Yes, I Do(n't)

Chapter 8: His Royal Highness is 'strong'

Shen Baiyu calmly and graceful walks next to Crown Prince Beitang Moran and did not say anything ever since they left together. Crown Prince Beitang Moran too walk in silence with a smile on his lips captivating those who are watching him. But when they saw the somewhat 'ominous' figure walking next to him, they sneered at her. With his sharp ears, he can hear every remark made by the commoners towards her.

"Look at her... An ugly person has the guts to walk next to a good-looking gentleman."

"Ugly woman with no shame. She should just stay at the Shen manor for the rest of her life!"

"She is still considered as his royal highness's fiancée! How dare she walks with a man unrelated to her!"

How spiteful are these commoners? Not even one of them even has any shred of pitiful feelings towards her. She is the one being raised to be the crown princess since she could learn to walk. She is the one who waited for her fiancé to come back even when she was jilted on her supposed wedding day. She is the one who thought that once he is back, the engagement will be honoured at last but, no. None of that happened and the commoners are blaming her?

Crown Prince Beitang Moran smile with an evil glint in his eyes, once she is free from her dreadful engagement. He will ask her hand in marriage immediately. This will cause a sensation in both kingdoms for sure but there's something about her that draws him in. This mysterious miss seems to be his soulmate that he has been searching for so long. Life with her will for sure is full of wonderful surprises.

As she walks beside him, she can feel that he is thinking about something that concerns her. This is definitely bad news. What does he want from her? Still, this guy is just so good looking to be let go of. Should she grab on him? But, first and foremost, is he rich? She wanted to live a good life even if it is in ancient time. Beneath her veil, she smiles a cunning smile and turns her head to look at Bai Zhishi.

"Lord Bai, this miss has to ask what is the true identity of this gentleman walking next to me? I am sure that this gentleman is not a local because I definitely never seen or heard about him at all."

Bai Zhishi nervously looks at Crown Prince Beitang Moran's back who acted as if he is not the one being talked about by her.

"Eldest miss, this man is a long-time friend of mine. He just arrived and wanted to walk around the imperial city. As I have heard that both eldest miss and Lianhua wanted to go out for today. I wanted to accompany both of you but in my way to meet you, I've met him first. Coincidentally..."

"Aaahhh... How coincidentally impressive, sir. As fate has it, everything should be just a pure coincidence after all."

Crown Prince Beitang Moran smile and answers, "Right? I am that impressive after all..."

Shen Lianhua and Moli suddenly laugh when they heard what he said. Never they have met or seen a man as nonsensical as this man walking in front of them.

"Eldest miss, aren't you tired? Your body is still in the process of healing..."

"I am alright, Moli. This 'gentleman' here definitely makes me quite 'energetic' with the sudden rise of heartbeats due to annoyance."

Crown Prince Beitang Moran smiles even more widely. She is one with a temper for sure which can be good as it will be an interesting trait indeed. She is mysterious yet carries herself with confidence. Her mouth is quite venomous too. Does it taste good if he kisses her? If he hugs her, will she fight back? What will his life be with her by his side?

Shen Baiyu suddenly feels a sudden cold air on her back. What is this bad premonition coming out from nowhere? She suddenly stops in her track and looks at him with doubtful eyes. This man is not someone she should be involved with. She will suffer losses if she is with him, she can feel it to her bones. As she stared at him, he looks at her and he smiles. Goodness! She has been bedazzled by his smile. Her mind goes blank momentarily before she curses in her mind.

"Wake up, you old spinster! You have tones of experiences under your belt, why are you acting like an innocent miss? This gigolo is so dangerous!"

At first, he is just curious about the woman jilted by Nangong Yingjun so, out of curiosity, he checked her out once he has arrived. From just a mere checking, it became a full-blown investigation carried out by his trusted shadow guard, Shouwei2. When he was told that she collapsed and there is a high possibility that she will not make it, he was really worried about her. For someone who had been a recluse for most of her life, the rejection from her fiancé is too much for her to bear. Still, she woke up and have a drastic change in her behaviour which only makes her more attractive even though her face is still a blank canvas for him. Logically, if she is indeed ugly as she is rumoured to be, General Shen Jilie will for sure declined the engagement no matter what.

After all, in the Shen family, she is pampered by all despite her being a recluse for years. Her servants seem to ignore the rumours too but, as Shouwei has reported it, each of them has the defiant look on their faces whenever someone speaks badly about their eldest miss. Not even one tattletale about the eldest miss. This only confirms his suspicion that she may not be as rumoured, but she is someone who won't bother with others' opinions on her. Her courtyard is her haven where she could spend time in peace without the judgment and interference of others. Now? She is venturing out to the world unknown to her even with the knowledge that the others are talking negatively behind her back.

"Older sister! Look! Jinyu1 House! You can choose to buy a face mask here. You can even custom made one."

Hearing what the second miss had just said, Crown Prince Beitang Moran then asked, "Face mask?"

"Older sister said that the veil is a hassle and there will be a high chance that anyone can discover her real face rather easily. A face mask is more convenient and practicable."

"True... More alluring and enchanting too."

Shen Baiyu has to close her eyes and take a deep breath to calm herself down. This man is so obvious to a point where it frustrates her so, so much.

Though, there are 3 persons who thought that they are such a matching pair seeing how helpless she is against his absurdity. Shen Lianhua looks at Moli with a meaningful smile. Bai Zhishi noticed this and smile too as his highness is gaining more supporters in his quest to win the heart of the Eldest Miss Shen.

***

1. ****** (and) jade, precious

2. ** Guard, defend