Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 84

In the Furong Courtyard.

The Marchioness was currently trying her best to persuade the old matriarch to abandon the idea of splitting the household.

“Mother, just think — as the matriarch, how can you let your daughter-in-law walk all over you? If we don’t split the family, no matter how much Wang shi resents it, she’ll still have to respectfully serve you and won’t dare step out of line. But if we let her move out, wouldn’t that just let her feel even more smug?”

The old matriarch’s expression darkened slightly, but there was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.
“But Chi Yan… that disgraceful child humiliated the entire Chi family. How can we show our faces after this? In that case, maybe it is better to just split the family sooner.”

The moment she thought about how Second Master Chi dared to defy her for that woman, a nameless fire rose in her chest!

Fine. Let the world see just how proud that Second Master Chi really is!

The Marchioness’s gaze shimmered subtly, her tone sweet and coaxing.
“But Mother, once they’re on their own, will the second branch still feel inclined to honor you? What if they’re already harboring resentment right now?”

The second branch wasn’t short on silver. When Wang shi married in, her dowry had been lavish, and her family were famously wealthy merchants. All kinds of rare and curious treasures were gifted to the old matriarch — and the first branch often benefited as well.

The Marchioness had always looked down on those “vulgar merchant goods,” but even she had to admit — they were real silver and gold, and their value was nothing to scoff at.

The marquisate now was a mere shell of its former self. Maintaining appearances took effort and money — that’s why she absolutely didn’t want the family split.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out that the old matriarch would stay with the first branch. But she was a demanding woman — her food, clothes, and daily needs all had to be of the highest standard. The Marchioness could hardly afford her!

“She dares feel resentment?!” The old matriarch slammed the table. “It was her son who brought this disgrace on us!”

Yet she had to admit — the Marchioness’s words had struck her sore spot.

She might dislike the second branch in every way, but over the years, they had shown her considerable filial respect.

At every banquet or gathering, she always had something enviable to wear or show — and that had greatly satisfied her vanity.

Her heart thudded with doubt.
“Then… maybe we really shouldn’t split the family?”

The Marchioness curled her lips into a satisfied smile.
“Exactly. There’s no benefit to us — we’d just be letting them win. Wouldn’t that be a losing trade?”

The old matriarch narrowed her eyes, weighing the pros and cons rapidly — when suddenly a panicked servant ran in.

The Marchioness’s brows snapped together. “What kind of manners is this? Why are you in such a panic?! What happened?”

The servant looked uneasy, lips trembling as he forced out the words.
“Old Madam, Madam… there are people outside the gate — lots of them! They’re throwing things and shouting all kinds of insults!”

Both women’s expressions changed drastically.
“What?!”

The servant hesitated again, then blurted out.
“They… they’re here for Second Young Master. They’re saying he must have cheated to get first place! And if the court doesn’t punish him soon, they’ll come raise hell here every day!”

The Marchioness’s pupils shrank, shock flashing through her eyes.

The old matriarch’s face went black, her lips trembling in fury.
“Split the family! The family must be split!”

——

They rushed to the front gate — only to see a crowd already gathered there.
There were common folk, but also scholars in long robes.

One group was shouting curses. Another was throwing rotten vegetables and eggs at the gate.

The scene was utter chaos — like a marketplace run amok.

It was even worse than they’d imagined. The Marchioness and the old matriarch both turned pale.
“Hurry! Drive them away!”

The gatekeeper wore a bitter expression.
“Madam, there are too many of them!”

“Where is Chi Yan? Tell him to come out and explain!”

“Yeah, hiding like a coward? He’s a disgrace to all scholars!”

“Pah! What kind of scholar is he? He’s just a spoiled scoundrel!”

Just then, a leaf of rotten cabbage hit the Marchioness square on the head.

Her maid shrieked, “Madam! Are you hurt?!”

The Marchioness’s face turned green as she shakily plucked the leaf from her hair. Her always-graceful image was nearly destroyed.
Her voice grew sharp with rage.
“Has anyone summoned the Jingzhao Office yet? Get these savages out of here right now—!”

She didn’t get to finish.

Splat! A rotten egg flew through the air — and though the Marchioness managed to dodge, it hit the old matriarch directly in the chest.

The old matriarch shook like a leaf, her face pale as paper. She nearly fainted on the spot, muttering:
“Outrageous… outrageous…”

“Old Madam!” Two maids rushed to hold her up, just barely keeping her upright.

And then—

Chi Yan and Shen Tangning arrived late to the scene… only to witness the chaos firsthand.

“……”

They exchanged a look.

Shen Tangning’s eyes flickered as she raised a hand to cover her mouth, politely coughing once.

Chi Yan’s eyes lit up with inspiration. He suddenly rushed forward with a dramatic wail, throwing himself toward the old matriarch.
“Grandmother! Don’t drive me out! Please, let’s not split the family — they’re trying to kill me out there!”

The crowd outside immediately exploded.

“Chi Yan’s come out!!!”

“Ha! The turtle finally stuck out his head!”

The angry mob roared. People picked up whatever they could find and began hurling it toward Chi Yan.

But Chi Yan clung to the old matriarch tightly, sobbing and screaming “Grandmother!” at the top of his lungs — all while subtly using her as a human shield.

The old matriarch, now in front of him, bore the brunt of the flying projectiles.

The servants, naturally, couldn’t stand by and watch her get hurt. They rushed forward in a panic to shield her — which only made it easier for Chi Yan to hunker down safely behind them, fully protected.

“Grandmother, don’t protect me like this!” Chi Yan shouted with righteous fury.
“You all call yourselves men? You’re bullying an old woman now? If you’ve got the guts, come at me, Chi the Second!”

“Unfilial… outrageous…” the old matriarch gasped weakly, her lips barely moving as she rolled her eyes back. It was hard to tell who she was cursing.

Pure provocation.

There was no doubt in anyone’s mind.

The mob howled with rage and threw even more fiercely.

So why didn’t they just charge in and beat him up?

First, the household guards were blocking the entrance.
Second — they knew that throwing things might only earn a scolding, but laying hands on someone? That could land them in real trouble.

At the doorway, Shen Tangning couldn’t help the slight upward curl of her lips.
What a clever man.
Thank goodness she hadn’t brought her mother-in-law today.

“Quick! Get the old matriarch inside!” the Marchioness finally snapped back to her senses, gritting her teeth.
“Close the main gate!”

The chaos raged until the Jingzhao Office officials finally arrived.

The troublemakers were rounded up and taken away, and only then did peace return to the manor.

——

Back in Furong Courtyard, the doctor was examining the old matriarch. After a while, he let out a breath of relief.
“She was only startled. No physical injuries.”

The Marchioness’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed slightly.
“That’s good.”

If something had really happened, she wouldn’t have been able to explain it to the Marquis.

As the old matriarch regained her strength, her gaze swept sharply around the room, finally locking onto Chi Yan.

The first thing out of her mouth was, “Split the family! We must split the family!”