The palace maid who needed a replacement was initially hesitant to trust Xu Zhen. She asked Xu Zhen multiple questions about palace etiquette, all of which Xu Zhen answered, much to her astonishment.
"Have you been to the palace before?" the maid inquired.
Xu Zhen quickly replied, "No, I've just admired the people in the palace and made a point to learn."
This reason was similar to what she had stated before.
The maid found it reasonable and nodded, "I didn't realize your aspirations were so unique."
Xu Zhen chuckled.
The maid, having gained confidence in Xu Zhen, handed over her identification badge, advising her to be cautious and not get caught. Xu Zhen nodded eagerly, taking the maid's clothes as instructed and requesting leave from her supervisor the next day to head to the main hall for duty.
Standing guard was an art in itself.
Since she wanted to get close to the favored concubine, she needed to stand near the front. But standing too far forward would invite scolding, while standing in the middle felt too restrictive. Xu Zhen finally managed to secure a spot in the second row, facing the onlookers with a determined spirit.
What she didn't anticipate was that, apart from serving tea and water, the maids were also expected to dance for entertainment!
What was this all about?
Xu Zhen couldn't even cry about it. If she knew how to dance, she wouldn't be a maid; she'd be a dancer, getting even closer to the favored concubine.
No matter her thoughts, she couldn't disobey the command. After the high-pitched call of the eunuch, over a dozen palace maids unfurled their pink sleeves, each finding a spot to strike a pose.
Under the golden light, streaks of pink swept through the deep blue, adding a unique desolate charm to the winter scene.
The main hall glittered with a golden dome and blue doors, brilliant glazed tiles reflecting dazzling light. A pool surrounded the hall, connected to the outside by a small bridge, with hot spring steam rising into the air.
The palace maids danced gracefully, like cranes about to take flight on lotus petals.
Except for Xu Zhen, whose stiff movements and shocked expression clashed with the elegant and opulent surroundings.
When the music ended, everyone anxiously lined up again.
And, unsurprisingly, Xu Zhen was singled out.
The leading maid glared at her, while the other maids seemed eager to step on her. The eunuch hurriedly ran out again, sharply ordering Xu Zhen, "You, enter the hall!"
Xu Zhen, holding her long sleeves and skirt, stepped carefully into the main hall.
At the top of the hall, the favored concubine lay lazily on a couch in blue attire, her face heavily adorned with makeup. She lounged while a maid peeled lychees for her, placing the flesh in a crystal bowl.
Below, two strategists knelt, sipping tea.
Xu Zhen was surprised at how easily she had gained access to the main hall. She stole several glances at the favored concubine, feeling a sense of familiarity.
Before she could place where she might have seen the favored concubine before, her attention was drawn to the two strategists seated below. She recognized both of them immediately:
One was the female protagonist she had encountered earlier in Yongzhou. The other was the Imperial Academy's Grand Scholar and wine expert, whom she had met in both Jiangling and Chang'an.
