Yes, I Do(n't)

Chapter 39: Spiteful remarks

By now, Shen Baiyu and Princess Hong Meigui are both tapping on their respective wooden tables. The others might think that this means absolutely nothing, but they are in fact conversing with each other using Morse Code.

"Your Royal Highness... Your husband seems to be staring at you with an obvious interest in his eyes."

"Eldest Miss Shen... Your soon-to-be fiancé is staring at my Wangye with a killing intent burning in his eyes."

Both of them simultaneously giggles much to the astonishment of others. Never did they think that both Zhongda Wangfei and Eldest Miss Shen are quite close to each other. This is news indeed.

Empress Mu Jianrui smile as she looks at her niece, "Baiyu, I never thought that Meigui and you are quite close with each other. You have been absent during their wedding, right?"

Princess Hong Meigui smiles a mischievous smile as she looks at Shen Baiyu and thought, "Answer that, Leader..."

Shen Baiyu noticed the way that Princess Hong Meigui is looking at her, "Imperial aunt, certain people naturally have a good affinity with certain people despite meeting each other only for the first time. On the other hand, some people are never meant to be in each others' lives due to different fates and circumstances. Isn't that right, Your Royal Highness?"

Crown Prince Nangong Yingjun nearly spurted out his tea when he heard what she has just said. He looks at her, but she calmly picks her teacup before she slightly lifted up her inner veil to take a sip from it. He saw a small part of her face, but it is covered by a face mask made from silver. Why must she cover her face with such precautions? She wears a face mask made from silver before she wears a veil on the bottom part of her face. To top it all, she even wears a veiled hat. Why?

"Eldest Miss Shen, this prince always wonders why you never show your face in public and always insists on covering it with a veiled hat?" He curiously asked.

She looks up and looks at him, "To drive the pests away from this rather shy young miss."

His expression turns a shade darker after hearing her answer.

Soft giggles can be heard coming from her and his third sister-in-law. She then further says, "Cousin brother, Baiyu is only joking with you. Wearing a veiled hat is actually quite convenient and, with one, I can differentiate those who are sincerely kind with me and those being two-faced demons."

Princess Hong Meigui laughs and says, "Eldest Miss Shen as if that answer is any better from your first answer."

Both the Emperor and the Empress are obviously trying not to laugh seeing their son being viciously dragged down by Shen Baiyu. After all, they too are somewhat angry with their one and only son together. Noble Consort Baili Xin Ai smiles as she observes Eldest Miss Shen.

"This concubine haven't conveyed how thankful she is for Eldest Miss Shen's assistance towards Ke Ai. I have heard that both of you have become friends with each other. Is it true?"

“Your Highness, I have done what needed to be done to those who need help. After all, I do find that Second Miss Xiao is one adorable girl. I cannot help myself but only to help her upon seeing how adorable she is."

Second Prince Nangong Heshan is staring at her as soon as he enters the hall with Xiao Ke Ai who is walking next to him. Shen Baiyu definitely noticed his glaring stare and thought that pretty looking guys are definitely possessive. She then looks at Crown Prince Beitang Moran who is staring at her as well.

"Ke Ai, your Second Prince seems to be somewhat unsatisfied with me... Was it because you are fawning over me? My... My... Wangfei, we have another petty one here. Your Royal Highness, you will get along just fine with the Second Prince." Shen Baiyu said as she softly laughs.

Crown Prince Beitang Moran look at Second Prince Nangong Heshan and says, "Baiyu... I am not that bad right?"

"Birds of the same feathers flocked together. From my point of view, both of you are not only good-looking men but have beautiful appearances too. But both of your personalities are way too drastically different from both of your looks. Way too different."

Second Prince Nangong Heshan looks quite displeased upon hearing what has just been said by Shen Baiyu. But, one person smiles as if he has just been complemented by her.

"Baiyu... I can say the same thing to you..." Crown Prince Beitang Moran said with a bright smile on his usually gloomy face. Second Princess Beitang Xing looks at him with an amused expression on her face. But both General Shen Jilie and Captain Shen Yili are staring at him before they simultaneously turn their heads to look at Shen Baiyu with suspicion written on both of their faces.

Shen Baiyu then says, "Is that so? You obviously like what you've seen."

"Indeed... You obviously love seeing my face too. Isn't that right, Eldest Miss Shen?" Crown Prince Beitang Moran said as he continues to look at her with a smile on his face.

Shen Baiyu lazily puts her elbow on the table before she uses her dainty hand to support her chin. Unbeknownst to her, most of the men present are mesmerized by this gesture of hers. She even softly sighs while her other hand is gently tapping the table as if her patience is wearing thin.

"His Royal Highness is absolutely right of course. Zhongda Wangfei, when it comes to appearance... You have the same view as mine, too right? The same goes for Ke Ai and Lianhua too. Imperial sister-in-law has high regard on older brother's manly looks too..."

All four of them are staring at her with their mouths agape for a few seconds before each of them nervously laughs. But Princess Hong Meigui is looking at Shen Baiyu with daggers in her eyes.

"Eldest Miss Shen, is this a payback?" She asked as she continues to smile.

Shen Baiyu giggles and says, "Your Royal Highness, an eye for an eye..."

"A tooth for a tooth... Baiyu, I will remember this." Princess Hong Meigui said sweetly.

"Dahlia, you don't say..." Shen Baiyu said with a playful tone in her voice.

"Older sister is such a tease! Though she is absolutely right! Zhishi is absolutely divine!" Shen Lianhua said loud and clear resulting in her fiancé to look like a blushing maiden while his parents tried to hold onto their laughter while Concubine Li Xiyin looks at her younger daughter in horror.

General Shen Jilie, on the other hand, pretends as if he did not hear a thing. Captain Shen Yili is smiling proudly as he lovingly looks at his blushing wife, he then gently kisses on his daughter's cheek who is sitting on his wife's lap.

Xiao Ke Ai smiles as she slightly blushes with Second Prince Nangong Heshan lovingly smile towards her before he looks at Shen Baiyu with a whole new light. This Eldest Miss Shen might be a good influence after all. He needed to make sure that in her eyes, he is a good man for his precious dumpling. Shen Baiyu looks at him and jokingly says, "Look at our precious dumpling... Isn't she adorable?"

Second Prince Nangong Heshan nods his head in agreement. But he is not the only one as every single family members of the Xiao family are nodding their heads in agreement too.

Princess Hong Meigui too nods her head and says, "Second Miss Xiao is indeed a lovable one. Baiyu, your eyes have never been wronged when it comes to others' good points."

"Definitely. I did choose the right man to spend the rest of my life with. He will not bore me in this lifetime." Shen Baiyu said as she gently smiles underneath her veils.

Crown Prince Beitang Moran smiles and thought to himself, "Likewise, Baiyu. You will never bore this prince too."

Though it pains her heart a bit, Empress Mu Jianrui is happy that her niece has found the right man. She has found hers as well years ago. Despite the ups and downs along the way. She is happy just being by his side whether as his main wife and then as his Imperial Noble Consort before being his current Empress. Titles don't matter at all. Her heart is at ease knowing that she is with him. For better or worse.