19 Chapter 18

In the second floor of Drunken restaurant two man are silently drinking tea, one is an old man but the dangerous aura leaking out from him is noticeable. One can see that he is one who experienced few decades of bloodshed events. The other one is a young man of the same age as Qi Ming though young he isn't a simple one considering being able to be calm even smiling faintly at the old man.

"Old General Xi I'm wondering why you suddenly want to meet me?" The young man can't take the silence anymore and started to ask. He just returned in the capital with Qi Ming but was intercepted at the gates by the trusted servant of the old general inviting him for tea.

"Hmp! Is that how you greet your master now?" Old General Xi snorted.

"This one then apologizes to master."

"Good that you learn fast..." the old man serve himself another cup before speaking again. "What is your intention in placing one of your trusted shadow guards in my great granddaughter's courtyard?"

The young man started coughing upon hearing the question. He expected that the old man will know it right away but didn't expect that he would confront him soon. He can hear the old man laughing at him after a while he answered. "Qi Ming ask for me to assign a shadow guard to his sister."

"Don't take me for a fool young man! Ming'er knows I have assigned few of my shadow guards to my granddaughter's family. And what's with your shadow guard reporting to you all the favorite food and things that my Ying'er is interested in?" The old man retorted.

"Why are you still asking if you already know the answer?" The young man raises his eyebrow and looks straight the old general after refilling the latter's cup.

Old General Xi's looks in the eyes of his guest and his voice turn seriously cold. "You know that I don't want my family be mixed in the..."

"You are worrying for nothing old man. I don't plan to be involved in the power struggle." The young lad said before he finishes his sentence. He can feel the sincerity in his disciple's answer.

"Look at the first man you've chosen for her, he turned out to be a scumbag despite having old man Long as his grandfather." The young man's sentence hit the sore spot in the old man's heart. Engaging his Ying'er to such man was one of the things he regrets. He didn't expect that the grandson of the righteous Left Prime Minister Long grew up as a self centered brat.

"You really hit people where it hurts while smiling you demon!" Old General Xi observes the young lad before continuing. "Just make sure that not even a strand of her hair is hurt anyway do you need my help? Perhaps request to your parents for the two of you be engaged?"

"I don't need you to be our matchmaker and don't worry about me I'll approach her at the right time. I still need to settle a few things on my side."

"Hmmm that's good you are thinking of her safety though I doubt that our Ying'er will like a smiling demon like you. Hahaha it will be fun watching you woo her based on her personality, you won't have it easy." The old man chuckles thinking of what will be his great granddaughter's reaction.

"Nobody can tell the future old man..." he stands up and walks towards the door.

"I know but it will surely be fun." The young man heard the old one's reply and chuckles. He can only shake his head before leaving the room.

Xiuying who is the subject of the conversation have her cheeks bulged as she happily eat the dessert she made. She looks at her family who are eating their share.

"I can't believe you made this, this is so delicious!" Qi Ming exclaimed while serving himself another slice of the dessert.

"Ming'er you just came back so you aren't aware how good of a cook your sister is! Ying'er what do you call this dessert?" Xi Hui looks at her daughter who looks like a hamster.

"Mother I call it honey cake! Xiao Hua, Xue and me played a bit in the kitchen experimenting to make new desserts."

"Ying'er since you are interested in making desserts do you want to try opening your own store selling them?" Qi Chen looks at his daughter, these past months he let Xiuying help him manage their stores and the profit greatly increased. Her daughter have shown how great she is in managing and she is also good at judging employees' skills and behavior that is why he wants her to start her own business to gain more experience. "The capital will be from me but since it will be your own store the income will be yours. You can just pay me back once it is stable."

"Really Father! Thank you! Oh my! I have to start planning..." Xiuying stands up and kisses her father's cheeks.

"Xiuying you haven't finish your food..." Xi Hui tries to reprimand her daughter but the girl's figure is already outside the dining area and running towards her courtyard.

"Sigh, Chen you could have told her that after our meal... See? She didn't even finish her food!"

Qi Chen pats her wife's hand while answering "Sorry dear, I was just excited and proud how good our daughter in business unlike someone here who don't want to inherent our businesses."

Qi Ming smile awkwardly at his father. "Father you know I'm not like Ying'er she is good at management while I'm good with being in the army."

"I know but knowing that my only son is always in danger how can I always be sure of your well being?"

"You don't have to worry, he decided to stay in the capital so I won't be leaving unless needed."

"That's good to hear, right Chen'er?" Xi Hui is happy upon hearing the news from her son.

"Good then you can start thinking of what you want to do in the future. Maybe learn a thing or two from your sister?"

"Okay, okay I will. You two don't have to worry anymore about this son." Qi Ming is also happy staying with his family though he likes to travel and the feeling of being in the battlefield, he doesn't want his sister and parents to worry anymore.