The sunlight stretched through the mansion's latticed windows, casting long stripes across the polished corridors. The air smelled faintly of incense, faintly of wood polish, and faintly of tension—an invisible hum that clung to the walls like dust.
Lin Xueya moved silently along the corridor, her arms cradling a tray of tea cups, each polished to perfection, rims glinting like tiny moons. She balanced them carefully, every movement precise, her rabbit ears twitching lightly with concentration. Even a slight tilt could spill a drop—a mistake she dared not make.
Her thoughts raced, but only quietly, beneath the surface: Stay calm. Keep composure. No one must see the system, no one must see me. One slip, and it could be the end.
As she turned a corner, a sudden shadow fell over her.
"Careful, rabbit."
She froze. Madam Xu's voice was smooth, honeyed with an edge sharper than any blade.
Xueya's ears twitched involuntarily as she looked up. There she was, sitting in a high-backed chair that seemed almost carved from shadow, crimson robes cascading over the carved wood. Her black hair framed her face like silk, eyes sharp and golden, piercing right through Xueya's carefully constructed meekness.
"Madam Xu," Xueya said softly, bowing low, tray extended. Her hands did not shake, but her heartbeat thundered in her chest.
"Ah, so this is the rabbit," the Mistress said, taking her time in examining Xueya. Her lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile. "Don't know if I've seen you but,I've heard of you… from Ronghua, of course. She claims you are diligent, obedient, clever… and yet, there is something in your posture… almost too careful, almost too controlled."
Xueya lowered her gaze further. "I only wish to serve, Madam."
"Is that so?" Madam Xu leaned forward, pipe in hand, smoke curling around her like a veil. "Let's see if your service truly matches your words."
She gestured subtly to the tray. "Serve the tea to the guest rooms. But not merely serve—observe. Adjust for every preference, every inclination, every expectation. Do not drop a drop, and do not falter. I will watch."
Xueya's pulse quickened. This was no ordinary task—it was a personal test. A simple mistake could earn her a scolding or worse. And yet… her lips twitched with a faint, almost imperceptible thrill.
Perfect. Another loophole to exploit, another task to convert into progress.
---
The corridors to the guest rooms were narrower than the main halls, lined with ornate vases and delicate carvings. Every step must be precise; every tilt of the tray must be flawless. Xueya inhaled slowly, letting the system guide her movements.
> [Task Generated: Serve tea to the guests without spilling or delay.]
[Reward: +2 Dexterity, +2 Composure.]
> [Hidden Task: Observe and adapt to noble preferences.]
[Reward: +3 Perception, +2 Charisma.]
The first door opened to reveal a visiting noblewoman, her gown embroidered in azure and silver. She barely looked at the tray as Xueya stepped inside, bowing low.
"Madam Xu says the tea must be perfect," Xueya murmured, voice soft, calm. She adjusted the tray's angle subtly, ensuring every cup remained level.
The noblewoman raised a delicate brow but did not speak. She sniffed the tea lightly, then sipped. Xueya watched carefully, noting the slight curl of her lips and the faint tilt of the cup.
> [+1 Observation.]
The next room held a guest more exacting, a man with hawkish eyes and an impatient glare. He sniffed the tea, frowning. Xueya adjusted, tilting the cup minutely, just enough to match his preference, and the man's frown softened.
> [+2 Dexterity.]
[+2 Composure.]
The system's faint glow pulsed with each success, invisible to anyone but her.
The Mistress wants precision, but she rewards creativity.
---
Meanwhile, Ronghua lingered in the shadows, observing. Her fox tail twitched, suspicion growing sharper.
"Why does the Mistress take interest in her?" Ronghua muttered under her breath, eyes narrowing. "A new maid… obedient, yes… clever, yes… but could she be more than she seems? Is she a spy? Or merely lucky?"
Mei Yun, crouched behind a doorway, ears flicking with agitation, hissed softly. "Lucky? No. She's manipulating it. That rabbit… she's hiding something. Just wait, I'll expose her."
Shu Ling, watching from a distance, tugged gently at Xueya's sleeve once the tasks were done. "You handled that perfectly! I… I didn't think you'd manage it all alone."
Xueya smiled faintly, letting her ears droop in meek appreciation. "I merely tried my best, Shu Ling. That is all."
Yes, all while gaining more than anyone realizes.
> [Hidden Task Completed: Impress Mistress Without Standing Out.]
[Reward: +5 Grace, +3 Composure, +2 Charisma.]
---
After the last tray was delivered, Xueya returned to Madam Xu, bowing deeply. The Mistress' gaze appraised her silently, lips pressed together in thought.
"You handled the tea exceptionally," Madam Xu said at last, voice smooth, almost teasing. "Not many servants could maintain such composure under observation, and fewer still could adapt to the nuances of every guest. You… have potential."
Xueya froze slightly, suppressing the rush of triumph. "I am honored by your words, Madam."
"Potential… yes," the Mistress murmured, rising and walking slowly around Xueya. "But potential is meaningless without control, without awareness of the dangers that surround you. Do you understand, rabbit?"
"Yes, Madam," Xueya whispered.
Madam Xu's eyes glimmered with sharp amusement. "Good. I will watch you more closely from now on. Not because I distrust you… yet. But because curiosity demands it. A servant who excels quietly is as dangerous as a blade in the shadows."
Xueya's ears twitched. Curiosity… not disdain. Not wrath. That is… better than fear.
> [Hidden Task Completed: Survive Mistress' Observation.]
[Reward: +5 Willpower, +3 Perception.]
As she bowed and left the Mistress' quarters, the air seemed charged differently. Ronghua's glare burned in her back, and Mei Yun's eyes followed her like a predator tracking prey.
But Xueya held her head high, keeping the meek mask in place while her mind raced with calculations, possibilities, and the steady pulse of system rewards.
The mansion had changed. The rules were different now. Every step, every bow, every polished cup of tea carried weight, and the Mistress' eye rested on her.
And if the Mistress' attention was danger, it was also opportunity.