Cunning General Si Ning

"Forgive me General because I told Master everything and after begging him, he promised to clear everything and said he will inform his Majesty that General Si Ning went to the XiXi tavern to see him." Xiao Pei informed him while he bowed his head deeply it almost looked like his back was about to break into two.

"Everything? What do you mean by everything?" Si Ning asked as he directed his full attention to Xiao Pei. "And who is this Master of yours?" He said in a displeased tone as he glared at Xiao Pei wishing he would raise his head and see how annoyed he was with Xiao Pei calling someone else 'Master' in front of him.

When Xiao Pei realized what he did, he knocked his head thrice on the floor while mumbling series of apologies that Si Ning had to sigh because he was starting to have a headache and he couldn't help but see that it seemed that Xiao Pei had contacted Ah Dai's behavior.

"Forgive me, General, I do not...."

"What did you tell Second Prince Xiu TianZhao?" Si Ning interrupted him sharply without accepting his apology because he had always dismissed their apologies.

"I told the Minister of Works that you went to see Second Prince Qiu Bai and the Minister of Works didn't ask for anything else." Xiao Pei said firmly without raising his head.

Si Ning's mouth fell because the discussion he had with Xiu TianZhao about him becoming the Empress seemed as if Xiu TianZhoa didn't support him and Xiu Zhicheng getting married. Si Ning narrowed his eyes because he was going to assume that Xiu TianZhao already knows about the proposal of him handing over half of the Si family army to the Imperial family army and it might be the drive of why Xiu TianZhao helped him.

Thinking about it made Si Ning feel suddenly exhausted because he was starting to see that he was about to get married just for political reasons. He wanting to marry Xiu Zhicheng for power while the Emperor want to marry him because of his Military power and status.

From what Si Ning had deduced from Xiu Zhicheng behavior to him was that the Emperor was caring yet he wasn't sure if he was loved or it was Xiu Zhicheng's way of pretending to love him just like he would be pretending to love the rest of his Concubines because Si Ning doesn't believe that a man could be in love with more than two people.

"Did you tell him about the drug, did anyone know about it?" Si Ning asked as he turned to stare at the wall. It would be stupid for him to consider that Xiu Zhicheng didn't know he was drugged that night when he pounced on him.

"I do not know anything about the drug so I didn't say anything about it." Xiao Pei replied.

Si Ning would like to consider that Xiu TianZhao also covered it up because if he doesn't then Xiu Zhicheng would suspect that something was missing but first he had to see Xiu TianZhao so they would talk before he could see Xiu Zhicheng but it won't be wise for him to send a message to Xiu TianZhao now because there was no doubt there would be hidden guards of Xiu Zhicheng watching over him and pulling the female attire twice won't work and he and Xiu TianZhao needs to talk to clear the whole situation so he would not have to stammer in front of Xiu Zhicheng or say a completely different story from the one Xiu TianZhao told him.

Something was missing in the discussion and it was the current situation of Qiu Bai because Xiao Pei didn't say anything about him nor Xiu TianZhao giving a fatal blow to Qiu Bai which means the Governor of Dong was well and living fine.

Si Ning clenched his hand into a fist that his knuckles turned white because he wants to see Qiu Bai and throw some punches at him. He knew he had gone soft in this world when he was always wild and throwing punches about that he was famous for his reckless behavior but going soft and trying to act with dignity only made him weak.

"And Prince Qiu Bai?" Si Ning asked between gritted teeth turning to Xiao Pei for his explanation.

"Second Prince Qiu Bai departed to his country five days ago and his coronation will soon take place when he reaches Xilie." Jiang Ye told him.

"You mean you didn't even give him a scratch on that day? Raise your head, Xiao Pei."

"Forgive me General, Second Prince Qiu Bai martial arts were on another level." Xiao Pei said with a hint of regret as he raised his head.

"Young Master." Ah Dai called entering with Yanlin carrying a tray of food.

Seeing that Ah Dai couldn't carry the tray himself because of his missing one arm and which was the reason he asked Yanlin for help so Si Ning had no complaint even when Yanlin moved closer to him glancing shyly at him.

"Young Master." Yanlin placed the tray on the table. "Young Miss and Madam Si told me to inform them when Young Master wakes up, Young Miss is greatly worried and always here to take care of Young Master throughout the night and sleep during the day."

Si Ning took a deep breath. "Tell them I am okay and I will see my mother at nightfall also tell Si Nan to make me some snacks by then, tell her when she wakes up." He instructed. "I will like you all to leave." He added feeling sorry that he had caused his sister some trouble.

"Yes, Young Master," Yanlin said as she quickly uncovered the series of the food and arranged the spoon at the side of the chopsticks before pouring him a cup of water.

"This is your medicine." Ah Dai placed a small bowl next to a plate of terrapin soup then he knelt on the floor showing that he was reluctant to leave.

Si Ning waved his hand as a gesture for them to leave and didn't even try to look at their reluctant look and he only picked the spoon when he heard the door close. He tried to eat his soup to regain his strength even though he lost his appetite due to not knowing the discussion Xiu TianZhao had with Xiu Zhicheng to cover him up but the most troublesome part was that he doesn't want to lose Xiu TianZhao's trust. After all, he went over to see Qiu Bai without confiding in him which means Xiu TianZhao might think he was going to betray Xiu then he wasn't sure if Xiu TianZhao was going to side with him and not his brother because Si Ning knew if he was in Xiu TianZhao's position and he had to choose between his friend and his sister then he wouldn't hesitate to side with Si Nan which means Xiu TianZhao would choose Xiu Zhicheng over him.

What made him lose his appetite completely was knowing that Qiu Bai was probably on his jolly way to his country, enjoying his time and preparing for his coronation after leaving him with a deep mark because he was almost raped by him.

"Qiu Bai!" Si Ning clenched his fist and banged his hand on the table in anger making the plates rattled but he was so angry that he didn't even shake when the cup filled with water jolted off the table and broke.