Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 64

The crowd whispered among themselves in hushed voices.
Could it be that His Majesty was angered by something Chi Yan had done?
But looking at Eunuch Fu’s expression… that didn’t seem to be the case.
Madam Hou, however, seemed to have realized something. Disbelief flickered in her eyes.
Forcing the corners of her lips into a stiff smile, she refused to give up and asked, “Eunuch Fu, could it be that our Yan’er has somehow offended His Majesty?”
Caught in the very center of speculation, Chi Yan himself was completely bewildered. He raised his head and looked at Eunuch Fu.
A trace of pity flashed across the eunuch’s eyes before vanishing without a trace. With a cheerful smile, he said, “Madam Hou, no need to worry. This is a good matter!”
“His Majesty heard from Lord Liu, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, that Second Young Master Chi suffered false accusations, was misunderstood by the world, and subjected to ridicule. Truly, he has endured much injustice. To comfort him, His Majesty specially ordered me to restore his innocence and even bestow rewards.”
As he flicked the horsetail whisk over his arm, the little eunuch behind him stepped forward to present the imperial gifts.
At a glance—gleaming rows of golden ingots, along with pearls and jade ornaments. Clearly, they knew of Chi Yan’s inclinations and catered to his tastes.
“……”
The entire courtyard fell into dead silence.
Complicated emotions stirred in everyone’s hearts. This good-for-nothing wastrel Chi Yan—what virtue, what ability did he have, to warrant His Majesty personally sending someone to console him?
Second Madam Chi finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her spirits immediately revived.
Once the decree was read, in the stillness that followed, Eunuch Fu personally stepped forward to help up the dazed Chi Yan. Smiling, he said warmly, “Second Young Master, quickly rise. You’ve truly been wronged this time! Who could have expected such a thing to happen?”
Though his mind hadn’t yet caught up, Chi Yan instinctively curled his lips into a practiced smile, answering with smooth courtesy: “It was nothing but a trivial matter. How could it trouble His Majesty’s heart? To even trouble Eunuch Fu to come in person—this junior is ashamed.”
If Chi Yan set his mind to coaxing someone, there was no one he couldn’t win over.
Sure enough, Eunuch Fu’s face blossomed with delight. “Second Young Master truly is quick-witted and clever!”
The faces of the old madam and Madam Hou grew stiff.
They prided themselves on their lofty demeanor and would never stoop so low as to flatter a eunuch. Naturally, they looked down on Chi Yan’s behavior with disdain.
Yet they couldn’t deny a faint sourness in their hearts—because Eunuch Fu was a trusted favorite by His Majesty’s side. Toward them he always acted polite yet distant, but toward Chi Yan, he could actually chat and laugh with ease.
Before leaving, Eunuch Fu deliberately glanced at Shen Tangning and said, as if suddenly remembering, “Ah, this poor memory of mine! Nearly forgot an important matter. Eldest Miss Shen, Her Majesty the Empress asked me to deliver a message—she said you haven’t entered the palace for quite some time, and she misses you dearly.”
The air grew still again. Countless complex gazes fell upon Shen Tangning.
Her brows arched slightly as she responded with a humble, respectful smile: “May I trouble Eunuch Fu to convey my thanks to Her Majesty. Once I have settled my current affairs, I will certainly send in my visiting token and enter the palace to pay my respects.”
Clearly, her aunt was standing up for her. Before, she had to avoid suspicion, but now that the truth had come out, it was time to reclaim her dignity.
“Good, good. I’ll be sure to deliver your words.”
After Eunuch Fu left, the frozen atmosphere slowly thawed.
Shen Tangning rose and, in passing, helped her mother-in-law up.
Casting a glance around, she saw both the old madam and Madam Hou’s faces twisted as though they’d swallowed flies. She curved her lips slightly, her tone feigned with doubt: “Grandmother, shall we still bring out the family law?”
The old madam’s expression stiffened. Her gaze landed on the imperial decree in Chi Yan’s hand, and her heart clenched. To punish him now would be like slapping her own face. Her features twitched, and she spoke in a tone neither warm nor cold: “Since His Majesty has spoken, what else can I say?”
What then—punish Chi Yan, and the very next day Shen Tangning would march into the palace to complain before the Empress?
Rubbing her forehead, frustration gnawed in her chest. The old madam reluctantly turned her head away, her voice weary. “Forget it. I’m tired. You may all withdraw.”
Chi Yan arched his brows slightly and bowed respectfully. “Grandson thanks Grandmother for her magnanimity.”
Magnanimity, indeed!
The old madam’s eyelid twitched, but she could only swallow the bitter blood with her teeth.
—
Leaving Fu Rong Courtyard, Madam Hou passed by Chi Yan and gave him a sidelong glance, her smile sweet but her words barbed: “Yan’er, what great ability you have, to even move His Majesty himself.”
Shen Tangning’s gaze flickered, about to respond, but Chi Yan beat her to it, looking carefree and innocent: “Aunt overpraises me. How could a junior like me have such ability? This is merely His Majesty’s keen insight and righteous sense of justice!”
If he praised His Majesty, what could Madam Hou possibly retort?
Choked, she snorted coldly and swept her sleeves, leaving in a huff.
The moment her back turned, Chi Yan dropped his flamboyant act. His gaze deepened as he stared after her, mockery flashing across his eyes.
“This time we owe much to His Majesty’s decree arriving when it did. Otherwise, boy, you’d certainly have gotten a beating!” Second Madam Chi clasped her hands together, whispering a grateful prayer.
Chi Yan paused, then instinctively glanced toward Shen Tangning—only to meet her gaze head-on.
She blinked at him playfully. “Why does husband look at me so?”
Chi Yan found the timing of the imperial decree far too coincidental. As Madam Hou had said, he was nothing but a notorious wastrel. Even if wronged, what ability did he have to make His Majesty personally intervene?
The more he thought about it, the more he was convinced—it must be related to Shen Tangning.
After a moment’s hesitation, his lips moved. “Was this… your doing?”
Shen Tangning’s lashes trembled. Then, with a faint smile, she replied softly: “I merely owe someone a favor.”
—
At the end of morning court, Chi Jingyu’s mind was still unsettled.
Many weighty matters had been decided that day.
First, the case of the Chunfeng Brothel fire. His Majesty ordered a thorough investigation.
Second, Pingting’s suicide had been confirmed, clearing Chi Yan’s name and allowing him to return home.
Third, Vice Minister Liu Yifu of the Court of Judicial Review, together with Censor Chen, had jointly submitted a memorial, impeaching many high-ranking officials for corruption and bribery, along with a pile of evidence. The entire court was shaken!
His Majesty was furious and immediately dismissed several officials, ordering a full-scale investigation.
And who would have thought that the instigator behind it all… was merely a fourth-rank Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?
Chi Jingyu spotted Liu Yifu’s figure and quickly strode after him. “Lord Liu, please wait.”
Hearing the call, Liu Yifu paused and turned around. Seeing who it was, he looked slightly surprised. “Minister Chi, what instruction do you have?”
Chi Jingyu had passed the imperial exam at seventeen as the top scholar. In just five years, he had risen from a mere compiler in the Hanlin Academy to the position of Vice Minister of Works—his prospects were boundless.
But Liu Yifu was known for his solitary, eccentric nature. He and Chi Jingyu had little more than a nodding acquaintance. For him to suddenly be stopped was rather unexpected.
Chi Jingyu composed his expression. “Earlier in court, many thanks to Lord Liu for speaking on behalf of my younger brother.”
It was precisely because Liu Yifu had taken the initiative to plead that His Majesty sent Eunuch Fu with rewards to the Chi residence.
A flicker of realization passed through Liu Yifu’s eyes, but his face remained calm. “A trifling matter. Minister Chi need not thank me.”
Chi Jingyu’s gaze shifted, faintly probing. “Lord Liu, you seem to share quite the rapport with my younger brother?”
Given Liu Yifu’s odd and aloof nature, it was unheard of for him to grow close with anyone. For him to step forward on Chi Yan’s behalf was indeed unusual.
Liu Yifu cast him a glance, frowning slightly. His tone was cool. “Minister Chi, what do you mean by that? This official was merely upholding the law. Since Second Young Master Chi was innocent, naturally I restored his name. Is there anything wrong with that?”
Realizing his slip, Chi Jingyu pressed his lips together and apologized. “Forgive me, I spoke out of turn. I meant no offense.”
Liu Yifu gave a curt nod. “In the future, Minister Chi would do well to be more cautious with his words, lest unnecessary misunderstandings arise.”
“……”