From cute to empress

Chapter 1 Challenges of the New Environment

The magnificent palace, though resplendent, felt like an icy prison to me. Having been in the palace for only three days, I'd already experienced the fickleness of human nature. Cui'er's contemptuous gaze, in particular, pierced my heart like a needle. "Country girls are different. Look at your rustic appearance. Are you worthy of serving the emperor in the palace?" she said, deliberately slamming the teacup in front of me, splashing scalding tea all over me.

I bit my lip, afraid to speak. Before I came, my mother had repeatedly warned me to be careful with my words and actions once I entered the palace, and to avoid causing trouble. I clutched the corner of my clothes tightly, telling myself to be patient, but inside I felt extremely wronged. I just wanted to see what this legendary palace looked like. How could I have imagined that I would be chosen to enter the palace?

"What? Are you still feeling wronged? I'm telling you, this palace isn't a place for you to act wildly! If you want to survive here, be smart!" Cui'er saw me keeping my head down and silent, thinking I was afraid of her, and her tone became even more arrogant. She raised her chin proudly, like a proud peacock, showing me her gorgeous headdress and exquisite makeup, as if to say, this is the difference between you and me...

Cui Er wanted to say something else, but she was frightened by a loud shout from behind her, and her face turned pale: "Cui Er! What are you doing?"

I looked up and saw a tall, solemn-looking old woman standing behind us. She was dressed in a dark brown palace dress, her hair meticulously combed. Her eyes shone with a sharp gleam, and she exuded a sense of authority without even being angry. When Cui'er saw her, she immediately put on a respectful demeanor, nodding and bowing as she replied, "Madame Li."

Nanny Li ignored her and walked straight up to me, looking me up and down. She said sternly, "Are you the new palace maid, Niu Mengmeng?" I nodded nervously, clutching the corners of my clothes tightly with both hands. Nanny Li looked at my timid look and snorted coldly, "Look at you, you coward! You didn't come to this palace to enjoy yourself!"

I lowered my head, not daring to retort. Nanny Li looked me over carefully from head to toe, pointed at me, and said, "From today on, you will learn the rules from me! If you don't learn well..." She didn't say anything else, but the warning in her eyes gave me a chill.

The days that followed began a hellish training. Every day, I had to rise before dawn to learn palace etiquette, rules, and all sorts of tedious skills. Nanny Li's standards were extremely strict, finding fault with every move and every look. The slightest slip-up would result in a harsh reprimand, or even punishment.

"Walk lightly, not like a stupid ox!"

"Hold the tea steadily. If you burn someone, can you bear the consequences?"

"Speak softly! Who allowed you to chatter like a sparrow?"

……

I gritted my teeth and endured it all silently. I told myself I had to persevere and not let my mother down. But after all, I was just a girl who grew up in the countryside. How could I have ever endured such hardship? I clumsily imitated Madam Li's movements, but I always failed to grasp the key. Repeated mistakes only earned Madam Li's harsher criticism and punishment.

My hands had been pricked countless times from practicing flower arranging, my legs had blisters from walking, and my throat had become hoarse from talking. I felt like a piece of stone, being mercilessly polished by Aunt Li, and I didn't know when I would finally become a rough jade.

In the dead of night, I hid under my covers and cried quietly. I missed the fields of my hometown, the warm embrace of my mother, and even more, the carefree life I once had. But all of this is gone. I am now a maid in this deep palace, and my fate is no longer in my control...

I bit the corner of the quilt tightly, letting the tears slide silently. The cold tears soaked the pillow and soaked my heart. I didn't dare cry out loud, afraid of disturbing the others in the room, and even more afraid of attracting more severe punishment from Li Ma.

"What? Are you hiding and slacking off again?"

Suddenly, a sarcastic voice came from the door. I trembled with fear and hurriedly wiped the tears from my face, only to find that it was Cui Er. She folded her arms, looked at me with contempt, and there was a hint of mocking smile on the corner of her mouth.

"I... I didn't..." I explained in a panic, but seemed even more powerless.

Cui Er smiled contemptuously, walked up to me, lifted my chin with her hand, and forced me to meet her gaze: "Look at you, you coward, you deserve to be tortured by Madam Li!"

"What's my problem? It's none of your business." I forcefully pushed her hand away, the grievance and anger that had been pent up in my heart for days finally erupting. "Who do you think you are? You're just relying on the fact that you came a few days earlier than me to bully me everywhere! Don't forget, you're just a lowly palace maid!"

My words were like a stone, shattering the peace that had been building up, and completely enraging Cui'er. Her face instantly turned livid, and she pointed at my nose and swore, "You...you country bumpkin, how dare you speak to me like that? Don't you even consider your own status?"

"Identity? We all have the same identity! We are all slaves serving others!" I fought back without showing any weakness.

Cui Er was furious and reached out to hit me. I subconsciously closed my eyes. But the expected pain did not come. I opened my eyes and saw a tall figure blocking my way.

"presumptuous!"

A deep voice boomed in my ears, and I shuddered with fear. Only then did I notice that I was surrounded by palace maids who were watching the fun. Some of them were whispering, some were pointing, and their eyes were full of curiosity and contempt for me.

I looked up and saw a tall man standing before me. He was dressed in a black suit, a long sword at his waist, his eyebrows sharp and his eyes sparkling, he looked intimidating without even being angry. This man was Zhao Hu, the commander of the guards responsible for palace security.

Cui'er was obviously frightened by Zhao Hu's momentum. Her originally arrogant demeanor suddenly diminished. She timidly took a few steps back and hid behind another palace maid.

"What's going on? Why are you making such a commotion?" Zhao Hu glanced at everyone and asked in a deep voice.

"Commander Zhao, it was...she who scolded me first!" Cui'er pointed at me and said aggrievedly.

I was about to open my mouth to refute, but was stopped by Zhao Hu's sharp look.

"This is the Imperial Palace, not a place for you to act like a spoiled child!" Zhao Hu said coldly. "Since this is your first offense, I'll let you off this time. If you do it again, I won't let you off lightly!"

After saying this, Zhao Hu turned and left. The onlookers also dispersed, leaving Cui'er and I standing there, staring at each other in bewilderment.

Cui Er glared at me fiercely, then turned and ran away. I watched her departing figure, a mixture of emotions welling up in my heart. I knew this wasn't the end of it. Cui Er wouldn't let this go, and I had to quickly adapt to this predatory environment.

At this time, an old voice came from behind: "Niu Mengmeng, follow me!"

I turned around and saw Nanny Li standing behind me. There was no expression on her face, but her sharp eyes seemed to be able to see through my thoughts.

I didn't dare to delay and quickly followed Nanny Li to her room.

"Kneel down!" Li Ma Ma said coldly, pointing to the floor.

I didn't dare to disobey and knelt down obediently.

"Do you know you are wrong?" Nanny Li looked down at me and asked.

"I..." I opened my mouth, but I didn't know what to say. I knew I was wrong and shouldn't have had a conflict with Cui Er, but I really couldn't swallow this anger.

"Who do you think you are? How dare you contradict your master in the palace and commit treason?" Nanny Li scolded sternly. "Do you think you have a chance of leaving this palace alive?"

Li Ma's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the last ray of hope in my heart. Yes, I am just a humble palace maid. In this palace where people are eaten without leaving any bones, I am nothing.

"I was wrong, Ma'am, I will never dare to do it again!" I lowered my head and said in a low voice.

"It's good that you admit your mistake!" Nanny Li's tone softened a little. "Get up."

I stood up, lowered my head, and didn't dare to look into Li Ma's eyes.

"From today on, you will follow me and learn the etiquette and rules of the palace," said Nanny Li. "I hope you will remember today's lesson and not make the same mistake again!"

"Yes, Mammy," I whispered.

I know this will be a long and difficult journey, but I have no choice. I must try my best to survive, for myself and for those who care about me.