"Call the Doctor!" Shao Lang yelled to be heard above the buzzingly of the Officials as he quickly bent and wrapped his hands around Si Ning, lifted his head to check his face before placing his index finger under Si Ning's nostrils to check if he was still breathing.
Si Ning was quite glad that he was sweating and the sweat had washed out his makeup that covered the dark circles under his eyes and he gave himself a mental award for nailing the sick look. He breaths slowly through his nose for Shao Lang to detect he was still breathing to avoid causing a bigger commotion.
It would be nothing but a shame for a great General like Si Ning to be fainting in the courtroom but Si Ning knew no one could blame him or think he was just faking it since fighting for months and devising plans along with commanding a large number of troops wasn't easy and losing a great number of his army to protect Xiu Nation was enough for him to faint in the courtroom since he didn't even get a proper chance to rest after returning to the capital.
"Court dismissed." The Emperor's powerful voice rang out.
Si Ning almost shook when he heard the Emperor's voice but as an Actor, he knew nothing could make him open his eyes or even make a small unnoticeable movement not until they take him out of the courtroom.
"Your... Majesty?" Shao Lang said in an uncertain voice.
After staying so still Si Ning felt Shao Lang released him and he was passed on to another hand and gently lifted in bridal style. Si Ning perceived the fresh scent of sandalwood and the arms of the person were definitely strong as he was held up carefully, his head resting on their chest.
"The envoy from Xilie nation, Governor of Dong state Prince Qiu Bai as arrived...!!!" A loud announcement was made outside the courtroom.
Si Ning was happy since the envoy from Xilie had arrived then the Emperor would have no choice but to continue the meeting.
"Court Dismissed." The Emperor said firmly before walking away with Si Ning in his arms.
That was right, the person holding Si Ning was no other than the Emperor, and Si Ning was almost still at this discovery.
Why was the Emperor holding him? Why did it turn out to be some kind of BL comics?
Si Ning was a little annoyed he had to play the damsel in distress but since the situation had turned into something he never imagined. Then the least he could do was to rest since fatigue had finally caught up with him and to avoid giving anything anyway Si Ning went limp in his arms as he surrendered himself to sleep.
The next time Si Ning woke up, he felt better and well-rested before he slightly opened his eyes but decided to continue sleeping and he turned to his side but as soon as he perceived the mild scent of jasmine that instantly reminded him of the room he rested in at temporary Imperial Residence, Si Ning flung his eyes open when he remembered how he slept peacefully in the Emperor's arms when he supposed to be panicking.
"Uh." Si Ning quickly shook the thought of his shameless act in the courtroom away.
The first person Si Ning laid his eyes on sitting on a stool a few feet from his bed was Song Feng who was holding up an acupuncture needle as he carefully inspected it before placing it into a container and bringing out another one and repeat the process.
"You are awake." Song Feng said without turning his head as he carefully placed the last needle in the container.
Song Feng was dressed in black and white just like the scholars' costume robes Si Ning saw once on set. His long dark hair was styled into a half ponytail and reached his back. Si Ning could only see his side profile but he continued to stare at him seeing no difference in the appearance of the Song Feng he knew except Song Feng only dresses in plain shirt and plain trousers but seeing Song Feng dressed neatly in robes made Si Ning do a double-take and he only averted his gaze to study the room when Song Feng turn to his direction.
The room was massive and gorgeous, Si Ning knew at once he was still at the palace and it seemed he had been sleeping for quite some time since the room was a little dark. Si Ning ignored Song Feng that stood up probably to come over to him, he continued to look around to at least guess the time while playing sick on the bed until he caught sight of Song Feng bringing the case of the acupuncture needles over to him.
"What are you up to?" Si Ning asked and quickly sat up on the bed glaring at Song Feng that placed the case on the table next to him.
"His Majesty told me to do something to relieve your stress." Song Feng told him and proceed to open the case. "Since you fainted because of stress." He pointed out.
At the mention of the Emperor, Si Ning knew he had to run away and first meet with Ah Dai or Xiao Pei to know all the details about the Emperor before coming up with a strategy to save his head but as he was right now without a plan, he would surely get himself killed also lying here and waiting for Song Feng to perform an experiment on him in the sense of treating him was something he wasn't ready for.
"I do not agree." Si Ning quickly pushed the blanket away, he sat up getting ready to bolt for the door.
Song Feng grabbed his hand lightly to prevent Si Ning from leaving. "Si Ning, will you really abandon me and let His Majesty have my head?"
"What?" Si Ning raised an eyebrow.
Did he just hear Song Feng called him by name?
"If I do not see to your treatment then I may lose my head." Song Feng explained as he placed Si Ning's hand carefully on the bed.
"Song Feng, do you expect me to watch as you insert those needles in my body? No can do because I will never agree to this." Si Ning said firmly glaring at Song Feng, silently daring him to try and treat him with acupuncture.
"At least let me measure your pulse." Song Feng told him after taking a few deep breaths.
"Be quick with it." Si Ning quickly extended his hand for Song Feng to measure his pulse. He had no time to waste on relieving stress when his head was at stake.
Song Feng held his wrist gently. "Your condition is quite stable, you only fainted due to stress. I will advise you to take your time to rest and you need at least five days to rest." He said after some time.
"Okay, I will be leaving." Si Ning said briskly his eyes darting around to locate his shoes.
"Wait, I am not through with the examination." Song Feng told him and placed his finger under Si Ning's eyes to check his eyes for any sign of blood shortage in Si Ning's body.
Si Ning wanted to yell at him to hurry up only for a eunuch to make an announcement of the Emperor's arriver and right then Si Ning had no choice than to resign to his fate when the door slides open and the Emperor stepped in followed by numerous palace maidens and eunuch.
Oh, Dear.