Cunning General Si Ning

Si Ning could feel his face heating up because of Xiu Zhicheng that had been staring at him and wasn't even trying to hide it and it made Si Ning unable to look at him and to avoid meeting Xiu Zhicheng's eyes, he stared at the kettle instead like it was an interesting piece of item that he was almost counting the flower patterns imprinted on it.

For Xiao Pei to bring tea instead of Ah Dai was something Si Ning expected because Ah Dai does act timid and was self-conscious about his arm even though Si Ning never cared about that because Ah Dai had been doing his job perfectly after promising not to strain his prosthetic arm and it must have been to prevent being an eyesore to Xiu Zhicheng the reason he didn't bring the kettle in when it was his work but looking at Xiu Zhicheng, Si Ning didn't think the Emperor would mind. After all, he plans to take Ah Dai along with him when he moves to the palace because he would feel save eating Ah Dai's meal or Xiao Pei than the Imperial chef and cooks to avoid being poisoned.

Xiu Zhicheng stopped Si Ning when he was about to pour tea for him, at that moment Si Ning thought maybe he made a mistake when brewing the tea only for Xiu Zhicheng to collect the kettle gently and pour them both a cup.

This small gestured made Si Ning froze for a moment because the Emperor just poured him a drink in his home but Si Ning quickly took his cup to get his hands busy as he thought of different types of discussion Xiu Zhicheng might want them to talk about.

The reports on the borders were up to date and there had been no invasion or any war rising, Chen An not showing up means he had taken care of the reports and no there was no emergency for him to report so Si Ning came to the conclusion of Xiu Zhicheng wanting to talk to him was about their wedding. They were supposed to marry in a week time but the crowning of the Empress would be a month time so Si Ning wondered if they would marry next week and him being crowned the Empress a month time or if he was supposed to get married in a month time to flow with crowning him the Empress.

Looking at Xiu Zhicheng's expression and movement Si Ning noticed that he doesn't look angry or displeased instead there was a calm atmosphere surrounding them which means he must have announced crowing him the Empress of his free well, this thought made Si Ning cheeks tinted with a lighted shade of red and he quickly raised his cup for his sleeves to cover up his blush.

Xiu Zhicheng didn't hesitate to drink the tea first without someone to taste it or Si Ning taking a sip first so he could see it was safe for him to drink it and this made Si Ning's hand froze as he held the cup to his lips.

This made Si Ning so confused because Xiu Zhicheng didn't allow Xiao Pei to stay and brew them tea or the head Eunuch to taste it first which means him drinking it first means he thinks Si Ning doesn't have any motive to poison him or he trusts his Empress to be wholeheartedly and Si Ning wanted the reason to be the later.

Si Ning also took a sip and he was glad he brewed the tea well that he couldn't help but smile as he placed his cup down, his heart finally at rest because now he was facing Xiu Zhicheng, a table separating them which means there was no physical contact that may cause him to become nervous.

"I heard you had quite a great time at the Imperial Doctor's wedding." Xiu Zhicheng pointed out as he directed a piercing gaze at Si Ning.

Si Ning bobbed his head absentmindedly then stopped when a flashback of him standing on the stage and dancing in front of a crowd came rushing to him and he almost bit his bottom lip. When he met Xiu Zhicheng's eyes, even though Xiu Zhicheng looked calm and collected, Si Ning had a feeling his composure was different from what he was feeling because he seemed offended. In this era where news travels faster than the Internet so Si Ning wasn't surprised that Xiu Zhicheng already heard about it. Si Ning pursed his lips because he had nothing to say, he couldn't blame the alcohol because he was the one that kept drinking it with no one forcing him and right at that moment, he only wanted nothing other than to dig a hole and hide.

"If you want to dance then dance only for me because your dance is the most expensive dance in the whole world, it can't be shown to anyone but me." Xiu Zhicheng said calmly, his expression showing how serious he was.

"I will abide by your rules, Your Majesty." Si Ning told him.

"It is not a rule I just don't want anyone to see you dancing ever, I never knew you could dance and from what I heard you are a great dancer so you should dance for me one day and only for me." Xiu Zhicheng said refilling his cup.

Si Ning nodded, he would make sure to take a little sip of any alcohol from here on because he fell asleep the other day when having a serious conversation with Xiu TianZhao and misbehaved at Song Feng's wedding in front of many people even at the front of a Minister of Xilie. A whole General dancing in front of a whole crowd, it wasn't something Si Ning was ashamed of because he could dance well but not remembering what happened after getting on stage and doesn't know if he had done any embarrassing steps was making him worried because he doesn't want a gossip of the Empress to be dancing so bad to circulate all over Zhongha.

To prevent any occurrence means to only take little drink or drink only when alone because it seemed like the alcohol of this era that wasn't measured was on another level stronger than the modern-day alcohol so Si Ning took another mental note to take just a sip next time when people were present.

"When we marry, we will be one." Xiu Zhicheng continued talking after seeing Si Ning nodded in agreement to the statement. "As one, we will have to support each other." He stated firmly.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Si Ning agreed even though he may end up not supporting Xiu Zhicheng.

"We are alone Si Ning, call me by name." Xiu Zhicheng reminded him as he reached for Si Ning's hand, holding it and starting rubbing it softly.

Si Ning started feeling like a teenager in front of his crush as his palm started to feel sweaty he wished he could draw it back and wipe his palm. "Yes, Xiu Zhicheng." He said softly, the name rolled smoothly out of his mouth that he felt he had been calling Xiu Zhicheng that name forever. 

Strange.

"Most Minister in court are opposed to our joining." Xiu Zhicheng told him.

It was what Xiu TianZhao told Si Ning so he wasn't surprised and only nodded in agreement to Xiu Zhicheng's statement.

"My mother, the Queen Dowager wants you to surrender half of the Si family army to join the Imperial army before the crowing of the Empress ceremony."

What!