The Daily Life of a Maidservant from Her Humble Beginnings to Her High-Ranking Duties

In the 152nd year of the Great Yong Dynasty, the empire is in a state of visible decline, characterized by natural disasters and widespread poverty. In the capital city of Chang’an, the facade of prosperity masks deep suffering, where families are forced to sell their children for survival. Sheng Xia, a delicate six-year-old girl, is sold by her parents to the household of the Duke of Yan. Her mother, a former maid in the estate, secures this placement as a means to earn silver for her younger son’s education. Upon arrival, Sheng Xia observes her mother’s cold indifference once the payment is collected, a stark contrast to the performative sorrow displayed earlier. This realization cements Sheng Xia’s understanding that she must rely solely on herself, stripping away any naive hope for familial protection.

Inside the Duke’s residence, Sheng Xia and twenty other newly purchased girls undergo rigorous training in household etiquette and rules. They are confined to a small courtyard, learning the intricate protocols of greeting, serving tea, and maintaining proper posture. During a brief excursion along the perimeter of the estate, Sheng Xia and her roommates overhear conversations among household-born maids. They learn that outsiders are viewed with suspicion and are generally relegated to menial labor in the kitchens or gardens, with little chance of serving the masters directly. However, they also discover that the Old Matriarch intends to select four girls from the new batch for special training to serve the two young masters, offering a rare path to upward mobility.

The knowledge of this limited opportunity transforms the atmosphere in Sheng Xia’s quarters. The camaraderie that initially bonded the six girls dissolves into quiet rivalry. Each girl begins to scheme for favor, hoping to be one of the four chosen. While her peers aggressively court Nanny Xia, the powerful matriarch’s attendant, Sheng Xia adopts a different strategy. She cultivates a relationship with Nanny Xu, a lesser-known but well-connected senior maid. Sheng Xia visits Nanny Xu regularly, offering companionship to the lonely woman who had lost her husband and child. This genuine connection earns Nanny Xu’s trust and goodwill, setting Sheng Xia apart from the other candidates who rely solely on flattery.

When the day of assignment arrives, representatives from various quarters of the household gather to select the new maids. Nanny Xia, representing the Old Matriarch, chooses eight girls, including two from Sheng Xia’s room. Nanny Wang selects four for the Duke, and the representatives for the Eldest Young Lady and Concubine Ma make their picks. Sheng Xia is not chosen by Nanny Xia, but she is selected by Nanny Zhao, the wet nurse of the Duchess, Madam Yang. Nanny Zhao brings Sheng Xia and three other girls to the Duchess’s main courtyard. Madam Yang, a former princess known for her spoiled and impulsive nature, reviews the new arrivals. She notes that Sheng Xia’s original name is pleasant and allows her to keep it, while renaming the other three girls according to the seasons. This decision marks Sheng Xia as a favorite, partly due to the recommendation of Nanny Xu, who is revealed to be Jinzhu, a former maid of the Duchess.

Sheng Xia is settled into the east wing of the main courtyard, assigned to work under a senior maid named Qinglan. She learns that her position, though initially low-ranking, places her within the inner sanctum of the household, far removed from the grueling labor faced by those assigned to the kitchens or laundry. As she begins her duties, Sheng Xia navigates the complex social hierarchy with caution and intelligence. She maintains her respect for her superiors while keeping her ambitions hidden. The story establishes her position as a servant on the rise, surrounded by the opulence of the Duke’s estate and the underlying tensions of court politics. Her journey from a sold child to a trusted attendant in the Duchess’s quarters sets the stage for her future struggles and alliances within the declining dynasty.