The first thing that caught Si Ning's eyes in the courtyard was the flashy golden and orange beautiful palanquin with three palace bearers standing on each side and series of trained palace maidens guards holding different silver boxes and two male guards carrying a large wooden box by holding each handle of the box. Chen An, Su Heng, and Ji Ran stood at their front, with more than a dozen of guards standing at the back. The Prime Minister, Song Ouyang dressed in a red brocade robe with black embroidered lining the tips stood at the center while Song Feng was facing him and seemed to be saying something to him.
Si Ning was so weak and he felt so light that he was more worried about the breeze hitting him hard and make him misstep that he wasn't able to express how shock he was by the grand visit. The visit was suspicious that he stopped and squinted his eyes trying to see inside the palanquin when the breeze blew and made the curtain swayed but he could see there wasn't anyone in it. Si Ning turned his attention to his mother standing facing their visitors while Yanyu and some of the Si household guards stood behind her. He walked slowly up to her while Xiao Pei, Ah Dai, and Jiang Ye quickly joined the group behind them.
Song Ouyang shared a striking resemblance to Song Feng, he looked like an older version of Song Feng with grey beards and moustache that Si Ning couldn't help but glance between the father and son before shifting his attention to the palanquin. The palanquin was too grand for Song Ouyang to ride in it, it doesn't fit his appearance and Si Ning could picture Song Ouyang going for a red-colored palanquin.
"General Si Ning." Song Ouyang walked up to the front and bent his head a little as his way of greeting that it almost seemed like he didn't bow at all.
Standing beside his mother made Si Ning aware of her bending to pay her respect to the Prime Minister that was when it occurred to Si Ning he was supposed to do the same.
"Hmm." Si Ning bowed after some time because he was still feeling muddleheaded and it takes a while for him to understand each word.
Song Ouyang looked a bit shocked but was able to cover it up with a smile as he brought out a rolled paper and unrolled it taking a stance of going straight into business. "Hear out his Imperial Majesty decree, Family name Si, born Ning, the great flawless General of Xiu that has won many battles in the name of the great Imperial Majesty, and the name of our Nation and he had also won our heart shall be conferred the title of 'The King Consort' in one month from today and it shall be known to all across the world."
Si Ning blinked and tilted his head dumbfounded as his mother knelt with the rest of the people behind her. The rest of the palace guards and the three Commanders also knelt and the only ones standing were Si Ning, Song Ouyang, and Song Feng who were standing in the middle and appeared to be far away from the reality since his eyes seemed vacant and he was staring into space.
To see Si Ning standing made Song Ouyang raised questioning brows but Si Ning was still busy trying to understand what he just heard and after some time his eyes widen.
What?
He doesn't know whether he should kneel or not so he just stood there and Song Ouyang walked up to him handing him the rolled paper. Si Ning read the content slowly and it was just as Song Ouyang said. Xiu Zhicheng just declared he was going to marry him in one month. Si Ning turned to see his mother and the rest of the guards slowly stood up, his mother didn't meet his eyes so he quickly turned back his attention to Song Ouyang.
Song Ouyang clapped and all the palace maidens all stood up and walked up to Si Ning and lined up in a straight row.
They all placed the boxes on the ground and opened them. It all contained series of different colors of silk and one of the palace maids moved forward and stood right beside Song Ouyang with the open box she carried.
"This is specially selected by his Majesty and his Majesty wants General Si Ning to wear it when you accompany his Majesty to lunch and the palanquin is also arranged by his Majesty to bring you to the palace." Song Ouyang told him.
"..." Si Ning blinked just staring at Song Ouyang without saying a word.
The two guards carrying the big box also moved forward and placed the box on the floor and Si Ning could tell the box was heavy and when they opened it, he wasn't surprised to see it contained silvers.
"This is all bestowed to you by his Majesty, is there anything not to your liking General Si Ning?" Song Ouyang asked finding Si Ning's behavior quite odd.
"I apologize, Father, it is my fault for not seeing General Si Ning's medication through and because of my carelessness I over mixed General Si Ning's medication." Song Feng said as he quickly walked up to Si Ning and stood beside him.
"Does that mean General Si Ning will not be able to accompany his Majesty in the afternoon?" Song Ouyang asked Si Ning as he narrowed his eyes at Song Feng.
"I will go." Si Ning said. He was glad he was able to quickly understood what Song Ouyang told him and he could feel his head getting clear and his senses getting sharp.
"Then I will take my leave first to give his Majesty a report." Song Ouyang told him. "And General Si Ning I will like to borrow the Imperial doctor for a while?"
"I am just heading out father." Song Feng reply sharply.
"We are grateful for what his Majesty bestowed upon A-Ning and as the future Consort of his Majesty I will send A-Ning to have lunch and dinner with his Majesty." Ge Mengshu said as she took a step forward.
Song Ouyang bowed and this time Si Ning quickly did the same and when he raised his head, he saw Song Ouyang leaving with Song Feng followed by half of the guards. The rest of the guards didn't move and Si Ning knew they must be his escort to the palace.
Everywhere was suddenly quiet and only the rustling of the leaves on the trees and flowers in the courtyard could be heard and it all seemed they were all waiting to see Si Ning's reaction which made all the people in the courtyard focused their attention on him.
Si Ning turned to Chen An a little annoyed he wasn't given a notice first because none of them looked surprised when Song Ouyang read Xiu Zhicheng's order which means they all knew about the reason they came to the Si residence. Seeing how Chen An was shifting his gaze, Si Ning could tell he must be feeling guilty for not informing him first, taking him by surprise since he had never thought of the situation turning this way.
"Young Master..." Ah Dai called.
Si Ning turned to him and saw Ah Dai's eyes darted to the rolled paper he was holding and when he looked down he could see he had unconsciously applied a little pressure on it and without saying a word he turned sharply heading in the direction of his quarters.