"That is not so hard." Xiu Zhicheng said softly, his phoenix eyes regarding Si Ning gently. "Tell me what you want and I will grant it or do you want me to give you one hundred thousand troops from the Imperial army?" He asked.
This was the time for Si Ning to gain a hundred thousand troops yet he knew deep down he doesn't want that. He had no idea how to manage his troops and he doesn't want to spend the time he was supposed to be enjoying his life reading books about the art of war, the history of the Si army, and his role as a General. That would be so stressful.
Si Ning knew it was a rare chance to tell Xiu Zhicheng he wanted to leave his post yet he couldn't form the words that would make his name go down in history as the man that relinquished his post. That would definitely make him a coward and laughing stock among the Officials. He was neither injured nor mentally unstable and he had no excuse to avoid serving his Nation. Si Ning knew he should be a great warrior for him to be able to obtain the position of a General at a young age when any low ranking position could be given to him as a Seignior yet he wanted to leave because he was afraid to die, a fear a General was never supposed to have.
Topping the game BattleXmode and having knowledge on how to coordinate and organize his troops at war doesn't mean he cannot lose his one life if he made a tiny mistake, game and reality was different.
Si Ning knew he was going to regret missing this chance but he took a deep breath to get ready for the nonsense he was about to say. "The only thing Your Servant want is what Your Majesty had already bestowed upon me, Your Servant doesn't wish for anything more." He said slowly giving himself a mental slap.
To live for long in this era, one had to be smart, Si Ning knew that much and he just said the lines he once read on a script his manager Su Yi gave him to help his junior in Elite Entertainment practice his lines. Xiu Zhicheng told him to not refer to himself as a Servant and also call him by name but Si Ning had no time to mentally change the script before saying the lines.
Xiu Zhicheng took a long look at Si Ning. "Xilie attacked you because they think I will submit to their terms as long as they have you and I have no idea what to do if they ever take you 'cause I know that only little can your Commanders do to protect you." He said caressing Si Ning's hand.
"My Commanders did well to protect me." Si Ning had to put in good words for his Commanders since he wanted to hasten their discussion to make it end soon because he was feeling uncomfortable since Xiu Zhicheng made no move to drop his hand soon. His caress was almost like how lovers would interact, it was making his hand sweaty and itchy.
"Hmmm." Xiu Zhicheng nodded. "Thank you for being safe for my sake and the sake of our Nation. You have lost much in this last war and a rumor has been going on about us since you promised we will be together forever as long as I have an heir, now I have Junjie and I also have Yuan and I think it's time for you to honor your promise and become my first Consort....."
'Consort' was the last word Si Ning heard as his head started ringing at the bomb Xiu Zhicheng just dropped on him like he was just making some light conversation.
Consort?
Consort? Like, get married to Xiu Zhicheng? Like to marry an Emperor? Marry the Emperor of Xiu? Marry!
This could be a blessing in the terms of Si Ning gaining a higher rank than Shao Lang yet he wasn't sure if that was even a rank higher than Shao Lang. Being the Emperor's Consort means he could relinquish his post and finally having time to enjoy life but there was nothing with an advantage in the world without a disadvantage. Si Ning couldn't overlook joining the harem and having other duties suitable for a Consort also not getting to live his life of drinking and having lots of fun with the beauties in the capital.
Wasn't the Emperor selfish for him to have children and expect Si Ning to stick with him and have none because of a promise? Si Ning had never thought about children but as the only son, he should also have an heir to carry on his family name and take care of his family possessions carrying the Si name to the future and leaving the Si name in history.
Si Ning blinked when Xiu Zhicheng squeezed his hand to gain his attention. "Marry?"
"We will have the ceremony in three months' time and when you feel better to attend the court assembly, I will make the announcement." Xiu Zhicheng concluded.
Si Ning couldn't help as his eyes widen. Did Xiu Zhicheng just conclude their marriage without his consent? He knew that in this world the Emperor doesn't need the other party's consent when it comes to marriage. It was almost like an order as long as the other party wasn't married.
"Your Majesty! The Prime Minister request for an audience!" A eunuch yelled outside.
After some time Xiu Zhicheng stood up. "Rest well Si Ning." Xiu Zhicheng gave Si Ning's hand a light kiss before leaving.
Si Ning stared at the bed canopy wondering what to do. He doesn't want to marry Xiu Zhicheng and all he had to do now was to look for a way to avoid getting married to the Emperor.
Si Ning had always believed in love, at least if he was ever going to get married he would marry for love. No matter how he looked at it marrying the Emperor was nothing more than a disadvantage to him and he might even lose his army and be nothing but the Emperor's Consort people respects while some plan for his demise. As a General, he wasn't able to fish out his enemies yet but if he becomes a Consort then he would have more enemies and be worried about losing his head while living a boring life in the palace.
When Si Ning first met Liu Zhicheng, he admitted that he was good looking but Si Ning never had any thought of having an affair with Liu Zhicheng because to him, Liu Zhicheng was nothing more than his employer and Liu Zhicheng appearing as Xiu Zhicheng in this world doesn't change a thing even if they had different last name.
All he could see and understand was the Emperor only wanting to marry him because of the Military power he had. Si Ning came down to the conclusion he doesn't want to marry Xiu Zhicheng, not now not ever. If the Emperor wants the loyalty of his army then he could always suggest him to marry Si Nan.
"General!"
Si Ning turned to see Xiao Pei standing few feet from his bed, Ah Dai looking worried next to him. Si Ning didn't even notice when they came in.
"Young Master." Ah Dai called.
"Ah..." Si Ning yelled in frustration and flung the blanket away. He had no idea when he gets to rest in this world. All that had been happening to him when he stepped into this world was solving one problem to another.
In his modern-day world, all he had to do was to leave it for his Employer to solve or his Su Yi but now he had to think while he finds someone suitable to carry out his task. Si Ning stood up and dramatically brushed his long hair behind him to hide his frustration. Now was the time to find a solution to his predicament.