Cunning General Si Ning

"So what does it says?" Si Ning asked, looking at the fortune teller that was currently studying his palm. He doesn't believe in fortune-telling but he had money to spare just for fun so he didn't mind bending to stare at his palm too and at the same time paying attention to the fortune teller's expression.

Si Ning felt his stomach was going to burst at any minute even Xiu Junjie that kept reminding him that too much food was bad yet they both kept eating any snacks they laid their eyes on till they felt they couldn't eat any snacks anymore and for their stomach to become lighter they had to walk around till they got to a fortune-teller stand, the stand was very attractive and the display of different talismans on the table made Si Ning move towards it while he lowered his veil to hide his identity. The fortune-teller asked if he wanted to know about his past, future, or about his lover. Si Ning had no interest in his past, he was getting married so he had no interest in his love life and just to kill some time he said he wanted to know about the future.

"The fate of your loved ones depends on you and you are a very important person to your Nation but I have to warn you that the moment you make one wrong decision then it will all come crashing down so you have to be careful in making a decision concerning your future." The fortune-teller said as he released Si Ning's hand. "If you have any other question then you my good customer will have to spare more coins." He added to show he won't be entertaining anymore question still he hears the sound of coins jingling in his bowl.

Si Ning narrowed his eyes, anyone could tell by the way he dressed that he was someone important and he might be one of the scholars working in the palace which means he was important to his Nation. For the fortune-teller not to mention him being a citizen of Xiu was because some people from other Nations do come to the capital through legal or illegal means so the fortune teller might not be so sure of where he came from and the fate of his loved ones depending on him was just the way of the fortune teller to avoid saying family because he might not have one and those statements were what the fortune teller could tell any Young Master so Si Ning didn't believe a word and could only see the fortune-teller as someone keeping up a charade to make money.

"Let's go." Xiu Junjie tapped Si Ning's shoulder.

"Don't you want to try?" Si Ning asked, fortune-telling was one thing a boy should be curious about whether fake or not Xiu Junjie should be interested in it.

"No this is just stupid, once you believe in them then you are doomed because he just stated the obvious depending on how you dressed, walk, talk, and the company with you." Xiu Junjie told Si Ning as he pulled a scowl when he met the fortune teller's eyes.

Seeing how Xiu Junjie and the fortune teller was now on a staring contest, none ready to back down, Xiu Junjie glaring at him while the fortune-teller had a gentle look and this made Si Ning want to laugh but he had to purse his lips to prevent himself from doing so.

"Why don't you try Young Master then I can tell you about who you are in your past life or tell you the future." The fortune-teller said to Xiu Junjie. "I can see you are a vigorous handsome boy, I can even tell you about the person you like perhaps the one you like in the academy."

"Pfff... ah.. ah..a..." That was it, Si Ning couldn't hold it anymore as he burst into laughter, Xiu Junjie didn't go to the academy because he had his private tutors yet the fortune teller just spouted nonsense and the way Xiu Junjie's face was red with anger made him to only laugh harder.

"You fortune tellers creating havoc everywhere, do you know what the fortune teller did to the first Empress of Xiu when Xiu was founded?"

Si Ning shook his head still laughing as he started to walk away while Xiu Junjie started to talk about some history.

"What about some talisman or an obsidian stone to wade off evil." The fortune-teller called after them. "Come again satisfied customers!" He yelled.

After a few walks, trying to listen to Xiu Junjie's story just like a spark ignited Si Ning remembered what they came to the festival for when he saw a pretty dressed young girl in yellow and pink and it reminded him of Si Nan because his sister loved the color yellow. He looked around feeling like a fool for trying to look for Si Nan in the crowd when he should have gone home the moment he got outside the palace, he should have sent Xiao Pei in to check if Si Nan was still at home then they might have the chance to tail her instead they had even forgotten what they came to the festival for and was even enjoying the festival and Si Ning didn't even bother to think if Ah Dai was holding up.

"General we should go." Xiao Pei said.

"Where?" Si Ning had seen stalls selling floating lanterns and they were even facing one which made him wonder if Xiao Pei wanted him to buy one but he wasn't interested in going to the river to set it because there might be people that would recognize him at the bank and they still had to look for Si Nan.

"Where we are to meet Jiang Ye and inquire about the whereabouts of Young Miss." Xiao Pei replied.

Si Ning's eyes widened, he couldn't believe that Xiao Pei made the necessary arrangement which was the reason he wasn't reminded of their purpose about coming to the festival and Xiao Pei only allowed him and Xiu Junjie to enjoy the festival. Si Ning knew he was sometimes careless but Xiao Pei wasn't like that, Xiao Pei wouldn't forget what they came for. Si Ning nodded and gestured for Xiu Junjie to let him hold his hand because he wanted to hurry to the destination Xiao Pei said and he couldn't afford to lose Xiu Junjie on the way. He was waiting for the boy to complain but the boy only complied after grumbling and they followed Xiao Pei, passing through the street till they reached the main road with few people, Xiao Pei made a turn to another street with little lighting, faraway from the main festival area they were just coming from that Si Ning could hear the distant bustling of the festival.

Si Ning released his hold of Xiu Junjie because the boy tried to wiggle his hand free. They waited, Si Ning looking back and forth hoping Jiang Ye was going to appear anywhere.

"General..." Jiang Ye appeared at the corner of the street holding the collar of a boy. "I saw him tailing you." He said and pushed a boy forward, the boy quickly knelt on the ground.

Uh?

Si Ning didn't panic because for the boy to be caught means he was someone who wasn't skilled and could be a pickpocketer. He moved forward trying to see who the boy was even though he didn't think it was necessary to do so but he was surprised to see it was the boy that wanted to win a ring for his girlfriend but failed miserably, the same boy Si Ning gave the jade ring to.