Cunning General Si Ning

Si Ning quickly descended the steps and noticed that those that accompanied him to the palace also kowtowed, he doesn't think they should also be in that position because none of them could stop the Queen Dowager so he walked up to his palanquin. "Up." he said feeling it was unnecessary for him to stress the meaning of his words out.

Dinner was good, Si Ning had a great time with the Emperor but a certain someone had to ruin his night for him even though he was satisfied with how things ended yet he could say and was well aware that he wasn't in a great mood so he knew he was going to get annoyed if none of the people that accompanied him stand up.

It was Xiao Pei that stood up swiftly, followed by Ah Dai who quickly moved forward to dust out the invisible dust on Si Ning's robe, Yang Sheng turned his head to see Si Ning and he also stood up with the rest of the guards including the bearers that followed Si Ning to the pavilion. Si Ning noticed Yang Sheng opening and closing his mouth while he took a step forward then backward, Si Ning knew Yang Sheng wanted to ask if it was okay for them to leave, and since he was struggling to say a word and wasn't saying it so Si Ning doesn't find it important to make Yang Sheng mind be at peace by replying to the question he didn't ask so he turned, facing the palanquin.

Yang Sheng moved to raise the palanquin's curtain but Si Ning was faster than him because he just wanted to get to the Jasmine palace as soon as possible so he could reminisce about the little romance that took place that was kind of pulling the corner of his lips up into a small smile.

"Ya!" A small voice shouted as the curtain was yanked up.

On a normal occurrence Si Ning would have gotten startled but because he had something interesting invading his mind and his mind was at peace so he raised a brow when he found himself facing Xiu Junjie who wore a disappointed look because Si Ning didn't shriek in alarm like he expected.

"King Consort, His Highness the Crown Prince had to wait for you in the palanquin because it is cold outside." Yang Sheng quickly explained while he wore a relieved look because Si Ning didn't jolt in surprise.

"And what is his Highness doing here?" Si Ning asked as he stepped into the palanquin to sit down comfortably beside Xiu Junjie.

"Aish you are no fun Si Ning, I will tell you why I'm here when we get to your palace." Xiu Junjie said nonchalantly as he waved his hand before folding his arms.

Si Ning turned to look at Xiu Junjie, it was dark outside but the light illuminated from the lanterns hung outside showed Xiu Junjie's face perfectly and Si Ning was quite amused by the serious expression the boy was wearing which means something must be bothering him for the boy not to talk about wanting to ride the palanquin alone while Si Ning finds another one but scooted to the side to give space for Si Ning to sit when the General entered.

"Do you want to ask about the Emperor?" Si Ning asked, his heart tender and glad that if Xiu Zhicheng had stayed true to him then Xiu Junjie wouldn't exist and he could only think of Xiu Zhicheng as the cause of worry of the boy.

The boy mostly had been annoying to Si Ning but the General had started to see Xiu Junjie in a good light and he understood the life the boy lived, understanding that Xiu Junjie must be curious if he and Xiu Zhicheng talked about him.

"Si Ning you shouldn't stick your nose to me and Imperial father's business." Xiu Junjie said sharply.

"....?"

Just the small gesture of playfulness, made Si Ning forget how annoying the boy could be and all he wanted was to kick the boy out of the palanquin instead he took a few deep breaths because if it was only Xiao Pei around then Xiu Junjie would be out by now, cursing, demanding respect from him while running after the palanquin.

"I heard you had an upset stomach as it should be with how much you ate that day and a General is supposed to have a hard stomach but this Crown Prince had a better stomach than you." Xiu Junjie said mockingly after some time.

"I didn't have an upset stomach." Si Ning lied after he found no way to say a comeback.

"You cannot fool the eyes of a dragon, the son of heaven, the Crown Prince of Xiu, Si Ning, the way you were lying on the bed, you could have died a thousand times if someone intend to take your life if not for your guard who was watching over you." Xiu Junjie pointed out.

Si Ning almost snorted at the brief introduction Xiu Junjie said. "What you don't know is that this General is always at alert, always that if you had moved close to me in that instant without me opening my eyes I would have reached out my hand and wrapped it around your neck so if I were you Junjie I will be careful around a sleeping great General Si Ning." Si Ning was satisfied when he saw how horrified Xiu Junjie looked.

Now Si Ning was regretting not using the word 'strangle' but he was glad to finally put the mischievous boy in his place, as a General he ought to strike fear in people that when he was resting they won't dare get closer to him and seeing that Xiu Junjie still wore a shocked expression means the boy didn't get closer to him if not it would be the end of his little fierce lie.

"You lie! tsk." Xiu Junjie yelled as clicked his tongue.

"A General never tells a lie." Si Ning replied calmly quite enjoying the boy's look.

"Si Ning you lie!" Xiu Junjie repeated. "You looked like you cant eve..n hurt a fly ly...lying t.th..there." He stuttered.

"Looks can be deceiving, do you think I was given the General title after my father but the truth is that I was given the title because I General Si Ning is the greatest deadliest General in the whole of this realm." Si Ning placed it at the back of his mind to tell Xiu Yuan too so the boy could idolize him and choose him as his role model. He could almost picture how Xiu Yuan's eyes would be shimmering and it made the corner of his lip raise into a smirk.

Xiu Junjie's eyes widened. "You lie!"

"A General doesn't lie."

"Si Ning you just told a lie!"

That was how their bickering started, Xiu Junjie voice getting louder by each second the guards following the palanquin kept looking at one another just wondering if it was okay for them to listen to General Si Ning and the Crown prince conversation but since Xiao Pei didn't say a word they all carried on while trying to tune out their conversation by all means.