Chapter 2: Registration

The next day, Su Yue and Lingzhi took their “certificate” and went to report at the Punishment Office.

The Punishment Office was the institution responsible for all disciplinary measures and implementation of rules in the mansion. Su Yue did not understand why the selection was taking place here.

Upon arrival at the Punishment Office’s courtyard, a servant led the two of them to the designated reporting area. The registration was set in a miscellaneous courtyard, surrounded by lodgings, with a well in the center.

When Su Yue and Lingzhi arrived, four others had already reached the site.

They were all of similar age, around thirteen or fourteen years old. The young girls sized each other up, and soon someone approached to ask which division they had come from.

Su Yue replied, “From the Cleaning Division.” On hearing this, the little maid never came back to make conversation.

Although everyone was from different divisions, the authority each held within Yan Mansion varied greatly. The Cleaning Division was especially lacking in resources and prestige. Most who entered it were orphans or purchased by the stewards, tasked with the mansion’s dirtiest and most exhausting work.

It was easy to imagine that those coming from such places might be efficient workers, but to aspire to become a senior maid was almost impossible.

The personal maids serving the eldest young master, Yan Qitang, were the highest tier among senior maids. Not only did they have to be attractive, but they also needed to be well-versed in poetry, classics, and the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were required talents. In truth, they rivaled many noble ladies in accomplishment.

Such refined and talented girls were certainly not cultivated by the Cleaning Division.

At this point, Su Yue was unaware of these intricacies. Her impression of maids was still shaped by modern dramas—cleaning, pouring tea, and serving.

About an incense stick’s time later, everyone had gathered. The steward in charge of the selection arrived at a leisurely pace and began registering them one by one, assigning them to grades.

Yan Mansion had seven divisions: Rituals, Punishment, Meals, Music, Administration, Agriculture, and Cleaning.

Each division managed a distinct domain. The Rituals Division was the most esteemed, usually reserved for the descendants of stewards, responsible for festivals and banquets. The Punishment Division handled discipline for errant servants. The Meals Division, rich in resources, oversaw all food provisions. The Music Division cultivated dancers and performers. The Administration Division wielded the greatest power, managing personnel changes and salaries. The Agriculture Division handled the cultivation of fruits and herbs, while the Cleaning Division took care of laundry and cleaning.

Each division had its own steward. Except for the Punishment Division—all men, not participating in this selection—the remaining six divisions each selected two talented maids through assessment for this competition. Many had been scheming for this opportunity well in advance.

As the steward began registration, the carefully groomed young girls from each division started to display their skills.

The two girls from the Music Division performed—a twin pair, one playing the pipa and the other dancing. Their innate harmony made the performance graceful and elegant. The steward nodded and assigned them to Grade B.

Not to be outdone, the Rituals Division presented one maid deeply versed in the classics and history, able to compose fine poetry. The other, seasoned in organizing banquets alongside the steward, was especially adept at calculations and planning. Both were assigned to Grade A.

Compared to the Music and Rituals Divisions, the remaining divisions were much more ordinary. The Meals Division had one girl placed in Grade C, the other in the lowest Grade D. The Administration Division fared worst—one girl, plump and less presentable, was sent back on the spot, while the other entered Grade B.

By the time it was the Agriculture Division’s turn, it was already noon. Despite the steward’s meticulous selection, both girls were assigned Grade C.

When Su Yue and Lingzhi’s turn came, the meal hour had passed.

“Servant Lingzhi from the Cleaning Division, I have read some poetry and know how to recognize and write common characters. I previously worked in the Agriculture Division and have some experience in planting and making incense. Aunt Furong thinks I am reliable and attentive, so she sent me to try,” Lingzhi spoke humbly with her head bowed.

“Hmm, lift your head, let me see your appearance,” the steward commanded.

“Yes,” Lingzhi replied.

The steward observed Lingzhi’s fair and rosy face and nodded to himself. Though still young, her figure had developed well, graceful and shapely. Her clear apricot eyes added a lively charm, yet she was not seductive—a look that any master would favor.

Lingzhi was ultimately assigned to Grade C.

Finally, only Su Yue remained. When it came time to state her special talent, Su Yue felt lost.

She had none to offer—she surely couldn’t tell the steward that she was chosen because she cleaned chamber pots with exceptional thoroughness.

“Servant Su Yue from the Cleaning Division. I entered the mansion only a few months ago. Since then, I have learned some characters from the seniors. I can read and write common words. Aunt Furong recommended me because I work carefully and efficiently. My family was poor and I never learned any talents, but I have always been physically stronger than others. So, today my talent is breaking the well bricks.”

Su Yue had not prepared any talents—Aunt Furong had never mentioned it. She arrived straightforwardly, only to discover everyone else had brought some skill. After much thought, she could only rely on her innate sword-bone advantage as her unique ability.

To reveal her sword-bone at this time was a matter of necessity. She had so few cards to play, it was better to lay them all out—perhaps she could win another chance. Moreover, Aunt Furong had said only those with spiritual roots could participate, and since all mid-level stewards practiced cultivation, having special talent was clearly a plus.

Although no one had mentioned their spiritual roots during registration, Su Yue suspected there would later be professional assessment. This showed how much the upper echelons valued cultivation potential.

As soon as Su Yue finished speaking, the other maids gasped. Maids had shown embroidery, dance, or musical skills, but never brick-breaking. Even the steward laughed, glancing at the well in the courtyard.

“Su Yue, the well bricks are four layers thick. Even I, a mid-level steward who practices the Cloud Sea Sword Technique, might not break them. How could a child accomplish what grown men cannot? Don’t risk your body for the selection—even great strength has limits.”

The steward looked at Su Yue, who barely reached his chest, and spoke earnestly.

“I have no intention to deceive. Whether I can do it or not, let me try, and any injury will be my own responsibility,” Su Yue replied without hesitation.

The steward paused, then summoned a physician before allowing Su Yue to approach the well.

Su Yue gazed at the deep well reaching to her thigh, took a deep breath, and gathered her energy. She raised her arm like a blade and struck the well’s stone bricks.

Those afraid of blood closed their eyes; the rest watched her closely.

With a single blow, the seemingly indestructible blue stone was cleaved open, yet the outer layer of the well remained unscathed.

The steward, seeing no flying debris, was surprised. He walked closer and found the gap filled with white powder. Pinching it, he realized the girl had not only broken through three layers of stone, but had pulverized the fragments into dust instantly.

What speed and force this must require! Even the strongest could only shatter the bricks, but this girl seemed to possess a talent beyond ordinary people. Thinking this, the steward ordered someone to watch the maids, and went alone to the supervisor’s chamber.

“Aren’t you in charge of registration? Why are you back so soon? Dissatisfied with the candidates?” the chief steward asked, surprised.

“Not at all. The girls selected are excellent, but one presents a special case. I wanted your opinion,” replied the steward softly.

He recounted Su Yue’s registration and demonstration.

“You mean she turned the stone into powder?” The chief steward stared in disbelief.

“Yes. Before Su Yue struck, I checked—there were no signs of tampering.”

“Well, this is interesting. Come, let me see this girl.”

The chief steward left for the selection courtyard.

Meanwhile, the maids discussed Su Yue with confusion and excitement, pointing and whispering.

Lingzhi stood aside, worried for Su Yue.

Soon, the chief steward and the registering steward entered together.

The chief steward said nothing, first glaring sternly at the noisy maids. The girls shrank in fear, falling silent.

He grunted, then crouched to examine Su Yue. His hand glowed faintly green as he traced her arm where she had struck the stone.

“Innate sword-bone!” he exclaimed midway.

The registering steward behind him was equally astonished, scrutinizing Su Yue with uncertainty.

“No wonder she could shatter blue stone with a single arm. If her body is a sword with innate sword-bone, it all makes sense.”

The two stewards conferred privately for a while, then the registering steward returned and assigned Su Yue to Grade A.

News of this stunned all the maids from other divisions.

“Alright, from today you will all live together in this courtyard. According to your grading, different teachers will instruct you. Rest today; tomorrow you’ll be notified whom to report to. Dismissed.”

As soon as the steward finished, the girls hurried to claim the best rooms and spots. Su Yue and Lingzhi, at the end, did not compete.

“To be honest, when you said you’d break the stone, I was worried for you, but you’re alright. It’s a pity I’m in Grade C and can’t study with you,” Lingzhi said happily, but her mood soon faded.

“Since there are grades, it means a chance for progress. Study well and you’ll be no less than others—don’t belittle yourself,” Su Yue comforted her, sensing Lingzhi’s disappointment.

Lingzhi nodded, then accompanied Su Yue to the last, leftover room at the far end. As expected, it was damp and stifling.

Su Yue opened the window and door, and together with Lingzhi cleaned the place thoroughly. They placed dehumidifiers and finally felt more comfortable.

“We’ll be here for two years,” Su Yue said, lying on the couch and gazing at the beam overhead.

“It’s no different anywhere. Here, at least, we can learn something new,” Lingzhi replied, tidying her clothes and lying down as well.

“Let’s hope tomorrow’s teacher isn’t a disaster,” Su Yue muttered before turning over to sleep.

Lingzhi didn’t hear Su Yue’s words—she was too excited to sleep. Though her eyes were closed, a smile lingered at her lips.