After going through several books and drinking tea all evening as soon as Si Ning got home ignoring Song Feng's instruction for him to rest but Si Ning knew he wouldn't die of being deprived of sleep.
The only solution that Si Ning found to avoid marrying Xiu Zhicheng was to get married before Xiu Zhicheng announced their wedding ceremony but the problem was he wasn't so sure Xiu Zhicheng would allow him to do whatever he wanted unless he marries in secret, first marry then announce about his wedding ceremony. It shouldn't be hard to pull off after making sure Xiao Pei doesn't find out since he finally understood the brother Xiu TianZhao always talked about was no one other than Xiu Zhicheng and if Xiao Pei knows then Xiu TianZhao would likely know and then Xiu Zhicheng might know through Xiu TianZhao then next he must also not let his Commanders know. To plan a secret marriage was almost like planning to usurp the throne which means only the tight-lipped had to know.
To find a wife should be easy, who wouldn't want to marry a great General like him. Si Ning knew if he got married then it shouldn't hinder him from having fun but for him to get married quickly means he doesn't have a choice than to marry a person he doesn't love. Si Ning couldn't help but dreamily think if it was Liu Ting that wants to be his bride then he won't find a problem with seeing it through.
"Elder brother, I brought you snacks since you didn't eat much this night." Si Nan called outside his door.
"Come in." Si Ning said his mouth already watering since he would never get enough of the delicious fresh food he had been eating. He placed his pen neatly in the book he was highlighting to act as a bookmark.
The door opened and Si Nan walked in and placed a tray with a plate of snacks on the table. She also sat opposite Si Ning and stretched her neck trying to look at the notes Si Ning was putting away making it obvious he doesn't want Si Nan to see what he wrote. Si Nan could always make inquiries from Ah Dai but that doesn't mean she would get to find out the contents of Si Ning's notes.
"Ah Dai should have brought you snacks but I want elder brother to eat the ones I made so I had to stop Ah Dai when he was making you rice snacks." Si Nan explained. "So elder brother do not blame Ah Dai." She added.
"Hmm." Si Ning could almost picture Ah Dai kowtowing and begging Si Nan just for her to tell him it wasn't his fault for not bringing him snacks after bringing tea.
Even though Si Ning already gave Ah Dai a box that contained silver coins for Ah Dai to get a prosthetic arm and come serve him after getting used to the prosthetic but Ah Dai never listen and at the end of the day, Si Ning had to give up on trying to make Ah Dai listen to him and spare himself for once.
Si Ning picked one stick of the spicy lamb skewers coated in cumin and chili flakes from the white ceramic plate since Si Nan looked so eager for him to taste it. Si Ning ate a part and he closed his eyes to savor the taste, his mouth was filled with juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned meat. He opened his eyes and caught sight of a book about the Imperial family he wanted to check out next. He frowned as his existing problems dawn on him.
"Elder brother is it not good?" Si Nan asked worried if it was too salty and if the snacks she made were not so good.
"It tastes great, thank you Si Nan." Si Ning muttered and wore a sincere smile.
Si Nan smiled widely, happy her effort turned out great, she clapped once. "Eh... Let me go and make you tea." She jumped to her feet ready to take the tea tray out.
"Wait Si Nan." Si Ning quickly stopped her. "Tell me what you know about the Emperor. " It had been long since he had a discussion with his sister and it was better to ask her about Xiu Zhicheng than ask Xiao Pei who was still in contact with Xiu TianZhao or Ah Dai who was always overly concerned about him.
Si Nan's eyes lit up in excitement as she quickly sat down. "Perhaps the rumor is true, are you really going to get married to the Emperor?" She asked, her eyes turned dreamy.
"No." Si Ning almost snapped as he folded his arms, he felt betrayed since it seemed like he was the only one that doesn't know about the rumor concerning him.
"But you love him don't you?" Si Nan threw another question at him placing her elbows on the table to support her chin as she raised her eyebrows and stared intensely at Si Ning, a small smile playing at her lips.
"No." Si Ning answered wondering when Si Nan would start talking about what he wanted to know as he also stared back not even blinking.
"Do not fool me elder brother, I know you and the Emperor do meet in secret." Si Nan said firmly leaving no room for argument as she pouted trying to dig out information about Si Ning's romantic life.
Si Ning's eyes widen in shock. "Me.. me.. mee meet?" He stammered finding it difficult to find himself meeting with Xiu Zhicheng in secret.
Meeting with nobody but Xiu Zhicheng? Not even Liu Ting? What was happening?
Si Nan rolled her eyes. "You were so sad when the Emperor got married to his first Concubine but you still attended the ceremony and tried not to show how upset you were and when an announcement was made about the Emperor taking another Concubine, you were devastated and fled to the garrison and when you came back after a year the Emperor already married another wife and you even told me then, under the cherry blossom tree at the courtyard that you can't win against women. I thought you finally gave up and you and the Emperor will finally take a different path then during this last war a rumor went around that you are the Emperor's favorite lover and the Emperor will give you a title when you get married." She told him as she took one stick of the spicy lamb skewers and started eating it.
Si Ning would have gently hit her hand for eating his snacks but first, he had to take time to process Si Nan's words. "Who are the Concubines and who are Xiu Junjie and Xiu Yuan's mother?" He asked pulling up his serious face before Si Nan ask if his head was okay.
Si Nan took a long look at Si Ning wanting to see if he was serious. "The Minister of Foreign Affairs daughter Concubine Ling, the birth mother of the First Prince Xiu Junjie, the Governor of Zunyi daughter Concubine Ran the birth mother of Second Prince Xiu Yuan and the Fifth Prince of Luoyang daughter Concubine Liu."
"Concubine Liu!" Si Ning took a deep breath. "Liu Ting?"
"Liu Ting? I mean Liu Mingxia." Si Nan corrected. "Who is Liu Ting? are you okay Elder brother?"
"Si Nan." Si Ning took her hands feeling like he finally found a savior to unveil all he wanted to know about the Imperial family.
"Elder brother?" Si Nan asked softly sounding worried.
"No matter how odd my questions may sound, I want you to answer them."Si Ning said and slightly squeezed her hands to show how serious he was.
"I will answer to my utmost capability." Si Nan nodded twice proud of herself. Nothing was going on in Zhonghua she wouldn't know. Now was finally time to display her knowledge.