Chapter 92: Little Mermaid was punished for drinking
Before going to bed at night, Rong Yin and Zong Zhengxiao took a bath together. Zong Zhengxiao massaged Rong Yin's shoulders and back, "Thank you for your hard work, A Yin."
"No big deal. There is nothing in this world that I can't do." Rong Yin was obviously extremely tired, but he still wanted to pretend to be cool.
Zong Zhengxiao said with a smile: "Well, our A Yin is the best."
In fact, Zong Zhengxiao originally assigned the matter of recruiting female workers to the Ministry of Industry, but perhaps they were a little averse to this matter, so they made much noise but did little, and did not do the job with all their heart.
During the morning court session two days ago, Li Chu was pushed forward by the aristocratic families to oppose Zong Zhengxiao's approach, saying that papermaking was originally a job for male workers, and he insisted on recruiting female workers, which was detrimental to his reputation.
Then he was severely retorted by Zong Zhengxiao, who punished Li Chu again.
At that time, Li Chu looked extremely aggrieved, and he had to bear the anger from both sides.
But Zong Zhengxiao's identity was there, and he really didn't have time to deal with this matter, so Rong Yin volunteered to take on this job.
Fortunately, although it was a bit troublesome, we were able to recruit the required number of female workers.
"You have to send someone to do the background investigation and training." Rong Yin said to Zong Zhengxiao, yawning.
"Well, Ayin, you can put this matter aside for now."
Zong Zhengxiao's technique was very skilled, and Rong Yin felt so comfortable that her eyelids were drooping. In the end, Zong Zhengxiao carried her to the bed.
Even though he was half-conscious, Rong Yin still touched Zong Zheng Xiao's chin and teased him, "My dear, I don't have the energy tonight, so I'll let you go for now and enjoy you tomorrow."
Zong Zhengxiao held the man in his arms and said, "Okay, my Lord, go to sleep if you are tired. Don't force yourself."
"If you dare to question me, be careful of me..." Before she could finish her words, Rong Yin was dragged into a dream by Zhou Gong.
Looking at the sleeping Rong Yin, Zong Zhengxiao's expression became extremely gentle.
"Good night, my Ayin."
Half a month later, Tian Xiaocui came to the bakery alone. She originally came to buy something. Rong Yin happened to be there, so she shared the good news with Rong Yin.
"I have completed the training and was not eliminated. I can officially start working tomorrow." Tian Xiaocui's face was rosy and her eyes were full of excitement and longing for a new life.
"Congratulations!" Rong Yin said, "Everything you buy today will be 50% off. Consider it your joining gift."
Tian Xiaocui waved her hands quickly: "I just want to share the good news with you, boss. I don't mean to ask for gifts."
"Oh, I know. This is my sincere gift. You can't refuse it. At worst, you can just come to my store more often and spend money there. Then I can make it back."
"Okay then, thank you, Boss Rong."
Tian Xiaocui was not the only female worker who returned home with the good news that day.
A stable job and a stable income are great things for any family.
Most of these female workers came from ordinary or even poor families. Now that they had jobs in the paper mill, their families spoke to them much more politely, and when they returned home that day, most of the meat on the table went into their bowls.
They had never received such respect and preferential treatment before. At that moment, they vaguely understood the true meaning of getting this job.
Some of the female workers who had registered previously have been officially employed, while others were unfortunately eliminated.
Some of those who were eliminated were unwilling to accept the result and were led by their families to find the manager of the workshop, demanding an explanation and wanting compensation from the workshop.
The person in charge didn't bother to be polite with them and directly threw the evidence of rejecting those people in their faces.
Either they have a problematic background and are connected to some aristocratic families; or they cheated during training, did not study seriously, and ultimately failed the exam.
There is another type, where despite trying hard, you are not suited to this line of work, and there is nothing you can do about it.
These eliminated people and their families did not receive any benefits from the manager, so they began to spread rumors, saying that they had to bribe the manager with a large sum of money before they could officially take up the job, which was totally unfair to children from poor families.
They also said that the male supervisors inside would physically assault the female workers. This happened just a few days into the training, and no one knows what they will do in the future. I'm afraid some female workers may have lost their innocence and their families don't even know about it.
As soon as these rumors came out, there was a lot of discussion in the capital. Some female workers who had already passed the examination were not allowed to work by their families. Some even said that they would let the men in the family replace the female workers to work in the paper mills.
This made Rong Yin very angry, because he was the one who did this, so he couldn't let anyone mess it up.
He found the people who spread the rumors through various channels and asked them to produce evidence to prove that what they said was true, otherwise he would send them to the government.
Fortunately, these people had not seen much of the world, and after being frightened by Rong Yin, they quickly stood up to clarify the matter.
Those people dared to spread rumors, and some of them were the work of the aristocratic families. However, seeing that Rong Yin was very tough, the aristocratic families were afraid that he would find out something, and then Zong Zheng Xiao would come to deal with them, so they gave up their little plans.
At the same time, under Rong Yin's encouragement, the female workers who had already joined the paper mill also stood up to clarify for the paper mill, saying that the treatment there was exactly the same as what they had been told before joining, or even better.
They were paid as usual during the training days. Although the managers were strict, they were very kind. They never asked the female workers for benefits, nor did they do anything to damage the reputation of the female workers.
The reason why those people spread rumors is because they failed the exam and could not enter the workshop, so they did this out of jealousy.
After the rumors died down, Rong Yin also made a solemn statement: "The work that the female worker has worked hard for must be done by herself. The family members of the female worker, regardless of gender, are no longer allowed to make requests to replace her. Once this rule is violated, the female worker will be fired, and the workshop will not hire her and her family members in the future."
After his warning, those who had evil intentions no longer dared to act, and the female workers who passed the exam also gradually began to officially start working.
Workers in the paper mill, both men and women, are assigned a palm-sized wooden sign with a red rope hanging on it, on which are written their names and the name of the workshop.
This makes it easier for the doorman to check their identities when they enter and leave the workshop.
Workers in the workshop like to wear the badges around their necks, so that anyone who sees them will know that they are workers in the workshop and will look envious at them, which makes them very happy.
Juan'er had worn Tian Xiaocui's brand to show off to the children in the village, but she knew the seriousness of the matter and only showed it to her friends, not allowing them to even touch it.
In such a lively atmosphere, the hot pot restaurant that Rong Yin had been preparing for half a year is finally about to open.
The early promotion was in teahouses, bakeries and milk tea shops. Any customer who came here to consume would get a coupon for the hot pot restaurant, which could be used within one month of the hot pot restaurant opening.
After recruiting female workers last time, Rong Yin established contact with the group of beggars led by Little Monkey, and would often ask them to do errands for him.
They were not actually needed for the hot pot restaurant promotion this time, but Rong Yin took their situation into consideration and gave them some money to ask them to help shout a few times in the streets.
"Don't worry, boss. After receiving your money, we promise to complete the task." The little monkey was cheerful and smiled at Rong Yin.
"Well, go ahead." Rong Yin smiled.
After they left, Rong Yin said to Lu'e beside him, "There seem to be many little beggars like this in the capital."
Lu'e said, "Many children lost their loved ones in the war and lost their ability to survive. They had no choice but to become beggars. This is not only the case in the capital, but also in other prefectures."
Looking at them, Rong Yin couldn't help but think of his childhood.
Although he is an orphan, he is adopted by an orphanage. Even if his life is not good, at least he will not end up on the streets.
He was born in a good era, but these kids...
Lu'e saw the reluctance on Rong Yin's face and advised: "Master, there are too many poor people in this world. You can't save them all. Don't worry about it."
"I know." Rong Yin lowered his eyes.
Although I understand the truth, my mood cannot get over it in time.
After returning to the palace, Zong Zhengxiao saw that Rong Yin was in a bad mood, so he asked him if he had encountered anything unhappy. Rong Yin told him everything he had seen and felt.
Zong Zhengxiao's face changed when he heard this. After thinking for a while, he told Rong Yin: "In fact, when Dasheng was first established, I also set up several shelters to adopt children who lost their relatives in the war."
When the war had just ended, many refugees gathered in the capital, including many children.
Zong Zhengxiao was not a heartless person, so he would not tolerate it. The adults could become tenants to support themselves, but no one was willing to take in an orphan without a father or a mother, so he had to do it.
"What happened next?" Rong Yin asked.
"Later..." Zong Zhengxiao's eyes were blank, as if he was lost in memory. "At the beginning, it was smooth, and the orphans were properly settled. But at that time, I was busy with government affairs and didn't have much time to pay attention to them. The people under me didn't fulfill their duties, and the management was lax, which led to various conflicts in the shelters. The children gradually escaped until an unexpected fire burned down those shelters."
Rong Yin was surprised: "How could this happen?"
Zong Zhengxiao came back to his senses and said, "On the one hand, I was really poor at the time and couldn't give the children a good life, so it was normal for them to want to run away. On the other hand, I took them in but didn't fulfill my management responsibilities, which led to the intensification of conflicts within the shelter. The fire was set by one of the children who was often bullied. Fortunately, no one was injured or killed."
宗政逍嘆氣：“這事兒對我和對那群孩子的打擊都很大，後來我也試過重建收容所，但孩子們寧願流浪也不願意進去，還有流言說我就是不想管那些孩子，才把他們放在一起自相殘殺，自生自滅，流言越傳越廣，無法遏制，收容所就再也辦不下去了。”
不用猜就知道這些流言是誰傳出去的，宗政逍那會兒暴君名聲的由來，有一部分原因也跟這次事件有關。
看着宗政逍失落的眼神，戎音伸手将他抱進懷裏，拍拍他的背：“陛下，你已經盡力了，不要難過。”
宗政逍回抱住戎音，笑道：“本來是我安慰你的，現在怎麽反過來了。”
戎音也笑：“那你也安慰安慰我吧。”
宗政逍跟哄孩子似的，“阿音乖啊乖，不要傷心，不要哭泣，要天天開心。”
戎音沒忍住笑出了聲。
跟宗政逍談過後，戎音又去了解小猴子這些乞兒的想法，問他們想不想進收容所。
當年那場火災還歷歷在目，被欺負的痛苦深入骨髓，小猴子等人全都搖頭，說寧願吃土，都不想再回那裏面去。
戎音又問：“那要是以後造紙工坊擴建，再招人，而且你們也到了招工年紀，你們願意去工坊幹活嗎？”
小猴子忙不疊點頭：“這個倒是願意的，工坊裏面的人經常戴個木牌牌，看起來可威風了，我和小夥伴們都很羨慕。”
聽見他們這麽說，戎音才算是放心了一些。
小乞兒們都願意自己賺錢養活自己，這說明他們的觀念正常，這是不幸中的萬幸。
以後宗政逍和他建的工坊肯定會越來越多 ，到時候小乞兒們大了，不止能進工坊，還能去找其它活計幹。
流離失所的百姓，一定會越來越少的。
火鍋店正式營業這天，比當初面包店開業還熱鬧，不止功臣集團的人來捧場，不少面包店奶茶店的老顧客也趕了過來，基本人人手裏都捏着優惠券。
盡管戎音挑選的店面已經夠大了，但還是無法一次性容納所有客人，只能像面包店一樣，分批次進去。
不過剩下的客人戎音也不會讓他們幹等，他在隔壁弄了個等候的地方，讓大家取碼用餐，拿到數字牌後可以選擇在等候區邊喝茶邊等，也可以去外面閑逛，估摸着到了時間再回來用餐。
火鍋霸道的香氣幾乎席卷了半條街，連路人路過店門口，都要忍不住問一句：“這家新開的店賣的是什麽吃食？”
客人絡繹不絕，後廚備湯備菜的大廚夥計們幾乎沒有休息的時間，戎音本想進去幫忙，卻被人推了出去。
“老板，你去外面招待客人吧，就陪那些貴客說說話，廚房裏忙，小心有人沖撞了您。”
戎音看着推自己的這人，沒憋住笑：“好你個小猴子，上工第一天，就敢指揮老板我了。”
眼前這個穿着小二衣服的人，正是之前的乞丐小猴子。
不過他此時幹幹淨淨，哪裏還有之前灰撲撲的樣子，不知道他身份的，絕對猜不到他以前是街上乞讨的。
知道孩子們願意工作後，戎音根據小猴子的意見，把他們那群小乞兒裏年紀比較大，性格也比較老實的幾個都招進來店裏做起了小二。
小猴子大概十四五歲，具體年齡他自己也記不清了，他個子還算高，也有些力氣。
畢竟當小兒要記菜名和客人要求之類的，還要端着東西跑來跑去，年紀再小也勝任不了了，所以戎音只挑了他們幾個。
上工前，戎音先讓幾個有經驗的小二教了他們一段時間，今天開業到現在，雖然很忙，但總共沒出錯。
小猴子嬉笑：“我哪敢呀，我這不是指揮，是建議。”
戎音笑：“不逗你了，你去忙吧，我到前面看看。”
“好嘞，老板你注意腳下，小心滑倒啊。”
“知道了！”
火鍋跟拔霞供的吃法差不多，是以小二示範幾遍後，客人就都懂了，這會兒大多數客人都吃得頭也不擡。
戎音店裏的火鍋湯底味道多樣，比拔霞供豐富得多，甚至還有鴛鴦鍋這種特殊的吃法，味道好又新奇。
那些原本只是來給戎音捧個場，沒期待食物能有多好吃的客人，在嘗過火鍋味道以後，全都覺得自己之前目光短淺。
可以做出面包奶茶那種美味來的戎音，他做的火鍋怎麽可能會難吃。
戎音先去了大堂，在座的客人基本都是他前兩家店的老顧客，看見他來，都笑着招呼：“戎老板，坐下來一起吃點吧。”
戎音笑得燦爛：“不用了，謝謝啊，大家都吃好喝好，有什麽意見都可以提，只要采納了，就免費送一盤羊肉卷！”
冷天吃涮羊肉，美味又暖和，雖然現在還沒入冬，但已經是晚秋時節，今天點羊肉的客人還是挺多的。
“行啊，這可是戎老板你說的，到時候可不許抵賴！”
“不會不會，一言既出驷馬難追！”
“好！”衆人紛紛鼓掌歡呼。
看着客人們的笑臉，戎音心裏更開心了。
其實他本來是有點膽小社恐的，但随着他能自由進出皇宮，又做起了生意，見過越來越多形形色色的客人，他就逐漸解放了社牛的屬性，也從幕後走到了臺前。
他開始享受這種被注視的感覺。
招呼完大堂的客人，戎音又去隔壁等候室轉了一圈，發現大家都在喝茶聊天，就悄悄回去，上了二樓。
二樓是雅間，裏面的基本都是今天來給戎音捧場的功臣集團的人，其中就包括季家。
戎音一個雅間一個雅間裏問候完，等到了季世子他們那裏，就被季世子抓着，非要跟他喝一杯。
“陛下又不在，就喝一小口，今天你的新店開業，喝了酒生意才能長長久久地火下去。”
這就是季世子的說話藝術。
戎音想了想，覺得他說得有道理，就跟他和季家人碰了一杯。
等喝完了，要去下一個雅間了，戎音才湊過去小聲告訴季世子，“待會兒陛下會來接我回宮，他要是問我為什麽喝酒，我就把你剛才那句話告訴他。”
季世子瞪大了眼睛，驚恐道：“戎老板，我都帶着全家人來給你捧場了，你可不能害我啊。”
他話剛說完，戎音還沒來得及回應，季父先站起來給了他一拳。
季父虎着臉道：“你小子沒點禮貌，什麽害不害的，人家戎老板什麽時候害你了？”
罵過兒子，季父轉身，沖戎音抱拳，“戎老板，我這兒子就是個傻的，你別跟他計較。”
季父雖然年紀比戎音大，還是跟宗政家一起打天下的大功臣，但他對戎音這麽尊重，不止因為他是宗政逍的人，更是因為有戎音，他們才能過上現在的好日子。
這對着財神爺，自然得客客氣氣的。
戎音道：“季國公言重了，我跟世子開玩笑呢，你說是吧，季世子？”
戎音笑眯眯地看向季燮。
季燮露出一個比哭還難看的笑臉：“對，是在開玩笑。”
逗完季燮，戎音又去了下一個雅間，直到把雅間都走完一遍，他才到自己的休息室去歇一會兒。
其實他大可以跟上次面包店開業一樣，躲在幕後，讓管事他們去招待客人。
但這次來的貴客實在是多，戎音再不出面就不禮貌了，而且他既然已經暴露在人前了，也不差這一回。
世家大概已經察覺到了他的不對勁，不然上次也不會設計挑撥他和宗政逍的感情。
正所謂明槍易躲暗箭難防，反正怎麽樣都逃不過，還不如随心而為。
戎音這幾天在改良火鍋底料，所以一直在吃火鍋，今天又聞了一天的味兒，實在是對火鍋暫時不感興趣了，便叫小二去隔壁幫他帶了幾份小菜回來。
吃飽後，戎音犯起了飯困，一不小心就趴在桌上睡了過去。
等他醒後，夕陽已然初現，店裏還是很熱鬧，戎音能聽見外面傳來的說話聲。
他喝了口茶清醒頭腦，沒一會兒侍衛就來敲門，道：“小主子，該回宮了。”
戎音知道是宗政逍來接自己了，就去找管事，讓他按照原來的安排繼續營業，賬本自己改天再來查。
管事應下，戎音怕走前面又被客人拉着談話，便從後門離開。
馬車就停在不遠處，戎音剛掀開簾子，就被一只手拉了進去。
他跌入一個溫暖的懷抱，熟悉的氣息撲面而來，戎音伸手擋住宗政逍馬上要親上他的唇，道：“今天忙了一天，身上都是味道，臭臭的，等我回去洗幹淨再親。”
宗政逍沉聲道：“我不介意，一天不見，阿音沒想我嗎？”
他說着又要親上去，戎音邊推他邊往後仰，“你不介意我介意，你要是敢強吻我，我就把你踢下馬車，讓你自己走回宮。”
戎音話音未落，宗政逍眉頭忽然蹙起，倒不是因為戎音說要把他踢下馬車，而是因為……
“你喝酒了？”宗政逍又嗅了嗅，很明顯的酒味。
戎音道：“別人喝的，我去招待客人，難免會沾上點氣味。”
宗政逍捏了一把他的臉，道：“阿音，你當我是傻瓜嗎？是你喝了還是只是沾上味道，我會分不清？”
戎音見騙不了他，只得承認，“好吧，我喝了，但就喝了一點點，真的就一點點，你看我現在那麽清醒，肯定沒多喝。”
聽了他的解釋，宗政逍的臉色也沒有緩和：“誰讓你喝的？你今天這麽忙，知道自己不勝酒力，又要招待客人，肯定不會主動喝酒，是別人勸你喝的吧。”
戎音驚了：“這你都猜出來了，真恐怖。”
“所以老實交代，誰勸的？”
自己不在的時候，宗政逍是真的很不放心讓戎音喝酒，特別還是在宮外。
所以是誰膽子這麽大，居然勸他的阿音喝酒。
“呃，就是一個普通客人，反正我又沒醉，你就別糾結這個問題了。”戎音之前是和季燮開玩笑的，他怎麽可能因為這種小事就跟宗政逍告狀。
宗政逍盯着戎音的眼睛，心裏思量：京城人人都知道戎老板跟皇帝有關系，普通客人肯定不會勸他酒，那就只剩功臣集團的人，而這裏面跟他和戎音都比較熟，并且又那麽沒分寸的，就只有……
“是季燮吧。”宗政逍肯定地道。
戎音心裏一驚，下意識想：你怎麽猜得這麽準。
等想完他才反應過來，宗政逍是能聽見他心聲的。
戎音：“……”
對不起了季燮，陛下自己猜出來的，我也沒辦法啊。
“哈哈，季世子就是見我新店生意好，一時激動，就拉着我喝了幾口，你別怪他。”戎音幹巴巴地笑着，給季燮求情。
宗政逍摸摸他的腦袋，笑得溫柔，“當然，我怎麽會怪他呢。”
笑裏藏刀，不妙中的大不妙。
別說季燮了，就是被勸了酒的戎音，回去以後也是狠狠遭受了一番折騰。
宗政逍動作粗野，橫沖直撞，像是要把戎音的腰折斷似的。
“以後還敢不敢在我不在你身邊的時候，喝別人遞給你的酒了，嗯？”
戎音瞪着一雙哭得嫣紅的眼睛，抽抽搭搭地求饒，“再也不了，我錯了，陛下，求你了，放過我吧。”
“寶寶聽話，寶寶真乖。”宗政逍吻住戎音的唇，進攻得更兇了。
門口守夜的宮人完全沒機會打瞌睡，因為屋裏的動靜幾乎響了一整夜。
第二天醒來，戎音的嗓子都啞了，半天都沒理宗政逍，但最後還是被人家幾句軟話就哄好了。
戎音咬牙切齒地罵自己：“不争氣的東西，人家哄幾句就不生氣了，沒用！”
直到他聽說季燮又被派離京城尋新種去了，而且宗政逍還說了，找不到新種子他就別回來了。
戎音一驚，心想當個沒用的廢物其實也挺好的。
其實宗政逍也沒有重罰季燮，他本就是負責找新種的，如今玉米已經普及開來，他也需要繼續他的工作了。
至于宗政逍說的要找到新種才準回京城，也沒限制一定要紅薯土豆，只要是一種新種，否管是糧種還是調料類的，都可以算在其中。
而且他本就是帶着任務去的，如果什麽都沒找到，他也沒臉回來。
所以宗政逍的懲罰，其實就是讓他早出發幾天。
随着進入冬季，天氣越來越冷，火鍋店的生意也越來越紅火。
吃辣必定要喝冰飲才過瘾，于是火鍋店的生意又帶動了處于生意溫季的奶茶店，在火鍋店點了奶茶，小二會幫你跑腿買來，只需要出一點跑腿費。
願意來火鍋店吃飯的，也不會在乎那點跑腿費，所以很多客人都使用了這項服務。
于是除了小猴子這些大一點的孩子外，那群小乞兒裏年紀小的孩子，也算是找到了一份臨時工。
雖然掙得不如小猴子他們多，但也是一筆收入。
現在小猴子他們一群孩子，已經租下一個小院子，共同住了進去，不必再流離失所。
吃飯就在火鍋店後廚解決，只是非火鍋店員工的幾個孩子，都會自覺交上餐食費，戎音不要，他們哭着鬧着也要給。
原本髒兮兮的孩子們，在被戎音聘用後，基本是一天洗一次澡，衣服也是勤洗勤換，生怕客人嫌他們不幹淨，給戎音招來壞名聲。
戎音花錢給他們盤了炕，還送了碳和棉被棉衣，孩子們要求這些錢從他們以後的工錢裏扣，每月扣一半，直到還完為止。
按小猴子的話說就是：“以前我們接受施舍是因為我們沒有賺錢的能力，現在我們能靠自己了，就不能再仗着別人的好心不勞而獲。”
雖然在社會上摸爬滾打多年，但這些孩子始終保持着一顆善良的心，這也是戎音願意幫助他們的原因。
這天戎音正坐在櫃臺後面，邊喝熱奶茶邊查賬，一個平時負責跑腿的小乞兒來到了他面前，小聲道：“老板，有人叫我把這個給你。”
他攤開手，裏面是張紙條。
“誰給你的？”戎音詢問。
小乞兒道：“是個漂亮的姐姐。”
戎音一時沒猜到是誰，他摸摸孩子的臉，發現他皮膚冰涼，就讓他去後廚烤火，等身體熱乎了再去跑腿。
小孩走後，戎音才展開字條，上面寫着：戎老板，我是寧月，他又要見你，他說來或不來都随你，我建議你最好別來。
會在寧月那裏提出要見自己的“他”，只可能是李楚，寧月大概是被迫替他傳遞這個消息的，可以看出寧月很不情願。
戎音蹙眉，因為他不樂意見李楚，後面跟李楚接洽的都是宗政逍或者其他人，李楚應該也很清楚原因，怎麽突然又要約他見面了？
去還是不去……
戎音糾結地翻着賬本，最終還是打算走一趟，他怕李楚見不到他，又會繼續去煩寧月。
火鍋店離清秋閣不遠不近，牽馬車出來也麻煩，戎音就自己走了過去。
天上飄着小雪，戎音打着傘，獨自前往，侍衛們都在暗處跟着他。
到了清秋閣，老板見他來得突然，還有些驚訝。
戎音笑道：“閑着沒事，就想找寧月聊會兒天。”
老板當然是歡迎他來的，甩着帕子笑眯眯地道：“寧月那裏這會兒也沒客人，戎老板你直接上去吧。”
戎音見老板這表情不像是演的，看來她也不知道李楚現下在寧月的房間裏。
李楚果然心思缜密，為了不暴露自己已經投靠敵營的消息，竟然能做到這個份上。
戎音上樓，還是那幾個熟面孔在門口徘徊，保護裏面的人，也不許外人靠近。
寧月的丫鬟被支走了，戎音推門進去，寧月上前，有些愧疚地道：“大冷天的，還要勞煩你跑這一趟。”
寧月也明白，戎音願意前來，大概率是考慮到她處境艱難，怕李楚為難她。
“謝謝。”寧月小聲道。
戎音搖頭，“吃撐了，剛好散步消食。”
寧月笑了，道：“想聽哪首曲子，我給你彈。”
寧月接近賀家姐妹套證據的事情，他倆還沒跟李楚說，所以現在還得裝出寧月是局外人的假象。
“随便彈吧，我都喜歡。”
“好，那就《浣溪沙》吧。”
這首曲子，促成了兩人相識，同時也是戎音和李楚“遇見”的契機，彈這個也算應景。
在清淡的香味中，琴聲緩緩響起，戎音也走進屏風後，見到了裏面的李楚。
“好久不見，戎老板。”李楚起身，笑着迎接他。
“少來這套！”戎音伸手擋住他的靠近，“有事你可以找陛下或者其他人，非要見我做什麽？”
李楚笑容溫和：“最近知道了一個大快人心的好消息，沒有可以分享的人，就只能來找戎老板你了。”
“啊？”戎音看他的眼神像在看一個大傻子，“我們很熟嗎？你非要跟我分享好消息。”
李楚被這麽說也不生氣，臉上的笑容絲毫未變，穩定得就像一層面具，“是有關崔家的消息哦，戎老板你确定不想聽嗎？”
“崔家？”戎音的好奇心被勾了起來。
“先坐吧，一時半會兒說不完。”李楚做了個請的手勢。
想知道真相的戎音在李楚對面坐下，李楚給他倒了杯茶，順便問道：“我跟陛下說過，崔家二少爺不滿父親厚此薄彼，打算複仇，毀了崔家，這件事陛下告訴你了嗎？”
戎音喝了口茶，道：“說了啊，怎麽了？”
李楚聽見這個回答，也不再啰嗦，直接道：“我今天要說的，就是崔二少在崔家做的好事，你還記得我那姨娘，也就是李傲的母親嗎？”
“記得，她不是被崔家人抓去了，用來威脅你幫他們辦事嘛。”
李楚看向戎音的眼神有些意味不明：“看來陛下是真的寵愛戎老板你，什麽都願意告訴你。”
戎音心道其實宗政逍也沒有什麽都告訴他，在但外人面前，他肯定不能這麽說。
“是啊，我倆躺一個被窩，他不跟我說跟誰說。”
李楚抿了一口茶：“确實是這個道路。”
戎音蹙眉，“你老是歪話題做什麽？要說什麽趕緊說，別大喘氣。”
“好，之後我都不廢話了。”李楚正襟危坐，繼續剛才的話題，“姨娘被崔家接回京後，崔家怕我殺人滅口，脫離他們的掌控，就一直把姨娘留在崔家，本來還算相安無事，就是多養個人而已，但從崔二少打算報複崔家起，事情就逐漸變得有趣起來。”
李傲母親作為李府貴妾，因為有李家主寵愛，生活如意，補品更是當飯一樣吃，所以即便已經生了李傲這個兒子，年紀也大了，可依舊風韻猶存。
正是因為如此，在李傲死後，李家主才願意夜夜流連她的床榻，除了助興藥的作用外，最主要一個原因就是姨娘長得好看。
崔家主現在的正牌夫人是續弦，他的第一任夫人，在生下崔家大少後就生病去世了。
續弦後來跟崔老爺有了自己的親生孩子，對前夫人留下的孩子自然不會太關心，偏偏崔家主對孩子又要求嚴格，崔大少不像其他弟弟一樣，被罵了還有母親關懷。
父親嚴厲，母親早逝，導致缺少關愛的他長大後就開始喜歡年紀比自己大的女人，越老越漂亮的，他就越喜歡，就連娶的妻子，也足足比他大上六歲。
用現代的話來說，這叫戀母癖。
不過只是喜歡年紀大的女人，這對崔家來說其實不算什麽大問題，至少沒有施虐狂崔二少麻煩，不會危及崔府名聲。
不過崔大少也不是什麽老實人，盡管已經有正妻有小妾了，照舊時常流連煙花之地，整體來說還是一個好色之徒。
從姨娘入住崔府起，崔大少其實就注意到了這位貌美婦人，只是礙于兩人的身份，沒敢做什麽出格的事兒。
他是曾經害崔二少墜馬的人，崔二少自然時刻關注着他，他對姨娘的觊觎，也被崔二少看在眼裏。
崔二少的複仇之火，就是從崔大少身上燃起的。
崔二少先是買通照顧姨娘的仆人，勸她早點給自己找個歸宿，畢竟她現在已被李家主厭棄，等到她失去利用價值，崔家主肯定會将她交還給李家。
她出賣了李楚，李楚怎麽可能放過她，說不定還會要了她的命。
為今之計，只有找到一個地位比李楚還高的人傍身，到時李楚即便恨透了她，也拿她毫無辦法。
其實姨娘早就有了另投他人的心思，這個仆人的勸說，不過是催化了她的心思罷了。
現在姨娘在崔府，最方便勾搭的就是崔家人。
可崔家主年紀大了，心思更多在權力之上，對男女之情已經不感興趣了，之前姨娘也暗戳戳試探過，發現崔家主無動于衷，也就放棄了他。
仆人告訴姨娘，崔府裏有一個人，很符合她的條件。
那就是喜歡年長美貌婦人的崔大少。
姨娘這些年能得到李家主的專寵，讨好男人的手段自然是一流，甚至都不用崔二少幫忙，她就自己和仆人一起找機會，制造了與崔大少的偶遇。
她一身素衣，只着淡妝，表現得柔弱可憐，捏着帕子盈盈一望，就将崔大少的心徹底攥住。
姨娘之前特地打聽過，崔大少的親娘，當年就喜歡素淨的打扮，這下算是正中崔大少的下懷。
郎有情妾有意，兩人自然順理成章厮混到了一起。
崔大少時常偷偷遛進姨娘院裏，與她共赴雲雨。
崔大少自己瞞着，崔二少也幫忙掩護，是以很長一段時間，崔府的其他人都沒有發現端倪。
不過跟伯父的女人偷情雖然很刺激，但崔大少還是有點慫的，每次都做好避孕措施，不打算讓姨娘懷上自己的孩子。
但姨娘也不傻，她深知如果沒有孩子，那她就是白被睡了，崔大少不會給她名分。
于是她和仆人再次算計了崔大少，用了些手段，讓他多次留下種子，為自己創造懷孕的機會。
沒想到的是，她們的計劃還真成功了。
當初跟李家主胡天胡地許久都沒懷上，如今跟崔大少也不算頻繁，但卻幸運地有了孩子。
知道自己懷有身孕後，姨娘就不甘心再沒名沒分地跟着崔大少，她計劃要向整個崔家捅破她和崔大少的關系。
三天前，崔家主過生辰，崔府大擺宴席，客人如雲，熱鬧非凡。
姨娘纏着崔大少，帶着他去了花園裏，提出要跟他來一次刺激的野外交流。
其實當初崔大少算計崔二少，崔家主雖然不許崔二少報複自己大哥，但心裏對崔大少還是有了幾分芥蒂，再加上他生母早逝，所以崔家主對他的重視遠不如另外幾個兒子。
崔大少對崔家主是有怨氣的，是以在姨娘說出要在崔家主生辰這天，與他做這種荒唐事時，他沒有多猶豫就答應了。
兩人正打得火熱，仆人就按照姨娘的，準确來說是崔二少的吩咐，将一幫客人帶到了這邊來。
崔二少也在這群人中間，也是他第一時間“發現”兩人，大聲驚呼後，引來了其他人圍觀。
崔二少沒給崔大少掩飾的機會，當即指出了姨娘不是崔大少的妾室，而是一個暫住崔家的外客。
而姨娘也很上道，在崔大少驚慌失措下意識想與她撇清關系時，她當着衆人的面，說出了自己已經懷孕的事情。
崔家大少爺，于自己親爹的生辰當天，與一個年紀足夠當他母親的女子在後花園翻雲覆雨，并且這個女子還懷了他的孩子。
這個炸裂的消息，很快就傳到了宴席上。
盡管崔家主及時控制住了局面，以自己的身份威脅衆人，不許把這件事說出去，但當天在崔家的客人幾乎涵蓋了大半個京城權貴圈，所以即便大家都答應了會幫忙瞞着，但其實也沒什麽意義了。
反正崔家的臉在熟人圈裏已經丢光了，至于這個消息會不會傳遍京城，也只是時間問題。
聽完這個狗血八卦，戎音沒忍住感嘆：“你姨娘真是個厲害的女人。”
李楚冷笑一聲，道：“再厲害又怎樣，生死還不是掌握在別人手裏。”
戎音好奇：“那崔家怎麽處理你姨娘？”
“還不知道。”李楚講渴了，喝了口茶，“這些都是昨天崔二少告訴我的，說崔大少已經跪了幾天的祠堂，姨娘被關在院子裏，她懷有崔家的孩子，又被那麽多外人知道了她的存在，崔家也不好處置她。”
如果直接滅口，肯定會招來閑言碎語，崔家主最在乎名聲，自然不會采取這個措施。
戎音道：“原來是崔二少親口跟你講的啊，我說你怎麽知道得這麽清楚。”
李楚道：“崔家主生辰那天我剛好有事，送完禮就提前走了，不然也能看個熱鬧。”
“沒想到你這人還挺八卦啊。”戎音眼神揶揄，“費盡心機找我來，就只是為了跟我講崔家的內宅故事。”
“也不算是單純的八卦吧。”李楚道：“之前崔家用我李家的眼線離間你和陛下，陷我于不義，害得我被陛下罰得好慘，還好我最後找到證據向陛下證明了我的清白，不僅報複了回去，還成功促成崔二少向家裏人複仇。”
他面帶微笑：“現在崔家因為這件事被鬧得雞犬不寧，無論是對我，還是對陛下和你來說都是一件好事，所以我也是來跟你報喜的，等你回宮以後，就可以将這件事告訴陛下，讓他也高興一下。”
戎音聞言，覺得他說得也有一定道理，便道：“那我就原諒你這次了，不過以後，你不要再逼寧月來聯系我跟你見面了，無論是要事還是八卦，你都去找陛下說，我可還沒忘記你當初算計我的仇，我不跟你計較，不代表我對你有好感，懂了嗎？”
“懂了，保證以後不會再犯。”李楚沒有任何糾纏，答應得很爽快。
見狀，戎音也放松了下來。
正在這時，李楚忽然又道：“對了，看在我跟戎老板分享了好消息的份上，戎老板回宮以後，能不能在陛下面前幫我美言幾句，我發現陛下最近還是一直針對我，他是不是還在意李家曾經在宮裏安插眼線的事兒啊？”
李楚滿臉愁苦，舉起右手做發誓狀：“我拿我的性命保證，李家的眼線名單我真的已經全部告訴陛下了，不信陛下可以去查，既然陛下查得出那個宮女是李家的人，也能查出被滅口那幾個內侍是崔家人，那查清宮裏已經沒我李家的眼線了，相信也不難吧。”
戎音瞪他：“我就知道，你叫我過來絕對沒有好事……行了，我會跟陛下說的。”
話剛說完，戎音忽然又想起了什麽，道：“你剛才說錯了吧，查出被滅口那幾人是崔家人的不是你嗎？你還将這個作為證明自己清白的證據，交給了陛下呢。陛下都跟我說了，我記得很清楚。”
Li Chu was stunned at first, then suddenly realized something, and said embarrassedly: "It's my fault for being impatient and making a slip of the tongue. Boss Rong, please don't complain to His Majesty, otherwise I will be punished again."
Rong Yin rolled her eyes at him, "Tsk, I'm not a snitch. I won't tell your majesty everything."
Li Chu flattered, "Yes, yes, I was just judging others by my own standards. Boss Rong is not that kind of person."
Rong Yin sighed: "You don't have anything to say, right? I'm leaving now. I'm annoyed just seeing you."
"I have said everything I wanted to say. Please do as you please, Boss Rong." Li Chu put on that fake smile again.
Rong Yin ignored him, stood up and walked out from behind the screen, and said to Ning Yue: "Miss Ning Yue, I have already warned him. If he dares to force you to help him contact me again in the future, you can use the broom to chase him out. With me here, he won't dare to do anything to you."
Ning Yue nodded with a smile, "Okay."
After leaving the room, Rong Yin had a relaxed expression on his face and even said hello to the boss before leaving.
It was not until he stood outside the Qingqiu Pavilion and looked up at the snowy sky that his smiling expression slowly turned cold.
Holding the umbrella, Rong Yin walked back to the hot pot restaurant as if nothing had happened. However, because he was worried, he didn't pay attention to his feet and almost tripped over the stairs when he raised his foot. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and steadied his body in time, so he didn't fall flat on his face.
The little monkey happened to be at the door. When he saw this scene, he quickly ran over to help him.
"Boss, are you scared? You look terrible. Come in and sit down and have a rest."
After Rong Yin sat at the counter, the little monkey brought him a cup of hot tea. Rong Yin took a sip and did not move again. His eyes were deep and no one knew what he was thinking.
The little monkey thought that he had not yet recovered from his excitement, so he did not disturb him and went on with his own business.
After a long while, Rong Yin's face regained its color. He did not continue to look at the account book, but took a carriage back to the palace.
Zong Zhengxiao was not in Yinjiao Garden. Rong Yin had been playing in the snow with Xiao Ai for a long time before he came back. The guards had already told Zong Zhengxiao about what Rong Yin had experienced outside today.
Seeing Rong Yin looking at him stupidly, Zong Zhengxiao walked over and touched his face: "What's wrong? You don't look happy."
Rong Yin rushed into Zong Zheng Xiao's arms, hugged his waist and rubbed his chest, saying sullenly: "You smart people are really scary."
Zong Zhengxiao heard what Rong Yin meant, so he asked the palace maid to take Xiao Ai to play somewhere else, and then carried Rong Yin back to the room.
"I heard that Li Chu invited you to meet again. Did he say anything to you?" Zong Zhengxiao wiped the snowflakes off Rong Yin's head and body, his tone and movements were extremely gentle.
Rong Yin looked at Zong Zhengxiao and complained angrily, "He deliberately set a trap for me!"