It had been two weeks since Si Ning had been attending the court assembly because he could not feign being sick anymore. He started attending the court meeting after reading all the books about the Military Ah Dai brought for him. He studied the books alongside the books about the governance of the Nation to avoid making a mistake in case he was being called upon in the court assembly but to his disappointment, most times he only stood there beside Shao Lang without saying a word while the other government Officials read their daily report to the Emperor and after, Xiu Zhicheng would say few words.

Since Si Ning started attending the court meetings, he noticed there was always tension in the air, most of the Officials being quiet and the one's turn to speak were always careful with their words acting as if Xiu Zhicheng would off their head with a slight mistake while the ones that made any slight mistake would quickly kowtow and ask for forgiveness.

After sorting the things that needed to be sorted out, Xiu Zhicheng would dismiss the court and leave. Si Ning was glad Xiu Zhicheng doesn't acknowledge him, treating him like one of the Officials and doesn't look back when he leaves the courtroom yet at each end of the meetings, Si Ning would wait a bit expecting the head Eunuch or Lin Fan to call him that Xiu Zhicheng summons him and deep down Si Ning wanted Xiu Zhicheng to call him to see him and then Si Ning would have the opportunity to ask what he meant by he understood during their last lunch meeting.

It was bothering Si Ning how Xiu Zhicheng pretends he doesn't exist, never calling for him once during any court meeting or even address him yet the preparation for taking in a new Consort was still going on which was the confusing part to Si Ning.

Si Ning was sure he made it clear he would only be the King Consort if he was given the title 'Empress' yet it seemed like Xiu Zhicheng had disregarded the idea and this was making Si Ning angry because he had no power or say in it if Xiu Zhicheng had no intention of making him the Empress.

The most annoying part to Si Ning was the rest of the Officials that would congratulate him frequently, sending gifts to the Si residence, wanting to be close to him but Si Ning made sure to keep them at an arms-length, acting aloof to show he doesn't want anything deep to do with them and the only person he failed to keep at an arms-length was Shao Lang who seemed to ignore Si Ning's attitude, making sure to greet once Si Ning appear at the court and at the long run Si Ning noticed Shao Lang wasn't annoying and seemed to genuinely want them to be close and Si Ning found himself returning his greetings and exchange few words before they part.

The only reason Si Ning wasn't fuming with anger for being ignored in the courtroom was that it was the same with Shao Lang with the rest of the Generals and Si Ning was able to understand the Nation wasn't in a state of emergency and it seemed there was no threat in the borders according to the reports of the garrisons so Xiu Zhicheng doesn't need to call upon them.

The day was getting brighter yet Si Ning was feeling a deep irritation and he knew Xiu Zhicheng was the cause of it and he was annoyed that Xiu Zhicheng wasn't someone he could give a punch to.

"Tomorrow is Song Feng's wedding ceremony." Shao Lang said as he stepped to stand beside Si Ning, turning to see his expression.

"Hmm." Si Ning nodded, he had already promised himself that he would attend the wedding and drink wine. The least he could do was to pick a fine wedding gift for the couples and congratulate them.

The last time he saw Song Feng was when he confessed and since then Song Feng didn't drop by the Si residence and Si Nan told him Song Feng was busy studying. Si Ning guessed Song Feng might be avoiding him if he remembered what he did.

"I will take my leave first." Shao Lang finally said when he realized Si Ning wasn't a bit disturbed by the news and he knew that the kindness Si Ning could ever give Song Feng was not to promise him anything to keep his hope up and letting him get married because his feeling might never be reciprocated.

Si Ning was glad Shao Lang was a smart man since he didn't try to push for him to say his opinion about the joining of the couples.

Seeing that Si Ning doesn't have any word to add made Shao Lang took a step back and bowed, Si Ning quickly did the same and when he raised his head Shao Lang was already walking away.

Si Ning watched him thinking about what Shao Lang might be thinking and what expressions he might be making or if he was disappointed in him but he was sure Shao Lang wore an impassive expression and doesn't think much about his business. Only when Shao Lang was out of sight made him aware of his troubles, he needed to request an audience with Xiu Zhicheng yet his pride doesn't want him to.

"It is rare to see you frown Xiao Ningzi."

Si Ning quickly wore a straight look as he turned to Xiu TianZhao, it was a little odd to see him dressed in his Official uniform. "I haven't been seeing you in court." He pointed out trying to change the subject before Xiu TianZhao decided to pry.

Xiu TianZhao chuckled before taking a deep breath and cleared his throat as he shook out his sleeves before folding his hands behind him as he straightened up trying to look the part of a wise Official. "As the Minister of Works, I finally have a thing to do since I cannot be the Second Prince forever 'cause we have another Second Prince which you are quite fond of and I don't think there is a room for two Second Princes in Xiu and also I do not want to put you in the position that you have to pick one of us but I know I am your favorite Second Prince."

Si Ning smiled, wondering if Xiu TianZhao even had an idea of how to do his official work right. "No, you are my favorite Minister of Works." He said as a wide smile spread on his lips to show he was quite happy to see Xiu TianZhao.

Xiu TianZhao blinked, quite shocked that Si Ning looked happy to see him, his cheeks tinted to a small shade of red as he smiled. "And you are also my favorite greatest General in all history of Xiu." He cleared his throat and added. "Not that I know the past Generals when Xiu was founded" He added.

Si Ning laughed. "Yes I am great General Si Ning." he said more like a whisper like he was trying to convince himself of his identity.

"Come, let's have a drink."