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.
池水很冷，但也很幹淨，宗政逍一眼就能看見戎音在哪裏。
他毫不猶豫地游了過去，還沒靠近，就聽見戎音在心裏尖叫。
戎音：宗政逍你不許過來，走開走開！
宗政逍還是沒說話，只加快速度朝戎音游去。
眼瞧着宗政逍逐漸靠近，戎音身體都吓軟了，明明在水裏他才是優勢方，此刻卻差點連怎麽游泳都忘記了。
好不容易清醒過來，開始往旁邊撲騰，結果宗政逍沖過來一伸手就握住他的胳膊将他拽了回去。
戎音此刻腦子裏一片空白，他瘋狂地掙紮起來，一爪子拍向宗政逍，瞬間宗政逍胸口就出現幾道血痕，鮮紅的血液在水中四散開來，刺痛讓宗政逍下意識松了手。
還好他及時松手，不然失去理智的戎音非得從他身上挖下一塊肉來不可，還有鲛人的尾巴也不可小瞧，哪怕不用盡全力，輕拍一下都能叫他斷掉幾根肋骨。
趁着宗政逍沒反應過來，戎音用盡吃奶的力氣拼命往與他位置相反的方向游，恨不得就此逃到天邊去。
不過水池再大也有限，沒游幾下戎音就到了亭子邊，他爬上亭子的臺階，轉身看去，本以為宗政逍會追上來，但沒想到他居然還在水裏！
夜幕即将降臨，借着微弱的天光，戎音看見了水裏的那團身影。
不知道是不是錯覺，戎音覺得那團身影好像在抽搐。
人類和鲛人不一樣，無法在水裏憋氣太久，而且剛才宗政逍緊跟着他下水，好像完全沒有熱身，這樣最容易抽筋了。
并且剛才自己還撓了他一下，不會給宗政逍撓出問題了吧？
戎音緊盯着那團身影，見他完全沒有要上浮的跡象，對宗政逍的擔心還是戰勝了對他的恐懼，戎音轉身跳進水裏，游向了宗政逍。
接近後，戎音發現宗政逍一動不動地飄在水裏，眼睛緊閉着，像是已經窒息了。
戎音心慌得不行，抱着宗政逍的腰，将他拖回了岸上。
等爬上臺階，戎音剛想轉身查看宗政逍是什麽情況，後面忽然伸出兩只手臂，将他緊緊地抱進了懷裏。
戎音瞪大眼睛，宗政逍沒有溺水，他又被騙了！
“啊！”戎音想故技重施撓人，宗政逍從背後用力禁锢住他的雙手，喘着粗氣啞聲道：“你覺得逃跑有用嗎？整座皇宮都是我的，你覺得你能逃到哪裏去？”
宗政逍語氣有些嚴厲，像是在教訓不聽話的壞孩子。
戎音生氣地想：不要你管！你放開我！
宗政逍雙臂收緊，嘴唇幾乎貼上了戎音的耳朵，“你要躲的人是我，我憑什麽不能管你？”
戎音急得眼淚都出來了：你看你！你明明能聽見我的心聲！還一直不告訴我！我讨厭你！
其實戎音是害怕比讨厭多，只是他不好意思說。
“讨厭我還回去救我？怎麽不直接讓我淹死？”宗政逍促狹道。
戎音怒了：你還敢提！你剛才又騙了我一次！
宗政逍理直氣壯，“我那是逼不得已，誰叫你躲着我。”
戎音被他的厚臉皮氣到了，扭過頭看向他，再也憋不住，直接開口道：“你不要臉。”
這是戎音在清醒狀況下，第一次對宗政逍說出一句完整的話，盡管是在罵他，但宗政逍還是很高興。
但等他看見戎音泛紅的眼眶和滾落的淚珠時，他就笑不出來了。
“你怎麽哭了？”宗政逍放開戎音，将他轉過身來面對着自己，捧起他的臉，一邊給他擦眼淚一邊愧疚道：“對不起，我不該騙你的，你別哭。”
雖然此刻得了自由，但戎音沒再逃跑，也沒有繼續罵宗政逍，甚至連心聲都消失了。
他只是瞪着一雙圓溜溜的眼睛看着宗政逍，一言不發，眼淚跟斷了線的珍珠似地往下落，神情委屈又倔強。
宗政逍慌了神，他幫戎音擦眼淚，發現根本擦不完，想哄他，又無從開口。
沒有辦法，他只能将戎音擁進懷中，輕拍着他的背，再一次誠懇地道歉：“對不起，都是我的錯，你讨厭我就使勁罵我，打我也成，怎麽打都可以 ，給我留條命就行，只是千萬別自己憋着，好不好？”
宗政逍剛說完，戎音就抽抽搭搭地問了一句：“真的？”
宗政逍道：“真的。”
他話音剛落，戎音就突然張大嘴巴，一口咬在了他的肩膀上。
這不是戎音第一次咬宗政逍的肩，但卻是最用力的一次，不過須臾，鮮血就從戎音嘴角流淌了下來，可見咬得有多深。
可宗政逍別說痛呼了，就連眉頭都沒有皺一下。
“嗚嗚嗚……”戎音邊咬宗政逍邊嗚咽，眼淚滾落，混進了宗政逍的血裏。
宗政逍輕揉着戎音的頭發，安撫他不安恐懼的心。
不知過去了多久，久到宗政逍被咬傷的肩膀已經麻木，久到天上都冒出星子，久到兩人的濕發都被冷風吹得半幹了，戎音才緩緩松開嘴巴。
他半邊臉都粘上了宗政逍的血，鮮紅的唇再配上一口尖牙，跟地獄裏爬出來的豔鬼似的，妖異又恐怖。
宗政逍又是失血又是被凍，臉色有些蒼白，他替戎音撥開黏在臉頰上的一縷碎發，問他：“這麽晚了，有沒有餓了？”
戎音直勾勾地看着他，不吭聲。
宗政逍又試探着道：“我叫綠娥來伺候你洗漱，洗完再吃飯，可好？”
這回戎音終于有了反應，他點了點頭。
宗政逍喚來躲到遠處的四喜，四喜帶着綠娥過來，看見現場的慘狀吓得差點腳滑摔倒，被宗政逍瞪了一眼後才急忙站好。
綠娥也險些驚叫出聲，還好最後及時捂住了嘴。
四喜結巴道：“陛下，老奴這、這就去叫太醫。”
宗政逍剛要拒絕，說随便拿點治外傷的藥敷上就行了，誰知戎音卻拽住他的衣角，在心裏蔫蔫兒地道：讓他叫太醫來給你看看吧。
宗政逍現在對戎音可謂是百依百順，聞言便把原先要說的話咽了回去，轉而道：“帶太醫去隔壁書房等我。”
“是。”四喜着急忙慌地走了。
宗政逍又跟綠娥吩咐：“帶你們主子去洗漱。”
綠娥低聲應下，扶着戎音去了他住的房間，再叫宮女端來熱水，自己打濕布巾，一點點輕柔地給戎音擦去臉上的血跡。
戎音面無表情，眼神還有些呆滞，綠娥擦着擦着淚珠就落下來了。
“我的主子，你和陛下這是怎麽了？”
從下午發現戎音咬破自己手指時，綠娥就覺得不對勁了，等到看見戎音為了躲宗政逍藏進水裏，那點不對勁就從一分變成了十分。
怪她人微言輕，只能被四喜拉走，不然要是她在的話，可能就不會發展成這樣了。
綠娥仔細檢查過，戎音沒受傷，他臉上的血都是來自宗政逍，宗政逍半邊身子都被鮮血打濕，胸口的衣服也被撓破了，看着格外吓人。
這些自然都是戎音做的，可綠娥不覺得是戎音的錯，她家主子是多乖多溫柔的一個人啊，肯定是陛下做了什麽壞事，才逼得主子不得不攻擊他。
不然陛下為什麽受傷了還那麽淡定？說不定就是心虛。
綠娥堅定地維護戎音。
其實從某種意義上來說，綠娥算是真相了。
幫戎音擦完臉上的血，又重新給他梳了頭發，戎音才從那副駭人的模樣變回了從前的幹淨可愛，只是那張好看的臉上還是沒什麽表情。
綠娥僭越地摸了摸戎音的頭，道：“主子別怕，陛下不會有事的，你又沒做錯什麽。”
旁邊的小宮女嘴角抽抽：綠娥姑姑，你這麽光明正大地把心裏話說出來真的好嗎？
“唔……”戎音跟小貓似地哼了一聲，擡手抱住綠娥的腰，把臉埋進了她的懷裏。
綠娥先是一愣，緊接着眉眼就柔和了下來，她輕撫着戎音的背，像是長姐在安慰沒有安全感的小弟。
母性光輝這種東西，并不受年齡限制。
宗政逍進來時，戎音還抱着綠娥不肯撒手，四喜跟中了風寒似地大聲咳嗽，想提醒他們注意點，結果先回應他的是宗政逍：“你生病了？”
四喜一愣：“沒有。”
宗政逍冷着臉教育他：“那你咳嗽什麽？”
四喜：“……”
我真冤枉啊，明明你看見鲛人和綠娥摟摟抱抱也不高興，我是在幫你，你卻拿我撒氣。
“老奴就是嗓子有點癢。”四喜能怎麽辦，還不是只得乖乖把鍋給背好。
幸好綠娥是個懂事的，及時和戎音分開，又對宗政逍行了一禮，然後退到了旁邊去。
她想她挨罰倒不妨事，就怕陛下不高興了又欺負主子。
宗政逍也重新打理了一遍形象，半濕的頭發用發帶束好，穿着寬松的素色長袍，隐隐能聞到他身上散發出的藥味。
方才老太醫過來，看見宗政逍滿身是血，還以為他遇刺了，要不是四喜及時解釋，他都要大喊護駕了。
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?"