We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 418: Reporting to Big Sister, This Little Sister Is Called Si Li

Zhou imperial capital.

Ever since the news that the imperial palace would be selecting palace maids spread, people throughout the Zhou empire began to harbor all sorts of thoughts.

Especially the common folk residing in the Zhou imperial capital, under the Son of Heaven’s rule.

Beyond ordinary households, a considerable number of affluent families also wished to send their daughters into the palace.

After all, if their daughter happened to capture His Majesty’s attention, even if she didn't become a consort, simply being a low-ranked court lady, or perhaps a palace lady-official, would still be a favorable outcome.

However, the number of women who could be chosen to enter the palace was capped.

Consequently, apart from a select few genuinely outstanding young women who were chosen, many individuals resorted to bribing the palace maids dispatched by the palace, hoping their daughters might be admitted.

Of course, ordinary young women also possessed the option to register independently with the local palace lady-officials. Should they successfully pass the initial screening conducted by these officials, they could then proceed to the final evaluation within the inner palace—though the difficulty involved was exceedingly high.

That particular day.

Sili donned clean, unassuming attire, adopted a new identity, and once more presented herself at the selection compound for the preliminary palace-maid screening.

This time, however, Sili harbored a distinct emotional undercurrent. Her mood was less than cheerful.

The reason behind this was that not long prior, Sili had been rejected once already.

At the time, Sili found herself utterly perplexed, unable to comprehend the grounds for her disqualification no matter how she pondered it.

The fabricated identity she had presented was flawless, her etiquette impeccable, her appearance captivating—and her figure was even more so.

Based on Sili’s understanding, when a mortal dynasty selected palace maids, a clean background was paramount, followed by physical attractiveness and form, given that palace maids were intended to serve the emperor.

Therefore, Sili felt that logically, how could she possibly have been screened out?

In what aspect did she fall short of the qualifications?

How could any other women possibly be considered prettier than her?

Unwilling to accept this outcome, Sili commanded her subordinates from the Wind-Listening Pavilion to gather intelligence.

Ultimately, Sili discovered that the reason for her rejection stemmed from the Empress Dowager's apprehension; she feared that an excessively beautiful palace maid might gain the emperor’s favor. Thus, this particular round of selection incorporated an unstated regulation: women who were deemed too beautiful would also be turned away.

Upon learning of this rule, Sili’s chest heaved with palpable indignation for a considerable duration.

Sili had never conceived that the reason for her elimination was her excessive beauty!

Armed with this knowledge, Sili learned her lesson and subtly altered her appearance this time—retaining a certain charm but ensuring she wouldn't stand out conspicuously.

Sili felt assured that this attempt would prove successful.

It absolutely had to succeed.

Today marked the final day for palace-maid selections. If Sili failed to enter the palace this time, securing another comparable opportunity would prove exceedingly difficult.

Upon arrival at the selection compound.

Every individual present was female; not a single man could be seen.

A palace maid guided Sili into a designated room.

Within the room, thirty women with rather attractive visages were assembled.

A palace lady-official proceeded to pace to and fro before Sili and the others, meticulously assessing their looks and scrutinizing their figures.

The palace lady-official even extended her hands to take measurements here and there.

Soon, the palace lady-official approached Sili and subjected her to a thorough appraisal.

“Not bad-looking.”

The palace lady-official, appearing to be around thirty years old, offered a nod. Her gaze then drifted towards Sili’s neckline.

Sili had intentionally chosen a loose-fitting garment that day to camouflage her figure, thus visually relegating her appearance to the upper-middle tier.

Yet, the palace lady-official sensed that something was amiss.

The palace lady-official reached out towards Sili’s neckline.

Sili faltered for a brief moment but proceeded to lightly bite her lower lip. Her fingers subtly tightened, forcibly suppressing the powerful urge to strike the palace lady-official dead.

The instant the palace lady-official’s hand made contact, she froze abruptly.

After completing her assessment, the palace lady-official stared at Sili in astonishment, her eyes betraying a profound envy, bordering on jealousy.

From the palace lady-official’s perspective, this young woman’s face was merely average, but her figure was astonishingly curvaceous. If His Majesty were to behold such a form, could he possibly restrain himself?

And just as the palace lady-official was preparing to dismiss Sili—

Sili discreetly retrieved a roll of banknotes from her sleeve and slipped it into the palace lady-official’s sleeve. With pleading, watery eyes, she implored:

“Big Sister, this humble girl lost her father at a tender age, and not long ago, my Mother also passed away. A local ruffian intends to forcibly seize me. Only by entering the palace can this common girl find protection. I beg Big Sister to show compassion. If anything is improper, this common girl will correct it.”

“…”

The palace lady-official’s brow twitched. Internally, she debated, With *that* absurd figure, which two hands can barely encompass, how exactly do you intend to 'correct' it? Furthermore, what backwater village girl possesses this quantity of banknotes?

Despite feeling the substantial weight of the banknotes tucked away, the palace lady-official accepted them, suppressing a cough as she spoke,

“Your background is truly pitiable. We sisters under Heaven should show compassion. What is your name?”

“Reporting to Big Sister, this humble one is called Si Li,” Sili replied softly.

“Si Li, is it.” The official located the name in the registry, giving it a checkmark. “Wait in the courtyard and join the others for the palace evaluation. Remember—if you are truly accepted into the palace, you must not draw too much attention from His Majesty in the future.”

After imparting this advice, the palace lady-official’s gaze lingered on Sili’s neckline.

“And once you are in the palace, it would be best to secure it with a strap. Understood? Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Yes, Big Sister.” Sili quickly expressed her gratitude to the official.

Leaving the room, the majority of the women dispersed from the courtyard. Only those who had passed the initial selection remained.

An hour later, guided by the palace lady-official, the final group—comprising two hundred women—boarded carriages bound for the imperial palace.

Ultimately, twenty would be selected from this assembly of two hundred.

Before long, Sili reached the imperial palace and was ushered through numerous halls for the evaluation process.

The individuals conducting these evaluations were all palace lady-officials affiliated with the Empress Dowager.

These officials began by verifying the virginity of Sili and the other candidates.

Subsequently, they assessed their speech and demeanor, alongside examining their etiquette.

Literacy was considered an advantageous asset.

Each time an opportunity arose, Sili discreetly slipped banknotes to the evaluating palace lady-officials.

An entire day elapsed. As dusk settled and the sun dipped below the horizon, the evaluation finally concluded, with Sili passing the process smoothly.

“From this day forward, you are designated as palace maids. The inner palace is unlike any other place—you must be mindful of your words and actions! Tomorrow, someone will instruct you on palace etiquette.

Apply yourselves diligently.

Soon, two consorts will be arriving at the palace. Those who distinguish themselves may be assigned to serve the consorts, and perhaps even His Majesty himself!

Those who falter will be relegated to washing clothes and boiling water!

Do you comprehend?”

The palace lady-official, whose name was Jin Yin, addressed the assembled group.

“Yes, Big Sister,” the future palace maids responded in unison.

Jin Yin nodded and continued,

“I am aware that many of you harbor dreams of gaining His Majesty’s favor, of transforming from sparrows into phoenixes. However, I strongly advise against displaying yourselves ostentatiously before His Majesty. To do so would jeopardize your very lives. Do not blame Big Sister for not issuing this stern warning.”

“Yes.” The palace maids affirmed their understanding once more.

“You may retire. Tomorrow, you must rise promptly at 5:00 a.m.”

With these instructions, Jin Yin turned and departed.

The palace maids returned to their respective quarters to bathe, change attire, and partake in their evening meal.

Night descended, deepening the ambient darkness.

Once her roommates in the shared quarters had all succumbed to sleep, Sili slowly opened her eyes and quietly rose from her bed.