Cunning General Si Ning

"Yes General." Chen An, Su Heng, and Ji Ran chorused.

"General, General Shao Lang is here to see you." Jiang Ye reported outside the room.

Perfect.

It was odd for Si Ning to smile upon hearing the announcement of Shao Lang being in the residence to see him but he couldn't be happier that he doesn't have to wait for Shao Lang or stick with the instructions he gave to his Commanders which might not be the best decision for him to make but asking another General's opinion was what he needed to make his plan for his army perfect which was the reason for his mouth raised in a small smile.

"Lead him to the meeting room, serve him tea, I will join him soon." Si Ning instructed before standing up swiftly with a feeling of urgency. "Wait here for my final instructions." He said to the Commanders, He needed to inform them about the complete decision he would come up with which would only be possible after meeting Shao Lang.

Si Ning adjusted his cloth, he noticed Su Heng picked up his diadem and was about to give it to him which made Si Ning quickly head to the door and exit the room with a mindset not to turn in case Su Heng call for his attention. When Si Ning stepped out, he wasn't surprised to see Ah Dai waiting outside the door.

"Young Master, Ah Dai is not tired." Ah Dai said in a small voice, his head lowered to make it difficult for Si Ning to see his face.

Si Ning narrowed his eyes, displeased, knowing that he had to think of something to give Ah Dai to do because it was almost impossible to shake him off. If his Manager Su Yi had been earnest just like Ah Dai then he wouldn't have been so unruly when he was an Actor.

"Forgive me, Young Master...."

"Ask Chen An, Su Heng and Ji Ran what they want and serve it to them, if it's about anything that will take long for you to prepare then don't bother to serve it and find somewhere to sit in my room." Si Ning instructed because he would rather escape than listen to Ah Dai apologizing.

"Yes, Young Master." Ah Dai replied, he was about to raise his head when he noticed that Si Ning didn't make a move to leave so he folded his hands to await any further instructions.

"Also Ah Dai let it be the last time you disobey my orders, if I tell you to go to your quarters then you have to go and wait for me to summon you." Si Ning said a word at a time just to make his instructions clear.

"Ah Dai will comply Young Master." Ah Dai said and lowered his head deeply.

"Good." Si Ning said hoping Ah Dai would follow his instructions for once but he doubts it and he was already used to Ah Dai disobeying because he couldn't imagine himself serving to punish Ah Dai just because his Servant wants the best for him. He turned after taking a deep breath and walked out of his quarters.

Si Ning had to pass the courtyard to head to the meeting room, he ignored the guards waiting for him that saluted immediately he showed up but Si Ning only heads in the direction of the meeting room. The guards stationed at the door saluted him before opening the door.

"General Shao Lang." Si Ning said immediately he stepped into the meeting room only to find it empty then he turned immediately to the door wondering if he perhaps missed him on the way, he waited for the door to open and when it opened, he expected to see Shao Lang only to see Jiang Ye stepped into the room.

"General, General Shao Lang is waiting under the pavilion in the garden, he said he wants to enjoy the scenery..." Jiang Ye reported.

"...." Si Ning only needed the information about where Shao Lang was and after picking out that Shao Lang was in the garden behind the meeting hall, he turned to the window knowing it was faster for him to exit the room through the window but it was improper and if he ends up being seen by any of the servants then they were bound to talk about him which wasn't good for him image, it was his house and he shouldn't jump out from the window.

After contemplating whether to not care about anyone seeing him jumping through the window or just exiting through the door, he finally turned as he chose the latter and quickly exit the room through the door Jiang Ye opened for him.

Jiang Ye had to walk behind him to relay the rest of the message. "...I will prepare chamomile tea leaves."

Si Ning didn't have time to waste and he found himself walking faster till he rounded the corner and as expected Shao Lang was sitting under the pavilion, his back turned to him.

Without wasting time, Si Ning crosses over the flowers till his feet landed on the green grass, he used the opportunity of Shao Lang's back turned to him to ignore the walkway and walked on the green grass till he got to the pavilion and swiftly took his seat across Shao Lang that was about to turn and take a look at who was approaching him.

To just appear and take a seat was an improper behavior because Si Ning was supposed to take his time and walk with light steps on the walkway and when he gets closer to the pavilion, Shao Lang that would have noticed him would stand up and salute him while he does the same and then say some greetings before Si Ning offer him to sit while he follows suit.

Si Ning that sat suddenly across Shao Lang made his visitor look a bit confused and Si Ning managed to keep a straight face. "General Shao Lang it is my pleasure to have you here and as you can see that I have to move to the palace which made me short on time and was the reason for my unkempt appearance." He said and gestured for Shao Lang that was about to stand up to not worry about the formalities and take his seat.

Because Si Ning's hair was loose which was the unkept appearance he was referring to. He had no idea his appearance was captivating, the breeze carrying his hair softly making him look delicate and charming that made the maidservant next to Jiang Ye that appeared and was setting the tea set on the table to keep stealing glances at Si Ning but the head of the Si house was oblivious to this gesture because he was more concerned about what they want to discuss that he had to raise his hand to indicated for the maidservant to leave that he would brew the tea.

"General?" Jiang Ye looked confused and stretched his hand to indicate that he would brew the tea but Si Ning raised his hand to show there was no need.

Seeing this made Jiang Ye stepped back and saluted before turning, walking towards the walkway to give the Generals privacy to discuss.

"Since General Si Ning is still recovering, let me brew the tea." Shao Lang offered and collected the teapot from Si Ning which he placed on the small lit stove on the table.