Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 95

Xue Qing’s face flushed crimson as she quickly pulled down the curtain and backed out instinctively.

Shen Tangning instantly felt a deep sense of embarrassment. She closed her eyes and gave Chi Yan a hard kick. The blow barely registered through the quilt because Chi Yan was tangled too tightly around her. She couldn’t move, so she gritted her teeth and snapped, “Chi Yan! Get off me!”

“Just sleep a little longer…” Chi Yan mumbled drowsily, only to hear a cold laugh beside his ear.

“Hmph, you’re so good at sleeping, huh.”

Chi Yan jolted awake and met Shen Tangning’s gaze. Their breaths mingled closely; his eyes went blank for a moment.

Realizing their awkward situation, he awkwardly rolled backward—but forgot there was nothing behind him and landed hard on his backside.

While he lay there grimacing, Shen Tangning swiftly sat up, shooting him a glare. Her voice dripped with quiet sarcasm, “Looks like you’re in perfect health, huh? Maybe you’d better keep sleeping on the floor after all.”

Chi Yan’s heart sank. He looked tragically forlorn. “Shen Tangning, please hear me out—I really didn’t mean it…”

“…”

During the meal, Chi Yan kept stealing glances at Shen Tangning, but her face was a calm sea—no hint of anger or happiness.

He frowned in frustration, feeling like beating his chest. He’d only slept in the bed for one night!

Meanwhile, Lady Chi’s eyes flicked between them with a barely concealed smile.

Under one roof, secrets never stayed hidden for long—especially with the big-mouthed Aunt Ba always nearby. She kept ladling food onto Shen Tangning’s plate with the communal chopsticks. “Tangning, you’ve worked so hard these past days. Eat up, replenish your strength!”

Shen Tangning saw the bright smile and twitched at the corner of her mouth, clearly realizing her mother-in-law had misunderstood something. Her earlobes flushed, but she forced herself to stay composed. “Thank you, Mother.”

She was only annoyed for a moment, now feeling mostly awkward and a little amused at Chi Yan’s dejected state.

Just then, a young servant burst in excitedly: “Master, Mistress, Young Master, Young Mistress—there’s great news!”

Shen Tangning glanced at the slightly confused or distracted faces around her, put down her chopsticks, and said calmly, “No rush, tell us slowly.”

The servant’s eyes sparkled as he said, “This morning, the Ministry of Rites posted the new list for the Autumn Imperial Exams—and our Young Master took first place! The messenger bringing the official notice is on the way here!”

Turns out Chi Yan wasn’t the only one retaking the policy essay exam. Those disqualified for cheating were excluded, making this list truly fair and just.

Everyone was stunned. Lady Chi’s face lit up with joy. “Then go greet them at the door! And buy a few strings of firecrackers to chase away bad luck!”

“At once, ma’am!”

By the time they reached the door, the messenger hadn’t arrived, but a crowd of curious onlookers had gathered.

“I told you, Second Young Master Chi has been a prodigy since he was a child. Taking first place is no surprise!”

Chi Yan twitched at the sudden shift in attitude. Did people really flip that fast?

“Oh my! Look at his demeanor! And his parents—no wonder they raised such a successful son!”

The Chi couple straightened their backs proudly, their faces glowing with triumph.

“If you ask me, it’s the Second Young Mistress who had the foresight. Remember how many people were waiting to see her fail? Turns out she was the smart one all along!”

Shen Tangning: “…”

So she’s getting credit too, huh?

The messenger rode in on horseback, dismounted cheerfully, and approached the Chi family. “Congratulations to Scholar Chi!”

Lady Chi’s smile was so wide it could barely close. She handed the messenger some reward money. “Thank you for your effort, young man. Use this to celebrate!”

The messenger weighed the money secretly, smiling even wider as he showered them with blessings.

Shen Tangning’s eyes flickered. “Young man, do you know who took second and third place?”

The messenger politely replied, “Second place is Chu Mingyu, young master of the Chu family. Third is Luo Yichen, son of the Minister of Personnel.”

Shen Tangning nodded in understanding. So Tang Xu really didn’t make the cut.

After seeing off the messenger, Lady Chi had the gatekeepers set off firecrackers, the crackling sounds echoing through the streets.

Master Chi hesitated. “He’s an elder after all. Shouldn’t we send someone to inform Mother about the good news?”

Lady Chi scoffed, “You think it’s good news? The matriarch might think it’s a challenge! With all the gossip on the streets, she’ll find out anyway.”

She thought that if the matriarch sent someone to congratulate them, they would reciprocate with a visit from Chi Yan to the main Chi residence—just for appearances.

If not, why bother to seek trouble by going over themselves?

…

Coincidentally, the main Chi residence was also waiting for Chi Yan to pay a visit.

The matriarch thought, “Though we split households, I’m still the nominal mother. Anyone with manners would have come by now!”

She planned to play along, giving them a graceful exit. If Chi Yan became an official someday, he’d need Jing Yu’s support anyway.

She waited left and right, but no visit came from the second household. Instead, a few guests arrived to congratulate them. After learning the second household had moved out, they awkwardly left.

Soon, even more guests came, almost wearing out the threshold of the new second household.

The main Chi residence was quiet, and the matriarch and Lady Hou both looked grim.

“…”

…

The second Lady Chi wanted to celebrate with a banquet for their guests after Chi Yan’s success.

Chi Yan, however, thought it was too showy and teased, “It’s just the first exam rank, not the top scholar. If I don’t do well in the final exams later, won’t everyone laugh?”

The public opinion on him had improved, but many still watched with skepticism.

Shen Tangning glanced at him sideways, thinking he was bold but also surprisingly cautious.

Lady Chi hesitated, probing, “Are you planning to get the top scholar title next?”

Chi Yan cleared his throat and said calmly, “Not impossible.”

Lady Chi sighed, earnest. “Ah Yan, it’s better to stay grounded.”

Chi Yan choked a little. “…”

Unable to hold a banquet just for his exam success, Lady Chi looked a bit disappointed. Shen Tangning smiled and suggested, “Who says we have to celebrate only your success? Since we just moved into the new house, Mother could host a housewarming banquet and invite relatives and friends.”

Lady Chi’s eyes brightened immediately. “That’s a great idea!”

Her mind made up, she started preparations, humming a little tune on her way out.

Chi Yan chuckled and shook his head. “Why are you joining the fun too?”

Shen Tangning smiled faintly. “Though we split from the main household, most people don’t really understand that. They still think we belong together. It’s a good chance to show them where we are now.”