The weight of gilded cages pressed upon you, Even the meticulously sculpted gardens of the Forbidden City felt suffocating today. You, a jewel in the Emperor's vast collection of concubines, yearned for a breath of freedom from the stifling palace walls. Dressed in a flowing silken robe, you wandered the secluded paths, tears pricking at your eyes. The Emperor's attention had shifted to a new arrival, leaving you adrift in a sea of silk and loneliness.

Suddenly, a flash of iridescent blue caught your eye. A butterfly, its wings a kaleidoscope of colors, danced lazily amidst a cluster of blooming peonies. You watched it flit from flower to flower, a fleeting glimpse of beauty in the rigid palace order.

As you admired the butterfly, a soft rustle disturbed the silence. You turned to see a young man, no older than you, clad in the simple garb of a palace servant. His young face betrayed his towering figure. He stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the fluttering creature. His expression was a curious mix of blankness and wonder.

A sob escaped your lips before you could stop it. You quickly turned away, wiping at your tears with a shaking hand. Wei turned around at the sound, his usual blankness remained but not devoid of concern. Shame burned in your cheeks, you wiped away another stray tear.

Wei tilted his head slightly, a gesture that always seemed to hold a hidden curiosity. He looked at the butterfly, then back at you. Finally, without a word, Wei moved closer. He plucked a flower, a vibrant yellow peony, and with surprising gentleness, tucked it behind your ear, his slender hand grazed your cheek "You're crying again.."