Yun followed Madam Feng through the winding paths of the imperial palace, her eyes darting from one dazzling sight to another. The sprawling grounds seemed to stretch endlessly, with perfectly manicured gardens, sparkling koi ponds, and towering pavilions adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes. The grandeur of it all was almost suffocating, a stark contrast to the humble simplicity of her village.
Her heart sank as she took in the reality of her new world: the beauty of the palace was a facade, a gilded cage that concealed the power struggles and dangers lurking within.
The group arrived at a modest building tucked behind a larger pavilion. It was the servants' quarters, their new home. Madam Feng stopped at the entrance and turned to face them, her sharp eyes narrowing.
"You are now part of the palace," she began, her voice cold and commanding. "You are to serve with diligence and loyalty. Do not speak unless spoken to, and do not wander where you are not permitted. Break the rules, and you will face the consequences. Remember, the Emperor's shadow looms over every corner of this palace. Disobedience is not tolerated."
Yun and the other girls nodded, their faces pale and tense.
Madam Feng gestured to an older maid who stood nearby. "Lin Mei, take them to their quarters and see that they're ready for their assignments."
Lin Mei, a woman with tired eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor, motioned for the girls to follow her. She led them down a narrow corridor lined with doors, stopping in front of a small room.
"This will be yours," Lin Mei said. "You'll share it with three others. Your chores begin at dawn, so be prepared."
The room was cramped, with simple wooden bunks and a single window that let in a sliver of light. Yun glanced around, noting the threadbare blankets and the faint smell of damp wood. It was far from comfortable, but it was better than she had feared.
Lin Mei gave them a quick rundown of the day's routine: rising before dawn, cleaning the vast halls, assisting in the kitchens, and running errands for higher-ranking servants. The work would be grueling, but Yun listened intently, determined to adapt.
Adjusting to Palace Life
The first week in the palace was a blur of exhaustion and aching muscles. Yun scrubbed floors until her knees were raw, carried heavy buckets of water until her arms felt like lead, and endured the sharp reprimands of her superiors when her inexperience led to mistakes.
The other maids in her room were polite but distant. They exchanged only the bare minimum of pleasantries before retreating into silence at the end of each day. Yun didn't mind. She was too tired to hold a conversation, and her thoughts were consumed by memories of her family.
On her third night, she sat by the small window, staring out at the darkened palace grounds. The golden rooftops glimmered faintly in the moonlight, a reminder of the world she now inhabited. She clutched the book of poetry her father had given her, running her fingers over the worn cover.
"I'll survive this," she whispered to herself. "For them."
A Glimpse of Power
Yun's first encounter with the inner workings of the palace came unexpectedly. One afternoon, she was sent to deliver fresh tea to the servants tending to the imperial gardens. The task seemed simple enough, but as she approached the sprawling gardens, her steps faltered.
The gardens were breathtaking, with vibrant flowers in every hue, towering bamboo groves, and winding paths that seemed to lead to secret corners of paradise. Yun marveled at the sight, her basket of tea forgotten for a moment.
"Keep moving," one of the older maids hissed, nudging her forward.
Yun hurried along, careful to keep her eyes downcast. She had been warned not to linger or draw attention to herself, but she couldn't help stealing glances at the figures strolling through the gardens.
They were nobles, their silk robes shimmering in the sunlight and their voices soft with laughter. They moved with an air of effortless grace, their every gesture exuding power and privilege.
As Yun set the tea on a low table near a pavilion, she felt a prickle of unease. One of the nobles, a young man with sharp features and an imposing presence, had turned his gaze on her.
"Who is she?" he asked, his tone casual but laced with curiosity.
Yun froze, her hands trembling as she lowered her head. "I—I'm a servant, Your Excellency."
The older maid beside her stepped forward quickly, bowing low. "Forgive her, my lord. She is new and unaccustomed to her duties."
The nobleman chuckled, but his eyes remained on Yun. "New, is she? Let's hope she learns quickly."
Yun dared not look up until the nobleman turned away, his interest seemingly waning. She released a shaky breath, her heart racing.
As they left the gardens, the older maid pulled her aside. "Be careful," she whispered. "The nobles here are not to be trifled with. Stay invisible, if you can."
Yun nodded, the warning sinking deep into her heart.
Unknowingly to her, the nobleman had already left a deep impression onto the lady. The nobleman realised that with her presence, everything is going to change here in the palace.
Seeds of Determination
That night, Yun lay awake in her bunk, staring at the ceiling. The day's events replayed in her mind—the beauty of the gardens, the nobles' effortless power, and the nobleman's lingering gaze.
The palace was a world unlike anything she had imagined, filled with splendor and danger in equal measure. Yun realized that surviving here would require more than hard work and obedience. She would need to learn the unspoken rules of this gilded cage, to navigate the shifting currents of favor and intrigue.
As exhaustion finally claimed her, Yun clutched her father's book tightly. In her dreams, the banyan tree of Lingxi loomed large, its branches reaching for the stars.
For the first time since leaving her village, Yun felt a flicker of something new. Not just determination—but ambition.