Chores and first glance

Chapter 1: The third year of Wei Yun reign

The next morning Rú xuān was awakened by a yelling voice. "Rú xuān, why are you still in bed. Get ready now!" said Xīn yí. Rú xuān jumped out of bed, stumbling over her covers from the yelling. She got dressed in an old ragged dress and put her hair in a ponytail. Arriving at the main hall, the head of the house, the madam, and the lady of the house were having breakfast. "You are late. Begin your chores now. Go buy groceries for the house." said the madam. "Yes, madam," said Rú xuān.

She began cleaning the floors of the house. Each crack on the floor was cleaned. She washed the dishes from the morning, making sure it was spotless. She gathered all the clothes and bed covers and started washing it with her hands. She dipped it in water and rubbed soap on the clothes, and covers. She hung it up and let the wind blow it dry. When everything was done, she went to the village market.

The village market was full of people buying and selling clothes, food, and wine. Suddenly, it became quiet. Horse hoofs could be heard as a carriage is being dragged. Eveyone started bow to the ground as they said out loud, "Greetings, Emperor." Rú xuān was in shock at first because she never bowed to an imperial before, so she followed what the village people did. As the carriage came near her, she bowed down. The carriage window that was covered suddenly opened as Rú xuān slightly lift her head to look who's inside. She was met with sharp eyes of a young man looking down upon her. His face was slim but had a sharp jawline. His long hair in a ponytail with some hair dangling in his face. Rú xuān looked down fast, remembering what Xīn yí told her that she must never look into the imperial family eyes without permission because it can cause your head. When people started to get up from their bowed position, so did she.

Arriving at the house with the groceries in hand, she was faced with the madam who looked angry and worried. She grabbed hold of Rú xuān arm and dragged her to the main hall where the lady of the house was and the head of the family. "Mother, what are we going to do? I can't take part in the maid selection because I'm going to the concubine selection for the crown prince." asked Xīn yí worried. "Don't worry, I have a solution. Rú xuān will replace you in the maid selection, " said the madam. "Why me? Can't someone else do it?she asked. "We are not going to spend more money on some other servant. You are doing it, and that final, " said the head of the house. She couldn't do anything because who was she a lowly servant. That night, she lay awake in her bed and thought about what had happened today. She had fallen asleep.