The day had begun quietly, or so it seemed. The mansion hummed with the usual rhythm—maids scurrying to polish, sweep, and carry, the faint scent of incense hanging in every corridor. Yet beneath the calm, the air felt charged, as if the walls themselves were aware of the tension that lingered from the night before.
Xueya moved through the halls, tray balanced in her hands, carrying tea for the morning service. Her ears twitched occasionally, sensing subtle movements in the shadows. Ronghua's sharp gaze had not left her since yesterday, and Mei Yun, ever the sly cat, prowled nearby, waiting for the slightest misstep.
She took a deep breath, allowing herself only the faintest of smiles. Every eye watching… every expectation… an opportunity.
> [Task Generated: Maintain composure under observation.]
[Reward: +2 Composure, +1 Perception.]
The system's faint glow pulsed, unseen by anyone but her.
---
Madam Xu entered the corridor just as Xueya approached the guest hall. The Mistress' presence was immediate, like the pressing weight of a blade, drawing the attention of everyone around. Servants froze, heads lowered instinctively.
"Rabbit," the Mistress said softly, but her voice carried the subtle authority that silenced all other sound. "Bring the morning tea to the guests. But do not merely serve—observe. Adjust to their moods, anticipate their preferences. Fail, and it will be noted."
Xueya bowed deeply, hiding the thrill that ran through her chest. "Yes, Madam Xu."
> [Hidden Task: Survive public observation by Mistress.]
[Reward: +3 Willpower, +2 Charisma.]
---
The guest hall was a palace of light and shadow, filled with nobles clad in silks embroidered with gold and silver. Their eyes flicked over the new servants with casual disdain. Some whispered quietly to one another, curious about the rabbit-eared maid who had earned the Mistress' attention.
Xueya stepped carefully, every movement measured, the tea cups balanced perfectly on the tray. Each footfall, each bow, each careful tilt of her hands was deliberate, like a dance choreographed in miniature.
> [Task Progress: Serve tea flawlessly.]
[Reward: +2 Dexterity, +2 Grace.]
Mei Yun appeared beside the doorway, arms crossed, eyes glittering. "Careful," she purred. "One slip and the fox will notice everything—your fear, your weakness… your secret."
Xueya's ears twitched, barely visible to anyone but the system. If she wants to watch, let her. Every glance is a reward if used wisely.
> [Hidden Task: Turn potential observation into advantage.]
[Reward: +2 Charisma, +1 Insight.]
---
The first guest, a stern-looking man with hawk-like eyes, raised an eyebrow as Xueya approached. She knelt slightly, lowering the tray, and murmured: "Your tea, sir. Adjusted to your preference."
He sniffed the tea, surprised. "Adjusted?"
Xueya bowed slightly more. "Yes, sir. I noticed you prefer it slightly cooler in the morning. The Madam requested I observe carefully."
The man's frown softened. He sipped. "Interesting… very well."
> [Task Completed: Observe and anticipate guest preferences.]
[Reward: +3 Perception, +2 Composure.]
The other nobles followed, each with subtle quirks. One preferred a certain angle of the cup, another a slightly sweeter taste, a third a softer tone in speech. Xueya navigated every detail with careful observation, leaning on her system's rewards to adjust and balance.
---
Ronghua watched from the side, her golden eyes narrowing. "How… how does she manage to please everyone without fail?" she muttered. "This is no ordinary maid… no ordinary servant. Could she be a spy indeed? Or something more cunning?"
Mei Yun's tail lashed, frustration flickering in her expression. "Impossible… she should falter. Every one of us would falter under that scrutiny."
Shu Ling, quietly observing from behind, whispered, "Xueya… she's incredible. I… I could never do that."
Xueya shot her a faint, reassuring smile, ears twitching in subtle amusement. Patience, Shu Ling. Observation is as important as action.
> [Hidden Task Completed: Maintain composure amidst peer envy.]
[Reward: +2 Willpower, +1 Insight.]
---
Midway through the service, a mishap occurred. One of the nobles dropped a cup accidentally, its contents spilling toward a delicate silk rug. A gasp rose from the room.
Xueya acted instantly. She knelt, catching the spill with a folded cloth, balancing the tray in one hand while leaning with precise angles to prevent further damage. The system chimed as her actions exceeded mere expectation.
> [Task Completed: Prevent mishap during public service.]
[Reward: +3 Dexterity, +3 Grace.]
[Hidden Task: Adapt instantly under crisis.]
[Reward: +5 Composure, +3 Insight.]
The nobles blinked, impressed despite themselves. Madam Xu's gaze softened ever so slightly, lips curving into a faint, almost teasing smile.
"Remarkable," she murmured, her eyes never leaving Xueya. "You are… adept at crisis, little rabbit. Perhaps the fox's fears are exaggerated."
---
Ronghua's eyes narrowed further. Her suspicion deepened, her thoughts sharp and tense. "Too skilled… too calm. And still, the Mistress praises her. This is… unnatural. I must watch closely."
Mei Yun hissed under her breath. "She's stealing attention… the fox notices, the Mistress notices… we cannot allow this."
Shu Ling sat silently, tail flicking, admiration shining in her eyes.
Xueya, meanwhile, maintained her serene mask, outwardly meek yet inwardly calculating. Every glance, every word, every subtle action… is an advantage. Observation is progress, attention is power.
> [Hidden Task Completed: Impress Mistress publicly.]
[Reward: +5 Charisma, +5 Grace, +2 Composure.]
---
By the end of the service, the nobles murmured in quiet approval, subtly complimenting Madam Xu on her choice of staff. Xueya bowed low once more, her heart steady, mind alert to every possible threat or opportunity.
Madam Xu's voice, low and deliberate, cut through the murmurs: "Little rabbit… you are sharper than you appear. But remember—prowess alone does not guarantee survival. You must continue to adapt, to conceal, and to obey. Fail, and all your cleverness will amount to nothing."
Xueya inclined her head, a faint, almost imperceptible smile beneath her bowed posture. "I understand, Madam Xu."
> [Hidden Task Completed: Survive Mistress' Test Under Scrutiny.]
[Reward: +5 Willpower, +3 Charisma, +2 Insight.]
---
As the nobles departed, Ronghua's fox tail lashed with frustration. "The Mistress favors her… and she did not falter."
Mei Yun's golden eyes glinted with envy and determination. "Next time… she will slip. I will ensure it."
Shu Ling padded quietly toward Xueya, her voice small but sincere. "You… you did it. All alone. I… I couldn't have."
Xueya crouched slightly to match her friend's gaze, ears twitching softly. "You will, Shu Ling. Step by step. Observation, patience, practice… one day, you will handle this as well as I have. But for now, you watched, you learned. That is your first step."
The mansion returned to its usual rhythm, yet the undercurrent had shifted. The rabbits' cleverness had drawn attention, both admiration and envy. The fox's suspicion burned hotter than ever, the cat's plotting sharpened, and the Mistress' eye lingered, ever curious, ever measuring.
And in the midst of it all, Xueya moved quietly, ears lowered, heart steady, mind alert… rising, always rising, one careful step at a time.