Cunning General Si Ning

Note:- This is the deleted chapter, read this first before the previous chapter. Read this before 'I miss you'

Si Ning raised his hands to allow Ah Dai to tie his belt. He had woken up since dawn but didn't make any move to get out of bed only for him to finally stood up when Ah Dai came in to wake him up for him to get ready to attend the court assembly, even though he doesn't have enough time to soak for long in the bathtub yet he made sure to wash up and even completed his face routine then he allowed Ah Dai to dress him nicely even though his uniform was the same with the rest of the Officials and Generals yet he wanted to stand out and look nice because he would be seeing Xiu Zhicheng, he was still annoyed that Xiu Zhicheng left him to have dinner with his Concubines yet he still wants to dress nicely because he would see him and he hated that part of him that wants him to dress nice only for that purpose.

Ah Dai led Si Ning to take his seat and he started brushing his hair out before he started to style it into a half ponytail after adding oil to the edges then he took a golden diadem to secure the ponytail and took the golden hairpin to pin it in place only for Si Ning to stop him.

"Take another hairpin." Si Ning instructed as he straightened facing the mirror and watched as Ah Dai inserted the other golden dragon-shaped hairpin which was the second dragon-shaped hairpin.

"This one?" Ah Dai asked confused because Si Ning had always worn the dragon-shaped hairpin and he had no idea what to do since he just basically replaced the hairpin with the same type.

"No not that one." Si Ning said the last thing he wanted was being adorned with a hairpin that the design had something to do with a dragon so he gestured for Ah Dai to bring the box of hairpins.

Ah Dai first removed the hairpin in Si Ning's hair before lifting the box for Si Ning to choose as he dropped the hairpin he was holding in it. He watched as Si Ning fished inside the box and brought out a dull but sparkling golden hairpin with a triangular-shaped jade at the end.

"Young Master?" Ah Dai eyes widen and he made no move to collect the hairpin from Si Ning.

Si Ning raised a brow as he raised his hand making Ah Dai take the hairpin from him. "This one." He said clearly because he doesn't understand why Ah Dai seemed reluctant.

Si Ning nodded satisfied when Ah Dai inserted it in his hair, he might be putting on the same type of robes as the rest of the Generals and the Officials in the courtroom yet he somehow looked stylishly and beautiful, he allowed Ah Dai to put on some powder on his face and some lip balm to make his lips popped out that Si Ning couldn't resist smiling as he checked his face.

He finally stood up after checking his face to his satisfaction and when Ah Dai was done styling his hair so he raised his foot allowing Ah Dai to wear his socks and shoe for him then did the same with the other foot before heading out of the room to see Xiao Pei and Jiang Yea standing in front of the door, as usual, Xiao Pei wore his hard look making him looked like a dangerous guard while Jiang Ye looked like a Young Master and they both bowed to pay their respects to him while he nodded as a reply

Si Ning nodded taking the lead and when he got to the courtyard, he paused because he was confused that it was only the Si family guards and servants were in view but then he proceed outside the gate and he wasn't surprised by the series of palace guards outside his gate or the fancy-looking palanquin just like he expected. The guards all bowed to him while one quickly raised the curtain of the palanquin and Ah Dai also came forward holding Yun's reign. 

Si Ning took a step when he noticed his shoes seemed a little loosened so he bent to check but rose after feeling that it fitted him and it was just his imagination only for him to frown when he saw Ah Dai who knelt on the ground on all fours, closer to the horse, his back straight showing Si Ning that he should use him as a stepping stone to climb the horse.

When Ah Dai noticed Si Ning didn't make a move made he turned his head to look only to see Si Ning narrowed his eyes at him.

"Young Master, is your legs not strained out?" Ah Dai asked looking worried because Si Ning didn't want to step on his back which means he might have sprained his ankle.

"If it is won't I be taking the palanquin instead?" Si Ning raised a brow.

Ah Dai quickly jumped on his feet looking guilty. After all, he just did something Si Ning doesn't like because Si Ning told him never to kneel for him to climb his horse again because he considered him as a friend and also doesn't want anybody looking down on him as a mere servant. Ah Dai blinked as he bit his lips softly wanting to apologize but Si Ning didn't comment on it and only entered to sit in the palanquin while Jiang Ye and Xiao Pei quickly mounted their horses. Xiao Pei leading the bearers with the guards at the front while Jiang Ye followed them at the back with the rest of the guards. Ah Dai was the only one surprised at Si Ning's action because Si Ning would take his horse instead of the palanquin, he only saluted as he watched Si Ning leave with a reluctant expression of not wanting his Master to leave him so he took a step forward holding Yun's reign before turning to head inside with his face full of regret.

Si Ning knew he was bound to get late to the meeting because normally he would ride his horse so fast to get there early but today he doesn't want to ride his horse to avoid sweating and he doesn't think the future Empress should be seen riding a horse on the street. He was about to relax since no one could blame him if he arrives late to the meeting because it was Xiu Zhicheng that assigned guards and a palanquin to take him to the palace which means it wasn't his fault if he arrives late.

It was quite amazing how balanced he felt inside the palanquin and only sways a little. He closed his eyes for some time and then opened it deciding to look outside the city because he felt they should be halfway to the palace but when he opened the window, due to how he saw things moving outside he noticed they were moving at a slightly fast pace and he was about to tell them to slow down when they halted.

"General?" Xiao Pei stopped his horse beside the palanquin window. "We have arrived at the palace."

What?

Xiao Pei doesn't have to repeat himself because they started moving and Si Ning watched as they passed the palace guards at the gate. He pouted, annoyed they have gotten so soon to the palace and it almost seemed as if the bearers were faster than his horse. He felt the palanquin being placed on the floor.

"General?"

Si Ning raised the curtain and stepped out still pouting as he turned to the stairs leading to the courtroom only to see a small figure at the top of the stairs, waving their hands vigorously in a way to hit the guard that was stretching his hand.

"Leave me alone!"

Xiu Yuan?

Si Ning's eyes widened watching Xiu Yuan yelling for the guard not to touch him while three palace maidens stood at his back looking worried and then the boy turned his head to him.

"Nin Nin!"