Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine

Since the crown prince's grand wedding, the princes and foreign envoys who came to the capital to offer congratulations gradually left, including Yunnan Wan g and his son.

Before leaving, Emperor Jin'an hosted a banquet to entertain them, just like when Yunnan Wang first entered the capital.

After the banquet, Changle intercepted Yunnan Wang and his son, Yue Qing, outside the Taiji Hall.

"Yue Qing, are you really leaving?"

Yue Qing nodded. That day, under the guidance of Yunnan Wang, he took the initiative to apologize to Changle for the incident of bumping into her and sneaki ng away.

Changle was not a petty person, and since Yue Wu had given her such a precious dagger, she didn't hold a grudge. The matter was considered settled.

After that, Yue Qing often came to play with her.

The two people were of similar age, and since there was usually no one to accompany Changle to play, having a new playmate who was willing to play with he r naturally made her happy.

However, Yaoniang felt it was somewhat inappropriate. After all, boys and girls after the age of seven shouldn't even be sitting together. However, Changle w as used to being close to her brothers, and the whole family doted on her. Besides, the two of them were at an age where they were neither too young nor too old. If Yaoniang were to forcefully separate them, they wouldn't understand the reason behind it. But letting them stay close together, one also wouldn't feel at ease. After having the eunuchs and palace maids keep an eye on them for a few days, they found that the two were indeed innocent, so Yaoniang allowed the m to interact and treated it as if Changle had gained a younger brother.

So, after a period of time together, their relationship became exceptionally good.

"After I go back, I will pack up all the toys I promised to give you and have someone deliver them to you," Yue Qing said.

To be honest, Yue Qing was a very earnest child. Despite his seemingly rigid exterior, he was still quite young, and unable to hide his childishness. He thought Changle had come to remind him about the promised gifts.

Seeing his solemn appearance, Changle couldn't help but laugh and said, "Alright, I believe you. Just remember."

"I will definitely not forget."

Changle then shifted her gaze to Yue Wu beside her. Hesitatingly, she glanced at him and gave him a blessing, "Uncle Yue Wu, Changle wishes you and Yue Qing a smooth journey and safe travels."

Yue Wu nodded slightly, "Benwang thanks Your Highness."

Changle nodded and took her leave.

Back in the Jingtian Residence, she dismissed everyone around her, took out the dagger, and alternated between gently stroking and staring at it. The warm s etting sun shone through the latticed window, casting a beam of light on her face. The young girl, originally carefree and happy, seemed to have grown up all of a sudden.

It wasn't until Yunnan Wang and his son left the capital that Zhao Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Due to the busy affairs after his grand wedding, he hadn't paid much attention to his sister. However, Yaoniang noticed that her daughter had become quieter lately, as if she had changed into a different person. Previously, she was always lively and talkative, but now she seemed to have grown into a young lady.

When she mentioned this to Emperor Jin'an, he chuckled and said, "Is it good for our daughter to remain a little girl forever? She has to grow up eventually."

After thinking about it, she agreed. If her daughter remained childish forever, it would indeed be a cause for concern.

Like so, children were a constant source of worry for parents. Any slight change from usual could trigger a parent's worry and concern. But these were sweet burdens, something irreplaceable with gold.

Leaning on Emperor Jin'an's legs, she played with his hand and said, "I can't imagine what it will be like when Changle gets married in the future. What kind of son-in-law should we choose for her? A refined and gentle one, or a strong and mighty one? Will he bully our daughter? Changle doesn't understand the ways of the world. What if she gets a bad mother-in-law?"

Listening to her, Emperor Jin'an frowned, "No matter what kind of person he is, no one will be able to bully our daughter."

Yaoniang sat up, looking worried, "You are a man, you don't understand the complicated things that occur in the rear courtyards, between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, between husbands and wives. There are many things that can make one have no choice but to suffer in silence. No, I can't spoil Changle in the future; I have to teach her some things..."

She became more and more distressed, unable to help but feel discouraged, "It's my fault. I always thought she was still young, but in the blink of an eye, sh e's already twelve. I don't know if it's too late to teach her now.”

"How can it be too late?"

"A girl needs to get married at fifteen or sixteen, just three years from now. How can there be enough time?"

"Who said our Changle has to get married at fifteen or sixteen? That's too early. Zhen will personally oversee her marriage. Eighteen is also a bit early; Zhen th inks it will be best for her to turn twenty before choosing a son-in-law for her.”

"But won't she be considered an old spinster by then?"

"How can there be something like an old spinster in the emperor's family?"

"Then, what kind of son-in-law should we choose for her? A refined and gentle one? Or a strong and mighty one..."

Outside of the Imperial Palace, while the emperor and empress were endlessly debating over the same set of questions as worried parents, the Emperor Emeri tus was basking in the sun while seated on a reclining chair in Penglai Palace.

The scenery in the Penglai Palace was beautiful, spacious, and bright. Every year, the Emperor Emeritus would come here for some time. However, he was air eady very old. As a person nearing eighty, how many could live to such an age?

Changle laid on the Emperor Emeritus's legs and asked, "Imperial Grandfather, what do you think love is like?"

The Emperor Emeritus reached out and patted her small head, "Why? Has our Changle fallen in love with some young master?"

"No, Changle is just curious.”

The Emperor Emeritus looked up at the sky. Although the sun wasn't too intense at the moment, it still seemed a bit too bright. He couldn't help squinting his e yes, and it seemed as if the figure of that person appeared before him again.

"Ah, love. Love is when you remember someone for a long, long time, unable to forget them.”

"Oh, Changle understands now."