Chapter 046 Zong Zhengxiao, you have no shame!
Rong Yin was completely confused. Even though he had triggered the Butterfly Effect after traveling here, many things had changed, such as Lu'e's fate and Zong Zhengxiao's insomnia.
But he never expected that the hero and heroine of the original book would die like this!
The flower viewing banquet a few months ago was the first time Rong Yin met the male protagonist Zong Zheng Lianqi, and also the last time.
It hasn't been long since Rong Yin last saw the male protagonist, so how come the female protagonist's identity has been exposed, and she was beheaded along with the male protagonist?
What could have happened in just a few months to cause such a drastic change in the plot?
Rong Yin didn't even take the treasure box. He returned to the terrace in a daze and looked at the layout of the pavilion with a dull look in his eyes.
It took him a long time to recover from the shock. He bit his fingers and started thinking rapidly.
He remembered that the true identity of the heroine in the original book was revealed by her parents, the Su couple. Before that, everyone except the two of them was kept in the dark.
Now Zong Zhengxiao is still firmly sitting on the throne, and it is still unknown who will pass the throne to in the future. It is impossible for the Su couple to reveal their biggest secret at this time.
And according to the palace people, not only the identity of the heroine was exposed, but other remnants of the previous dynasty also appeared. These people posed a huge threat to the royal family, so killing them must have been Zong Zhengxiao's intention.
The male and female protagonists were killed a month ago. Normally, it would take some time to go through the entire process, from knowing the identity of the female protagonist, catching the remnants of the previous dynasty, to interrogation, sentencing, and execution.
It is not appropriate to see blood during the Chinese New Year, so the steps before the execution must have been completed before the New Year.
Speaking of which, Zong Zhengxiao was very busy during the period near the end of the year. Rong Yin didn't think there was anything wrong at the time, but now she realizes that it is probably related to this incident.
Going back further, if Zong Zhengxiao found out Su Wan'er's identity as a princess of the previous dynasty himself, then...
Rong Yin's eyes suddenly widened. He suddenly remembered that on the day of the flower viewing banquet, Zong Zhengxiao had a very bad attitude towards Prince Ning. Prince Ning's family was also trembling with fear, and it didn't seem like they were simply afraid of the emperor's majesty. He felt it was a bit strange at the time.
And it so happened that the heroine Su Wan'er was ill that day and couldn't come, Zong Zheng Lianqi didn't look very well either. Finally, before Prince Ning and his men left, Zong Zheng Xiao seemed to have said that something had happened to the Su family and that it had implicated Prince Ning's Mansion, and reminded them to make a decisive decision.
Rong Yin didn't know what exactly happened at the time, so he didn't pay attention to their puzzling conversation. Now thinking about it, there are not so many coincidences in the world. He could boldly guess that the Su family must have encountered some misfortune at that time, which brought out the mystery of the heroine's life experience.
That is to say, Zong Zhengxiao already knew that Su Wan'er was a princess of the previous dynasty!
The fog that blocked the truth seemed to have dissipated a lot, but Rong Yin was still very uneasy. He felt that the truth must be more than what he had figured out.
Rong Yin closed his eyes and carefully reviewed everything that had happened from the day he traveled through time to this moment. Putting aside the superficial memories, some details gradually emerged.
As his memories came to him, Rong Yin's heartbeat quickened and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
He realized that since the day he traveled to another world, all his activities had been restricted to the palace and revolved around Zong Zheng Xiao.
The only way for him to obtain information from the outside world is Zong Zheng Xiao. Just like now, because Zong Zheng Xiao didn't tell him anything, he didn't even know such a big thing as the death of the male and female protagonists.
For example, he met Prince Ning and his family at a flower viewing banquet hosted by Zong Zhengxiao...
etc!
A light flashed in Rong Yin's mind, and he came to his senses. Why did the flower viewing banquet have to be held in Yinjiao Garden? Why did Zong Zhengxiao say no when he wanted to avoid the guests?
He was the only outsider in the room at the time, and the topics they were talking about seemed to have nothing to do with him, but Zong Zheng Xiao specifically mentioned Zong Zheng Lianqi and Su Wan'er, as if he was talking to him on purpose.
But Zong Zhengxiao clearly knew that he was just a merman who couldn't speak human language...
No, no! Did Zong Zheng Xiao really believe his disguise as a person who couldn't speak human language?
Rong Yin had noticed before that Zong Zheng Xiao was too smart, or he knew him too well. No matter what he thought in his heart, Zong Zheng Xiao would always take appropriate actions afterwards.
He was afraid of Zong Zhengxiao at first, but Zong Zhengxiao took the initiative to propose to coexist peacefully with him; he cursed Zong Zhengxiao in his heart, but Zong Zhengxiao bullied him in various ways; he remembered the existence of Lu'e, and soon Lu'e was transferred to his side; he was greedy for gold, silver, and treasures, and Zong Zhengxiao also gave him rewards in time...
Sure enough, no event can stand up to scrutiny. What seemed normal before now seems so absurd.
This is a coincidence that cannot be explained by common sense.
Even though it was hard to accept, the fact was that Zong Zheng Xiao seemed to be able to hear his thoughts.
A slightly sweet taste came from his mouth, and Rong Yin opened his eyes and saw that he had accidentally bitten his finger because he was too shocked.
Fortunately, the wound was not deep, and Rong Yin stopped the bleeding after licking it a few times.
Shocked by the truth, Rong Yin didn't know what to do for a moment.
Escape? Not to mention whether he would be caught or not, he couldn't leave the water. He would die of thirst within a few steps out of the palace.
Otherwise, can he die early without waiting for the one-year period?
Rong Yin looked around and saw water all around. The most convenient way was to drown the mermaid, but it was quite difficult to drown the mermaid.
If drowning doesn't work, then all that's left is...
Rong Yin looked at the pillar next to him. It was thick and solid. If he hit his head on it, it would definitely make a loud noise.
He took a deep breath and was ready to try.
At this moment, Lu'e's voice came from outside the pavilion: "Master."
Rong Yin looked up and saw Lu'e coming over with fruit tea and snacks. Seeing that Rong Yin looked a little unhappy, she asked worriedly, "Master, are you feeling unwell?"
"Ah..." Rong Yin's eyes turned red and her voice sounded aggrieved.
This was the first time that Rong Yin showed such a weak and helpless side in front of Lu'e, and Lu'e couldn't help but feel pity for him.
She put down the tray, held Rong Yin's shoulders and checked him from head to toe. Finally, she found a wound on his right index finger with a bite mark on it.
Judging from the marks, it could only be caused by Rong Yin's teeth. Lu'e looked at him in surprise and confusion: "Master, how could you bite yourself? It must be so painful."
In fact, it was just a minor skin break and not much blood was shed, but Lu'e had always protected Rong Yin like a fragile porcelain doll, so she felt extremely distressed even though it was just a minor injury.
Rong Yin was not upset because of this, but seeing that Lu'e cared about him so much, he couldn't hold back his emotions and his eyes became wet.
"Master, don't cry, don't cry." Lu'e hurriedly wiped his tears, and at the same time turned around and told the palace maid guarding outside the pavilion to get medicine.
The palace maid came back with the medicine quickly. Lu'e held Rong Yin's hand, not caring about his sharp nails and abnormally white skin. She pinched the small wooden piece for applying the medicine and gently applied the ointment on Rong Yin's wound that was about to heal.
After finishing, he blew cold air on the wound and said in a coaxing tone: "Don't be afraid, master, it will stop hurting soon."
"Ah." Rong Yin's eyes were red, and she said quietly in her heart: Thank you Lu'e, you are so kind.
Lu'e's expression didn't change at all. It seemed that she couldn't hear her own thoughts. Combined with the behavior of the people around her, Rong Yin felt that Zong Zheng Xiao was the only one who had this special ability.
Lu'e looked up and saw Rong Yin's moist eyes with red at the corners of his eyes. Combined with his fair skin, he looked like a red plum blossom in the snow, beautiful and particularly eye-catching, giving off a feeling of pity.
Lu'e vaguely understood why His Majesty always liked to tease the master, because the master was full of charm no matter his joy, anger, sorrow or happiness, which could easily make people have bad thoughts and want to discover more different sides of him.
That would be fun.
As she was thinking about it, Lu'e suddenly started and realized that she had actually offended her master in her heart, which was really wrong.
She cursed herself secretly, then regained her previous composure.
Rong Yin was in a heavy mood and didn't even want to try his favorite fruit tea and snacks. He only reluctantly took a few bites after Lu'e coaxed him into doing so.
Until Zong Zheng Xiao came back, he sat in the pavilion absent-mindedly in a daze, seeming to be thinking about a lot, yet also thinking about nothing.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Zong Zheng Xiao came back very late today. He stepped into the Silver Shark Garden with the last rays of sunlight on his body, and walked towards Rong Yin amid the respectful welcome of the palace ladies.
Rong Yin did not jump up to greet Zong Zheng Xiao happily like before. He just looked at him quietly, his body trembling slightly, like a fish that saw a cat and knew it was doomed to die.
Rong Yin: Zong Zheng Xiao, I'm going to escape!
When Zong Zhengxiao was about to walk in front of Rong Yin, Rong Yin shouted this loudly in his heart.
As he expected, Zong Zheng Xiao's brows furrowed as soon as he finished speaking, and the look he gave him became a little more stern.
He was not wrong, Zong Zheng Xiao could indeed hear his thoughts.
I'm dead, Rong Yin thought.
Rong Yin jumped up as if a needle had poked her in the butt. Before anyone could react, she jumped into the pool with a splash and dived into the water as quickly as possible.
Lu'e cried out in surprise: "Master!"
Except for Zong Zhengxiao, everyone else was stunned by this sudden accident. What was the merman doing?
"Your Majesty, this..." Si Xi looked at Zong Zheng Xiao's calm appearance and had some guesses in his mind, but he still asked for instructions.
Zong Zhengxiao didn't say anything, but took off his clothes.
The temperature was still very low in the early spring night, but Zong Zhengxiao insisted on taking off all his clothes until he was left with only his innermost clothes and pants, then he walked step by step into the pool where Rong Yin had jumped.
Si Xi took the initiative to take the palace servants away from here. Lu'e was worried that Rong Yin would not leave, so she was dragged out by Si Xi.
The water in the pool was cold but clean, and Zong Zhengxiao could see where Rong Yin was at a glance.
He swam over without hesitation, but before he got close, he heard Rong Yin screaming in his heart.
Rong Yin: Zong Zhengxiao, you are not allowed to come over here, go away!
Zong Zhengxiao still didn't say anything, he just swam towards Rong Yin at a faster speed.
Seeing Zong Zheng Xiao gradually approaching, Rong Yin's body became limp with fear. He was clearly the one with the upper hand in the water, but at this moment he almost forgot how to swim.
He finally came to his senses and started to struggle to the side, but Zong Zheng Xiao rushed over, grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
Rong Yin's mind was blank at this moment. He struggled frantically and slapped Zong Zheng Xiao with one claw. In an instant, several bloody marks appeared on Zong Zheng Xiao's chest. The bright red blood scattered in the water. The pain made Zong Zheng Xiao subconsciously let go.
Fortunately, he let go in time, otherwise the irrational Rong Yin would have to dig a piece of meat from him. And the mermaid's tail should not be underestimated. Even if he didn't use all his strength, a light tap could break a few of his ribs.
While Zong Zhengxiao didn't react, Rong Yin used all her strength to swim in the opposite direction of Zong Zhengxiao, wishing she could escape to the horizon.
However, no matter how big the pool is, it has a limited space. After swimming for a few strokes, Rong Yin reached the pavilion. He climbed up the steps of the pavilion, turned around and looked. He thought Zong Zheng Xiao would catch up with him, but he didn't expect that he was still in the water!
Night was about to fall, and with the faint light from the sky, Rong Yin saw the figure in the water.
Not sure if it was an illusion, but Rong Yin felt that the figure seemed to be twitching.
Humans are different from mermaids and cannot hold their breath in water for too long. Moreover, Zong Zheng Xiao followed him into the water just now, as if he had not warmed up at all, which made it easiest for him to get cramps.
And I just pushed him back, so it won't cause any problems for Zong Zheng Xiao, right?
Rong Yin stared at the figure closely, and seeing that he showed no signs of floating up, her worry about Zong Zheng Xiao overcame her fear of him. Rong Yin turned around, jumped into the water, and swam towards Zong Zheng Xiao.
When approaching, Rong Yin found that Zong Zheng Xiao was floating motionless in the water with his eyes closed, as if he had suffocated.
Rong Yin was extremely panicked. She hugged Zong Zheng Xiao's waist and dragged him back to the shore.
After climbing up the stairs, Rong Yin was about to turn around to check on Zong Zhengxiao when two arms suddenly stretched out from behind and hugged him tightly in their arms.
Rong Yin's eyes widened. Zong Zheng Xiao was not drowning. He was deceived again!
"Ah!" Rong Yin wanted to use the same trick to get rid of him, but Zong Zhengxiao restrained his hands from behind and said hoarsely with heavy breathing, "Do you think running away will work? The entire palace belongs to me, where do you think you can escape to?"
Zong Zhengxiao's tone was somewhat stern, as if he was teaching a disobedient child a lesson.
Rong Yin thought angrily: Don't bother me! Let me go!
Zong Zhengxiao tightened his arms and put his lips almost to Rong Yin's ears. "The person you want to hide from is me. Why can't I take care of you?"
Rong Yin was so anxious that tears came out: Look at you! You can clearly hear my inner voice! And you still don’t tell me! I hate you!
In fact, Rong Yin was more afraid than disgusted, but he was too embarrassed to say it.
"You hate me but you still come back to save me? Why don't you just let me drown?" Zong Zheng Xiao said hurriedly.
Rong Yin was angry: How dare you bring it up! You just lied to me again!
Zong Zhengxiao said confidently, "I had no choice but to do that. Who told you to hide from me?"
Rong Yin was irritated by his shamelessness. She turned her head to look at him and could no longer hold back, so she said directly, "You are shameless."
This was the first time that Rong Yin spoke a complete sentence to Zong Zheng Xiao while she was sober. Even though she was scolding him, Zong Zheng Xiao was still very happy.
But when he saw Rong Yin's red eyes and tears rolling down her face, he could no longer laugh.
"Why are you crying?" Zong Zhengxiao let go of Rong Yin, turned him around to face him, held his face in his hands, wiped his tears and said guiltily: "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lied to you, don't cry."
Although he was free at this moment, Rong Yin did not run away again, nor did he continue to scold Zong Zheng Xiao, and even his inner voice disappeared.
He just stared at Zong Zheng Xiao with his round eyes without saying a word, tears falling like pearls from a broken string, his expression aggrieved and stubborn.
Zong Zhengxiao was panicked. He tried to wipe Rong Yin's tears but found that he could not wipe them all away. He wanted to coax him but did not know where to start.
He had no choice but to hug Rong Yin, pat his back, and apologize sincerely again: "I'm sorry, it's all my fault. If you hate me, you can scold me, beat me, or do whatever you want. Just leave me alive. Just don't hold it in, okay?"
As soon as Zong Zheng Xiao finished speaking, Rong Yin asked with sobs, "Really?"
Zong Zhengxiao said: "Really."
As soon as he finished speaking, Rong Yin suddenly opened her mouth and bit his shoulder.
This was not the first time that Rong Yin bit Zong Zhengxiao's shoulder, but it was the hardest time. In a moment, blood flowed from the corner of Rong Yin's mouth, which showed how deep the bite was.
But Zong Zhengxiao didn't even frown, let alone cry out in pain.
"Wuwuwu..." Rong Yin bit Zong Zhengxiao and swallowed, tears rolling down her cheeks and mixing into Zong Zhengxiao's blood.
Zong Zheng Xiao gently stroked Rong Yin's hair to soothe his uneasy and frightened heart.
An unknown amount of time had passed, so long that Zong Zheng Xiao's shoulder had become numb from the bite, so long that stars appeared in the sky, and so long that both of their wet hair had been half dried by the cold wind, before Rong Yin slowly opened his mouth.
Half of his face was covered in Zong Zheng Xiao's blood, and his bright red lips and sharp teeth made him look like a ghost crawling out of hell, eerie and terrifying.
Zong Zhengxiao's face was pale from the blood loss and freezing. He pushed away a strand of hair stuck to Rong Yin's cheek and asked him, "It's so late, are you hungry?"
Rong Yin looked at him straight without saying a word.
Zong Zhengxiao tried again, "I'll ask Lu'e to help you wash up, and then we can eat, okay?"
This time Rong Yin finally responded and nodded.
Zong Zhengxiao called over Si Xi who was hiding far away. Si Xi brought Lu E over. When he saw the horrific scene, he was so frightened that he almost slipped and fell. He only stood up quickly after being glared at by Zong Zhengxiao.
Lu'e almost screamed in fright, but fortunately she covered her mouth in time.
Si Xi stammered, "Your Majesty, I will go and call the imperial physician right now."
Zong Zhengxiao was about to refuse, saying that he could just apply some medicine for external injuries, but Rong Yin grabbed the corner of his clothes and said dejectedly in her heart: Let him call the imperial physician to come and see you.
Zong Zhengxiao was now completely obedient to Rong Yin. Hearing this, he swallowed back what he was about to say and said, "Take the imperial physician to the study next door to wait for me."
"Yes." Si Xi left in a hurry.
Zong Zhengxiao then instructed Lu'e, "Take your master to wash up."
Lu'e responded in a low voice, helped Rong Yin to the room where he lived, then asked the palace maid to bring hot water, wet a towel herself, and gently wiped the blood off Rong Yin's face bit by bit.
Rong Yin had a blank expression on his face and his eyes were a little dull. As Lu'e wiped her tears, they fell.
"My Lord, what happened between you and His Majesty?"
Lu'e felt something was wrong when she discovered Rong Yin bit her finger in the afternoon. When she saw Rong Yin hiding in the water to avoid Zong Zhengxiao, that feeling of something was wrong increased from one point to ten points.
It was because she had little influence and had to be pulled away by Si Xi. Otherwise, if she were there, the situation might not have developed like this.
Lu'e checked carefully and found that Rong Yin was not injured. The blood on his face was from Zong Zhengxiao. Half of Zong Zhengxiao's body was soaked with blood and his clothes on his chest were torn, which looked particularly scary.
Naturally, all of these were done by Rong Yin, but Lu'e didn't think it was Rong Yin's fault. Her master was such a well-behaved and gentle person. It must be that His Majesty did something bad, which forced her master to attack him.
Otherwise, why was His Majesty so calm even though he was injured? Maybe he was just feeling guilty.
Lu'e firmly defended Rongyin.
In fact, in a sense, Lu'e is the truth.
After wiping the blood off Rong Yin's face and re-combing his hair, Rong Yin changed from his scary look back to his former clean and cute self, but there was still no expression on that handsome face.
Lu'e touched Rong Yin's head presumptuously and said, "Don't be afraid, Master. His Majesty will be fine. You haven't done anything wrong."
The little palace maid beside her twitched her lips: Aunt Lu'e, is it really okay for you to speak out your true feelings so openly?
"Hmm..." Rong Yin hummed like a kitten, raised his arms to hug Lu'e's waist and buried his face in her arms.
Lu'e was stunned at first, then her brows softened. She stroked Rong Yin's back gently, like an older sister comforting an insecure younger brother.
The glory of motherhood is not limited by age.
When Zong Zhengxiao came in, Rong Yin was still holding Lu'e and refused to let go. Si Xi coughed loudly as if he had caught a cold, trying to remind them to be careful, but it was Zong Zhengxiao who responded first: "Are you sick?"
Si Xi was stunned: "No."
Zong Zhengxiao taught him with a cold face: "Then why are you coughing?"
Si Xi: “…”
I feel so wronged. You were obviously not happy to see the mermaid and Lu'e hugging each other. I was helping you, but you took it out on me.
"My throat is just a little itchy." What could Si Xi do? He had to carry the pot obediently.
Fortunately, Lu'e was sensible and separated from Rong Yin in time. She bowed to Zong Zhengxiao and then stepped aside.
She thought it was okay for her to be punished, but she was afraid that His Majesty would be unhappy and she would bully her master again.
Zong Zhengxiao also tidied up his appearance. He tied his half-wet hair with a hairband and wore a loose plain robe. One could faintly smell the scent of medicine emanating from him.
Just now, the old doctor came over and saw Zong Zheng Xiao covered in blood. She thought he was assassinated. If Si Xi hadn't explained it in time, she would have shouted for help.
Rong Yin bit so hard that Zong Zhengxiao's right shoulder was completely disfigured. It was the first time that the old doctor saw Zong Zhengxiao so badly injured. He broke out in cold sweats on his back when he was applying medicine and bandaging Zong Zhengxiao.
Si Xi didn't say how Zong Zheng Xiao was injured, but looking at the bite marks and scratches on his chest, it was not difficult to guess who did it.
Before the imperial physician left, Zong Zhengxiao ordered him to keep his mouth shut and not to announce it to the outside world, and he agreed without hesitation.
The imperial physician was not tired of living, and even if Zong Zhengxiao didn't say anything, he didn't have the courage to discuss the emperor's private affairs.
Zong Zhengxiao walked up to Rong Yin, lifted his face with his hands, and made sure that the blood was washed away before saying to him, "Shall we go have dinner?"
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