Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 96

“Tangning, besides your in-laws, do you have any friends you want to invite?”

Mrs. Chi was sitting with Shen Tangning, going over the guest list for the invitations.

After a moment’s thought, Tangning jotted down a few names.

Mrs. Chi glanced over, then widened her eyes, lowering her voice: “Given the Crown Prince’s situation… do you think he’ll actually come?”

Tangning smiled softly. “Whether he comes or not is up to His Highness. We just need to make sure our etiquette is perfect.”

Mrs. Chi nodded thoughtfully. That made sense.

After a brief pause, Tangning asked, “What about the Hou family? Are you planning to invite them?”

Mrs. Chi curled her lips slightly. “Even if they might look down on us, if we don’t invite them, it’ll give people something to gossip about. I think… we should still send an invitation.”

Tangning nodded in agreement. “That’s the right move.”

The Dowager Lady and Lady Hou were proud and might not be happy to attend. The Marquis of Ningyuan was busy with affairs of state, so most likely their attendance would just be a formality.

Once the list was finalized, Mrs. Chi handed over the task of writing the invitations to Tangning and went off to oversee the kitchen.

Tangning found Chi Yan with the list. “Husband, take a look. Anyone else you want to add?”

Chi Yan took the list and scanned it. The number wasn’t large—just relatives on his mother’s side, some of Tangning’s friends, plus his own. All together it barely made three or four tables.

He found the Crown Prince’s name on it, and with a faint scoff, thought to himself, The Crown Prince really holds a special place in her heart.

Tangning only listed Ji Wuya, but didn’t add Tang Xu’s name. Seeing Chi Yan’s calm reaction, she knew her decision was right.

Since the rift was now open, there was no need to pretend or keep up appearances.

Chi Yan hesitated for a moment, then added another name. Tangning’s eyes flickered with surprise.

He looked up and explained, “Lord Liu helped us so much before. It wouldn’t be right not to invite him.”

Tangning had thought about Liu Yifu too, but hesitated. “Lord Liu is usually solitary, probably won’t come.”

He was straightforward and aloof in official circles, avoided factions, and had few private connections. She worried it might put him in an awkward spot.

Chi Yan shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Our intentions are what count.”

Seeing him so at ease, Tangning relaxed a little herself. Fine, then.

With the list finalized, Tangning wrote the invitations herself and sent them out one by one.

When the invitations reached the Chi residence, Lady Hou scoffed coldly, “Now they remember us? Probably no one else to fill their guest list.”

She carelessly tossed the invitation aside, disdainful. “Go decline it. Say I’m too busy with trivial matters to attend.”

Just then, Chi Jingyu walked in. Hearing this, his eyes flickered slightly. “Mother, who are you refusing?”

Lady Hou sneered at his question, “Who else could it be?”

Chi Jingyu glanced at the invitation on the table, recognizing Shen Tangning’s handwriting—small, neat characters like delicate flowers embroidered on paper, unforgettable.

He stared at the invitation for a long moment, then said firmly, “If Mother won’t attend, I will go on her behalf.”

Lady Hou was shocked, glaring at him. “Why do you want to make nice for them?”

Chi Jingyu’s eyes darkened. “Even if the family split, we all still share the Chi name. There’s no need to make things so awkward.”

Lately, he had frequent strange dreams. The main figure in those bizarre visions was… Shen Tangning.

He felt unsettled. Maybe it was time to see for himself what was really going on.

On the day of the housewarming banquet, the Chi residence was unusually lively.

Tangning and Chi Yan stood at the entrance to greet guests. Suddenly, someone called out joyfully, “Ningning!”

She looked up just in time to see a carriage still approaching, with Wen Yao already throwing back the curtain and waving excitedly.

Wen Yao had come together with Jiang Qingyue. It had been a long time since they last met. They were both a little emotional, holding hands and whispering.

Wen Yao looked around the mansion, smirking at Tangning. “It’s a bit smaller than the Hou mansion, but not by much.”

Tangning couldn’t help but smile.

Jiang Qingyue gave a small nod to Chi Yan, who had been left out of the conversation. “Second Master Chi.”

Chi Yan politely returned the greeting.

Soon after, Gu Qingxu arrived as well.

Tangning said to Chi Yan, “I’ll take them inside first.”

“Go ahead,” Chi Yan replied as if relieved—he was feeling awkward standing there with so many people watching.

It’s said that when sisters get together, they inevitably talk about each other’s partners. Chi Yan only hoped they wouldn’t gossip about him right in front of him.

Not long after Tangning left, Chi Yan saw someone riding up on horseback. Surprised, he raised an eyebrow and called out, “Big brother, you came in person?”

He had thought the Hou family wouldn’t send anyone, but it was actually Chi Jingyu who arrived.

Chi Jingyu dismounted gracefully, handsome and cool, nodding faintly. “Mother and Father were busy, so I came to attend the banquet.”

He scanned the scene casually and asked with a seemingly casual tone, “Where’s my sister-in-law?”

Chi Yan instinctively answered, “She’s inside, taking care of the guests.”

But then he realized, that was an odd question to ask the moment you arrive. Who asks about their brother’s wife right away?

Chi Yan watched Chi Jingyu’s expression carefully, but the older brother’s face was as unreadable as ever—like a frozen mountain flower. Chi Yan figured maybe he was just overthinking it.

“Big brother, please come in.”

Chi Jingyu nodded slightly and stepped inside.

Soon, Liu Yifu also arrived, just stepping down from his carriage.

Chi Yan greeted him with a casual grin, “Lord Liu, your honorable presence truly brightens this humble home!”

To his surprise, Liu Yifu gave him face and smiled lightly, “Second Master Chi’s warm invitation, how could I possibly refuse?”

His gaze flicked subtly toward the door. “Why isn’t Second Lady Chi here?”

That familiar question came again.

Chi Yan’s smile froze. “…”

Crap. She’s here for my wife.

Roughly put, she’s coming for her.

Just as Shen Tangning was showing her friends to their seats, a servant came to report: The Crown Prince was unwell and could not attend personally but had sent his congratulatory gift.

Chi Yan and Tangning followed the attendant to thank the Crown Prince’s envoy. Gu Qingxu frowned slightly during the ceremony.

Tangning took the gift from Yan Huai and sent it to the storeroom, then politely expressed some concern before dismissing the envoy.

She caught Chi Yan staring blankly at something nearby and nudged him with an elbow. “Husband, what are you spacing out for?”

Chi Yan looked toward a certain direction, his voice heavy with emotion. “It’s a mistake.”

Tangning glanced where he was looking and accidentally met Chi Jingyu’s eyes. Feeling unlucky, she quickly looked away. “What’s a mistake?”

Chi Yan glanced at her but said nothing, only letting out a deep sigh.

Tch, my rival got it wrong.