Cunning General Si Ning

Without wasting time Si Ning quickly turned and started to leave, Xiu Junjie obediently following him. For Xiu Junjie to want to accompany him made Si Ning guessed that the Crown Prince wanted to see his father and his excuse to show up was to accompany Si Ning but the situation was now different, Si Ning doesn't want to see Xiu Zhicheng and wanted to escape leaving Xiu Junjie to decide whether to follow him or tell Lin Fan he would like to se the Emperor before leavening. The small light footsteps Si Ning heard behind him were not surprising which means Xiu Junjie made the decision not to see his father but follow him instead.

Si Ning wanted to ask Xiu Junjie what the matter was and why he seemed to be hesitating when it comes to Xiu Zhicheng the moment they were on their way but Si Ning doesn't want to judge what seemed to be a tense relationship between the father and son because he doesn't know what might have caused it or if they relationship between them was even bad or it was just him assuming it.

He couldn't help but remember when he was little and the time was closer to when his father would be back from work, he would stay glued to the window waiting for his arriver not listening to his mother the kept warming him not to drag the chair to the window. The moment he would see his father appear and was approaching their home after the day's work then Si Ning would jump down from the chair, carry his small feet and run out of the house leaving the door ajar to welcome him home while he collected the snacks his father would bring home every day for him. When Si Nan was born and could barely walk they would both run out, Si Nan taking light steps, Si Ning dragging her urging her to run till the door open to reveal their father and they would both jump on him, it was one of the most precious memories he had of his father but the situation in the ancient era between an Emperor and a Prince was different and Si Ning had seen plenty of situation like that in the ancient dramas he had seen so he wasn't surprised.

It was all written all over Xiu Junjie's face that he wanted to impress Xiu Zhicheng and for him to hesitate might be because he doesn't have a complete report about his progress to report to Xiu Zhicheng which means there was nothing to discuss except his progress in learning which made Xiu Junjie to go along with Si Ning by not paying his respects to Xiu Zhicheng and Si Ning noticed the boy looked a bit sad, he decided not to ask and wait for the perfect moment to but now he still had to deal with seeing the Queen Dowager. They walked slowly till they reached the Queen Dowager's residence.

There were heavily armed guards stationed at the gate, with shiny armor which almost made Si Ning almost roll his eyes, he wasn't surprised that the Queen Dowager would be wary and be careful because with her sharp tongue she would have gotten plenty of people she had offended so she needed all the protection she could get.

"Welcome King Consort, your Highness." The four heavy arms guards outside the gate saluted.

"I am here to see the Queen Dowager." Si Ning said straight to the point, a little annoyed he had to tilt his head up because the four guards were much taller than him.

"Forgive us, King Consort, her Majesty says we should not allow you in." The guard that was heavily built and taller than the rest and seemed to be the head said after taking a step forward from the rest.

"What? Are you going to refuse me from entering too?" Xiu Junjie that seemed to have found his voice snapped.

"We dare not obstruct the Crown Prince way." The guard replied as he bowed.

If Si Ning said he wasn't hurt then he would be lying yet he wore a forced smile and beckon for Yang Sheng to come forward with the box that contained the hair barrette. He was a bit reluctant to part with it because he had the feeling that the Queen Dowager that hates him might also hate anything he gives her as a gift and might throw it into the waste bin without opening it. He would prefer to give Si Nan but he was already there and couldn't just turn back.

"I am here with Si Ning, I am his Master and I want to see Imperial grandmother and he is going with me!" Xiu Junjie declared, he glared at the guards as he crossed his hands waiting for them to part and allow them in.

The guards looked so confused and the three guards made a move to part but seeing the head of the guard was still standing there like a statue made them to adjust waiting for a sign to make them too quickly part the way.

"Oh no no no, your Highness if you want to see Queen Dowager then this disciple will stay out and wait for Master." Si Ning said quickly knowing if he says some flattering words to Xiu Junjie by calling him 'Master' then he might let it slide and go in without him Incase he wanted to see the Queen Dowager.

Xiu Junjie was dumbfounded, annoyed because he doesn't have a reply to come up with and this made him turn suddenly wanting to kick Si Ning but Si Ning was able to dodge, a small smile playing on his lips. Si Ning knew if he hadn't called himself his disciple then Xiu Junjie would have a reason to start an argument but Si Ning would love to avoid yelling outside the Queen Dowager's residence. He also does not care what the four guards might interpret his words to.

"This is a gift for her Majesty." Si Ning said he collects the box from Yang Sheng and handed it over to the guard. "I will be taking my leave." He also doesn't want to stay to make the guards work difficult because the other three guards looked slightly relieved that he was leaving. 

The guard that collected the box from Si Ning fell on his kneels and the rest quickly followed. Their head bowed to show their deep respect.

"Forgive us, General Si Ning, we are only following our orders but you know General Si Ning we were one of the men that accompany you to solve the issue of the southern border five years ago, you may not recognize us but we deeply respect you and we dare not obstruct your path." The head of the guard said as he saluted.

Even though the head of the guards said that sincerely but Si Ning could tell he just said that to show his respect while he hoped Si Ning doesn't take his word and take a step in. It wasn't the time yet to clash head with the Queen Dowager not until he goes through with the list, present it to Xiu Zhicheng then he would officially go and visit the Queen Dowager, no matter what the Queen Dowager would soon be his mother-in-law and still Xiu Zhicheng's mother which means Si Ning also had to show her respects and the first step to do that was to abide by her order and not step in her residence. Without a word, Si Ning turned and he was able to see Ah Dai's hurt expression as if it was Ah Dai who was in his position and was denied entry.