Yes, I Do(n't)

Chapter 17: She has changed

Captain Shen Yili watches how Shen Baiyu voluntarily teaches First Miss Xiao doing proper warm-up stretches. His eldest younger sister seems to be doing every movement slowly and carefully out of the consideration of the other young miss. Though she acts like such exercises are still quite new for her, her deep knowledge in each movement are captured by his sharp eyes.

For more than 17 years in seeing her growing up before his very eyes, not even once he had seen his eldest younger sister does any physical activity other than simply walking within her courtyard and the Shen Residence. After she has woke up, she seems to be pushing herself in doing physical activities though he can obviously see that she is struggling in doing so. She is still acting as graceful as she did before in the way she walks and talk but there is a fire of determination in her beautiful pair of phoenix eyes. Her graceful way of walk and speech have been supported by an aura of confidence oozing out of her slim body. Gone are the days where her gracefulness is paired with her timidity. These days, she just stared into one's eyes as if she is reading his or her soul. She seems to be extra careful not to disclose too much of her new self too. Which is quite odd even for the rest of the family members, but she is warmer and more open now so he feels much better and just let her be.

Seeing her using her new beautiful face mask made from silver only draws others' curiosity towards her but the lower part of her face is covered by a white veil. His half-sister is actually quite beautiful in appearance, but she hates being under the constant scrutiny of others, so she started to wear her veil hat during her first social gathering 7 years ago. No one other than those staying in the Shen Residence has seen her face. Not even when Crown Prince Nangong Yingjun personally ordered her to take off her veiled hat during his birthday 3 years ago.

She just calmly stood up and left the birthday banquet and told her imperial uncle and imperial aunt that she suddenly felt sick. Empress Mu dismisses her but since then, Crown Prince Nangong Yingjun treated her with indifference. He remembers her exact words when his mother questioned her for her bold refusal.

With an aloof look in her face, she says with a monotonous voice, "If he asked me in private, with just the two of us, I would agree to his wish. But he has to ask in front of those judgmental individuals just so he can prove to them that I am presentable. I would never lower myself just so I can get approval and attention from a man."

There, he realized, though she inherits her late mother's gentle manner, she is still a daughter of their father. She is stubborn and will do what she wanted to do but she never voiced out her opinions because she does not want to be judged by others. She wanted a life where she can spend her days without the need to worry about anything. This attitude of hers bring worries to his parents because of her ignorance, she will never make it if she is to live in the imperial palace. So, he secretly felt absolutely happy when he discovered that the engagement will be annulled. His father seems quite exhilarated too. Only his mother worries for her future especially her marriage prospect which he finds quite funny. As a man, he honestly thought that his younger sister is much more intriguing and alluring lately. As she is now not only beautiful and graceful but with a new-found aura of confidence, her charms seem to be boosted endlessly too.

At times, she seems to be using her charms to get things to go her way. Every day, there will be one or more male servants and guards furiously blushed whenever they encountered her. When she laughed, all of those men near her will look at her with smiles on their faces too. Both his father and him seem to be drawn by this new version of Shen Baiyu too.

Yesterday, she managed to get their father to give her his beloved horses and, later the same day, she managed to get him to let go of his beloved sword too which have been made by the famous blacksmith in the Kingdom. The male servants are busy doing things for her around the manor as if they are given extra pay to cater to her demands. Knowing that she hates warm weather, every hour, those male servants, alternately, are sending blocks of ice into her courtyard. When it is too cold for her liking, high-quality coals are sent to her courtyard too. Her personal garden is now filled with blooming daffodils and some bamboo trees are planted next to her bedroom window as well just because the gardener heard that she said the sounds of the bamboo leaves comforts her. His eldest younger sister definitely used each and every one of them with her charming behaviour and words.

These days, she has a way in using her words to easily influence others or crush others to pieces like the 3 idiotic young misses. He wonders if this will be good to her? And, his youngest sister even said that there is a handsome man seems to be quite interested in his eldest younger sister. Who is that bold person? After all, she is still engaged to that prince. But, that new man, according to his talkative youngest sister, showered Baiyu with his full attention despite not knowing her real appearance. If he meets that man, he will give his full blessings so that man can openly pursue Baiyu but then, that has to be after the so-called engagement will be annulled for good.

As he is deep in his thoughts, Shen Baiyu is watching him and thought that Captain Shen Yili is definitely a handsome yet rugged man. If she is in her original body, she will date this man in a heartbeat.

Suddenly, a familiar face suddenly floated into her mind that made her say in a loud voice, "s**t!"

Xiao Ke Ai is somewhat shocked by her sudden unladylike way of speech but gently asks her, "Older sister Baiyu, what is it?"

"Hahahahaha! My little 'dumpling', this older sister is just fine and dandy. I just remembered someone."

Xiao Ke Ai looks at her questioningly and says without any serious thoughts, "That handsome man named Moran!!!"

Captain Shen Yili look at their direction only to see that Shen Baiyu has a slight blush on her cheeks. What is this? She seems to be interested in the new man too. His father ought to know about this.

Shen Baiyu tried so hard not to knock Xue Ke Ai's head. How could that 'dumpling' guess the right person? She'll be damned! Sooner or later, that man will realize that she too is quite interested in him. He will hang on her like a leech when he founds out.

"Older brother!!! Shouldn't we start our training? The day is getting hotter."

Captain Shen Yili just smiles adoringly at his slightly embarrassed eldest younger sister.