Yes, I Do(n't)

Chapter 37: Kingdom of Beitang's future Crown Princess

Underneath her veil, Shen Baiyu watches Head Eunuch Youmei with fascination. Such a handsome man... Too bad that he is a eunuch. But, most importantly. What is he doing here? That Moran must have planned something that is unknown to her. She then turns her head slightly to watch the man that has made her suffers from lack of sleep these last few days after that passionate kiss shared between them.

How on earth a 34-year old woman affected by a 17-year old young man? How? In her previous modern life, she has met many more men that are more exceptional than him. But he made her heart beats faster every time that she sees his face. Her years of experience in meeting all kinds of men have all gone down the drain because of this gentleman... No. Her sleepless nights are caused by him, Crown Prince Beitang Moran. How ironic can this be? His younger sister will be the future crown princess of her former fiancé. Fire... Yes, both of them are playing with fire. She smiles and she continues to stare at him as he too continues to stare back at her. The so-called God of War who said to never smile in front of others is smiling as he watches her.

By now, Empress Mu Jianrui realizes the interaction in between her niece and the neighbouring Crown Prince. On the other hand, Zhongda Wangfei too has been watching as she continues to calmly sips on her tea while she blatantly ignores the sharp gaze from her estranged husband sitting next to her.

"Husband, are you done staring at me yet? It has been a while since we've met each other but there is no need for you to look at me as if I am a complete stranger. I am just doing what you want..."

Princess Hong Meigui turns her head to look at her husband and further says, "Which is to not bother you ever again. I have done so in flying colours over the last few years. After this banquet, I will go back to my own manor. We can continue to live our separate lives."

Seeing the infamous Head Eunuch Youmei to suddenly shows up at his fourth son's welcoming banquet is somewhat alarming. This eunuch is well known to be one of the most trusted men by Emperor Beitang Yi and for him to be personally here means that he has been tasked with an important matter by his master. Is it about the marriage of Princess Beitang Xing and his fourth son? But, sooner or later, that marriage will be materialized. There is no need for him to be here.

"Lord Youmei, this is a rather unexpected visit. I wonder why..."

"Your Majesty, this humble servant is here for a very important matter." Head Eunuch Youmei said in reply.

"Important matter? What is it about?" Empress Mu Jianrui asked with a smile on her face.

"Your Majesties, His Majesty knows that sooner or later, the marriage in between the Crown Prince and the Second Princess will bound to happen. But His and Her Majesties wanted the bond in between both the Kingdoms to be further strengthened with the marriage of Crown Prince Beitang Moran with a maiden from the Kingdom of Nangong."

Emperor Nangong and Empress Mu look at each other obviously surprise by this sudden demand from the neighbouring Kingdom. Emperor Nangong then says, "If that how it is. I do have 2 daughters that have reached a marriageable age. Crown Prince Beitang Moran can choose either one to be his future Crown Princess."

Head Eunuch Youmei smiles and answers, "According to His Majesty, he wanted a non-royalty as the future Crown Princess. He has already chosen one for the Crown Prince."

"Oooh... Who might that be?" Emperor Nangong asked in curiously.

"The eldest daughter of General Shen Jilie, Shen Baiyu."

General Shen Jilie takes a deep breath after hearing what has just been said by Head Eunuch Youmei. Seeing that her husband is somewhat affected by this, Concubine Li Xiyin pours a cup of hot tea and give it to him to calm him down, "Husband, calm down. Let Baiyu handles this."

Shen Baiyu still smiles and thought, "Moran... You just have to throw the bomb out of nowhere, don't you...? I have just got out from a dreadful engagement. Let me just take a breather for a moment or two. Damn it..."

"This... Your Majesty... Baiyu..." Empress Mu nervously look at her husband and then at her niece.

This sudden disclosure has made Crown Prince Nangong Yingjun stares at his former fiancée. He thought that she will be an abandoned woman but suddenly Emperor Beitang wanted her to be the future Crown Princess for their Kingdom? How can this be?

Realizing that her former fiancé is staring at her, she flips her veil in annoyance to show her displeasure which obviously pleases Crown Prince Beitang Moran endlessly. Her heart is definitely his. She will be his too soon.

Emperor Nangong knows that his Empress is worry about this sudden demand from the neighbouring Kingdom, "Lord Youmei, my fourth son and Eldest Miss Shen's engagement has just been annulled earlier. For me to decree another engagement this soon to her is ..."

Crown Prince Beitang Moran stands up from his seat and walks towards his father's trusted eunuch, he stands slightly in front of the other man and says, "Your Majesty, this prince knows that Eldest Miss Shen's engagement has just been annulled. The engagement in between this prince and her can be done after a month but, all this prince wanted is an answer from General Shen."

"General Shen, what do you think? From what I can see is that this is quite a good proposal for your eldest daughter." Empress Mu said as she looks at the esteemed general.

General Shen Jilie stands up from his seat and bow respectfully towards the royal couple and says, "Your Majesties, let my eldest daughter decide what is best for her. I have promised her that she will be given the choice to choose when it comes to her marriage."

"Shen Baiyu, do comes forward and speak your piece." Emperor Nangong ordered.

Shen Baiyu calmly stands up from her seat and walk towards the troublesome man. She only stops once she is standing next to him, she continues to stare at the imperial couple while pretending to ignore the man standing next to her. She gives her curtsy before she says, "Imperial uncle. Imperial aunt. I have said that I will have a say when it comes to my marriage. And, I have made my decision."

"Continue..." Emperor Nangong said because he knows that whatever the outcome is, it will greatly affect the relationship between the 2 Kingdoms.

"I will graciously accept the proposal but, the engagement can only be done after 3 months has passed while the marriage can only be done one year after the engagement itself."

General Shen Jilie smile as he listens to his daughter's thoughtful words. Concubine Li Xiyin too looks quite happy with this sudden development. Baiyu will not live a life as an abandoned woman after all. The other party is as exceptional as the former fiancé which is a huge relief. The Third Prince too will no longer have the thought to take Baiyu as his concubine.

"This is... Crown Prince Beitang, what is your opinion on this?" Emperor Nangong asked.

Crown Prince Beitang Moran laughs before he immediately holds onto Shen Baiyu's soft and smooth hands, "Baiyu, thank you. Your Majesties, I will accept her conditions. Baiyu, from this day onwards, you are the future Crown Princess of my Kingdom. No one else but you."

Crown Prince Nangong Yingjun saw this scene and found himself to be quite unsatisfied with the current development, "Shen Baiyu, correct me if I'm wrong but why do this prince have a feeling that both of you are quite familiar with each other?"

This sudden unnecessary remarks by him made General Shen Jilie and his family members to stare at him rather glaringly including that of his mother, Empress Mu. Shen Baiyu then says in a calm manner, "Your Royal Highness, you are right... We do know each other but, not as long as you and the Second Princess of course. Just saying..."

"You!!!!"

"Calm down. Her Royal Highness is looking at you. We are no longer acquainted with each other, imperial cousin. Whatever connection we have from this day onwards is just a maternal familial bond. That's that."

Head Eunuch Youmei smile as he slightly bows his head. No wonder the Crown Prince forced the Emperor and the Empress to agree for this young miss to be the future Crown Princess. She is indeed a formidable individual after all. And, she is definitely suitable to be the future Empress of their kingdom.

"Your Royal Highness, you can let go of my hands now."

"But I still wanted to hold your hands... What to do..." He said as he gently strokes her hands which made her to softly gasp.

Shen Baiyu then says, "Your Royal Highness... Let go of my hands. Now."

Sensing that the tone of her is different from normal, he immediately let go of her hands. Shen Baiyu gives her curtsy once more before she turns and walks back to her seat. Crown Prince Beitang Moran watches her back with slight worry in his heart because he knows that she is obviously angry with him which is not good. He has to do something...

Concubine Li Xiyin then says, "For His Royal Highness to be interested with our Baiyu is indeed a blessing. This concubine cannot help to worry about her future, but everything has turned out fine now."

"Madam Li, this Empress thought the same thing too." Empress Mu said as she happily sips on her wine.

Princess Hong Meigui turns to look at her obviously annoyed husband. This man first thought that he can take Eldest Miss Shen as one of his concubines. In his dreams... As if that person would submit to live a life as someone's mere concubine she thought as she looks at Shen Baiyu.

Whatever she wanted to do; she will do the best that she can. Why on earth she came here as someone's wife is still beyond her comprehension. Marriage is a hassle. That is why she chose to move out soon after she woke up in this body. So young... So fresh... Untouched and pure. In her past life, she discarded her men when they became too clingy. If only she can do the same thing but then... She has a reputation to be taken care off for the sake of the original body owner.

"Eldest Miss Shen, would you care to walk with me at the imperial garden?" She asked as she smiles at her.

"Zhongda Wangfei, the pleasure is all mine."

Everyone looks at them both and wonders ever since when these two polar opposites being on a friendly term with one another. Both of them walk in hand in hand with each other as their maidservants following them closely behind. Crown Prince Beitang Moran stops smiling (much to the regret of the other interested maidens) once Shen Baiyu is no longer inside the hall proving once more that he is indeed the infamous (cold) God of War.