Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 87

Just as Shen Tangning had hoped, the news of the Chi family’s division spread like wildfire.

Splitting the household at such a sensitive moment made the intention behind it obvious. Everyone could guess: the main branch was trying to protect its reputation. After all, if Chi Yan had really cheated, it would drag down the entire Chi family’s good name.

Some of the more extreme voices even began questioning the legitimacy of Chi Jingyu’s scholarly success.

But Chi Jingyu’s literary talent had long been recognized far and wide. And the Chi family’s act of cutting ties so decisively — this grand display of “righteousness above kinship” — ironically won them widespread praise.

At the same time, condemnation against Chi Yan only intensified.

“If Chi Yan was truly innocent, why would the family split now?”

“Exactly! This is proof enough he cheated!”

“Thank goodness the Chi family made the wise choice to separate. Otherwise, a hundred years of honor would’ve been ruined by this pampered good-for-nothing. If I were one of their ancestors, I’d be breaking out of my coffin right now!”

…

The rumors grew more outrageous by the day. People claimed to know every detail of how Chi Yan had bribed exam officials and bought the questions in advance. Some tales were so vivid, it was like the storytellers had witnessed it themselves.

Since the incident at the Chi estate had led to warnings from the local authorities, no one dared show up at their door again. But everyone was waiting for Chi Yan to appear in public.

Unfortunately, he was too clever. He hadn’t stepped outside in days — even their move had been done in the dead of night, quietly and discreetly.

…

“Ah Yan’s really suffering this time,” sighed Ji Wuya with a helpless shake of the head.

Tang Xu suddenly looked up at him. “Do you think Chi Er really could’ve ranked first without cheating?”

Ji Wuya froze. Then his face darkened slightly. “What’s that supposed to mean, Tang Xu? You placed third yourself, didn’t you?”

Tang Xu was momentarily speechless. He gave a small smile and shook his head. “Just a discussion between friends. Why so worked up?”

Ji Wuya suddenly stood, his expression grim. “So you do suspect him? We’re supposed to be brothers. You know exactly what Chi Yan is like! I never doubted you, so how can you doubt him?”

Tang Xu’s face also darkened. “I’m not allowed to question it? He’s always ranked near the bottom before. And now he just happens to take first place? Are we really supposed to believe he’s a hidden genius all along?”

Ji Wuya stared at him, eyes wide — like he was seeing a stranger.

Realizing he may have gone too far, Tang Xu softened his tone.
“I just don’t understand. Why do you always stand by his side, no matter what?”

Ji Wuya’s face flushed red with anger.
“Because he’s my brother! I trust him. I trust you too. But now I see — you never saw us the same way!”

Tang Xu was stunned, ready to explain himself when—

Suddenly, a loud commotion rose from the street.

“The Ministry of Rites just posted the list!”

“The names of the exam cheaters are out! Hurry, let’s go see!”

The crowd rushed off like a flood. Ji Wuya immediately pushed through after them, argument forgotten.

Tang Xu pressed his lips together, eyes clouded, and followed in silence.

“Whoa, so many names on the list!”

“Tch! Knew it! Leeching off their family names, cutting corners — disgusting!”

Ji Wuya elbowed his way to the front, heart pounding, and looked up at the notice. The sheet was packed with names — enough to show just how far the scandal had spread.

He scanned the list carefully, line by line, looking for Chi Yan.

…Nothing.

His tightly wound nerves finally relaxed. So it was true — Chi Yan really hadn’t cheated.

Then, as his eyes moved toward the bottom of the list, a sudden name jolted him.

A name that shouldn’t have been there.

His pupils contracted.

Tang Xu hadn’t managed to get close. He saw Ji Wuya come back through the crowd with a strange, unreadable expression.

“Was Chi Yan on the list?” he asked.

Before Ji Wuya could answer, someone nearby had already shouted, shocked:

“Wait a minute! Why isn’t Chi Yan’s name on the list?!”

Tang Xu froze. He hadn’t expected that.

Ji Wuya ground his teeth and shot him a glare. His voice dripped with sarcasm:

“Oh, now it makes sense. No wonder you were so sure Chi Yan had cheated… turns out you were the one who stole the top spot through cheating! Tch. Tang Xu — I despise you!”

It was like lightning had struck.

Tang Xu’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What did you say? I cheated?!”

He forced a laugh. “Wuya, you can’t seriously think I’d joke about something like this just to defend Chi Yan… right?”

Ji Wuya rolled his eyes.
“Who’s joking? It’s written right there in black and white. Don’t believe me? Go see for yourself.”

Impossible…

Tang Xu’s face turned pale. He shoved his way into the crowd — and sure enough, his name was listed at the very end.

His mind went blank.

No… this had to be a mistake. Someone must’ve framed him!

Then someone nearby noticed him and sneered.

“Well, well. Isn’t that our number one scholar? Guilty conscience keeping you up at night lately?”

Tang Xu glared at him viciously. “I didn’t cheat!”

The man flinched, then immediately snapped back.

“Cheating and still acting like a big shot — who are you trying to scare?”

“Exactly! Looks like a gentleman on the surface, but deep down — what a fraud!”

Surrounded by scorn and disgust, the color drained from Tang Xu’s face. He covered his face and fled in shame.

…

“Master! Master! Oh, heavens, my dear master!”

Baliang burst through the doorway, practically glowing with glee.

Chi Yan was in the middle of arranging furniture in the new house, trying to restore the layout exactly like Ruyi Residence. His whole body ached from the work.

Hearing the noise, he snapped irritably, n“You trying to raise the dead, or what?”

Shen Tangning was setting out flower pots. She looked up with a teasing smile.
“Baliang, what’s got you grinning like that?”

“Madam!” Baliang straightened, his eyes sparkling. “Master, I’ve got one good piece of news, and one bad one. Which do you want first?”

Chi Yan gave a short laugh and exchanged a glance with Shen Tangning.
“Tch, look at him playing mysterious.”

Shen Tangning had already guessed it. Seeing how excited Baliang was… could it be that the results of the cheating case were finally out?

Chi Yan thought for a moment.
“Alright, give me the good news first.”

Baliang leaned in, eyes twinkling.
“Just now, after a joint investigation by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Justice, the list of exam cheaters was officially posted!”

He lowered his voice, like revealing a grand secret, “Master, your name wasn’t on it!”

Even though they’d expected this, Shen Tangning finally let out a breath of relief.
“Baliang, are you sure it’s true?”

Baliang patted his chest proudly.
“Madam, I saw it with my own eyes!”

Chi Yan raised an eyebrow.
“Hmm. Not bad. That barely counts as good news. So, what’s the bad one?”

Baliang’s expression faltered.

Both Chi Yan and Shen Tangning paused — faces turning serious.

Baliang scratched his head awkwardly.
“Even though the Ministry of Rites posted your exam script and proved it didn’t match the leaked answer key… some people still think you might’ve cheated. They say maybe you just studied in advance and guessed the topics right…”

He took a deep breath.
“So… the Ministry announced that Master must re-sit the policy essay portion of the exam — and… His Majesty himself will supervise the retake.”