Chapter 20: Relief
"Chen An come with me, Ji Ran take the prisoners, Su Heng and Xiao Pei do the rest of the necessary arrangement and Xiao Pei I expect you to be free when I am done .... Ah Dai.. hmmm Xiao Pei wait for me with Ah Dai." Si Ning gave out his instructions since they have reached the gate.
"Yes General." They all said but it was only Ah Dai that wore a dejected look.
"Ah Dai assist Su Heng but do not push yourself remember you are still in recovery." Si Ning told him leaving no room for discussion.
At least with Xiao Pei's hard look, it was difficult to detect his feelings from his expression but Si Ning deduced that Xiao Pei wasn't fragile like Ah Dai.
"Yes General Si Ning." Ah Dai smiled brightly since he was so happy that Si Ning cares about his health and considered him as a friend.
The gate opened and the first person Si Ning saw sitting on the horse like a classic painting was no body other than Shao Lang. For Shao Lang to appear so suddenly made Si Ning disregarded all the guards that saluted them since he could feel his stomach immediately boiling with anger.
Shao Lang, dressed in maroon robes and his hair flowed loosely behind his back adorn with silver hairclips to prevent his hair from falling to his face, he wasn't smiling like how Si Ning remembered he always does. This time he looked a bit troubled since his eyes kept shifting.
"Tsk..." Xiu TianZhao pulled up a scowl when he laid his eyes on Shao Lang.
"Second Prince, General Si Ning, congratutions on your triumphant return." Shao Lang said firmly.
Seeing Shao Lang again almost made Si Ning spit out blood even though he knew this Shao Lang wasn't the Shao Lang, popular actor and the one everybody in Elite Entertainment loves but seeing his face and hearing his voice annoyed Si Ning more and he wanted nothing but to smack Shao Lang's face for no reason.
First Shao Lang stole all the major roles from him and now he was also a General. Si Ning considered him as his rival since it was all about competition and it doesn't seemed like their competition would be ending anytime soon that Shao Lang in this world had to be a General like him. Si Ning knew he would never have a rest of mind till he optain a higher rank than Shao Lang.
This Shao Lang may have a stiff face diffirent from the Shao Lang he knew but both of them gives off the same aura. Getting a higher position would be a better plan to live long since Si Ning never wanted to continue as a General, even though he wasn't traumatized by watching Shen Yu's army cut majority of his men down that doesn't mean he wouldn't be the next time. Unpredictable things happens at war and he would rather sell silk at the market than go to another war.
"General Shao Lang." Xiu TianZhao nodded still glaring at him. "The reward is all Xiao Ning no need to congratulate me." He snapped.
"General Shao Lang." Si Ning forced a smile and tried to keep his ugly thought to himself but he could see Shao Lang's expression change at Xiu TianZhao's words and it made Si Ning happy to be the one praised but what was this tention? Did Xiu TianZhao just sounded hostile?
"Second Prince also defended our city, many thanks to your Highness." Shao Lang bowed.
"I didn't do much, It was all Xiao Ningzi, he lost more than ninety percent of his men." Xiu TianZhao said word by word between gritted teeth.
"My apologies for not being considerate General Si Ning." Shao Lang said, his face impassive.
The tension in the atmosphere was strong enough to suffocate Si Ning but he had no idea of what was going on but he could see Xiu TianZhao was depleased with Shao Lang for a reason he doesn't know, he had never seen Xiu TianZhao being hostile to another person and seeing him being unfriendly to Shao Lang almost made Si Ning pity his rival but deep down he doesn't know how to feel about the situation and he had a desire to dissolve the tension.
"I guess you should be careful General Shao Lang, I will not inform my imperial brother as long as you apologize and make things right." Xiu TianZhao said still glaring at Shao Lang.
Their discussion was very confusing and when Si Ning turned to check on Chen An only to see Chen An nodding along with Xiu TianZhao guards to what Xiu TianZhao said and it seemed Si Ning was the only one that doesn't understand the situation.
"Thank you for your kindness your Highness." Shao Lang turned to Si Ning. "This way, his Majesty is waiting for General Si Ning's report."
His Majesty!
The Emperor was already expecting him and waiting for his reports? Hearing this made Si Ning grabbed the reins tighter till his knuckles turned white.
Shao Lang kicked his horse into motion and Si Ning followed him. He wasn't able to admire the gorgeous palace since he was more occupied on how to talk to the Emperor without offending him, he had no phone to check on how to report to the Emperor which made a cold sweat broke on his forehead. They stopped at the bottom of the stairs leading to the courtroom and Si Ning jumped down from his horse giving Chen An the reins. Si Ning could always hide his fears since he was an Actor but the situation he would have to face was unclear.
"Xiao Ning, I have something to do, go ahead without me."
Seeing how Xiu TianZhao left with his guards without waiting for his reply made Si Ning wants to cry. At this moment Si Ning suspected the Emperor was someone who would be difficult to have a discussion with since Xiu TianZhao looked like he fled leaving Si Ning to his fate. Shao Lang started climbing the stairs along with Si Ning.
At the stop stood more than a dozen eunuchs and maids dressed neatly standing in two rows. They didn't turn to them and only stood there stiffly like a statue. Si Ning spotted a small eunuch who looked so young within the group. Si Ning's eyes wandered down this eunuch robes since he read it once on the internet a person had to be castrated to be an eunuch in the palace and Si Ning couldn't help but want to know if it was true and staring at the eunuch like he would be able to detect if the eunuch was castrated or not.
A man who wore red robes with clouds patterns holding a horsetail whisk stepped out of the court room, the man looks as old as Shen Yu and Si Ning figured the man should also be an eunuch, an higher rank since his clothing was different from the eunuch on the row.
"General Si Ning, General Shao Lang." He bowed his head and bent his waist in salute. "His Majesty says he will receive General Si Ning's report at tomorrow's court assembly." He reported.
Si Ning wanted to dance for joy. "I will see you tomorrow Shao Lang." He said too quickly even though Shao Lang opened his mouth and about to say something but Si Ning was already almost running down the steps.
All he had to do was to escape before the Emperor changes his mind. He was unable to ask about the Emperor from Ah Dai but if he used his time wisely he would be learn and equip himself for tomorrow's court.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone