19 Zhonghua

The swaying of the carriage made Si Ning uncomfortable and he could feel his back hurting from how long he had been sitting but he was tired of switching between riding his horse or riding in a carriage it was more like when he couldn't take the swaying anymore he would jump on his horse and when he wanted to relax then he would go back to riding in the carriage.

Because of Si Ning's reckless washing up in the cold spring at the temporary imperial residence, he came down with a cold and not to hinder their travel plans, he had to ride in the carriage sleeping on the mattress missing his chance to ask Xiu TianZhao questions of his stay at the imperial residence because when he woke up feeling so cold, his head hurting, he still managed to take a step out and discovered the imperial residence was spacious and large enough for his troops but for a reason Xiu TianZhao only took him there. Si Ning suspected the imperial residence may be closed off to the troops yet the situation kept bugging him, he never had the chance to ask about Liu Zhicheng or about the reason he ate alone at a table set for two because he was more occupied on getting well.

Xiao Pei had to boil medicine for Si Ning and fed him till his fever broke after two days and since then, they had been on the road that Si Ning lost his count on the days but he was sure they had been on the road for almost a month.

It was different from the way Si Ning visualized their trip. He didn't pay much attention to the map and what he thought should be a week journey turned out to be month and when he found out they had to rest on the road twice before camping at night to be able to reach the capital within a month, Si Ning agreed and according to Su Heng they should arrive at the capital by dusk.

"We should arrive at Zhonghua about now." Xiu TianZhao said as he popped a grapefruit in his mouth.

"Yes." Si Ning replied starting to become restless knowing they were near the capital. He had to place his hands on his knees putting pressure on it to prevent his legs from shaking.

No matter how hard Si Ning tried to mentally prepare himself for the day he gets to meet his family or the officials of Xiu nation and the most powerful man in the country, the Emperor. Still his mental preparations wasn't enough.

Si Ning had always lived with his head up high, never to bow down to lick anyone's boots, when he tried to with Qui Bai, he almost ended up sleeping with Qui Bai against his will and he also tried to with Song Feng but ended up getting kissed. When they told him about the Second Prince coming to camp made Si Ning more interested in keeping his head on his neck that he had to throw his pride away and seeing Xiu TianZhao not interested in him groveling at his feet made him a bit relieved but Si Ning doubts the rest of the royal family would be like that.

Si Ning knew this world was about to teach him all the respects he didn't care to learn. The people he had been respectful to could be counted on his fingers. Liu Zhicheng didn't even allow him to meet the sponsors or go to parties to make connections and mingle but Si Ning never blames Liu Zhicheng since his employer's companion had to represent the image of the company.

"General.." Chen An called.

Si Ning lifted the curtain and raised a brow. "Yes."

"I can see the gate, Yun is ready." Chen An informed him as he held up Si Ning's horse reins.

Si Ning wanted to ask what he needed the information for only for the carriage to sway making him dizzy. "Second Prince, I will go on ahead." He concluded it was best to ride a horse after all before he embarrasses himself by throwing up in the carriage since he was already at his limit.

"I should ride with you, its the least I could do for defending the city and not being on the battlefield with you." Xiu TianZhao said and folded his paper handfan. "Halt!!!"

With you?

Every word that comes out of Xiu TianZhao's mouth, Si Ning couldn't help but to interpret them romantically but looking at Xiu TianZhao, Si Ning knew he doesn't want to have a romantic relationship with this person and there was no spark between them. He only sees Xiu TianZhao as a friend and almost like how a brother would be.

This time Si Ning waited for Xiu TianZhao to step out of the carriage while he followed. He quickly mounted his horse Yun while Xiu TianZhao mounted the one Xiao Pei handed the reins over to him.

Looking ahead Si Ning could see a massive wall and a gate, it was an empressive sight. They approached the gate and Si Ning could see soldiers stationed on top of the city walls dressed in armour.

"Second Prince! General Si Ning has arrived!!!" An announcement was made and the gates opened immediately.

They entered the city and it was swarming with people and when they all saw who entered most stopped and parted way for them.

"General Si Ning!!!"

"General Si Ning..."

"Second Prince.."

The only name Si Ning heard were his name and seeing how flowers were thrown on their path like they had been expecting them made Si Ning felt like a famous celebrity and the most wonderful part were all the pretty faces he was seeing in the crowd and the women who wore makeup and dressed in pretty attractive robes waving at him like they wanted him to see them almost made him so happy.

Seeing how large the city was and the beautiful tall buildings was something Si Ning never expected. The capital of Xiu, the city of Zhonghua was so beautiful, it was breathtaken how neat the roads were.

"....Thank you for protecting our city...."

"Eh..."

Seeing how the people were waving at them happily and some even jumping in the crowds just to see their faces. Si Ning was unable to keep a straight face and he ended up smiling till they started to get closer to the palace maingate and then his on top of the world moment got ruined because he wasn't able to go home first, instead he would be meeting the imperial family.

"General I and Commander Su Heng will take the prisoners with us." Ji Ran said swiftly.

"General let me accompany you." Xiao Pei offered.

"That should be the work of the General's right hand man." Chen An said too quickly sounding like a jealous woman that Si Ning had to turn to him raising a questioning eyebrow.

"I think we should both accompany General." Xiao Pei suggested. "General?"

"General Si Ning...."

Si Ning tilted his head thinking of what to do when he heard Ah Dai called him. He turned to see Ah Dai dressed neatly and looking refreshed riding a horse to meet up with him and seeing how enthusiastic Ah Dai was, Si Ning could guess he wanted to accompany him too.

Since Ji Ran suggested taking the prisoners which means the Emperor didn't expect to see all of them.

Now what to do?