She died by an imperial decree from the man she loved. When she was buried, chaff was stuffed into her mouth and nostrils, and she endured every humiliation. Filled with resentment, Shen Wan returned to Yecheng.
That year, Xiao Heng was eighteen, and falling in love with her at first sight.
In her previous life, she had been a docile, virtuous wife, only to be condemned to death without mercy. In this life, she put aside her infatuation and used her insight and intelligence to help Xiao Heng win over the Hebei clans and secure his position in the succession struggle.
She deliberately played the jealous wife in the eyes of the world, keeping other women away from Xiao Heng and holding the future emperor firmly in her grasp.
Xiao Heng fell for her composure and intelligence, lavishing her with exclusive affection and overcoming all opposition to make her empress.
But Shen Wan remained clear-eyed and restrained.
His tenderness as a young man had been real, and so had his coldness after ascending the throne.
She stood beside him as he claimed a vast empire, yet never dared entrust him with her heart.
