The Shang's city residence was grand, yet quieter than what Yao Yao had expected. It lacked the overwhelming bustle of a noble household, making the silence almost suffocating.
Yao Yao clutched the sleeve of the sobbing guard, her pink eyes widening as the towering doors creaked open before her.
"Stay strong, sir," she sniffled. "I know this is hard for you."
The young guard wiped his tears. "Such a poor, pure-hearted child! To think she only wanted to see her mother! Unforgivable!"
The older guards looked deeply exhausted.
Su Mi, trailing behind, looked like she wanted the earth to swallow her whole.
A stiff-faced butler stepped forward, expression unreadable.
"Lady Shang is expecting her."
His gaze shifted towards Su Mi. "But not her."
Yao Yao gripped Su Mi's hand.
"But she's my—"
Before she could say "caretaker," Su Mi gently patted her head.
"I'll be nearby." Her tone was calm, but her hold on Yao Yao's hand lingered for a moment.
A silent reassurance.
Yao Yao pouted slightly but nodded.
The butler, satisfied, turned toward the guards. "You are dismissed."
The sobbing young guard hesitated, "But what if she needs emotional support?"
The butler stared blankly at him, before slowly opening his lips, "...Get out."
The older guards dragged the young one away, and then, the doors creaked open. Yao Yao inhaled silently as she steps inside.
The mansion's interior was refined, draped in luxurious silks, jade carvings, and polished marble floors that gleamed blindly.
As the butler led Yao Yao through the grand halls, her gaze drifted from side to side, taking in the space. The decor is nothing short of extravagant, with every inch screaming luxury.
Yao Yao stepped into the room, her small figure appeared tiny in contrast to the sheer vastness of space they were in. At the center of it all, seated elegantly on the sofa, was Shang Qing Ye. Her posture perfect, beauty as pristine as ever.
Yao Yao settled into the seat opposite Shang Qing Ye, her small frame sinking into the plush cushions.
There was a long pause.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Moments later, Shang Qing Ye finally spoke, her tone flat, devoid of emotion, "You've grown."
Yao Yao tilted her head, her eyes wide with feigned innocence as she replied, "You expected me to stay small forever?"
Shang Qing Ye did not smile, nor did she seem any bit amused by Yao Yao's sarcastic jab.
She had expected a timid, broken child. Instead, before her stood a girl who showed no fear, no hesitation, and certainly no resemblance to the fragile, abandoned daughter she had cast out.
The room grew heavier but Yao Yao's tiny smile remained.
By now, she had given up on putting a fake act in front of this woman after a day of endless chase.
Especially not after the humiliation she had endured, the pathetically low bounty on her wanted poster, the horrible sketch of her which does not even, in one bit, capture an ounce of her adorable perfection.
"Did you miss me, Mother?" she asked sweetly, delivering the first strike with a smile.
For a split second, a hint of disdain flashed across Shang Qing Ye's face, smoothed over in an instant by a small, polite smile that followed.
"No."
Yao Yao's lips twitched.
Wow. Not even a second of hesitation.
This woman must really hate me.
"You don't belong here. Not with this family." Shang Qing Ye said coldly.
Yao Yao tilted her head, widening her eyes in mock innocence. "But the whole city thinks I do."
Silence.
Another flick of irritation flashes across Shang Qing Ye's face, as she recalled the butler's report earlier on the child's absurd little performance on the street.
Yao Yao pressed on, "They're all talking about me, you know..the child you abandoned," she said lightly. "It would be a shame if more people started asking questions."
Another pause of silence.
Then, Shang Qing Ye chuckled softly. "I must say, you're quite a performer."
Yao Yao grinned.
Shang Qing Ye leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her palm. "Tell me, what is it that you want?"
Yao Yao pretended to think deeply. "Hmm… a warm bed, good food, a mother who loves me… but since that last one seems impossible, I'll settle for the first two."
Shang Qing Ye's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you really think you can just walk back into this family?" she said, her tone low and sharp.
"No," she admitted easily with a sweet smile. "But I think you would rather keep me here, than have me running around causing trouble."
Yao Yao swung her legs confidently as she sat in her chair and added, "..Well...now that my face is plastered all over the city...and people are now...talking."
Hearing no response, Yao Yao continued. "And you know, the guards did escort me here earlier. It might be… awkward if people see me being thrown out again, don't you think?"
Shang Qing Ye did not blink, as if considering something carefully.
"So, dear mother… were you planning on getting rid of me, or would it be wiser to keep me under watch?" She gave another smile, all innocence, hiding her bite.
Shang Qing Ye lifted her tea cup from the table and took a quiet sip.
This child…she was not the same as before.
Shang Qing Ye had expected a fragile, desperate girl. Instead, she got a creature that had already learned how to play games. She frowned slightly, noticing how Yao Yao doesn't act like a five-year-old. The way she speaks, the way she holds herself, it all feels too mature for a child.
"You are bold," Shang Qing Ye murmured.
Yao Yao shrugged. "It runs in the family."
Shang Qing Ye exhaled sharply and stood up.
"Fine," she said smoothly. "Since you insist on returning so shamelessly, you may stay."
Yao Yao face lit up.
She won. But before she could celebrate—Shang Qing Ye's next sentence wiped the grin off her face.
"You will stay," Shang Qing Ye continued, her tone calm, "but don't mistake this for a warm welcome."
Yao Yao frowned, a bad feeling settling in as she braced herself.
Shang Qing Ye looked down at Yao Yao, her expression unreadable. The girl's calmness disturbed her. It was too mature for her age, too unnatural. But one thing was crystal clear for her, at least for now, keeping her close was no longer a choice, but a necessity.
She? She's not afraid of the gossip.
But.
But days ago, she had received news that her husband would be returning to the capital. If he learned of the gossip, the bastard child he had kept hidden, now the talk of the town spreading like wildfire, that she couldn't afford to risk it. She need to control the damage.
She could not risk it.
Shang Qing Ye offered a small, empty smile.
"Yes, you will have a place in this house," she said smoothly.
Yao Yao raised a brow.
"But," Shang Qing Ye continued, her voice sharpening slightly, "your caretaker—Su Mi—has failed to take care of you properly."
"She has allowed your...wild, unruly behaviour.." she continued.
Yao Yao's eyes darkened.
Shang Qing Ye smiled faintly and said, "She will not serve in the main house anymore. Instead, she will be demoted to a lower-ranked servant. She can stay, but from now on, her duties will be in the stables."
Yao Yao's pink eyes twitched, but she quickly masked her reaction with a calm, innocent smile.
"Oh my," she said lightly. "How kind of you."
Shang Qing Ye's gaze sharpened, but Yao Yao only smiled wider.
"Then, Mother," she said sweetly, "I suppose I'll make myself comfortable."
She hopped off the sofa.
"Now, where's my dinner? I had a long day you know.."
Shang Qing Ye watched her closely.
But Yao Yao knew—
This war had only just begun.