The next time Si Ning woke up was due to Xiao Pei who came to wake him, it took him a few moments to try not to complain or ask to sleep for a few more minutes. Si Ning had to remind himself each time he had to get out of bed that he was General Si Ning of Great Xiu nation, a Young Master and man that had to set an example for his men.
Waking up to see it was already bright in the tent almost made him jumped out of bed, he was a bit shocked to see he was dressed in his sleeping robes and tucked in bed. The mattress was so soft and the blanket thick, different from the one Ah Dai provided for him. There was a slightly bitter taste in his mouth. He doesn't remember putting on his sleeping robes but he clearly remembered being picked up from the bathtub and given something to drink, clearly the cause of the bitter taste in his mouth.
"General, I have filled up the tub with warm water, we will soon depart it's already noon." Xiao Pei said as he started folding up the blanket.
It was a sight Si Ning never expected to see. Xiao Pei was just like a stiff guard and acting as a servant doesn't suit him at all but if he was the one that provided the blanket then Si Ning had no complaint. Seeing Xiao Pei dressed in black clothing reminded Si Ning of the person that picked him up.
Si Ning cleared his throat. "You did you dress me up?" He had to ask. He wasn't shy about someone seeing him naked since Si Ning was confident about his body.
"No General. I just came in since we are all ready." Xiao Pei replied. "I will help you bathe."
"No need." Si Ning sat up and surprisingly his body pain was gone. He was glad that his mattress was changed.
"I have prepared your clothes and your meal is on the table." Xiao Pei said handing over a bowl of medicine to Si Ning.
Si Ning accepted it not sure what to do with it. "I am quite well." Looking at the brown thick medicine, anyone could tell it was bitter.
"Its medicine for cold, since you took a cold bath this morning before you went to bed." Xiao Ning explained waiting for Si Ning to drink it.
Si Ning had to comply when Xiao Pei made no move to leave and he had a feeling if he orders Xiao Pei to leave, Xiao Pei would only leave after seeing him drink the medicine. The medicine was bitter just like he imagined and then it occurred to Si Ning it was the same medicine he drank half asleep when they brought him out of the tub. He concluded it had to be Xiao Pei but he doesn't understand why Xiao Pei had to deny it. He still had a lot to learn about this world and Xiao Pei lying would have a reason.
"General I will wait outside." Xiao Pei collected the bowl.
Si Ning started undressing when Xiao Pei left. He quickly washed up since he doesn't want to delay his men more than necessary. After wrapping his hair in a towel, he wore his sleeping robes settling down on the table to finally eat since he was starving. He lifted the plate only for a delicious smell to assaulted his nose, opening the lid to see a plate of creamy chicken soup was so pleasing to his eyes that he started drooling and next to it was a wine pot. Si Ning poured himself a cup. It was so satisfying drinking soup with a cup of white wine. He could see Xiu TianZhao wasn't exaggerating when he said Xiao Pei was a great cook and this wine instead of tea wasn't so bad.
After eating his meal, Si Ning quickly dressed up in purple and white silky robes Xiao Pei left for him.
"General." Xiao Pei walked in. "I will help you do your hair." He didn't wait for Si Ning's reply as he unwrapped the towel around Si Ning's head and started working through his hair. Carefully pulling Si Ning's hair and tied it with a silver ribbon into a ponytail. He proceeds to add a few head accessories.
When he was done. Si Ning was a bit itching to check the mirror and just as if Xiao Pei could read his mind, Xiao Pei brought out a large mirror and held it in front of him. Si Ning couldn't help but smile as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. The dragon-shaped golden hairpin was just perfect and seeing the little hair accessories with the loose strand of hair at each side of his head was the best hairstyle Si Ning could ever wish for. Xiao Pei brought out a green tag with a tassel and tied it on Si Ning's belt, the tag to identify Si Ning as a General of Xiu nation.
"Xiao Ning." Xiu TianZhao walked in, a small smile playing on his lips as his eyes twinkled in delight. "I can see...." He touched the dragon-shaped hairpin with a knowing look and a mischievous smile.
"Second Prince." Seeing Xiu TianZhao reminded Si Ning of finding out all the details about the imperial family.
"General.." Chen An walked in and saluted. He had big dark circles under his eyes. "We are done with all the preparations."
Si Ning couldn't afford to feel guilty, he also wasn't able to sleep well. "We depart for Xiu nation." He took his sword watching at some soldiers came in and saluted him before they started taking the furniture out.
"Yes General." Chen An gave Si Ning a stack of papers.
Si Ning almost rolled his eyes, he would prefer to go back to sleep than to go through the papers Chen An gave him.
The horse carriage waiting outside the exterior wasn't flashy and when Si Ning pulled open the door curtains, he was met with the neat interior and a mattress large enough to sleep. Si Ning entered the carriage and touched the mattress that was as soft as it looks. Xiu TianZhao came in after him and Si Ning gave him an apology look since he climbed into his carriage before him. That should be considered rude and seeing that Xiu TianZhao didn't mind made Si Ning sighed in relief.
Si Ning knew he was supposed to check if everything was ready as Chen An claims, at least he should check if Shen Yu was tied up properly but he was still weak and tired.
"We should set out." Xiu TianZhao said.
Si Ning lifted the window curtain to look outside. "Let's move out." He told Chen An that was on a horse next to the carriage. He could see that just as Chen An said, everything was ready and the soldiers in good conditions all had horses to ride. He had lost many men and seeing each soldiers holding at least two reins of extra horses made Si Ning sad but he kept convincing himself anything could happen in war.
"To the capital!" Chen An yelled.
"Long live Xiu Empire, Long live Xiu Emperor!!!" The troops yelled.
By the way, they yelled 'Long live the Emperor' when the Emperor wasn't around gave Si Ning the perfect picture of how he would be. The old Emperor would definitely be a tyrant. Now it was time to put his operation beware of the imperial family into motion.