Si Ning blinked rapidly as he tried to assimilate and understand what Si Nan told him wondering if he heard her right but seeing that she was beaming from ear to ear looking so happy when the Si Nan he knew would burst out laughing immediately if she tells a lie but seeing that she doesn't want to call off the prank and her smile seemed genuine means it was probably true yet Si Ning found it hard to believe because Si Nan might have up her prank games and he was about to ask if she was sure about the announcement and wasn't trying to prank him since Xiao Pei that should have informed him seemed quiet but Si Ning couldn't detect what his expression says because just as usuall his face was impassive and Chen An that do bring news to him if he didn't attend the court assignment wasn't there yet.

Si Nan produced a folded piece of paper from her perfume porch and extended it to Si Ning still beaming from ear to ear.

"Elder brother see, it is written here." Si Nan said as she smiled brightly, her eyes crinkled.

Si Ning hesitated a little about collecting the paper but he raised his hand to collect it only to suddenly withdrew his hand slowly because he was scared of what might be written in there, it might be words written by Si Nan that Xiu Zhicheng crowning him the Empress was a joke, it could be a harmless joke to Si Nan but to Si Ning, it wasn't funny but no matter what might be written in it, if it was Si Nan's prank on him then he doesn't have a choice that to laugh it off and pretend he wasn't offended and got the joke yet something was telling him it was a prank set up by Si Nan because she didn't unfold the paper or raise it to show him what was written in it, instead she wanted to hand a folded paper him and let him unfold it himself.

Because Si Ning was staring too much without a word made Si Nan tapped him, handing over the paper to him more like she forced him to take it because she took hold of Si Ning's hand and placed the paper on it.

Since it had gotten to the situation of having no choice than to unfold the paper made Si Ning unfolded it slowly and this was a Time like this he would have loved to close his eyes, opening one eye slightly to peep at the words on the paper so he would know if what was written in there was good or bad news but doing that would look childish in front of Ah Dai and his guards instead he straightened the paper trying not to look as he continued to straighten it as his means to peep a little as a way to mentally prepare himself about the paper content and just as Si Nan said, it was written boldly on the paper that he was to become the Empress in a month time.

This was so unbelievable that Si Ning has to reread his name and position in Xiu for him to be sure that he was the one the announcement was referred to.

After double-checking and confirming he was really the one made Si Ning lowered his hand, even though he was looking straight at Si Nan, his mind was far away because he could already see his coronation, see himself in his coronation robes, see himself dinning in a fine palace with a lot of pretty maids surrounding him, see himself finally seeing the opportunity to take few loads off him and having the opportunity to lazy around, sipping refreshment under the umbrella while some maids fan him, having someone play some relaxing tune while he takes a short nap, then he could finally have the power to decide his future. All he could see was a paradise that he closed his eyes to set up his imagination.

".... elder brother, elder brother, elder brother!" Si Nan snapped her fingers in front of Si Ning's face.

Si Ning finally blinked as Si Nan drew him out of his thought and he directed his gaze to Xiao Pei only to see him, Jiang Ye and Ah Dai fall to one knee and bent their heads so show their respects.

"Congratulations General!" They chorused firmly.

Si Ning took a deep breath as he folded his hands behind him. "I want to be alone." He said, loud and clear to avoid repeating himself as he directed his gaze at Ah Dai knowing that Ah Dai was capable of not leaving the room and try to stay with him.

Ah Dai quickly shifted his gaze as he turned to Xiao Pei then to Jiang Ye wondering if Si Ning wanted them all to leave because he was supposed to serve him. Xiao Pei and Jiang Ye quickly stood up and Ah Dai followed suit when Xiao Pei and Jiang Ye was about to bow, Ah Dai quickly joined and they bowed before starting to leave the room with Ah Dai who was walking slowly, glancing at Si Ning, wearing a pitiful look but Si Ning didn't turn to his direction for once until they closed the door behind them leaving only Si Nan who looked confused.

Seeing that Si Nan was still standing there made Si Ning raised a questioning brow and just as expected Si Nan too raised her brows.

"Mother said you should visit the Emperor in the palace and she is preparing the gift you will present to the Emperor." Si Nan told him and seeing that Si Ning made no reaction to reply, she gently pulled Si Ning's cheek, forcing Si Ning to nod and when she was satisfied Si Ning got her message, he turned walked out of the room.

When Si Nan shut the door behind her, Si Ning couldn't help the smile that was tugging the corner of his mouth then he realised he was alone so he didn't try to suppress how relieved he was so he twirled around twice and waltzed to stand in front of the long mirror then he turned around feeling quite pleased with his mood and for some strange reason he felt like dancing and singing. He was alone in the room which means he could do anything he wanted but as someone with a sense of duty, he had to dress up and go to the palace to see Xiu Zhicheng.

The thought of seeing Xiu Zhicheng and having a reason to see him made Si Ning's cheeks slightly heat up for a reason he doesn't understand so he shook the thought out as he twirled around in front of the mirror getting ready to start dancing, a little dance wouldn't hurt anybody and dancing a little doesn't affect not going to the palace early.