After a few days of living here, Yao Yao finally pieced together her situation. She is the third daughter of the noble Shang family in this magical world, a place unlike anything she had ever known. The young woman caring for her is Su Mi, her caretaker. The world itself is a blend of Western medieval and modernity. It's as if the world can't make up its mind.
Toilets exist like those on Earth, but they still cook food with wood. They have no heaters or air conditioners, but they have a magic stone that emits hot and cool air. It's a bizarre fusion of medieval fantasy and modern convenience, picking and choosing what it desires.
However, her reality is very different. She is surrounded by poverty, living in a worn-down house with barely enough to get by.
As for her origins…
Yao Yao was born to a mistress. According to Su Mi, however, her mother was actually her father's true love—the woman he had genuinely wanted to marry. Unfortunately, her mother passed away years ago due to illness when Yao Yao was only two.
While the noble lady of the Shang family, Shang Qing Ye, was nothing more than a political arrangement he was bound to. She has two elder step-sisters, Shang Ying Ying and Shang Min Min, and an older step-brother, Shang Jun, all born from Shang Qing Ye.
"For a political marriage without love, they certainly have an impressive number of children..", Yao Yao thought to herself, raising an eyebrow.
Yao Yao's father departed on a mission under the king's command a year ago, taking his son with him and leaving the rest of the family behind in the estate. And as for Yao Yao? She was sent away by Shang Qing Ye years ago after being accused of contracting a contagious illness.
Her thoughts spiraled, drifting in and out of her current situation. She stared sheepishly into the mirror, her large pink eyes sparkling with admiration. Gazing at her reflection, she felt completely smitten.
"If I have a baby girl like this in my past life," she muttered, tilting her head slightly, "I wouldn't even need a husband. I'll admire her all day."
Yao Yao gently touches her long black hair, "Feels like silk..."
Her round cheeks were slightly flushed, giving her a naturally rosy hue that made her even cuter. Her lips gradually formed a contented smile.
"I've got to be the most adorable five-year-old on this planet," she mumbled, her tone thoroughly convinced.
She puffed out her cheeks and poked them with her small fingers.
"Ah… so soft!"
Her small hands curled into fists as she swayed from side to side, struggling to contain her excitement.
"Seriously, how can anyone look at me and not love me?"
Right beside her, Su Mi stood frozen, a laundry basket in hand, watching Yao Yao's antics in awe. Since Yao Yao recovered from her fever, she had been acting strangely. This was the third consecutive day that she sat in front of the mirror with that strange, almost blissful expression.
Su Mi put down the laundry basket, her mind wandering back to the day the window had shattered from Yao Yao's power. She walked up to Yao Yao, who was still happily admiring herself in the mirror.
Clearing her throat, Su Mi hesitated momentarily before finally asking, "Yao Yao, do you…feel anything strange?"
Yao Yao blinked, finally shifting her gaze away from her adorable reflection.
Su Mi's expression turned serious. "Ever since that day… when the window broke.."
Yao Yao hadn't felt anything since that day. The mysterious pulsing sensation has vanished, as if it never happened.
"I feel fine," her gaze drifted guiltily towards the patched-up window before flickering back to Su Mi, "I'm sorry for breaking the window."
Su Mi looked at the window, which was only half-taped. The temporary fix barely held the glass in place. If only her magic were stronger, she could have fixed it right away. Looking at Yao Yao's face, Su Mi noticed how remorseful and pitiful she seemed.
"It's not your fault!" Su Mi said firmly. She gently rested her hands on Yao Yao's small head, her eyes almost warmly shimmering.
"Yao Yao, you might be awakening your magic powers! The Shang bloodline is known for its strong magical abilities, so it's not surprising if you inherited the same power!"
Yao Yao fell deep into thought.
If I have magic… then maybe… just maybe..I can use it to keep my skin youthful forever..?
Just as Yao Yao was on the verge of fully embracing her dream of eternal youth, Su Mi clapped her hands and exclaimed, "I know! Let's go to the city!" She smiled, "We should buy some glue potion to mend that window…"
**
The journey is far from easy. The city is located quite a distance from the small house where she and Su Mi lived, and since they didn't have a carriage, they had no choice but to walk the entire way. After traveling for a while, Yao Yao's little legs were already starting to give out.
She turned to Su Mi with dead fish eyes, "Su Mi… is there flying magic in this world so we don't have to walk ever again?"
Su Mi chuckled at Yao Yao's dramatic exhaustion and scooped her into her arms.
"Alright, princess, since you're so weak, I'll carry you," Su Mi teased, effortlessly picking up Yao Yao, who is quite small for her age.
Yao Yao crossed her arms, pouting. "This isn't weakness… it's adapting to the local culture!"
Then, she added with a sideways glance, "I mean, why walk when we can fly?"
Su Mi tightened her hold. "Sure, sure."
Despite her pout, Yao Yao snuggled comfortably, feeling secretly relieved that she didn't have to walk.
"So, Su Mi... is there flying magic?"
Su Mi chuckled and shook her head. "Nope. Only those creatures born with wings can soar through the sky."
Yao Yao frowned in disappointment. "What kind of magical world is this if you can't fly?!"
"Magic world..?"
She quickly waved her hands and said, "I mean... um... hey! Is that the city?!"
The city emerged at last, its stone walls shining under the sunlight. Guards in bright armor stood rigidly, their silhouettes tall by the gate.
As they entered the city, the streets were filled with people, and magic could be seen everywhere. Yao Yao's eyes flicked from side to side, couldn't help being drawn into the scene happening around.
"This is amazing", she thought.
People easily lifted heavy sacks using magic, while others conjured flames from their palms to warm food effortlessly. It felt like a dream. Magic flowed everywhere as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
As they ventured deeper into the city, Yao Yao's sharp eyes caught sight of a middle-aged woman, seemingly in her forties, emerging from a beautiful store. She was accompanied by two young girls. Her beauty was remarkable and sophisticated, distinguishing her from the rest of the bustling crowd. It was as if she belonged to an entirely different world.
Su Mi's gaze lingered on the woman and the two young girls beside her, likely around nine and ten years old. At that moment, the woman noticed Su Mi's stare, and their eyes locked. Lowering her voice to a whisper, she leaned closer to Yao Yao and said, "Yao Yao, that is your mother."
Yao Yao blinked in surprise as thoughts raced through her mind. My mother. She meant Shang Qing Ye, the one who had sent her away to live in poverty. Yao Yao tightened her lips while her eyes scanned the lavish fabrics, the intricately embroidered dresses, and the elegant carriage they had arrived in.
Shortly after, her face lit up with a newfound determination.
"We should go greet her," Yao Yao announced.
Su Mi's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh?"
Then, after a brief pause, she nodded confidently, as if stating an undeniable truth.
"After all, I'm too cute to be stuck in poverty."