The Little Phoenix

At first sight, the Old Madam seems very distant, but being a very skillful person, I can tell that there are reasons as to why she is so uptight. This Wu family must have a lot of history. But being so, I have already lived in this mansion for a week now and I still haven't met my "husband" yet. However, I have no hatred towards this other than the fact that I actually like this. When we first came, the Old Madam gave each of us concubines our betrothal gifts. If I had to calculate the money to modern standards, it would be at least or about 10 thousand US dollars. Not only did she give money, we were given 2 stalks of silk to be made into clothing and some jewelry pieces.

When I was guided to my room, I told them that although I do not wish to be rude, I like it when there is a lot of peace and quietness, so for the new people that was suppose to serve under me, I shooed them away. This was my way to make things easier. The more spies that Old Madam had on my back, the less chance I have of being able to escape and find a chance to return to my time.

Since I had nothing to do, I told Hao'er to find me some needles and scissors. I was going to make clothing out of the silk that had been provided to me. I'm not someone who doesn't like to share and although I know that these gifts belong exclusively to me, Hao'er is still young, only 16 years old and the fact that she is already a servant, is not really a peaceful though in my mind. The only upside is that she is a person who can catch on very fast. For 1 line of silk, I made my clothes out of and the other one went to Hao'er.

"Hao'er, accept this as my gift to you for being my maid. I don't know if I can say I can be the most fairest and nicest, but I can say that since you have come under my wing, I will definitely take care of you."

"Mistress Xiu! Please! That is not needed at all! I am your maid. I will listen to your every order that you ask of me. There is no need to do this at all. Please take it back."

"Hao'er if you say that, it will make me feel guilty. You are still very young, but you have a mature mind. I like that you are my maid, that is why I made this for you. I am not someone who can guarantee your safety, nor am I someone that accepts people easily. Hao'er, this my gift ahead of time the troubles to come in the future is all."

"Milady, I'm not sure…"

"Hao'er, just take it."

"Since Milady has said it, then I should take it. This servant give many thanks to Mistress Xiu!"

"Hao'er, when we are by ourselves you don't have to call me by that name."

Hao'er had on a face of confusion. I have always abided by the rules. Calling by the correct honorific is needed as a maid.

"Haha… Hao'er just call me Xiao Ling or Ling Ling if you want. Anything relatable to Zhao Ling. It's my real name. I don't like the honorific terms and nor am I someone comfortable of having been called something not by my name. Think of me as a friend, not as a master. Okay?"

"Alright!"

Taking a moment to look at the dress that just had been made. Hao'er was very happy. It was the first time she had such a fancy, yet simple dress. You could see the stitches of lining that went onto the dress. It look even better than the ones that the royal family had. Hao'er wondered how come the lady never made it big with such beauty and talent.

"Okay. Good! Hao'er, I have a question."

"Please ask Sis Ling."

"How did I come to the Bai family? Where was I founded?"

"The Bai family found you at a village. They have some relatives there and after venturing for some time in a forest, they found your body. Master Bai said that your face resembles the Bai blood a lot, so he would adopt you saying that you could be given many things that you would never have. You agreed and came to our estate. However during the travel, the Wu family had decided to select 4 wives for Prince Wu. Madam Bai was ecstatic and decided to give this to her daughter, but when she found out that it was only a concubine, she was angered at this fact. She didn't want to go back on her words and having news that Master Bai just adopted a new daughter. She well… and here we are…"

"Thank you for your honesty Hao'er!"

"Not at all, I have to thank Big Sister! Especially for this new dress! It is very pretty! Big Sis, you are very talented. Although we maids are very accustomed and has been taught to make formal attire before, your abilities goes to new levels!"

"Haha, I see. If you ever want to learn one day, just tell me. I'll teach you."

"Really!"

Ling nods her head at the little girl. This girl gives me the comfort I've never been able to seek. Something warm like family. It really is a pity that I came from a different time. If she was born in the same time as I and had met each other, it would have been very great. She feels like the sister I never had.

"Hao'er, it's time to rest, go to sleep."

"Alright. Call me if you need me."

"Okay."

"Big Sister! Big Sister! Let's play!"

Hm? Who is it? This is not Hao'er's voice. Once again the voice repeated.

"Big Sister, I'm right in front of you", the unknown voice says sadly in an abandoned voice.

Ling looks in front of her to see nothing. Then, she looks to her sides. Nothing. Then, she looked down and finally saw the child. Ling is 5'10" in height. It is quite tall for a female from her her country, but this was the main reason why she had so many company scouts come to her every day asking for her help in advertisement and stuff. The little boy was about half her height. He was very cute with his long purple hair and phoenix like eyes that are in the shade of lilac. Even his outfit is similar to his appearance, with the exception that it had some red silk thread to make patterns that resemble fire that a phoenix would spew.

"Who are you? Why are you here? I don't remember seeing a child here that look like you. Are you hungry or something? Do want anything?"

"Let's play!"

"We can't though. It's very late already and children need to have their sleep."

"I'm not a child though. I am over a thousand years old. I just look young is all. I am older than your grandma!"

"Alright, alright. Still, we can't play or else we'll make too much commotion and cause everybody else to awake. Why don't we do this instead?"

Well, it seems he is finally thinking of something else other than playing. I would love to play with him, too, after all, look at his cute face! But the rules in this estate is as tight as an ostrich, which is why I dare not to cause a lot of commotion. Oh dear, just the thought of having a scandal like "Mistress Has Child Behind Husband's Back!". Ugh… I would probably die without even having the chance to explain myself.

"Why don't we do self-introductions and talk about our lives, alright?"

"Okay. I am called Zixie. No last names. I am the phoenix that brought you here. They told me that your red string is not in your world, but another's world. They told me my job is to protect and stay with you until you are finally successful. Once you get married to the big brother and live peacefully, my job is done and I can finally get my former self back."

"So, you were the one that brought me here?"

"Um-hm", he nods triumphantly.

"Then, I suppose you already know many things about me. Am I right?"

"Correct. From the date of your birth to your secrets."

"Then, in which world did you take me to? I don't remember in history there being a prominent family with the Wu name. Of course, I know of Wu Zetian, but these people are not related to her. I can tell."

"You got transmigrated to a book. Why don't you take a guess at which book", Zixie joyfully asks Zhao Ling with a mischievous smile.

"LIH. I'm taking a guess for this one. So I am guessing I am in the world called 'The Lou'."

"Your so smart!"

Was that suppose to be a compliment?

"So why is my red string of fate over here instead of my world where I was born in?"

"Well, one of the gods messed up and had to fix it, so there's your story."

"Is there a way I can return to my world?"

"Come to me on the same day you came here. There are also other times when you could have died in this world and be transported back to your world."

"Okay. I'm tired. I need my rest. I can't talk forever. If you want to stay awake the entire night, go ahead, I won't stop you."

When I first saw him, I thought he was a normal child, but he was different. Very different. I can just tell that it is an adult spirit stuck inside of a young boy. It doesn't make a difference whether I treat him seriously or not because he is an adult boy. Never mind, let's go to sleep. We can think tomorrow.