第一章 一睁眼成了弃妃

consciousness slowly returned, like a fog lifting, bit by bit. The first thing she registered was the stale, musty smell of old wood and dust – her bedroom in the Qin Palace. But this wasn't right. Her palace wasn't like this. She stretched, her muscles aching, and pushed herself up. The ceiling was low, cracked paint peeling in patches. She wore an unfamiliar, stiff silk gown the color of faded parchment. It felt rough against her skin, a stark contrast to the luxurious silks she was used to. "Master, your concubine is awake!" A young maid, her face pale and scared, knelt at the foot of the bed. Her eyes darted around as if afraid someone might appear from the shadows. "Concubine?" Qin Lie tilted her head, trying to recall. The last thing she remembered was... what? A party, a political intrigue, maybe a duel? She couldn't be sure. She was the Princess of Wu, a formidable figure known for her sharp wit and strategic mind. Or so she'd thought. Now, she was just... Qin Lie, a concubine in a decrepit bed.