Chapter 397: You Don't Need to Be Perfect Forever

Chen Yan and Li Lizhi were entwined in the room, unaware that two little rascals were spying from outside.

Especially, one of the rascals wasn't even as tall as the window, so even on tiptoe he couldn't see.

This made Sizi extremely anxious, and she whispered to the Princess Chengyang, who was watching nearby with a serious face:

"Sister, sister, what exactly did you see? Tell me quickly!"

"Stop making noise, stop making noise, I'm about to kiss." The Princess Chengyang certainly had no time to pay attention to her now!

She tiptoed and perched on the window, peering through a tiny slit with unblinking big eyes.

Sizi grew even more frantic, "Sister, you can't do that. I brought you here; how can you only watch yourself?"

"Tell me quickly, hold me, let me see."

"Can't hold you, can't hold you!" the Princess Chengyang replied casually, then her eyes widened dramatically, her expression turning extremely excited.

Seeing her reaction, Sizi felt a cat's claw in her heart, certain that they were about to kiss, but she was too short to see anything.

Counting on the sister was hopeless, so the little one thought quickly, kicked off her feet and sprinted to the nearest room, panting as she dragged a round stool.

She was so caught up in excitement that she didn't notice her own sister's suddenly stiff body and terrified expression.

The little one excitedly climbed onto the stool, looking into the room with hopeful anticipation...

She happened to meet Li Lizhi's murderous eyes.

Sizi: "......"

Going to be ruined!

In an instant, two big characters flashed across her mind. The Princess Chengyang beside her seized the chance, without any hesitation, turned swiftly, tucked her head and ran, disappearing like a puff of smoke!

Sizi cursed her sister for being ungrateful, then hurriedly scrambled down from the stool, turned to run, but with a "thud" she collided with someone.

Seeing the familiar hem of the robe, Sizi swallowed hard, her sly big eyes slowly glanced upward, meeting Chen Yan's half‑smiling gaze, and her heart instantly went cold.

"My little princess, what new game are you playing?" Chen Yan asked with a smiling grin.

Sizi, like a kitten whose neck skin had been grabbed, drooped completely, lowered her head, a face full of dejection, abandoning any thought of escape.

"You!" Chen Yan said helplessly, seeing Li Lizhi about to appear, whispering, "Why aren't you running? What are you waiting for?"

"Do you think you'd get a good beating?"

...... Eh?

The little one's big eyes instantly lit up like stars, instantly regaining their sparkle.

She quickly looked up at Chen Yan, her small gaze filled with gratitude and the ecstatic joy of a narrow escape, daring not to linger.

She set her two short legs in motion, pushing with all her might, and vanished in a flash.

"You, you spoil her."

Li Lizhi then gracefully stepped out, her tone carrying a few obvious complaints.

How could she not see that Chen Yan had let Sizi go?

Otherwise, how could a three‑year‑old child possibly escape from Chen Yan's grasp?

"Kids, as long as they're happy," Chen Yan said with a smile, reflecting, "If they don't play or cause trouble now, when they grow up they'll have no chance to be carefree and mischievous like this."

When his words faded, the courtyard fell silent for a moment, leaving only the rustle of wind through the leaves.

Li Lizhi gazed at the rare, slightly gentle expression on his profile, and the embarrassment that had arisen from being interrupted gradually faded.

"You do think of her, but this girl is becoming more brazen; today she peeks, who knows what trouble she'll cause tomorrow."

"What trouble could she cause?" Chen Yan shook his head, "It's just a child's curiosity popping up, finding it novel—nothing serious."

"Kids, especially as clever as Sizi, often lack not harsh discipline but proper guidance."

"If you insist on clinging to a trivial matter, imposing strict rules, you'll tire yourself, and the child will also be unhappy, bound by so‑called rules and etiquette—what's the point?"

"In the end, rigid constraints only produce a 'well‑behaved' child whose thoughts are shackled, grinding away the most precious spirit she possesses."

"Better let her unleash her nature and have a happy childhood."

"I believe a child raised this way won't be lacking."

Li Lizhi was taken aback by his question.

She had grown up in the palace since childhood; etiquette was ingrained in her bones, and no one had ever spoken to her like this.

Recalling her childhood of always thinking of others, Li Lizhi fell silent.

"Perhaps... you're right."

"But just maybe?" Chen Yan retorted, and without waiting for her answer, chuckled and pulled her back.

"Actually, we have two good examples around us: you and Gao Yang. You value rules highly, while Gao Yang never cares about them."

"Gao Yang is flamboyant, says whatever he wants, doesn't bottle up grievances, bluntly criticizes me, even scratches or bites me to vent his emotions."

"And you, appearing gentle and gracious, understanding the big picture, actually are a silent sufferer. You keep everything to yourself, always trying to present the most perfect, proper side to others, letting all hardships and grievances linger within you to digest slowly."

"Since you married me, I've seen that you accommodate us in many ways, sacrificing yourself."

"Do you think you're right?"

"I..." Li Lizhi stammered, instinctively averting his gaze, whispering, "I don't know."

Before, she might have unhesitatingly believed she was correct.

Is there any fault in giving? Upholding duty, sacrificing oneself for the greater good—aren't those the "virtues" taught to her?

But what happened a few days ago left her somewhat confused.

Li Lizhi later realized she was indeed wrong, because her selfish desires, constantly troubling the already busy Chen Yan, led her to make an unreasonable request—to trouble the soon‑to‑give birth Gao Yang.

She only brought it up; Chen Yan could have refused as before. She didn't understand why he got angry last time and sent her back to the palace for several days.

"Although I don't know what you're thinking, a harmonious family can't become beautiful through just one person's effort."

Chen Yan stopped, faced Li Lizhi, gently cupped her face with both hands, forcing her to meet his gaze, and said seriously:

"Blindly giving can only move yourself."

Perhaps my words are a bit harsh, but I must tell you. On this point, you are actually wrong!

A home is truly good only when everyone feels comfortable and at ease. A child who cries gets candy; a noisy Gao Yang can get the attention she wants, and you, the most sensible, are always the one who ends up at a loss.

I don't need you to become like Gao Yang, but I hope you at least learn to voice your discomfort and express your true thoughts.

In front of me, you don't have to be perfect all the time.