Chapter 47: The Mermaid's Vest Fell Off

Rong Yin glanced at Zong Zhengxiao and nodded woodenly.

The dinner table was exceptionally silent tonight. Rong Yin still obediently let Zong Zheng Xiao feed her, but her face showed no expression and she didn't eat as much as usual.

After Zong Zhengxiao fed Rong Yin, he ate a few bites himself and asked the palace servants to take away the rest.

The palace servants sensed that the atmosphere was not right, and they all restrained their expressions and did their jobs with trepidation, fearing that they would displease His Majesty in any way and be punished.

After the palace servants had finished cleaning up, Zong Zhengxiao said to Si Xi, "You all go out first. No one is allowed to come in without my order."

"Yes." Si Xi agreed, but Lu'e had an expression as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. Si Xi looked bitter, thinking that his majesty was very unhappy when his master saw him holding you just now. If you make a mistake again, you will be walking into danger!

Just as he was about to pull Lu'e away, Rong Yin took action first. Rong Yin waved to Lu'e, motioning her to go out first, and at the same time gave her a smile, meaning that she didn't have to worry about him.

Lu'e was unwilling to disobey Rong Yin's order and had no choice but to agree.

The door slowly closed, and the two people left in the room looked at each other, and no one spoke for a moment.

Finally, Zong Zhengxiao couldn't help himself and raised his hand to pick up the teapot to pour a cup of tea for Rong Yin. However, he accidentally pulled the wound and frowned subconsciously and took a breath of cool air.

I don't know if he did it on purpose or not, but when Rong Yin saw his movements, his dead eyes finally showed some movement, and he said with a guilty tone, "Does it hurt a lot?"

Zong Zhengxiao smiled and said, "Not bad."

Rong Yin looked at his shoulder with a complicated expression. Zong Zhengxiao spoke first, "Don't feel embarrassed or sorry for me. I was the one who lied to you and kept it a secret. You have reason to be angry. As long as you can calm down, I don't think it's excessive for you to bite me or even eat my flesh raw."

Rong Yin glared at him and said, "I don't eat human flesh."

Zong Zhengxiao: "Well, I know you like to eat fish."

Thinking about how Zong Zheng Xiao had fed him almost every meal since he traveled through time, Rong Yin's resentment of being deceived, which had originally been very little in his heart, suddenly dissipated a lot.

He sighed and took the initiative to ask the question he had been curious about all afternoon: "How much do you know about me?"

Zong Zheng Xiao answered honestly: "You are from another world, and you are not a mermaid originally. You are living in the body of a mermaid. You have read a book that records the future of me, Zong Zheng Lianqi, Su Wan'er and this country. You also mastered a lot of knowledge that I don't know, such as ice making, paper making, coal, gunpowder, etc...."

These contents were indeed what Rong Yin thought about after entering the book, and Zong Zhengxiao heard them all.

Rong Yin: "Did you make ice using the method I told you?"

He remembered that soon after he had thought of the method of making ice in his mind, more ice appeared around him.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I used your method without your permission." Zong Zhengxiao said, "I've only been on the throne for a few years and the treasury is empty, so I used the ice-making method you provided to make money and also won a good reputation among the people. All of this is your credit. I will always remember it, so no matter what you ask for, I will do my best to meet it."

As if he was afraid that Rong Yin would be angry at his presumptuous behavior, Zong Zhengxiao said a lot of things in a row, and after he finished, he looked at Rong Yin nervously.

Rong Yin's emotions did not fluctuate: "I also learned this knowledge from others. It does not belong to me. You can use it if you want. You don't have to apologize to me."

Zong Zhengxiao heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this. He was not afraid that Rong Yin would argue with him about gains and losses. Even if Rong Yin wanted to take all the money from selling ice cream, he would not feel the slightest bit reluctant. He was just afraid that Rong Yin would dislike or hate him because of this.

But Zong Zhengxiao also refuted Rong Yin's point of view: "Master's knowledge was taught by the master, but the master taught the disciple, and the disciple still has to respect the master. What's more, I learned it secretly, which is even more wrong. You don't have to be humble."

What he said was actually true. Rong Yin was tongue-tied and could only say, "It's up to you if you want to think so."

Looking at his silly look, Zong Zheng Xiao wanted to pinch his face, but when he thought of the current situation, he could only silently suppress the restlessness in his heart.

"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that I already know your name." Zong Zhengxiao smiled at Rong Yin's puzzled look and said, "In fact, you talked to me the first time you got drunk. I knew your name then."

Rong Yin thought of the two times when she had blacked out due to drinking, and her heart began to panic: "Besides my name, what else did I tell you?"

He wouldn't have done anything shameful, would he?

Rong Yin looked at the jade pendant hanging around his neck. It was a gift from Zong Zheng Xiao to him after he got drunk for the first time. He still had no idea what happened during that time.

Zong Zhengxiao knew his worries and comforted him, "Don't worry, you didn't tell me anything more about yourself except your name, and you didn't get drunk. You were very well behaved when you were drunk. The worst thing you did was to ask me to give you something before you would go to bed. Well, that was the jade pendant hanging around your neck."

As for the two times they got drunk and the ambiguous conversations and actions between them, Zong Zhengxiao chose to keep them secret for the time being.

Rong Yin's face turned a little red. How come he became a greedy rogue after getting drunk? He has always been a person who loves money but makes it in a legitimate way, okay?

"Then I'll return the jade pendant to you." Rong Yin said as he was about to take it off.

Zong Zhengxiao said quickly: "No, this is a gift from me, you can keep it."

He still remembered Rong Yin saying after getting drunk that he treasured this jade pendant very much.

"Okay." Rong Yin withdrew his hand, picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea to hide his embarrassment.

Zong Zhengxiao looked at Rong Yin and was communicating well with him. After thinking for a while, he said boldly: "I have some questions for you, Rong Yin. If you are willing to answer, please answer. If you are not willing, I will not force you. May I ask you?"

Rong Yin held the teacup and hummed, indicating her agreement.

Zong Zhengxiao's heartbeat quickened a little. He was very excited at the moment because he was about to know the answer he had been seeking for for a long time.

Zong Zheng Xiao: "Where are you from?"

Rong Yin did not answer, and had no thoughts in her heart.

Zong Zhengxiao thought he didn't want to answer, but he wasn't disappointed and continued to ask the next question: "How did you come to this world?"

He was still silenced in response.

Zong Zhengxiao then asked: "Your inner voice said that you saw the ending of me, other people and this country from the book. Is this book you are talking about a history book or some special book?"

This time, Rong Yin did not remain silent. He looked at Zong Zheng Xiao with a heavy face and spoke with difficulty: "I didn't answer your question just now because I was hesitant. The truth may be a little cruel to you, and it may subvert your cognition and make you doubt this world... I don't want to hurt you."

Zong Zhengxiao was a little uneasy after hearing what Rong Yin said before, but when he said "I don't want to hurt you", Zong Zhengxiao's heart suddenly calmed down. No matter what the truth was, he just wanted to know that Rong Yin was on his side.

"It's okay, just tell me. This is my own choice. I will take full responsibility for all the consequences. You don't have to feel pressured." Zong Zhengxiao's tone couldn't be more serious.

After staying with Zong Zhengxiao for so many days, Rong Yin also understood that he was not a weak person. Now with his guarantee, Rong Yin had no reason to back down.

Rong Yin took a few deep breaths, and then slowly said: "I come from the future, but not the future of your world. I saved a drowning child, but accidentally drowned myself. God felt sorry for me, so he put my soul into the body of a mermaid who just passed away in your world. As for the book that records the future of this world..."

Rong Yin paused for two seconds, then glanced at Zong Zheng Xiao. Seeing that he was relatively calm, she continued, "The book I'm talking about is a novel, which is what you usually call a storybook. You, Lu'e, Zong Zheng Lianqi, and Su Wan'er are all characters in the storybook. Because I have read that storybook, I know the future fate of you and this country."

The further he spoke, the faster Rong Yin spoke, as if if he was a step slower, he would be burned by his own words.

He lowered his eyes, not daring to look at Zong Zheng Xiao's reaction. Zong Zheng Xiao did not make any movement after hearing this. Perhaps he was shocked, or perhaps he was about to collapse.

After all, not all characters in works of art can accept the cognitive impact brought about by the breaking of the "fourth wall", and it is possible that their worldview collapses and they go crazy.

He didn't know how much time had passed, the tea in Rong Yin's hand seemed to have gone cold, and he heard Zong Zheng Xiao speaking opposite him.

"You said you drowned while saving someone?"

"Ah?" Rong Yin was dumbfounded. He didn't understand. Shouldn't Zong Zhengxiao's focus be on his identity at this time? Why would he ask him such an irrelevant question?

Curiosity prompted Rong Yin to look over, only to see Zong Zheng Xiao staring at him steadily. His expression was no different from before, but the pain and sadness in his eyes were so full that they were about to overflow.

Rong Yin's heart felt like it was hit lightly. It was a little painful, but more of it was a sourness and subtlety that he did not understand yet.

Something in his heart seemed to be about to burst out of the ground, and Rong Yin began to panic unconsciously. He smiled dryly and pretended to be relaxed: "Oh, I was wrong. In fact, to be precise, I was sent here by God before I drowned. I didn't really experience the pain of death at all."

Zong Zhengxiao's expression did not lighten up because of Rong Yin's words. His throat was a little dry, and he asked hoarsely, "It must be very painful, right? Before being rescued, you can only watch yourself greet death."

Rong Yin's voice was hoarse. He stared at Zong Zheng Xiao, his mouth corners turned down, and his eyes instantly turned red.

"Zong Zheng Xiao, why are you so annoying..."

為什麽硬是要拆穿他呢？他也想活啊，可是他身患絕症，只能一天天倒數自己還能活多久，這種注定的命運誰又願意接受？

他很欣慰自己拯救了一條生命，可是當他一個人孤零零又無力地被河流卷走時，他還是感受到了絕望和孤獨。

這樣的情緒是很奇怪的，沒有人關心詢問的話，自己也覺得沒什麽。

可當感受到外人的憐憫後，就像大冬天被凍得瑟瑟發抖時喝到一碗別人送的熱湯，之前強行掩藏的苦難和委屈就再也控制不住，全數爆發了出來。

眼淚如決堤般滾落，戎音哭得無聲無息，卻讓人心疼到了極點。

宗政逍不再克制自己，上前一把将戎音帶進懷中，戎音也順從地将臉埋進他的左肩，雙手緊緊拽着他的衣服，如同漂泊許久的船終于找到停靠的港灣，盡情地依賴着他給予的安全感。

宗政逍此刻也不平靜，他想起了戎音第一次喝醉時，他問戎音他的腿為什麽會變成尾巴，那會兒戎音的回答看似輕松無厘頭，但其實內心滿是苦楚吧。

他從未想過，他活潑傻氣的小鲛人，居然是以這種方式來到他身邊的。

宗政逍情緒複雜到了極點，恨不得立即将戎音揉進骨子裏，永永遠遠地愛着他護着他。

可無論心中再激蕩，宗政逍現實裏所做的，不過悄悄收緊了點抱住戎音的雙臂。

他愛戎音，但不想自己的愛成為戎音的負擔。

許久後，戎音深藏的悲傷才漸漸發洩完，他也止住了眼淚。

在此期間，兩人都一言不發，宗政逍只将戎音圈在懷裏，沉默地守護着他。

“謝謝。”戎音坐起身，用帶着鼻音的聲音輕聲道謝。

不過當他看見自己的眼淚打濕了宗政逍的衣服時，還是不好意思地紅了臉。

宗政逍看出他的窘迫，柔聲道：“沒關系。”

戎音稍微安心了些，只是拽着宗政逍衣服的手并未松開。

發現戎音沒有要和自己拉開距離的意思，宗政逍也樂得裝傻，就讓戎音親昵地靠坐在自己身前。

戎音調整好呼吸，才擡頭看向宗政逍，瞪着一雙哭得紅彤彤的眼睛問他：“我說你是話本裏的角色，你不覺得驚訝，認為這個世界都是假的，感到難以接受嗎？”

宗政逍微笑：“真又如何，假又如何，戎音你從你的世界來到我的世界後，會覺得這個世界是虛假的，我是虛假的嗎？”

“不會。”戎音搖搖頭，似懂非懂地道：“好像是這個道理。”

三千世界何其多，即便他穿書了，可他還是和之前一樣，會呼吸、會痛會産生情緒、能聞到鳥語花香嘗到美味佳肴，還多了幾個朋友。

這些都是他能切身感知和觸碰的，是真實而不是虛妄的。

“我只尋求真相，但不會被真相所左右。”宗政逍溫熱的指腹替戎音擦去眼角的淚痕，語氣灑脫淡然，“做好自己，盡好本職，珍惜眼前物眼前人，如此以來，才不愧到這人間走一遭。”

戎音感嘆：“倒是我狹隘了。”

宗政逍搖頭：“每個人思考的角度不同，你也是出于對我的擔心，才會害怕我難以接受真相，這不是狹隘。”

而是你對我的愛。

這句話，宗政逍是在心裏說的。

戎音沒忍住笑道：“你今天怎麽這麽會說話了？”

平時兇巴巴的，恨不得來一個怼一個，這會兒卻句句都是高情商發言。

他高興了，宗政逍的心情也跟着輕松許多，回道：“那我這麽說話，你喜歡嗎？”

戎音看他：“如果我說喜歡，你以後能一直這樣嗎？”

宗政逍一臉為難：“怕是不行，我還是覺得罵人更舒服。”

“噗。”戎音笑出聲。

宗政逍也跟着笑了起來。

之前沉重的氛圍就此一掃而空，戎音哭得渴了，宗政逍重新給他倒了杯熱茶，讓他捧着慢慢喝。

宗政逍看着乖乖坐在他面前喝茶的戎音，想了想還是道：“我有個不情之請，不知道你能否答應？”

聽見宗政逍略顯正經的語氣，戎音清楚他要說的不會是什麽小事，也露出了更認真的神情：“你說。”

宗政逍道：“我之前從你的心聲中了解到了一些于強國富民方面有益的知識，想向你讨教一二，不知你是否願意傳授？至于報酬你不用憂心，你盡管提條件，只要我能做到的，我一定會去做。”

作為帝王，宗政逍知道戎音是可以挖掘到好東西的寶藏，他有很多種方法能讓戎音說出自己所知道的，但他還是選擇以最尊重最恭謙的姿态，請求戎音能答應。

而戎音呢，他在這個世界只有一年的壽命，又知道這只是本小說，所以一開始他就沒打算幹涉其中人和事的發展，後來造成一些蝴蝶效應也并非他本願。

但現在看着宗政逍期待的眼神，再想想那些對他好的人，就算他不承認，但事實上，他已經與這個世界産生了無解的羁絆。

既然冷眼旁觀是活一年，施以援手也是活一年，那為什麽不用自己最大的熱情，去回饋這個世界給他帶來的幸福和愛呢？

戎音點頭，也說了和宗政逍相似的話：“只要是我知道的，只要你想要的，我都會告訴你。”

宗政逍了解戎音，他會答應自己的請求，其實在他的預料之中，但戎音能這麽說，他還是欣喜非常。

“謝謝你，戎音。”宗政逍注視着戎音的眼睛，鄭重地道。

戎音笑容柔和：“不客氣。”

屋外。

綠娥焦急地走來走去，眼睛時不時就要往房門那邊瞟，裏面燈火還亮着，但一丁點動靜都沒傳出來，也不知道陛下和主子之間發生了什麽事。

四喜勸道：“綠娥，你坐下歇會兒吧，轉得我頭都暈了。”

綠娥蹙眉：“小主子還在裏面呢，我怎麽能安心。”

四喜：“你擔心什麽？陛下最珍惜最重視的就是小主子，你信不信，哪怕陛下把我們這些奴才都殺了，也不會動小主子一根汗毛。”

綠娥不說話，只是瞥了一眼四喜，那眼神像是在說：你是陛下的人，你當然向着陛下了，反正我可不這麽想。

四喜：“……”

我說的都是真心話！也是事實好吧！

正在兩人都暗自嘀咕時，房門忽然被打開了，宗政逍的身影出現，四喜和綠娥忙不疊跑過去聽吩咐。

宗政逍道：“去取份冰，再泡杯果茶來。”

兩人同時應是，沒一會兒就把東西都備齊了。

宗政逍用幹淨的布巾裹着碎冰，動作輕柔地給戎音敷眼睛，他今天哭得太多，要是不消腫，明天起來怕是不會好受。

綠娥貼心地想到戎音晚飯吃得不多，眼看兩位主子的關系也不像之前那樣僵硬不自然，想着應該是和好了，便做主端了一盤點心和果茶一起送上來。

戎音心情變好之後也确實有點餓了，便沒拒絕綠娥的投喂。

眼睛腫有宗政逍幫忙冰敷，餓了有綠娥喂點心，戎音就跟條鹹魚似地靠在宗政逍肩上，簡直是享受得不能再享受了。

“馬上要睡覺了，別吃太多，小心積食。”算好冰敷的時間，宗政逍将冰撤下，同時開口叫停戎音和綠娥。

戎音捧場，吃塊點心都能吃出絕世美味的模樣來，搞得綠娥投喂的積極性飙升，一時倒是忘記了這茬。

她羞愧地道：“是奴婢粗心大意了。”

“啊。”戎音也在心裏道：不怪綠娥，怪我。

宗政逍失笑，捏了捏他的臉：“你們倆都沒做錯，我只是提醒一句。”

“啊。”戎音：還是你細心。

宗政逍的笑容更加溫柔。

旁邊的綠娥見狀好奇：陛下怎麽一副能聽懂小主子在說什麽的樣子？之前也是這樣的嗎？

綠娥覺得自己好像忽然失憶了似的，有點忘記之前宗政逍和戎音是怎麽交流的了。

洗漱完畢，戎音就去水裏游了一圈，等尾巴吸飽水，才上岸縮進宗政逍的懷抱，像往常一樣跟他一同入睡。

說開以後，戎音又恢複了之前大大咧咧的模樣，也沒有刻意逃避跟宗政逍親近，這讓宗政逍放心了不少。

盡管昨夜冰敷過，可早上起來後，戎音的眼睛還是有些腫，并且伴着酸澀的感覺，導致他一整天都蔫巴巴的。

宗政逍也沒鬧他，自己處理奏折，就讓戎音在他旁邊睡覺。

沒過多久就到了開春的時間，為了表示天子對耕種的重視，宗政逍親自去到農田裏鋤地，圍觀百姓衆多，無不對其這一行為贊賞有加。

回宮前，宗政逍還在路邊給戎音折了一根剛發新芽的柳條，讓他也感受一下宮外新春的氣息。

戎音喜歡他送的這份禮物，綠娥找了個細長頸的瓷瓶過來裝上水擺到矮幾上，他親自把柳條插了進去。

“謝謝，綠娥。”戎音看着綠娥微笑，口中說出的話聽起來還有幾分生澀，像是剛學會說話不久的孩子。

Although this was not the first time she heard Rong Yin speak, Lu'e still felt her heart tremble.

Ever since that day when His Majesty and the young master reconciled, His Majesty began to teach the young master how to speak in front of them.

Lu'e and the others had never thought that Zong Zhengxiao's sudden and whim-like action would succeed, because they had said before that the young master could not speak human language, and the young master stayed with them every day, but they had never seen him imitate their speech.

But to their surprise, not long after, the young master actually learned to speak like a human.

When he called out "Lü'e's" name for the first time, Lü'e was so moved that she shed tears, like an old mother hearing her child call her mother for the first time.