The Empress looked at the Emperor with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "What does His Majesty imply?"
The Emperor explained, "What I mean is, time passes so quickly. You were only fifteen when we got married, still a naive and carefree young girl. So many years have passed since then, and you've gone from a young girl to a mature woman. Time has not only left its marks on your face but also proves how we have supported and loved each other to this day, which has been no small feat."
The Empress expressed her skepticism, "Are you sure that's what those words meant at the time? I may be ignorant, but I'm not stupid."
The Emperor continued to explain, "If I disliked your lips for not being as tender as they were when you were in your teens, why would I kiss you every time we are intimate? If I minded your gaining weight, why would I hold you every night as we sleep? If I resented the crow's feet by your eyes, why would I gaze into them each time I look at you?"