Chapter 023 Meet the hero of the original book
Rong Yin pulled her long hair in front of her body and squeezed the water off it, then she lay down in Zong Zheng Xiao's arms, pointing at the extra dwarfs with a puzzled look.
"I have invited guests to appreciate the lotus flowers today. You shouldn't mind, right?" Zong Zhengxiao inserted his slender fingers into Rong Yin's hair and combed out his wet hair.
Rong Yin said in her heart: Although this is the new home you built for me, it is actually still your territory. I have no reason to mind if you invite people to appreciate the flowers.
After thinking this, he pointed to the room at the end of the corridor, and then pointed at himself, asking if he should leave.
"You don't have to hide." What Zong Zhengxiao didn't tell Rong Yin was that it was because of him that today's flower-viewing banquet took place.
Zong Zheng Xiao said so, and Rong Yin did not ask any more questions. She yawned lazily and lay leisurely on Zong Zheng Xiao's legs to bask in the sun.
After a while, Si Xi came in with Prince Ning and his family.
Because they had their own thoughts, even though they were curious about the sudden appearance of a garden in the palace, the family did not dare to look at it for too long and just followed Si Xi obediently.
Zong Zheng Lianqi didn't look well, and he walked with a limp, almost like his father who had a lame leg. When Si Xi first saw them, he glanced at them and didn't react much.
Hearing footsteps, Rong Yin, who was dozing off, opened his eyes and looked up. Prince Ning and his family were neatly bowing to Zong Zheng Xiao.
Prince Ning said solemnly: "I, along with my family, have come to see Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with good health."
Rong Yin leaned on Zong Zhengxiao and accepted the gift together with him. This was against the rules, but no one present dared to bring it up.
Zong Zhengxiao raised the corners of his lips and said in a casual manner, "Prince Ning is too polite. Please sit down."
When Prince Ning saw this, his heart skipped a beat.
If it had been in the past, whether it was for show or because Zong Zheng Xiao really respected him as his elder brother, whenever the two met, after he had performed the greetings, Zong Zheng Xiao would always stand up and help him up, but his attitude would be much more formal and enthusiastic than this time.
But now, Zong Zheng Xiao was sitting in a lazy posture, with a stunningly beautiful mermaid hanging on his body, and his fingers were moving through the mermaid's hair in a teasing manner.
This is exactly the look of a tyrant who is obsessed with beauty and disregards etiquette.
It’s not that Zong Zhengxiao is such a person, but that he treats them with such a contemptuous attitude, the real meaning of which is that he does not value them or even hates them.
It seems that Zong Zhengxiao still cares about Su's father's affairs.
There were a thousand thoughts in his mind, but Prince Ning remained serious and dignified on the surface. He did not seem panicked at all. He led his family to sit down behind the low tables on both sides of Zong Zhengxiao according to the rules.
On the low table were not only tea and snacks, but also a bowl of smoothie with jam and syrup.
Prince Ning took a sip and began to use this topic to try to curry favor with Zong Zheng Xiao and make him happy.
"This ice is delicious and is a great way to cool off in the hot summer. In previous years, the ice sold by the noble families was very expensive. Not to mention that the common people could not afford it, we officials were also reluctant to buy it. We heard that many people, young and old, could not make it through the summer. Fortunately, this year, your Majesty has taken care of me and the common people. Not only can we buy ice at a low price every day, but we can also get ice for free every seven days. Your Majesty's noble act has saved tens of thousands of people. Now the people are praising your Majesty for your wisdom."
Prince Ning said a lot of things, belittling the aristocratic families and praising Zong Zhengxiao for his good performance as emperor, which won him great popularity among the people.
It is said that flattery never wears out, no matter how many times it is worn. Even if Zong Zhengxiao dislikes the sweet words of his subjects, but they said something good for you, and he is still your brother, so you have to respond no matter what.
But Zong Zheng Xiao acted as if he didn't hear anything, and still lowered his eyes and played with Rong Yin's hair as before.
This scene, not to mention Prince Ning's family, even Rong Yin who was watching felt that it was inappropriate.
He glanced at Zong Zheng Xiao and thought: How did this guy offend Zong Zheng Xiao, and Zong Zheng Xiao actually gave him such a low profile.
Zong Zheng Xiao smiled but said nothing. While Rong Yin was still guessing the reason, he suddenly looked at Zong Zheng Lianqi, who was sitting next to Prince Ning, staying quiet and motionless, trying hard to reduce his presence.
Everyone was staring at Zong Zheng Xiao at this moment. When they saw him move, they immediately followed his line of sight and cast their eyes in that direction.
Before they could think about it, Zong Zhengxiao said, "Why didn't Lian Qi bring the Crown Prince's Consort? It's more lively when there are more people to appreciate the flowers."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present changed their expressions.
It was Prince Ning's idea not to let Su Wan'er enter the palace, in order to prevent Zong Zhengxiao from seeing her and getting upset, which would bring trouble to their family.
Just now, seeing Zong Zheng Xiao remained silent, I thought he approved of their actions. Why is he asking such a knowing question now?
Zong Zheng Xiao asked Zong Zheng Lianqi. The Ning Wang couple were anxious but could only hold back their anger. Fortunately, Zong Zheng Lianqi was quick to react and immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "My wife is not feeling well. I am afraid that entering the palace will spoil your majesty's mood, so I have the courage to stay in the mansion to rest. I hope your majesty will not blame me."
After saying this, Zong Zheng Lianqi said no more and stood there quietly waiting for Zong Zheng Xiao's response.
Prince Ning secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. He was really afraid that his son would not be in a clear mind and do something stupid like begging for mercy for his father-in-law in front of Zong Zheng Xiao.
"So that's how it is." Zong Zhengxiao laughed strangely, "The patient cannot stand the noise and needs quiet recuperation. This is human nature. How can I blame you? You should sit down too. If you stand so straight, people who don't know me would think I am an unreasonable tyrant."
Zong Zheng Lianqi was terrified and said, "Your Majesty, you are joking."
He sat down pretending to be calm, but in fact his back was already wet with cold sweat.
Except for Zong Zheng Xiao, no one noticed how strangely the mermaid in Zong Zheng Xiao's arms looked at Zong Zheng Lianqi when he answered fearfully.
After Zong Zheng Lianqi sat down, Rong Yin withdrew his gaze and quietly complained in his heart.
Rong Yin: So he is Zong Zheng Lianqi? I never thought that the male protagonist of the original novel and I would meet under such circumstances.
Zong Zhengxiao raised his eyebrows slightly. What does "male protagonist" mean? And "novel", is this another name for "book" mentioned by Xiao Jiao?
Rong Yin: The male protagonist seems to be quite smart, but how come he becomes stupid after ascending the throne? He made the princess of the previous dynasty the empress, which can be said to be a case of ignorance, but later the true identity of the female protagonist is revealed, and the aristocratic family and the remnants of the previous dynasty use the princess's name to disrupt the government and rebel, almost overthrowing the entire Da Sheng Dynasty, but he still can't bear to touch the female protagonist.
Hearing this, Zong Zheng Xiao paused his fingers that were playing with Rong Yin's hair, and heard him continue: Obviously, most of the troubles could be solved by killing the heroine, or arranging for her to escape, but he insisted on announcing to the world that no matter who the heroine was, she would always be his queen, and he would not allow anyone to harm his wife.
Zong Zhengxiao couldn't help but respond in his heart: The intention is commendable, but it is indeed stupid.