Taking the Bait

"Name?"

"Xiaotao."

"Age?"

"Fifteen."

"Soul power level?"

"Just reached level twenty."

"Not bad. Briefly introduce your skills. If you are hired by the Prince's Palace, how do you plan to carry out your work?"

Hearing this question, Ma Xiaotao was instantly overjoyed.

She had bet right! Those three days of emergency training had not been in vain!

What those maids had taught her was the real deal!

To avoid revealing anything unusual, Ma Xiaotao quickly suppressed her inner delight and answered according to the "standard answers" the maids had taught her:

"This humble one is skilled in tending courtyard flowers and trees, and can handle both heavy and delicate work. I am diligent, meticulous, and steady. If I am fortunate enough to serve in the Prince's Palace, I will strictly observe the rules, speak and act with caution, never pry into the private affairs of the residence, and complete any task assigned by my master at once! During daily duty, I will remain well-behaved and dutiful, never slack off, and place the Prince's Palace rules above all else."

Hearing her response, Xu Tianming gave her an interested look.

Though the woman before him had disguised her appearance and used special means to conceal part of her soul power, he was already certain that she was the big fish he had been waiting to catch today:

A Shrek Inner Court student, Dai Yueheng's accomplice, the personal disciple of Shrek Martial Soul Academy's dean Yan Shaozhe—Ma Xiaotao!

First, the moment this woman stepped into the Prince's Palace, Mavuika casually remarked from within his spiritual sea:

"I can sense a rather strong flame aura from this woman. She likely possesses a fire-type martial soul of considerable grade."

Then, when the woman came before Xu Tianming to undergo her assessment, Columbina also warned him:

"This woman has disguised her appearance. I can sense a layer of human-skin mask pressed tightly against her face."

With those two points alone, Ma Xiaotao's disguise could already be declared a complete failure, not to mention her barely concealed name and her almost unnaturally thorough understanding of the Prince's Palace rules.

Given the security measures of Prince Yan's Palace, an applicant maid knowing so clearly which lines within the residence could not be crossed meant there was no need to think further. This woman's background was definitely anything but ordinary!

Under normal circumstances, Xu Tianming's best course of action would naturally have been to seize her on the spot and interrogate her carefully afterward.

But since the stage had already been set today, he naturally had to see the act through. With his absolute safety assured, Xu Tianming was very curious what Ma Xiaotao intended to do after going to such lengths to infiltrate his Prince's Palace.

However, just as he nodded outwardly and prepared to approve Ma Xiaotao's interview, Meng Hongchen tugged lightly on his arm, signaling that she had something to say.

"Tianming! I always feel like there's something strange about this woman... Although all her qualifications look quite good, can you not take her into the Prince's Palace?"

Her words surprised Xu Tianming somewhat. He immediately turned his head to look into Meng Hongchen's earnest eyes and spoke to her softly:

"Oh? How could you tell there was something strange about her? Tell me what you think."

"Strange is just strange... If I have to say what's strange... I feel like she knows far too much about Tianming's Prince's Palace. I just have a feeling she means no good... Tianming, believe me! I would never harm you!"

Good heavens, even a little girl like Meng Hongchen could see that something was wrong. That showed just how disastrously flawed Ma Xiaotao's supposedly impeccable disguise was.

"Don't worry, Meng'er. I know what I'm doing. It isn't convenient to explain the details to you for now, so just watch calmly. I'll tell you everything once this is over."

"Mm, I believe you, Tianming."

Although the brief whispered exchange between Xu Tianming and Meng Hongchen aroused Ma Xiaotao's suspicions, once Xu Tianming turned his gaze back to her, she swiftly put aside her other thoughts.

"Your theoretical knowledge is acceptable, but theory alone is not enough to work in the Prince's Palace. Next, I'll have you do a few things and decide whether to keep you based on how well you actually perform."

In truth, theoretical knowledge was enough for hiring maids. As for practical work, Steward Zhao would naturally arrange for someone to teach them afterward.

The reason Xu Tianming brought it up now was mainly because a bout of mischief had suddenly risen in his heart.

It was rare to have such a legitimate opportunity to order this Shrek genius student to serve him. Naturally, Xu Tianming would not let it pass so easily.

Just imagining the hot-tempered, feisty woman from the original story—whom Huo Gua regarded as an older sister—serving him humbly was enough to thrill Xu Tianming.

Since Ma Xiaotao did not know the specific hiring process, and she could find no fault with Xu Tianming's reasoning, she was somewhat unwilling inside. But with the plan only one final step away from succeeding, she naturally would not give up lightly.

"This humble one understands. Thank you, Your Highness, for granting this humble one this opportunity. Please give your orders."

[Within the Prince's Palace, no matter what task the master ordered, servants had to thank the master for their grace and strive to complete it perfectly without complaint or regret... This was one of the guides to surviving in the Prince's Palace taught to Ma Xiaotao by the maids she had kidnapped.]

Seeing Ma Xiaotao act so "sensibly," Xu Tianming did not stand on ceremony.

"I've been sitting for too long, and my shoulders are a little sore. Since you said you can handle both heavy and delicate work, come massage my shoulders and let me see how skilled you are."

At those words, the jade-like hand Ma Xiaotao held behind her back immediately clenched into a fist.

She had thought Xu Tianming would only order her to do menial chores, such as serving tea, pouring water, sweeping the floor, or watering flowers.

But she had not expected this man to ask her to massage his shoulders!

From childhood until now, she had never done such a thing even for the parents who had given birth to and raised her, or for Yan Shaozhe, the master who had taught her to cultivate soul power.

For a moment, Ma Xiaotao truly did not want to continue the disguise.

"What? Is there some difficulty? If there is, you can say so directly. I'm quite understanding."

Yet after hearing Xu Tianming's words, she immediately composed herself.

"No, there is no difficulty... Your Highness misunderstands. This humble one was merely a little excited just now. After all, this is an opportunity to personally serve Your Highness at close range. Countless people could beg for such a chance and never find a way. How could this humble one fail to appreciate such favor? I was only worried that my technique might be lacking and displease Your Highness..."

"It's fine. Go ahead and do your best. I pardon you of any offense."

With matters having reached this point, Ma Xiaotao had no room left to retreat. After taking a deep breath and mentally preparing herself, she finally forced a smile.

She slowly walked behind Xu Tianming and placed the hands she had once used in battle as gently as possible upon his shoulders.