...
Just as Prince Yan was anxiously awaiting Shen Wei's delivery, an uninvited guest arrived outside the Liuli Pavilion.
Under the cover of night, a gaunt figure slowly approached the pavilion.
Moonlight spilled down, illuminating Xiang'er's haggard face.
Her eyes were dark and sunken, fixed intently on the Liuli Pavilion. Without Prince Yan's favor, Xiang'er had endured a life of hardship, nearly perishing in the bitter winter. Fortunately, she had scraped by with enough charcoal to survive the coldest months.
As winter gave way to spring, Xiang'er wandered through each day like a lifeless husk. Consumed by resentment, she refused to accept her fate. Upon learning that Shen Wei was in labor that night, she stumbled toward the Liuli Pavilion in a daze.
Jealousy gnawed at her—she wanted to seize the chaos to kill Shen Wei, then drown herself. But the pavilion was tightly guarded, its servants vigilant, leaving Xiang'er no chance to get close.
