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 coquettish 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 coquettish?"
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.
綠娥不明所以：“陛下，可是有事要吩咐奴婢？”
宗政逍看了眼矮幾上的點心，綠娥以為他是想問為什麽上這道點心，趕緊道：“這點心是主子最愛吃的，他的口味奴婢都記得清清楚楚，不會拿錯的。”
宗政逍神情沉重。
最愛吃的？清清楚楚？不會拿錯？
宗政逍越想，臉色越陰沉，綠娥也逐漸意識到了事情不對。
在四喜的眼神示意下，她先撲通一聲跪了。
反正不管她有沒有犯錯，皇上不高興了，她就得先拿出願意認錯的态度來。
宗政逍看着綠娥，冷聲道：“擡起頭來。”
綠娥戰戰兢兢地擡頭，只是眼眸依舊低垂，不敢直視龍顏。
這還是宗政逍第一次如此細致地觀察綠娥的容貌，卻不是因為對她有什麽歪心思，而是想看看她到底有多漂亮，漂亮到即便是戎音這樣的絕世的美人也會喜歡上她。
不可否認，綠娥的相貌的确很出衆，哪怕是着淡妝也好看得驚人，客觀來講，與戎音很般配。
可宗政逍一點也不想客觀，他不想承認戎音喜歡的不是他而是綠娥！
宗政逍道：“如果朕許你萬貫家財，再送你出宮，你可願意？”
綠娥瞪大雙眼，有些不知該怎麽回答才好。
出于本心，她肯定是不願意離開戎音的，可聽皇上的意思，就是想讓她答應下來。
違背皇帝的意願會有什麽後果，誰都預料不準。
“奴婢……奴婢……”綠娥急得直冒汗，四喜着急地用眼神提示她答應。
方才宗政逍和戎音的對話他都聽見了，陛下這明顯是吃綠娥的醋了。
綠娥小小一個宮女，如何抵擋得了天子的怒火。
綠娥思考過後，咬牙“咚”一聲磕到了地上，“奴婢想一輩子服侍主子。”
剎那間，周圍的溫度像是忽然下降了好幾個度，四喜不由得哆嗦了一下，心道完了完了。
這時，衆人身後忽然傳來一道疑惑的聲音：“你們在幹什麽？”
戎音本來潛進水裏自閉去了，根本沒注意到岸上發生了什麽，直到一個小宮女路過時扔了一顆石子下去，他浮上來查看，才發現亭子裏好像出了事。
戎音的到來打破了僵硬的氛圍，宗政逍也瞬間收起眼底的憤怒，變為了面無表情的模樣。
“綠娥，你怎麽跪着？”戎音想拉她起來，但綠娥不敢動，只快速瞟了宗政逍一眼。
宗政逍：“……”
這是在告狀？
戎音果然扭頭看向了宗政逍：“是你罰她跪的？”
宗政逍道：“我沒讓她跪。”
戎音穿書快一年了，難道還不了解古代帝王和宮人們的相處模式嘛，他說出了真相：“那肯定也是你吓唬她了，不然她好端端為什麽跪你。”
而且宗政逍方才只道自己沒讓綠娥跪，卻沒說她犯了錯，這讓戎音驗證了自己心裏的猜測是準确的，他覺得大概是宗政逍在無理取鬧。
雖然戎音沒有心聲，但宗政逍還是看出戎音在想什麽，他道：“我只是看她到年紀了，問她願不願意出宮，如果她願意，我會賞賜給她足夠安身立命的本錢，她說她不願意。”
戎音看向他，眉頭微蹙：“你怎麽忽然問她這個問題？”
綠娥也還沒到出宮的年紀啊。
宗政逍看戎音這副表情，心裏的醋意頓時彌漫了上來：“我只是問問而已，又不會拿她怎麽樣，你這個語氣，是在表達對我不滿嗎？”
因為我為難你喜歡的人？
戎音道：“我不是這個意思，你不要胡亂揣測。”
“哼。”宗政逍冷哼一聲，扭過了頭去。
戎音：“……”
剛才不還好好的，怎麽就使起小性子來了？
他這個還沒戀上就失戀的人都沒說什麽呢，他倒是先開始耍皇帝脾氣了。
戎音柔聲問還在滿臉緊張的綠娥：“綠娥，你說的是實話吧，真的不想出宮嗎？”
戎音怕綠娥被宗政逍吓到，前一次回答的是違背自己心意的答案。
綠娥紅着眼睛去看戎音：“奴婢說的是實話，奴婢想永遠跟着主子您。”
戎音點頭：“好，這是你的選擇，我會尊重。”
綠娥：“謝謝主子。”
戎音安撫地拍拍綠娥的後背，才對宗政逍道：“既然你問清楚了，那可以讓綠娥起來了吧？”
宗政逍發現戎音明知他不高興了，還先去安慰綠娥才來找他，心裏是既嫉妒又難過，恨不得立馬把戎音綁起來囚禁，讓他以後都只能看着自己。
可他知道他不能這麽做，便只硬邦邦地回了一句：“我又沒說不讓她起來。”
戎音：“……”
他把綠娥扶起，讓她先下去，然後才來到宗政逍面前，擡頭看他。
戎音問：“是不是因為我剛才沒回答你的問題，你不高興了，所以才針對綠娥。”
宗政逍不滿道：“我只不過問她一個問題而已，怎麽就是針對了？”
戎音沒出聲，卻在心裏道：你敢對天發誓你沒有針對她？
銀鲛園這麽多宮人，無論男女，比綠娥年紀大還是年紀小的都有，為什麽偏偏就問綠娥？還是用一張冷冰冰的臉，人家綠娥不害怕才奇怪。
而綠娥又是他戎音最親近的宮人，說跟他無關，他是不信的。
戎音說的就是真相，宗政逍哪敢發誓，留下一句：“你都這麽想了，我解釋又有什麽用。”
然後揮揮衣袍就急匆匆地走了。
四喜看看宗政逍，又看看戎音，一臉的欲言又止，但最後也只能長嘆一聲，快步追宗政逍去了。
看着宗政逍的背影消失在銀鲛園門口，戎音也沒想過要去追。
一方面是他現在心裏也很亂，顧不上宗政逍，另一方面則是他覺得宗政逍需要冷靜一下，要是再說下去，他們可能會吵起來。
戎音不想跟宗政逍吵架。
在外面休息了一會兒，戎音繼續回去讀書寫字。
他要趕在自己死亡前，把他能記得的所有東西都記下來留給宗政逍。
到了晚飯時間，宗政逍沒有回銀鲛園，也沒像往常一樣叫宮人過來送信說他是因為什麽不能回來。
戎音沒多大反應，宗政逍不回來吃晚飯，他就自己吃。
綠娥守在旁邊，面露愧色，直到戎音吃完飯，她才低垂着眉眼道：“主子，都是奴婢的錯，怪奴婢得罪了陛下，陛下才會跟主子置氣。”
戎音笑道：“笨蛋，別把什麽責任都往自己身上攬，該道歉的人是我才對，陛下針對你，大概率是因為生我的氣了。”
綠娥有點想哭：“主子……”
戎音道：“別擔心，陛下只是不來了，又不是要把這座園子收回去了，我們該幹什麽就幹什麽，陛下他自己想清楚後就會回來的。”
戎音覺得宗政逍不開心是因為他告訴了自己他沒有喜歡的人，但他問自己時，自己卻選擇了逃避回答。
宗政逍可能是覺得，自己沒把他當真正的好朋友？
戎音無奈，他覺得自己要是告訴了宗政逍自己喜歡他，可能以後他們連朋友都做不成了，所以即便再來一次，他也還是不會回答。
禦書房裏，宗政逍聽完宮人的彙報後，臉色黑得堪比煤炭。
他在這裏氣得連晚飯都沒吃，而戎音不想着來哄他就罷了，居然還一點不受影響地繼續好吃好喝，順便寬慰了綠娥，說他想清楚後會自己回去！
宗政逍一巴掌拍到桌子上：“他真是太不把朕放在眼裏了！”
彙報的宮人吓得跪地，四喜趕緊勸道：“陛下息怒。”
宗政逍心道他也想息怒，可戎音偏偏要火上澆油！
看着宗政逍暴躁的模樣，四喜心道您又不是不知道戎音心思單純，您不告訴他您喜歡他，他怎麽會明白您的心意。
他不明白您的心意，又怎麽會來哄您？
總而言之，問題其實出在陛下您身上啊。
不過四喜也就敢在心裏這麽說，現實裏他就是個唯唯諾諾的小內侍而已，可不敢學臣子以死進谏。
宗政逍跟陀螺似地在禦書房轉到大半宿，聽見宮人來報說戎音已經睡下，知道戎音今天不會來哄他了，他才咬牙切齒地獨自去偏殿睡覺。
第二天第三天，連着七天，宗政逍都沒有回銀鲛園。
戎音始終淡然如水，每日除了吃飯睡覺，就是學習和記錄，他的矮幾上已經擺了一打寫過的紙。
沒了宗政逍的強制手段，其他人也勸不動戎音去休息。
銀鲛園發生的事無論大小，宗政逍那邊都能及時知道，發現戎音這幾天一次都沒主動提起他後，宗政逍的憤怒逐漸轉為了傷心。
看來戎音果然喜歡綠娥，只要有綠娥在他身邊，其他人都是無所謂的，包括他。
一想到自己喜歡的戎音居然住在自己給他建的園子裏，跟另一個女人甜甜蜜蜜（其實并沒有），宗政逍的心就跟刀絞似地疼。
四喜在旁邊看得着急啊，陛下和戎音不和好，他們也天天跟着膽戰心驚，仿佛又回到了從前戎音還沒穿來的時候。
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?