"Stay here." Si Ning said. It was unnecessary to give the instruction since he always heads up the stairs without any company but as the King Consort, Yang Sheng might follow him which might be the proper means and he was right when he turned to see Yang Sheng open his mouth probably to complain only to close it without saying a word as he bowed in defeat.

Good.

Si Ning left Yang Sheng, Xiao Pei, Ah Dai with the rest at the bottom of the steps, and the moment he stepped on the first step, he felt a sudden headache and no one had to tell him to know it would be a pain to start climbing the steps, without thinking he started climbing the steps.

At the top of the stairs, Si Ning took a few deep breaths to catch his breath, he entered the moment the guards opened the doors and a bit surprised to see that the court seemed to be sparking, it had always been sparking but he noticed the red rug laid in the middle seemed fuller, the tip golden that seemed to be a bit wider than the previous rug and the pillars looked sparking even the golden dragon statue and Si Ning felt like the courtroom was renovated but he couldn't be so sure. He quickly found his way to stand beside Shao Lang who nodded to him as a form of greeting and Si Ning also nodded, he turned around because Xiu TianZhao should be standing at his side if he was present and as expected Xiu TianZhao wasn't in the courtroom and Si Ning wasn't even surprised because he was sure Xiu TianZhao would come up with something like he was busy as the Minister of Works when in reality he might be dealing with a hangover.

Just a little thinking about Xiu TianZhao made Si Ning felt like his head was getting hot, it seemed like it was his imagination but it was only increasing that he wanted to yell for all the Ministers in the room chatting to shut up but he had to endure listening to different sort of discussion till an announcement was made that the Emperor had arrived.

As usual, they all bowed their head till they deduced that the Emperor had taken his seat. Si Ning raised his head feeling it so natural to be in sync with everybody when raising his head without calculating or taking a note of when Shao Lang would raise his head. Because of what he did to Xiu Zhicheng the last time his cheeks feel so hot and he couldn't help but glance at the man he wanted to spend the night with, the man that made his heart race who was sitting on the throne.

Si Ning was a bit disappointed because first Xiu Zhicheng wore a bored look and not looking in his direction at all, second, he had no appearance of wanting to see him his King Consort not that Si Ning would know if he was eager but at least he would take a glance at Si Ning probably to make sure he was wearing the dragon-shaped golden hairpin. Si Ning stared for long which might seem rude but no one was paying him any attention to take note. Chen An didn't bring him any report so Si Ning was just standing there but he was sure he would be able to say something if he was asked to present his report, he tried to at least listen to what the meeting was about yet his mind wandered to counting the numbers of the stamped profiles in his room, he shouldn't be thinking of anything relating to the matter at the moment but he was a bit annoyed Xiu Zhicheng acted like he wasn't even in the courtroom not like Xiu Zhicheng ever reacted whenever he attends but at least he would spare him a glance or two. To avoid sulking for a petty reason like that made him let his mind wander around and he even found himself thinking of home, thinking if Si Nan was attending all her classes or if his mother was able to manage the household.

When he went to war and came back, the household was in good condition so Si Ning doesn't think it would be difficult for them to cope without him not that he ever did anything significant as the head of the household. He then thought of the spicy hot soup Si Nan made him which was so spicy he only ate just a piece of meat, he unconsciously let out a chuckle which sounded a bit loud because it was only Song Ouyang that was talking.

Si Ning realized what he just did and his eyes widened because the court was now silent, most staring at him even Song Ouyang wore a confused look and was also staring at him. It was so weird that Si Ning had no idea what to do if he should apologize or tell Song Ouyang to carry on but he was panicking internally because Song Ouyang might have been saying something important and his laugh might be interpreted to him making fun of him.

What to do? What to do?

Si Ning wore an apology look then he suddenly turned to Shao Lang. The only people that might know that he laughed was those that were around him so the rest might not know and him wearing a guilty interpreted that he was the one that laughed and to avoid trouble, why not look at Shao Lang and act dumbfounded since Shao Lang wore an impassive look and seeing the rest of the Ministers now looking confused, probably wondering who laughed between Shao Lang and Si Ning.

Because Si Ning was staring at Shao Lang made Shao Lang step forward ready to apologize when they heard the Emperor clicked on his tongue.

"Why did you stop?" Xiu Zhicheng asked his gaze on Song Ouyang.

"Forgive me, your Majesty, your loyal subject will continue."

Si Ning was glad that he just got saved and was glad Shao Lang stepped up for him yet Xiu Zhicheng didn't look in his direction and till the meeting ended, Xiu Zhicheng didn't call Si Ning once nor did he say another word, he only listened while sitting on his throne with a bored look and even waved his hand to dismiss the meeting.

What!

Si Ning couldn't believe Xiu Zhicheng didn't look at him once and he wanted to find somewhere to shout in frustration only for someone to block his view and he tilted his head up a bit to see Shao Lang.

"We should head out." Shao Lang said firmly.

Si Ning blinked wondering what was that only he saw some Ministers glancing at him probably waiting for him to make a move to start heading out alone so they could meet him outside to start a discussion. He didn't know if that was the reason Shao Lang decided to walk with him, Xiu Zhicheng already left with the Head Eunuch which means he shouldn't expect to be summoned by Xiu Zhicheng and without thinking much of it he fell in steps beside Shao Lang a little glad he had someone to walk with.