Si Ning knew that Qiu Bai had branded him as an ambitious person and that was who Si Ning was but the only mistake Qiu Bai made was thinking Si Ning wanted a whole large army to wage war so he would be able to sit at the top of all Generals, break free from Xiu Zhicheng and have a life filled with riches and marry the Princess of Xilie. Qiu Bai was right about him wanting the riches and sitting on top of all Generals especially finally getting to beat Shao Lang but if he was going to obtain it through seeing deaths and stepping over corpses at war then he doesn't want it.

"A smart man will choose Xilie and a devoted man will choose Xiu." Qiu Bai said as he tapped his cup.

"...." A vein almost popped from Si Ning's head that he had to pause his lips to avoid snapping at Qiu Bai for his roundabout way of talking.

"Which one are you General Si Ning, smart or devoted?" Qiu Bai asked his gaze on Si Ning without blinking as he continued to tap his cup, his eyes clear with no sign of him having alcohol in his system.

Si Ning couldn't help but translated Qiu Bai's words to being smart if he chooses Xilie and being a fool if he chooses Xiu. "I will become the Empress of Xiu, after three months I want Prince Qiu Bai to ask me this question again." He said flatly to avoid beating around the bush.

That was the only strategy Si Ning could think of to avoid the war for the main time and be able to clear his head and make the best decision after having three months to think about it.

Qiu Bai opened his mouth to talk only to frown and closed his mouth, he tilted his head thinking of Si Ning's words, letting the words sink in then his eyes widen as he straightened up, his face impassive and finally bursting into laughter. He laughed for a long time till tears came out that Si Ning had to raise his brows, a little offended that Qiu Bai was indirectly ridiculing him.

Si Ning watched as Qiu Bai started hitting the table still laughing and he could see Qiu Bai had already considered his reply as nonsense that Si Ning had to fold his hands before he mistakenly throws a punch at Qiu Bai's face to wipe off the laughter.

"Oh, General Si Ning." Qiu Bai chuckled using a handkerchief to dab the tears at the corner of his eyes.

"Do Prince Qiu Bai think I am talking nonsense?" Si Ning was glad he could still talk smoothly without a hint of how angry he was.

"Yes, I do." Qiu Bai replied. "General Si Ning, you really place yourself high when the Emperor of Xiu will be taking in another wife in three months, and from what I heard she is to become the Empress of Xiu." He declared, a grin playing at his lips, looking amused with the way things were going.

What? Xiu Zhicheng will what!

Si Ning's hands slightly shook. Xiu Zhicheng was planning to take in another wife who might become the Empress. This almost made him throw his cup at the wall to express his anger, instead, he clenched his fists till his knuckles turned white. His composure crumbling away and he felt like he needed to punch someone or gamble to take his agitation away instead he clamped his shaky hands together and slightly open his mouth to breathe in and out to calm his nerves.

"Tsk tsk tsk." Qiu Bai clicked his tongue. "Judging by your look, you seem not to know, since you have not been attending the court meeting made you missed how the Ministers have been talking about the Emperor taking in another wife, the youngest and only daughter of the Emperor of Yokohama to strengthen the relationship between Xiu and Yokohama."

It was clear Qiu Bai was enjoying himself since he couldn't conceal his smile anymore and him explaining to Si Ning showed that he knew what was going on in the Xiu's court and Si Ning knew that must mean that Qiu Bai had an informant in the court but that didn't seem like something he needed to make a mental note of to find the informant since he already had his hands full and was currently boiling with anger and he could feel his face heating up and to calm down made him close his eyes to think only to quickly open it when he heard some shuffling and turn to see Qiu Bai sitting next to him.

"Now tell me, what will you do General Si Ning?" Qiu Bai asked, his breath stunk of alcohol that Si Ning had to turn his head.

Damn Xiu Zhicheng! Damn it!

Everything was now clear to Si Ning that Xiu Zhicheng wanted to snag him and take a new wife later when it would be too late for Si Ning to turn back and knowing this made Si Ning wanted to curse at Xiu Zhicheng badly.

I understand I understand...

Si Ning remembered the last words Xiu Zhicheng told him and as it kept ringing on his head only to fuel his anger that he had to bit his lower lip because lashing out at Qiu Bai to relieve his anger wasn't an option.

"What do you think I will do?" Si Ning asked absentmindedly, he was feeling lost at the moment.

"The wife to be is a beauty that I have been chasing for so long because I also need a strong Nation to back Xilie but Xiu Zhicheng just came out of nowhere to claim her as his means for Xiu to get more ally which I cannot allow." He said and leaned closer to Si Ning."What you will do is left up to you, General Si Ning."

Si Ning sighed as he unfolded his hands and straighten them out. "I will be the Empress of Xiu or I won't marry Zhicheng." He said between gritted teeth, if he doesn't become the Empress then he would not be able to move forward.

"Is that your plan or don't you think you are making a mistake, you should marry me, what more to damage the Emperor of Xiu, what more to make him make an irrational choice and to free yourself from those shackles is to be with me." Qiu Bai suggested.

Si Ning's mouth almost fell at the blunt proposal and he turned only for Qiu Bai to cover his lips with his. Before Si Ning could react Qiu Bai had already pushed him down, kissing him like a hungry wolf not giving Si Ning any space to turn his face.

The position reminded Si Ning of when he was almost assaulted by Qiu Bai that he opened his mouth at the slightest opportunity to talk only for Qiu Bai to dug his tongue inside trying to dig out the sweetness and it was so unpleasant that Si Ning used all his strength to push him away.

"Prince Qiu Bai! I do not think this is proper." Si Ning snapped as he quickly scooted away, he wanted to take the napkin so bad to clean his mouth.

"My apologies General Si Ning, you just looked so delicious that I could see why the Emperor of Xiu wants you so badly." Qiu Bai said not moving an inch from his position showing Si Ning that he had no intention of giving him personal space.

Si Ning wasn't married yet and not planning to stay with an unfaithful partner, he was angry and sexually frustrated so he decided to just ruin it all and enjoy himself "The more the merrier." He said and moved closer to Qiu Bai with an inviting look.