Cunning General Si Ning

It was finally time for Si Ning to show his skills, he had never thrown a party but he knew all about them, both the modern and traditional parties, he had attended so many he lost count so he was going to arrange the best birthday party to impress the Queen Dowager and Xiu Zhicheng. It would be such a pity he won't be able to find out things like the Queen Dowager best colour or best dish from her to help in the party preparation but he would have to find out about them from those around that knew the Queen Dowager well. 

"Gen.. Your Majesty." Xiao Pei that stepped inside said.

"Call me General Xiao Pei, I am still the General." Si Ning said finally addressing the issue of Xiao Pei's confused state of addressing him.

The only people Si Ning want to address him by his new title are the Officials, Xiu Zhicheng Concubines, the servants and guards in the palace including the Queen Dowager but it had shown by her visit that she won't be addressing Si Ning by the title but this party could change how she views things about him.

"Yes General, Commander Chen An made the list of everything General have to attend to tomorrow and their wont be a room for General to prepare a banquet." Xiao Pei said as he extended a list to Si Ning.

Si Ning didn't bother to ask how Xiao Pei heard his discussion with the Empress Dowager, he accepted the list knowing there was no way he could be busy he won't have time to impress his mother-in-law, after running through the list, he found out his thinking of being free after becoming the Empress was nonsense because his duty was now doubled, he doesn't think he would even have time to breathe in between or why Xiao Pei was bringing it up right at that moment or why he seemed he was having a free day.

"Young Master." Ah Dai stepped in with a plate of roasted pork mixed with vegetables. He placed it on the table with chopsticks next to it.

"Does this mean that I won't be able to set up the banquet and why didn't I have anything to do today?" Si Ning asked as he opened his mouth, letting Ah Dai pick up the chopsticks to pick a beautifully cut pork and inserted it into Si Ning's mouth. Si Ning's eyes lit up as he resisted the urge to moan because of the delicious taste, he doesn't know why but everything he had been eating was becoming more and more delicious.

"The Commanders are doing General's duties for today but the Commanders won't be in the city tomorrow because they are going outside Zhonghua for the hunting ceremony." Xiao Pei replied.

Si Ning nodded, he doesn't even want to know about the hunting ceremony but he couldn't just tell the Commanders to cancel it because it might be an important ceremony for the three to be present.

"Xiao Ningzi I do not think it is a wise idea to set up the banquet." Xiu TianZhao that stepped in said firmly. "Your Majesty." He added and smiled taking a seat, he collected the chopsticks from Ah Dai and helped himself to the roasted pork and he even moaned louder because of the taste.

It seemed like it had been months since Si Ning saw or talk to Xiu TianZhao, just seeing Xiu TianZhao brought a smile to their face and he swallowed the meat he was chewing and smiled widely, he missed his friend.

"My Second favourite Second Prince." Si Ning said not bothering to bow since Xiu TianZhao didn't care about status. He watched as Xiu TianZhao continued to eat and Si Ning was glad to see him eating while Ah Dai on the other hand doesn't look so good because it was the pork he roasted only for his Master.

"If little Yuan isn't so cute then I will fight you for that, between me and little Yuan, Little Yuan is also my favourite Second Prince." Xiu TianZhao said as he pointed the chopsticks holding meat to Si Ning. "Eat the last piece, don't make me guilty that I ate it all 

Si Ning shook his head. " Eat it, eat it, eat it?" He said but Xiu TianZhao made no move to back down so he finally used his forefinger and thumb to take it defeated then he threw it in his mouth while Ah Dai took his hand, wiping his forefinger and thumb from any residue of oil or pepper. "You don't want me to set up the banquet because it is a woman's work?" He needed to know why Xiu TianZhao was against it. Ah Dai that was next to him stood up and excused himself with Xiao Pei leaving the two to talk.

Xiu TianZhao finished the fruit tea and sighed in contentment. "Because it is dangerous, Mother doesn't like you so it is suspicious that she wants you Xiao NingZi to be in charge of the banquet even if Elder brother suggested it, Mother will refuse and it might be a trap to make you lose face." He explained, not bothering to lower his voice. 

Si Ning was surprised that Xiu TianZhao was warning him and he was also surprised he didn't even think he might be playing into the Queen Dowager palms. "What should I do?" It was the first time he would be lost on what to do, he wants an immediate solution, he doesn't want to take his time to think.

"It might be the Empress task but you are General Si Ning, you are a General and the Empress, you don't have time to organize a banquet so I suggest you should give the task to one of the Imperial Concubines." Xiu TianZhao told him as he poured himself another cup of fruit tea. 

Si Ning nodded. "Concubine Ran." Queen Dowager loves the second Concubine so she would never play funny if the second Concubine was involved.

Xiu TianZhao shook his head. "By rank, I would suggest Concubine Ling, she might be limited in power but she is a strong woman and Minister Ling is a strong man."

Si Ning could remember Minister Ling was a strong man by their last encounter at the courtroom but yet he doesn't understand Xiu TianZhao's logic because Concubine Ling was the least favourite Concubine. "You want her to take the fall?" He couldn't help but ask.

"If anything happens you will step forward and take the blame, Elder brother will rule over it because our lovely Empress occupies his heart, by letting Concubine Ling make the preparation is because she is the best in decorating, good in cooking and she is also the mother of the Crown Prince."

"Things I cant do." Si Ning didn't know he just said the words out loud until he saw Xiu TianZhao shaking his head.

"You can do everything with a little help Xiao Ningzi, you are greater than the things I listed, if Elder brother didn't have a child he would still be complete with you but Concubine Ling is the only one that can make the best banquet, nobody will care that you left the job for her which means you are clean and if anything goes wrong and you refuse to take the blame then all is still well, she will meet her demise, that is all." Xiu TianZhao told him. "It's the least she can do for seducing Elder brother."

Si Ning nodded as Xiu TianZhao words sink in. "I have to go visit a certain Concubine." He stood up. "Why not be an Advisor for the Empress." He suggested.

"I cant renown the position Elder brother gave me as the Minister of Works." Xiu TianZhai said. "But I will come around to help you as long as there will be delicious food waiting because it seems like you are holding the best cooks here."

"You are always welcome, I will also drop by your palace." Si Ning said.

Xiu TianZhao walked up to the window. "I doubt that with all your work." He jumped out of the window and laughed. "Have always wanted to do that. Now let me escape before my twins' guard sees me."

Si Ning laughed watching as Xiu TianZhao disappeared in the flowers, he didn't waste any time as he head out only to see the twins' guard jogging towards the direction of the flowers which means Xiu TianZhao won't be escaping anytime soon.