Cunning General Si Ning

'Stressful.'

That was the word Si Ning could use to describe how his day was going and he felt so light like he was floating without a place to rest that he could hardly think, he even tuned out Si Nan that was at the table sobbing loudly right next to him while he sat there facing his mother that was saying something to him yet he couldn't hear or understand a word but he maintained the stance that he was listening attentively so as not to arouse any suspicion that he wasn't listening. He was in a situation that he kept thinking about the decree Song Ouyang read, which was now on his table, and kept reminding him of the moment he accepted it with a forced smile while his heart started to pound loudly because going to the palace means he was going to see Xiu Zhicheng.

After Song Ouyang read the content, Si Ning was so shocked that he first took a step back and stopped when he almost collided with Xiao Pei who was standing behind him, his mother and Si Nan knelt with the rest of the guards behind them.

The rest of the palace guards followed suit with the bearers and the only ones standing were Si Ning and Song Ouyang. To see Si Ning standing made Song Ouyang frown in confusion before wearing an impassive look like he had been expecting Si Ning to behave like that. Not even trying to kneel in respect of the Emperor and collect the decree.

Si Ning only stood there staring at Song Ouyang, blinking like he was taking his time to understand what the Prime Minister just read out loud. Because Si Ning wasn't responding made Si Nan lightly jabbed his leg with her elbow but before he could react by kneeling, Song Ouyang already walked up to him and stretched forth with the rolled decree which Si Ning accepted and unrolled it to confirm the content even though he was sure he didn't hear it wrong and wasn't possible for Song Ouyang to read it wrong but he had to read it to follow the famous saying that 'seeing is believing and also there was no damage in confirming so he read the content slowly and stared at the Imperial seal on it, It was just as Song Ouyang readout. Without any notice, he was going to move over to the palace before the end of the day.

Si Ning didn't know how it happened but he found himself in his room knowing he got to the room by walking and he didn't even try to listen to his mother that came in after him or Si Ning that was crying because he was going to leave the residence. All he did was just sit at the table not paying attention to Jiang Ye or Xiao Pei that brought in the boxes four of the guards held in the courtyard, he just sat there staring at his mother without understanding a word from her because he was busy trying to act like everything was fine when he was about to panic because he had to find a way to see Xiu TianZhao before going to the palace and also had to also talk to his Commanders and Shao Lang in case the Queen Dowager summons him and if that type of situation occurs then he would have no choice but to see her and if he was going to see her then he should have made his decision by then concerning his army.

".....A-Ning!" Ge Mengshu suddenly hits Si Ning's hand that was wrapped around a cup of water and Si Ning almost jumped up as he retracted his hand in shock while she quickly grabbed the cup Si Ning was holding earlier to prevent it from falling or spilling the water in it on the table.

Si Ning started to massage his hand to lessen the pain while he wore a confused expression. "Uh?" He placed his hands on his knees, his cheeks flushed, embarrassed and feeling guilty for not listening. "About the moving?" He raised a brow hoping his mother would forgive him for not listening as he tried to ignore his hand that was itching.

As a General, he believed he should act like one, and rubbing his hand to lessen the pain didn't suit the image of a General.

Ge Mengshu sighed as she shook her head, she stretched her hand and beckon for Si Ning to show her his hands and when Si Ning did, she gently took the hand she hit and started to gently rub where she hit him which had turned into a light shade of red then she noticed Si Ning was staring at the cup, absentmindedly which made Ge Mengshu applied pressure on his hand, holding it tightly to force him to be aware of his surrounding.

"Madame, here is an ointment to soothe the pain." Ah Dai said holding a small transparent bottle of a medicinal pain reliever ointment.

Si Ning was surprised to see Ah Dai and he realized he had not been aware of his surroundings because he had no idea when Ah Dai came in.

Ge Mengshu collected the small bottle and turned the cap before scooping out the small size of the ointment and started massaging the red marks on Si Ning's hand. "You don't have to worry, I have prepared for this day, and everything you need is ready." She informed him with an apologetic smile as she rubbed his hand gently.

Si Ning's eyes widen. "You knew I will be leaving soon?" He asked not sure if his mother prepared because he was going to get married in less than seven days or she prepared because she knew he would be leaving before the wedding.

"Little Ning you shouldn't be so forgetful, it's just how it is, since the Emperor can't be our bride then that means you will be the one to go to the palace...."

"According to how... it is, the Emperor... Concubine to be will... have to go through... training like pouring wine, how to speak properly... and so on." Si Nan interrupted Ge Mengshu as she hiccups, she grabbed the handkerchief on the table to blow her nose which had turned red.

"Si Nan, how many times do I have to repeat it for you to act ladylike and stop talking loudly and interrupting a discussion?" Ge Mengshu said as she narrowed her eyes at Si Nan.

"Ah sorry... I am sorry." Si Nan said, lowering her head to show how sorry she was as she wiped her tears with her hands.

Ge Mengshu clicked her tongue before turning her attention back to Si Ning. "Don't worry Little Ning, as a General I don't think you will go through any court training." Ge Mengshu reassured him as she pats his hand before releasing it. "I will make the final preparation by preparing the cart, just rest for now." She told him as she rose to her feet.

Si Ning smiled weakly. "Thank you mother, I also have to prepare and Si Nan I have....."

Before Si Ning could complete his sentence, Si Nan jumped on him, hugging him so tight that he had to quickly grab the edge of the table to avoid falling over. He was about to yell at her to stop hugging his neck so tight it almost looked like she was trying to strangle him when he heard her cry out loud and his heart soften immediately, he had no choice than to hug her and pat her back slowly watching his mother shook her head as she heads out of the room.