Yes, I Do(n't)

Chapter 32: The arrival of Xiao Ke Ai (The Dumpling) [4]

General Shen Jilie, Captain Shen Yili and Xiao Yingyong have detected another presence in the manor. This person is obviously highly cultivated as well as an expert in martial arts, he can easily make his presence undetected by others but, this person lets a slight amount of his energy to be detected by another highly cultivated person, in this instance, the three of them. General Shen Jilie suddenly displays a serious expression on his face while Captain Shen Yili looks at him as they both know who exactly that person is.

Xiao Yingyong look at his master and says, "Master, are you alright?"

"I am alright, Yingyong. There is nothing to worry about. Everything is well." General Shen Jilie answered with Captain Shen Yili nodded his head in reassurance.

"Father, I need to go back to my courtyard for a short while. Please excuse my impertinence." Shen Baiyu suddenly said with a slight bow to show her respect towards her parents.

"Baiyu, you're not feeling unwell whatsoever right?"

Concubine Li Xiyin asked her in concern.

"Mother, I am fine. I think I have forgotten a thing of mine. I will return in a short while." Shen Baiyu said.

With that she immediately turns her body to walk calmly yet gracefully out of the waiting hall as the other watch her. She stops for a while and turns her head to stare at a nearby apple blossom tree, no one knows what she is thinking as she is wearing her veil but a slight chuckle can be heard coming from her before she continues to walk towards her courtyard.

"I want to follow older sister too!" Shen Lianhua suddenly says but, before she can even take another step forward, Captain Shen Yili suddenly says, "Lianhua... Baiyu will return in a short while. There is no need for you to follow her. We have guests here. Stay put."

Shen Lianhua sits on her chair with an adorable pout forming on her lips. The young masters from both families are smiling.

Captain Shen Yili smile and says, "Young masters, having a spoiled sister is quite a handful isn't it?"

Xiao Zhuangyan laughs and answers, "Indeed, Captain Shen. Being an older brother of Ke Ai gave me headaches over the years too. I guess it the same on your part too."

"Indeed... And, there are two of them in my family. One is rather a complicated personality. The latter is a troublemaker whom always do whatever she wishes to do." Captain Shen Yili said as he stared at his youngest sister.

Shen Lianhua pretended not to understand a word that has been said by her older brother. Xiao Ke Ai looks at her with curiosity and says.

"But... Lianhua has been known as one of the top tier beauty in our kingdom. A beauty with impeccable manner."

Her words made both Concubine Li Xiyin and First Princess Nangong Rouran nearly spurted out the tea that they have just drank.

"Impeccable manner? Who? Lianhua?" Concubine Li Xiyin asked.

"Second young miss... Do not be fooled by her. This girl has done everything according to her own choice. She even chose young master Bai before they are even engaged with each other."

"Mother-in-law... More like younger sister Lianhua is the one who forced him to be engaged with her."

Both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law laugh to their hearts contents which is quite a shock to their guests. Never did they think that both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is that close to one another. Concubine Li Xiyin is indeed a benevolent woman. She has raised the legitimate daughter of the Shen family without any bias whatsoever. She truly loves her stepdaughter wholeheartedly. In the Xiao family, they are quite close to one another too but, the relationship between the main wife and the concubines are considered quite fragile. The saviour in their family is Concubine Hua Meili and Xiao Ke Ai. When it comes to this mother-daughter pair, the main wife and the rest of the concubines stand united. No one in their family can find a reason to hate the pair.

Xiao Fuyuan suddenly says, "The eldest miss Shen is indeed a character. She is so different from the rumors."

Shen Lianhua answers, "Fourth young master, older sister was indeed the same from what has been said by others. She was once somewhat timid and prefer to isolate herself whenever she attended any social gatherings. But, ever since the incident, she is determined to live boldly."

Xiao Zhuangyan then further says, "Seeing that she never shows her face to others means that she is someone with a guarded personality. It is easier to face others when they are not able to judge your expression."

First Princess Nangong Rouran then says, "Impressive, Deputy Prime Minister Xiao. You are indeed one with sharp observation. She might be quite guarded but, this princess thinks that second sister-in-law is rather an easygoing and somewhat lazy in nature. Wearing a veil save her times to be pretentious towards others."

"True. Master, eldest miss Shen is indeed a deep and calculating schemer. Everything that she has done is not without any consequences. She is indeed easygoing in nature but, her abilities might be much more capable than both my older brother and my father." Xiao Yingyong said with a meaningful smile.

"Baiyu changed drastically since then which can be her blessing but, at the same time, downfall as well. With the return of the third prince, she will surely be involved. I only wanted for her to live a happy and smooth sailing life but ..."

"Husband, Baiyu will get through this. I sincerely believe that she will find someone better. That girl may appear to be quite ignorant but, she seems to have a plan for her future."

"True. Father-in-law, she looks more and stronger with each passing day. Her life will be troubled by the annulment of her engagement. More importantly, when my fourth brother gives her the compensation she demanded. She will be one of the richest individuals in our kingdom. No one will slight her. She has even shown them that she is not easy to bully."

"One can only hope. With second miss Xiao accompanying her, she will be more motivated to train herself. But I personally think that she is quite a talent in physical training and martial arts. She catches up with a frightening speed. I guess it is in her blood as one of the Shen." Captain Shen Yili said.

"I noticed that her senses have become sharper as well. Just the other day, one of the maids nearly bumped into her while holding onto a bowl of hot soup. Baiyu speedily avoided her and steadied the maid with one hand whilst her right palm hit the bowl with such a force until it collided with a nearby fake mountain. That concentrated force of hers is indeed surprising, father. Never didI knows Baiyu has been covering her talent in martial arts all these years."

General Shen Jilie smiles and says, "Yili, train her well. I want her to be able to protect herself."

Xiao Ke Ai then adds, "Older sister Baiyu can definitely protect herself. If not physically..."