The courtroom became so quiet that Si Ning's footsteps were the loudest in the room he could hear it like it was sounding directly in his ears, he made sure to keep a straight face as he walked back to stand in his position beside Shao Lang when he heard someone behind him take a relieved breath and he could bet it was the same person that took a sharp deep breath when Xiu Zicheng called him.

When Si Ning got back to his position that what just happened dawned on him that Xiu Zhicheng just gave him his hairpin naturally in front of the whole court while he left his hair unattended to and this made Si Ning's cheeks to be tinted into a lighter shade of pink that he had to bow his head a bit to avoid being seen that he was blushing.

The meeting resumed and when the court got dismissed Si Ning found himself waiting outside the courtroom, he did not understand why Xiu Zhicheng had to take his hairpin but then he waited for a bit hoping the head Eunuch would appear to inform him that Xiu Zhicheng summons him but after staying for a while greeting the Ministers that approached him to congratulate him till he felt his mouth start to twitch in annoyance because it was these same people that wanted Xiu Zhicheng not to name him the Empress and realised that Xiu Zhicheng sent neither Lin Fan or the head Eunuch to call him means he doesn't want to see him and this made Si Ning pouted childishly in annoyance as he felt the need to remove the hairpin to check the design instead he folded his hands while sulking. He also didn't get to ask Xiu TianZhao what he meant because he ran off saying he was busy and they would get to hang out later.

"Do you want to see his Majesty?"

Si Ning turned to see Shao Lang and he quickly wore a fake smile as he shook his head. "No." He replied sharply even though he wanted to see Xiu Zhicheng but he wasn't going to admit it, especially to Shao Lang so he started heading down the stairs while debating whether he should perhaps go and see Xiu Zhicheng return the hairpin or take the hairpin home.

This was making him so confused that it almost looked like it was an exchange of hairpin but why Xiu Zhicheng would choose to exchange hairpin with him in the courtroom when the meeting was still going on was something he doesn't understand but thinking about it too much would only add to his worries because he had the habit of overthinking so he decided to just shrug the thought off when he sighted Xiu Yuan waving at the bottom of the stairs.

"Nin Nin!" Xiu Yuan jumped up as he smiled.

Si Ning wasn't surprised to see Xiu Yuan waiting at the bottom of the stairs with Xiu Junjie and the older maidservant Elder Qin who was standing behind him alongside a dozen of palace maidens.

"Uh." Xiu Junjie snorted.

"Yuan-er." Si Ning ignored Xiu Junjie as he went forward to carry Xiu Yuan who had already opened his arms wide to be carried. It was quite funny to Si Ning that he would find himself fond of the child that he didn't hesitate to carry him and pat his head loving.

"Hey, you fake Imperial father's wife." Xiu Junjie that that folded his hands called with a look that he would not be ignored.

Si Ning narrowed his eyes at Xiu Junjie. "Why are you here?" He asked trying to suppress the smile that was coming up because he was glad to see Xiu Junjie, instead, he suppressed the smile and he tried to look annoyed.

"Your Highness." Shao Lang saluted the Crown Prince, as he seemed a bit confused because Si Ning just talked to Xiu Junjie nonchalantly and Xiu Junjie didn't look disturbed or angry.

"General Shao Lang, I can see you are well." Xiu Junjie said.

Si Ning's mouth almost fell because it was unbelievable the boy that disrespects him now talked to Shao Lang like a reasonable adult and even added his title to his name.

"This is due to your Highness's grace." Shao Lang said waiting for a reply only to see that Xiu Junjie was staring at Si Ning who didn't look his way but busy laughing with Xiu Yuan.

"I have been studying and learned some new words." Xiu Junjie said at the top of his voice, his hands akimbo, holding his chin high while wearing a 'praise me' look as he took two steps to stand in front of Si Ning to show his statement was directed at him.

"I am glad you are studying." Si Ning told him and couldn't help but pat Xiu Junjie's head because the boy looked cute and surprising enough, Xiu Junjie didn't hit his hand away.

"I mean let's play ddak-bam." Xiu Junjie announced with a fierce look.

Si Ning's mouth almost fell, he still remembered how he was beaten in the game last time. "I will have to decline." He said shamelessly not even trying to conceal that he wasn't interested. How would he introduce a game and get beaten at it, a game that was supposed to be new to Xiu Junjie which should be an opportunity for Si Ning to win?

"You dare say no to the Crown Prince, how dare you, Si Ning." Xiu Junjie raised his voice and raised his leg to kick Si Ning but Si Ning was quick to dodge because he had been expecting it.

"Stop kicking, kicking is bad, Junjie kicking is bad!" Xiu Yuan scolded.

"What is that, your Highness?" Shao Lang that was standing and watching their interaction said.

"No, it is nothing." Si Ning said briskly if he plays the game with Xiu Junjie and later loses by a wide margin while Shao Lang watch was something he had to avoid at all cost.

"I challenge you two, two on one, see I am fair enough Si Ning." Xiu Junjie said pointing between them. "I will give the winner a bag of gold." He declared.

What a cocky brat.

"In case you do not know Junjie but I am quite rich." Si Ning said waiting for Junjie to burst out demanding his respect while he forgets about the game he suggested.

"Two on one, I will give the winner a trip to accompany me to the Imperial palace river and also a golden pen." Xiu Junjie said standing firm.

Si Ning's eyes twitched because this boy just looked down on him and even gave him a partner. He doesn't understand what the golden pen was or the Imperial river but who would want to accompany a child to a river then he glanced at Shao Lang to see him wear an 'i am interested' look.

"What is this about your Highness?" Shao Lang asked.

"Nin Nin let's play you promised me." Xiu Yuan pulled Si Ning's cheek.

Since Shao Lang was here means he would probably know most of the answers to the question so Si Ning shamelessly grabbed his hand while Shao Lang wore a confused look.

"But the loser have to do one thing the winner wants." Si Ning said.

"Okay Si Ning this is our manly agreement." Xiu Junjie said with a smirk.

"Very well." Si Ning smiled. Why didn't he think of Shao Lang helping him win and he couldn't help but laugh inwardly because he was about to take his revenge on Xiu Junjie and make him promise to never call him either a violent man or fake Imperial father's wife ever again but call him great General Si Ning.