One thing Si Ning was sure about was in this era, power was everything and for him and his family to survive then he was going to seize every power available for him.

For Xiu Zhicheng to just announced their wedding without his consent means he wanted to marry him as soon as possible and if he wanted to marry him so much then Si Ning wasn't about to make it easy for him. He might have enjoyed Xiu Zhicheng pleasuring him but that doesn't mean he had feelings for him, it was just what anybody would feel if they were in his position earlier.

If Xiu Zhicheng wants to be selfish then he was going to seize it all and become the most selfish and the first step he considered was to be the Empress, the second in command of the Nation, after that he would know what next to do.

Si Ning could feel Xiu Zhicheng's deep gaze on him but he wasn't about to take back his words so he paused his lips waiting for Xiu Zhicheng's reply.

The wait seemed to never end and a cold sweat ran down Si Ning's back as his hands became more sweaty, his heart in his throat because he had no idea what Xiu Zhicheng would do to him for making a demand like that. A case like this, he had seen in historical dramas, then it was the moment the Emperor would draw out his sword and place it on the subordinate's neck while telling them how impudent of them to make such demand from him.

Realizing this made Si Ning eyes dart around hoping to see a sword, even though he saw none it still didn't help the situation as he could feel the temperature drop and he clenched his fists that were covered by his sleeves, he had always been bold but he wasn't confident in front of Xiu Zhicheng. He had no idea if it was because he kept reminding himself that Xiu Zhicheng was someone he doesn't have to be afraid of yet he kept it at the back of his mind that Xiu Zhicheng was the Emperor who was above every being in Xiu Nation.

"Your Majesty!"

Si Ning was lost in thought that he didn't see when Su Heng and Ji Ran approached and he turned to see them kneeling, their heads bowed deeply while Su Heng held the golden box.

Seeing the box made Si Ning narrowed his eyes, he had forgotten the gift his mother prepared for Xiu Zhicheng and he was glad Su Heng and Ji Ran came at the appropriate them cutting off the tension in the air and the gift might please Xiu Zhicheng.

This made Si Ning slightly happy and he was about to tell Su Heng to present it when Xiu Zhicheng stood up. Si Ning wasn't expecting him to stand up, he turned immediately to see what Xiu Zhicheng was up to, he could only see his side profile and this didn't make Si Ning happy for some reason he doesn't know but he was sure he wasn't prepared to be turned down. His gaze didn't leave Xiu Zhicheng once, a lump on his throat as he waited for what the Emperor would say.

"I understand." Xiu Zhicheng said, his voice cold and withdrawn.

Si Ning's eyes widen when he saw that he had spoilt Xiu Zhicheng's mood, realizing this almost made him want to kneel and throw himself at his feet, asking for forgiveness because the Military power he had doesn't mean the Emperor couldn't end his life for being rude, yet he doesn't want to kneel because of his pride but after considering his options and knowing he doesn't want to die and this made him about to kneel only to see Xiu Zhicheng flipped his sleeves and walked away.

The palace guards and palace maids quickly followed leaving just a few of the palace maids behind. Lin Fan was among them, he wore a disturbing look and glanced in Si Ning's direction giving him a firm nod as a greeting since he was quite far away but Si Ning wasn't in the mood so he only looked away. he knew Lin Fan was probably wondering why the lunch had ended.

Si Ning took a deep breath, his eyes on the golden box Su Heng was holding, he doesn't want to give the gift to Xiu Zhicheng at first but seeing how he left made Si Ning want to run after him begging him to accept the gift and also apologize but Si Ning knew if he does that then he would lose a great deal and even lose the opportunity of becoming the Empress.

"General, what happened?" Chen An asked when he finally got close, standing beside Su Heng who looked so confused, and Ji Ran who only wore a straight look.

Si Ning knew he had fucked up but he wasn't going to take back his words, he could see the worried expression of Jiang Ye and Xiao Pei but he was glad Ah Dai didn't follow them, if not he would have his hands full since Ah Dai would have been panicking in this state.

"General, will you like to see the Minister of Works before you leave." Xiao Pei suggested.

Minister of Works?

Si Ning frowned trying to think who the Minister of Works was again that it took some time to realize it was Xiu TianZhao. For him to come to the palace without seeing Xiu TianZhao who seemed to be his good friend wasn't proper but seeing how Xiu Zhicheng left, with a cold look didn't sit well with him so he shook his head even though he wanted to see Xiu TianZhao but deep down all he wanted was someone he could drop all his loads on and seek for advice. Chen An only sees him as his superior, Xiu TianZhao was the younger brother of Xiu Zhicheng, Song Feng was someone he wanted to avoid and he doesn't like Shao Lang, to begin with, weighing all this means he had nobody to confide in.

The day was still young, he still had to think of what to say to Qiu Bai since Xiu Zhicheng didn't give him a reply which means he had nothing to base his discussion on when he meets with Qiu Bai at night.

Si Ning was so downhearted and the main cause of it was something he wasn't sure about but he knew Xiu Zhicheng was also part of it. He only walked out of the palace like it was the airlifting him ignoring the bearers of the palanquin who were expecting him to enter. He was in deep thought and was glad none of his guards said a word and his three Commanders too were quiet.

"Nin Nin...!" A tiny voice called out.

Si Ning turned to see Xiu Yuan running up to him, dressed in a big shiny blue robe, carrying his small feet at a fast pace, spreading his arms like he couldn't wait to hug him and this immediately brightened Si Ning's mood and without caring if his robes may get dirty, he knelt on the floor, his arms wide open to receive the child running up to him.

"Yuan-er." Si Ning said as he smiled brightly when the boy jumped on him and even wrapped his legs around his waist.

"Nin Nin.. you.. did not... come... to... play.. with me.., Yuan is... so sad.." Xiu Yuan said wrapping his arms around Si Ning's neck like he was afraid he would let go.

"This General is so sorry." Si Ning said hugging the child as he stood up.

"You this violent man!"

Si Ning would never forget the other troublesome child Xiu Junjie that was running to him probably to kick him, series of palace maidens running after him, including the older maidservant who seemed to be out of her breath.