Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 60

Liu Yifu strode forward and picked up the sword, carefully examining it.
The hilt was smooth, and the blade well-preserved, as if someone had been polishing it daily.

He gripped the hilt tightly, testing the balance—his eyes flashed with surprise.
If someone had trained long-term with a sword, the calluses at their thumb and palm would be perfectly explained.

But if Pingting knew martial arts, how could she have been driven to leap into a lake by Chi Yan?

As that thought passed, he noticed Shen Tangning crouched at the side, curiously studying a black lacquered box.
He frowned and gave a low, deliberate cough.

Shen Tangning blinked, unbothered, and calmly offered the box to him. Her eyes shone with intrigue.
“My lord, this was hidden in the same secret compartment as the sword. Could there be some kind of secret inside?”

Liu Yifu took the box.
It was locked tight—not something that could be forced open without damaging it.

He gave it a quick once-over.
Shen Tangning looked mildly disappointed, but Liu Yifu tucked the box into his robe without hesitation.
“This is evidence. I’ll need to bring it back with me.”

She sighed inwardly.
If it really held evidence of official corruption, she might never know.
But she quickly let go of the thought—

The box would be far safer in Liu Yifu’s hands.
A man of integrity, he would stop at nothing to deliver it to the emperor… better him than the Third Prince.

She gave a dry chuckle. “Of course, my lord.”

Just as she spoke, a faint noise came from the window.
She stiffened. “Who’s there?”

A black shadow burst through the window—eyes flashing with shock.
Clearly, he hadn’t expected anyone to be in the room!

Liu Yifu reacted immediately, stepping in front of Shen Tangning, face hardening.
“Who are you?”

The intruder’s gaze locked on the box in his hands.
Without a word, he lunged with a drawn blade. “Someone here to take your life!”

So he was after the box.

Realizing this, Liu Yifu didn’t hesitate—he shoved Shen Tangning aside and moved to draw the intruder away.
“Run!” he shouted.

Shen Tangning didn’t hesitate either.
She turned and bolted for the door.

The assassin didn’t spare her a glance—his target was clear.

But just as she reached the threshold, she glanced back—

Liu Yifu had been thrown to the floor, and the assassin’s blade was already descending!

Her heart skipped.

The blade whistled through the air—Liu Yifu clutched the box tightly and shut his eyes instinctively.
But the pain never came.

Instead, a sharp crack echoed through the room—like porcelain shattering.

He opened his eyes in astonishment—

Shen Tangning had smashed a vase over the assassin’s head with deadly precision.
Her eyes were cold and resolute, her strike ruthless.

Caught off-guard, the assassin staggered, his balance thrown.

“RUN, MY LORD!” she shouted.

Liu Yifu scrambled up.
The assassin growled, blood trickling down his neck, and lunged again—

He couldn’t let the box fall into Liu Yifu’s hands!

But Liu Yifu had already retreated.
In fury, the assassin seized Shen Tangning by the shoulder and yanked her back, blade pressed against her neck.
“Another step and she dies!”

The cold steel kissed her throat—she tilted her head slightly to avoid the edge.

Liu Yifu froze, turning to face them.
His voice was calm, frighteningly so.
“I’m an officer of the court. Killing me gains you nothing. What do you want?”

The assassin spat coldly, “Hand over the box.”

Shen Tangning narrowed her eyes. Unwilling.

Liu Yifu looked down at the box, made his decision almost instantly.
“Fine.”

“Don’t—!” Shen Tangning began, only to feel the blade bite against her skin.

“Shut up,” the assassin hissed.

Liu Yifu gave her a subtle look—stay still.
Then slowly knelt and set the box on the ground.
“I’ll slide it to you. You release her. Deal?”

The assassin’s eyes never left the box.

The moment Liu Yifu pushed it forward, the tension in the air cracked—

The assassin shifted slightly—just enough—

Shen Tangning slammed her elbow into his ribs and broke free.
“Yuan Zhao!” she shouted.

A figure leapt through the window.

It was Yuan Zhao.

With a roar, he kicked the assassin square in the back.
The man stumbled, eyes wide in horror—

“Kill him,” Shen Tangning said coldly.

The assassin had seen her face. She couldn’t let him leave alive.

Yuan Zhao didn’t hesitate.
Each strike he delivered was aimed to kill.

While they fought, Shen Tangning dashed over and scooped the box into her arms.

Liu Yifu arrived beside her, gripping her wrist tightly.
His face was clouded with uncharacteristic fury.

“Were you trying to die just now?”

They ducked into cover.
Shen Tangning gasped for breath and handed him the box.
“You’d better keep it safe this time.”

Liu Yifu looked down at it, speechless.

This box, this unknown thing—was it really worth her life?

He turned to her, wanting to speak, but paused.
She was watching Yuan Zhao fight with a solemn gaze, her eyes hard.

He remembered the chill in her voice just moments ago—Kill him.
His voice turned low. “Who is he?”

“My bodyguard,” she answered calmly.
Then, noticing his conflicted expression, she added, “Does my lord disapprove of the kill?”

Liu Yifu frowned. “The law will deal with him.”

Shen Tangning laughed.
A soft sound—more sigh than mockery.
“My lord is too naïve.”

There was no scorn in her tone.
In fact, of all the people she had met, only Liu Yifu—and perhaps Chi Yan—still held such naïve ideals.

The fact that he’d made it this far in the imperial court… was nothing short of a miracle.

Meanwhile, Yuan Zhao gained the upper hand.
The assassin tried to flee but was dragged back.

Just as Yuan Zhao raised his sword to end him—

Shen Tangning reached up and covered Liu Yifu’s eyes.

“My lord wants to spare his life.
But he wanted your death.”

He froze at the warmth of her palm on his eyelids—brief and gentle.
Then it vanished.

By the time his vision cleared, the assassin lay dead, blood pooling beneath him.

Fury surged in Liu Yifu’s chest—he glared at Shen Tangning.

She’d done it on purpose—to distract him!

“If my lord wants to punish me, you may do so later,” she said, utterly composed.
Then her expression changed. She frowned. “This place isn’t safe.”

Indeed—it had been far too quiet.
No guards, no commotion from outside.

And then—

Screams.

“Fire! The building’s on fire!”

Shen Tangning’s expression darkened.

They weren’t just trying to kill them—
They wanted to destroy all traces.

“Go!”

“The fire’s spreading—RUN!”

Madam Hua burst from her room, shrieking in horror at the sight.
To her, it felt as if the sky was collapsing.