The Second World in Ancient Times

The first rays of morning sunlight hadn't yet fully penetrated the palace, a faint halo of light seemingly struggling against the stillness of the palace. As usual, I gently rose in the dim light and began the day's arduous yet demanding task of sweeping and cleaning. I gripped the broom tightly, the wooden handle seeming to come alive in my hand, dancing on the ground with my movements.

I meticulously swept every corner of the palace, leaving no trace of dust behind, like a persistent treasure hunter, not allowing anything to be missed. The palace floor was like a mirror, no tiny speck of dust could escape, and I wanted to keep this mirror always pristine and new.

"Si Qing, why are you so serious? These places will be dirty again soon anyway." A little palace maid said to me while yawning. Her voice was full of fatigue, as if she had lost her enthusiasm for everything in this palace.

I straightened up, wiped the beads of sweat from my forehead, smiled and said, "That won't do. We have to ensure that our masters are always in a clean and comfortable environment. This is our duty. This palace is like our face, how can we let it be dirty?"

I bent down again, sweeping diligently, even the cobwebs lurking in the shadows of the corners. With a gentle wave of the broom, the webs, like fragile lines of defense, crumbled in an instant, sending the tiny spiders scurrying in panic. As I wiped the tables and chairs, I applied them repeatedly, first using a damp cloth to remove any stains, then polishing with a dry cloth until the tabletop reflected my reflection clearly, like a bright mirror.

"Si Qing, if you keep wiping like this, the table will be worn thin." Another palace maid joked.

I smiled and responded, "Only in this way can the masters feel comfortable using it. The masters can feel our sincerity."

Besides sweeping and cleaning, assisting my master with government affairs was also an important part of my job. Every detail depended on my master's preferences and palace rules, and there was no room for error. Once, I helped the imperial concubine sort through the account books. They were a thick stack, and every page was filled with densely packed numbers, as if they were the secret code to the palace's wealth.

"Si Qing, please help me check these accounts and see if there are any problems." The imperial concubine ordered, with a hint of trust in her eyes, which made me more determined to do this well.

"Yes, Your Majesty." I took the account book and examined it word by word. I carefully checked every income and expenditure, as if I were solving a complex puzzle. My eyes were fixed on the numbers in the account book, and my mind was quickly calculating, not missing any subtle discrepancies. If I encountered any questions, I would ask the eunuch in charge of accounting.

"Father-in-law, the numbers on this account seem a little vague. Do you still remember how much they are?" I asked politely, my eyes full of desire for knowledge.

The old eunuch came over and squinted his eyes to look at it: "Oh, this, it should be fifty taels. You girl, you are serious about your work."

I nodded, mentally taking note, and continued checking. Sunlight streamed through the window onto the account book, and I felt as if I were in a world of numbers. After a morning of hard work, I had the book organized perfectly, without a single mistake.

"Your Majesty, the accounts have been checked and there are no problems." I reported to the Royal Concubine, feeling full of a sense of accomplishment.

The Imperial Concubine smiled with satisfaction: "Si Qing, you are so reassuring in your work. You are like my little helper. With you around, I don't have to worry too much."

I bent my knees slightly and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. This is what a servant should do."

When the news of the Empress's flower viewing event came to light, the entire palace erupted in activity. I was also assigned to the preparatory work, primarily responsible for setting up the venue and preparing the flowers. This was both a challenge and an opportunity to showcase my talents.

I went to the garden with the other maidens. It was a vibrant spectacle, a vibrant painting. A variety of flowers competed for beauty, their fragrance filling the air. But I knew not every flower was suitable for this flower viewing event; I needed to select the perfect ones.

"This pot of peonies is nice. The flowers are large and bright. It will look good if placed near the main seat." I pointed to a pot of peonies and said to my companion. The petals of the peony were layered like the sunset in the sky, and the red was dazzling.

"But this peony is a bit heavy and not very convenient to carry." A palace maid was a little embarrassed. She frowned and looked at the pot of peony, as if she was imagining the difficulty of carrying it.

"It's okay, we'll carry it together." I said, and then I walked over to the peony, bent down, and embraced the flowerpot with both hands. Seeing this, the other palace maids also came to help. Together, we carefully moved the peony to the flower viewing venue, as if carrying a precious treasure.

Next, I began arranging the tables and chairs. Based on the size and shape of the venue, I mentally planned the best placement. Like a general commanding an army, I orchestrated the arrangement of the tables and chairs. I kept the distance between them just right, ensuring it didn't appear crowded but also provided a comfortable viewing spot for every guest attending the flower viewing party. I also maintained clear passageways to facilitate the movement of the palace maids and eunuchs.

I put even more thought into decorating the venue. I took up pieces of colorful silk, and they seemed to come alive in my hands. With my deft hands, I crafted them into beautiful ribbons. I hung them on tree branches, and when the breeze blew, they fluttered like a flock of dancing butterflies, adding a touch of vibrant beauty to the entire venue.

"Si Qing, your idea is really good. Once these ribbons are hung, the whole garden will feel more beautiful." Wan Qing praised, her eyes sparkling with excitement, as bright as the fluttering ribbons.

"Haha, I hope the Queen will like it." I answered with a smile, my heart full of anticipation.

I also placed exquisite vases around the venue. Some were made of blue and white porcelain, others of colorful glass, each one priceless. I placed a variety of flowers in the vases: vibrant roses, fresh and elegant daisies, and noble and mysterious violets. The fragrance of the flowers permeated the air, refreshing and refreshing, a feast for the senses.

"Si Qing, do you think this rose is too bright here?" asked a palace maid.

I walked over and took a look: "No, this place needs some bright colors to embellish it. The brightness of roses can make the whole arrangement more layered."

I continued to adjust the positions of the flowers, sometimes stepping back to examine the overall effect, sometimes crouching down to adjust details. I strived to achieve the best visual effect, so that everyone who entered the venue could feel the breath of spring and the splendor of the flower viewing party.

I also have my own ideas for flower pairing. I alternate brightly colored flowers with more subtle ones, creating a symphony of color. The red peonies and white lilies, placed together, create a stark yet surprisingly harmonious contrast. The fiery red of the peonies resembles a passionate flame, while the pure white of the lilies resembles pure snow. The two complement each other, making each even more dazzling.

"Look, don't these red peonies and white lilies look particularly beautiful together?" I asked the palace maid next to me, with a proud glint in my eyes.

"Yes, you are amazing, Si Qing. I never thought of such a combination." The maid replied, her eyes full of admiration.

I picked up another bouquet of yellow tulips and placed it next to a cluster of purple hyacinths. The bright tulips and the deep hyacinths created a striking contrast, yet this clash of colors created a unique beauty. I also placed rare flowers, such as blue enchantress roses and golden datura, in strategic locations to enhance the overall splendor of the venue. These rare flowers, like the brightest stars in the night sky, captivated everyone's attention.

"Si Qing, these rare flowers are so beautiful, they look like they came from a fairyland." Wan Qing exclaimed.

"Yes, we must take good care of them and not let any damage happen." I reminded them, because I knew how precious these flowers were. They were the highlight of this flower viewing party.

Finally, the day of the flower viewing event arrived. The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was a sapphire blue, as if the heavens were supporting the event. The Empress, concubines, and ministers arrived one after another, their gorgeous attire like blossoming flowers, adding a touch of brilliant color to the garden.

The Queen's eyes lit up as she entered the venue, scanning it as if admiring a masterpiece. "Who designed this venue? It's so exquisite," the Queen's voice tinged with surprise.

The nanny next to her replied, "Your Majesty, it was Si Qing who arranged this."

The Empress looked at me, and I hurriedly knelt down to pay my respects: "Your servant greets the Empress, may the Empress be blessed." My heart beat faster involuntarily, with tension and anticipation intertwined in my heart.

The Queen smiled and said, "Get up, you did a good job." Her smile was like the warm sunshine in spring, which instantly dissipated a lot of the tension in my heart.

During the flower viewing party, the Queen was more and more satisfied with the venue I had arranged. She sat in the main seat, surrounded by blooming flowers and fluttering ribbons, like a fairy among flowers.

"Look at the arrangement of the flowers and these decorations, every detail is thoughtful." The Queen said to the concubine beside her, her eyes full of admiration.

A concubine echoed, "Yes, Your Majesty, this Siqing is really a clever girl. She has arranged this flower viewing party like a fairyland. Every flower and every ribbon seems to be carefully arranged, making people feel extremely comfortable and happy."

The other concubines nodded in praise, their gazes flicking towards me from time to time, a mixture of envy, jealousy, but mostly recognition. I listened to these compliments from the sidelines, secretly delighted, but outwardly stood respectfully, ready to serve my masters. I knew that in this palace, I couldn't let momentary praise get to my head; my every move was under everyone's scrutiny.

After the flower viewing party, the Empress called me over. I took small steps, head bowed, and approached the Empress, feeling a little nervous, wondering what she would say to me.

"Si Qing, I'm very pleased with your performance today. You've put a lot of effort into this flower viewing event, and this is what you deserve." The Empress said this, and then had a maid bring a box. The box looked very delicate, inlaid with gems, and it sparkled brightly in the sunlight.

I knelt down to express my gratitude: "Thank you, Her Majesty, for your reward. It is my honor." I took the box and could feel its weight. The weight was not only the box itself, but also the recognition of me by the Her Majesty.

I opened the box, revealing exquisite jewelry and treasures. There was a pair of pearl earrings, the pearls sleek and round, radiating a soft luster like the moon in the night sky. There was also a gold necklace, studded with rubies and sapphires, dazzling and glittering. The treasures shimmered alluringly within the box. To me, these rewards were more than just money; they were a testament to my abilities, the very foundation of my position at court.

The Empress continued, "Si Qing, you are so dedicated and capable. You will be able to participate in and take charge of important matters in the palace in the future. I hope you will not disappoint me."

I kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Her Majesty, for your trust. I will do my best to share your worries." My heart was filled with excitement and pride. I knew that this was my chance to make a name for myself in the palace, and I must seize it.

From then on, my status within the palace gradually rose, and more palace maids and eunuchs began to respect me. They no longer looked at me with disdain, but with awe. Walking through the palace corridors, I could feel everyone's eyes fixed on me. This feeling both honored me and made me realize that the burden on me was even heavier. However, I was confident that I could do every job well and live up to the Empress's trust.