Cunning General Si Ning

Si Ning dipped his fingers into the porcelain bowl filled with different beautifully cut fruits and he took a perfectly triangular cut pineapple and threw it in his mouth. He was lying on a futon and propped up an elbow while watching Ah Dai who was grinding ink a few feet from him.

It'd been three days since he woke up and it was the next day after seeing the Queen Dowager did he received a letter written by Xiu Zhicheng for him to stay home to recuperate and when he gets better then he could start attending the court assembly while Chen An takes over his duty in court for the duration he would be absent.

It was the most joyous letter Si Ning had ever received because now he could avoid Xiu Zhicheng and lazy around while he keeps himself company by eating and drinking wine while reading an action/romantic novel about a Prince and the Princess of a rival nation, it was a novel Jiang Ye acquired for him and it was Si Ning's way of keeping himself busy and occupied to prevent himself from thinking too much about the document Queen Dowager ordered him to sign which was lying in his drawer.

Since the document could still wait since he had a week left before his wedding then all he had to do was to eat fruits and wait for Xiu TianZhao to visit him. Si Ning could have easily gone to the palace but first, he doesn't want to see Xiu Zhicheng, and second, he also had to pretend he doesn't have the strength yet to go to the palace so all he could do was send a letter to Xiu TianZhao and wait for him to fulfill his promise that he would come and visit Si Ning before nightfall.

About the document the Queen Dowager gave him he was supposed to sign was lying in his drawer because after reading all the terms and conditions, he noticed the terms and conditions doesn't give him the image of a good General or capable one if he ends up signing it and he might look like a joke to the Ministers and they would make him their laughing stock behind his back, worst if the words got out, the citizens might also gossip about him and other nations might see him as an irresponsible man so he had no choice than to put it in his drawer while he searches for a solution.

It was a hard decision about either signing it or not that it was giving him a headache and it didn't feel like he was relaxing because he kept thinking of what to do, maybe he should avoid signing it without looking ambitious or sign it and accept his fate.

Si Ning noticed Ah Dai stopped for a second in his movement before continuing. "Do you know that when you are injured should be the time you can lazy around and let others do your work." He pointed out and threw a piece of watermelon in his mouth.

By talking to Ah Dai was his way to get rid of his thought about the document. He had hoped Shao Lang could come and visit him, maybe he might be able to share his problem with him not that he considered Shao Lang as someone close to him but as a General, he might have a solution or advice to give him. Shao Lang did come to visit him but he was asleep so he couldn't receive any visitors because Shao Lang told Ah Dai not to wake him.

Ah Dai frowned. "Do Ah Dai's work?" He asked confused as he stopped grinding the ink.

"Yes let Xiao Pei do your work and you will use that time to rest." Si Ning explained as he threw a piece of a rabbit-shaped apple in his mouth and started chewing it slowly.

"But Ah Dai will not be happy if I do not personally do my work." Ah Dai said quickly. "Or do Young Master not want me anymore?" He asked and quickly moved from his sitting position into a kneeling position.

Oh! Mistake!

It was a mistake to tell Ah Dai to hand over his work to someone else, Si Ning had forgotten for a moment how unreasonably Ah Dai could be that he had to show his concern about his health when he knows Ah Dai only loves serving him and telling him to rest was like telling him that he was useless.

"Ah Ah, my mistake, you do a better job just carry on." Si Ning gestured for him to continue with what he was doing. He was sure he wasn't used to his arm yet because he could see Ah Dai wasn't using his prosthetic arm must and use his right hand to do everything.

"Young Master I am done." Ah Dai told him.

Si Ning glanced at his hands that were currently covered in fruit juice, he frowned when he thought he would have to leave his fruits, wash and clean his hands while he proceeds to write a letter. He straightened up and crossed his legs feeling too lazy to bother about a letter even after Ah Dai brought a Paper to him. It was such a bother he would have to roll up his fine sleeves just to write to avoid staining his sleeves.

Because he was the General who could receive a visitor at any time made him dress up every morning after taking his bath. He would have loved to leave his hair flowing, wear his night robes, and be barefooted but as a respectable head of the house and head of an army, he had to style his hair perfectly.

"Ah Dai you write it. Write to Chen An, that he, Su Heng, and Ji Ran should come and see me, I have something to discuss with them tonight." Si Ning intrusted as he dipped his hand into the bowl to fish another rabbit-shaped apple.

"Yes, Young Master." Ah Dai nodded happiness as he sat on the floor, getting ready to write the letter.

For something like a meeting with his Commanders in the Si residence, it wasn't important for him to be the one to write the letter. His writing was different from Ah Dai and if it was a confidential letter like the one he sent to Xiu TianZhao then he needed to be the one to write to Xiu TianZhao for Xiu TianZhao to see how serious and urgent it for them to meet.

For the past two days, Si Ning should have done the proper measurement about the signing of the document Queen Dowager gave him but he forgot how strong Song Feng drug was so he took the pills after receiving Xiu Zhicheng's letter and meeting his mother and Si Nan then he feel into a deep sleep.

"General" Xiao Pei called outside the door.

"Come in." Si Ning replied and took another piece of pineapple and started eating it slowly as he narrows his eyes at the door.

Xiao Pei walked in. "General the Prime Minister is waiting in the courtyard to see you." He reported.

What?

It'd been just three days and it seemed the Queen Dowager was right about not being patient because Si Ning knew Song Ouyang would never step into his yard just to wish him a quick recovery and bring him gifts.