Cunning General Si Ning

"What?" Si Ning's mouth fell, his eyes widened to the extent of giving the illusion of almost popping out of his eyes sockets. He couldn't believe that Xiu Junjie just offered to teach him the things he doesn't know but if he heard it correctly Xiu Junjie phrased it as an order. This made Si Ning narrowed his eyes as he closed his mouth, he wasn't about to admit he lacks some knowledge, not in front of his guards and servants.

But what were the things he doesn't know?

It was unbelievable that the boy won't cease to stop acting like he was in his sixties just because he was sharper and intelligent than his peers. At this moment Si Ning knew he should consider it as an honor that the Crown Prince wanted to spend the afternoon with him but to him, it was a bother which made him wonder if perhaps Xiu Junjie doesn't have friends. Since he had been attending the court meeting he hadn't spot any child close to Xiu Junjie's age, he only spotted a little girl that was much younger than Xiu Junjie which seemed to be a child training to be a court maiden which means Xiu Junjie might not have his age mates to play with which was probably the cause of him drowning in his studies and acting older than his age.

Si Ning didn't think much of the order since Xiu Junjie should understand by now that he wasn't going to allow a Crown Prince to order a great General like him around. He opened his mouth ready to reject him only to close it thinking of a polite way to reject him without sounding rude or disrespectful since gossip flies faster than a bird in case his Servants go around spouting nonsense.

"You see this Master is benevolent and you should seize this opportunity Si Ning." Xiu Junjie raised his chin high, proud of himself as he folded his arms waiting for Si Ning's positive reply.

Si Ning shook his head. "I am not willing to learn because as a General I am busy." He said flatly deciding to act like himself and not go out of his way to please Xiu Junjie just because he was the Crown Prince.

It was rare for him not to be busy so Si Ning didn't think he just told a lie since he had to rest and wait till Chen An comes again even though it was a tiny bit tempting not to invite Xiu Junjie in and at least learn some few things but he doesn't think his mind was going to keep up with storing extra knowledge also inviting Xiu Junjie means he admitted he was lacking in knowledge.

Xiu Junjie nodded in understanding. "What do you have to do?" He asked, his eyes full of curiosity.

Si Ning wore an impassive look, he wasn't going to tell a boy that was behaving like he understood a General duty the things he had to do. "A General matters." He pointed out the obvious.

Si Ning wondered if Xiu Junjie was already learning about the nation's affairs because the boy didn't look confused and only wore the expression of having an idea of what General duties were which placed Si Ning in a position of finding it unnecessary to lie even though he was about to tell a lie that he was going to read a report. Si Ning hoped that Xiu Junjie would at least say some sarcastic comment and leave because no matter what, he wasn't going to even mention his army so he waited for Xiu Junjie to at least yell instead Xiu Junjie took a stance to show he wasn't going to leave nor was he planning to.

"Like what?" Xiu Junjie persisted.

"Secrecy." Si Ning replied straightforwardly wondering why Xiu Junjie seemed to be interested in spending time with him when he was obviously not interested and he just expressed it clearly enough for him to understand.

"You what is Si Ning's schedule?" Xiu Junjie suddenly pointed at Yang Sheng.

Si Ning wanted to laugh because Xiu Junjie had given up on asking him since he should have probably figured it out that he wasn't going to say a thing. He gave Xiu Junjie a mental award for directing his question to Yang Sheng since those working in the palace highly respect the Imperial family so Yang Sheng spilling the beans to the Crown Prince should be normal but Si Ning was at ease because Yang Sheng doesn't know a thing and he accompanied him to wait till the end of the court meeting which means he never had the chance to snoop around his study in case he does something like that to report to another Master he might be serving.

Yang Sheng looked so confused as he bent his head. "Forgive me your Highness for this Servant haven't worked closely to the King Consort to prepare his schedule for the days to come."

Si Ning had no idea Yang Sheng also had to note the things he had to do, he only thought Yang Sheng's work was only to manage the Servants in the house. He doesn't trust Yang Sheng yet so he made a mental note to tell Yang Sheng later that he would only be working with Ah Dai as usual and maybe when Yang Sheng earns his trust then he could allow him to manage his schedule.

Xiu Junjie snorted and rolled his eyes. "Xiao Pei, what does he wants to do?" Xiu Junjie directed his question to Xiao Pei.

Si Ning stretched out his hand and beckon for Ah Dai, he collected his hand fan from Ah Dai and flipped it open waiting to see how Xiao Pei would reply even though he was sure Xiao Pei wouldn't say anything unnecessary but he was glad the question was directed to Xiao Pei since he would come up with a perfect reply. Seeing how Xiu Junjie doesn't want to leave made Si Ning note it was a bit suspicious, he couldn't help but think maybe Xiu Junjie wanted to start a game and Si Ning wasn't about to lay his heart out there and allow himself to be beaten in case Xiu Junjie wants to play with his knowledge again.

"Ah General ehhh..." Xiao Pei frowned. "Yes ahh...."

Si Ning could hardly believe his eyes that Xiao Pei was stuttering and seemed to be at a loss of what to say that his eyes even shifted from him to Ah Dai but Si Ning only raised the hand fan to cover half of his face, only his forehead and eyes were visible so he could glare at Xiao Pei.

"Uh?" Xiu Junjie moved slowly towards Xiao Pei.

"Ah Dai." Xiao Pei turned to Ah Dai for help. "What do General have to do to?"

Ah Dai directed his gaze at Si Ning and seeing no reaction made him turned to Xiu Junjie. "Your highness, Young Master has to deliver gifts to his Majesty and Her Majesty Queen Dowager." Ah Dai said.

Si Ning smiled, he had forgotten he had to deliver gifts if not he would have told Xiu Junjie from the start.

Xiu Junjie nodded and turned to Si Ning. "Deliver gifts to Imperial father and Imperial grandmother, good..., I First Prince Xiu Junjie, the Crown Prince of Xiu, and your Master will accompany you violent man Si Ning." He concluded.

Eh?

Si Ning narrowed his eyes knowing his afternoon was about to have turn different from his plans and he could say goodbye to his bed and resting plans.