Chapter 358: Can That Official Endure This Kind of Test?

Gao Yang, although she doesn't understand what "ma ga evolution" means, knows that anything that comes out of Chen Yan's mouth is certainly not good.

So, Gao Yang skillfully gave him a heavy hammer blow!

"Can't you stop getting on my nerves day after day?"

"All day you call me stupid, call me foolish, twist around to scold me—what's the point?"

"I endure this huge belly for you; can't you cheer me up a bit?"

As she spoke, Gao Yang felt an inexplicable grievance in her heart.

Mainly because Chen Yan had just had an intimate conversation with Li Lizhi that provoked her.

She had just noticed that Chen Yan's gaze toward Li Lizhi was mostly admiration and appreciation; when listening to Li Lizhi speak, his sitting posture became upright, as if interacting with other officials, giving full respect.

This is a look and emotion Chen Yan has never shown toward her.

Yes, in many ways I truly can't compare to Li Lizhi—can't match her gentleness, can't match her sense of propriety, and usually can't give Chen Yan any useful advice; all I do all day is fool around for attention.

But at least I've become pregnant with a Chen family child, right?

Even if I'm angry, can't I wait until she gives birth to the child before getting angry?

"Gao Yang..."

Li Lizhi sensed her sister's mood, wanted to say a couple of comforting words, but when she only called out a name, Chen Yan cut her off.

"What do you expect me to do to cheer you up?"

Chen Yan, angry and frantic, said, "You damn it, you made me into a kidney‑deficient young master that everyone talks about, and you still expect me to cheer you up?"

"I don't need face, huh?"

"......"

Gao Yang's expression stiffened, the grievance in her heart dissipated by more than half, and she inexplicably felt like laughing.

The line "I don't need face" made her recall how Du Gou and the others had teased Chen Yan with that, and Chen Yan had stuck his neck out to retort.

Gao Yang's ruby lips twitched, she forced down a smile, "Who let you first call me the death‑seeking little wife?"

"You won't give me face, yet you still want face?"

"Why is your face so big?"

"Fine, fine, I'm too lazy to argue with you." Chen Yan picked up his chopsticks again, picking up food as he said, "I'll go back to the room later and give you a massage."

Gao Yang pursed her lips, not understanding what that bastard was scheming, but she was delighted, after all this was also a chance for the two of them to get along well.

Li Lizhi's gaze shifted between the two, silently sighing that Chen Yan had read Gao Yang's mind too precisely; he seemed to be venting anger, but actually was diverting Gao Yang's attention to cheer her up.

She also realized that although Chen Yan seemed to treat her better, he was even more special toward Gao Yang, caring for her almost to the utmost detail.

At least regarding massages, she had only enjoyed a few, while Gao Yang could enjoy them daily.

This made Li Lizhi very envious.

In fact, in such matters, a bowl of water can never be balanced, and Li Lizhi understood this well.

But she wasn't disappointed, because as she had said at first, she only needed to occupy a place beside and in Chen Yan's heart; it didn't have to be large, any place was a great fortune.

Thinking of this, Li Lizhi's envy faded, and she smiled again, "So, husband, do you think my proposal isn't bad?"

"It's not just not bad!" Chen Yan retorted seriously, then shifted tone to praise, "It's very good!"

Li Lizhi was even happier, and very satisfied.

This made her feel that she wasn't useless to Chen Yan; she could help him.

Watching her appear calm, occasionally picking up dishes for Chen Yan and Gao Yang, Li Lizhi's ears were perked up like a rabbit's, but Chen Yan couldn't bring himself to tell Li Lizhi.

They had already thought of these things, had already done them, and their plan was far more refined than Li Lizhi described; this was only one of the layouts.

Yet the same saying holds: no one is a fool, knowing there's a trap yet still jumping in.

Let the Princess be happy then.

"......"

"Chen Yan, I found that you are really idle."

Back inside, Gao Yang sat on the bed with Chen Yan's help, unable to help but say, "Even though such a big incident happened, you still can stay at home thinking about giving me a massage."

"You... don't get too addicted, I won't run away..."

She tried to remind him politely.

Unexpectedly, Chen Yan, after hearing that, said lightly, "The more trouble there is, the less you can be hasty; you're already panicking, how should the people below see it?"

"Moreover, regarding serious matters, I can discern priorities; right now I'm just waiting for news!"

Chen Yan poured a glass of water for Gao Yang and placed it on the small table beside her, "Furthermore, I must solemnly remind you that I'm not that despicable."

"At least after you became pregnant, I haven't tormented you, and you promised me five times; I never demanded you fulfill them, right?"

Gao Yang obviously didn't believe it, but when Chen Yan moved his own leg, she still cooperated honestly.

Looking at the swelling on Gao Yang's ankle and calf, Chen Yan paused briefly, then gently pressed.

"You should drink more water daily, get up and walk every half hour, stretch your legs. Massage does relieve your condition." He massaged while whispering, "Massage can help a bit; if not for this, do you think you could still walk so lightly?"

"You might as well go out and inquire what other women's pregnancy swelling is like... you really think I'm idle all day, constantly bothering you to satisfy myself."

When the words fell, the room suddenly fell silent.

Gao Yang lowered her head, gazing at his focused profile; those eyes, usually a bit mischievous, now stared seriously at her leg, his hand applying just the right amount of pressure.

She suddenly felt a light thump in her chest, a bit swollen and a bit soft.

The words she had intended to retort circled in her mouth a few times, but she never spoke them.

"Chen Yan~"

"Hmm, I'm here."

"Last time you told me, 'Small isn't necessarily good; mine is the most perfect.' Is that true?"

"...... maybe both true and false, after all the one above is obviously better, later we won't have to starve the child."

Gao Yang's mouth corner twitched, he did not continue speaking, and then said, "You previously composed two lines of poetry for me and Li Lizhi respectively; later Mother Empress told me that the poem you gave Li Lizhi was better."

"I'm not pleased; compose another one for me, and it must be complete."

Chen Yan's hand movement paused briefly; before he could refuse, Gao Yang, as if having guessed his thought, said outright, "Ten times!"

"And when the child is born, whatever you like, I can grant it!"

Chen Yan took a deep breath.

You use this to test the officials?

Which official could endure such a test!

Chen Yan lifted his head, saw Gao Yang's earnest, non‑feigned expression, and his lips twitched slightly.

It seems I can only call out my Bai Ge!

"......"