Yes, I Do(n't)

Chapter 27: Da Li Hua

"Da Li Hua?" Aurelia Micheal Shen Baiyu asked.

Dahlia looked at the familiar face staring at her, "It is I. If my assumption is right, you are not Aurelia. Aurelia never acts like this..."

"Act like this..." Aurelia softly says as she looks outside the window.

"Acting like a helpless lady. Aurelia will never let others see her as a weak person. She is everything but weak. Where is she?" Dahlia looks at the person now sitting on the bed.

"I know that this sounds hard to believe..."

Dahlia laughs and sits on the nearby chair next to the bed, "Try me... There is a reason why she told you to confide in me. Now, answer my damn question. Where is that crazy b***h?"

Aurelia takes a deep breath and says, "Both of us don't know what exactly had happened but when I nearly died, she suddenly appeared. As my soul is weaker than hers, she used my body as the dominant one. I am thankful for that as she managed to pull me back from meeting the Creator. As times passed by, being stagnant inside my own body, my soul is getting weaker over time... She realized that she is not dead yet, but her body is slowly giving up. She made me come here so that I can use her body and I can recuperate at the same time."

Dahlia looks at her and smile, "In other words, she continued to stay in your own body and made you used hers... Darling, she used you. She is obviously having fun using your body."

Aurelia looks at the beautiful woman and realizes that she is right after all. The older Shen Baiyu has indeed used her. Surprisingly, she is not mad at it. Why? She is not ready to live her own life. All the shames that she suffered caused by her so-called fiancé. Maybe living this life as Aurelia Michael Shen Baiyu is the answer for her.

"The way that you are talking is quite peculiar. Ancient time? Am I right?" Dahlia asked.

"Yes. My name is Shen Baiyu and, I am a 17-year old. I came from the Kingdom of Nangong."

"What?!?!?! I originally came from that God-forsaken place too! Forgive me for bashing your beloved Kingdom. It has been more than 9 years since I have last been there. Her family is a direct descendant of your main branch family too. One of her ancestor named Shen Baiyu too. That must have been you!" Dahlia excitedly said as she clapped her hands.

Aurelia look at her and slightly slants her head, "For real? No wonder she seems quite familiar with me. What do you mean you came from where I am from?"

Dahlia smiles and stares into the distance, "Around 9 years ago, I was Empress Da Li Hua. The Third Prince is my son... Though I was first married to the emperor as his main concubine, when he became the emperor, I was chosen to be the empress instead and not his main wife because my whole family has been known as loyal supporters of the crown prince. Though he never loved me, he respected me and even made my son as the Crown Prince. Little did I know, all those years, I have been fed with a slow-acting poison by another jealous concubine. When it was discovered that my illness had been caused by poison, it was already too late. I made him promised to make Mu Jianrui be the next empress because it is her right from the very beginning. I also made her adopt my son. When I thought that it was all over, I woke up in this body."

"Shen Baiyu greets Her Majesty." Aurelia bows her head to show her respect.

Dahlia smiles and says, "Stop it. Here, we are all the same. Actually, you are the one paying my salary on a monthly basis. I am the one who supposed to respect you. How is my son?"

Aurelia swallows her saliva and nervously says, "The Third Prince was the previous crown prince but due to his sickness, he has to move to another district where the weather is more suitable for his condition. In order to do that, he has to let go of his title. The Fourth Prince has become the current crown prince."

Dahlia stares at her in silence before she calmly says, "Does they treat him right?"

"Imperial uncle and Imperial aunt have been treating all the princes and princesses equally. For imperial aunt, she has always been quite concerned with the Third Prince. When he was 16-year old, he was granted the title of "Zhongda Wangye". A year later, he is married to Princess Hong Meigui, the only daughter of Emperor Hong Xieye. 3 years later, he took 2 concubines at the same time. They are the daughters of General Bai Laohu and General Hei Lang. If he remains as the crown prince, I might be engaged to him. As luck has it, I am engaged to the Fourth Prince."

"His sickness... Is it healed?" Dahlia asked with a worrying look in her eyes.

"No one knows. The Third Prince has always been under the radar and not much is known about him and his life. But, before I came here, he was said to be coming back to the imperial city and intends to stay there for good. Some say he intends to take back what belongs to him. The crown prince title... And, me. The Fourth Prince has created a problem when he declared that he wanted to annul his engagement with me so that he can marry Second Princess Beitang Xing. This has made quite a stir in the palace and the kingdom itself. There are 2 factions supporting both princes. Seems like the one at stake is me."

Dahlia nods her head, "My silly son... If it is not meant to be, so be it. Why must he create such a commotion? No wonder she refused to return, she is planning something for sure. You cannot handle it so she told you to be here because she knows that I will help you. I can only hope that she can settle the matters in a peaceful manner."

"I hope she can ensure that my family would not be affected..." Aurelia clenches her hand when she thought about her family.

"Do not worry. When it comes to scheming, no one does it better than her." Dahlia reassures her.

"True. She has been teaching 'lessons' to those against her. I have seen how she manipulate others without batting her eyes. Her words are precise, and at times, cruel too."

"If she can, she will even kill anyone in her way," Dahlia said with a smile on her lips.

Aurelia sighs and says, "Too bad that my body is weak. She cannot do anything much for now

"Knowing her, she will not stop until she can reach the same level as her original body. Speaking of body, I will personally train you. You are the founder and leader of Black Hornet Corporation. You must be able to protect yourself and kill without any hesitation too."

"Is it possible? I have never done anything physical in my life..."

Dahlia looks at her with a serious expression on her face, "Her body together with her abilities is amongst the best in the industry. I would not let you destroy that. She is, after all, the 'face' of our corporation.

Aurelia then thought, "What have I got myself into?"

She further thought that this woman is just like the older Shen Baiyu. Strong in all aspects. She hopes that the older Shen Baiyu will overcome the obstacles coming to her way. For herself, she will try her best as 'Aurelia'."