Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 92

As dusk fell, the older ministers were starting to show signs of weariness.

But when they glanced at Chi Yan, he still looked lively and vigorous. The pile of scrolls at his feet had grown thick. At this rate, if his body didn’t give out first, these old geezers definitely would!

The Chief Minister finally stood up and cleared his throat. “Chi Yan, I think we should call it a day for now.”

Chi Yan instinctively replied, “No need, this humble servant can still hold on a bit longer.”

The moment he spoke; the room fell into a heavy silence. When he looked up, he caught several ministers giving him pitiful, weary looks.

Chi Yan: “…”

cough cough — maybe a little too harsh on the elderly.

He changed his tone and blinked, yielding gracefully, “Well, I admit I’m a bit tired. Let’s continue tomorrow.”

Immediately, relief flooded their faces and smiles returned. After exchanging goodbyes, they all left the hall.

A palace attendant collected Chi Yan’s completed exam papers. He stood, stretching his stiff limbs, when he spotted Eunuch Fu entering.

“Eunuch Fu, may I ask where I’ll be staying tonight?” Chi Yan politely inquired.

With a cheerful smile, Eunuch Fu replied, “No rush. You must be hungry now. I’ll have the kitchen bring you some food first.”

Chi Yan’s eyes flickered with surprise — they were actually serving him a full meal?

He had expected maybe just some snacks and tea to hold him over.

Though he’d eaten all kinds of delicacies before, he’d never actually had the imperial cuisine. Expectation lit up his eyes. “Thank you kindly, Eunuch Fu!”

Seeing Chi Yan so delighted, Eunuch Fu’s smile grew warmer. As a palace eunuch on duty, he could guess a little about the Emperor’s thoughts — this young master Chi Yan was someone destined for great things, and he was happy to make a good connection early.

Who would have thought?

In just a few years, the Chi family might produce a second prominent figure besides the heir — and it was this notorious playboy who nobody had taken seriously.

Usually, one family dominating everything isn’t a good thing. But he’d heard the Chi family recently split their holdings — now that was interesting.

A palace maid carefully placed the exquisite imperial meal before Chi Yan. He eyed it hungrily but held to etiquette, only starting to eat after Eunuch Fu gave the word.

The more Eunuch Fu watched, the more he thought this Chi Yan was a remarkable young man — lively but measured, never annoying anyone.

He smiled faintly, “Please enjoy your meal, Young Master. I must return to serve His Majesty.”

Chi Yan put down his chopsticks, returning the smile as he stood, “Eunuch Fu, please take care.”

In the palace, no one could be underestimated. Surviving and thriving in this deadly place was no simple feat — especially not for someone as influential as this eunuch.

Just as Eunuch Fu left the hall, he was stopped by a voice, surprised: “Greetings, Third Prince. Why are you here at this hour?”

Usually, by now, the prince would be back at his residence.

Chi Yan glanced toward the entrance — Third Prince? The Third Royal Prince?

Yan Xingzhou’s lips curled into a casual smirk as he glanced inside. “I heard Young Master Chi Yan was here taking the exam. I was curious what sort of person he is — one worthy of the Emperor’s personal summons. So I came to see for myself.”

Eunuch Fu’s eyes flickered with a strange expression. The Third Prince had been growing more frivolous lately. Even the Crown Prince had some history with Chi Yan and knew to keep his distance.

But this prince, with no close ties, was eagerly coming to observe!

Eunuch Fu forced a polite smile, “Your Highness, you may look, but it’s best not to linger too long. Young Master Chi Yan’s situation is special — too much contact with outsiders is not advised.”

Yan Xingzhou nodded knowingly, indifferent. “I’ll just stay at the door. Eunuch Fu, you may attend to your duties.”

“Then I shall take my leave.” Eunuch Fu bowed, draping his whisk over his arm, smiling politely as he left, secretly fuming.

He’d warned the prince, but to no avail. Now he could only report honestly to the Emperor.

With Eunuch Fu gone, Yan Xingzhou looked into the hall.

Chi Yan had heard the noise and couldn’t pretend otherwise — he reluctantly set down his chopsticks and stepped forward, bowing at a distance, “Greetings, Third Prince.”

Yan Xingzhou studied him carefully.

Chi Yan wore a neat blue robe and stood straight and tall. His face was refined and handsome — except for a hint of carelessness in his eyes, there was no trace of the notorious playboy the rumors described.

Yan’s gaze deepened — he hadn’t expected to have misjudged the Chi family’s secretive second son.

Probably not even Chi Jingyu expected his younger brother to be a hidden tiger pretending to be a pig.

Yan Xingzhou’s eyes curved with a half-smile, “Young Master Chi, I’ve long heard of your name.”

Chi Yan raised an eyebrow, unsure what the prince wanted — a test? Or something else?

“Your Highness flatters me. Those rumors about me are best left unsaid,” he said with a bashful scratch of his head.

Yan Xingzhou laughed, “Do not belittle yourself. I see you are no ordinary man. Given time, catching up with your elder brother won’t be difficult.”

Chi Yan’s eyes widened in surprise, showing genuine anxiety, “My brother is far beyond me! Your Highness is too kind!”

His sincerity was so strong Yan couldn’t tell if it was genuine or just an act. But since Chi Yan had survived the infamous Pingtíng case unscathed and even dodged the Kunshan Jade incident by chance, he was clearly more than he seemed.

Yan Xingzhou smirked and fixed him with a sharp gaze. “You’re too modest, Young Master Chi. I cannot stay long. Once you’ve passed the exams and entered officialdom, come find me so I can congratulate you.”

“Farewell, Your Highness.” Chi Yan watched him leave, his eyes flashing with thought. Did the Third Prince not realize he had already uncovered the mastermind behind the Pingtíng case?

This visit was partly a test — partly a gesture of goodwill?

Chi Yan lightly curled his lips. After several schemes against him, now an invitation? Has this brother lost his mind?

Despite the exquisite presentation, palace cuisine was bland and joyless. Suddenly, Chi Yan felt a pang of homesickness.

…

“Did you say the Third Prince went to Baohe Hall?”

The Emperor was still reviewing memorials when Eunuch Fu reported, his gaze darkening. “It’s late. Why hasn’t he left the palace? What is he doing there?”

Fu chuckled while arranging food, “The Third Prince is probably just childish. Hearing the Emperor personally summoned Young Master Chi Yan, he couldn’t resist his curiosity.”

The Emperor tossed down his brush, a cold sneer escaping him. “Childish? He’s eighteen now, isn’t he? The Crown Prince at that age was already on the battlefield!”

He loved Consort Li, yes — she knew how to please him and had no troublesome family background. Their son was harmless and posed no threat.

But now it seemed his son wasn’t as obedient or straightforward as he thought.

The Emperor’s silence filled the room with chill. After a moment, he said flatly, “Tonight, we’ll move to Kunning Palace.”

Eunuch Fu raised an eyebrow, smiling warmly, “I’ll go inform the Empress right away.”