Chapter 99 The Master is Really Good to Ayin

Zong Zhengxiao pretended not to hear and continued to feed Rong Yin. Rong Yin ate until her cheeks were puffed up and glared at him angrily.

Zong Zheng Lianjun also noticed the interesting interaction between the two and raised a kind smile at the corner of his lips.

Afterwards, Zong Zheng Xiao and Zong Zheng Lianjun chatted a little more about the scenery of the palace. The whole conversation was about the elders caring for the younger ones, and no mention was made of anything happening in the court.

Seeing that it was almost time for dinner, everyone got up and went back to their residences, and then they separated at an intersection.

When they arrived at the palace where they lived, Rong Yin asked Zong Zhengxiao, "Your Majesty, outsiders now think that your relationship with Prince Ning's Mansion is very strained. If others knew that you had met with the brothers Lian Xing and Lian Jun, would they become suspicious?"

Zong Zhengxiao wet a handkerchief and wiped Rong Yin's face. It was summer after all, and although it wasn't too hot in the evening, Rong Yin still had sweat all over his face.

"Before at the banquet, I also exchanged a few pleasantries with the Ning Wang and his wife, pretending that we were just on good terms on the surface, but that our relationship was not good in private. I just had a few simple chats with my two nephews. If I acted too distant, it would arouse suspicion."

Rong Yin understood, "So that's how it is."

After dinner, Zong Zhengxiao and Rong Yin stood at the door for a while to enjoy the evening breeze before going back to bed.

Rong Yin went to the toilet before going to bed. Zong Zhengxiao went to bed first, picked up a book and read it slowly. When Rong Yin came back, he reached out and pulled him onto the bed and held him in his arms.

"What's in your box?" Zong Zhengxiao's eyes turned to a wooden box placed on the wall cabinet not far away.

That thing was brought back by Rong Yin from outside the palace. No one else was allowed to touch it. She had to carry it with her wherever she went, and even put it next to her pillow when she slept in the carriage.

Rong Yinchong blinked at Zong Zhengxiao, "It's a secret, you will know it soon."

"Okay." Zong Zhengxiao suppressed his curiosity, closed the book and put it on the bedside table, then pulled Rong Yin to lie down.

"Go to sleep. You must be tired after playing all day." Zong Zhengxiao kissed Rong Yin on the forehead.

Rong Yin slid into his arms, resting her head on his chest, and joked, "Not tonight?"

Zong Zhengxiao was silent for two seconds, then said, "If Ah Yin wants to get up early and go out to play tomorrow, it's best not to tease me."

Rong Yin calmed down, closed his eyes and hummed: "I'm already asleep, I can't hear anything."

Zong Zheng Xiao chuckled, hugged Rong Yin tighter, and said silently: Idiot.

The next day, Rong Yin took Zong Zheng Xiao to the woods again. It was cool inside and the scenery was nice. They were lucky enough to catch a pheasant, which they made into fried chicken for lunch.

Originally, Rong Yin wanted to continue exploring the woods with Zong Zhengxiao in the afternoon, but just as they reached the woods, a snake fell from a branch above their heads.

Although the snake was chopped off by the guard's quick eyes and hands, its twisting body still left a great psychological shadow on Rong Yin, who had been afraid of snakes since childhood. He was so scared that his face turned pale, and finally he dragged Zong Zheng Xiao back to the palace in shame.

Seeing Rong Yin's ugly face, Zong Zhengxiao held her in his arms and gently coaxed her, "Don't be afraid, Yin, the snake is dead. I'm sorry, it's my fault that I didn't find it in time, so it scared you."

Rong Yin shook her head and said, "How can I blame you? It was just an accident. I was too timid. I will be fine after a while."

Zong Zhengxiao gently stroked Rong Yin's back and said nothing more, hoping that Rong Yin could calm down quietly.

Rong Yin suddenly spoke softly, "There are trees planted in the orphanage's large yard, and under the trees are weeds. No one has cleaned them up for a long time, so some small animals live in them. Once when the children were playing, I was pushed into the weeds and accidentally stepped on a small snake, which bit me."

"Playing tricks" is just a euphemism. Children's malice can sometimes be more direct and pure than adults'.

Zong Zhengxiao was startled and heard Rong Yin continue, "Luckily the snake was not poisonous, otherwise I would not have been able to see you."

Zong Zhengxiao's hands, which were wrapped around Rong Yin's waist, tightened consciously. He wanted to comfort Rong Yin, but he didn't know how to start, because the incident had already happened and the scar was left, which could not be erased.

"I'm not saying this to sound pitiful in front of your Majesty. It just occurred to me and I said it out loud. Maybe I just want to find someone to talk to."

Before entering the book, Rong Yin had no family and no close friends. Even if she had emotions in her heart, she could only hold them in and not cause trouble for others, after all, she was not familiar with them.

But things are different now. He has a lover, and those memories that have been buried for many years and caused him pain in his heart finally have an outlet.

He showed his wound, hoping that someone would be willing to lick it with him until the day it healed.

He raised his head and looked into Zong Zhengxiao's eyes with an uneasy look, "Your Majesty, do you think I talk too much?"

"How could that be? I'm very happy that Ayin is willing to share your past with me. This proves that I am the most important person in your heart, right?" Zong Zhengxiao gently smoothed Rong Yin's slightly frowned brows.

"Yeah." Rong Yin rubbed Zong Zhengxiao's palm and nodded obediently, "Your Majesty is the most important in my heart."

Zong Zhengxiao lowered his head and placed a kiss on his forehead, saying softly, "Ayin is also the most important person to me. You can tell me anything that is on your mind in the future. Don't worry about anything."

Rong Yin nodded once more, and then hugged Zong Zheng Xiao tightly, wishing they would never be separated for the rest of their lives.

A small banquet was held in the palace in the evening. All the officials who accompanied the emperor on the trip attended, including Prince Ning and Princess Ning, who had recovered.

Princess Ning's expression was indifferent, she lowered her eyes and twirled her beads, and did not participate in the social gatherings nearby. Prince Ning and his son were also with her.

Amid the lively laughter, Prince Ning's family did not seem to be that sociable.

No matter whether they were from the aristocratic families or the group of meritorious officials, they had no intention of going to talk to them. It was because the situation between Prince Ning's Mansion and Zong Zhengxiao was too tense, and no one wanted to make friends with Prince Ning's family and offend Zong Zhengxiao.

When Zong Zhengxiao came in with Rong Yin, everyone, whether standing or sitting, stood up and saluted him properly.

Zong Zhengxiao said a few words to keep the atmosphere, the gist of which was that this was not the imperial palace in the capital, and everyone could be more casual, talk and drink to their heart's content, and there was no need to be too serious.

All the ministers also agreed.

This was the first time that Zong Zhengxiao and Rong Yin appeared in front of so many princes and ministers. Rong Yin had never attended any palace banquets before. He felt that such occasions had too many rules and it was easy to be targeted. Zong Zhengxiao respected his opinion and never took him to any.

This time, it was because the banquet was small in scale and would not last too long, and Rong Yin also wanted to see how Zong Zheng Xiao and Prince Ning's family acted, so she agreed to participate.

Zong Zhengxiao originally wanted Rong Yin to sit with him at the top seat to receive everyone's greetings and attention, but Rong Yin decisively refused.

Not to mention how much disturbance it would cause if he were to be on equal footing with Zong Zheng Xiao given his current status, it might also give the aristocratic families an excuse to attack Zong Zheng Xiao.

Rong Yin felt extremely uncomfortable just thinking about being stared at by a group of guys he disliked. This was different from entertaining customers in a store. He didn't want to come for a meal and be stared at and plotted against.

Zong Zheng Xiao made that request on a whim. He knew that the time was not right yet. After being rejected by Rong Yin, he followed his wishes and arranged a seat for him closest to himself.

That was originally a place where only important officials could sit. For example, across from Rong Yin was an old duke who held an extraordinary status in the group of meritorious officials.

Seeing Rong Yin's seat, the group of heroes had no objection, because Rong Yin's achievements were enough to prove that he was capable of sitting there.

But the people from the aristocratic families didn't look too happy.

Especially the head of the Cui family, he glanced at the group of calm heroes and instantly understood the position of Rong Yin in their hearts, and also understood how much wealth Rong Yin created for Zong Zhengxiao.

The emergence and existence of Rong Yin completely broke the relative balance between the royal family and the aristocratic families. Now that the aristocratic families are losing ground, half of the credit should be attributed to Rong Yin.

Patriarch Cui glanced at Rong Yin, his teeth itching with hatred. The key was that he couldn't look at her for too long. If Zong Zheng Xiao found out, he would deliberately target him.

The older generation of the family were all evaluating the role that Rong Yin played in the game between them and Zong Zhengxiao, while the younger generation were all amazed at Rong Yin's peerless beauty, and a little jealous of Zong Zhengxiao, after all, he was the only one in the world who could raise a merman.

They all heard Rong Yin's singing yesterday. If a person is beautiful and can sing, he can make money. This doesn't mean that Zong Zheng Xiao is raising a mermaid, it's clearly the mermaid who is raising him.

Moreover, I heard that the relationship between Zong Zheng Xiao and this merman is not simple. Doesn't this mean he has married a perfect wife?

Zong Zheng Xiao naturally noticed the jealous looks in those people's eyes, but the more they did so, the happier Zong Zheng Xiao became.

Because Rong Yin belongs to him and he only loves him, no one can take her away from him.

Rong Yin didn't notice Zong Zheng Xiao's smug mood. He ate his food slowly, glancing at Prince Ning's family from time to time.

Prince Ning's family all wore very simple clothes. If you only looked at their clothes, they would not stand out among the crowd.

Princess Ning had a sullen face throughout the whole process. She never let go of the Buddhist beads in her hand and only ate vegetarian meals, which was consistent with the image of her being obsessed with Buddhism as rumored by the outside world.

Prince Ning had no expression on his face. He ate his meal quietly, occasionally picking up some food for his wife, without even glancing at the other people present.

Zong Zheng Lianjun and Zong Zheng Lianxing also sat obediently beside them. The elder brother was picking fish bones for his younger brother, and the two of them would occasionally come close to whisper.

Compared with the two people I met yesterday, Zong Zheng Lianjun was less lively and more dull. Zong Zheng Lianxing looked even more stupid, and you could tell how innocent he was just by looking at his expression.

The whole family of Prince Ning has been practicing one word - low-key.

像是在極力避免引起宗政逍注意，同時也明白地表達了一點對宗政逍的不滿，這完全就是外人眼裏寧王府對宗政逍該有的态度。

要是世家這些人知道，宗政逍和寧王府不僅關系好，還打算立宗政連均為太子，估計會把他們氣死吧。

戎音靠低頭吃菜掩去嘴角的笑意，悄悄在心裏對宗政逍道：你們宗政家的人，是不是生下來就會演戲啊？

宗政逍輕咳一聲，在戎音看過來後，無聲回了他一句：猜對了，寶寶真棒。

戎音瞪了他一眼：這麽多人看着，不知羞。

宗政逍：我不在意。

戎音：臉皮真厚。

宗政逍：寶寶說的都對。

戎音做了個揮拳的動作，然後低頭繼續幹飯，不理宗政逍這個厚臉皮了。

兩人的互動被衆人看在眼裏，每個人的表情都不一樣。

功臣集團：陛下和貴人感情真好。

世家的長輩們：傷風敗俗！

世家的晚輩們：羨慕嫉妒恨……

一場晚宴，衆人心思各異，最後懷揣着心事回了自己的住所。

宴會上有酒水，因為是在自己眼皮底下，宗政逍也沒阻攔戎音品嘗，但酒是行宮這邊的特色果酒，入口不辛辣還帶回甘，戎音沒忍住就多喝了幾口。

結果自然是醉得一塌糊塗。

一開始他還乖乖被宗政逍牽着走，可行至半路，到了湖邊時，他卻突然發起酒瘋，說要下水。

宗政逍不許，他就可憐巴巴地掉眼淚：“我是魚，不能在岸上待太久，不然會被渴死的。”

宗政逍哄他：“阿音現在是人類形态，不時時刻刻待在水裏也沒問題的。”

“你是誰，我為什麽要相信你的話？”戎音頂着一雙懵懂又帶着幾分質疑的眼眸看向宗政逍。

宗政逍正想回答我是你男人，戎音卻忽然像是恍然大悟一般，語氣驚喜地道：“我懂了，你是我的主人，是你養了我這條小魚。”

宗政逍：“……”

你要這麽說其實也沒錯。

宗政逍也順勢哄道：“既然都知道我是你的主人了，那為什麽還不聽我的話，非要下水？”

戎音氣哼哼地道：“因為你是壞主人，你又不是魚，你怎麽會知道我缺不缺水！”

宗政逍失笑：“那我答應你現在下水的話，我就是好主人了嗎？”

戎音點頭。

宗政逍無奈：“你這評判标準還真是簡單得可以。”

戎音腦子暈乎了，不懂宗政逍這句話的意思，轉身就朝湖邊走去，邊走邊道：“小魚就是要泡在水裏的，虧你還是我的主人，這都不懂。”

見他這副不達目的誓不罷休的架勢，宗政逍也不再勸阻，反正戎音會水，即便喝醉了也淹不死自己。

湖邊砌着石臺，戎音噗通一聲跳下去，他游了幾圈，突然察覺到什麽不對。

他擡擡手又擡擡腿，然後像是受了天大的委屈一般，眼淚汪汪地仰頭看向蹲在湖邊的宗政逍，“我忘記怎麽變成魚了。”

宗政逍忍笑，道：“啊？那可怎麽辦？”

“我不知道。”戎音表情裏滿是茫然無措。

宗政逍道：“不變成魚也沒關系，反正無論是人類還是魚的形态，你都可以在水裏自由活動，不是嗎？”

“對哦。”戎音茅塞頓開似地傻笑了一聲，用仰慕的目光看着宗政逍，“你真聰明，怪不得能養我這麽好看的魚。”

這下宗政逍再也憋不住了，直接笑出了聲。

戎音一臉迷茫，“你在笑什麽？”

宗政逍搖頭，“沒什麽。”

“哦。”戎音不理他了，自己轉身去揪旁邊的水草，宗政逍也不催他，就在旁邊看他玩耍。

不知不覺中，戎音下意識化成了半鲛人形态。

大晚上的，清冷的月光照下來，周圍亮如白晝，戎音烏黑濕衣，耳朵呈現出魚鳍形狀，臉上還隐隐能見到鱗片的反光，再配合上他那張漂亮得臉蛋。

這不知道的，還以為是水裏的妖精半夜出來覓食了。

戎音玩夠了水草，大概是覺得死物沒意思，目光又重新投向了宗政逍。

他游到岸邊，對宗政逍道：“你不是我的主人嗎？你怎麽不給我撒魚食？”

宗政逍笑道：“抱歉，今天沒帶，下次一定加倍給你。”

戎音噘嘴，“我不信，你把手給我看看。”

宗政逍聽話地将手伸過去，戎音握住翻來覆去看了半晌，像是在認真檢查裏面是否藏有魚食。

忽然，戎音眼裏閃過一抹狡黠的光芒，在所有人都沒反應過來之前，他抓住宗政逍的手放進嘴裏，尖利的牙齒毫不猶豫地咬了下去。

候在旁邊的四喜和綠娥被吓得臉都白了，急忙想沖過去幫忙，卻被宗政逍擡手制止了。

一股極淡的血腥味彌漫在空氣中，戎音抽出宗政逍的手，只見手指上分布着大小不一的傷口，咬得不算深，但還是見了血。

戎音對着宗政逍張開嘴巴，吐出舌尖，讓他看上面的鮮血。

“還想騙我，你明明有吃的。”

說完，戎音舌尖下意識在嘴唇上舔了一圈，為水潤的唇瓣添上了幾分詭異的血色。

戎音最初穿來的時候可是吃生食的，宗政逍從未懷疑過他作為海洋獵食者嗜血的本性，只不過因為長期和人類生活在一起，戎音才隐藏了作為鲛人的本能，如今喝醉了，理智束之高閣，野性便脫籠而出。

宗政逍不顧可能會被再次咬傷的風險，主動将手伸進戎音的口腔裏，肆意撫過他鋒利的尖牙，攪弄帶血的軟舌。

戎音也乖得很，盡管被弄得眼眸泛起氤氲水汽，津液順着嘴角流下，也還是抻着脖子任由宗政逍動作，沒有退開或者狠狠合上牙齒。

直到那些細小傷口裏的血液流幹淨，宗政逍最後捏了一下戎音的舌尖，才将手指收了回去。

“這回吃飽了嗎？”宗政逍鉗住戎音的下巴，替他擦去唇角的水漬。

戎音抱住宗政逍的手蹭了蹭，軟軟地道：“主人對阿音真好，可是阿音還想吃。”

宗政逍眼眸深邃，笑容燦爛，“回家吧，回去以後讓你吃個夠。”

這回戎音聽話了，乖乖從水裏出來，摟着宗政逍的脖子，被他抱回了宮殿。

今晚守夜的宮人是唯一受害者，那動靜猛得跟打架也沒什麽區別了，只是真正的打架是痛，這個打架是共赴極樂。

春宵苦短日高起，從此君王不早朝。

戎音第二天醒來時太陽都曬到屁股了，這回他沒有酒後失憶，昨天晚上自己幹的那些丢人事兒，他全都記得一清二楚。

他摸摸自己紅腫的唇，看看身邊躺着的嘴皮都破了的宗政逍，再回想起昨晚自己跟宗政逍接吻時幾次嘗到血腥味的瘋狂，尴尬得腳趾差點把床板給扣破。

他想縮回被子裏繼續裝睡，但他的肚子不怎麽懂事，因為饑餓，忽然發出了一陣咕嚕嚕的聲響。

本身動靜不大，但在寂靜的屋裏，這已經算是一種噪音了。

果然，他身旁原本熟睡的宗政逍動了動，人還沒睜開眼睛，手就準确無誤地伸向了他的腰。

戎音被他帶進懷裏，宗政逍長舒了一口氣，啞聲問：“醒了多久了？”

戎音小聲道：“剛醒沒一會兒，是不是我把你吵醒了？困的話再睡會兒吧。”

宗政逍手往下，捏了捏他柔軟的屁屁，語氣裏帶上了幾分笑意：“阿音這麽精神，看來我昨晚還是不夠努力。”

戎音也不跟他客氣，宗政逍捏他，他也捏回去，只是捏的地方不一樣。

他兇巴巴道：“你非要把我幹/死你才滿意是吧？”

“嘶。”宗政逍被他掐得倒吸一口涼氣，終于睜開了那雙含笑的眼眸，“阿音，你再不收回手，我覺得我們可能要再晚幾個時辰才能起床了。”

“滾蛋，我早就餓了，才不空着肚子陪你搞。”戎音趕緊抽回手，往後退的同時還順便踹了宗政逍一腳。

宗政逍假裝被踹痛了，在那裏哀嚎：“好痛，戎音殺夫了！”

戎音又踹了他一腳，笑着道：“還能說話，看來還沒死透，我再補一刀。”

宗政逍趁機握住戎音的腿，将人拖了回來，翻身壓在身下，“惡狠狠”道：“小小鲛人，手段居然如此狠辣，那你就陪我一起下地獄吧。”

說完，宗政逍雙手就迅速襲向戎音的腰部……撓起了他的癢癢肉。

“哈哈哈哈，宗政逍，你幼不幼稚啊，哈哈哈哈，別撓了……”

戎音徒勞地掙紮着，笑得眼淚花都出來了。

兩人胡鬧了好一會兒才起床，戎音因為反抗失敗，笑得肚子都疼了，因此“記恨”上了宗政逍，半天都沒跟宗政逍說話。

不過也有好處，那就是他原本尴尬的情緒，早就因為玩鬧被抛到九霄雲外去了。

因為兩位主子嘴裏嘴外都有傷，所以廚房準備的餐食也很清淡，戎音餓了好久，一口氣吃了個肚兒滾圓，端着冰飲躺在樹蔭下的搖椅上納涼。

“還生氣呢？”宗政逍在他旁邊坐下，靠過去問他。

"Hmph." Rong Yin turned around and ignored him.

In fact, he had calmed down long ago, he just had nothing to do so he picked a fight with Zong Zheng Xiao on purpose.

"Then what do you want Ayin to do in order to forgive me?" Zong Zhengxiao was aware of Rong Yin's little thoughts, but he was also happy to join in the fun.

Rong Yin turned around and looked him up and down, the corners of his lips gradually raised and his expression became gradually obscene, like a greasy man coveting a beautiful woman's body.

He reached out his hand, lifted Zong Zhengxiao's chin, and whistled, "If you want me to forgive you, then perform a show for me."

Zong Zhengxiao held his hand, placed it on his lips and kissed it, "What do you want to see, Ayin?"

Rong Yin asked back, "You agree to whatever I want to see?"

Zong Zhengxiao: "I will try my best."

Rong Yin's eyes fell on Zong Zheng Xiao, and he smiled wickedly, "You have to take off your clothes for this show, are you still willing to perform?"

Zong Zhengxiao raised his eyebrows, "What are you referring to, A Yin?"