Every step felt like it took hours, my excitement clashing against the storm of nervousness in my mind.
The doors opened and—
No one was inside?
The entire pavilion stood eerily empty. Beautiful, yes, but unsettling in its silence.
"Well, why are you standing there, girl?!" The old woman's shrill voice rang out for the fifth time that day.
I forced myself forward, my eyes widening as the full view of the hall came into sight.
The Lanxuan Pavilion was like the depths of an endless ocean. Unlike Lanling's bright clothes that reminded me of summer skies, here the walls breathed with the colors of the dark, merciless sea.
A grand hall spread before me, with a split staircase curling upward beneath a glittering chandelier. Dark-blue carpets stretched across the floor, and the indigo-painted walls glowed softly under the lanterns' light.
"Good morning."
The voice came sharp and strict.
An older woman in turquoise robes stared at me with sharp, measuring eyes.
"Well, now it's my time to leave. Goodbye, Miss Zhang Shuyin!" The old lady smirked, her tone almost gleeful as she hurried away, relieved to cast me off like a burden finally lifted.
Miss Zhang Shuyin's gaze fixed on me. "Now, who are you again?"
"I am Meilina, a servant sent to wor—"
"No! I already know that. I asked what you can do." Her voice cracked like a whip.
I swallowed. "I can read and write and—"
She cut me off. "We all can. There is no point in you being here if you are no different from the others." Her expression sagged with tired disappointment.
Panic clawed at me. I had to say something, anything, or I'd be dismissed before I even began.
"I can speak Sanskrit. A language of Bharat, the land with whom trade is often done. I can help with communication and strengthen ties—"
For the first time, her eyes lit with interest.
"Well now. That is useful. Yes, this could help the emperor. Perhaps even raise Lady Han Qinglan's standing."
She drew closer, her hand gripping my arm in a vice. I noticed her resemblance to the old woman, sharp-eyed, severe, and suffocating.
"But," she whispered, voice low with warning, "if you betray Lady Qinglan, or the emperor, I will personally—"
"I am not interested in betrayal," I blurted out, my chest tightening.
"We shall see." She let me go with a smirk. "Now, to the room on the right. Begin cleaning. After that, you will attend an etiquette lesson. Judging by your manners, you need it."
She left me standing in the dim, ocean-colored room.
The air smelled faintly of tea, as if guests had only just departed. Blue carpets, indigo walls, and even the carved chairs reflected one truth: the mistress of this place adored blue above all.
A bucket of water and a rag awaited me. Though the room looked spotless, I scrubbed for hours until my fingers ached.
At last, the door creaked open again. This time Miss Shuyin entered with ten other girls trailing behind her.
"Ah yes, I nearly forgot. An introduction is due." She smiled oddly. "These are the other new maids. You will be working alongside them."
Their stares cut into me immediately, confused, disgusted.
"This girl," Miss Shuyin declared airily, "is from Bharat. That is why her skin is darker. But she can read and write both Chinese and Sanskrit. She may prove useful in strengthening ties with distant lands.
"Treat her as you would any other maid."
I was confused as to why she would add the last part. However I knew it was not just for my own benefit.
I quickly realized the hidden calculations of her, she did not want any petty drama going on to distract Consort Han Qinglan.
I could not deny she certainly had intellect. My wariness increased.
The other maids offered no introductions of their own. They only turned away, their resentment plain as they lost their chance at tormenting me.
"Tonight we begin with tea service," Miss Shuyin continued briskly. "The most basic of lessons."
She lectured on the ideal temperature of tea, the delicate grip on porcelain, the angle of the teapot's spout.
Boredom nearly lulled me, until my turn came.
Balancing a tray of cups and a heavy teapot, I stepped forward with slow, careful steps. My heartbeat thundered in my ears.
I placed the set down at the table. The maids burst into snickers.
"The teapot is facing the wrong way," Miss Shuyin sighed, unimpressed. "Toward me, not away."
Shame burned my face as I returned to my seat, praying I had not ruined my chances.
When the lesson ended, I was shown to a small room, a simple cot and a rough table. Cramped, uncomfortable, but it was mine.
Tomorrow, I would be presented to Consort Qinglan.
That night I prepared as best I could, powdering my skin to whiten its color, adjusting my hair until it was perfect. The way my life would continue from now on will depend on the impression I would be making.
Descending the twilight-colored staircase, I felt the sting of whispers.
"Doesn't she look ridiculous?" a maid sneered. "Like a slave dressed in her mistress's silks."
Their laughter gnawed at me.
For a heartbeat, I imagined slipping arsenic into their cups. I forced the thought away.
And then she appeared.
Not a girl, no, a woman.
Lady Qinglan.
Her hanfu shimmered like ripened blueberries under sunlight the ones you would only find on the fertile soils of villages.
Shades of indigo weaving across the fabric. A nearly transparent silk draped from her arms, like the sea kissed by morning light.
Her face was sharp, refined.
Her steps,slow, graceful, and deliberate.
I bowed as deeply as I could. My heart
thundered in my chest, faster with each second.
In the inner palace The concubines impression on the maid depends if she could have the work or not.
So...
Would she keep me?
Or cast me out before I even begin?