That night.

As expected.

Ye Ling then went to Chuxiu Palace.

He had never experienced this feeling of interacting with an unborn child before, and he loved the warm atmosphere.

Unbeknownst to Ye Ling, she grew closer to the little princess and more and more concerned about Consort Jin.

"Qianqian, shall your father tell you a story?"

"Great, great, Father! I'm so bored staying in Mother's tummy all day! Tell me a story!"

"Hmm—what story should I tell you? How about I tell Qianqian how your father and mother met?"

【Great! Qianqian is the fruit of her father's and mother's love, and she also wants to know how much her father loved her mother back then! The more her father loved her mother, the more Qianqian loves her father!】

Ye Ling smiled.

"Your mother and I met at a talent show. I still remember that day, Jin'er was wearing a pinkish-purple dress, which made her face even more beautiful. I took a liking to her at first glance among the candidates! I kept her and bestowed upon her the title of Consort Jin."

"Later, I spent a very pleasant time with your mother, and her rank was promoted from Consort Jin to Lady Jin!"

[Father, do you still remember how long it took Mother to rise from the rank of Attendant to that of Consort?]

"this--"

Ye Ling was stumped by Ye Qianqian's question.

Yes, how long did it take for her to rise from a seventh-rank concubine to a fourth-rank imperial concubine?

He doesn't remember anymore!

He has a very vague memory of those once happy times!

He couldn't remember when he started to be cold towards Jin'er!

New concubines kept appearing in the harem, one after another, like an endless supply of leeks.

Ye Ling was inevitably attracted to the newcomers, and gradually, he forgot about Jin'er.

However.

Consort Jin remembered them all.

"Your Majesty, from the time I entered the palace, to being named a Changzai, then to being named Jinpin, and now, it has been a total of five years and 130 days!"

Ye Ling was amazed that Jin'er remembered all of his hazy memories!

They even specified the date down to the number of days!

But he couldn't even remember which year she entered the palace!

[Waaaaah, Father Emperor can't remember! Father Emperor dislikes Mother Emperor for being old and losing her beauty! Father Emperor doesn't love Mother Emperor anymore, Qianqian doesn't want to talk to Father Emperor anymore!]

Ye Ling was at a loss, not knowing how to comfort the little princess.

Consort Jin was understanding and made excuses for him.

"Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, and matters of the court are always more important than those of the harem."

[Mother! Only you would speak up for Father at a time like this! Father, how much Mother loves you! This is what love is! You should cherish such a wonderful woman as Mother!]

Ye Ling grasped Consort Jin's hand.

"Jin'er, it is I who have mistreated you. If I hadn't been telling Qianqian a story just now, I would probably have forgotten that we had such pleasant memories. I remember that when I went to Jiangnan, I took you with me."

Consort Jin nodded.

"Your Majesty took me to the water towns of Jiangnan and bought me many gifts. Although they are too ordinary and not presentable compared to the rare treasures in the palace, they are the most precious gifts in my heart, and I still cherish them to this day."

"May I take a look? They say that seeing an object reminds one of a person, and I also want to use this object to recall the past."

Consort Jin nodded.

He took out a brocade box from the cabinet.

Open.

Inside were a rattle drum, an eyebrow pencil, and other ordinary items.

“This is a rattle drum that His Majesty bought for me. His Majesty said that if one day he grows old and no longer remembers me, I will shake this rattle drum, and when His Majesty hears the sound of the drum, he will remember me.”

Consort Jin shook her head as she spoke.

Listening to the sound of the rattle drum.

Ye Ling's thoughts returned to the streets of the Jiangnan water town four years ago.

At that time,

Jin'er is only 20 years old, the time when she is at the most beautiful.

Ye Ling also doted on her, taking her everywhere he went.

When memories are clear.

Ye Ling picked up the eyebrow pencil.

"This eyebrow pencil is something I bought for you. I promised you that I would draw your eyebrows every day. Now, I can't remember when I forgot our promise."

[Hmph! So men are all heartless bastards! Now that you've remembered, hurry up and do it! Prove to your mother that you still love her! Father probably just wanted to feed me a mouthful of dog food (a Chinese slang term for public displays of affection), but he didn't expect to feed me shards of glass instead!]

Ye Ling was instantly embarrassed.

"Jin'er, I will draw your eyebrows."

Consort Jin smiled.

"Your Majesty, it is already past midnight. How about we wait until tomorrow?"

Ye Ling looked at the moonlight and nodded.

"Very well, this time, I will absolutely not forget."

【Oh my gosh, this is the right way to feed me dog food! Seeing Father and Mother so loving makes me feel so relieved! Mother's happiness is my happiness, Mother's joy is my joy! And I can grow up healthier inside Mother's tummy now! Mother, you finally don't have to count floor tiles to pass the time in the long, dark nights anymore!】

Ye Ling gently placed her hand on Consort Jin's stomach.

"Qianqian, please give your father another chance! Let your father love your mother properly."

[Hmph! Since Father is so sincere, I'll give you a small chance then. Even if I don't, Mother's love-struck brains won't be able to resist! But if Father makes Mother sad again, Qianqian will be sad and won't grow up while still in Mother's belly!]

Inside Chuxiu Palace, all was peaceful and serene.

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