Yes, I Do(n't)

Chapter 25: Aurelia, is that you?

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Shen Baiyu stands in front of her bedroom as she watches his leaving figure. Though he is still basically a stranger, she decided to trust him. She needed an ally and seems like he is the one. She smiles and thought that as he is still quite a young man, does this make her a cougar?

"Hahahahahahahahaha!"

Moli suddenly runs towards her and when she stops, she takes a deep breath and says, "Eldest miss, are you alright?"

Shen Baiyu turns her head and says, "Moli, I am perfectly fine. I am thinking about something funny… I have done eating my lunch. The dirty plates and cutleries are ready to be taken away now. Moli... You know right?"

Moli pretended to look at somewhere else and says, "What is not seen, is not meant to be known..."

"Clever girl... I will continue to take my rest. Has father returns yet?"

"No. Mistress and young mistress are on their way to the Xiao family manor."

"Good. I've started to miss that adorable 'dumpling'. She is so cute! Isn't that right, Moli?"

"True. Second Miss Xiao is indeed adorable."

"I am going to continue with my nap now... I wish both princes will burn in hell for making me unable to go outside for the time being."

Moli smiles when she heard that her mistress curses her betrothed and the third prince, "Do take a good rest, Eldest Miss. I will wake you up when it is time for your evening shower."

"En..."

Shen Baiyu takes a deep sigh and sincerely thought that this is the life that she can get used to. Living a life of a pampered young miss. As she slowly lies onto her bed, she thought about the young Baiyu. Is she doing alright in her body?

"Well... That's her problem. She has to live in my body... My overly dramatic mother must have been worried sick. After all, I will not be the one to listen to her constant nagging. All the best, Baiyu! Live my life and learn that a woman can be independent and strong too. Dahlia will help you. After all, her original soul comes from the past too. I personally trained her myself for 9 years for her to be where she is right now."

As she closes her eyes, there is a slight smile on her lips.

***

There is a slight movement on Aurelia's hand. Her mother noticed it and alerted the doctor.

"Mrs Shen, please let us check on her." A female Malay doctor said.

As she checked on Aurelia, the supposedly comatose patient suddenly opens up her eyes and stares at the stranger staring right into her face. There is a sudden scream coming out from both women and it shocks the hell out of Amelia Joseph-Shen. Marcus Shen Jingling suddenly barged into the private ICU room when he heard the loud screams. He sees his younger sister trying to get out of the bed, the doctor and his mother tried their best to calm and hold her down.

"Aurelia! Calm down! You are still attached to the ventilators and various tubes. You are going to hurt yourself." The doctor sternly warns her as she firmly grips onto her right shoulder.

Marcus comes and holds onto her shoulder as he pushes her back down onto the bed, "Lie back, Aurelia. You have been involved in an accident that nearly takes your life. Though I must say that being able to escape such a major accident unscathed is quite impressive. Too bad that rented car did not make it though."

"Shut up, Marcus!" Amelia shouted at her son.

He calmly let go of her shoulder and stand next to the bed while he is checking on his sister. Something is different... But, what?

Aurelia suddenly closes her eyes which alarmed both of his mother and him. The doctor smile at them and says, "She is alright. She is already conscious and now she has fallen asleep. Nurse, this patient no longer needs the ventilators and ECG tubes. Mrs Shen, once she wakes up, please alert us. There is no worrying injury on her body, but we need to have a further check-up just to make sure that everything is alright."

Amelia nods her head at the doctor, she suddenly staggers from where she is standing but her son immediately supported her body and lead her onto the nearby couch.

"Take a short break, mum. You have been taking care of her non-stop these few days. When dad is here, you should go back with him. Dahlia will come for a visit soon."

"We nearly lost her, Marcus... We nearly lost your baby sister." She said as she cries.

"Mum, Baiyu has waked up. She will be fine."

"I should not have forced her to go for that blind date. Maybe this is a sign for me not to interfere with her life."

"Mum... Do not think too much. It has nothing to do with that. It was the other driver's fault."

Both of them look at the sleeping person on the hospital bed. Then it hits them...

"Marcus, I have been taking care of your sister for more than 34 years... She never screamed like that."

Marcus then answers, "True. Baiyu never ever screams like that before (her victims do the screaming for her) ..."

"The way that she looks at us both... She looks terrified."Amelia worriedly adds.

"We have to wait and see..." Marcus said as he continues to watch at his sister while he sits on a chair next to her bed.

***

Meanwhile, both Concubine Li Xiyin and First Princess Nangong Rouran have arrived at the Xiao Residence together with their maidservants. Both of them exits their horse carriage after one of the maidservants informed the guards of their arrival. One of the guards immediately enters the manor to announce their arrival. Within minutes, First Madam Jing Lanhua and Concubine Li Meigui personally welcome the mistress and young mistress of the Shen family.

"Madam Li, this is such a wonderful surprise..." Madam Jing says with a wide smile on her lips. Their husbands might be at odds with each other but that is not the case with the madams.

Concubine Li Xiyin smiles and says, "Greetings, Madam Jing. Greetings, cousin sister."

First Princess Nangong Rouran then says, "Rouran greets Madam Jing and Madam Li."

Concubine Li Meigui smiles at her and says, "Cousin sister, your daughter-in-law is indeed a beauty and quite respectful too."

Concubine Li Xiyin smiles and says, "She is indeed spectacular. Both my husband and I are quite fond of her. For her to give us such an adorable granddaughter is such a blessing."

Concubine Li Xiyin and First Madam Jing walk together with Concubine Li Meigui and First Princess Nangong Rouran follows closely behind them. The Shen's maidservants silently walk behind the mistresses. When they arrived at the waiting hall, the other madams are waiting for their arrival.

Concubine Li Xiyin and First Princess Nangong Rouran politely say, "Greetings to Madam Feng, Madam Hua, and Madam Zhao."

The three madams smile and say, "Greetings to Madam Li. Greeting to Her Royal Highness."

When all of them sit on their seats, First Madam Jing then ask, "Madam Li, what's with the sudden visit? Is there anything wrong?"

Concubine Li Xiyin smiles and answers, "Madams, as you have all known that your daughter and our eldest daughter have both started to train in martial arts together right..."

"Yes. Ke Ai is absolutely excited to join the training. She keeps saying that Eldest Miss Shen is such a nice person. That girl seems to be quite taken by her." Concubine Hua Meili says with a gentle smile on her lips.

First Madam Jing then adds, "All of us are glad that Ke Ai found such a good friend. Eldest Miss Shen is quite impressive too. She managed to convince our husband to let Ke Ai to joins her."

Concubine Li Xiyin then says, "We are glad that Baiyu managed to find a friend too. For years, she refused to be out in public or socializing with anyone other than our family and servants..."

First Princess Nangong Rouran then further adds, "As much as we are happy for her, something has occurred, and she is no longer allowed to go out in public for the time being."

"What happened? Did Eldest Miss Shen fallen ill once more?" Concubine Feng Wen asked.

"No, Madam Feng. Sister-in-law is absolutely fine but... My third imperial brother will be returning to the imperial city. Seems like he will stay here for good. Together with his whole family."

The madams of Xiao family look at each other with this new piece of information. Slowly, each of them understood that Eldest Miss Shen will be involved in between the royal brothers' struggle for power.

Concubine Zhao Qingrou then says, "The third prince is originally the crown prince before he had to move to another city due to his worsening health 10 years ago. Only then the fourth prince became the crown prince of our kingdom. Eldest Miss Shen is supposed to be engaged with the third prince as well but Her Majesty worried that he would not make it so the engagement is instead between the fourth prince and Eldest Miss Shen. If the third prince decided to relocate back here..."

Concubine Li Meigui calmly says, "He intends to take back what belongs to him. This will be troublesome for your family, cousin sister."

"I know... I am more worried about Baiyu, but she seems to be taken it quite well. Her engagement has. not been officially annulled yet. She does want to be involved with any of the Nangong princes no more. But things can get ugly..."

All of them stay silent before First Princess Nangong Rouran says, "My husband has instructed for sister-in-law to continue her training within her own courtyard until everything has been sorted out. She wishes that Second Miss Xue will come to our home on a daily basis."

First Madam Jing then says, "Of course. If we did not allow her to meet the Eldest Miss Shen, she will make a commotion for sure."

Concubine Li Meigui smiles and nods her head.

Concubine Hua Meili then says, "Older sister, is it possible for Ke Ai to stay at Shen Residence for the time being to accompany Eldest Miss Shen?"

Concubine Li Xiyin then says, "That would be wonderful! Baiyu is being somewhat depressed after she is no longer allowed to go outside. Second Miss Xiao's company will be beneficial for her."

Concubine Feng then says, "But, everyone will miss Ke Ai. Especially our husband and sons..."

First Madam Jing then calmly says, "Meili can take care of our husband while I take care of our sons. The boys are somewhat terrified of me."

The other concubines smile at their older sister in agreement. Staying at a new place will do good on Ke Ai who has been greatly spoiled by them. After meeting Eldest Miss Shen, a day earlier, they can feel that she will be a good influence on Ke Ai. Second Miss Shen is quite a lively young miss as well. Both sisters will be a positive influence on her.