Fourth Prince

... then promptly flipped to avoid the dagger thrown at her.

Ling Feiji's twin swords were angled at the owner of the dagger's throat before she even landed.

"Why is the fourth prince here and why has he been staying in the guest bedrooms?", Ling Feiji said clearly through her mask. She actually knew why he was here: to see her performance of course. But, rule number 2 of spying: Never let on how much you know so that the victim might tell more or underestimate you.

"Because he wanted to see your performance, and because he wanted to get acquainted with his future maid.", the emperor gruffly stated.

"I also came to tell you the conditions of your role as my maid.", the fourth prince said slowly so as to not upset the edge of the dagger pointed at his throat, "You will not be required to do much, and I will send you on errands that will better acquaint you with the royal palace, I advise you to act extremely coldly towards the other princes so that I have an excuse to throw you out at the end of the year and so that you don't become a... confidant... as others *cough* have."

Ling Feiji knew exactly what he was referring to in the last sentence, and she assured him that she hadn't the least of intentions to becoming a "confidant". "Your majesty fourth prince, I wouldn't dream of it".

With that Ling Feiji resumed her "old man" character and hobbled out of the room to collect her stuff.

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The emperor sat down at his mat in silence, as the fourth prince had been covertly escorted out. He had been amazed at his 14th daughter's knowledge and skills, he had made sure that the fourth prince's arrival had been a closely knit secret. Even his wife didn't know!

And that fancy flip! Young people these days! So much energy!

The emperer sighed and called for an servant to prepare horses for Ling Feiji's travel. He always favored Ling Feiji and wanted the best horses, but decided against it as she was supposed to be a maid not a princess.