Cunning General Si Ning

It was a relieve that Yanlin didn't die if not it would have brought up a complicated situation that Si Ning might be able to solve but he won't be able to do a thing about the pain those close to Yanlin would feel, especially her mother Yanyu and Si Nan.

Si Ning was exhausted, it was mentally draining checking to make sure Yanlin was breathing but since the danger was over he only wanted to eat then rest, and for the first time he was looking forward to getting to his bed at the Jasmine Palace.

The carriage Xiao Pei arranged for his return to the palace was so comfortable than the first one because it had an extremely soft cushion that could be turned into a semi bed but the only thing the carriage had in common with the first one was that it wasn't grand. Si Ning had wondered how Xiao Pei could go back and forth from the palace and he arrived just after a few moments he stepped out of his room, he suspected Xiao Pei didn't reach the palace yet somehow got him a suitable carriage. Si Ning wasn't curious about how Xiao Pei got it or why he didn't come with his horse so he only placed himself in a position to enjoy the ride without questioning Xiao Pei.

When they got to the palace Si Ning stepped out of the carriage sluggishly, Xiao Pei dismounted his horse, approached him, and fell on a knee right in front of Si Ning, making the Empress raise a perfect brow.

"I know General doesn't want to ride Yun and I know there is something that happened at the house that General doesn't want me to know but as General's guard, I want to cover up the loose ends so I want General to give me the order to return to the residence." Xiao Pei stated as he brought out the Empress command plate.

Si Ning thought of it for a while, what Xiao Pei said sounded nice to him, Wei might not need another pair of hands but having a partner was for the best especially a partner like Xiao Pei. "Take the plate and show Wei, he will explain to you then come back with a report."

"Yes General." Xiao Pei bowed and left.

Si Ning stepped past the gate and he wasn't surprised to see Ah Dai waiting with Yang Sheng at the courtyard. Immediately Ah Dai saw him, he ran up to him like a child running up to his mother, he took Si Ning's hand lightly and knelt on the ground resting his forehead gently on the hand just to show how relieved and happy he was that Si Ning was back, Yang Sheng that seemed awkward after running after Ah Dai also fell on his knees.

"Ah Dai has been so restless that Ah Dai wasn't at Young Master's side." Ah Dai said sincerely.

Si Ning placed a hand on Ah Dai's hair and patted it just to show he also missed Ah Dai. This time Ah Dai left go of his hand and stood up smiling brightly that Si Ning had to give him a warm smile too because he was sure Ah Dai liked him so much he might not get a wink of sleep if he hadn't come back.

"Welcome Your Majesty, his Majesty is waiting for you inside." Yang Sheng announced after he stood up.

Xiu Zhicheng?

Si Ning wasted no time as he headed inside ignoring the guards and servants that bowed to him, he checked the study only to find it empty and he was about to head to the dining when Yang Sheng gestured to the way to his room so Si Ning followed, he wondered when Xiu Zhicheng had been waiting for him and he hoped he didn't delay him very much. When Si Ning got to the door leading to his room, he turned wanting to ask Yang Sheng when Xiu Zhicheng arrived but it seemed Yang Sheng and Ah Dai stopped along the way and he didn't notice he wasn't being followed anymore. Not wanting to call out to Ah Dai, Si Ning slid the door open and stepped in, he didn't need to search for Xiu Zhicheng because he spotted him sitting at the table like the room belonged to him, a report in his hand.

"Your Majesty." Si Ning quickly saluted.

"Come here, my wife." Xiu Zhicheng said as he placed the report on the table and gestured right beside him.

Si Ning's heart skipped a beat as he blushed slightly, he didn't expect Xiu Zhicheng was going to call him in that bold way so he quickly moved towards him to sit by his side. He perceived the sweet saint of sandalwood that he wanted nothing but to rest on Xiu Zhicheng letting the saint wrap around him but he controlled himself and sat upright, his cheeks turning pink because Xiu Zhicheng was now intensely staring at him.

The butterflies in Si Ning's stomach came alive when Xiu Zhicheng touched his cheek gently, his touch gentle making Si Ning's face start heating up, he was glad to see that Xiu Zhicheng came to see him and even waited for him without uttering a complaint.

Xiu Zhicheng reached into his robe and brought out a dark box opened it to reveal a jade ring. It was a rectangle cut shaped Imperial jade embedded and protruding up into a golden ring which was beautifully crafted and with a closer look anyone could see the dragon shape crafted with gold on it. Si Ning doesn't expect a golden jade ring to be so beautiful, he didn't resist when Xiu Zhicheng took his hand and inserted it in the ring finger. Si Ning glanced at the ring, he could feel the weight and he knew he was staring at a real jade and gold. 

At the moment of admiring his ring, he was able to catch Xiu Zhicheng's finger to see he only wore a gold band which was completely different from the jade ring, as a couple they should be wearing matching rings just like their hairpins but Si Ning knew the rest of the Concubines too would own the same hairpins which means he wasn't special. He doesn't know if it would be offensive to not accept a gift from the Emperor but without thinking he removed the ring and faced Xiu Zhicheng properly.

"I cannot accept this, your Majesty." Si Ning said as he presented the ring to Xiu Zhicheng.

"You do not like it?" Xiu Zhicheng asked gently.

"I want a matching ring with you." Si Ning said, his cheeks flushed, it was nerve-wracking and embarrassing but he said it anyway. It wasn't his fault he was hopelessly in love with Xiu Zhicheng and wanted more.

Xiu Zhicheng nodded as he lifted Si Ning letting him sit on his laps, straddling him. "I will have this ring crafted into two just for you and me." He said as he entwined their fingers together.

Si Ning nodded happily but quickly frowned because he finally understood that Xiu Zhicheng should be able to get another ring yet he said he would make the ring into two. "Does this ring have a sentimental value?" He asked carefully, his gaze to the ring Xiu Zhicheng was now holding.

"It is the ring specially crafted and blessed for the first Emperor of Xiu." Xiu Zhicheng replied.

"Then you don't need to cut it, we can make a new one." Si Ning suggested, if it was that special then it must be kept.

"No Si Ning, me and you will rule over the nation, it is a ring of the Emperor I am willing to give to you but you want to share it with me so I am happy." Xiu Zhicheng said as he raised and kissed Si Ning's hand, then his shoulder lightly moved to his neck. "I want you to stay with me forever okay." 

Si Ning nodded shyly. "Yes Zhicheng, I will." He replied placing both his hands on Xiu Zhicheng's cheeks and leaning over till their lips touched and they kissed briefly, he was about to deepen the kiss when his stomach grumbled making him withdraw, his cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

"We should eat dinner." Xiu Zhicheng said as he planted another kiss on Si Ning's lip. 

Si Ning was about to stand up but Xiu Zhicheng held him back and stood up lifting him, Si Ning smiled brightly as he hugged Xiu Zhicheng then Xiu Zhicheng started to walk out of the room with Si Ning in his arms.. Si Ning doesn't mind his servants and guards seeing them he was joyous that the Emperor was pampering him and he was going to accept it all without a complaint.