The Second World in Ancient Times

Amidst the ever-changing world of the palace, I was like a small boat sailing in a stormy sea, holding on tightly to the rudder and doing my job well. Every morning, I would get up early and wake up the maids who were responsible for sweeping the floor.

"Sisters, a new day has begun. We must be careful and not make any mistakes." I reminded them while checking their tools.

"Sister Siqing, we understand." The palace maids responded to me.

I took them through the various palaces of the palace, not leaving out any corner. When inspecting the Empress's palace, I said to the maid in charge of wiping the tables and chairs, "This table must be polished to a shine. The Empress likes it clean and tidy."

The maid nodded and wiped it vigorously. I walked over to the flower arrangement, adjusted the bouquet, and said to the person next to me, "The arrangement of flowers cannot be too casual. It must be aesthetically pleasing. This is also the dignity of the palace."

When managing other palace affairs, I also didn't dare to slack off. When arranging meals, I told the imperial chefs, "Master chefs, the meal combinations must be based on the masters' preferences and physical conditions. No carelessness is allowed. Also, the freshness of the ingredients must be guaranteed."

The head chef replied, "Don't worry, Madam, we have it all figured out."

I also strictly control the management of supplies. When I inspected the warehouse, I told the eunuch in charge of registration: "Every item entering and leaving must be recorded in detail. This is related to the normal operation of the palace."

The eunuch nodded quickly: "Yes, lady."

Although I tried to remain neutral, pressure from all sides was constant. People from the Empress's side would occasionally find fault. One time, a palace maid came running over and said, "Sister Siqing, it looks like a vase in the Empress's palace is broken. They say we broke it while cleaning, but we didn't."

I frowned. "Let's go and take a look." When we got there, I carefully examined the fragments and said to the nanny beside the Queen, "Nanny, the cuts on this fragment are very fresh, and there's no sign of cleaning around it. If one of our maids had broken it, they would have cleaned it up immediately. Also, this vase is quite hidden, so we were very careful when we cleaned it, so we wouldn't have bumped into it."

Mammy snorted, "You can't say for sure. Maybe you were just careless."

I said calmly, "Mammy, we've always been serious about our work and wouldn't do something like this. I think we should investigate this thoroughly. Maybe someone else did it on purpose."

The Imperial Concubine also caused trouble. Once, the Imperial Concubine was hosting a small banquet and asked me to prepare the decorations. I carefully arranged everything, but the day before the banquet, the Imperial Concubine's maid said, "Si Qing, the Imperial Concubine thinks these decorations are too plain and wants you to redo them."

I knew in my heart that this was a deliberate harassment, but I still smiled and said, "Okay, sister, I'll adjust it right away." I took the palace maids to rearrange the arrangements overnight to ensure that the banquet could go on smoothly.

When dealing with these conflicts, I tried to resolve them tactfully and avoid making the relationship too awkward. Once, the Empress and the Imperial Concubine met in the Imperial Garden and had an argument over a rare flower.

The Empress said, "I have long had my eye on this flower. It should be sent to my palace."

The Imperial Concubine was not willing to be outdone: "Hmph, Queen, I like this flower too. Why should I give it to you?"

I happened to be nearby and hurried over. "You two ladies, calm down. This flower is so beautiful, it's truly rare. How about this: we have the gardener grow more, so that both of you can have your own. It's not worth it to ruin your relationship over this one flower."

The Queen glanced at me and said, "You're the only one who knows how to talk. Humph, I'll listen to you this time."

The Imperial Concubine also said, "Okay, for Si Qing's sake."

I know that in this palace, I can't just focus on work, I also have to keep an eye on the changes in the situation. I often communicate with Wanqing.

"Wanqing, have you discovered anything new recently?" I asked.

Wanqing thought for a moment and said, "I heard that the emperor has been very fond of a new concubine recently. This may affect the balance of power in the palace."

I nodded. "Well, we'll have to keep an eye on this new concubine to see if she gets drawn into the fray or if she has ambitions of her own."

I would also ask other well-informed palace maids and eunuchs: "Eunuch, has there been any unusual activity in the palace recently?"

The old eunuch said mysteriously, "Madam, I heard that the debate among several ministers in the court has some connection with the harem. You should pay attention to it."

"Thank you for the reminder, eunuch." I had an idea in my mind and knew that the situation in the palace was becoming more and more complicated.

In order to better survive and develop in the palace, I continued to accumulate my strength and used my spare time to learn more about palace etiquette and management knowledge.

I asked an old maid, "Mammy, this palace etiquette is very extensive and profound. There are still many things I don't understand. Could you please explain it to me more?"

The old nanny smiled and said, "Si Qing, you are a diligent child. Look at how you greet masters of different ranks, and how you use your posture and words to pay respects."

I listened carefully and took note. Regarding management, I also learned from the experienced ladies-in-waiting: "Sister, do you have any good methods for handling conflicts between palace maids?"

The female official replied, "Siqing, we must first understand the root cause of the conflict and then handle it fairly and impartially without favoring either side."

I also focused on cultivating my personal connections. My relationships with the gardeners grew stronger and stronger: "Master, the flowers you cultivate are becoming more and more beautiful. This banquet is thanks to you."

The gardener smiled and said, "Thank you for your compliment, Madam. If you need anything in the future, please feel free to come to me."

He also communicated with the imperial physicians: "Imperial physician, the weather has been changeable recently. The masters should pay more attention to their health. Is there anything we can cooperate with?"

The imperial physician said, "Lady of Love, you are very thoughtful. You can ask the palace maids to pay attention to the ventilation and warmth of the palace."

As the court situation changed, new challenges also followed. Once, rumors suddenly spread in the palace that the palace meals were poisoned, causing panic among the people.

I immediately gathered the imperial chefs and said, "Don't panic, we need to check ourselves first. Check the source of the ingredients and whether there are any abnormalities in the production process."

The imperial chefs took action and, after a thorough inspection, found nothing amiss. I then instructed the eunuchs and palace maids in charge of delivering the meals, "When you deliver the meals, pay attention to your surroundings and check for any suspicious individuals approaching."

At the same time, I explained to the masters: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, we have checked and there is no problem with the food. It may be that someone deliberately spread rumors to disrupt the order of the palace."

Another time, the palace was short on supplies, and some commonly used items were running low. I arranged for someone to check the warehouse to see if there was a problem with the accounting. At the same time, I contacted the purchasing eunuchs and said, "Eunuch, we're running low on supplies. We need to restock quickly to avoid disrupting the normal life of the palace."

The struggles within the palace grew increasingly intense, with various factions vying openly and covertly. I maneuvered carefully. Once, a minister's daughter entered the palace as a concubine. Her family was powerful, and her arrival immediately attracted widespread attention.

The Empress hinted to me: "Si Qing, go and take a look at this new concubine and see if she has any ill intentions."

The Imperial Concubine also said: "Si Qing, you must tell me the truth about the new concubine."

I could only deal with both sides: "My two majesties, I will pay attention to it, but the new concubine has just entered the palace, so we still need to give her some time to adapt."

When I went to visit the new concubine, she smiled and said to me, "Lady of Love, I know this palace is complicated. You don't have to be embarrassed. I just want to live a good life."

I nodded: "It is best that your Majesty thinks so. I hope you will be safe and sound in the palace."

I know it's not time for me to shine yet; I need to wait for the right opportunity. When I was chatting with Wanqing, I said, "Wanqing, we're like dormant cicadas right now. We have to wait until the time is right before we can make a splash."

Wanqing said, "Siqing, I believe in you. You can do it. But when will the time come?"

I looked into the distance and said, "I don't know either, but we must be prepared. Once the opportunity comes, we must seize it."

Amidst the various affairs and struggles of the palace, I worked silently, constantly improving myself and keeping an eye on the situation, just like waiting for the dawn in the darkness.

My efforts and status in the palace still aroused some people's jealousy. Some palace maids secretly spoke ill of me behind my back.

"Hmph, what's so great about being a lover? Isn't it just about pleasing the master?" said a palace maid.

"That's right, she became a court lady by luck." Another palace maid agreed.

When I heard these words, I didn't lose my temper immediately. Instead, I found an opportunity to call them together and said, "Sisters, I know you may be a little dissatisfied with me, but we are all trying to survive in the palace. I became a lady-in-waiting not by luck, but by hard work. I hope we can live in peace instead of slandering each other."

The maids were a little embarrassed, but some remained unconvinced. Later, they even tried to frame me. Once, while inspecting the banquet arrangements, I was nearly hit by a loose lantern. I knew it was intentional, but I kept quiet and secretly investigated, ultimately discovering it was the work of a few jealous maids.

I put the evidence in front of them and said, "Why are you doing this? If anything happens to me, you will be held responsible."

The palace maids were so frightened that they knelt down and begged for mercy: "Sister, we were wrong. We were blinded by jealousy. Please forgive us."

I looked at them and said, "I can let you go this time, but you have to promise not to do this again."

I know the importance of order in the palace, so when faced with some behavior that disrupts order, I will resolutely stop it. Once, a few young eunuchs were fighting in the palace and bumped into a concubine.

I walked over and shouted, "What are you doing? How can you be so outrageous in the palace?"

The young eunuchs were so frightened that they knelt on the ground: "Madam, we were wrong."

I reprimanded them harshly: "Your actions not only hurt the masters, but also violate the rules of the palace. If you do it again, I will not show any mercy."

Another time, the maids were arguing over a beautiful piece of jewelry. I rushed over and said, "Stop arguing! Palace items all have owners, and you can't just fight over them. If you like the jewelry, we can find a way to make it, but don't break the rules."

Through these things, I established a certain authority in the court and let everyone know that I was a person who maintained order.

In the complex situation at the palace, I would also cooperate appropriately with different forces without violating the principle of neutrality. Once, a concubine who had a good relationship with the Empress was planning to hold a birthday banquet, and I helped arrange it.

"Madam, I hope this banquet can be special and make everyone happy." The concubine said to me.

I smiled and replied, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'll make all the arrangements." I contacted the musicians, dancers, and chefs, meticulously preparing the program and food. The banquet was a resounding success, and the concubine was deeply grateful to me and even spoke well of me to the Empress.

The Imperial Concubine was planning a flower viewing party, and I actively participated: "I have some new ideas for the flower arrangement for the party, such as using flowers of different colors to form patterns."

The imperial concubine asked with interest, "Oh? What pattern?"

I told the Royal Concubine my ideas in detail, and she accepted them. The flower viewing party was very wonderful, and the Royal Concubine's attitude towards me also changed.

At the palace, I often thought of my family. I received letters from home, in which my parents and siblings expressed their concern for me and reminded me to be safe.

I cried and said to Wanqing, "Wanqing, I miss them so much. I must live well in the palace and not let my family worry."

Wanqing comforted me: "Siqing, you must be strong. You have done a good job in the palace, and your family will be relieved to know about it. When you have the opportunity, you can also win some honor for the family."

I nodded: "Yes, I must work hard to make my family live a good life." I turned my concern for my family into the motivation to survive and develop in the palace.

There are various festivals in the palace, and each festival requires careful preparation. On the eve of the Spring Festival, I was very busy.

I said to the palace maids, "Sisters, the Spring Festival is a major holiday. We must decorate the palace to make it festive. The red lanterns must be hung neatly and the Spring Festival couplets must be written beautifully."

When preparing the festive meal, I told the imperial chefs, "The Spring Festival meal should be rich and meaningful. For example, the fish should be whole, symbolizing abundance year after year."

During the holidays, I was also responsible for arranging various activities to ensure that my masters had a happy holiday. Seeing the lively and festive atmosphere in the palace, I felt very happy and felt that my efforts were not in vain.

There were always unexpected situations in the palace that tested my ability to respond. Once, at an important palace ball, a dancer suddenly fainted.

I rushed over and asked, "What's going on? Go call the doctor." While I had someone take care of the dancer, I said to the other dancers, "Don't panic, everyone. Take a break. We'll wait for the doctor to check before continuing."

The imperial physician arrived and examined the dancer, finding she was exhausted. I arranged for her to rest and then told the person in charge of the dance, "We need to adjust the order of the program. We can't interrupt the dance."

Another time, a sudden downpour hit the palace, forcing the outdoor banquet to be moved indoors. I quickly mobilized the palace maids and eunuchs, saying, "Everyone, quickly move everything indoors. Be careful to protect the food and decorations."

In this palace filled with danger and uncertainty, I persevere. I know the road ahead is long, filled with more difficulties and challenges. But I hold onto hope. I believe that as long as I strive to be a better person, continuously accumulate strength, and bide my time, I will achieve my goals in the palace and secure a bright future for myself and my family.

I said to Wanqing, "No matter how difficult it is, we must not give up. We must be like the pines and cypresses in the palace, standing firm no matter the wind or rain."

Wanqing held my hand tightly: "Yes, Siqing, let's go together." With this belief, we continued to move forward in the palace.