Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 40

Upon returning to the estate, Chi Yan wasted no time—he immediately summoned a physician. Considering Shen Tangning’s injury was in a discreet location, he thoughtfully invited a female doctor as well.

While the doctor examined her inside, Chi Yan waited outside. Looking up, he saw his own mother rushing over in a flurry.

“What’s going on? You go out for a short while and come back needing a doctor?”

Naturally, such a commotion couldn’t escape the notice of Second Madam Chi. As soon as she got wind of it, she hurried over, her heart hanging on edge. When she saw only Chi Yan and not her daughter-in-law, her heart dropped.

Heavens above!

Her daughter-in-law left the house perfectly fine had something terrible happened?

Chi Yan had just opened his mouth to explain when Second Madam Chi pushed past him in a panic. “Oh, move aside! Tangning, my good daughter-in-law, what happened to you…”

Chi Yan leaned against the door frame, watching her fiery figure disappear into the room. Then he looked down at himself, suddenly questioning his existence.

Wait a minute… Was he even her biological son?

Second Madam Chi barged into the room like a gust of wind and saw Shen Tangning lying on the bed, her clothing slightly disheveled, revealing her slim waist.

Her fair skin made a large bruise on her lower back especially eye-catching. The purplish-red mark was shocking to behold.

Second Madam Chi’s eyes widened in horror and heartache. She wanted to rush forward but hesitated. “What happened here?!”

The female physician was carefully massaging the injured area. Shen Tangning endured the pain with difficulty, cold sweat beading on her forehead. She forced a weak smile. “I slipped and fell. It’s nothing serious, Mother.”

“A fall could do this? What was that useless Chi Yan doing?!” Second Madam Chi’s voice instantly rose in disbelief.

Shen Tangning: “…”

Chi Yan outside the room: “…”

“This… really wasn’t my husband’s fault,” Shen Tangning said, trying to defend him with some difficulty.

“We’ll talk about that later!” Second Madam Chi turned to the physician with concern. “Miss, how serious is her injury? Is she in danger?”

The female doctor offered a kind smile. “No need to worry, Madam. The injury looks worse than it is. The bones weren’t harmed—just some bruising. Apply a topical ointment twice daily, keep the area dry, and she’ll recover in a few days.”

Fortunately, her bones were fine—Shen Tangning’s delicate skin just made the bruise look more dramatic.

Second Madam Chi finally sighed in relief.

“This is a topical remedy. Apply it morning and evening, avoid water contact, and eat light meals. That’s about all to keep in mind.”

The doctor explained everything to Chi Yan, who listened attentively.

Before long, Second Madam Chi came out of the room and glanced at him with clear irritation. “Your wife wants to see you.”

Chi Yan blinked, then stepped into the inner chamber.

The air was laced with the scent of medicinal herbs, clean and cool.

Shen Tangning was lying on the bed and turned her head toward him. Her clothes were still a bit rumpled, her cheeks flushed with color, and her eyes shimmered like water.

The moment their eyes met, Chi Yan panicked. He quickly looked away and stammered, “Y-You called for me?”

Shen Tangning didn’t think much of it and softly said, “I’m not very mobile right now. I wanted to trouble my husband with a small favor.”

Chi Yan’s heart skipped a beat. He clenched his palm hard.

W-Was she going to ask him to apply her medicine?

Where was Xueqing? Where was Nanny Qin?

Why weren’t they doing their jobs?!

Chi Yan’s ears turned red. “W-What favor?”

Shen Tangning’s expression darkened slightly, her voice calm. “Now that I’ve made it back safely, it’s time to settle today’s debt. I’d like you to pay a visit to Steward Wang.”

Chi Yan blinked. “That’s it?”

She looked at him, confused. “What else would it be?”

“…Nothing! Just a minor task—I’ll go deal with him right away!”

And with that, he turned and bolted out of the room.

Shen Tangning was left baffled.

Nanny Qin, having learned of what happened, was seething. “Miss, how would you like me to handle that old rat?”

Shen Tangning’s lips curved coldly. “He’s one of the Marchioness’ people. I, your lady, have no authority to punish him.”

Nanny Qin scoffed. “Hiring thugs to harm his mistress—scum like him should be dragged straight to the magistrate! No way the Marchioness can sweep that under the rug.”

She bowed, eyes shining. “Please rest well, Miss. You needn’t worry about a thing—I’ll handle it.”

Shen Tangning smiled. “Then I’ll leave it to you.”

She might not be able to deal with the Third Prince yet, but a mere steward in the Chi household? She could crush him easily.

Today’s scapegoat… was already chosen.

—

Ever since he heard Shen Tangning had returned, Steward Wang had been on edge.

Wasn’t she supposed to come back tomorrow morning?

Why had those thugs deviated from the plan?

Unless… something had gone wrong!

His heart pounded wildly as regret clawed at him. What if the gang ratted him out?

The more he thought about it, the more he panicked he became. He quickly started packing, planning to feign illness and lie low at home.

He was halfway through packing when a knock came at the door. A servant boy’s voice called out:

“Steward Wang, do you have a moment?”

“I don’t have time for anything right now!” he snapped irritably. “The young master is busy!”

The boy peeked inside just in time to see Second Young Master Chi’s expression—his lips curled in a dangerous smirk, but his eyes were icy cold.

BANG! The door flew open with a violent kick. Steward Wang jumped in fright and shouted before even seeing who it was, “You damn mutt! You trying to die—?!”

Then a tall figure strode in and without pause, slammed a foot into his chest.

Steward Wang crashed to the ground.

Chi Yan grabbed his collar and leaned in, smiling lazily. “Mutt? Take a good look—do you know who your granddaddy is now?”

Steward Wang stammered in fear, “S-Second Young Master!”

—

All the way to the main courtyard, Steward Wang screamed, “Second Young Master! I serve the Marchioness—you have no right to treat me like this!”

Their commotion drew a lot of eyes.

Chi Yan didn’t bother responding. His gaze swept coldly across the courtyard as he smirked. “Great. Let’s go find someone who does have the right.”

When they arrived at the eastern courtyard, the Marchioness had already heard the noise. She watched coldly as Chi Yan dragged her steward into her own chambers, rage boiling within her.

“What’s this now? One after another, you think this Marchioness is some soft fruit to be squashed?”

Even before Chi Yan could greet her, she sneered. “Quite the grand entrance, Yan-ge’er. Dragging my people into my courtyard, looking like you’re here to settle accounts—who do you think you’re slapping in the face?”

Granny Jiang beside her frowned and scolded, “Second Young Master, it’s one thing to be unruly in private. The Marchioness has let it slide, but now you’re acting utterly out of line! I dare ask—how exactly has the Second Master raised his son?”

Chi Yan heard the sarcasm but didn’t flinch. He stood straight and smiled faintly. “Forgive me, Marchioness. It was an emergency, and I had no choice. Otherwise, when the Magistrate’s men show up demanding this man—who do you think they’ll say has lost face? The whole Chi household!”