Cunning General Si Ning

'Let's meet.'

Si Ning turned over the letter to see there was nothing written on the other side of the paper. Even though he knew that was there to it yet he wondered if the real meaning of the two words might be in code because it could be Qiu Bai's way to avoid any attention to be directed at them since he might be aware of their last meeting being exposed to Xiu Zhicheng.

Si Ning decided to look deep into each letter after touching the paper and discovered it was just an ordinary paper yet he still tried to look carefully maybe there might be hidden words in the letters as he drew the letter closer to the candle and bent his head for a closer look but after reading it and considering each letter trying to form what code it might mean to form a meaningful sentence and cracking his brain thinking only to end up with nothing.

What sort of letter was this containing only two words, no location not even a time to meet.

Without hesitation, Si Ning also held it above the flame till it caught fire and placed it on the tea tray Ah Dai quickly lifted it for him, by lifting the tea tray was Ah Dai's way to make Si Ning drop the burning paper. Si Ning watched as the paper turned to ashes mixing up with the other letter ashes, he was satisfied the letters were gone but seeing the ashes in the tray was making him annoyed and he wanted nothing than to tell Ah Dai to throw it out but he wasn't about to let anger get the best of him so he diverted his gaze over to the direction of where his pen and ink were kept and he was about to tell Ah Dai to fetch him some writing materials when Ah Dai turned.

Without a word, Ah Dai noticed what Si Ning might want and he quickly moved towards the drawers and brought out an ink, pen, and two plain sheets of paper for him. He had already considered Si Ning sending a letter to Qiu Bai and another one to give Lin Fan which means Si Ning needed a minimum of two papers.

Si Ning nodded, glad of the capable servant he had and he didn't hesitate to dip the pen in the ink and wrote a short note to Qiu Bai saying they should meet at the XiXi's place the next day at night. Because he was too upset and doesn't think he would be able to maintain and make an indifferent expression in front of Qiu Bai and also think made him aware that he couldn't meet Qiu Bai tonight.

Si Ning doesn't care if Xiu Zhicheng finds out about him meeting Qiu Bai the next day because he was already blinded by anger and also doesn't know any suitable place for him and Qiu Bai to meet and he doesn't think having Qiu Bai pay him a visit in his home was a good idea.

Even though Si Ning was irritated yet his expression was impassive because he doesn't want to scare Ah Dai by flinging away all the books on the table which was what he was itching to do as a way for him to release his anger then calm down and be level headed.

"Young Master." Ah Dai said because Si Ning had been staring at the paper while looking lost and the tip of the pen brush he was holding was resting on the last letter making the last stroke thicker.

Si Ning placed down the brush and folded the paper before handing it over to Ah Dai. "Make sure Prince Qiu Bai gets this and I will be taking my rest." He said as he stood up taking off his outer robe and let it fall to the floor.

Ah Dai looked confused as he kept the letter in his sleeve. "The head of the Palace guards Lin Fan is still waiting." He said quickly to remind Si Ning. "Young Master what will you like to eat for dinner?" He asked so he wouldn't have to come back to ask and could just go into the kitchen after delivering the letter to start cooking. He moved to pick up the outer robe on the floor.

Si Ning rolled his eyes as he put off his shoes. "Tell Lin fan to go to hell." He said removing his hairpin turning it over in his hand, it was the dragon-shaped hairpin, one of the two hairpins he received as a gift from Xiu Zhicheng, he was able to determine that due to the shape being the emblem of Xiu and the Imperial family so he knew it must be a gift from Xiu Zhicheng.

"To hell? Where is that?" Ah Dai inquired, curiosity written all over his face as he folded the robe and moved to the wardrobe to place it among Si Ning's clothes that he would pack later and take it to the laundry for the wash women to dry-clean.

Si Ning took a deep breath. "Tell him to leave and never come back." He said to avoid confusing Ah Dai or explaining what he meant because he was aware that Lin Fan wasn't the target of his anger.

"What will Young Master have for dinner so that Ah Dai can start preparing it." Ah Dai said when he noticed Si Ning moving towards the bed.

Si Ning doesn't feel like eating and was avoiding replying to Ah Dai when he asked what he would eat at first only to repeat the same question. "Bring me pineapple juice and bread, leave it on the table." He said the first random food he could think of to avoid Ah Dai worrying that he wants to go to bed without eating.

"Young Master, what will you like with the bread?" Ah Dai asked.

"Fish." Si Ning said the first thing that came to his mind hoping Ah Dai would leave it at that and leave.

"Fish?" Ah Dai was confused.

"Yes, Fish and meat with hmmm milk." Si Ning said firmly as he turned to narrow his eyes at Ah Dai, giving him a look of 'go now and stop asking questions' as he folded his hands to show that he would not entertain any further inquiries about his dinner.

"Should Ah Dai prepare Young Master's bath?"

"No." Si Ning snapped.

"Yes, Young Master." Ah Dai bent to blow out the candle before carrying the plate of ashes and left the room.

When Ah Dai left and the room got quiet made Si Ning first take a deep breath, his gaze directed at the books on the table he wanted to fling away so bad but he knew when Ah Dai comes back, he would want to clean it up and arrange the books back on the table which means he had automatically given Ah Dai more work to do so Si Ning only slipped into bed and closed his eyes knowing for him to forget about Xiu Zhicheng for the main time and to make his anger fade was for him to sleep, so he shut his eyes as he tried to empty his mind so he could fall asleep.