Shadows of the Torture Chamber

The young woman who had been watching Meilin with jealousy now turned to her own maid, her eyes flashing with anger. The maid, understanding the unspoken command, subtly moved towards the swinging Meilin. With a sudden shove, she sent Meilin tumbling from the swing.

"How dare you be so… oblivious to our Second Lady's presence!" the maid shrieked, slapping a stunned Meilin across the face.

The jealous woman approached Meilin, a cruel smile playing on her lips. "Since you enjoy swinging so much," she said, her voice deceptively sweet, "I have a special room where you can enjoy it for a very long time." She gestured to her guards, who roughly grabbed the terrified Meilin and dragged her away.

Liana, unnoticed amidst the commotion, witnessed this brutal display through a small opening in a nearby decorative wall. The sounds of Meilin's escalating screams echoed through the garden, a chilling testament to the power dynamics within the palace. Liana's stomach churned, but a cold resolve settled within her. This was the reality of Kieran's court, a place of beauty and cruelty, where power was absolute and mercy was nonexistent.

The screams continued for what felt like an eternity, a horrifying symphony of pain that sent shivers down Liana's spine. She remained hidden, her heart pounding in her chest, witnessing the casual brutality with which the Second Lady, whose name she hadn't yet learned, wielded her influence. The other prospective maids pretended not to hear, their faces carefully blank, a stark reminder of the survival instincts ingrained within these walls.

Ling, who had been observing the unfolding events with a grim expression, finally approached Liana. "This is the reality of this place, Meng," she whispered, her voice low and urgent. "Power is everything. Remember what you have seen. It will teach you more than any lesson."

Liana nodded, her mind reeling. The carefree facade of the garden had shattered, revealing the sharp edges of palace life. The maid selection was clearly a brutal display of dominance, a way for the established concubines and ladies to assert their authority.

As the screams eventually subsided, leaving a heavy silence in their wake, Ling led Liana away from the garden. "We must be careful," she cautioned. "Enemies are everywhere, even amongst those who seem powerless."

They returned to Ling's quarters, the opulent surroundings a stark contrast to the horrors Liana had just witnessed. Ling busied herself with preparing a simple meal, the normalcy of the task a small anchor in the storm of Liana's thoughts.

"The Second Lady," Ling explained quietly, as they ate, "is a favorite of Kieran's. She is known for her… temper. Meilin's arrogance earned her that 'special attention.'"

Liana shivered, the image of Meilin being dragged away still vivid in her mind. "Is that… is that common here?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ling's expression was grim. "Cruelty is a currency in this court, Meng. Fear keeps everyone in line. You must learn to navigate these treacherous waters. Observe, listen, and never reveal your true thoughts or feelings."

The events of the day had cast a dark shadow over Liana's mission. The palace was not just a place to infiltrate, it was a viper's nest, where beauty masked brutality and survival depended on cunning and silence. The path to revenge had just become infinitely more dangerous.