Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 71

Shen Tangning noticed Chi Yan still seated by the window, lost in thought. She teased gently,
“What did those two young masters say to you? You look like your soul’s wandered off somewhere.”

She walked over and sat beside him. Chi Yan finally returned to his senses, his expression uncharacteristically puzzled.
“Ji Wuya brought me an imperial exam paper. Said it was a set of predicted questions from a Guozijian scholar. But… something about it feels off.”

He had only skimmed it briefly, but one of the essay topics seemed to closely align with the new policies being rolled out by the court later this year.

If the real examiners used this topic, it might actually appear on the real test.

Which was exactly what disturbed him.

“An exam paper?” Shen Tangning paused, something flashing through her mind.

She asked cautiously,
“You said it was a paper predicted by a Guozijian teacher?”

Chi Yan nodded, not seeing the issue.
“Yes. Why?”

Shen Tangning frowned slightly, memories resurfacing.

In the 24th year of Chongde, a massive exam scandal had rocked the entire court.

Someone had leaked the exam topics before the test, selling them at a high price to candidates for profit.

Once exposed, all those involved had their results canceled. The less severe offenders were banned from taking exams for life. The serious ones were imprisoned or exiled.

As for the officials and examiners involved? Executed.

She remembered this incident so clearly because her younger brother, Shen Ci, had also taken the imperial exam that year. Though he hadn’t bought any leaked questions, his results had been questioned. Thankfully, after a retest, his scores were verified, and the matter had blown over.

But that scandal had occurred during the Spring Exam of next year.

Why was it already happening now?

Shen Tangning looked up, uncertain.
“Husband, did you read that exam paper?”

Chi Yan answered frankly,
“Just glanced at it. I tore it up.” He met her clear gaze, coughed lightly, and added, “I may not be much, but I have my pride. If that paper really hits the mark, what about fairness for the other candidates?”

Hearing this, Shen Tangning’s lips curved in a subtle smile. This was what she admired about Chi Yan—he might seem flippant at times, but he had a clear sense of right and wrong. Deep down, he had a certain old-school chivalry.

“It’s good you think that way. Nothing in the world comes free,” she said seriously. “Besides, you’ve worked so hard these past few months—day and night, studying tirelessly. I believe even without shortcuts, you’ll do well.”

Chi Yan felt a little floaty.

So in her eyes, he was… this impressive?

“Husband? Husband?”

Snapping out of his daze, Chi Yan immediately straightened his posture.
“What is it?”

She reminded him with concern,
“Even if things don’t go well this time, there’s always a next. Don’t let one shortcut ruin everything. Don’t lose sight of the path.”

His heart gave a jolt. He nodded firmly.
“Don’t worry. I didn’t even look at the answers. The paper’s gone.”

“Then that’s good.” She smiled gently.

Chi Yan felt an odd flutter in his chest. His lashes trembled slightly as he averted his gaze.

She clearly hoped he would succeed. Yet even with such a tempting opportunity, instead of encouraging him to take it, she warned him not to stray.

…Could it be that, in her eyes, his life mattered more than his future?

—

The next day, candidates were required to enter the examination grounds a day early. The second branch of the Chi family rose before dawn to see Chi Yan off.

Madam Chi fussed anxiously, “I packed food, extra clothes—everything you need! Don’t go hungry or catch a cold!”

Chi Yan’s ears were nearly callused from the nagging. He nodded quickly.
“Got it, Mother. It’s not like I’m a bride heading off in a sedan chair—it’s just an exam!”

“You little brat!” Madam Chi restrained her impulse to whack him. Never mind, exams first. She could beat him after it was over. She forced a smile.
“My dear son, it’s only because I worry about you!”

Her voice was so gentle it could melt water. Chi Yan got goosebumps all over.

He quickly looked away—to Shen Tangning.

She was dressed in rare red today, elegant and striking, like pine branches dusted with snow, graceful and eye-catching.

Chi Yan couldn’t help but feel a little smug.
Didn’t she say she wasn’t superstitious? Then why wear red today? Clearly hoping for good fortune on his behalf!

He tried to keep his voice steady.
“Anything you want to say?”

Shen Tangning paused briefly, then smiled.
“Mother has said enough already. I imagine you’re tired of hearing it. I won’t add to the noise.”

Just as his face began to fall with disappointment, she looked at him with bright, sincere eyes.
“Don’t feel pressured. Just do your best—that’s enough.”

Chi Yan blinked, ears flushing red.
“I’m off. It’s too hot out here—you all should head back.”

He walked a few paces, then waved without turning around.
“Go on, head home!”

His posture was relaxed, steps steady. The golden sunlight bathed his silhouette in a soft glow. Even the hem of his white robe shimmered with radiance.

Madam Chi watched with emotion.
“My heart’s so nervous—more than the first time he took the exam.”

Shen Tangning smiled gently.
“Looking at him now, he seems confident. No need to worry, Mother.”

Madam Chi looked at her awkwardly, face slowly flushing.
“I won’t hide it from you… He’s always like this.”

Feeling embarrassed, she covered her face and whispered,
“He calls it ‘losing the battle, not the front.’”

Shen Tangning’s smile froze slightly.
“…”

So, she’d misunderstood.

With no one allowed to linger near the exam grounds for long, Shen Tangning and Madam Chi eventually returned home.

—

Meanwhile, Chi Yan was lining up for the mandatory security check before entering the test hall.

Bored, he looked around—and accidentally locked eyes with a familiar face.

Xiao Yu raised a brow, his tone cold and sarcastic.
“Well, well. Fancy meeting you here.”

Chi Yan gave a dry smile.
“Yeah, real lucky.”

“Chi Yan, you—!” Xiao Yu glanced around, then lowered his voice sharply.
“Even if you didn’t kill Pingting, you’re definitely involved! Don’t think you can fool me!”

With that expression, he looked like the last sane man in a room full of fools.

Chi Yan lazily picked at his ear, then cast him a sideways glance, as if looking at an idiot.
“Do me a favor, Young Master Xiao. Grow a brain. You’re being used and don’t even realize it. What reason would I have to kill her?”

Xiao Yu froze.

Used… as a pawn?

What did that mean?

He was about to ask more when a stern voice cut through the air.

“You two—what are you doing? No talking, even outside the exam hall! First warning!”

A proctor had noticed them.

Xiao Yu swallowed his frustration, retreating bitterly—but his heart was in turmoil.

What did Chi Yan mean?

Was someone deliberately manipulating him?

Xiao Yu’s two ounces of brain matter worked overtime as he thought and thought… until he arrived at a brilliant conclusion—

Chi Yan must be trying to throw him off his game! So, he’d perform poorly in the exam!

Such despicable tactics!

Chi Yan, you treacherous bastard—I won’t let you win!