Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 230 Selecting People

After being informed by a palace maid, Hua Yan, accompanied by Meng Zhu and Dong Gua, entered the main hall.

The hall was spacious enough to accommodate more than a hundred people. Granny Xu was holding a ruler and reprimanding the palace servants. Because Consort Chun was in charge of the six palaces, everyone in the Bureau of Ceremonies treated Hua Yan and the other two with utmost respect.

Xu Mama took the lead in performing the curtsy. Although Hua Yan had the status of a concubine, with her clever mind, she would not really accept this curtsy. She simply stepped aside slightly, and then Meng Zhu, the personal maid of Consort Chun, stepped forward.

Having spent a long time with Hua Yan and with Aunt Mei's careful guidance, Meng Zhu had become quite adept at dealing with people. When facing an elderly woman like Granny Xu, Meng Zhu began with polite greetings and inquiries before slowly explaining the situation. Granny Xu, not daring to be presumptuous, warmly led Hua Yan and the other two into the inner hall.

Green Willow and Flower Face had only met a little over a month ago. She stood with her head down in a corner of the hall, initially unaware that Flower Face was among the distinguished guests.

First, she heard Granny Xu greet "Consort Meng," and then she heard Mengzhu's familiar voice. Green Willow kept her head down, trying her best to suppress the joy in her heart, while also feeling a little uneasy.

After all, Hua Yan had repeatedly warned her against entering the palace.

With Granny Xu gone, the newly arrived palace maids were able to rest for a while, and they inevitably gathered in twos and threes to whisper among themselves.

"Aunt Xiuyu is right. I wonder who will be fortunate enough to serve in Consort Chun's palace."

Where there are many people, there is never a shortage of gossip and rumors. Every palace maid hopes to earn a good future. After settling down a bit, they try every means to find out news. When Aunt Xiuyu was teaching tea ceremony, she casually mentioned that on the birthday of Consort Chun, newly entered palace maids would have the opportunity to go to Huining Palace to serve.

Consort Chun was favored and held power over the six palaces, so every palace maid wanted to be chosen.

As for how to achieve this, the opportunity is now here.

“Aunt Xiuyu works for Consort Min, so the news she sends out is bound to be accurate.” A pretty young maid said with longing.

The palace maids in the palace were divided into two groups. The most outstanding group would be assigned to the various palace ladies after learning etiquette, while the others would be assigned to the six bureaus according to their talents. For example, those who were good at cooking would be assigned to the Imperial Food Bureau, and those who were good at handicrafts would be assigned to the Imperial Clothing Bureau.

The palace maids who had been selected for the Sixth Bureau looked at Green Willow and the others with envy.

Cailian, who entered the palace with Green Willow, stood in the middle of the second batch of palace maids. Although her face was normal, she was very anxious and worried. She did not perform well in the third round of the selection process. Fortunately, she had needlework skills. Otherwise, if she had failed to be selected and became a low-ranking sweeper, she did not know if her master, whom she had never met, would blame her.

Chun Tao was never worried. In this vast harem, as long as one had the will, no matter what task one did, one could potentially help the master.

A rather pretty palace maid asked the person next to her, "I didn't hear very clearly just now, did the people in Consort Chun's palace say what kind of person they want to choose?"

The little girl at the front of the line, who was on good terms with her, hesitated and said, "Jixiang, I didn't hear it very clearly just now, but it seems to be about going to work in the kitchen."

Another person chimed in: "It must be. Aunt Xiuyu said that there is a maid in Consort Chun's palace who is good at cooking. She is plump and round and has a very cheerful appearance. She was recently rewarded by the Empress Dowager."

"That person looks a lot like him. Perhaps this selection is really for someone to help out in the kitchen."

Jixiang subconsciously took two steps back and stopped talking, feeling sullen. If she were chosen to work in the kitchen, when would she ever get a chance to advance? Right now, she was a little afraid of being chosen.

Green Willow's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then she exchanged a glance with Spring Peach across the distance before standing properly in the corner.

The palace maids who had previously registered with the Imperial Kitchen, who had thought they had little chance, now looked excited.

......

The inner hall is separated by a huge screen.

After a slight refusal, Granny Xu calmly accepted the purse that Mengzhu offered.

"This servant thanks Consort Chun for her generous gift. If you wish to select two palace maids to assist Miss Donggua, the head of the Imperial Kitchen has mentioned a few people. These are individuals with some talent in cooking and may be able to be added to the Imperial Kitchen in the future," said Granny Gui, picking up a roster from a nearby table and pointing to several names.

"In addition, these people performed very well, and their manners and etiquette were excellent. Even Min Shangyi was very satisfied with them."

Next to some names in the register, there will be a comment or two. Of course, this is done according to Consort Chun's instructions, which has not been done before.

Hua Yan glanced at the list and saw that Green Willow's name was marked "Above Average," Spring Peach's name was only marked "Average," and there were no markings for Cai Lian and the other four.

Hua Yan pointed to a palace maid named Jixiang, "This one is quite popular with the nanny and Consort Min."

Next to the auspicious name, there is not only the annotation "superior" in red ink, but also a line of small-character comments.

Xu Mama replied, "This girl comes from a poor family in the capital. She is clever and quite intelligent. She has not only studied etiquette diligently, but has also never gonessiped."

"Then let her go."

Granny Xu looked astonished. Wouldn't it be a waste to put such talent in the kitchen? However, she didn't say anything more.

"Don't worry, Granny, it's just for two days. We'll send them back to the inner palace after Her Highness's birthday," Hua Yan explained with a light smile. She added, "Besides the kitchen staff, we need six more palace maids who will be going to Huining Palace to serve you on the 29th."

At this point, Granny Xu nodded, "Consort Meng and Miss Mengzhu might as well meet them in person so that they can make their selections."

After the group returned to the hall, Granny Xu first called for Jixiang to step forward, and then had everyone line up in two rows.

When Green Willow saw that Jixiang had been chosen, a hint of anxiety appeared on her face, but she quickly concealed it.