Si Ning withdrew his hand from Xiu Zhicheng's hold due to the shock and weight of Xiu Zhicheng's statement. Si Ning was trying to have power equal to the Emperor and Xiu Zhicheng announcing to make him the Empress was just the answer to it all but if Xiu Zhicheng takes half of his army to join the Imperial family army, even after marrying the Emperor and becoming part of the Imperial family doesn't mean he was really part of the Xiu family and he would have no control over the Imperial army which means he would become crippled. It was just as Xiu TianZhao said, the Imperial family were afraid of him having more power than them and the Ministers were also afraid of him having more power than them in the court.

Seeing Si Ning's reaction made Xiu Zhicheng took the hand he withdrew and held it to his chest, rubbing it slowly to gain Si Ning's attention before using his thumb to gently rubbed Si Ning's eyebrows in a way to make Si Ning stop frowning.

"I..." Si Ning couldn't think of what to say, he had no idea how to reply Xiu Zicheng. It almost like a condition to become the Empress, it was a condition too heavy that it was almost like an option to choose between staying as a General or a General with the Empress position.

Xiu Zicheng trailed kisses on Si Ning's hand, satisfied with how Si Ning's hand shook in respond to him. "I will give you the whole world Si Ning if you do this for my sake, for Xiu and for us to be together." He said, his statement carrying so much sincerity that Si Ning eyes widen.

It was so difficult for Si Ning to reply that he had to close his eyes to think yet he couldn't think of a thing, he couldn't come up with a solution to avoid agreeing to Xiu Zhicheng terms yet he had never thought something like this would be brought up.

Si Ning opened his eyes when he felt Xiu Zhicheng released his hand and immediately the warmth was gone. He was surprised to see Xiu Zhicheng standing and this made him panic that he had made Xiu Zhicheng angry that he quickly stood up only for Xiu Zhicheng to draw him into an unexpected hug. Si Ning stiffened at first at Xiu Zhicheng sudden movement only for him to loosen up and relaxed as he breaths in the scent of sandalwood on Xiu Zhicheng that was calming and oddly he doesn't want to let go.

"I know I have not been the best man for you but from now on I will try my best to make sure you see me as a perfect fit for you and I know its selfish for me to ask you for half of your army so Si Ning you do not have to reply me today nor do you have to agree to give me half of your army." Xiu Zhicheng said as he released Si Ning and placed a chase kiss on his forehead. "I will see you tonight." He told him as he turned to leave heading for the door.

"Wait!" Si Ning felt the urgent need to stop him as he quickly tried to grab his hand but he was only able to grab the sleeve and he gently tugged at it. He felt the urgent need not to leave their discussion at that giving Xiu Zhicheng more reason not to trust him.

Since Xiu Zhicheng already knew he went to meet Qiu Bai but didn't say a word about it which means Xiu Zhicheng might not know what his discussion with the Governor of Dong was or he was giving him and opportunity to prove his loyalty.

Xiu Zhicheng turned to him. "Si Ning?" He called softly.

"Do you trust me?" Si Ning asked, he doesn't want to give Xiu Zhicheng half of his army so the least he could do was to try and convince him that it was better for half of his army not to join the Imperial army for the sake of Xiu.

For Xiu Zhicheng and Si Ning to marry means there should at least be a tiny little trust between them perhaps the trust between them.

Si Ning raised his head to look at Xiu Zhicheng's expression but his expression gave nothing away which made him confused because he had no idea of what Xiu Zhicheng might be thinking.

"Yes, I do." Xiu Zhicheng replied firmly.

With how much sincerity the three words Xiu Zhicheng uttered carried and his expression showing he trust Si Ning wholeheartedly scarred him that Si Ning had to quickly drop the sleeve he was holding like it was something hot that just burnt him. As an Actor under one of the best agency who mastered the act of judging people, reading people's expression and knowing if they were just fake just like he branded the Actor Shao Lang smile as fake even though he had made some mistake due to his judgement but standing in front of Xiu Zhicheng something tells him the man before him words were absolute and he was afraid of betraying that words that he forgot the next words he wanted to say, knowing if he tried to convince Xiu Zhicheng at that moment then he would look like he was trying too hard and hiding something which had to do with having command on his whole army.

Because he had nothing left to say Si Ning took a step back as he bowed his head not wanting to directly look at Xiu Zhicheng because he was afraid of his not concluded scheme to show on his face so he stared at his feet biting his lower lip desperately searching for a way to change the topic but before he could say a word Xiu Zhicheng was already out of the door that he only raised his head when he heard the door close and his room felt empty but calming immediately as the fresh scent of sandalwood started fading.

Si Ning sat heavily on the floor, he was not the Empress yet but he was already starting to feel the pressure on him. It was funny that when he first came to this world he was confused and after the war he planned to enjoy his life and have many beauties accompany him everyday when he arrives home but the reality was different and from the angles he had been looking at the days to come, he doesn't think any of the things he wanted was possible because he might end up not being relieved for a day but always worried about the future and the things he had to deal it but no matter what challenges he was going to meet, as an optimistic person he was going to deal with every challenges and prevail and be happy even though he might choose to stay with Xiu Zhicheng.

The thought of Xiu Zhicheng made his cheeks heat up because he could still feel the feeling of his lips where it made contact with his hand making him have mixed feelings he had no idea how to figure it out but somehow he was a bit looking forward to Xiu Zhicheng coming tonight. He doesn't know why but he felt like he needed to dress presentably when Xiu Zhicheng comes back because he would admit Xiu Zhicheng was quite eye-catching so he couldn't help but have dirty thoughts about the Emperor.