Meeting his mother-in-law was something Si Ning wasn't prepared for because he had already deduced it as them meeting after he had gotten married to Xiu Zhicheng but for her to suddenly show up at his residence was started to give him a headache he had to massaged his temples slowly while standing outside the meeting room door.

His father's meeting room was the best place for him to receive his visitors yet he wasn't able to calm his heart that kept skipping like he was about to face something unknown. According to Xiao Pei, it was just Song Ouyang and Queen Dowager in the room which means he had no problem recognizing her and it was a relief.

The problem was trying to think if they came to wish him quick recovery or if she came along to warn him to stay away from Xiu Zhicheng but he doubts that because if she was going to do so then she would have taken that action for a long time ago.

Si Ning raised his sleeves, checking if he was dressed well because he wasn't able to check the mirror for long in his room in order not to make the Queen Dowager wait which might be translated to him being rude. He must have just woken up and also weak but when it comes to paying his respects to those of higher ranks than him like the Emperor and the Queen Dowager then nothing must stop him from doing so.

"General, your attire is perfect." Jiang Ye said. "The color gold suits you well and it makes you look so regal." He added while nodding.

Si Ning forced a smile, it was like Jiang Ye read his mind because he had been disturbed about the golden robe which might look too expensive and represent freedom to the Queen Dowager and she might consider it rude but it was too late to think about the consequences so he gestured to the two guards to open the door because he was too nervous to talk. Being nervous wasn't part of Si Ning but from what he had seen in historical dramas, most Queen Dowager was always plotting and ordering a dismiss of one person and another. To be judged based on historical dramas had proved useful so he was going to judge her as a person he should keep his distance from.

To gain a firm hold in the harem, Queen Dowager's support was necessary but since he was going to become the Empress then he doesn't think he would be needing her help because she had already resigned from participating in politics.

"Are you not supposed to accompany Ah Dai to the market?" Si Ning raised a brow now noticing that Jiang Ye shouldn't be with him as he raised his hand as an indication for the guards not to open the door yet.

"Yes, he said he wants to make list of the things General needs as hair wash so he can make the soap." Jiang Ye said.

"Just tell him to buy the silk and nothing else." Si Ning told him, he really wants to see and scold Ah Dai for always going to the extreme for him. "I mean nothing else not even a pin."

"Yes General."

Si Ning faced the large door. "Ridiculous." He muttered to himself because it was ridiculous to him that he was feeling nervous. He walked in slowly when the guards opened the door for him.

The moment he stepped in, he felt the presence of Queen Dowager and it was almost suffocating because he felt as if her aura was all over the place. Taking small steps he soon found himself a few feet from them and considered it as a safe distance for him to pay his respects. The Queen Dowager was sitting at the center of the table while the Prime Minister was at the side and a bit far from the table that he had to stretch his hand to take the cup of tea on the table.

Si Ning slowly falls on his knees and raised his hands. "General Si Ning pays his respects to the Queen Dowager." he proceeds to kowtow. "May your highness live for a thousand years." He said making it clear he only bowed to the Queen Dowager and not the Prime Minister because if he was going to greet the Prime Minister then he would do that standing.

Si Ning raised his head slowly ignoring the Prime Minister because they came uninvited so he decided to just ignore him and look at the Queen Dowager properly. Song Ouyang was just a bit further from the Queen Dowager and was sitting appropriately and his posture reminded Si Ning of a soldier that had made a mistake and waiting for his judgment.

The Queen Dowager was not like how Si Ning imagined her to be, he had expected a woman in her late sixty or seventy that shared a resemblance to Xiu Zhicheng or Xiu TianZhao but she was much younger almost like she was still in her late twenties. Sitting there with her head held up high, her lips painted glowing red, and her hair styled beautifully, adorned with just a single golden hairpin. Her brows were perfectly straight, she had thin and slanted downturned eyes, it was the first time Si Ning would see downturn eyes looking so captivating. She was so pretty with light makeup and her attire screamed expensive that the green embroidery on it kept shining that Si Ning found himself staring and unable to look away because he starting to wonder if the woman was Xiu Zhicheng and Xiu TianZhao mother.

Si Ning quickly looked away finding the teapot on the table interesting when he heard Song Ouyang cleared his throat. He was embarrassed that he stared so long at her and he doesn't know what she might interpret it but it was unbelievable that she was so young but in this era, it seemed like young girls at the age of sixteen could legally get married and same could have applied to her because of how pretty she was, Si Ning could guess the late Emperor got married to her at a young age.

"Do you want to act clever now Si Ning?" The Queen Dowager said.

The voice was different from how he imagined it, it was a sharp and clear commanding voice that Si Ning caught the Prime Minister sitting up straighter but Si Ning wasn't going to get intimidated so he raised a brow out of habit looking straight at her.

Si Ning had no idea if she asked a question or made a statement. "Eh?" He uttered while he quickly shifted his eyes to avoid looking directed at her even though he just did because he was already used to it.

"Acting clingy now makes no difference to me, Do you know the difference between you and Ling Hanyu?"

This time it was a question but Si Ning had no idea what she was talking about or what she meant about the difference between him and Zhicheng's first Concubine.

"I am a man and a General, she is his Majesty's first Concubine." Si Ning stated the obvious as he resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

Queen Dowager narrowed her eyes. "No, she is capable of giving my son a crown prince and you cannot, do you know what you two have in common?"

Si Ning's lips twitched because he had no idea where their conversation was going and he felt insulted. "I do not think we have anything in common." He said without thinking because he doesn't need to think, according to what he heard Ling was a beauty but he wasn't about to say they were both pretty so it was better to act oblivious.

"You are both a wretch!" She said firmly.

Ehhhhh?