Chapter 83 The Little Demon King Under the Moonlight
He still did not attend the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet this year, but took advantage of Zong Zhengxiao's absence to prepare a big surprise for him.
It is said that they have a special connection with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Several of their previous relationship breakthroughs occurred on this day.
Rong Yin thought happily while sitting on the swing and moving around to make sure that the thing could withstand the tossing and turning before running back to the house to make preparations.
After the dinner, Zong Zhengxiao entered the garden and found that neither Rong Yin nor Xiao Ai came to greet him, and it was surprisingly quiet inside. This familiar scene made him suddenly understand something.
This time, all the palace servants, including Lu'e and Si Xi, withdrew. The garden was so quiet that only the chirping of insects could be heard.
When he approached the pavilion, Zong Zhengxiao heard the sound of Rong not far away.
The autumn chrysanthemums are in full bloom, and each one is as gorgeous as fireworks. The heart-shaped sea of flowers is illuminated by the moonlight. In the middle of the sea of flowers is an unfamiliar swing, and sitting on the swing is the person Zong Zhengxiao is most familiar with.
Rong Yin's white dress fluttered lightly, and was blown by the night wind as he swung on the swing, like a fluttering butterfly, flapping its wings wantonly.
In his half-merman form, Rong Yin was like a night elf. The faintly visible scales on his cheeks glowed eerily in the moonlight. His light blue eyes held a charming smile, the corners of his rosy lips raised slightly, and he tilted his head slightly to look at Zong Zheng Xiao, issuing a silent invitation.
Zong Zhengxiao walked step by step into the sea of flowers, his eyes never leaving Rong Yin's face, his eyes were deep, as if he was suppressing some impulse.
Zong Zhengxiao didn't stop until he came in front of Rong Yin.
He looked at the seductively beautiful Rong Yin and said in a deep voice, "Where did you come from, you little devil, how dare you not kneel before me?"
Rong Yin's slender white fingers entangled her black hair and played with it. There was no fear in her tone: "I was practicing under the moon, and you trespassed into my territory without permission. I'm not even angry yet, but you, the emperor of the human race, are putting on airs first."
"Little merman, aren't you afraid of me?" Zong Zhengxiao leaned over to look at Rong Yin, holding the swing pillar with his hands.
Rong Yin raised her chin and said proudly, "I am the monster that eats people, why should I be afraid of you?"
Zong Zhengxiao chuckled: "Are you that amazing?"
"That's right." Rong Yin boasted, "I am the king of the demon race."
Zong Zhengxiao smiled and said, "You said you are a powerful demon king, but do you know that there is a method of cultivation that is a hundred times more effective than absorbing moonlight?"
Rong Yin's eyes lit up and she asked, "What method?"
Zong Zhengxiao looked at the white gauze on Rong Yin and said, "Why do you ask this question when you know the answer?"
"How do I know if the method you're talking about is the one I know?" Rong Yin raised her leg, stretched her jade-white bare foot towards Zong Zheng Xiao's leg, kicked it playfully, and said with a wicked smile: "My method can make you unable to stop, do you dare to try it?"
Zong Zhengxiao held Rong Yin's wrist and slowly lifted her up. The white veil fell uncontrollably, and the scene was just perfect for the moment.
He looked down and his eyebrows jumped suddenly.
Empty.
Zong Zheng Xiao raised his eyes and met Rong Yin's proud gaze. He smiled and winked at Zong Zheng Xiao: "Human Emperor, are you satisfied with the way this demon king is dressed tonight?"
Zong Zhengxiao stepped forward and got closer to the sound of the army.
"Satisfied, extremely satisfied." Zong Zhengxiao lifted Rong Yin's chin, his voice hoarse, "The demon king's cultivation method, is it to absorb my yang, huh?"
Rong Yin smiled and said, "The emperor of the human race is really smart. This demon king wants not only your yang*, but also your dragon*. Do you dare to give it to me?"
Zong Zhengxiao leaned over, and the two of them were so close that their faces were almost touching.
"Why shouldn't I?"
Rong Yin raised his head, and his breath caressed Zong Zhengxiao's lips: "Aren't you afraid that I, the demon king, will suck you dry and kill you?"
Zong Zheng Xiao laughed: "Why didn't I ruin you first?"
Rong Yin raised her hands and hugged Zong Zhengxiao's shoulders, "How about a competition?"
Zong Zhengxiao said, "Okay, I will do my best to fulfill my duties as a host and make sure the Demon King's trip is worthwhile."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zong Zheng Xiao had already leaned forward.
The picture book contained instructions on how to play on the swing, and the two of them tried it out tonight. In the end, Rong Yin was the first to admit defeat, and she cried and begged Zong Zhengxiao to come again next time.
Zong Zhengxiao sat on the swing, and Rong Yin sat on him again. He held Rong Yin's face with his hands, kissed away the tears from his eyes, and chuckled in a hoarse voice: "Did the Demon King admit defeat?"
Rong Yin cried so much that her eyes were red and tears were still hanging on her eyelashes.
He held onto Zong Zheng Xiao's shoulders and sobbed, "I said I don't want to play anymore, why are you still calling me the Demon King?"
Zong Zhengxiao bit his face lightly, and after Rong Yin cried out in pain, he kissed him comfortingly.
"If the Demon King doesn't admit defeat himself, the game won't end. We have to keep playing."
Rong Yin glared at him: "I admit defeat, you win, is this okay? You will bully me!"
Zong Zhengxiao said: "I am respecting the rules of the game, how can that be considered bullying you?"
"You're still trying to make excuses." Rong Yin was so angry that he dropped a few more golden beans.
Zong Zhengxiao quickly confessed upon seeing this, "Okay, okay, blame me. I bullied you. Okay, little ancestor, stop crying."
"Humph, who wants to be your ancestor? My surname is not Zong Zheng." Rong Yin was being unreasonable.
Zong Zhengxiao also leaned over him and coaxed him softly, "I'll take your last name, Rong Xiao. Is that okay?"
Rong Yin burst into laughter and said, "That's pretty good."
"Okay, if the little ancestor is happy, I can continue." Zong Zhengxiao helped Rong Yin to stabilize her body and pressed his soft lips against hers, "Ayin, hold on tight, be careful not to fall."
Rong Yin hugged Zong Zheng Xiao obediently, rested her chin on Zong Zheng Xiao's shoulder, and said, "This is the last time. I want to sleep."
Zong Zhengxiao started to act: "Okay, I'll listen to A Yin."
Rong Yin snorted: "You are just relying on the fact that I like you, so you dare to be so presumptuous."
Zong Zhengxiao laughed softly: "Yes, I am almost spoiled to the heavens by our A Yin."
Under the moonlight, the colorful autumn chrysanthemums are swaying in the evening breeze.
Finally, Rong Yin was carried by Zong Zheng Xiao to clean up the mess while wearing her tattered white gauze. Even though she was almost asleep, he did not forget to remind her, "Can you please clean up the swing later? I don't want them to see us."
Zong Zhengxiao tilted his head and kissed his cheek, saying, "Okay, I will definitely clean it up thoroughly, Ayin, you can sleep well."
Rong Yin finally stopped resisting her fighting eyelids and closed her eyes as they pleased.
Before he lost consciousness, he still remembered to praise her: "Thank you, husband. My husband is the best..."
Before he could finish his words, the man had been dragged away by Zhou Gong.
Zong Zhengxiao laughed: "Sometimes you don't have to be so polite."
After putting Rong Yin back on the bed, Zong Zhengxiao did the cleaning work diligently and cleaned up all the traces on the swing and the nearby chrysanthemums without leaving any evidence. He was truly a model cleaner.
The next day, Rong Yin got up with back pain. Zong Zhengxiao fed him porridge and asked him, "You refused to do the swing before, why did you do it last night?"
Rong Yin had the expression of a domineering CEO: "You are allowed to quietly help me take care of my stomach, but I am not allowed to give you the little surprise you want?"
Zong Zhengxiao said: "Yes, of course I will. I'm just too happy."
Rong Yin lifted his chin and said in a haughty tone: "You are my man, if I don't pamper you, who else should I pamper?"
Zong Zheng Xiao followed suit and leaned over to kiss him, and then continued to feed him porridge, "Domineering demon king, fill your stomach first and then pamper me."
Rong Yin patted his shoulder with satisfaction: "My beloved concubine, you still care about me."
The two actors were so dramatic that the palace maids around them could hardly hold back their laughter.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zong Zhengxiao summoned several ministers to the palace to discuss important matters, and then announced the results of their discussion at the morning court the next day.
Zong Zhengxiao planned to announce the existence of corn to the world next year. While distributing corn seeds, he also planned to start collecting taxes from next autumn.
In order to allow the people to rest and live, Zong Zhengxiao has not collected a single cent of tax since he ascended the throne. From the capital to the local areas, the operation of the government basically relies on funds allocated by the capital or self-sufficiency, and everyone from top to bottom advocates integrity and frugality.
But it would not work to continue like this. If there was no fertilizer, Zong Zhengxiao might have to wait a few more years, but with fertilizer, the people had a good harvest every year and were able to pay taxes.
Of course, you won't pay the highest tax level right away; it will definitely increase year by year until it reaches a normal level.
This gradual approach will not cause resentment among the people.
Zong Zhengxiao had also discussed this matter with the officials of the aristocratic families, so after he spoke out, no one from the aristocratic families came out to refute it, and it was rare for both parties to reach a consensus.
The main reason is that the head of the Li family has become disabled, and the representative of the Li family, Li Chu, is pretending to be deaf and dumb. The Cui family and the Chen family both want to protect themselves and no one wants to get involved, so the court naturally seems much more peaceful.
After court was dismissed that day, the two heads of the Cui and Chen families gathered together. Looking at the seat next to them that should have belonged to the head of the Li family, and thinking about his current situation, they both frowned at the same time.
Patriarch Cui said, "This young man Li Chu doesn't seem to be very obedient."
After the head of the Li family became paralyzed, Li Chu rarely participated in activities between the aristocratic families. Even if he came, he just played dumb and didn't take it seriously at all.
His behavior was suspicious, as if he was deliberately avoiding having any further relationship with them.
The head of the Chen family said, "I don't know whether this is what Lord Li meant, or whether Li Chu made his own decision. The Li family seems to want to keep itself out of trouble."
Patriarch Cui sneered: "Does the Li family think this is just a game of house? If they want to withdraw, then withdraw. Without us, their Li family will only become a helpless and helpless target. Will the little emperor let them go then?"
Lord Chen nodded: "That's right. The conflict between us and Zong Zheng Xiao is too deep. Either he dies or we die. There is no compromise."
Patriarch Cui spun his teacup, his expression gloomy. "Come to think of it, why did Lord Li suddenly become paralyzed? Although he was ill before, he still looked strong. However, it is a bit unreasonable that he became like this after favoring his concubines a few times."
"I heard that he and the concubine listened to the monk's advice and thought that if they got pregnant soon, Li Ao would be reborn into the Li family sooner. In addition, the other concubines were vying for his favor every day. He had limited energy and was old, so it was normal for him to have problems. There have been examples before."
Patriarch Cui looked serious: "I still think something is wrong. When Lord Li got into trouble, did you send anyone to visit him?"
Patriarch Chen nodded, "I went there in person. I arrived at the Li residence and saw him with my own eyes. He was lying on the bed, almost unable to move. He needed help eating, drinking, defecating and urinating. Madam Li and Li Chu served by the bed whenever they were free. Lord Li looked at them with a kind look, as if there was something hidden."
When Patriarch Chen went there, Patriarch Li had not yet discovered the conspiracy of Li Chu and her son, so in front of Patriarch Chen, he showed great trust in the two of them.
As for the head of the Cui family, he didn't have the leisure to go there himself, so he sent his son.
His son came back and said that he had heard that the concubine who caused the head of the Li family to have a stroke, Li Ao's mother, had been sent to the manor.
The Li family members all said that the cause of the accident was due to the excessive indulgence of the head of the Li family, and there was no other external cause.
As for the head of the Li family himself, he had become a real waste. He didn't even meet Master Cui. He just let Li Chu entertain him and then sent him away politely.
According to Li Chu, after the problem occurred, Mr. Li was ashamed to see guests again and hoped that the guests would understand.
Patriarch Cui said, "I'm afraid the Li family will soon fall completely into Li Chu's hands."
Patriarch Chen shook his head and said, "Patriarch Li's paralysis was too sudden. Li Chu had been neglected for the past few years. It was not until Li Ao died that Patriarch Li made him important. So his uncles don't seem to respect him very much and have caused him a lot of trouble recently."
"That's a good thing." Patriarch Cui's eyes lit up. "Since he is so disobedient, let him suffer a little, so that he will understand what will happen if he tries to escape from us and live on his own. Once he has learned enough lessons, he will naturally be obedient."
Patriarch Chen was stunned: "What does Lord Cui mean?"
The Cui family head raised his lips with a malicious smile: "Go to his uncles and give him some trouble. Also, I always feel that there is something strange about Lord Li's stroke. It's just right to take this opportunity to investigate it carefully."
Patriarch Chen understood: "If we can really get some evidence against Li Chu..."
The Cui family member continued: "Then he and the Li family will become the most useful shields in our hands."
Hearing this, an evil smile flashed across the eyes of the head of the Chen family.
As the saying goes, it is better to die with a fellow Taoist than to die with a poor Taoist. If they want to be safe, they need someone to charge in the front and block all the dangers brought by Zong Zhengxiao.
“A-choo!”
Li family, as soon as Li Chu entered the bedroom of the head of the Li family, he couldn't help sneezing because of the smell inside.
Because of Li's mother's suggestion, the servants became much lax in their attitude towards the head of the Li family. Not only did they fail to turn him over in time, but they also did his meals and took care of his bowels and bladder whenever they felt like.
But the house couldn't have a bad smell, as that would make them look lazy, so one of the servants tried to use perfume powder to dispel the stench, but ended up accidentally creating an even more acrid smell.
Li Chuwen couldn't stand it after the first time, so he quickly left and asked the servants coldly, "Is this how you take care of the master?"
He deliberately spared the life of the head of the Li family in order to let him endure long-term torture and make him a treasure of the family, so as to prevent those uncles and aunts from jumping out and quarreling with him after the death of the head of the Li family before he has complete control of the Li family.
He wanted to make life difficult for Patriarch Li, but he suspected that if his body became so smelly, Patriarch Li might die.
The servants knelt down in panic, begging for mercy with trembling voices: "Master, please forgive me!"
Li Chu was too lazy to teach them a lesson. After all, he didn't want the head of the Li family to have an easy life. "Go in and clean up for the old man. Take him outside to get some sun. Don't get bored."
"Yes, yes." Seeing that he had no intention of pursuing the matter, the servants quickly obeyed his orders and went to work.
The autumn sun was not too dry. Li Chu sat in the courtyard drinking tea, watching the servants carrying water in and out, changing the bedding and clothes for the master of the Li family, and then sending the washed master of the Li family to Li Chu's side.
Because he had been lying in bed for a long time without anyone turning him over, and because of the poor sanitary environment, the head of the Li family developed a lot of bedsores, which made him look very disgusting and scary.
He lay dryly on the recliner, tilting his head to look at Li Chu, who was separated from him by a stone table, with eyes as vicious as a devil's.
It was because of Li Chu that his beloved Ao'er died, and he also changed from the high and mighty head of the family to a paralyzed old man in bed.
Li Chu seemed not to notice the vicious look in the Li family head's eyes. He swallowed the tea in his mouth and looked at his father with a smile: "Dad, how are you doing recently?"
This was clearly a question that he already knew the answer to, and his tone was full of sarcasm.
Patriarch Li was so angry that his chest heaved violently, his pale face turned red, and a wheezing sound came from his throat.
Li Chu answered self-consciously: "She looks rosy, and seems to be doing well."
The head of the Li family was almost fainted by him.
Li Chu continued to chat with him: "This year, the crops on our farm have been abundant, and the business of each store is also very prosperous. By the end of the year, we should be able to make a lot of money. It's a pity that you can only watch but not touch it."
Patriarch Li finally reacted. This kid came here just to piss him off. He didn't want to die yet, so he could only try his best to control his anger.
But Li Chu was obviously not prepared to give him a chance to calm down, and continued: "Now that the emperor is becoming more and more powerful, the noble families are beginning to worry, but without a fool like you as a shield in front, the Cui family and the Chen family are not fools, and no one is willing to touch the emperor's mold. They want to persuade me to learn from you and continue to be their knife, but unfortunately it didn't work. You should be glad that Li Ao is dead. If he had been allowed to inherit the Li family according to your wishes, the Li family would have ended up like the He family."
Hearing Li Chu mention Li Ao in such a nonchalant tone, the head of the Li family wished he could kill this evil bastard with his own hands!
The only thing he did wrong was that even though he didn't like his wife, he still allowed her to give birth to this son and raise him.
He should have strangled Li Chu to death the moment he was born!
Looking at his helpless and furious expression, Li Chu immediately laughed out loud.
"Dad, this is the retribution for betraying your wife and children." Li Chu raised the tea and slowly poured it on the head of the Li family. "Don't worry, I won't let you die for the time being. You just stay in the deep house and rot and stink, and watch how I firmly control the entire Li family in my hands."
"Heh...heh..." Patriarch Li was so angry that he fainted again without catching his breath.
Seeing that the head of the Li family was really unconscious, Li Chu slowly asked the servant who was bowing his head and pretending to be deaf and dumb to find the court doctor.
As for the Cui family, since the Li Mansion was managed like an iron barrel by Li Chu, they could not get any useful information at all, so they turned their attention to Li Ao's mother who was sent to the manor.
The Cui family spent a lot of effort to find the manor where the aunt was imprisoned. After some inquiries, they learned that the aunt was now doing rough labor here every day, with insufficient food and warm clothes. There was no trace of the style of the concubine in the Li family.
This was undoubtedly the revenge of Li Chu and his mother.
He publicized his reputation for being kind and benevolent to others, saying that he treated his aunt as his own mother, but behind her back he still took revenge and complained.
Perhaps the aunt was tired of such a hard life, so when the Cui family secretly found her and promised to take her back to the capital, but the price was that she had to tell them the whole story of what happened to the head of the Li family, she agreed without hesitation.
It was from his aunt that the head of the Cui family learned that Li Chu's paralysis was not an accident, but that his aunt had given him a drug, and the drug was brought by his personal maid.
In the end, the concubine was punished, but the maid continued to stay in the mansion.
In an instant, Patriarch Cui figured out the whole story.
It is a fact recognized by the whole capital that the head of the Li family dotes on Li Ao and mistreats Li Chu. It is normal for Li Chu to resent him. Now that Li Ao is dead and Li Chu no longer has any competitors, it is understandable that he wants to replace the head of the Li family as soon as possible.
Although the old friend was plotted against by his son, the head of the Cui family was not too angry. Instead, he admired Li Chu's patience and strategy.
If he could help the aristocratic families fight against the emperor with a positive attitude, it would be like adding wings to a tiger for the current aristocratic families.
The leverage over this young man is now in his own hands.
The Cui family secretly took the aunt away, and when the people in the farm discovered that she had disappeared, they hurried to report to Li Chu.
Before Li Chu had time to think too much after hearing the news, the head of the Cui family sent someone to invite him, saying that there was something important to discuss and asked him to come to the house.
Faced with this sudden Hongmen Banquet, Li Chu quickly understood what was going on and told his mother not to ask anyone to look for her, as he knew where his aunt was.
In the Cui Mansion, the two heads of the family, Cui Chen, were sitting in the courtyard admiring Qiu Ju and drinking wine. When Li Chu was brought in by the servants, they both raised their heads and looked at him.
Li Chu showed all the etiquette of a younger generation and greeted them both.
Patriarch Chen smiled with a fake smile: "Please sit down, nephew."
Li Chu sat down without hesitation. The maid next to her came up to pour her some wine. The head of the Chen family asked casually, "How are you doing lately, nephew? I heard that your uncles and aunts had some trouble a few days ago."
Li Chu understood immediately. No wonder his uncles, who had been timid and cowardly about his family's property, suddenly became bold and dared to cause trouble in Li's store a few days ago.
Now it seems that the two people in front of me had a lot to do with this.
Li Chu smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle Chen. I am a family with you. We had a small conflict due to a misunderstanding, but we have talked it out now."
Li Chu is not his father who would favor his relatives. Naturally, he would have found a way to drive those guys away long ago.
"Really? That's good." Patriarch Chen smiled, his eyes not reaching his eyes. "Your father was paralyzed unexpectedly, and the burden of the family fell on your shoulders. Thank you for your hard work, nephew."
"Fortunately, it is within the tolerance of this younger generation." Li Chu lowered his eyes and looked at the clear wine, pretending to be humble.
This time it was Patriarch Cui's turn to speak. His eagle-like eyes stared at Li Chu: "Come to think of it, I remember your father was usually in good health. How come he suddenly collapsed?"
They were beating around the bush, and Li Chu was in no hurry to expose their thoughts. He just played dumb and said, "Father fell ill after hearing the news of my brother's death. He had a chronic illness. In addition, he was old, and my aunt coaxed him into partying every night just because of a monk's unfounded words. It happened so many times that my father couldn't bear it anymore and that's when the accident happened."
"Oh, according to you, that aunt is the culprit." Patriarch Cui held up his wine glass with a smile on his face. "But as far as I know, that aunt's confession is very different from what my nephew said. What do you think is going on?"
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