Imperial examination

Chapter 2: Maid selection

Spring has arrived. As the flowers bloom brightly, excitement filled the air. The weather was just right with a light breeze. Yesterday, when Rú xuān arrived at the maid courtyard, she was placed in a room with other servants from different villages. She woke up and took a warm bath and got dressed in clothes that were given when she arrived. Today was the day that would decide her future. As everyone gathered in the courtyard their were people that Rú xuān did not recognise. She guess they were maid's from the palace.

"Please queue up and register your presence. When you're done, make a line as you are told, " said a voice. Hundreds of candidates stood in line and waited for their next order. A female servant stood up her hairdressing, and uniform was need and elegant. She was probably one of the head-servants. She said in a clear and loud voice.

"You are not maid's yet, just servants. Your training will start from today, and you will be judged according to how fit each of you is to be a palace maid. This may sound rude and low, but palace maids should carry grace and elegance when handling chores, especially when you are needed to serve at a banquet or ceremony. Their must be no mistakes or flaws. The best of the best of you could be chosen as a new maid to serve important figures in the imperial palace such as concubines, princes, and princesses. The ones with bad performances will be downgraded to a labour maid until you are released from the imperial palace." said the head-servant. Another head-servant stood up and said, "My name is Mù chén, but you can call me Head-maid Mù chén. I do not approve of you being late. It will be recorded, and you will be downgraded to labour maid. Everything you do now and how you do it will decide your future in the imperial palace. Now follow me."

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Rú xuān was scrapping off the dirt in and out of the jug. Making sure there was no dirt left, she washed the jug in warm water and turned it around to let it dry. She did this a few times until each piece was done. Her next chore was to wash the clothes of the imperial place. It includes guard clothes, concubines clothes, princes clothes and princess clothes. She wet the clothes and put on some soap. She rubbed the material together, making sure to handle it with care. She hung up the wet material, letting it dry in the wind. She repeats it a few times until she is done. As the afternoon arrived, it was time for the head-maid's to choose their candidates. "Those who step forward you will work at the labour courtyard, and those who does't will be given your positions." said head-maid Mù chén. Those who step forward were led away to the labour courtyard. "Congratulations on those of you that stayed behind. I will now give your positions." said head-maid Mù chén. Rú xuān sign in relief. As their names are being called out, it was finally her turn. "Rú xuān you are officially now a maid. You will help serve the Empress herself. Your duty will begin when the banquet is being held. Remember, no mistakes will be tolerated." said head-maid Mù chén.

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As the night came, it was time to turn in. When Rú xuān came into the room they shared, she saw that one of the maid's threw water on her covers. The covers became soaking wet. "What are you doing? Are you out of your mind? asked Rú xuān. "Their is no place for you here," said the leader of the group. She tried to hold back her anger, but that was the last draw. Rú xuān went outside and filled a bucket with cold water and went inside. She threw the water on their covers. The group tried to hold her from completely ruining their covers. "So you can bully me, but I can't bully you. Let's get head-maid Mù chén here and let her sort this out." said Rú xuān. "Their is no need for that." Said the leader of the group. Rú xuān turns her covers around so that she can sleep on the dry part.

"I need to survive," Rú xuān thought, starting to fall asleep