Chapter 006: Bulging Belly

Rong Yin: What happened?

Zong Zhengxiao did not explain, he just picked up a piece of fish fillet with chopsticks and fed it to Rong Yin's lips.

Rong Yin: Ah?

The palace servants nearby: "!!!"

Your Majesty actually feeds this mermaid personally!

Although everyone was shocked, no one went up to persuade them.

They were not as favored as Eunuch Sixi, so how could they dare to question the emperor's actions?

Now that Eunuch Si Xi is not around, they can only pretend to be blind.

Rong Yin was also surprised by Zong Zheng Xiao's behavior at first, but when she thought about how he had fed her cakes last night, and that she couldn't hold chopsticks and it really wasn't pretty to eat with her hands, she felt that it was nothing, so she accepted Zong Zheng Xiao's feeding with peace of mind.

She held the chopsticks between her rosy lips and bit into the fish fillet. Seeing Rong Yin closing her eyes in satisfaction while eating, Zong Zheng Xiao's mood also became happy, as if a blank space in his heart was gradually filled up.

Before his younger sister got married, she liked to keep small pets such as cats and dogs, and she wanted to feed them every day. At that time, he and his brothers did not understand her hobby, and when they asked her about it, they were given a cold stare.

"My brothers are all big fools. It's no wonder that you don't understand. When you have your own beloved pets one day, you will understand my feelings."

Zong Zhengxiao thought that he now understood what his younger sister meant.

This dish of fish weighed about half a pound. Rong Yin ate it bite by bite and was almost full.

Zong Zhengxiao served him another bowl of fish soup. After Rong Yin finished drinking it, he stuffed some after-meal fruit into his mouth.

Rong Yin looked at the slightly strange smile on Zong Zheng Xiao's lips and thought that he was addicted to feeding her. After he was full, she immediately shook her head to refuse and moved back, fearing that he would not be able to stop and force herself to death.

Fortunately, Zong Zhengxiao still had some sense, and when he saw that Rong Yin was indeed full, he stopped.

The palace maid came forward with warm water, and Rong Yin imitated Zong Zhengxiao to drink the water and rinse his mouth. Zong Zhengxiao suddenly smiled and pinched his face, "You are so good."

He didn't use as much force as yesterday, so Rong Yin didn't feel any pain and didn't dodge.

Zong Zhengxiao was even more satisfied when he saw this, so he pinched her a little longer. Rong Yin had not been angry at first, but now he was a little unhappy.

Rong Yin: You keep touching people’s face like a lecher!

The smile on Zong Zhengxiao's face grew even wider.

After finally waiting for Zong Zheng Xiao to let go, Rong Yin couldn't wait to go into the water, but was grabbed by the waist and dragged back to where she was.

"Why are you running? Stay with me a little longer." Zong Zhengxiao held the merman in his arms, his lips almost touching her ears as he spoke.

His breath when he spoke was faint in Rong Yin's ears, causing an itchy sensation, causing Rong Yin to subconsciously tilt his head to the side. Zong Zheng Xiao then straightened his head.

Rong Yin inexplicably developed a rebellious mentality and tilted his head back again.

He tilted his head, and Zong Zhengxiao turned it back for him, and then he tilted his head again...

After going back and forth several times, Rong Yin heard Zong Zheng Xiao chuckle. As if he was infected, Rong Yin turned his head to look at him and laughed too.

Mermaids have naturally good voices, and their laughter is more pleasant than that of ordinary people. Although the palace servants lowered their heads, their ears were already raised.

Zong Zheng Xiao was looking at Rong Yin's bright smiling face and was originally very relaxed, but he suddenly remembered what happened in the court that morning. His eyes darkened and his smile gradually faded.

During the morning court meeting, the ministers of the aristocratic families, as expected, brought up the matter of the imperial selection. They implicitly accused Zong Zhengxiao of not considering the royal family's reproduction of offspring, and said that he was unworthy of being the emperor.

Zong Zhengxiao's irritability was suppressed because the little mermaid had a good night's sleep, so when he saw their calculating faces, he did not get angry, but just said he would talk about it later.

The noble families frequently petitioned to take concubines to fill the harem. Besides really wanting to send their own women to Zong Zheng Xiao to serve as his eyes and ears, they also saw that Zong Zheng Xiao was tired of them and wanted to take the opportunity to anger him, and preferably kill a few officials to completely confirm his notoriety as a tyrant to the outside world.

So when they saw Zong Zheng Xiao being so calm this time, they were surprised but also unwilling to give up, so they started talking about the mermaids.

"It has only been three years since the war, and the people have not yet recovered, but Your Majesty is living a life of luxury and openly raising mermaids. If this gets out, it will probably cause dissatisfaction among the people."

The officials from the aristocratic families spoke confidently and behaved like loyal subjects.

The people on Zong Zhengxiao's side would not tolerate his slander, and they stood up to retort: ​​"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and it is natural for you to enjoy the treasures of the world. Moreover, Your Majesty has not only exempted taxes for the past three years, allowing the people to rest and recuperate, but also set an example by practicing frugality. This time, you are just raising a merman, how can it be considered extravagant?"

As he spoke, he turned his gun in another direction, "Speaking of extravagance, Lord Li has more than ten concubines in his house, all of whom are dressed in silk and wear gold and silver. He rewards his servants with gold leaves. Lord Li, you are accompanied by a large number of servants when you travel, and every time you go to a restaurant to eat, the place is cleared. I also heard that Mr. Li has been spreading the word that you got a box of top-quality South China Sea pearls, each of which is worth a thousand gold coins. Tell me, who should be blamed for the word 'extravagance'?"

Of course Lord Li refused to admit what he said. He shouted "It's pure rumor" and started arguing with him.

Zong Zheng Xiao lowered his eyes and looked at the chaotic court, with a hint of coldness in his eyes.

His third brother knew that he was in the wrong, so he sent the mermaid to Beijing in secret and did not tell anyone else.

Moreover, the mermaid just arrived yesterday, but she has become the topic of the morning court today. This is a blatant demonstration by the aristocratic family to Zong Zhengxiao, telling him - everything you do is under our noses.

The officials from Zong Zhengxiao's side were also trying to tell the aristocratic families not to think that they are the only ones with spies. We also know the dirty things you do on a daily basis, so don't show off your power here.

The quarrel ended in nothing, because both sides knew that now was not the time to take action, and they both secretly kept the grudge in mind.

Zong Zhengxiao's joy at the prospect of curing his insomnia was half-dispelled by the noble families. He felt much better after seeing the little mermaid after leaving court. But when he recalled how the noble families showed off their influence by knowing that he raised a mermaid, he couldn't help but feel a strong murderous intent in his heart.

Between imperial power and aristocratic families, only the aristocratic families can die and imperial power can live. This is Zong Zhengxiao's determination.

Noticing Zong Zheng Xiao's increasingly solemn expression, Rong Yin's laughter gradually stopped. He wondered if he had offended this evil emperor again and was afraid that he would bully him again.

Seeing Rong Yin's timid expression, Zong Zheng Xiao collected his thoughts, and the cold aura that permeated his body dissipated. He said in a gentle tone: "I'm not angry with you."

Rong Yin thought: Not only is he angry with me, but he also treats me coldly. He is indeed a bad guy.

Zong Zhengxiao saw Rong Yin's complaining expression. He laughed, looked down at Rong Yin's slightly bulging belly due to overeating, and suddenly reached out his hand.

The warm palm touched the slightly cool skin, and Rong Yin was so shocked that he started to struggle subconsciously. Zong Zhengxiao calmly held him in his arms and said, "If you move again, I will chop off your claws."