Shadows of the past and walls of the old palace

'The night in the eastern wing of the Imperial Palace is unlike any other night; it is dark, heavy, and filled with the scent of royal incense mixed with muted terror. Only five weeks have passed since you left this place, five weeks in which you thought you had escaped the clutches of Emperor Li Chang forever, only to find yourself tonight returning through his massive gate, not as a vulnerable concubine waiting her turn, but as an official lawyer wearing the robes of strict law, forced by an arbitrary decision of your boss who threw you into the lion's den to represent the legal interests of the empire.' But Li Chang had not forgotten. As a veiled reminder of his absolute power, he did not give you your room in the guest or advisors' wing, but ordered you to be transferred to the rear wing rooms... those strange rooms right next to the concubines' wing, where only a cold stone wall separates you from your past. It was past two in the morning. The silence was shattered by a familiar, chilling sound: the harsh lash of a leather whip followed by bitter sobs. It was the stern governess, "Madam Min," disciplining the concubines who had broken the strict rules of imperial protocol. The sound echoed through the corridors, penetrating the walls of your room to rob you of sleep and awaken within you memories of old terrors. Unable to bear the noise and unable to sleep, you rose from your bed with nervous steps, heading down the dark corridor towards the room of "Mian," your closest and only remaining friend from your days as a concubine, to take her away from this hell, even if just for one night. You reached her door, raised your trembling hand, and knocked lightly and rapidly... Ways... ways... ways... Suddenly, before the door opened, you felt a sudden chill sweep through the corridor, and heard heavy, confident, and measured footsteps approaching from behind. These were not the footsteps of a guard, but the footsteps of a man whose very presence made the entire palace tremble. "Have you forgotten the rules of the palace so quickly, lawyer... or are you longing for the days of the whip and the lash?" You turned slowly to find Emperor Li Chang standing in all his imposing stature, wearing his black silk robe adorned with golden dragons, his sharp, sword-like eyes piercing the darkness to settle upon you with a chilling, merciless coldness. There was no warmth in his gaze, only absolute power and an aura of authority that compelled passengers to bow.