With external threats eliminated, Yan Heng could then focus on internal power struggles.

Now, Xu Jingxiu only needs to deal with a small battle from time to time, and the world is still relatively peaceful.

Knowing that winter was coming to an end, Yan Heng did not expect the first snow to come so early.

Before he could react, Jiang Tian said, "The imperial physician said that doing more things to distract you will reduce the pain. Let's go see the snow."

Yan Heng always felt that this was something only a naive child would do.

He's so old, yet he still wants to watch the snow with other people.

Despite his inner grumbling, Yan Heng still didn't utter a word of refusal after Jiang Tian had helped him put on his cloak and taken his hand.

The snowflakes are falling in a flurry; if they don't stop tonight, the entire capital city will surely be covered in silver tomorrow.

Jiang Tian and Yan Heng stood hand in hand in front of the palace. The snow wasn't very heavy yet, but it was beautiful.

Jiang Tian reached out and caught a snowflake, watching it melt in her hand.

Then she turned her head to look at Yan Heng: "Thank you."

Yan Heng was already intently watching Jiang Tian.

She showed a rare girlish charm today, which made him understand her a little better.

Hearing her thank him, Yan Heng raised an eyebrow: "Thank me for what?"

Jiang Tian leaned gently against his shoulder, hugged his arm, and said softly, "Thank you for bringing me out of that manor."

“I used to have no interest in appreciating snow. I would be afraid whenever it snowed because the place where we fetched water would freeze. My two maids and I would rush up the mountain to fetch water and store it whenever it was about to snow.”

“We are not worthy to go to temples, so we can only go into the mountains. The snow is so heavy that when it falls on us, it melts and then the wind blows it, making it cold and icy. But we can only grit our teeth and keep going. Without money, we can't buy water from others. But we can't drink snow water.”

"To be honest, before you came, I was at my wit's end, and I didn't know how I would get through this winter."

Yan Heng didn't speak; he just listened as Jiang Tian recounted the past in a tone that wasn't particularly bitter.

Everyone has their share of hardships.

No matter how hard Yan Heng's life is, it's impossible for him to be without even water.

He didn't comment much on her past.

Even though he felt a pang of pity for her because of what she said, it was all in the past. Now that she was by his side, Yan Heng would naturally not let her have trouble even drinking water.

Even her two maids had already been provided with a place to stay by Yan Heng.

He said quietly, "I thought you would resent me, after all, I was forcing you at the time."

Jiang Tian smiled gently at him: "If you're following the most noble person in the world, wouldn't it be too pretentious to complain?"

Yan Heng chuckled ambiguously. Her refusal of a title was quite pretentious, but he didn't want to spoil the atmosphere by bringing it up here.

Jiang Tian seemed to have guessed the reason for the laughter, so she deliberately didn't ask him what he was laughing at. Instead, she caught another snowflake and dotted it on his face.

"You're getting bolder and bolder."

Yan Heng let out a heartfelt sigh.

Back then, she was timid and hesitant when she met him, not even daring to speak loudly, but now she dares to joke with him.

Jiang Tian tiptoed and hugged his neck, her eyes sparkling with laughter: "It's all thanks to you."

Yan Heng thought about it and agreed.

If he hadn't indulged her, Jiang Tian would still be afraid to even look up at him, just like before.

Yan Heng pressed the back of her head and looked down at her: "Then how will you thank me?"