Who Cares About Being the Matriarch? My Rebellious Husband Secured Me a Noble Rank! - Chapter 97

Shen Chang didn’t come. Mrs. Shen caught a slight cold, so Shen Ci went on behalf of Shen Tangning’s family to attend the banquet.

“How’s mother’s health?” Shen Tangning asked anxiously, grabbing Shen Ci for details.

Shen Ci’s face darkened as he lowered his voice: “Mom originally wanted to come, but she had a fight with Dad midway. Stepmother Fang came to mediate, but then…”

He clenched his fists, as if it was too painful to say, gritting his teeth through clenched teeth: “Fang suddenly fainted. The doctor checked and said she’s already two months pregnant.”

Tangning’s expression tightened. She already had a rough idea.

Mother must have hoped Father would show up and support her face, but Shen Chang refused.

As a father, he never considered how his absence on such an occasion would cause her to lose face in her marital home. How cold-hearted!

And Fang — of all times, she’s pregnant now.

Tangning knew all too well that this child was a boy. Father was overjoyed, doting on him fully — a side of him she and Shen Ci had never seen before.

That was why Shen Ci fell into ruin, and why Father so decisively abandoned him.

Tangning’s fingers clenched tighter; her eyes grew icy cold.

Shen Ci caught the sharp look and blinked, surprised: “A-jie?”

Tangning patted his shoulder, lips curving slightly: “A-ci, you’re impulsive. Stay away from Fang. She’s got a golden nugget in her belly, we don’t want to mess with that.”

It was no coincidence. After Fang got pregnant with a son, Shen Ci’s life went downhill: first a broken marriage, then a reckless conflict with Fang that almost caused a miscarriage, which drew Father’s disgust.

Soon after, Shen Ci faced repeated setbacks at court, even framed and demoted to the harsh frontier — only to be killed by bandits, his body left unburied.

Tangning’s eyes were ice-cold. Her brother died before he was even 24. The news shattered their mother, who fell ill and passed away soon after.

Whether Fang and Shen Chang were involved or not, Tangning held them responsible.

Shen Ci nodded solemnly, half understanding her unspoken meaning: “A-jie, I’ll listen to you.”

Tangning softened, voice gentle: “Do try to persuade mother a bit more…”

The guests arrived in full, and Master Chi made a few polite remarks, announcing the start of the banquet.

It was a family gathering, nothing too formal or grand.

The atmosphere was pleasant, filled with laughter. From afar, Chi Jingyu watched Shen Tangning intently. Chi Yan was quietly speaking to her; she turned her head to listen, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Suddenly, a blurry memory flickered in Jingyu’s mind — as if they had once been this close. But in those fragmented memories, Tangning never smiled so genuinely.

A sharp pain pierced his temple. Jingyu frowned, pressing his hand against his forehead to ease the ache.

His head ailment had plagued him for days, accompanied by nightmares. Doctors couldn’t find a cause, only advising him not to overthink.

“Chi Shizi?” a voice nearby asked.

Jingyu looked up to see Liu Yifu’s concerned gaze. Liu frowned: “Shizi, are you alright?”

Jingyu shook his head: “Thanks, Lord Liu. Nothing serious.”

Liu glanced at Shen Tangning and Chi Yan, then spoke slowly, words heavy with meaning: “Once an arrow is loosed, there’s no turning back. If a decision has been made, one must cut ties decisively. Lingering only adds trouble for oneself and others.”

Jingyu’s face stiffened. Liu’s words felt like a sneer — was he regretting not marrying Tangning, then turning around to pester her?

Ridiculous!

He wouldn’t cling to Shen Tangning.

He was here only to resolve the confusion in his heart.

His tone cold and distant: “Lord Liu, you misunderstand. Some matters aren’t as simple as they appear. Don’t judge by your own measure.”

His reply was meant as a subtle rebuke, but Liu’s eyes darkened, lips pressing tightly shut.

“…”

Tangning left midway to urge the kitchen for food. Just as she stepped out of the crescent moon gate, a voice called her back.

“Shen Tangning.”

She had heard that voice countless times before — no need to turn around to know who it was.

She slowly faced Chi Jingyu standing on the other side of the gate, his eyes complex beyond words.

Tangning had no desire to guess his thoughts. Beneath her polite tone lay deep impatience: “Shizi, what do you want?”

For some reason, Jingyu guessed her exact mood and froze, unsure how to start.

Her lips twitched with a teasing smile, “If you’re looking for a quiet room, I’ll have a servant show you.”

He snapped back to himself: “I’m here to see you.”

“To see me?” Tangning was surprised, a playful edge to her voice. “What could Shizi want with me?”

Jingyu crossed the gate, standing before her with a serious expression, words measured: “About the broken engagement — I owe you an apology. What compensation do you want? As long as it’s reasonable, I’ll agree.”

Tangning’s brow jumped. Unbelievable — Jingyu was apologizing?

No wonder she was stunned. This man was always proud, and asking someone for forgiveness was harder for him than death.

Had something happened to him?

She hadn’t heard any major news from the Hou mansion recently and couldn’t make sense of it — but when an opportunity drops in your lap, why waste it?

She studied him steadily, a faint smile curling her lips: “You’re sure?”

Jingyu frowned: “Within my means…”

Before he finished, Tangning held up three fingers.

He blinked: “You want me to agree to three things?”

He hesitated inwardly, wary of what unreasonable demands she might make. Should he agree or refuse?

Her eyes glinted oddly as she looked at him, enunciating clearly: “Thirty thousand taels.”

Jingyu’s face stiffened abruptly.

She spoke evenly: “Just thirty thousand taels, and all past grievances between us are wiped clean.”

Thirty thousand taels — a carefully calculated figure. The Hou mansion could afford it, but it would sting.

Whether or not the old grudges truly vanished was up to her.

Jingyu was shocked for a long moment, his expression darkening. With a look of disappointment, he said: “Shen Tangning, since when did you become so mercenary?”

In his eyes, the title of Shizi’s wife was only worth thirty thousand taels?

Tangning didn’t know what he was thinking. Otherwise, she’d regret asking so little.

“If you can’t afford it, then don’t boast.”

She turned to leave, but Jingyu’s deep voice stopped her.

“Wait.”

Behind the wall, Chi Yan lowered his eyes, frowning, thinking to himself:

Poor and stingy — and talks too much.