Cunning General Si Ning

Si Ning was a bit surprised that Ah Dai was acting now, all the doubts and sore mood gone and replaced with his usual dedicated self. He had even forgotten Ah Dai was in the room and since his mother didn't say a word and Yanyu didn't leave must have been the reason Ah Dai stayed. Si Ning was also surprised to see how serious Ah Dai was, showing a different side other than his timid or nervous side and Si Ning was impressed with how confident Ah Dai look then he raised an eyebrow wondering why Ah Dai didn't even make a move to serve his mother tea when he had been in the room all along.

Ge Mengshu frowned. "But Ah Dai you will stay here and Xiao Pei will be the one to follow A-Ning." She said flatly.

Since Ah Dai had been listening to their discussion so Si Ning didn't have anything to say when he interrupted their discussion and seeing that his mother didn't seem to frown upon made him also decide not to comment but he was more concerned about why his mother made that statement and sounded like it was clear and finalized that Ah Dai would be staying at the residence.

Si Ning didn't have to turn to look at Ah Dai to know he was probably looking dejected since he didn't reply immediately as a person with a stubborn personality who would rather die than not serve his master. "He is going with me." He had already made up his mind to take Ah Dai along because he could picture Ah Dai being depressed if he wasn't taken along to the palace.

Ge Mengshu raised her eyebrows before turning to Ah Dai. "I am sure you know what I mean." She said softly ignoring Si Ning's statement.

"Ah Dai has gotten gloves and Ah Dai has vowed to serve Young Master till Ah Dai die." Ah Dai said firmly, his hands on his knees, head bowed to show his dedication to his duty.

Si Ning was still confused. "Gloves?" He raised a brow since he has no idea what they were talking about or why it seemed his mother had had the discussion with Ah Dai in his absence.

"Gloves?" Ge Mengshu frowned.

"Yes, Madam, Ah Dai has gotten a few thicker gloves." Ah Dai replied.

"Hmm gloves, that is wise but you have to keep it on at all times." Ge Mengshu said after some time like she just gave him a piece of advice and not an order.

"Yes Madam, Ah Dai thanks Madam for letting Ah Dai stay at Young Master's side, and this servant will fulfill his duty." Ah Dai said aloud as he raised his hands and kowtowed to show how grateful he was.

Si Ning was still wondering what they meant about the gloves but he knows he only had to ask Ah Dai later to know about it so he quickly made a mental note to ask when his mother leaves.

"Madam I have brought it." A deep voice said outside.

"Yes the gift for the Emperor, you have to check if it's suitable." Ge Mengshu told Si Ning.

"Come in." Si Ning said and watched as two guards came in carrying a medium-sized wooden box. They placed it on the floor next to the table before saluting and left the room.

Seeing that it was two guards that carried it already shown that it was something heavy in the box and Si Ning could guess it was an ornament and he silently hoped his mother wouldn't ask for the box to be opened because he was already stressed mentally to be analyzing a gift for Xiu Zhicheng.

"Si Ning I also want to tell you this lunch I packed for you make sure you eat it but don't let the Emperor eat from it." Ge Mengshu informed him, her expression so serious as she reached for Si Ning's hand.

Si Ning narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Why?" If he was a lady he would have assumed there was perhaps some medicine in it to make him bore a child.

"Listen to me, you are a General, not the Empress yet, and before becoming one you have to be careful and don't give the Emperor what his eunuch won't taste first or the Crown Prince or Second Prince."

Si Ning gasped. "Mother do you think I will go around and poison the Emperor or the Princes!" He had already guessed that his mother was hinting at.

"Stupid." Ge Mengshu knocked his head and was satisfied when Si Ning gasped and held his head. "It is the other way round." She declared as she hit her hand on the table once before snapping her fingers.

Si Ning couldn't believe he just got knocked on the head twice like he was still a teen. "Other way round?" If he wasn't concerned about what his mother was trying to pass across to him, he wouldn't have hesitated to pout and complain about being knocked on the head like a kid.

"Even though I am always here running things in the household doesn't mean I don't know what is going on and I know most doesn't want you to marry the Emperor so before the wedding ceremony you have to be careful on terms of what you give the Emperor or the Princes especially what can be eaten since you don't know who might tamper with it." Ge Mengshu said in one breath and seeing Si Ning's confused look made her sigh then turned to Ah Dai. "Ah Dai, I am sure you will make sure he doesn't forget." She said like it was hopeless explaining to her son so it would be effective to tell Ah Dai her instructions.

"Yes Madam, Ah Dai will make sure Young Master is careful and Ah Dai will remind Young Master every morning and also not leave Young Master's side." Ah Dai said aloud as he nodded. 

"Mother, are you trying to say that someone might frame me in case I give the Emperor something like tea that has been tampered with?" Si Ning asked in an extremely low voice but loud enough for Ge Mengshu to hear.

Si Ning expected her to reply instead she frowned while looking at him like the stupidest person she had ever seen. Si Ning couldn't blame his mother because he already knew they tend to explain in vague terms in this era and it was up to him to interpret it and according to the explanation his mother made he already understood what she meant yet he still wants to be clear.

"That is exactly what I mean." Ge Mengshu said after a while. "Poison is easy to get like sand and I am sure A-Ning is smart enough to keep a low profile till the wedding." She said as she stared at her son, making sure she was looking him in the eye.

"Of course." Si Ning already knows that as long as he was crowned the Empress then he would become untouchable and won't have to worry about Xiu Zhicheng Concubines dropping in to insult him.

"Good." Ge Mengshu said as she stood up. "I will wait outside little Ning for you to get ready."

Si Ning also stood up so that he could see her out and he was glad his mother had regained her composure and doesn't look worried anymore.