Chapter 23: Carefree with Special Abilities

  After wandering around the room for a while and entwining with the system until midnight, Shu Yao was no exception in not being able to get up early to pay respects to the old lady. Shu Yao's ability to sleep in was unparalleled in the world, no matter how much Wet Nurse Li called out or used various methods, including peach blossoms and plum blossoms, Shu Yao covered her ears and slept soundly, completely isolating herself from the noise.

  Guar Jia's wife entered the room and saw Li Mama and Taozi Meizi surrounding Shu Yao, who was unconscious. Upon seeing Guar Jia's wife, they knelt down and said, "Greetings, madam." Their faces were filled with guilt as they tried to rouse Shu Yao.

  Guarjia had expected this, and walked a few steps to the bedside. In the embroidered quilt was a soft little person sleeping sweetly. Guarjia also felt a bit reluctant, if it were an ordinary day she would not have woken her daughter. But on the first day at the Duke's Manor, Shu Yao didn't go to pay respects, which was unacceptable. The old lady with a discerning eye would find fault, Guarjia wasn't afraid, but Shu Yao... Guarjia worried that the old lady would use teaching Shu Yao etiquette as an excuse to keep her confined by her side.

  The daughter Shuyao is so lovely, really being kept by the old lady, Guwalgiya can't bear to part with her. In fact, only Guwalgiya and Zhīyuǎn think that Shuyao is lovely and clever. Guwalgiya dug Shuyao out of the quilt and gently called: "Yao'er, Yao'er."

  Gualjia still had some strength left. Shu Yao slowly opened her drowsy eyes and leaned into Gualjia's arms, "Mother, I want to sleep."

  Gua'erjia's eyes were filled with heartache, this damn rule, who exactly made it a must to go and pay respects? It wasn't like this before, weren't the ancestors of the Great Qing also from the Hu tribe, why start learning from the Han during the Ming dynasty? The Tang Dynasty was so much better, culturally resplendent and open, but the emperor of the Great Qing really had no vision.

  "Yao'er, why don't you greet the old lady and then take a good rest?" Gua Erjia's voice was soft as she stroked her daughter's cheek. "It can't be helped on the first day."

  Shu Yao pouted, unwilling to get out of bed. Her maid, Xiao Mei, had been holding the copper basin for a long time and her hands were sore. Finally, Shu Yao got up, and Taozi and Meizi helped her with her familiar dressing routine. They styled her hair in a small bun, which she didn't like very much, but this was the Duke's residence, not Guangdong Huizhou, so they couldn't wear traditional Han-style hair buns. Taozi knew that her mistress disliked overly heavy and ornate hairstyles, so she chose a simple flat pin, a pair of bat-shaped hairpins, and a tassel adorned with pearls to adorn Shu Yao's hair. With the addition of pearl earrings, the reflection in the mirror showed a delicate and pure Shu Yao.

  "Whatever." Xiu Yao glanced at her casually, while Gua Erjia smiled and nodded, "Peach's craftsmanship is quite well-matched."

  "Mrs. Xie is praising me too much, I don't deserve it, it's because the young lady looks good, no matter how she dresses, she stands out." Taozi bowed slightly.

  "I'm just ordinary, but my cousin is really beautiful." Shu Yao's eyes were misty, as if she had been wronged, but in fact she was still sleepy. Shu Yao linked her arm with Gual Jia's: "Mother, how did Cousin look? I think she doesn't resemble Aunt much, could it be that Uncle who passed away early was a handsome man?"

  "I and your mother got married and left the capital, hastily saw him once, a weak and pedantic scholar." Gua Erjia didn't think much of him at all, took Shu Yao to Rongshou Hall to pay respects to the old lady, Shu Yao thought that Gua Erjia might be a noble lady from the Great Tang Dynasty, how could she possibly like her uncle's weakness, secretly glanced at Gua Erjia, would she like her cousin Li Zhiqin?

  It's no wonder that Shu Yao lacks confidence, her looks can't compare to Li Zhi Qing's, her wit can't compare to hers either, even the mysterious space she possesses is inferior to others. Gua Er Jia held onto Shu Yao's small hand and hooked up the corner of her lips: "Yao er?"

  "Huh?" Shu Yao raised her head, "Mother."

  "I am your mother, you are my beloved daughter, no one is more important than you in my eyes."

  Xiu Yao revealed a radiant smile, rubbed against Gual Jia's arm, like a cat trying to please its master, "Mother, no one is more important than you and Brother Ama."

  "Second Mistress An is well, Sixth Miss is also well." The little maid guarding the door curtsied and lifted the curtain.

  Guar Jia's indulgence towards Shu Yao was withdrawn, and she became very dignified. Even the most fastidious old ladies couldn't find any fault with her. Her behavior was noble and elegant, and her movements were smooth and flowing as she paid respects to the elderly lady. Although Shu Yao was still a bit confused, under Guar Jia's guidance, she also behaved more elegantly than others of the same age, without any hint of petty-mindedness.

  They, mother and daughter, did not seem to have lived in Huizhou for over ten years, but instead had always been in the capital, receiving the most orthodox and strict upbringing. Shu Yao carried a sweet and lovely charm of a Jiangnan woman, which couldn't compare to her exceptionally beautiful granddaughter, but Shu Yao was more likely to evoke people's affection and pity than Li Ziqing.

  The old lady, despite not liking Gual Jia's family, felt a sense of closeness to Shu Yao, whose misty eyes seemed like warm springs, soothing and gentle. The old lady had the urge to hold Shu Yao in her arms and pamper her dearly. Although she was still feeling a bit sore from hugging Shu Yao's arm yesterday, thinking about that soft little body made her heart feel warm and fuzzy. A stiff smile appeared on the old lady's face - after all, Shu Yao was the spoiled daughter of Zhiyuan, so she couldn't be too close or affectionate with her; not scolding Shu Yao was already being kind and gentle.

  Shu Yao followed Gual Jia's lead, feeling a little disappointed. After the space upgrade last night, Shu Yao's abilities seemed to have upgraded as well, gaining two points. As she pondered how to use them, her mind popped up with a bunch of items: "Fascinating", "Elegant and Charming", "Fox Spirit Enchantment" and so on, totaling hundreds of options. It took Shu Yao half a day to understand that these two points could be added to these items. After selecting and re-selecting, she finally got tired and casually added them to her Affinity and Popularity, which would help her in her life as a rice worm.

  Shu Yao absolutely won't be added to Wan Ren Mi, nor will she be added to Qian Guo Hong Yan. Shu Yao's ambition is to be a passerby A, hoping that others will forget her after seeing her. She wants to mix and eat carefreely, Ah, but this is Shu Yao's lifelong struggle goal.

  The old lady was able to resist Shuyao's charm, it seems that just two points of stats aren't very useful, and for someone with a strong heart, it's even more ineffective. Now she has to wait for the next ability upgrade, but who knows when that will be? There's no place to hang out and level up, Shuyao is still confused about how her abilities can be upgraded. Abilities don't have a system to consult, fortunately, Shuyao has always been easy-going, now she has food and drink, and parents and brother spoiling her, life is so good, the ability thing is just like floating clouds, as long as it doesn't affect Shuyao's enjoyment, that's all that matters. Fine clothes and delicious food have become her everything.

  The old lady was a member of the imperial family, accustomed to wealth and honor. Every time she saw Madame Guaerjia, she couldn't help but wonder: could this be the daughter-in-law brought up by the Guaerjia family? In recent years, although the Guaerjia family's status had risen somewhat compared to the past, it was still not among the top noble families. Yet, Madame Guaerjia's words and actions seemed like those of a high-born lady. Even the princesses in the palace didn't have her air of dignity. The old lady was puzzled: could Madame Guaerjia be the daughter-in-law won by her husband in a bet? There must be some secret behind this.