Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 65

After speaking, Liu Yifu didn’t care how stiff Chi Jingyu’s face looked. He simply turned and walked away.

In his mind, however, another face surfaced—that of Shen Tangning. She had always been a proud flower blooming high upon the branch, yet for that man, she lowered herself and said softly, “I wish to ask Lord Liu for a favor.”

Liu Yifu had lowered his eyes, refusing to look at her. “If it is within my ability, I will help. But if it lies beyond my reach, then even with the will, I would be powerless.”

His words all but made it clear—he would never bend the law for personal favor.

Shen Tangning, however, had only smiled. “My lord overthinks. I would never ask you to go against your principles. Only that, within the scope of your ability, you lend a hand.”

A flicker stirred in Liu Yifu’s eyes. “Speak, then. What do you ask?”

“If, when the truth comes to light, Chi Yan is proven innocent, I ask only that you restore his name—openly and honorably.”

He lifted his head, meeting her clear and steady gaze. Her tone was unhurried as she added, “You and I both know how terrifying rumor can be. If the truth is not made known, suspicion will forever cling to him. The shadow of this matter would follow him for a lifetime.”

Liu Yifu had been puzzled at first.

After all, Chi Yan’s reputation was infamous. He had only heard the worst, never anything good.

A little more slander on his name was hardly worth fussing over—surely Chi Yan himself would not care.

But she cared.

At that moment, even Liu Yifu, who had long prided himself on his clarity of mind, could not help but fall into the vulgar sentiment that others shared:

Chi Yan’s fortune was truly great, to have married such a wife.

Realizing this sudden, unnamable jealousy within himself startled him. He quickly straightened his mindset and replied solemnly, “I promise you.”

…

An enforcer of the law must be impartial, and never show favoritism.

Pulling himself free from the memory, Liu Yifu silently reminded himself of this creed.

Thinking back to Chi Jingyu’s expression earlier, twisted with jealousy—it was frightening, how envy could warp a man’s face.

“……”

Chi Jingyu, watching Liu Yifu stride away, couldn’t help but feel a surge of irritation.

That Liu Yifu—truly eccentric, moody, and impossible to predict!

…

Though the case had been resolved, doubts lingered in many hearts.

Pingting had been a courtesan famed throughout the capital. Countless wealthy patrons would have spent fortunes for her smile. Why then, in the prime of her youth, would she choose to take her own life?

The Capital Prefecture announced that Pingting had been lovesick—driven to despair, she leapt into the lake.

The investigation revealed she had a lover. Allegedly, he despised her lowly origins and refused to redeem her. Thus, Pingting pined away in sorrow until her life withered like a fallen blossom.

Unexpectedly, the public accepted this explanation with surprising ease.

After all, tales of devoted women and heartless men had been sung for centuries. Many pitied Pingting’s fate, while scholars and poets composed verses in her mourning, all cursing the so-called ungrateful scoundrel.

In an instant, every noble son who had once pursued Pingting was gripped with fear. Each avoided the matter like plague, terrified of being suspected as that heartless man.

And why did no one suspect Chi Yan?

The answer was obvious. A beauty like Pingting, renowned for both talent and looks—how could she possibly have taken fancy to a useless wastrel like him?

Chi Yan, spared misfortune precisely because of his bad reputation: “……”

Meanwhile, Shen Tangning was trimming blossoms with her shears when Xueqing recounted the latest rumors with vivid gestures. A mocking smile tugged at Shen Tangning’s lips.

“Not surprising. The world never stints on praising a woman’s beauty, nor on glorifying her devotion—as if without the nourishment of love, a woman could not live.”

Xueqing blinked in confusion. “But… why is that?”

With a sharp snip, Shen Tangning cut away a crooked branch. She studied the flowerpot for a moment—indeed, it looked neater now, more pleasing to the eye. Yet… something essential was missing.

Her gaze faltered, her voice low. “Perhaps because such women appear gentler. More harmless.”

“Gentle and harmless?” Xueqing frowned, muttering, “That sounds strange… almost like a pet kept by its master.”

Startled, Shen Tangning lifted her eyes and curved her lips faintly. “Exactly. A pet.”

Women reduced to men’s appendages, their worth squeezed dry, their existence blurred—while men gained more shine in contrast, and could still mock women’s supposed foolishness.

Hasn’t it always been this way, since ancient times?

Xueqing’s heart gave a jolt. It took her a long moment before she whispered, “But… that’s wrong.”

“Oh?” A flicker of interest stirred in Shen Tangning’s eyes. “And why is that?”

“Because we are people!” Xueqing blurted instinctively.

Shen Tangning’s expression shifted subtly, her tone growing more solemn. “You’re right. We are people.”

And what of Pingting?

Even if she knew herself to be a pawn, could she truly have been willing—willing to be used, trampled, and toyed with?

A pity. She was already gone. What she thought in her final moments, none would ever know.

…

Xueqing left in low spirits.

Ba Liang’s eyes lit up the moment he saw her. He rushed forward. “Sister Xueqing! That crabapple pastry you made last time was delicious! Even now, just thinking of it makes my mouth water. Could you—”

Xueqing rolled her eyes to the heavens and snapped, “That was for my lady! If you want to eat, make it yourself. Move aside, don’t block me!”

With a shove, she stormed past him.

Ba Liang stood there, stunned, his eyes wide. After a long moment, he turned stiffly toward Yuan Zhao beside him, pointing at himself. “Did I provoke her somehow?”

Yuan Zhao leaned lazily against the eaves, arms folded around his sword. He closed his eyes with indifference and replied coldly, “What’s it to me?”

Ba Liang: “……”

How could people be so cold-blooded?!

…

The next day, Ji Wuya and Tang Xu came bearing gifts to pay a visit.

Their manners were impeccable. Second Madam Chi couldn’t bring herself to refuse them at the door, but neither did she dare admit them without consent. So, she first went to ask Chi Yan for his decision.

At the time, Chi Yan was practicing essay writing, his brush dancing across the paper. Shen Tangning stood beside him, nodding in quiet approval.

His handwriting had once been described—kindly—as “unrestrained.” Less kindly, it was nothing short of a dog’s scrawl.

But in the imperial examinations, the required script was the guan’ge style: orderly, neat, standardized.

Never underestimate the importance of tidy handwriting. The examiners had to mark countless papers in just a few days. If the words were illegible, the examiner’s first impression was already poor—hardly would they have the patience to look carefully at the essay’s brilliance.

Even a dazzling essay was wasted if no one bothered to read it.

For two months, Shen Tangning had watched over him, correcting him relentlessly. At last, he was showing progress.

When Madam Chi’s messenger arrived with the question, Shen Tangning paused. “Husband, do you wish to meet them? If not, I’ll send them away.”

Chi Yan blinked, then gave a carefree smile. “Let them in. I haven’t done anything shameful.”

He gathered up his draft essay, tidied the desk, and casually pulled a random book from the shelf, opening it before him.

Shen Tangning lifted her brows slightly at his act.

Well, well. He was learning.

Since he clearly had his own measure, she didn’t linger. “Then I’ll leave you to it. Husband, have a good chat with the two young masters.”