Yes, I Do(n't)

Chapter 20: It's complicated

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Shen Baiyu looks at Concubine Li Xiyin and she ponders too. She hasn’t seen Shen Lianhua ever since she wholeheartedly poured out her heart contents and thoughts about Moran. She tried her very best to convince the whole family to rally support to this new man who shown a 'sincere' interest in her, her older half-sister. As Shen Lianhua passionately lobbying her family members, she then excused herself to go back to her own courtyard so that no one will be able to gather more information from her. Let that younger sister of hers spill all the beans for everyone else.

"I haven't seen her as well. What about her personal maid?

Concubine Li Xiyin sighs softly and says, "I've asked the other servants as well, both of the girls have gone since earlier this morning, but no one knows where she is heading to. That poor maid of hers will get into trouble because of her senselessness."

"No worries, mother. Lianhua can take care of herself for sure. That girl is not someone who will do the unthinkable. I think she might be with Young Master Bai at this very moment. Young Master Bai is an acquaintance of Young Master Moran. That girl is doing her little investigation for sure."

"Poor Zhishi... That Lianhua is giving me a headache! If only she takes after you and stays at home most of the time."

Shen Baiyu smiles and hugs stepmother's arm as she gently leans her head on her shoulder, "Nonsense... She is adorable the way she is right now. That is her charm."

Concubine Li Xiyin gently pats her back and says, "I guess you are right. She is lucky that Zhishi is accepting her the way that she is. His parents are quite loving towards her too. There is no need for me to worry. But... I am really worried about you. If that young master is indeed sincere with his intention towards you, I will let your father and your older brother handle the rest. All we have to wait is for your current engagement to be annulled."

"Mother... If it is not in my fate to be married, I do not mind. I will concentrate to grow as a person to a point where I can do whatever I want without restrictions."

Concubine Li Xiyin then says, "Whatever it is, your father and I will support you. You will be blessed for sure. I am sure of that."

"Mother... You are obviously biased when it comes to us siblings."

"Definitely, Yili. Where is your father?"

"He has been summoned to the imperial palace earlier this morning. Seems like the engagement will be annulled."

Captain Shen Yili look at his second younger sister who is still clinging onto their mother, "There is a rumour that going around lately. It is said that the reason why the Crown Prince determined to annul his engagement with Baiyu is that the neighbouring princess is currently with a child."

"Dog."

Concubine Li Xiyin shockingly gasps with what she has just heard, "Baiyu... It is unbecoming for a young miss to say such a word."

Captain Shen Yili is quite shocked too, but he is very pleased that his second younger sister seems to take the news quite calmly.

"Mother... Even a dog is better than him. Touching a girl before marriage while still being engaged to another. Fool! I wonder if the older brother of Second Princess Beitang Xing knows about this matter? That 'God of War' definitely won't let this slide that easily..."

Captain Shen Yili smile as he sits to the nearest chair next to Shen Baiyu, "I do believe that he does know. That neighbouring Crown Prince is unlike ours and rather complicated with intricate lines of informants to cater his demands. But, for him to not do anything about it means that he is focusing on the bigger picture."

Shen Baiyu lifts her head as she looks at him, "The peace treaty between our Kingdom and theirs?"

Captain Shen Yili smiles before he looks at the garden now full of blooming daffodils, "Maybe... Or, maybe he is eyeing on something or someone..."

Shen Baiyu looks at her brother before a commotion can be heard coming from outside the waiting hall.

"That i***t brother! How frustrating!"

First Princess Nangong Rouran is entering the waiting hall with the dark expression on her beautiful face.

"Beloved wife... What is it? Is there something wrong?"

"Husband... My mother just sent me news about my fourth imperial brother. It has caused a furore in the imperial palace. Imperial father is very angry. Imperial mother has fainted due to the shock. Everyone on a high alert now due to the news that the third imperial brother will be going back to the imperial city."

"Third Prince Nangong Zhixiang? Isn't he the previous crown prince before he abdicated due to his weak and sickly body? This is definitely not good..."

"Definitely, second sister-in-law. Though he and the fourth imperial brother are raised by the same mother, their relationship with one another has always been strained. And, if he was not sick then and needed to live in a different environment, he is the one who will be engaged to you."

Shen Baiyu then takes a deep breath and thought, "Fuck... This is not good. Things will be complicated for sure."

Concubine Li Xiyin then says, "Baiyu... For the next few days, do not go out anywhere. Just stay in your courtyard."

"What about my training?"

Captain Shen Yili gently pat her head, "Baiyu, you can train anywhere. For now, it is better for you to stay at home before the upcoming banquet."

Shen Baiyu then adorably pout her mouth, "What about Ke Ai?"

Concubine Li Xiyin then reassures her, "Your sister-in-law and I will go for a visit later in the afternoon to ask permission from the madames so that she will be able to come to our manor instead for the training."

"Thank you, mother. Thank you, sister-in-law."

"Second sister-in-law, my family has indeed implicated you. For now, one can only hope that someone else can step in and able to face with both of my imperial brothers and my imperial father. It might be unfair for you, but you need a much more dependable man that is able to protect you from the power struggle in between my imperial brothers."

Shen Baiyu smiles and says, "After all, a woman's life wholly depended on her good husband... I hate that fact."

Concubine Li Xiyin then thought, "Who in this Kingdom that can stand on the same ground as our crown prince and the third prince? Though the third prince has been sick for years now, he still has strong support from the old officials and military families. Only your father and Prime Minister Xiao refused to show any support to either prince."

First Princess Nangong Rouran then says, "What about the First Young Master Xiao? There is a high chance that he will be the next prime minister."

Concubine Li Xiyin nods her head, "He is not bad. Quite a handsome young man as well. But he seems to be quite focused on his works and shows no interest in marriage. Even his mother failed to force him to at least take a concubine before having the main wife."

Captain Shen Yili then says, "For now, Baiyu's well-being and safety matters. About having another candidate as her future husband, that can wait. Who knows that there might be someone bidding for his time...”

Both his wife and mother are looking at him weirdly. Even Shen Baiyu look at him questioningly.

"Mother! Mother!"

"Now she is back..." Concubine Li Xiyin looks at the incoming running figure.

Shen Baiyu smiles as she watches her younger sister. This young miss surely has a piece of important news to report to.