Look at you, being trampled underfoot by a woman is one thing, but you can't even decide your own children's marriages. What kind of Jiang family young master is he? He's just a collateral branch, a nobody. How could he be worthy of our pampered legitimate daughter? I think Yu'er is cursed by him!"

"You unreasonable woman!" Hu Wen was scratched and his face was bruised. He was also furious, but he thought that his usually dignified and composed wife had gone mad because of their daughter, so he decided not to argue with her at this sad moment.

Out of the corner of his eye, Hu Wen saw Su Zhenzhen walking this way and coughed lightly, feeling awkward.

"Miss Su is here. Where is the General?"

"Sister Chunzhi went back to the county office to study." Su Zhenzhen peeked curiously into the inner room. "What's wrong with Miss Hu?"

Hu Wen thought that Su Zhenzhen knew some supernatural things, and maybe she had been possessed by an evil spirit, so he decided to ask her to take a look.

"Miss Su, please come in."

Madam Hu was unaware of Su Zhenzhen's existence. When she saw her husband letting a strange woman into her daughter's room, she immediately flew into a rage.

"Who is she? How can you just casually enter a young lady's boudoir? Besides, this is Yu'er's future bridal chamber, and outsiders are not allowed to set foot here."

"Enough!" Hu Wen angrily flung his sleeves. "If you can't help, don't make things worse."

When Madam Hu saw that her husband, who had always respected her, was yelling at her for a young girl, she immediately burst into tears.

"You, Hu Wen! I've been married to you for decades, borne you children, managed the household affairs, and kept everything in perfect order. Now that our own daughter is in trouble, you're yelling at me for someone else! Tell me, have you taken a fancy to this young girl?"

Su Zhenzhen was speechless when a mouthful of melon was forced into her mouth, especially since it involved her.

It's surprising that women have used the same tactics to criticize men throughout history. They start by saying that men are worthless, then recount their own hard work and sacrifices, and finally bring up the main point: that men have wronged them.

Su Zhenzhen felt that this set of arguments could be turned into a fixed template.

Hu Wen was so angry that his face turned red. He never expected that, with half his body about to be buried, he would be scolded like this by his wife, who was even trying to get rid of a young girl who could be his daughter.

"You!" Hu Wen pointed at Madam Hu's nose. "I told you long ago to read more books in your spare time, but you just wouldn't listen. The older you get, the more crooked your mind becomes, and you can't think of anything serious all day long."

After saying that, Hu Wen ignored her and directly invited Su Zhenzhen to go to the inner room with him.

Su Zhenzhen kept her eyes straight ahead, pretending not to see Madam Hu's tear-stained face.

When Madam Hu saw that her husband ignored her, she sobbed and cried incessantly, starting with the grievances she had suffered when she first married into the Hu family.