Yes, I Do(n't)

Chapter 12: Let this older sister educate you about self-improvement

Shen Baiyu gently smiles as she is looking at the adorable 'dumpling' sitting across the table. The hopeful look in her large pair of eyes makes her, even more, determined to help this adorable young girl.

Once, she too an overweight teenager but her annoying older brother made sure that she joined in his daily kickboxing training class. From there, she has become more aware of her diet and the importance of daily exercises. Her perfect mum had taught her then how everyone regardless of their genders should make themselves presentable to others. It is not about being vain, it is about not giving others the chance to belittle you. But whether she was an overweight young girl or a perfect young woman, her confidence is something to be reckoned with. Having a father like hers made her that certain someone not to be taken easily of by others.

After all, she needs an exercise partner so that she will not be the only weird miss in the city. How convenient she cunningly thought to herself. She softly giggles to herself without realizing that a certain someone is still looking at her tirelessly. He seems to be savouring his times with her.

"Second miss Xiao, in order to be a healthier version of yourself, you have to eat healthy food and do a daily activity that will make you sweat. But, to do this. You must be dedicated all the way. Are you willing?"

"Of course! I wanted his royal highness to be proud of me."

"Second miss Xiao, what is more important is for you to be proud and confident with yourself. Others' opinions are not important. When you are confident with yourself, no one will be able to bother you with their nonsense."

Shen Lianhua then further adds, "Second miss Xiao, what my older sister said is true. Others' opinion is not important. My older sister never really bothers about others to a point where we are the one that worries about her while she..."

"Lianhua... Are you trying to compliment or ridicule this older sister of yours? You..."

Shen Lianhua then laughs, "Older sister... You did make us worried a lot in the past. With all those vicious rumours about you, you continued to stay in your courtyard without the care about what's what. To make it worst, even since your first outing in public, you wear a veil without fail."

Crown Prince Beitang Moran smile a meaningful smile as he heard the blabbering younger sister of hers. From her words, it confirms his suspicion that the rumour of her being ugly is just a baseless, yet vicious rumour intended to embarrass and/or ruin her reputation. Seeing how her younger sister defended her and how the maidservant nods in agreement further confirm that this eldest miss Shen is someone that is not ugly nor average looking.

Xiao Ke Ai then curiously asks, "I am curious as well, eldest miss Shen. Why did you, without fail, wear a veil whenever you are in public?"

Shen Baiyu then tried to search in the original owner's memories the real reason why she insisted on wearing a veil whenever she was out in the public. When she found out the reason why she has to applaud the original owner for being someone that refused to entertain all those wolves and foxes of the society that emphasized on someone's appearance. With the veil, it easier for her to face and/or handle those two-face individuals without her trying to keep a smiling face. Though she was a timid young miss, she was at least honest with her own feelings.

"With a veil, I do not have to pretend in front of others and others cannot guess what am I truly thinking too..."

Xiao Ke Ai then kindly smile at her and says, "True. You can be your true self with that veil of yours. Being in this body for years, I have personally seen and faced with those unkind people too. Those who have been sincerely kind towards me are not many, but I really appreciate them for their sincerity. Now, I have met all of you that did not judge me for my look."

Shen Baiyu smiles and says, "Judging someone based on their looks alone is shallow and stupid. Looks can always be altered. But hearts are never easy to be changed. Like those three idiots. Despite having beautiful appearances, they really are indeed stupid. I will personally make sure that they will pay for what they have done. I have been quite nice for letting these type of people to be so daring to talk bad thing about me... After we are done, we will personally accompany you to your home. Prime Minister Xiao has to know about this matter."

Shen Lianhua look at her sister excitedly, "We are going to the Xiao manor?"

"Yes. I will explain to the Prime Minister on what's what and... I must make sure that the second miss Xiao will be allowed to join me along during martial arts training on a daily basis. I am not willing to suffer on my own..."

Bai Zhishi laughs and says, "No wonder eldest miss Shen insisted to go there... She needed a training companion after all... But, will Prime Minister Xiao allow it? After all, for a girl to practice martial arts is quite rare. Especially for second miss Xiao who came from a scholar family..."

"No worries. I will convince my father to allow me to practice martial arts. He cannot say no to me. My mothers will support me too."

Shen Baiyu looks at her and makes another quick search from the original owner's memories. Prime Minister Xiao is a handsome man who is a smooth talker as well with a high status as well. This made him one of the sought-after man in the imperial city even todate. He has a main wife with 4 concubines. All of them are among the famous beauties along with Empress Mu, some of the imperial concubines, her late mother and her stepmother. They are First Madam Jing Lanhua together with Concubines Hua Meili, Li Meigui, Feng Wen and Zhao Qingrou. The Prime Minister is a wise yet cunning man successfully making sure that each of them living a pampered life in his manor and with him being a 'fair' husband, these women indeed live in a harmony. First Madam Jing Lanhua are known for being a loving mother towards her son, the first young master Xiao Zhuangyan, including those born by the concubines. Concubine Hua Meili is the mother of the second miss Xiao Ke Ai. Concubine Li Meigui is still without a child, but she is known to be quite a virtuous figure in the kingdom and fully dedicated herself in Buddhism. Concubine Feng Wen has a son, third young master Xiao Yingyong while Concubine Zhao Qingrou also has a son, fourth master Xiao Fuyuan. True to their names, all the Xiao children are perfectly living to their names. First young master is following the footsteps of his father and rumoured to be the next prime minister of the kingdom. Third master Xiao Yingyong is one of her father's apprentice and will soon be conferred as one of the captains that will soon be sent to the border. Fourth master Xiao Fuyuan is a genius in medicine and alchemist and has been learning with the Imperial Medical Hall ever since he was an 8-year old. Second miss Xiao Ke Ai being the only daughter in her family has been pampered by all. Looking at her body, she can only assume that it was caused by their endearing love towards her for years.

"Your mothers will definitely support your intention but what about your brothers? They are for sure not willing to let you suffer any hardship..."

"No worries! With third miss Shen here, they will allow it if she says anything to them."

Shen Baiyu then looks at her younger sister before looking at the man sitting next to her younger sister whom complexion has slightly darken hearing the words coming from the adorable 'dumpling'.

Crown Prince Beitang Moran smiles and continues to sip on his tea. Moli is looking at the door while trying to control her laughter while Shen Lianhua looks at her beloved fiancé with a slight tremor in her heart. Second miss Xiao's careless remark is nothing the be angry about, she has to remind her kindly that this man is a huge pot of vinegar.

Shen Baiyu further adds, "Definitely... My younger sister here is one of the top beauty of the kingdom. One word from a beauty can even melt a mountain covered with snow... Gentleman Bai here has nothing to worry about. Lianhua loves you the most."

Bai Zhishi's expression then becoming much better when he saw that his fiancée is blushing furiously when eldest miss Shen said her words. He then softly pats her head before giving her another piece of her favourite pastry.

Xiao Ke Ai realizing her mistake apologizes to the third Miss Shen though the latter in good-natured saying that it is not necessary to do so. But she cannot wait to start her 'lesson' under this newly upgraded eldest miss Shen. Having a friend like her is not bad after all. And, seems like the Shen siblings are quite close with each other just like hers. The Xiao and the Shen have a good affinity with one another which is quite rare.

When her teacup has been emptied, Crown Prince Beitang Moran naturally pour more tea into her teacup and Shen Baiyu graciously accepted his intention by sipping her tea underneath her veil. Their harmonious act has been closely and discretely watched by others sitting at the same table with Shen Lianhua and Moli trying their best not to smile obviously.

Even Xiao Ke Ai realizes this but she just smiles. That attentive man possesses a look that can rival his royal highness the crown prince. Eldest miss Shen deserves a man that will treat her better and she sincerely thought that this handsome man should step in, but she too is not familiar with this man and which family he is from.