Chapter 450: Final Wish Fulfilled

Sunlight filtered through the sparse branches, casting dappled, flickering spots on the two of them.

Xiao Sui An sat on his father's solid belly for a while, then began to squirm restlessly, babbling and reaching out toward the mother beside him.

Gao Yang saw this, her heart softened instantly, reached out to take the daughter back, gently patting her back, and said with a reproachful tone, "See? She still can't stay away from her mother."

Chen Yan watched the mother‑and‑daughter scene, and his mouth involuntarily curved upward.

He reached out, gently brushed his daughter's tender cheek with the back of his fingers, then swept over Gao Yang's stray hair on her forehead, "Yes, yes, I can't be away from you."

"At least you're a mother now, yet you're still so childish—what are you comparing to me?"

Gao Yang pursed her lips, "Who made this little brat heartless? I, the one who toils to feed her, yet she clings to you more—how infuriating."

"It must be because you're not treating her well; otherwise why wouldn't she be close to you? Sometimes you need to look for the problem in yourself."

Gao Yang frowned, about to argue, but the daughter in her arms began to whine discontentedly as the parents' attention drifted away.

She had to suppress her feelings for the moment, lowered her head, and gently cooed to the child.

Chen Yan listened to the soft exchanges of his wife and daughter beside him, and his body and mind relaxed completely.

The Court's turmoil and future scheming were, at this moment, kept at bay by the warm sun in the courtyard and the family's presence.

He extended his hand, his broad palm gently covering the back of Gao Yang's hand that held the child.

Gao Yang's movement paused slightly, then she interlaced her fingers with his.

No more words were needed; the peace and warmth of this moment were already enough.

The day before returning to Chang'an was almost the most relaxed day Chen Yan had had in a long time.

He didn't have to think about anything, cared about nothing, occasionally teased Gao Yang, coaxed the daughter, and spent the whole day without any chaos, feeling simply content.

But that evening, Li Lizhi came over, brimming with resentment.

Her chest rose and fell slightly; seeing Chen Yan still holding the daughter, joking with Gao Yang, she said softly, "My husband and Sister Gao Yang are so relaxed; after a whole day you can't even find anyone to eat with."

"Do you remember we need to return to Chang'an tomorrow, many things must be prepared in advance, and Qin Huaidao's grand wedding also requires gifts?"

Gao Yang turned her head awkwardly and fell silent.

Chen Yan coughed awkwardly, "Um… Lizhi, the wedding gifts for Lao Qin weren't already prepared a few days ago?"

"That was only the main congratulatory gift!" Li Lizhi couldn't help but say, "Given your relationship with Qin Huaidao, can we just stroll in with a single token?"

"When you had your two weddings, from start to finish, it was the other family's mother who helped with everything, and on the wedding day she was busy entertaining guests and preparing the small details."

"Even though their family's Daye Era Era Era is grand and they don't need our help, at least we should send more of our wine, right? Not that we expect them to go buy it at a tavern. Also, the top‑grade silk we weave should be given, the mother‑of‑pearl screen, the fine furniture—those should be sent too."

"Do you think one item is enough? Good relations aren't kept track of with a simple list."

"You never saw what the Qin Family originally gave you…"

"Alright, alright!" Chen Yan's head throbbed; he handed the daughter back to Gao Yang, quickly rose, pushed Li Lizhi onto a seat, massaged her shoulder, and said, "I know you've been working hard, my dear; it's my fault for leaving you to handle all these chores alone. Let me give you a rub, okay?"

Li Lizhi opened her mouth, but Chen Yan's good attitude kept her from persisting in complaint.

Gao Yang clicked her tongue, "Sister, it seems you've been manipulated again."

"Manipulated, indeed!"

At the window, Xiao Sizi's head popped out, shouted once, then immediately ran off.

Li Lizhi: "......"

"That damned brat, when I catch her I'll give her a good lesson!" she snarled.

Chen Yan covered his face.

"That little brat is getting more and more cheeky now."

"Isn't that all because of you?"

He stayed silent, but once he spoke, Li Lizhi's resentment deepened, "In the past Sizi was famously obedient and sensible; look at her now?"

Chen Yan was at a loss, forced to mutter a defense, "Being obedient and sensible isn't necessarily a virtue; weren't you also called that when you were young?"

"I…" Li Lizhi began to retort, but recalling her weary childhood, she fell silent.

Gao Yang laughed.

Li Lizhi was famously a perfect good person in her youth; she often goaded Li Lizhi into throwing fits back then.

"Alright, let's not dwell on it." Chen Yan massaged her shoulder, soothingly said, "It's all in the past; from now on we'll just be happy."

"Mm." Li Lizhi gave a soft hum, glanced at the sky outside, "Husband, let's head back now."

Going back…

Chen Yan fell silent; by the usual rule, today he was indeed supposed to accompany Li Lizhi.

But today he changed his mind.

After laying the groundwork for so long, how could there be no progress?

Chen Yan glanced at the somewhat disinterested Gao Yang, tentatively suggested, "What if… we don't go back? How can you keep living in the side courtyard forever? Let Xiang Lan and Chan Er take care of Xiao Sui An."

Gao Yang:?

Li Lizhi:?

Their gazes were rather subtle; they met eyes briefly, then, in perfect sync, looked away, each pretending not to have heard, fiddling with the hem of their clothes or twirling their hair.

How could they not guess Chen Yan's thoughts?

He claimed they wanted to demolish the master bedroom and rebuild, but kept postponing the reason for staying, essentially hoping one day to truly enjoy the blessings of the Qi people.

But even knowing that, what could be done?

They had absolutely no way to deal with Chen Yan.

Even Gao Yang, with her tough temperament, had to keep lowering the bottom line.

From initially resolute opposition to Li Lizhi, to gradual acceptance, and now to a sisterly bond as if returning to the past.

The concessions kept coming, and finally they arrived at this day.

After all, since resistance is futile, why not try to enjoy it?

Seeing this, Chen Yan immediately realized the matter was settled.

He immediately summoned Xiang Lan, ordering her to take away his troublesome precious daughter.

He turned around, shut the door and locked the window!

Li Lizhi and Gao Yang, upon seeing Chen Yan walk back with fiery eyes, simultaneously had a thought arise:

He wants to drill us!

Gao Yang said with an unnatural expression: "What are you doing?"

"Do it!"

Gao Yang: "......"

Li Lizhi was very nervous at this moment, her fingers clenched until they turned white, yet deep down she secretly harbored anticipation.

The little demon that had been forcibly suppressed resurfaced.

Tonight, they abandoned everything from before, unlike the two memorable times at the Eastern Palace; this time, all three ignited the most primal fire of desire, entwining together......

"......"