Si Ning wanted to jump right into the discussion about his army but he knew he had to exercise patience to avoid looking like he had been expecting Shao Lang to come and visit him or he needed his advice so he had to wait and folded his hands to avoid tapping the table while he stares at the tea Shao Lang was brewing like it was the most interesting thing to watch, he watched how Shao Lang poured it in the two teacups, placed one in front of Si Ning and the other in front of him.

Si Ning took his cup and took a sip. It tasted nice that he nodded in approval. "This tastes nice." He said.

"Thank you, General Si Ning, I would have love to bring some of the green tea leaves planted in the Shao's farm which I tended to myself." Shao Lang said as he took a sip of his tea. "I planted the trees myself."

Shao Lang's expression didn't give anything away nor did he sound like he was boasting but Si Ning could tell he took pride in the green tea shrubs he planted himself. Si Ning smiled to show his fake interest in the tea leaves.

"That will be nice, I will like some of the tea leaves." Si Ning replied.

"I am sure General Si Ning will like it, I will personally bring it over to the palace." Shao Lang told him.

"I will appreciate that." Si Ning said as he racked his brain for how to start their conversation.

Shao Lang took another sip of his tea. "For General Si Ning to come out immediately I got here means there is perhaps something you want to discuss with me." He pointed out.

It was quite impressive for Shao Lang to deduce that he needed to talk to him but Si Ning knew his behavior was suspicious because, on any normal circumstances, Si Ning would take his time and make Shao Lang wait anytime the General comes around but this time he didn't even bother to at least pack his hair into a ponytail and he also had to cut through the garden by not taking the walkway to get to the pavilion quickly, those set of changed behavior had already given him away. Si Ning weighs his options about pretending not to need Shao Lang and was only in a hurry because he would soon be on his way to the palace or the other option which means to avoid beating around the bush and go straight to the point by telling Shao Lang the reason he was in a hurry.

"I am sure General Shao Lang heard the rumor going on about me handing over half of the army to the Imperial army." Si Ning stated.

The three Commanders of the Si army already told Si Ning the words had gotten out and Shao Lang would have known because words do travel fast and if Shao Lang pretends not to know then it means it was time for Si Ning to start suspecting Shao Lang.

"The situation of General Si Ning handing over half of the Si family was expected." Shao Lang replied calmly, his face impassive.

"You knew?" Si Ning raised a brow. He needed the confirmation Shao Lang based his statement on. Shao Lang's statement means he was sure it wasn't a rumor.

"It was expected for the Imperial army to cut General Si Ning's power, it was expected for the General of the Imperial army Duan Xi to suggest it during the court assembly and I was surprised they have suggested it to General Si Ning without announcing the proposal in court." Shao Lang said.

According to the books that Si Ning read on the Imperial family, Duan Xi was Queen Dowager's brother and the one currently leading the Imperial army. He was able to get the position due to him being hardworking and with Queen Dowager's help. He was able to get promoted to be the General of the Imperial army. Si Ning never does much in the court meeting and also found it unnecessary to mingle with the other Generals since he placed himself as a General who had a higher rank than them even though all Generals were on the same level and as the future Empress it was all the court members that had to seek him out not the other way around and because Si Ning had been busy, he never had the time to go to the palace and make sure to get a glimpse at the members of the Imperial family so he could recognize them.

Si Ming didn't need to ask the reason why Shao Lang stated that it was expected, he taps the table. "Which side are you on?" It was such an irrelevant question but Si Ning needed a reply. He had to be cautious so he wouldn't end up saying more than necessary, he doesn't see Shao Lang as a spy or the Queen Dowager but no one knows someone for real.

"I have always been neutral." Shao Lang replied, his eyes clear with no doubt.

"Do you think I should hand over my army?" Si Ning asked the question that had been on the tip of his tongue since he sat down and he doesn't want to waste time in finding a subtle way to ask.

Shao Lang took a deep breath as he trailed his hand on the tip of the teacup, the tea already gone cold. "Yes because proving stubborn is not advisable."

Si Ning was glad Shao Lang was so straightforward. His reply could prove he was siding with Queen Dowager but Si Ning couldn't picture Shao Lang in that way. "I plan to stop the selection into the army for now and give the Imperial army what they want before I continue the selection process." He said after some time, revealing all his plans.

Shao Lang stroked his chin, his brows furrows. "I do not think General Si Ning should stop the selection process since there are eyes and ears everywhere then General Si Ning shouldn't stop to avoid future conflict and turning in half of the army is a reckless decision." He said after taking some time to think.

Si Ning nodded. "Hmmm." He closed his eyes before opening them. "How do you think I should do that, not turning over half of my army without causing a problem?"

Shao Lang had proven useful in sincerely trying to help him so Si Ning couldn't help but ask for more advice.

"That will be difficult and I believe General Si Ning will come up with a plan for that, all that I said is what you can come up with since General Si Ning has always been brilliant even during our time in the academy, The Minister of Works Xiu TianZhao didn't beat you once." Shao Lang told him.

What.

It was so unbelievable that Si Ning's cheeks turned into a light shade of pink as he smiled, he was happy that Shao Lang acknowledged him, he would have like that when he was an Actor but that doesn't make him any less happy that Shao Lang told him he was brilliant.

"Do General Si Ning have other things to ask?" Shao Lang asked as he stood up, and turned in the direction of the walkway as his way to avoid looking at the beautiful man before him that looked a thousand times beautiful when he smiles.

Si Ning shook his head, believing that he would find. way. "No."

"I left the training of the special guards that will protect General Si Ning when you enter the palace and I have to see they are in perfect shape, I will be taking my leave." Shao Lang told him.

"Thank you General Shao Lang for your time." Si Ning stood up and raised his hand slightly to show the way and he found himself in a good mood as he walked side by side with Shao Lang.