Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 66

Ba Liang led Ji Wuya and Tang Xu into the study.

Seeing Chi Yan lounging lazily in his chair with a book in hand, the two exchanged uncertain looks.

Ji Wuya stepped forward with his head lowered, scratching his neck awkwardly. “Ah Yan… reading?”

Chi Yan lifted his head, lips curving faintly. “You’re here? Sit.”

He gestured at the seats beside him, yet neither of them moved.

Grinding his teeth, Ji Wuya finally mustered his courage. “Ah Yan, how about… you give me a good beating?”

Chi Yan arched a brow, genuinely surprised. “And what’s this supposed to mean?”

“If it weren’t for me dragging you along to watch the fun that night, you wouldn’t have ended up in prison,” Ji Wuya said guiltily, his fingers knotting together. “I know you must be unhappy. I don’t want our brotherhood ruined over this. As long as it eases your anger, you can deal with me however you like!”

After a pause, Tang Xu also stepped forward. “Second Young Master Chi, we truly bear responsibility. However, you wish to vent your anger, we will accept without complaint…”

Chi Yan studied the two for a long moment—then suddenly chuckled. “What’s with you two today, did you eat something strange? I’ve never heard such a ridiculous request before. Wasn’t that night just an accident?”

Ji Wuya faltered. “An accident, yes, but at the root of it, we still share responsibility…”

Chi Yan stood, curled his fist, and gave each of them a friendly punch on the shoulder. His lips curved into a languid smirk. “Enough. I came out of it with no real harm. Stop looking like mourners at a grave—it’s bad luck just to see it!”

Ji Wuya rubbed his shoulder, eyes lighting up. “You… you really don’t blame us?”

Tang Xu’s expression also softened, though still tinged with doubt.

Chi Yan’s gaze shifted, deep and knowing. “Aren’t we brothers?”

Ji Wuya let out a sigh of relief, throwing himself forward to hug Chi Yan. His eyes brimmed with tears as he pounded his shoulder. “You brat! You scared me half to death! I haven’t slept well these past two nights!”

Tang Xu, ever reserved, simply stood with moved expression, quietly watching the two.

“Second Brother, it’s great you don’t blame us! The Three Swordsmen can continue to dominate Yanjing together!”

Chi Yan grimaced, pushing Ji Wuya away with disgust. “Enough, you’re making me sick! Do you have to be so nauseating?”

Turning his back, his expression smoothed over. The smile slipped from his lips as he spoke with feigned casualness:

“By the way, I heard from Lord Liu… Pingting’s case isn’t as simple as it seems.”

The two immediately perked up.

“What do you mean? Didn’t the Capital Prefecture say she drowned herself for love?”

Chi Yan turned, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “That was only the official story, to calm the public. In truth, Pingting learned some unspeakable secret and was forced to take her own life.”

Ji Wuya gasped. His eyes widened in shock. “Is that… true?”

Tang Xu frowned, skeptical. “What secret?”

Chi Yan shot him a glance, then straightened, chuckling lazily. “How would I know? That’s court business. Lord Liu wouldn’t tell me everything.”

Dropping back into his chair, he sprawled carelessly, crossing his legs. “Did you think your Second Young Master is some great figure in court?”

Tang Xu blinked, then nodded slowly. “True… a matter that important wouldn’t be shared with outsiders.”

Ji Wuya clicked his tongue. “So you really were just collateral damage this time, huh?”

“Exactly.” Chi Yan’s gaze darkened. “When immortals clash, mortals suffer.”

“Pity about Miss Pingting,” Ji Wuya sighed dramatically. “Truly, beauty is doomed to misfortune—the ancients did not lie!” Then his eyes darted, widening in sudden realization. “Chi Yan! The provincial exams are right around the corner, and you’re still reading storybooks?!”

Tang Xu glanced over, spotting the open miscellany on the desk.

Chi Yan frowned. “Can’t you keep your voice down? If Shen Tangning hears, she’ll run straight to my mother to complain again!”

Ji Wuya hunched, lowering his voice, tone filled with exasperation. “Even I know to cram at the last minute! At least pretend to put in some effort!”

“Effort?” Chi Yan blinked, then brightened. “Oh, you mean snacks? I’ve got plenty. Take what you want.”

“……”

Ji Wuya nearly slammed his head into the floor, eyes brimming with despair: As expected—you’re hopeless!

Tang Xu couldn’t help a quiet laugh. “This could be considered balancing work and rest. Don’t make it harder for him.”

The two lingered for about half an hour before excusing themselves.

Chi Yan ordered Ba Liang to see them out. Once the room was quiet again, the smile slowly faded from his face. He sat at the desk, unmoving for a long while, before finally lifting his brush to write a single name.

The ink pressed deep, the force sharp and restrained, a murderous intent hidden between strokes.

He stared at the name for a moment, then narrowed his eyes, lips curving faintly.

So it was him.

When Ba Liang returned, he caught sight of the word on the paper and froze. After studying it for a while, he asked hesitantly, “Young Master, why did you write Young Master Tang’s name?”

As Chi Yan’s page and study companion, he had learned to recognize a few characters.

Chi Yan crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it aside. His tone was casual, yet edged with amusement. “Just something I couldn’t figure out. Doesn’t matter. Not everything in life needs an answer.”

Ba Liang nodded, half-understanding. He could only watch as his master rose and walked outside.

Shen Tangning was checking accounts, flipping through the ledgers of her dowry shops. Without looking up, she asked, “Husband, have you found your answer?”

Chi Yan pressed his lips together. “Yes. And no.”

Her movements stilled for a moment.

The words sounded nonsensical, yet she understood perfectly.

Lifting her head, she slowly relaxed her brows, her tone even. “You can’t figure out his motive? It doesn’t matter. All you need to remember is this: the moment he chose to betray you, he no longer regarded you as a friend. Then you needn’t cling to old ties either.”

Emotion flickered in Chi Yan’s eyes. He gave a solemn nod. “I understand.”

Resting her chin in her hand, Shen Tangning tilted her head, studying him with leisurely amusement. She blinked playfully. “So, husband, what do you plan to do?”

Under her patient, coaxing gaze, his heart firmed. His voice turned cold. “An eye for an eye.”

Shen Tangning’s smile bloomed, her brows arched like crescent moons. “Now that’s teachable.”

Chi Yan felt his ears grow inexplicably hot.

For a fleeting moment, he hesitated.

Wait a second—hadn’t he once called Shen Tangning a man-eating flower?

“……”