Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 86

With no other choice, the clan leader could only recalculate and reallocate everything.

The old matriarch’s temple twitched in pain. She simply turned her head away, adopting a “see no evil, feel no annoyance” attitude.

The Marchioness’s face shifted from green to pale. Her expression was stiff, and in her heart she cursed the second branch for being so short-sighted. But what truly made her fume was Shen Tangning — a noble-born lady from an esteemed family — actually behaving like a penny-pinching merchant wife!

Once all the assets were reassigned, the first branch endured their resentment and signed the agreement. The second branch followed with their thumbprints. When the document was stamped by the local authorities, the split was official.

The clan elders, sensing the tension in the air, had no desire to linger. They politely declined the old matriarch’s invitation to stay for a meal and quickly took their leave.

The Marquis of Ningyuan saw them out and used the opportunity to fetch the official paperwork. No matter what, the yamen would have to show him some face and not delay the process.

Once the elders were gone, the old matriarch dropped all pretense. Her expression turned ice cold as she glared at them.

“Now that the family’s been split, move out as soon as possible! If anything like that happens again, don’t blame me for having you thrown out!”

Having achieved their goal, the second branch was far more agreeable now.

“Don’t worry, Mother. We’ll move out as quickly as we can.”

The Marchioness, still simmering with anger, passed by the second branch on her way out of Fortune and Prosperity Courtyard and casually said, “Two days should be enough to move out, right, Sister-in-law? I was just thinking of tearing down the west courtyard’s wall to connect the two gardens — it’d be perfect for storing odds and ends.”

It was clearly a jab, meant to shame them. She expected Second Madam Chi to snap back in anger.

But to her surprise, Second Madam Chi only smiled brightly.
“No need to worry, Elder Sister. We’ll start moving right away!”

The Marchioness was caught off guard. She had assumed two days wouldn’t be enough, especially if they hadn’t even secured a new residence. The jab had been made to make things difficult.

But they agreed so readily?

Had they… planned this all along?

The Marchioness clenched her handkerchief tightly, her face turning green with rage. So I was the one being played?!

Her eyes flickered with stormy emotions. But then she sneered inwardly. Fine. Let’s see how long they can stay proud without the protection of the marquisate!

…

Second Madam Chi was never one to dawdle. Once they returned to the west courtyard, she immediately began organizing the move.

Shen Tangning followed with a curious question.
“Mother, did you already purchase the house you were eyeing before?”

She hadn’t expected the family split to go so smoothly. She had assumed the old matriarch would drag it out for several days — and getting the official documents signed and sealed could have taken weeks.

Buying property wasn’t exactly a simple process either.

Second Madam Chi smiled knowingly.
“As long as you have enough silver, what can’t be done?”

The seller had been in desperate need of money and eager to get rid of the property. They struck a quick deal. Although the deed hadn’t been officially transferred yet — that would come after the government office stamped it — they’d already paid a deposit, and the seller had agreed to let them move in early.

Shen Tangning nodded and returned to her room to sort her belongings. She called over Yuan Zhao, who was still busy with the packing.

“There’s no need for you here right now. I have something else I need you to do.”

Yuan Zhao immediately understood.
“What would you like me to take care of, My Lady?”

Shen Tangning paused briefly in thought.
“Spread the news of the Chi family’s split as fast as possible. I want everyone to know.”

Yuan Zhao blinked in surprise but still nodded. Just as he turned to go, she added calmly,
“Make sure to emphasize that the second branch was forced out with no other option. The more pitiful it sounds, the better.”

Yuan Zhao: “……Got it.”

Noble households sure play dirty games.

…

Meanwhile, Shen Tangning was starting to worry. They were short on help.

Perhaps due to the Marchioness’s orders, the servants of the west courtyard had begun ignoring commands. After all, it was she who now held their service contracts.

Tangning was considering whether to hire workers from outside when a commotion at the entrance caught her attention.

She looked up instinctively — only to see Chi Yan stride in, leading over a dozen strapping men. And among them was none other than Shen Ci.

Her eyes widened slightly.
“What is this?”

Chi Yan grinned and gestured at the men behind him.
“Ta-da~ I hired a professional moving crew!”

She blinked, confused. There are people who do that as a job?

But that curiosity didn’t last long. As Chi Yan directed the men to start working, she turned to Shen Ci.
“Ah Ci, what brings you here?”

Shen Ci tilted his chin with exaggerated confidence.
“What else? I missed my dear sister!”

She laughed softly.
“Don’t be cheeky. Did Mother know you came?”

Shen Ci grinned.
“Of course! She let me come. As soon as she saw the clan elders arrive, she figured the family was splitting. She was worried you’d get the short end of the stick and sent me to keep an eye out.”

Though judging from the current situation, his sister had clearly held her own just fine.

Chi Yan walked over, eyes glinting with amusement.
“So, little brother-in-law, are you actually here to help, or just for show?”

Shen Ci immediately bristled and rolled up his sleeves.
“Help, of course! Let’s move some furniture!”

Seeing this, Shen Tangning followed him in, thinking she could lend a hand too. But just as she lifted a porcelain vase, a startled shout came from behind her.

A man rushed forward, eyes wide with alarm, and gently took the vase from her hands.
“Madam, please! Let us handle this!”

Shen Tangning pursed her lips and took a step back, a little at a loss. She watched the man effortlessly carry the vase away and figured: It’s probably because Chi Yan was afraid I’d break his precious antiques.

If the heavy lifting was off limits, she could at least handle some light sorting. She headed to the study and reached for a stack of books — only to be startled again by someone popping out from behind the shelf.

The man carefully slid the books out of her hands with a grin.
“Madam, no need for you to tire yourself. We’ll take care of everything!”

He looked genuinely relieved, like a great burden had been lifted.

Chi Yan had made it clear, If the Madam so much as lifted a finger, they’d get a pay cut.

Shen Tangning: “……”

…

After all the back and forth, Shen Tangning ended up the idlest person in the courtyard.

She instructed Xueqing and Qin Momo to prepare iced tea and light refreshments, so everyone could recharge after working.

Seeing Chi Yan and Shen Ci drenched in sweat, she couldn’t help but say, “Sit down and rest a while. There’s no need to rush everything at once.”

With no chairs left indoors, the two didn’t mind. They plopped down on the stone steps under the covered walkway, fanning themselves with their sleeves as they gulped down the tea she handed them.

Chi Yan glanced sideways, teasing, “Not bad, little brother-in-law — got some strength in those arms!”

Shen Ci scoffed.
“This Young Master excels in everything, thank you very much!”

Then his expression turned hesitant as he changed the subject.
“I heard… the Ministry of Rites is almost done investigating the exam scandal. The verdict should be announced soon.”

Chi Yan hadn’t gone out much lately, so his news was less up-to-date. Hearing this, he let out a faint, lazy chuckle.

“Well… that’s good news, isn’t it?”