Chapter 259: Let Next Year's This Day Be Our Death Anniversary

"Actually I guessed some of it back then, but I thought you were different from me and wouldn't let him take advantage," Gao Yang's gaze at Li Lizhi was rather strange.

Li Lizhi was mortally embarrassed at that moment, feeling like a thief... um, being caught by the primary wife, wishing she could dig a hole on the spot and bury herself.

Back then, Gao Yang taking advantage of Chen Yan was somewhat understandable, since the two had a marriage contract at the time, and as long as no one found out, it wasn't a big deal.

But she was different; even now she remains nameless and undefined with Chen Yan, and strictly speaking, she is still Chen Yan's elder sister‑in‑law.

If Gao Yang hadn't known, it would have been fine, but he happened to guess it.

Li Lizhi felt a tingling scalp and an overall discomfort.

"You don't need to overthink it," Gao Yang said indifferently, "At least for now I understand Chen Yan better than you do about what kind of person he is."

"I guess you weren't willing either, but couldn't resist; perhaps you even heard some sweet talk and were coaxed into being directionless."

"Hmm... the reason you always leave in a hurry might be because of that."

Li Lizhi fell silent.

Did Gao Yang get it right?

Both right and wrong.

The correct part is, as Gao Yang said, I was indeed coaxed into being directionless and, in a daze, was taken advantage of.

As for the incorrect part.......

"Um... want to guess why I, even knowing I'm being taken advantage of, persistently run toward that side?"

Li Lizhi silently thought a sentence, then looked up at Gao Yang, curiosity filling her eyes, "Did you already guess it before?"

"Guessed it."

"How did you guess? Normally, one wouldn't think in that direction."

Gao Yang hesitated, not knowing how to answer.

Should I say that after each time you leave, Chen Yan's expression becomes exactly like after having his foot massaged, immensely satisfied?

However, speaking of that, Gao Yang suddenly recalled something, shifted his gaze downward, examined Li Lizhi's feet for a moment, and said meaningfully, "It's hard for me to tell you this now; you'll understand later."

"I think he probably prefers massaging you."

"Massage?" Li Lizhi asked, puzzled, "Massage what?"

"It's nothing," Gao Yang smiled lightly, not intending to reveal Chen Yan's little habit; after all, she'll understand someday.

Then she brought up another matter: "It's been several months since I completed the marriage with my husband; Father Emperor should be preparing an edict to grant you marriage, right?"

Li Lizhi stared at Gao Yang's calm eyes, paused in silence, then slowly shook her head, "I'm not sure; perhaps it's near."

"During this period, many events have occurred in Chang'an, the Court is quite turbulent, Father Emperor has been scheming about something, and now the turmoil is about to subside."

"Maybe after this period passes, Father Emperor will issue the edict."

"That works too," Gao Yang nodded slightly, "Even though we've left the Imperial Palace and can roam freely, my husband is usually busy with many affairs, so he doesn't have much time to accompany me."

"If you come, I'll have someone to talk to, and we can go out together when there's nothing to do."

Hearing this, Li Lizhi was startled inside.

Gao Yang's expression remained calm, tone perfectly normal, without sarcasm or snark, but rather a feeling of hopeful expectation.

It was as if everything she said was sincere.

But that's the most abnormal, right?

Did those words really come from Gao Yang's mouth?

Li Lizhi was stunned in place for a while, and after a long moment, whispered, "You've really changed a lot; if it were the old days, you'd probably be fighting me to the death."

"Is it because of Chen Yan, or because of a child?"

"Neither," Gao Yang said, unsurprised by Li Lizhi's words, tone indifferent, as if recounting a trivial matter.

"The reason I accept you, besides my inability to stop it, is that I suddenly realized you feel considerable guilt toward me; you didn't lie that day, you just want to occupy a place in my husband's heart."

"You, who feel guilty toward me, cannot surpass me, even if you successfully marry my husband! Even if I have to call you sister!"

"So what can you do?"

She, confident and flamboyant, declared, "I've only lost once, and from now on, I will always be the winner!!"

So that's how it is; Li Lizhi understood, fully comprehended.

But she said nothing, only gave a gentle smile.

Gao Yang again only said half the truth.

Li Lizhi indeed felt guilty toward Gao Yang, but ever since she occupied a place in Chen Yan's heart, she never thought about competing with Gao Yang for anything.

And she will never fight over it.

Gao Yang may have become much smarter, but her flaws remain unchanged: so self‑centered, so confident, and domineering.

She thinks that winning in the future will be useful.

Little does she know, no matter how they fight, it's all futile; everything still depends on what Chen Yan thinks.

In this relationship, Chen Yan is the one who holds the initiative.

He can choose to be kind to anyone, or to neglect anyone.

Just like Father Emperor's exclusive favor toward the Mother Empress, other concubines' efforts and schemes are useless.

And Li Lizhi believes Chen Yan won't treat any of them unfairly; most likely he'll be impartial.

So why fight?

Li Lizhi knows this clearly, but she says nothing.

After much difficulty, Gao Yang accepted the fact, no longer rejected her, and was willing to smooth relations; why does she still come head‑on against Gao Yang?

Since Gao Yang thinks so, let it be.

"Although Chen Yan seems to often clash and argue with you, he is still equally kind to you, right?" Li Lizhi changed the subject.

"It's okay," Gao Yang smirked, "Aside from constantly quarreling with me, he's a very good husband, taking care of me in every detail in daily life."

"No wonder." Li Lizhi suddenly understood, "No wonder, given your temperament, you would call him husband right in front of me. It seems he's better than I imagined; I can be at ease now."

"Were you worried before?" Gao Yang, now interested, retorted, "You threw yourself at him just to marry the husband; why would you be worried?"

"Wasn't that what you had been looking forward to?"

"Were you never worried before the marriage?" Li Lizhi found it very odd.

Isn't worrying perfectly normal?

Even when marrying someone you love, you still overthink the future—there's hesitation, anticipation, excitement, and anxiety.

"I never worried about anything." Gao Yang lifted his chin slightly, proudly saying, "The day I married him, I had only one thought in my mind."

"If Chen Yan treats me poorly, I'll fight him, making next year's today our death anniversary, so that from now on you can only watch helplessly as we stay together forever."

Li Lizhi: "......"

Fine, Gao Yang is still the same Gao Yang, and his ideas remain that novel.

When you say you want me to watch you stay together forever, do you mean being buried together?

Hmm, that's definitely it.

"......."