Cunning General Si Ning - Chapter 194

After the ceremony, Si Ning found himself sitting right beside Xiu Zhicheng on a large chair that four adults could sit comfortably on, a table before them filled with fruits and snacks with some light dishes, just a few spaces to them sat Queen Dowager, the concubines of Xiu Zhicheng next to her and their table was filled with different kinds of meal.

The event that was happening was a small banquet in which influential people who were invited started to step forward one after the other to present their gifts then an announcement of the next person would be made and they would go back while the next person steps forward with their gift.

It was so boring listening as how they talk about their gifts which the other Ministers and guests wore a smile then they would start nodding like some sort of approval but from what Si Ning could hear, he could tell they were expensive gifts but he doesn’t know most of them except clothing materials, accessories or perfumes. Si Ning had already received a lot of expensive gifts at home and when he moved to the palace, He received those gifts from the Emperor, the Ministers, and those that wanted to be on good terms with him that he wondered if his storage room won’t explode one day with how it was filled with gifts that there was just a little space made as a path, he had owned so many riches that he wasn’t greedy anymore nor does he want more because he doesn’t think the store would be able to contain them and the event was getting boring he was starting to feel sleepy when he started to look around and his eyes fell on Xiu TianZhao who was busy stuffing his face like he had been starving. Nothing was surprising to see there so Si Ning turned to look in the opposite direction of Xiu TianZhao and his eyes landed on Xiu Ting.

Xiu Ting.

Xiu Ting didn’t sit with the Concubines, she sat alone with some palace women Si Ning had never seen, he understood there were a lot of women that belong to the Emperor in the palace, waiting for the Emperor to name them Concubine and their flashy appearance showed that they wanted Xiu Zhicheng to notice them, while they wore fake smiles and kept glancing at Xiu Zhicheng. Si Ning could see a lot of changes needs to be done in the palace, he turned his attention back to Xiu Ting and studied her face, her smooth lovely face a man would love to wake up to every morning, and right then he was at peace with himself that he doesn’t feel a thing for her, Xiu Ting was beautiful so he knew she would get a good husband and as the Empress, he wouldn’t mind interfering if Xiu Zhicheng wants to find a husband for her, Si Ning vowed within himself that he would give her the best because for some reason he felt a bit of guilt getting married to Xiu Zhicheng and leaving her behind yet he couldn’t help but remind himself that his relationship he had with Liu Ting was different with Xiu Ting.

Xiu Ting eyes met his and Si Ning didn’t look away, Xiu Ting bowed a little and smiled while Si Ning found himself returning the smile then he felt a sharp pain on his hand which made him sharply turn to Xiu Zhicheng who was next to him as he tried not to wince because of Xiu Zhicheng was holding his hand a bit tight like he needed his quick attention. Si Ning saw that Xiu Zhicheng was frowning and he had no idea why, he also caught sight of Queen Dowager who gave him a dirty look.

Uhn?

“You should focus on the ceremony.” Xiu Zhicheng said, his tone dangerous low, and a bit harsh.

Eh?

Si Ning’s eyes widened because he couldn’t believe that the man he just got married to seemed to be in a bad mood. “Zhicheng are you regretting getting married to me?” He asked in a low voice.

Fuck that! Si Ning wasn’t going to cower and keep his head low, he was a General of Xiu, a man to be feared so he wouldn’t allow the Emperor to talk down on him so to show this he called him by his name, one minute Xiu Zhicheng seemed to be in a good mood and the next minute he seemed to be in a bad mood but he regretted doing so when Xiu Zhicheng narrowed his eyes, almost like he was angry and moved closer to him, Si Ning had no idea what was going to happen that he even closed his eyes by reflex when Xiu Zhicheng gave him a peck on the cheek. Si Ning’s face reddened both in embarrassment and shyness because the Emperor just displayed affection to him in public.

“Si Ning you should know that today is one of the happiest day of my life.” Xiu Zhicheng said and loosen his hold on Si Ning and started to rub his hand gently and raised it.

Si Ning was afraid he was going to kiss it so he withdrew his hand. “What are the other days?” He asked daringly.

“The day you accepted me as your lover was one of them.” Xiu Zhicheng told him, his eyes gentle showing how much he was smitten by Si Ning that he didn’t even hide it.

“What of the day you had A-Junjie?” Si Ning asked, he doesn’t know why he asked but now he was concerned about if Xiu Zhicheng loves his son. According to nature’s law, a man should be happy when he becomes a father.

“The First Prince the Crown Prince of Xiu, His Highness Xiu Junjie and the Second Prince of Xiu, His Highness Xiu Yuan will now present their present to congratulate the son of heaven, the Emperor of Xiu and the General, Empress of Xiu.” The Announcer said after he realised he had been staring at the Emperor and the Empress for too long.

The Announcer wasn’t the only one who had been staring when he realised the Emperor and the Empress seemed to be in their own world, he couldn’t help but peek just like most around and anyone could tell that love was in the air just by seeing the couple, how they looked at each other. When the Announcer caught the peck he couldn’t help but shiver because it was the first time he would the Emperor be eager to showoffs like that and the guests’ eyes widened in disbelief, those that doubt that Emperor ever liked the General and only wanted the union so he would get full control of the largest army in Xiu could now see it that they were wrong, the Emperor clearly had affection for the General. His glare at the guest was already a warning to them if they look at the beautiful man beside him and now he was proudly showing that Si Ning was his man.

The long announcement made Si Ning look down to see Xiu Junjie and Xiu Yuan, it was only Xiu Yuan that was holding a golden box but the announcer didn’t continue, it seemed the Announcer had no idea what the gift was so he moved to approach the Princes to check when Xiu Yuan started to approach the newly wedded couple, Xiu Yuan robes was large and flashy, it was so long his feet were hidden behind them and Si Ning feared the boy was going to fall when he started to climb the steps slowly, this made Si Ning to quickly grip the edge of the table as he ready himself to jump up and run to rescue Xiu Yuan in case he misses a step. Xiu Zhicheng noticed this with the corner of his eye and he doesn’t know if he should find it strange that Si Ning’s face was full of worry and anxiousness while his Concubine Ran was dabbing her lips with a napkin concerned if her lips were still pained perfectly.

“See Nin Nin… I… Forgot the name… but.. it..is for you.” Xiu Yuan said with a bright smile when he got closer to Si Ning and he rounded the table to stand at his side.

Si Ning finally relaxed and collected the box to see a diadem in it, it was so beautiful and sparkling he wondered when he started to like things like that. “It is so beautiful Yuan-er.” He said but the boy nodded and didn’t leave, his eyes were on Si Ning with an eager look. “Do you want to sit?” The boy nodded and Si Ning found himself lifting Xiu Yuan and letting him sit between him and Xiu Zhicheng.

The guest present eating eyes widened, some almost chocked on their meal, some eyes almost bulge out of the socket, the rest almost fainted when Xiu Yuan hugged Si Ning to show how comfortable he was as Si Ning started cutting an apple to feed him while Xiu Junjie bowed and left with a longing look.