Chapter 50: The Bad Emperor Gets Jealous and Quarrels
Even if they are angry with each other, they never fight. Usually they make up after a while, just like this time.
In the afternoon, Rong Yin yawned and rubbed the corners of his eyes. Zong Zhengxiao knew that he was going to take a nap, so he patted his legs and said, "It's still warm today, so sleep outside. I'll give you some water later."
The advantage of sleeping on the terrace is that you can water your tail anytime and anywhere.
After hearing what Zong Zheng Xiao said, Rong Yin did not lie down calmly as before, but was stunned for a few seconds before approaching hesitantly.
Zong Zhengxiao directly held his shoulders and pressed him onto his legs, saying with a smile: "We've slept together so many times, are you afraid that you'll crush me?"
Rong Yin laughed dryly and slowly closed his eyes.
After realizing that she had other thoughts about Zong Zheng Xiao, Rong Yin didn't know how to get along with Zong Zheng Xiao, so she was hesitant just now.
But he changed his mind and thought that if he behaved too abnormally, it would arouse Zong Zheng Xiao's suspicion.
Zong Zhengxiao is such a smart person. It would be embarrassing if he guessed my thoughts, so I just let it go.
Accustomed to Zong Zheng Xiao's presence, Rong Yin fell asleep quickly even though she had something on her mind.
Zong Zhengxiao was originally reading a book, but later he could not continue reading and his eyes unconsciously fell on Rong Yin's face.
Rong Yin's lips were red and full, like two delicate and tempting petals, tempting people to come forward and taste them.
Zong Zhengxiao still couldn't forget the scene when Rong Yin knocked him down. At that time, Rong Yin was less gentle than usual. His movements and tone were domineering and overbearing, showing the strong side of the merman to the fullest.
It seems that he had dreamed of himself and Rong Yin being intimate before, and there was a reason why Rong Yin was on top. At that time, he preferred Rong Yin's coquetish personality.
Rong Yin had a peaceful and yet uneasiness in his nap. He felt peaceful because Zong Zheng Xiao was there and he didn't have to worry about his tail being dehydrated. He felt very safe. He felt uneasy because he had another dream.
However, this dream was not the haunting dream he had last night, but an experience he had in the orphanage before he traveled through the book.
Children in an orphanage have a chance of being adopted by kind-hearted people, but Rong Yin was not chosen by any adult as he was introverted and not very likable as a child.
At that time, he had a good friend who was lucky enough to be adopted after only half a year. Because she was very cute and could talk well, not only adults liked her, but the children in the orphanage were also more willing to play with her.
Rong Yin was one of her good friends. Before leaving, she distributed all her toys and snacks to her friends. Although they were not valuable, for a child of only a few years old, they were all her assets.
This is also the best parting gift she can give to her friends.
Rong Yin never saw her again, but the toy car she left for Rong Yin helped him get through a long and boring period of time.
After growing up, Rongyin seldom dreams about childhood events, because childhood experiences were more sweet than bitter, and the brain automatically avoids those memories.
So he felt that dreaming about these things at this time was more like a reminder from himself.
This feeling became even stronger when he opened his eyes after waking up and saw Zong Zheng Xiao pouring water on his tail.
If the predetermined future cannot be changed, then instead of being sad all day long, he might as well quickly write down all the useful knowledge he has learned and leave it to Zong Zheng Xiao, as a perfect end to their friendship across time and space.
From that day on, Rong Yin borrowed books from Zong Zhengxiao and began to study the characters of this world intensively.
He has the basics, so even if it is traditional Chinese characters, it is not difficult to remember them as long as he puts his heart into it.
What's more, he doesn't have to recognize all the words, he just needs to remember the ones he can use.
When Zong Zhengxiao came back that day, he found Rong Yin reading again. These days, he was even more hardworking than the students preparing for the imperial examinations. Even when eating and sleeping, he had to hold a book in his hands, otherwise he would feel uneasy.
However, his learning progress is also amazing. Two days ago, he personally wrote down the papermaking method and handed it to Zong Zhengxiao. It included how to make paper of various materials, the differences between raw rice paper, cooked rice paper and semi-raw rice paper, and things that need to be paid attention to when making it.
It fills two full pages, the content is concise and the steps are clear, but the handwriting is a bit sloppy.
But there is no other way. Rong Yin's claw structure is not convenient for holding a pen. It is already very good that he can write like this in a short time.
Seeing the long-awaited papermaking method appear before his eyes, Zong Zhengxiao was not as excited as before. Instead, he was more curious about why Rong Yin suddenly learned to read and write?
It's not that he thought there was something wrong with Rong Yin's love of studying, it's just that he didn't have any signs at the beginning.
For example, the original composting method was recorded by Zong Zhengxiao after being dictated by Rong Yin. This time, the content of papermaking was more extensive, but Rong Yin chose to write it himself.
After dinner, Rong Yin picked up the pen and prepared to write something. Seeing that he was having a hard time writing, Zong Zheng Xiao said with some concern: "Rong Yin, if you want to write something, you can tell me and let me write it. If you prefer to do it yourself, that's fine, but you can do it step by step. There's no need to force yourself so much."
Rong Yin shook her head and smiled: "I have nothing to do anyway, so I might as well learn to read and write. It will help me improve my moral character, and I can also record all the useful knowledge I have learned so that I won't forget it later."
Zong Zheng Xiao sighed: "You still need to take a proper rest."
Rong Yin nodded: "Okay."
Although he agreed verbally, Rong Yin still did not stop his hard work until Zong Zheng Xiao could no longer bear it. He stepped forward, snatched his pen, picked him up, walked outside, and put him in the pool.
"I think you are working harder than the emperor. Today I will be arbitrary and forbid you to read or write. You can be angry, but you can only play with it here."
Rong Yin was soaking in the water, looking up at Zong Zheng Xiao who was squatting on the steps pretending to be serious. Not only was she not unhappy, she was grinning foolishly.
Zong Zhengxiao was feeling a little depressed at first, but when he saw him smile, he couldn't help but laugh along with him.
"You are so happy after being scolded. Are you stupid?" Zong Zhengxiao reached out and poked his forehead.
Rong Yin took his fingers and said softly, "Of course I'm happy that you care about my friends so much."
"You, you just know how to act coquettishly." Zong Zhengxiao pinched his face, looking helpless, but his tone was full of smiles.
Rong Yin asked: "Do you like me being coquetish?"
Zong Zhengxiao said without hesitation: "I like it."
The two of them stared at each other, testing each other, but neither knew that the other was also testing them.
"Zong Zheng Xiao, you are so nice." Rong Yin tilted her head and rested her face on Zong Zheng Xiao's palm, looking into his eyes and asked, "Zong Zheng Xiao, you haven't married yet, what kind of woman do you like?"
Zong Zhengxiao was stunned for a moment, and the smile on his face became a little forced: "Why are you asking this suddenly?"
Rong Yin: "I'm just a little curious. Is it inconvenient to tell me?"
Zong Zhengxiao thought for a moment and lowered his eyes: "I don't have a woman I like yet, so I don't know."
"Is that so?" Rong Yin felt a little disappointed.
He wanted to know what kind of person Zong Zheng Xiao liked, but he was worried that Zong Zheng Xiao might notice something, so he could only ask women specifically to see if he met the requirements.
After all, despite their gender differences, there are some traits that are common to both men and women.
But he didn't expect that Zong Zheng Xiao didn't have anyone he liked yet. Doesn't this mean that he has no chance at all? Zong Zheng Xiao really just treats him as a friend.
At this time, Zong Zhengxiao asked again: "Why are you asking me this suddenly? Could it be that Rong Yin, you have someone you like?"
Rong Yin's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously thought: How could Zong Zheng Xiao guess so accurately?
Zong Zhengxiao naturally heard these words, and both of them froze in expression.
Rong Yin quickly made up for it: "There is one person I like, but he doesn't like me."
Zong Zhengxiao's eyes turned cold, and he struggled to keep his lips from curling down. He suppressed the urge to question Rong Yin and pretended to be natural and said, "Really? There are actually people who don't like you, Rong Yin. Can you tell me who that person is?"
After Rong Yin came to this world, the only people she saw were him and the palace ladies around him. If Rong Yin didn't like him, who else could she like?
Could it be Lu'e?
Thinking of the intimate scenes between Rong Yin and Lu'e, Zong Zhengxiao couldn't control the strength of his hands and pinched Rong Yin's face until it turned red.
"It hurts..." Rong Yin looked at him pitifully, her eyes red.
Zong Zhengxiao thought that Rong Yin's tears were because he had hurt him, so he quickly apologized: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it."
Rong Yin, who was still sad because Zong Zheng Xiao didn't like her, shook her head and said, "It doesn't matter."
Zong Zhengxiao was still thinking about the fact that Rong Yin liked someone else, and regardless of the fact that Rong Yin looked unhappy, he asked anxiously, "Can you tell me now, who is the person you like?"
Rong Yin lowered her head and said, "Can I not say it?"
Zong Zheng Xiao, whose eyebrows were furrowed with anxiety, said: "...Okay."
Rong Yin wiped away the tears from her eyes and said to Zong Zheng Xiao, "I want to go swimming for a while. If you have something to do, go ahead and do it."
After saying this, he turned around and dived into the water and swam away without waiting for Zong Zheng Xiao's response.
Zong Zhengxiao stared at his back, unable to come back to his senses for a long time.
The little mermaid he likes, now has someone she likes?
Hearing footsteps behind him, Zong Zhengxiao turned around and saw Lu'e leading the palace servants, bringing him snacks and tea.
The snacks were of Rong Yin's favorite flavor, and were paired with a cup of his favorite fruit tea. As the emperor, he was only given a cup of plain tea.
Lu'e is really partial to Rong Yin to the core.
When Lu'e saw Rong Yin, who studied hard every day, was finally carried out of the house by Zong Zhengxiao to relax, she also became happy. However, she didn't laugh for long because when she looked up, she found that Zong Zhengxiao was looking at her sinisterly.
Lu'e was confused and asked, "Your Majesty, do you have anything to tell me?"
Zong Zhengxiao glanced at the snack on the table. Lu'e thought he wanted to ask why this snack was served, so she quickly said, "This snack is the master's favorite. I remember his taste very well and won't get it wrong."
Zong Zhengxiao looked heavy.
What is your favorite food? Know it clearly? You won’t get it wrong?
The more Zong Zhengxiao thought about it, the gloomier his face became, and Lu'e gradually realized that something was wrong.
Following Si Xi's eye signal, she knelt down with a thud.
Anyway, no matter whether she made a mistake or not, if the emperor is unhappy, she has to show her willingness to admit her mistake.
Zong Zhengxiao looked at Lu'e and said coldly, "Raise your head."
Lu'e raised her head tremblingly, but her eyes were still lowered, not daring to look directly at the emperor's face.
This was the first time that Zong Zhengxiao observed Lu'e's appearance so carefully, but it was not because he had any bad intentions towards her, but because he wanted to see how beautiful she was, so beautiful that even a peerless beauty like Rong Yin would fall in love with her.
It is undeniable that Lu'e is indeed very beautiful. Even with light makeup, she is still stunningly beautiful. Objectively speaking, she is a good match for Rong Yin.
But Zong Zhengxiao didn't want to be objective at all. He didn't want to admit that Rong Yin liked Lu'e instead of him!
Zong Zhengxiao said: "If I promise you a fortune of ten thousand li and send you out of the palace, would you be willing?"
Lu'e widened her eyes, not knowing how to answer.
Deep down, she certainly didn't want to leave Rong Yin, but from what the emperor said, he wanted her to agree.
No one could predict the consequences of going against the emperor's wishes.
"Your servant... Your servant..." Lu'e was so anxious that she was sweating. Si Xi anxiously used his eyes to prompt her to agree.
He heard the conversation between Zong Zhengxiao and Rong Yin just now. It is obvious that His Majesty is jealous of Lu'e.
How could Lu'e, a small palace maid, resist the emperor's wrath?
After thinking about it, Lu'e gritted her teeth and fell to the ground with a thud, "I want to serve my master for the rest of my life."
In an instant, the temperature around seemed to drop by several degrees. Si Xi couldn't help but shiver and thought to himself, it's all over.
At this moment, a puzzled voice suddenly came from behind everyone: "What are you doing?"
Rong Yin had originally dived into the water and secluded himself, and didn't notice what was happening on the shore at all, until a little palace maid passed by and threw a stone into the water. He floated up to check and found that something seemed to have happened in the pavilion.
Rong Yin's arrival broke the tense atmosphere, and Zong Zheng Xiao instantly put away the anger in his eyes and turned expressionless.
"Lü'e, why are you kneeling?" Rong Yin wanted to pull her up, but Lu'e didn't dare to move and just glanced at Zong Zheng Xiao quickly.
Zong Zhengxiao: "..."
Is this a complaint?
Rong Yin turned around and looked at Zong Zhengxiao: "Did you make her kneel?"
Zong Zhengxiao said: "I didn't ask her to kneel."
Rong Yin has been in the book for almost a year. Could it be that he still doesn't understand the relationship between the ancient emperors and the palace ladies? He told the truth: "You must have scared her, otherwise why would she kneel to you for no reason?"
Moreover, Zong Zhengxiao just said that he did not make Lu'e kneel, but did not say that she made a mistake. This made Rong Yin verify that his guess in his heart was accurate. He felt that Zong Zhengxiao was probably making trouble unreasonably.
Although Rong Yin didn't say anything, Zong Zhengxiao could still tell what she was thinking. He said, "I just saw that she was old enough, so I asked her if she was willing to leave the palace. If she was willing, I would give her enough money to make a living. She said she didn't want to."
Rong Yin looked at him, frowning slightly: "Why do you suddenly ask her this question?"
Lu'e is not old enough to leave the palace yet.
Zong Zhengxiao looked at Rong Yin's expression and immediately felt jealous. "I was just asking, I won't do anything to her. Are you expressing your dissatisfaction with me with this tone?"
Because I made things difficult for the person you like?
Rong Yin said, "That's not what I meant. Don't make wild guesses."
"Hmph." Zong Zheng Xiao snorted coldly and turned his head away.
Rong Yin: “…”
You were fine just now, why are you so petty now?
He, who had broken up before he even fell in love, didn't say anything, but he started to act like an emperor first.
Rong Yin gently asked Lu'e, who was still nervous, "Lu'e, are you telling the truth? Do you really not want to leave the palace?"
Rong Yin was afraid that Lu'e would be frightened by Zong Zhengxiao, and the answer she gave last time was against her own wishes.
Lu'e looked at Rong Yin with red eyes: "I am telling the truth. I want to follow you forever, my master."
Rong Yin nodded: "Okay, this is your choice, I will respect it."
Lu'e: "Thank you, Master."
Rong Yin patted Lu'e's back soothingly, then said to Zong Zhengxiao, "Now that you have found out, can you let Lu'e get up?"
Zong Zhengxiao discovered that Rong Yin knew he was unhappy, but still went to comfort Lu'e before coming to him. He felt jealous and sad, and wanted to tie up Rong Yin and imprison him immediately so that he could only look at him from then on.
But he knew he couldn't do that, so he just said stiffly: "I didn't say not to let her get up."
Rong Yin: “…”
He helped Lu'e up and let her go down first, then he came in front of Zong Zhengxiao and looked up at him.
Rong Yin asked, "Is it because I didn't answer your question just now that you are unhappy, so you are targeting Lu'e?"
Zong Zhengxiao said unhappily, "I just asked her a question, why is it targeted?"
Rong Yin didn't say anything, but said in her heart: Do you dare to swear to God that you are not targeting her?
There are so many palace ladies in Yinjiao Garden, both men and women, older and younger than Lu'e, why did you ask Lu'e? And with such a cold face, it would be strange if Lu'e was not afraid.
And Lu'e was the palace maid closest to him, so he didn't believe her when she said it had nothing to do with him.
Rong Yin said the truth, Zong Zheng Xiao dared not swear, and said: "Since you think so, what's the point of my explanation?"
Then he waved his clothes and left in a hurry.
Si Xi looked at Zong Zheng Xiao, then at Rong Yin, with an expression as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. However, in the end he could only sigh and quickly chase after Zong Zheng Xiao.
Watching Zong Zhengxiao's back disappear at the gate of Yinjiao Garden, Rong Yin didn't even think of chasing after him.
On the one hand, he was in a state of confusion and couldn't care less about Zong Zheng Xiao. On the other hand, he felt that Zong Zheng Xiao needed to calm down. If they continued talking, they might start arguing.
Rong Yin didn't want to quarrel with Zong Zhengxiao.
After resting outside for a while, Rong Yin went back to read and write.
He wanted to write down everything he could remember and leave it to Zong Zheng Xiao before he died.
When it was time for dinner, Zong Zhengxiao did not return to the Silver Shark Garden, nor did he send a palace maid to deliver a message as usual to explain why he could not come back.
Rong Yin didn't react much. Since Zong Zhengxiao didn't come back for dinner, he ate by himself.
Lu'e stood by, her face ashamed. It was not until Rong Yin finished his meal that she lowered her eyebrows and said, "Master, this is all my fault. I have offended Your Majesty, and that is why Your Majesty is angry with you."
Rong Yin laughed and said, "Fool, don't take all the blame on yourself. I am the one who should apologize. His Majesty is targeting you because he is probably angry with me."
Lu'e felt like crying: "Master..."
Rong Yin said, "Don't worry, His Majesty is just not coming, he is not going to take back the garden, we will do what we need to do, His Majesty will come back after he has thought it through."
Rong Yin felt that Zong Zhengxiao was unhappy because he told her that he had no one he liked, but when he asked himself, he chose to avoid answering.
Maybe Zong Zhengxiao felt that he didn't consider him a true friend?
Rong Yin was helpless. He felt that if he told Zong Zheng Xiao that he liked him, they might not even be able to be friends in the future. So even if it happened again, he still wouldn't answer.
In the study, Zong Zhengxiao's face turned as black as coal after listening to the palace maid's report.
He was so angry that he didn't even have dinner. Rong Yin didn't even think about comforting him. She continued to eat and drink without being affected at all. She also comforted Lu'e and said that he would go back by himself after he thought it through!
Zong Zhengxiao slapped the table and said, "He really doesn't take me seriously!"
The palace maid who reported the incident was so frightened that she knelt on the ground. Si Xi quickly advised, "Your Majesty, calm down."
Zong Zhengxiao thought that he also wanted to calm down, but Rong Yin just wanted to add fuel to the fire!
Looking at Zong Zhengxiao's irritable look, Si Xi thought to himself, you know Rong Yin has a simple mind. If you don't tell him that you like him, how can he understand your feelings?
He doesn't understand your feelings, so how can he coax you?
All in all, the problem actually lies with you, Your Majesty.
However, Si Xi only dared to say this in his heart. In reality, he was just a submissive little eunuch and did not dare to follow the example of the ministers and offer advice at the risk of death.
Zong Zhengxiao spent most of the night spinning around in Yu's study like a top. When he heard the palace servants come to report that Rong Yin had gone to bed, he knew that Rong Yin would not come to comfort him today, so he gritted his teeth and went to sleep alone in the side hall.
On the second day, the third day, and seven days in a row, Zong Zheng Xiao did not return to Yinjiao Garden.
Rong Yin was always calm and composed. Apart from eating and sleeping, he spent his days studying and taking notes. A dozen pieces of written papers were already placed on his desk.
Without Zong Zhengxiao's coercive measures, no one else could persuade Rong Yin to rest.
No matter how big or small the events that happened in Yinjiao Garden were, Zong Zhengxiao would know about them in time. After discovering that Rong Yin had not mentioned him once in the past few days, Zong Zhengxiao's anger gradually turned into sadness.
It seems that Rong Yin really likes Lu'e. As long as Lu'e is by his side, everyone else doesn't matter, including him.
When Zong Zhengxiao thought that the man he loved, Rong Yin, was actually living in the garden he built for him and was having a sweet time with another woman (which was not the case), his heart ached like a knife.
Si Xi was getting anxious watching from the side. Since His Majesty and Rong Yin were not getting along, they were terrified every day, as if they had returned to the time before Rong Yin came through.
After hesitating for a few days, Si Xi finally went to Lu'e to discuss countermeasures.
For fear of exposing His Majesty's true feelings and being punished, Si Xi did not dare to tell Lu'e that His Majesty liked Rong Yin. He only asked her to mention it to Rong Yin casually, saying that His Majesty could not sleep well every night without Rong Yin, and had to deal with heavy official duties during the day, and his face looked much more haggard.
It means to ask Rong Yin to coax His Majesty.
Lu'e didn't want to agree at first.
When His Majesty hadn't been here for a few days, she was very worried at first, thinking that she had harmed her master. But later, when she saw that her master could live well without His Majesty, she felt that what her master said when he comforted her was completely correct.
And it was clearly your Majesty's fault this time, so why does the master have to coax your Majesty every time?
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