Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 78

Xiao Yu ground his teeth in frustration. “You two are just singing the same tune here. Are you in cahoots or what?”

Shen Ci reflexively retorted, “Who’s on his side…”

Chi Yan interrupted him calmly, “Isn’t it obvious? My brother-in-law isn’t on my side, so is he on yours?”

Shen Ci: “…”

He shot a sneaky glare at Chi Yan. Did he just agree to that?

Just as Xiao Yu was about to blow a fuse, Chi Yan leisurely tossed out a bait, “If I really bribed Sun Siyan through Tang Xu, then why would I bring you here to watch this drama unfold? And don’t forget, the Sun family isn’t exactly short on money.”

Xiao Yu mulled it over, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. “Then why did Sun Er betray me?”

Chi Yan’s gaze darkened. “I want to ask the same — why did Tang Xu betray me?”

“You mean…” Xiao Yu’s eyes flashed with shock, then twisted into a sly smirk. “Maybe it’s because you’ve done too many dirty deeds yourself!”

He had been stabbed in the back, and the anger was boiling, but having someone on his side made it a little easier to swallow.

Shen Ci chimed in coldly, “By that logic, you’ve done your fair share of shady things too.”

Xiao Yu: “…”

No smile could come.

Chi Yan gave his brother-in-law an approving look, then turned to Xiao Yu with a teacher-like patience. “Think carefully. Every time you came to pick a fight with me, wasn’t someone stirring the pot behind your back? Like with the Kunshan Jade incident, or the night Miss Pingting got into trouble?”

Xiao Yu’s expression shifted subtly as he recalled.

Thanks to Chi Yan’s reminder, he realized something had felt off.

“That day I heard from Sun Er about a rare treasure called Kunshan Jade appearing at Wufu Zhai. Most importantly, Miss Pingting liked it a lot! So, I just wanted to check it out.”

Chi Yan narrowed his eyes. “I heard from Tang Xu and Ji Wuya that Kunshan Jade is a century-rare gem. They knew I had a weakness for such rarities, so they made sure to stir things up.”

The difference was Tang Xu was smarter than Sun Siyan — he never came out front. Instead, he had Ji Wuya block others while he stayed hidden behind the scenes.

Xiao Yu’s eyes widened. “That night when Miss Pingting got into trouble, he also suggested going to check it out. Said you’d definitely be there too!”

Sure enough, later by the lake, he ran into Chi Yan, and they nearly came to blows.

Chi Yan scoffed. “I didn’t even know I’d be there. How could he? Someone must’ve tipped him off beforehand!”

Xiao Yu’s eyes flared as he clenched his teeth. “Those two bastards betrayed us and deliberately tried to drive a wedge between us?”

Although he and Chi Yan never got along, Xiao Yu’s hatred for Chi Yan was one thing — being manipulated like a fool was another.

Didn’t this just prove he was blind and being led by the nose?

Chi Yan’s indignation flared, fanning the flames. “Exactly! They’re treating you like a damn fool!”

Xiao Yu was furious. “How dare they!”

Shen Ci, watching quietly all along, caught on.

So the brother by Chi Yan’s side had been scheming against him all along, and his own imprisonment was likely tied to that schemer too!

He eyed Chi Yan suspiciously. When did this guy get so sharp?

Seeing Xiao Yu ready to charge forward like a wild bull, sleeves rolled up, fists clenched, shouting, “If they dare mess with me, I’ll beat those two dogs until they’re begging for mercy!”

Chi Yan expected it and grabbed him firmly, holding him back.

Xiao Yu glared up angrily. “Why are you stopping me?”

Chi Yan sneered, mockingly, “You think if you go confront them now without proof, they’ll admit it? You get caught fighting in public, and the Jingzhao prefecture will be inviting you for tea — better watch out your dad doesn’t break your legs first!”

Xiao Yu’s face twisted in frustration. “So you want me to swallow this humiliation?”

“Do you even know what ‘winning by wisdom’ means?” Chi Yan patted his shoulder.

Xiao Yu blinked honestly. “No.”

Shen Ci buried his face in his hands.

No wonder Chi Yan was playing them like pawns.

Chi Yan’s tone turned serious. “If you want revenge, just beating them up isn’t enough.” His eyes darkened. “You have to destroy what they care about most.”

Xiao Yu frowned, confused. “How do I even know what that is?”

Chi Yan raised a brow, a sly smile curling his lips. “Sun Er has a younger half-brother — better-looking, more talented, more righteous. That’s what he’s most sensitive about: being overshadowed by his own brother.”

His voice dropped, laden with meaning. “As for Tang Xu? What he values most is fame and fortune — climbing the ladder to greatness.”

…

After parting with Sun Siyan, Tang Xu was heading home. Just as he passed through an alley, a sack dropped from above, covering his head, and then a brutal beating followed.

Tang Xu was stunned and suspicious. “Who are you guys?!”

The attackers said nothing — just an immersive-style beating session before disappearing.

Tang Xu struggled out of the sack, bruised and battered, teeth clenched in rage.

He thought hard but couldn’t recall who he’d offended recently.

…

Xiao Yu laughed wildly, nearly choking. “Chi Yan, didn’t you say beating people up isn’t the best plan?”

Chi Yan smirked playfully. “But it feels good.”

Xiao Yu shivered. “You’ve got a wicked heart! Fine, I’m heading back. Don’t think this settles anything between us!”

Chi Yan shrugged, watching him leave.

Shen Ci lifted his eyes, scrutinizing Chi Yan coldly. “You’re trying to kill two birds with one stone?”

He wasn’t as easily fooled as Xiao Yu.

Chi Yan raised an eyebrow, looping an arm around Shen Ci’s shoulder. “Brother-in-law, don’t be so harsh!”

“Get off me! Who’s your brother-in-law?” Shen Ci pushed him away, brow furrowed, his emotions plainly written across his face, voice awkward. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you — with Xiao Yu’s idiot brain, success isn’t guaranteed!”

Chi Yan was ready. He smiled lowly. “Don’t worry, I’ve got other plans.” He winked at Shen Ci. “Brother-in-law’s a good guy. Thanks for the heads-up!”

Shen Ci’s mouth twitched hard as he turned and strode away.

If not for his sister, who would want to bother with him?

Chi Yan’s lips curled into a slight smile. His brother-in-law wasn’t much like Shen Tangning — stubborn, proud, passionate, and sincere.

It showed Shen Tangning must’ve protected her brother well.

Chi Yan glanced at the sky, strolling back slowly, his mind swirling.

Tang Xu kept targeting him repeatedly — did he think Chi Yan wouldn’t notice?

If he was good at killing with a borrowed knife, he’d let Tang Xu taste the same.

If he wanted to climb higher, he’d better be ready to fall to pieces.