Cunning General Si Ning

The moment they stepped successfully out of the palace, Si Ning started to regret taking Xiu Junjie out because it dawned on him he just pulled a risky move. Another problem was that Xiu Junjie's cloth was too flashy which made him stand out and people had to glance at him more than twice and Xiu Junjie also couldn't stop looking around with an amazed innocent look anyone could tell he doesn't go out much. Xiao Pei wasn't able to find a suitable hat for Xiu Junjie because he kept refusing saying the hat doesn't suit his attire or it was poorly made but Xiao Pei found a small crimson mask for him while he found a hat with a veil for Si Ning. The mask was a precaution, it was a festival so they didn't look weird yet Xiu Junjie refused to wear it and left the mask hanging on his head. The ordinary robes Si Ning wore was so silky and fine, it fits the festival atmosphere and Xiao Pei was dressed as usual which made Si Ning and Xiu Junjie stand out as two related noble Young Masters and their guard.

"You should stop looking at me, I have never been outside the palace so no one knows my face." Xiu Junjie reminded Si Ning when they got a street with few people and none was closer to them to hear him.

"...." It was supposed to sound like comfort to Si Ning instead it acted the opposite because it only made him more aware of what he had done, he just took the Crown Prince out of the palace for the first time and only had his own guard to guard them. If that wasn't a death sentence if they were caught then Si Ning doesn't know of another punishment for him.

If anyone finds out then Si Ning doubts he would be able to keep himself from getting thrown into the cell for his impulsive crime and he had seen historical dramas to know the Crown Prince position was obviously higher than a General and as a General or King Consort doesn't mean he was going to evade punishment nor would anyone listen to a Crown Prince who was still a boy In case the boy wants to defend him.

"We should enjoy the festival and if you are in a hurry to go to where ever you want to go then you can leave your guard with me because I am sure you will be fine on your own." Xiu Junjie suggested as he adjusted the mask on his head, a smile plastered on his face, his eyes twinkling as looked around.

Si Ning was glad the boy at least knows he wasn't going to survive alone. "No, we must stick together." He doesn't know why his heartfelt light just by watching Xiu Junjie being happy.

They rounded a corner and what Si Ning saw was lit colorful decorative lanterns hanging all over the sky, the aroma of different delicious snacks colliding, the street was crowded as people could be seen wearing different colors of robes and those robes none looked tacky, some had a mask over their faces, some wore hats and Si Ning sighed in relief that they could finally blend in the crowd.

It was hard not to be distracted or act like the entertainers were boring because Si Ning found himself being mesmerized and he wasn't the only one because Xiu Junjie stared, glancing around and when Si Ning saw a man making sweet he couldn't resist and bought some for Xiu Junjie, Xiao Pei and himself even though it was Xiao Pei that paid for it. They soon forgot what they came to do as they found themselves enjoying the festival and Si Ning had to raise the veil of his hat to see better. He felt excited to see that everybody was dressed in traditional attire, looking neat even the vendors were not left out, their stalls were decorated and they also dressed well even though some had to put on an apron.

For the first time, Si Ning was glad to be in a world without technology, watching people enjoying themselves, talking, holding hands, no modern cloth, and no phones. It gave Si Ning a fluffy feeling yet he would have loved to have his phone just to take few pictures.

"Si Ning, what is that?" Xiu Junjie pointed to a man bent over a stove.

"That is a fish ball." Si Ning could see that Xiu Junjie's eyes were shimmering but before he could say a word, Xiao Pei moved over and bought some, Si Ning collected it and gave it to Xiu Junjie, he was glad that the boy didn't refuse the snacks and instead ate it all at once with a satisfied look.

"This is good, I can eat this every day." Xiu Junjie commented as he cleaned his hands with a handkerchief. "I should tell the Imperial chef about this delicacy."

Si Ning shook his head even though Xiu Junjie wasn't looking at him. "No, you can't mention all these snacks so no one will suspect that we came here by finding out how you know about it." He gave a light warning.

"I read it in a street snack book recipe when I was young but the Imperial Tutor seized it, he said I shouldn't know things like that." Xiu Junjie said, his voice low layed with a hint of sadness. "But don't worry Si Ning I won't tell anyone about what I saw out here because I don't want to put either you or me in trouble." He reassured him.

"You are quite reasonable today Little Xiu." Si Ning pointed out. "It's an odd change which is good but you just have to drop your way of talking like an old man." All he wanted was a child to behave and talk like one and not for an eight-year-old to be acting all smart and reasoning like an adult.

From Si Ning's perspective, he knew Xiu Junjie was smart but the problem he had was he wasn't like that when he was young, he was always playing around and not taking his studies seriously so he expected kids should still be like that especially an eight-year-old boy.

"Si Ning, do you want to die?" Xiu Junjie gave Si Ning a light punch directed to the side of his stomach but Si Ning was able to dodge.

"You should know better than calling my name." Si Ning said as he stopped to grab Xiu Junjie's fist.

"In case you didn't notice I have been talking about the palace and you didn't complain yet you don't want me to call your name? Will you stop being unreasonable you violent old man that can't even climb a tree...." Xiu Junjie smirked as he exaggerated the last word.

"Old man!" Si Ning's mouth twitched. "You you..." He had to bite his tongue before he ends up defending himself which was going to be the foundation of the start of an argument.

Yet Si Ning couldn't just leave it like that as they started bickering almost like a whisper that it would be difficult for a third party ear to pick up while Xiao Pei followed closely without saying a word till they reached a stall where there were series of rings showcased in a tray while next to it was a swinging target were people that want to win would shoot the target and if they hit the center then they win.