Chapter 108 No Biting the Neck

Are the officials of the Chen family not clean? The officials of your Cui family are the same, they are good at corruption and bribery, and they also form cliques for personal gain and oppose the emperor every day.

Was it really because the quality of the paper that your Cui family was able to occupy most of the market in Dasheng that you relied on it? It was because all other paper-making families were persecuted and bought off by you. The Chen family still has the evidence of your persecution of them.

The Cui and Chen families presented charges and evidence, and Zong Zhengxiao had no choice but to investigate, so he could only let his own people verify the situation.

But verification also takes time, so during this period, the Cui and Chen families were quarreling in the court and competing in the business world. Today you smash my place, and tomorrow I will put you in a sack. The noise was more lively than a play.

When Rong Yin went to talk to Ning Yue with a small cake, he found that Qingqiu Pavilion's business was very slow. The girls gathered together to drink tea and chat, and even the boss was so idle that he dozed off in the rocking chair in broad daylight.

Rong Yin seemed to be the first customer of the day. As he was usually kind, the girls had a good impression of him. As soon as he stepped into the door, the girls greeted him with a smile.

"Boss Rong, you haven't been here for a long time."

"I was busy some time ago."

"Then you must take good care of yourself."

"Thank you girls for your concern. It's a bit cold these days, so be careful not to get caught in the cold wind."

"Sister Ningyue is upstairs. There are no customers recently. She is always available to see you."

"Okay, thanks for the reminder. Come to my place for afternoon tea when you are free."

"Okay."

The boss was sleeping soundly and didn't wake up even after Rong Yin went upstairs. The girls wanted to wake her up to entertain Rong Yin, but Rong Yin stopped them with a wave of his hand.

Ningyue's maid heard the noise on the second floor. As soon as Rongyin came up, she came over and greeted Rongyin happily.

Rong Yin handed her the small cake she had brought and told her to go and have a rest while he chatted with Ning Yue for a while without her serving him.

The maid understood Rong Yin and knew that he was not being polite, so she left obediently.

But before leaving, she said shyly: "Boss Rong, can you bring Xiao Ai and the little beans with you next time? I miss them a little."

After the little beans were born, Rong Yin brought them and classmate Xiao Ai to Qingqiu Pavilion several times. The cute appearance of the little beans charmed the girls, and they all smiled and joked with Rong Yin, saying that they wanted to ask him for one to raise.

Rong Yin said, "Student Xiao Ai went out to play with the puppies today. I will definitely bring them along next time."

After hearing this, the maid left with satisfaction.

When Rong Yin entered, Ning Yue was standing at the table painting. The two had known each other for many years and were from the same camp, so they became friends a long time ago and their attitude towards each other became much more casual.

"Boss Rong, please sit down first. The tea has just been changed and is still hot. It's inconvenient for me to stop writing. Please wait for me for a while." Ning Yue only raised her head to glance at Rong Yin, and after saying hello, she continued to paint with her head down.

Rong Yin also sat down and ate some snacks and drank some tea to relieve her greasy feeling.

It was not until half an hour later that Ning Yue put down her pen. She stared at the painting while rubbing her sore wrist, a look of satisfaction on her face.

Rong Yin stood up and asked, "Can I see what you drew?"

Ning Yue smiled: "Of course I can. My painting skills are poor, I hope Boss Rong won't make fun of me."

Rong Yin said, "If your painting skills are poor, most of the painters in the capital will be ashamed of themselves."

Ning Yue has been able to sit firmly on the top seat in Qingqiu Pavilion in recent years. In addition to her outstanding appearance, her abilities are also top-notch, not inferior to those young ladies from aristocratic families.

As Rong Yin spoke, he walked to Ning Yue's side, stood side by side with her, and lowered his head to look at her painting.

There was a full moon in the sky, and its clear light cast over the elegant courtyard. Under a phoenix tree dyed with autumn red, a woman in green clothes was sitting on a stone bench, holding a snow-white rabbit in her arms and stroking the rabbit's head tenderly with a look of tenderness on her face.

The visual focus of the entire painting is on the woman. The hairpin on her head, the folds on her clothes, and even the falling hair are all painted in great detail, and it is obvious that much effort has been put into the painting.

The woman’s expression in particular is gentle and compassionate, like a goddess with mercy on the world.

From this we can see that the painter has feelings of admiration and respect for the woman in the painting, because the painter appears to be painting a person, but in fact he is painting a spirit.

"Who is this?" Rong Yin had actually guessed it, but he still wanted to hear Ning Yue say it in person.

"It's Miss He Yan." When Ning Yue mentioned He Yan's name, her voice was extremely gentle.

She said, "Her birthday is in a few days, and this is my birthday gift to her."

Rong Yin said: "It seems that your relationship is getting better and better."

Rong Yin just sighed subconsciously without any other intention, but after he finished speaking, Ning Yue suddenly fell silent.

"What's wrong?" Rong Yin looked at her.

"I'm sorry." Ning Yue's face showed a guilty look, she lowered her eyebrows, "After all these years, I still can't make Miss He trust me wholeheartedly, and I haven't obtained any evidence of the family's crimes."

Rong Yin quickly comforted him, "It doesn't matter. The evidence would be icing on the cake if it exists, but it wouldn't hurt if it doesn't. Besides, no one can guarantee that the He family girl really has any evidence in her hands. You have done a good job, so don't blame yourself."

Ning Yue shook her head: "But I have been looking for evidence all these years. If I get nothing in the end, wouldn't it be a waste of time?"

"How could that be?" Rong Yin comforted her. "Look, the friendship you had with the girls from the He family over the years was not fake. You were willing to take the trouble to paint for them, so you must have really considered them as your friends. Otherwise, wouldn't it be more convenient to just spend money to buy a gift? Even if you didn't get any evidence, you have gained some good friendships, haven't you?"

Ning Yue was a little confused: "But I approached them with a purpose. This kind of friendship is not pure. I am sorry for them."

Rong Yin said, "What's the big deal? It's true that you have a purpose, and it's true that you have feelings for them. You haven't caused any substantial harm to them. Just like when I tried to please His Majesty, I was afraid that he would kill me, but that didn't stop us from falling in love later."

Ning Yue's tense brows slowly relaxed and the corners of her lips curled up again. She must have been convinced by Rong Yin.

"Boss Rong is right. I am too picky."

"I'm glad you figured it out. I brought you a new flavor of cake. Try it and see if you like it."

"Thank you, Boss Rong."

"Why are you being so polite to me?"

While Ning Yue was eating, Rong Yin told her about the funny things that happened in the palace and the store. When she heard about the little kids carrying Zong Zhengxiao's shoes around the garden and being severely spanked after being caught by Zong Zhengxiao, Ning Yue also laughed with her eyes curved.

After Ning Yue finished eating the cake, Rong Yin started talking to her about the fight between the Cui and Chen families.

Ning Yue said, "You should have noticed when you came up here. Qingqiu Pavilion has been in a downturn recently because too many people have been affected by the fight between the two families. Everyone is either too busy or needs to keep a low profile at this time. So naturally, no one comes to a place like ours where we spend our days drinking and partying."

Rong Yin recalled the scene downstairs just now, nodded, and said: "This time the two families are fighting fiercely, and they have already torn their faces apart. There is no chance to retreat like before, and they can no longer make peace. In the end, it can only end in a life-and-death struggle."

Ning Yue took a sip of tea and then said, "The Chen family was only forced to resist and had no chance of winning. Moreover, when I went to meet the He sisters a few days ago, He Yan accidentally let it slip that the charges that the Cui and Chen families are now using to accuse each other are only the tip of the iceberg of the crimes that the two families have committed."

Rong Yin was stunned, and his expression gradually became serious. "That is to say, the Cui and Chen families still have some leeway and have not revealed each other's past... But then again, how could a family with hundreds of years of history have only this little bit of dark side, but..."

Rong Yin paused for a second before looking at Ning Yue and meeting her gaze. "Since He Yan said so, it proves that even if she has no evidence, she should be very clear about what the Cui and Chen families have done over the years. It seems that at least your initial guess was correct, Ning Yue."

Ning Yue sighed slightly: "It's just that He Yan and the others are very defensive. After she said that sentence that day, she never mentioned the court dispute again. I mentioned it several times but she fooled me. I was afraid of arousing suspicion, so I didn't dare to say it again."

"With their current status, if they were not on high alert, they would not be alive until now." Rong Yin comforted Ning Yue, "Don't worry, so many years have passed, and we don't need to waste time. Maybe we can defeat the aristocratic family before He Yan even opens her mouth."

Ning Yue heard this and said firmly: "I believe that you, Boss Rong, and His Majesty can do it."

Rong Yin smiled: "Then I'll borrow your good words, Ning Yue."

After that, Rong Yin instructed her: "Ningyue, even if you can't get evidence from Miss He in the end, you have worked so hard for so long. Even if you don't get any credit, you have worked hard. So if you have any wishes that need my help, just ask. Don't feel embarrassed. Just promise me, okay?"

Listening to Rong Yin's words, Ning Yue's eyes slightly reddened, and she said with emotion: "Okay, thank you, Rong Yin."

She called Rong Yin, not Boss Rong, which proved that Ning Yue really regarded Rong Yin as a friend and really listened to what Rong Yin said.

Rong Yin stayed in Qingqiu Pavilion for the whole afternoon before leaving. When he left, the boss had already woken up and apologized to him with a smile, saying that he had fallen asleep and was unable to get up to entertain him, which was really rude.

Rong Yin quickly said it was okay.

The boss personally escorted Rong Yin out the door. When they reached the door, she whispered, "Boss Rong, how long do you think they will continue to fight? If this continues, the girls in the attic and I will not be able to afford to eat."

性命攸關之際，誰還有空風花雪月，平日裏那些官老爺才是清秋閣的常客，有錢人或者普通人更喜歡去青樓，現在業績下滑得嚴重，老板真是愁得頭發都要掉光了。

老板知道戎音跟當今陛下關系不錯，說不定消息靈通，因此特地向他詢問。

戎音老實道：“老板，這我也無法打包票，這兩家如今鬥得正酣，陛下那邊要确認罪證屬實，還要進行判決，這些步驟都需要時間，起碼也得小半年起步。”

“哎喲，我命真苦啊。”老板一甩帕子，叫苦不疊。

戎音是不相信小半年清秋閣就會落到倒閉的地步，而且他也沒有意見可以提供，只能幹巴巴地安慰老板幾句，然後腳底抹油溜了。

而事實也确實如戎音所說的那樣，之後幾個月都是崔陳兩家互相揭短，宗政逍派人去查，證據确鑿就把相關人員收押，然後量罪裁決，刑部和大理寺這段時間忙到起飛。

崔陳兩家雖然互相攻讦，但目前倒黴的都是些替死鬼和小喽啰，兩家真正的中心人物，目前都還安然無恙。

進入夏季後，戎音把店鋪的事情安排好，就窩在皇宮裏避暑了。

現在朝堂上下都忙得不行，宗政逍也沒空帶戎音去行宮玩耍，而且相比悠閑的戎音，他本人每天要處理裁定的事件，都快堆得跟山一般高了。

經常是早上出去，晚上才回來，連午飯都沒空陪戎音吃。

戎音将自己從寧月那裏打聽到的賀嫣的話告訴宗政逍以後，宗政逍也有了準備，他沒有被兩家魚死網破的表像迷惑，急着想下場撿漏，免得被兩家合起夥來拖下水反咬一口。

到了夏末，這場狗咬狗的戰鬥終于迎來了結局，陳家不出所料落敗，被崔家踩到了腳底。

陳家人雖然因為證據不足，再加上有人頂罪，沒有落得斬立決的下場，但陳大少被革職，陳三少也被迫放棄了大半生意，陳父好歹留住了烏紗帽，只是這官職降了不止一級。

陳父被調離京城，前往滄州做太守，雖說這官職也不算低了，可地方官和京官沒有可比性，離開京城，就是遠離政治中心。

更何況陳家還是如喪家之犬一樣被趕走的，以後再想回來可就艱難了，李楚至少還有宗政逍給的一塊餅吊着，陳家才是真正沒有了希望。

離開京城，又被崔家打壓，陳家走向沒落，也不過是兩三代的時間。

事情告一段落後，宗政逍終于有了松口氣的機會。

他給自己放了個兩天的假，每天醒來就是抱着他的小魚狂吸，以療愈自己每天加班的痛苦。

戎音跟他玩笑：“我見過吸貓的吸狗的，就是沒見過吸魚的，要是被別人知道了，不得笑話你。”

“阿音這麽香，為什麽不能吸？誰笑話我，就是嫉妒。”宗政逍理直氣壯，把臉埋進戎音後頸，大口呼吸着他身上散發出來的清香。

感受着宗政逍沉醉的樣子，戎音忽然想起現代的時候在同桌那裏了解到的一種小說設定——abo。

戎音跟宗政逍說了這個設定，語氣調侃，“你現在就像是易感期的Alpha，一刻都離不開你的Omega，還想咬破我後頸的腺體，把你的信息素灌進去，讓我身上都沾滿你的氣味。”

宗政逍抱緊戎音，笑道：“這個設定還蠻有趣的，也很符合我目前的心态，我也很想咬破你的後頸，看看到底是怎樣奇特的一個地方，居然能散發出這樣迷人的香味。”

“很疼的，你想都別想。”戎音本能瑟縮了一下，警告道：“你要是敢咬，我就跟你絕交。”

宗政逍當然是不敢的，他像只饞骨頭的大狗，不停地在戎音後頸嗅着，嘆氣道：“要是阿音你也像Omega一樣有發/情期就好了，到時候你根本舍不得離開我，說不定還會求着我标記你呢。”

戎音道：“誰規定了假如我是Omega就只能找你标記？萬一我遇見一個比你還帥的Alpha呢？”

宗政逍聞言鉗住他的下巴将他的臉轉過去看着自己，表情似笑非笑，“阿音說這個，是不是故意想引誘我懲罰你，嗯？”

戎音白他一眼：“少給自己臉上貼金。”

宗政逍湊過來在他嘴上吧唧親了一口，委屈地道：“阿音就不能說句貼心話哄哄我嗎？”

“不能。”戎音道：“因為你會蹬鼻子上臉，到時候吃虧的還是我。”

宗政逍耷拉着眉眼，将下巴搭在戎音肩上，說：“abo設定跟動物相似，都有固定的發/情期，阿音你算是半個鲛人，那在鲛人的記憶裏，有沒有發/情期這一說？”

“有啊。”戎音說：“每年的春季，鲛人們會聚集在一處，無論男女，看對眼了就手牽手洞房生娃去了，這點跟普通動物差不多。”

宗政逍驚訝地歪頭看向戎音，語氣疑惑：“那我怎麽沒見你在春季的時候發過情？發春的貓兒都會半夜叫喚呢，我看你跟平時也沒什麽兩樣啊。”

戎音假笑：“陛下，我大多時間都是以人類的形态待在岸上，而人類又是一種一年四季都能發/情的物種，我倆做從來不分時間，只看見心情，所以鲛人的發/情期對我而言并沒有什麽意義。”

宗政逍恍然大悟，“阿音說的有道理。”

“既然覺得我有道理，那還不放開我？大早上的，非得抱着我不準起床，我都餓了。”戎音氣鼓鼓地推了一下宗政逍。

可宗政逍聽完不僅沒有放開戎音，反而一個翻身，重新将人壓在了身下。

“陛下你這是做什麽？”戎音不明所以。

宗政逍手已經開始動作，“阿音都說了，人類是一年四季都能發/情的動物，既然知道這個理論，何不來實踐一下呢，吃早點前，阿音先吃點別的東西吧。”

戎音：“……”

戎音：流氓！登徒子！

宗政逍輕笑：“阿音罵得對。”

說完，他低頭吻住了戎音柔軟的唇。

小魚終究還是沒有逃過大鯊魚的追捕，被嗷嗚一口就吞進了肚子裏，弄得全身都濕噠噠的。

小魚的後頸也沒有逃過劫難，情到濃時，戎音稀裏糊塗就同意了宗政逍的請求，結果就是他的後頸被咬出了血，疼了好幾天才結疤。

氣得他半個月都沒有理宗政逍，晚上還特地在床中間隔着枕頭，不許他來抱着自己睡。

雖然半夜他自己會滾進宗政逍懷裏，但還是堅決地表明了态度。

陳家在秋初舉家離開京城，天還沒亮就走了，無人相送，走得比李楚還不體面。

陳家一走，就意味着這場鬥争真正結束了，清秋閣的生意逐漸恢複正常，老板那張苦瓜臉也重新綻放開了笑容。

這日，戎音正在享受秋天的第一頓火鍋配第一杯奶茶，小猴子卻急匆匆地跑了進來，驚呼：“老板，大新聞大新聞！”

戎音嗦了口奶茶，不甚在意：“能有什麽大新聞？”

小猴子在他旁邊坐下，眼睛亮得出奇：“剛離開京城的陳家，您還記得吧？”

“記得啊，陳家怎麽了？”戎音這下來了興趣。

小猴子激動道：“陳家前往滄州赴任，結果途中遇到山匪，陳家夫妻倆和陳三少當場被砍死，陳大少後背中了一刀，但僥幸留有一命，聽說當時血流得把泥地都給染紅了，屬實是慘！”

戎音愣住，他本以為陳家離開京城就是最後的結局，沒想到竟還有這番波折。

“你怎麽知道得這麽清楚？”戎音這才反應過來，這小猴子怎麽跟親自在現場看見了似的，居然能說得那麽仔細。

小猴子道：“說來也是巧了，陳家遇到劫匪時剛好有一隊送貨返京的镖師路過，有一個镖師跟陳家做過生意，就好心上前搭救了一把，要不是他們，陳大少也是活不下來的，今天一早镖師進了京，消息很快就傳開了，不止我，怕是半個京城都已經聽說了。”

戎音放下筷子，沒心情再吃了，他站起身來就往外走，“我先回家了，辛苦你把鍋子收拾一下。”

小猴子：“不用這麽客氣，老板你路上注意安全。”

“好，知道了。”

回到宮裏，戎音跟宗政逍一見面，就看懂了彼此的眼神。

宗政逍：“你也聽說陳家的事了？”

“嗯，剛知道。”戎音蹙眉，“陛下你覺得是不是崔家動的手？”

宗政逍道：“大概率是。”

戎音不解：“雖然陳家落敗，但雙方都沒揭對方的老底，說明他們兩家默認了留給對方一條生路，那崔家為什麽會中途反悔？崔家不怕陳家狗急跳牆，把他們做的那些破事都抖出來嗎？”

宗政逍為他解答：“俗話說得好，只有死人會永遠保守秘密，陳家人活着始終是個威脅，崔家肯定想斬草除根，若是沒有那隊镖師，陳大少也不可能活下來，那崔家滅口的目的就達到了。”

Rong Yin was shocked and asked hurriedly, "What about Master Chen? If he knew that it was the Cui family who did it, he would definitely avenge his family. He must have other evidence of the Cui family's crimes."

Zong Zhengxiao shook his head: "As the only survivor, he probably guessed that it was the Cui family who was trying to silence him. He was afraid that the Cui family would continue to hunt him down after knowing that he was still alive. So after thanking those escorts, he left alone. No one knows where he went."

Rong Yin touched his chin and said, "The Chen family also has branches in other places. Do you think Young Master Chen will go to them for help?"

Zong Zhengxiao confirmed his idea: "It is possible. I have already sent people to investigate. I believe the Cui family will not let the tiger go back to the mountain. Now it depends on who finds him first, me or the Cui family."

Rong Yin raised her head and looked outside the palace, her eyes full of worry.

The news that the Chen family was brutally murdered by robbers spread throughout the capital in less than a day. Upon hearing the news, some people lamented the unpredictability of the world, while others cursed that the crime was deserved.

However, in the Jiaofangsi, a group of women happily raised their glasses and drank until they were drunk.