Author Note
I won’t specify Aria’s size, leaving it entirely to the readers’ imagination. If anyone thinks A is large, then sure, she can be A.
Xiaoya first took Aria around the room to familiarize her with everything.
This is communication magic. This is freezing magic. This is fire-starting magic. This is wind magic. This is CCTV magic.
This is door-closing magic—wait, no, this isn’t magic. It’s physical door-closing.
In short, magical tools were practically everywhere in daily life, all designed for convenience.
Isn’t this way more comfortable than an emperor’s lifestyle?
Aria, being a ruler of a nation, had broad horizons and decent adaptability.
These were just small conveniences, meant to save people a bit of effort. While impressive, they weren’t that mind-blowing.
“Sister, let’s go outside. My place is too plain.”
“Alright.”
“Sister, wear a hat to cover your face. If you go out like this, you’ll end up charming everyone on the street.”
Aria chuckled lightly. “You too, Xiaoya.”
“Mm, and Xiaoyue as well.”
Xiaoyue accepted the hat with a polite smile.
She was also attractive, but standing next to these two, she’d just be the green leaf to their flowers.
Xiaoyue was the classic straight-black-haired Asian beauty—naturally overshadowed by the exotic charm of the other two.
No big deal. One’s a princess, the other’s an emperor—it’s only normal that I can’t compare. No need to feel discouraged.
The three stepped out.
Only by seeing the outside world could one truly understand what it meant to be a country bumpkin in the city.
A simple little car could leave her stunned for a good while, let alone bigger vehicles, massive vehicles, and those that flew in the sky.
On top of that, there were all kinds of dazzling neon lights, overwhelming her senses.
Fortunately, Aria was reserved enough and had sufficiently refined tastes that she didn’t gawk and ask countless questions like a country bumpkin.
Her questions focused on the most distinctive, most representative examples of modern technological marvels.
Things like the cars on the road, the phones in everyone’s hands, and the glowing text formed by lights.
Xiaoya explained each one, weaving in Bluestar’s worldview to give Aria a general understanding of its people.
The fundamental purpose of bringing Aria here was to help her comprehend Bluestar’s civilization, paving the way for mutual integration.
After about an hour of sightseeing, the initial awe had faded from Aria’s eyes.
Magical tools were like that—interesting the first few times, but eventually, they just seem ordinary.
At the end of the day, they were just tools, external aids.
While incredibly useful for ordinary people, they were nothing special for high-level powerhouses.
Aria looked around, then suddenly pointed at a shop up ahead. “Xiaoya, what’s that place?”
Xiaoya glanced over. “A bookstore.”
Then it hit her.
Right—culture! The best way to understand a place is through its culture.
She immediately extended her senses, scanning the bookstore from afar.
Though small, the shop carried solid selections.
Romance of the Three Countries1, Journey to the East2, The Water Margins3, Dream of the Blue Chamber4.
Perfect!
“Sister, want to take a look? See how the books here compare to the ones in Jade Empire.”
Xiaoya was confident in this regard. If nothing else, Bluestar definitely had the edge in entertainment and literature.
She had read books from the Jade Empire—they couldn’t hold a candle to Bluestar’s.
“Then let’s take a look.”
Entering the bookstore, the owner seemed preoccupied and ignored them.
Xiaoya didn’t mind. She grabbed a copy of Romance of the Three Countries, ready to explain it to Aria.
For the record, Xiaoya wasn’t just familiar with official histories—she knew plenty of unofficial history too.
Like how Zhou Yu faked his death and disguised himself as Huang Yueying, veiling his face5.
Or how Zhuge Liang’s Empty Fort Strategy was actually meant to break Sima Yi’s losing streak, only for Sima Yi to see through it.
Or how Cao Cao was actually a woman who preferred married women because they helped conceal her identity.
But these weren’t things she could just casually share to Aria.
So she’d stick to the official history, using Romance of the Three Countries as a reference to examine history from multiple angles.
In a way, Romance of the Three Countries was also unofficial history.
Xiaoya flipped the book open and began.
First page, Chapter One: The three brothers Jiao, Bao, and Liang led the Yellow Turban Rebellion; And the three sisters Liu, Guan, and Zhang swore Sisterhood6.
…Huh?
Xiaoya’s hand twitched as she flipped through the book.
Yep. Romance of the Three Countries is definitely unofficial history.
Noticing her strange expression, Aria asked, “Xiaoya? What’s wrong?”
“N-Nothing! This book isn’t good. Let’s pick another one.”
Xiaoya quickly grabbed Journey to the East from the shelf.
This time, she cautiously peeked at the synopsis.
This book chronicles the travels and experiences of Marco Polo during his journey to the East.
“…”
“Owner!” Xiaoya shouted. “What’s the deal with these books?! They’re all wrong!”
The store owner, a middle-aged woman, walked over. “Is there a problem, customers?”
Xiaoya shoved the book at her. “You call this not a problem?!”
“Xiaoya! Be polite.” Aria gently tugged her sleeve.
The owner glanced at the book, then at the three of them. A flash of understanding crossed her eyes.
“Ah, I see—these books aren’t to your taste, right?”
Three young girls browsing a small bookstore? Obviously, they were looking for something fun and exciting.
Although the books on display were already pretty wild, these three clearly wanted something different.
“Then let me show you the good stuff.”
Smiling, the owner moved aside two books on the pile, revealing the books underneath.
“How about these?”
The three looked.
The cover was pink, featuring a handsome man and a beautiful woman.
The title: The Domineering CEO Falls for Me.
Xiaoya & Xiaoyue: “…”
While the two were still processing it, Aria had already picked up the book.
The cover and title had piqued her curiosity.
What’s a ‘CEO’? It seems like a romance story.
She asked politely, “Owner, can I open this?”
“Of course! Go right ahead!”
The owner replied with a smile.
Normally, she wouldn’t allow it, but these three clearly had money and status. She would let them do as they please.
“Sister, maybe… you shouldn’t read that. It’s not suitable for you.”
“It’s fine. I’m a little curious—I’ll just take a quick look.”
Aria opened the book and began flipping through the pages at lightning speed.
Reading ten lines at a glance was too slow.
True experts could read an entire page with one glance.
But because she was reading so fast, by the time she realized the content, it was already too late.
Aria closed the book, deep in thought.
After a moment, she set it down and turned to Xiaoya.
Suddenly, she lifted Xiaoya’s chin with one hand, locking eyes with her.
Her voice dropped low, her expression domineering and arrogant.
“Woman, you’re playing with fire.”
Xiaoya’s heart skipped a beat.
Her entire body stiffened, and her thoughts froze.
Holy crap! I’m dead!