Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 76

Back at the estate, Chi Yan pulled Shen Tangning into the study. He carefully shut the doors and windows, making sure no one could overhear. Shen Tangning raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“Husband, what’s this all about?” she asked.

Chi Yan turned to her, face serious. “Someone really leaked the exam questions.”

Shen Tangning blinked, voice curious. “Oh?”

He paced back and forth, his expression grave. “The moment I got the exam paper, I sensed something was off. The questions overlapped almost completely with the ones Ji Wuya sent earlier. This has to be deliberate cheating for profit—serious corruption.”

Thanks to some prior suspicions, Shen Tangning wasn’t completely shocked. She lowered her lashes and said softly, “How dare they? If this gets exposed, those responsible won’t escape punishment.”

Relieved, she added, “Thankfully, you weren’t involved.”

Chi Yan glanced away, hesitating. “But… with such a large-scale scandal, this whole round of exams might be invalidated.”

Suddenly Shen Tangning understood his worry: “You’re afraid I’ll be disappointed?”

He stayed silent, a hint of defeat shadowing his features.

The provincial exams only come once every two years (originally every three, but changed here). Missing this chance would mean waiting another two years.

All his hard work over the past months could be wasted. Not just Shen Tangning, even he felt uneasy.

He began to wonder: was he simply not destined to be an official?

Moved by his thoughts, Shen Tangning softened her voice. “You’ve already done your best. We can’t foresee unexpected events. How could I blame you for that?”

She had witnessed his efforts day and night and wasn’t unreasonable. At first, she hadn’t forced him into the exams hoping he’d become an official.

After all, everyone has their limits. If Chi Yan wasn’t cut out for it, she wouldn’t pressure him.

She only wanted to give him something to pursue—a goal so he wouldn’t waste away aimlessly.

Besides, studying broadens the mind. Maybe this time, he could avoid the disasters of his previous life and walk a completely different path.

Over time, she realized he wasn’t the spoiled playboy people rumored him to be. He was sharp, insightful, with unique political perspectives.

In his heart were the mountains, rivers, and people’s welfare. It’d be a shame if he never held office.

Their eyes met—her gaze gentle but certain. Chi Yan was momentarily stunned; his restless heart calmed inexplicably.

He pressed his lips together, then forced a smile, voice a little hollow. “Don’t you think spending so much time on a failure like me is a waste?”

Shen Tangning straightened, brow furrowed. “I don’t see you as a failure, nor do I think my time with you is wasted. So, Chi Yan, don’t belittle yourself.”

If he truly was hopeless, she would have given up long ago. It was because she saw the raw gem within that she was willing to polish him carefully.

Her tone was unusually serious. Chi Yan’s eyes widened slightly. He nodded nervously, feeling his ears flush.

She rarely used his name—but when she did, it sounded more sincere than calling him ‘husband.’

Like she could be anyone’s wife, but he was just Chi Yan.

…

The provincial exam was over, but the results wouldn’t be out for at least two weeks.

A long wait ahead.

According to the second young master, after the exam one should celebrate a little.

Chi Yan was about to step out when he bumped into Chi Jingyu, who stopped him. “Second brother, heading out?”

Chi Yan couldn’t pretend not to see him now.

Raising an eyebrow, he feigned friendliness. “Yeah, big brother, want to come?”

Chi Jingyu frowned, unsure how to respond. “I heard this exam was tough. Confident?”

Chi Yan thought for a moment, then nodded. “I think I did okay.”

Seeing his confident smile, Jingyu was a bit speechless. “Well, if it doesn’t work out this time, there’s always next.”

Chi Yan’s eyes gleamed with meaning. So he really looked down on him?

He said nothing, smirking slyly. “Heard you got a concubine recently? Congrats, big brother!”

Chi Jingyu’s face darkened. Something about that comment felt off, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

“What’s there to congratulate?” he replied flatly. The concubine was their mother’s doing, forced on him. He didn’t want to upset her, so he reluctantly accepted.

Though he kept his distance, recently Xiwei had been giving him grief. With all the political troubles weighing on him, he was utterly exhausted.

Looking at Chi Yan’s easy life, he assumed Shen Tangning—a proud woman—would be a nightmare as his brother’s wife. Surprisingly, they seemed quite harmonious.

A strange feeling settled in his chest. “Second brother, you’re not getting any younger. You’ve been married for over half a year now. It’s time to have kids—to grow up and settle down.”

He didn’t pay attention to the second branch’s affairs, but gossip reached his ears. Rumor had it the couple still slept apart.

Chi Yan scoffed lazily, lifting his eyelids. “Big brother, you’re assuming too much. Just because someone isn’t mature doesn’t mean having kids will suddenly make them so. You’d think kids were some miracle cure.”

Being born into a family like theirs, that kid would be so unlucky!

Chi Jingyu frowned, annoyed but at a loss for words.

Chi Yan chuckled. “Besides, this isn’t a decision I can make alone. It depends on Tangning’s wishes. She holds the initiative.”

Truth be told, if Shen Tangning didn’t want kids, he wouldn’t push.

After all, childbirth in these times was like walking through the gates of hell. He wasn’t so selfish as to ask her to risk her life for him.

And besides… they hadn’t even held hands yet. Talking about kids seemed way too premature.

Chi Yan figured Jingyu was deliberately mocking him.

Not about to take it lying down, he raised the corner of his eyes, voice teasing: “The capable bear more work. If you want kids, big brother, have a dozen! I wish you eight at once!”

That way, you can stop obsessing over everyone else’s family matters—it’s none of your business!

Without waiting for a response, Chi Yan turned and strode off fast—probably to avoid a beating.

Chi Jingyu stood there, face fluctuating between red and pale, watching as Chi Yan disappeared.

Well, no good deed goes unpunished. He warned him out of kindness, but all he got was sarcastic attitude.

Fine. Let him deal with the consequences.

Shen Tangning was born into wealth and privilege, always receiving the best. Naturally, her husband couldn’t be any less. Let’s see how long she can tolerate Chi Yan’s antics!