Chapter 314: Snow Falls in Silence

"Green plums can't match a heavenly descent?"

Gao Yang muttered it a few times, then suddenly thought it made a lot of sense.

At least she used to run out to watch plays, listen to stories, and there were many similar examples.

Chen Yan leaned over, seized the moment and said, "You see, if I had any thoughts about her, after knowing her for so many years, wouldn't I have acted earlier?"

Why wait until now?

You say that's the reasoning?

Gao Yang pondered for a while and nodded.

Indeed, if Chen Yan had any thoughts toward Xu Lianyue, he would have acted long ago.

After all, when Chen Yan married her, his age was already relatively advanced.

Take Du Gou, who married early; now his child is already over two years old.

So, you truly have no thoughts about her?

Gao Yang said dubiously.

You still don't believe me?

Chen Yan, with a heavy heart, said, "Li Zhaotang, tell me, we've been married for so long, your belly has been several months pregnant; is it really worth deceiving you about something like this?"

Between us, is there not even a little trust?

I've emphasized this many times, even explained everything inside and out, yet you still refuse to trust me, to trust your own husband.

Li Zhaotang, you have disappointed me so much!

When Gao Yang heard the word 'disappointed,' her heart tightened, and she quickly said, "No, no, I do not distrust you."

I'm just too sensitive because of Li Lizhi's matter; don't be angry.

Chen Yan was stunned for a moment upon hearing that.

No, I was just putting on an act, wasn't I?

Why does it feel like Gao Yang is getting nervous now?

And still telling myself not to get angry?

I can't even!

I never even dreamed I'd hear you say this!

What Chen Yan didn't know was that these days were already unusual; Gao Yang seemed to have no strong objections to his and Li Lizhi's grand marriage, but in reality she was terrified.

Gao Yang knew she was becoming increasingly unable to be without Chen Yan; without him she would surely go mad.

So when she heard Chen Yan say he was disappointed in her, she immediately panicked.

Chen Yan fell into contemplation, saying nothing.

Gao Yang, seeing this, unconsciously clenched her hand, clearly a bit at a loss.

Husband, I.......

Chen Yan's gaze was subtle; countless words were stuck at the tip of his tongue, so he finally asked tentatively.

I'm angry; will you coax me?

Huh?

Gao Yang was stunned.

Coax… coax Chen Yan?

She didn't know how to do that.

How… how to coax?

Gao Yang asked instinctively.

Hmm… Generally speaking, when coaxing a man, using the 'left side' is the best method.

Chen Yan!!!

I knew you weren't a good person!!!

This time, Gao Yang thought for a long while before finally understanding what Chen Yan meant; at the same time, she gradually realized that Chen Yan was just pretending, otherwise why would he still be so indecent?

She shouted, "I don't want to deal with you anymore, get out!"

Ah, it's not the first time; why are you being so shy?

Chen Yan laughed mischievously, reached out to hug her, but was slapped away.

Step back, don't touch me!

I'll touch you!

Chen Yan was forceful, ignoring Gao Yang's resistance, and held her on his lap.

The struggle was futile, so Gao Yang went along with him; after all, they were indoors, unseen.

But she still said in a harsh tone, "I warn you, don't let there be a second Li Lizhi; I'm not as easy to talk to as you think."

"Don't worry!" Chen Yan, inhaling the faint fragrance emanating from Gao Yang, flashed a smile in his eyes.

"Don't forget, we are the destiny‑appointed good match, destined to be entangled together for countless lifetimes."

Gao Yang pursed her lips, appearing disdainful but actually feeling warmth inside.

She knew Chen Yan was doing this to reassure her.

"I remember, the day before I married you, Mother Empress spoke to me at length; there's a passage that stuck with me, do you want to hear it?"

"If you're willing to speak, I'm willing to listen."

"Hmm, Mother Empress said, we both have a soft‑not‑hard temperament, yet paradoxically our characters are too rigid; no one is willing to lower their head and be soft." Gao Yang chuckled lightly:

Mother Empress told me that continuing like this is unacceptable; after a long time we will both be physically and mentally exhausted, and then we will grow to dislike each other.

So Mother Empress suggested that I occasionally lower my head and yield to you, let me pay more attention to your opinion, so that our feelings can last.

She closed her eyes, her voice soft, as if murmuring: "But I don't want to; I am a princess. When I was young, I made a mistake, was scolded by Father Emperor, and was struck with a ruler by Mother Empress, yet I never yielded. You are merely my imperial son-in-law; why should I lower my head before you?"

But Chen Yan, do you know?

The more I interact with you, the more days we spend together, the more I find myself caring about you; no matter what I'm doing, I occasionally think of you.

Whenever I see a beautiful flower, I want you to see it too; when I read a good poem, I can't help but compare it with you.

I don't want to end up as Mother Empress said, growing to dislike each other.

Xiang Lan always advised me to speak well with you, to lower my head a bit; each time I resolved to follow her advice, but I found I simply couldn't say soft words to you.

I don't understand why this is, so during a period of time I became very eager to have a child.

I thought, once I have a child, you will surely be willing to yield to me, right?

Gao Yang raised a smile: "Indeed, it's true; at the very least, you now have more patience for me, allowing me to clearly feel that you care about me."

Apart from still having a vastly different attitude toward me and toward Changle, I have nothing else to complain about.

Gao Yang said a lot, but the expressed meaning was only one.

She is now very happy and wants to continue like this.

However, Chen Yan holds a different view from Gao Yang.

Come, go out with me!

He gently took Gao Yang's hand and led her out the door to an open place.

The sky drifted tiny snowflakes, silently falling on their bodies and also on their heads.

This time, Chen Yan tilted his head and said to Gao Yang: "Do you still remember when I told you why Li Lizhi likes me?"

Although Gao Yang didn't understand what Chen Yan intended, she still nodded to indicate she remembered.

Li Lizhi likes me because of the various halos on me; put simply, Li Lizhi likes my strengths.

He earnestly said: "You are different; from the beginning, what I showed you were only my flaws; perhaps later you likewise came to regard me because of some strengths of mine, but afterward you never distanced yourself from me because I showed only flaws; on the contrary, you grew even fonder of me, right?"

Tang'er, liking someone is not just about liking their strengths; more importantly, it's about seeing their flaws and still choosing to tolerate them.

Chen Yan raised his hand and smoothed Gao Yang's hair; reflected in his eyes was only Gao Yang.

If I must choose one person to grow old with me......

Chen Yan spoke gently but firmly: "I will without hesitation choose you!"

At this moment, Gao Yang's heart trembled as never before.

Snow fell silently, the world hushed; only his words seared into the deepest part of her heart, melting away all pride and unease.