Cunning General Si Ning

"You!" Xiu Junjie yelled as he recoiled holding his foot and rubbing his ankle to relieve the pain since he hit Jiang Ye's hard boot.

"Crown Prince are you okay?" Jiang Ye asked, concerned about the boy who was rubbing his ankle yet he kept his distance since Xiu Junjie was busy cursing under his breath and he doesn't want to get into trouble because of the Crown Prince who was famous for being foulmouthed.

Jiang Ye jumped out of instinct and didn't even consider the damage if Xiu Junjie hit him instead. He quickly moved closed to Xiu Junjie and stretched his hand, it was the least he could do to avoid Xiu Junjie having a mark on him but just as he expected, Xiu Junjie slapped his hand away to show he didn't need his help.

"Do not touch me, I will have your head!" Xiu Junjie yelled pointing at Jiang Ye trying to act tough as he blinked back his tears before standing straight ignoring the throbbing pain of his ankle.

Si Ning glanced at Jiang Ye's boot, knowing he too would not like to be in Xiu Junjie's position since the boots was obviously expensive and looked painfully hard.

The rest of the palace maidens finally caught up, breathing hard as they quickly formed two rows with their head lowered. One moved to help Xiu Junjie when he staggered probably from not getting his balance and she quickly held his arm to prevent him from falling and when Xiu Junjie finally got his balance, he slapped her hand away as he turned to glare at her, like she was an enemy and not the one who just helped him.

"Greet..ing... General.. Si... Ning." The older maidservant finally caught up and said between breath, bowing to pay her respects to Si Ning.

"Uh." Xiu Junjie snickered. "I do not think it is proper for Elder Qin to be running around." He said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes, finding it funny to be chased by the older woman.

Looking at her closely Si Ning could see the dark circles under her eyes, her eyes dull and face red while she kept breathing hard. Si Ning could see she looked like she aged five times when he saw her last when she followed Xiu Junjie to have his lesson with the Imperial tutor. Si Ning knew she shouldn't be running at her age just like Xiu Junjie said but running also comes with taking care of a toddler and a troublesome child.

Elder Qin turned her attention to Xiu Junjie. "Your Highness you shouldn't run away from your lessons, you know the consequences of your actions." She said trying to control her breathing as she tried to stand straighter.

"Leave me alone, It is not the lesson with the Imperial Tutor and also Imperial father never come to check on me or check on Yuan so do not speak to me like that!" Xiu Junjie yelled waving his hands around to prove his point before turning to glare at Si Ning. "You let go of my brother!" He ordered.

Si Ning could see Xiu Junjie doesn't seem like he was dressed to practice Martial Arts and also he seemed to be afraid of what the Imperial Tutor might report to Xiu Zhicheng but he could do as he pleased if his lessons weren't with the Imperial Tutor. Si Ning also wasn't surprised by Xiu Zhicheng's behavior, The Emperor and his Concubines don't always have a hand in training their children, they leave them to their nanny or governess while they only check on them. Si Ning could see that Xiu Zhicheng might be the cause for how Xiu Junjie turned out to be, Xiu Junjie not to taking his lessons seriously and having a sharp tongue, disregarding people age while he acts disrespectful, this made Si Ning narrowed his eyes knowing that Xiu Junjie needs some discipline.

"Nin Nin lets.. go.. and play." Xiu Yuan said and pulled Si Ning's cheeks like he wasn't a bit concerned about what Xiu Junjie said.

"General..." Elder Qin called as she stepped closer, her hint for Si Ning to give Xiu Yuan an excuse. "Forgive me for not looking after Second Prince and letting him run into you and forgive me for not looking after the Crown Prince properly." She kept breathing hard as she was apologizing that Si Ning was even worried and he had to keep it at the back of his mind to tell Song Feng to check on her.

"Do Yuan have any lessons?" Si Ning asked.

"No General, Second Prince only has to take his nap." Elder Qin replied calmly trying to control her breath.

"No...!" Xiu Yuan screamed. "I do not want... to... sleep... stop forcing me to.. and Imperial aunty!" He said hugging Si Ning's neck tightly. "Elder Qin... and... imperial... aun..ty forces me.. to.. sleep... I... do.. not want to!" He yelled waving his hand as a means to hit the older maidservant's hand if she tries to take him.

"Do not worry I will take Yuan-er and bring him back." Si Ning said as he patted the boy's head, he too doesn't want to part with him. Having the cute boy in his arms lifted his sore mood and he doesn't mind having a childish play with him since it would help in releasing his stress.

Elder Qin's mouth opened and close before she finally said. "Yes General." She bowed deeply.

"Do not think I will let you go, you fake Imperial father's wife!" Xiu Junjie yelled as he quickly clutched Si Ning's robe before Jiang Ye could block him.

"Your Highness you cannot talk to the future King Consort like that, you know..."

"I will also be taking Junjie." Si Ning said interrupting the maidservant.

Elder Qin mouth dropped like she couldn't believe what she just heard and the rest of the palace maidens also stiffened while Jiang Ye turned to Si Ning his mouth slightly opened in shock and it wasn't only the people around that was shocked, even Xiu Junjie eyes widen trying to process what he just heard.

"What? how dare you Si Ning, calling me by name I will have your head!" Xiu Junjie yelled fuming in anger.

"But....." Elder Qin paused not knowing what to say.

"Since he has lessons and I am also a good teacher myself, I will personally teach him well." Si Ning said, he heard never been in the position to teach but he doesn't think it would be difficult to teach a small child.

He turned, starting to walk away knowing if he was carrying Xiu Yuan with him then Xiu Junjie would not have a choice other than to follow and Xiu Junjie didn't disappoint when he started following him and kept yelling behind him, telling him to stop.

An evil grin spread on Si Ning's lips. It was finally time to teach the Crown Prince some manners.