冷宫的小院里，rekreational winds whistled through the broken eaves, carrying the chill of late autumn. Lin Wan'er sat on the stone bench, legs crossed, staring blankly at the withered grass under her feet. The palace had already entered winter, and the courtyard was as desolate as her own heart.

Suddenly, a familiar voice broke the silence. "You're here."

Lin Wan'er's head snapped up. A tall figure stood at the entrance of the courtyard, his presence like a stark contrast to the desolation around them. It was Emperor Chenchi, dressed in his usual royal robes, but today, his expression was unusually soft.

He walked over, his movements unhurried. "I heard you were confined here. I came to check on you."

Lin Wan'er remained silent, her expression unreadable. She had expected him, yet she hadn't. The emperor had visited her only once since her confinement, and that was after she had already caused a scene.

Chenchi sat down beside her, the distance between them narrowing. "I'm sorry for keeping you here. I know it's not fair, but... I had no choice."