After many years, Zong Ziyun returned to Daming. He was not placed in a guest house in Daming City like other guests, but was called into the palace.
Zong Ziheng met him in the study. Apart from the pair of real brothers, there were only Zong Zixiao and Cai Chengyi in the room.
Zong Ziyun cupped his hands and said: "I have seen the emperor." He glanced at Zong Zixiao cautiously, and said respectfully, "I have seen your lord."
Zong Zixiao nodded expressionlessly: "Fifth Prince."
Many years ago, they were the fifth and ninth brothers. Although they were not very close, they were still brothers. Now when they meet again, they are separated by mountains and seas.
"Fifth, you've worked hard all the way." Zong Ziheng smiled lightly, "You've gotten a little fatter, are you usually lazy?"
"The emperor laughed, I traveled all over the world and found that there are too many delicious folk wines to taste, haha."
"Yeah, I used to travel, and I was always fascinated by the mountains, rivers and folk customs. There are so many wonderful things in the world." Zong Ziheng smiled, but the smile gradually disappeared. For the past ten years, he has been confined to this cold and lonely place. Within the palace walls, the several trips out of the palace are also related to the crusade against the Wuyun Sect. It is no longer like when I was a teenager, enjoying the endless fun of freedom and exploration with curiosity about Kyushu.
Zong Ziyun lived the life he most yearned for, and he was really envious. His life is beyond redemption, but he wants Zong Zhongming to escape from this cage and become a free and happy person.
The two brothers exchanged pleasantries, and also chatted about the customs and customs of some places they had both been to. The content of the chat was not important, but it seemed very interesting. Zong Zixiao didn't say a word at the side, but just looked at the flash of expression on his elder brother's face in fascination.
Zong Ziheng originally thought that Zong Zixiao would leave the table if he was bored, but he didn't expect to leave for a long time, and finally couldn't help but said: "Zixiao, I haven't seen Lao Wu for many years, and I still have a lot to say, you might as well get busy first Anything else."
Zong Ziyun secretly became nervous. According to his understanding of these two people, it formed a great contrast with the rumors he heard during this period, and he couldn't imagine how they got along now.
The corner of Zong Zixiao's lips curled slightly, and he said lazily: "Since elder brother has brothers to accompany him today, he should be very happy. Will you eat more tonight?"
"Will do."
"That's good." Zong Zixiao stood up gracefully, and cast a slow glance at Zong Ziyun, which was full of warning.
The eldest son is sitting on pins and needles.
After Zong Zixiao left, Zong Ziyun breathed a sigh of relief: "Dijun..."
"Between you and me, you don't have to be cautious, let's call you big brother." Zong Ziheng stared at Zong Ziyun quietly.
"...Big brother." Zong Ziyun scratched his hair and said with a dry smile, "I didn't expect that big brother would call me back to my name."
"I never thought of calling you back. You have no home, no tiredness, and a light body. You can travel freely in the sky and sea, so why bother to set foot in this quagmire." Zong Ziheng said, "I know what you are worried about. Don't worry, I won't let you go." Get involved in our strife."
"Brother, don't say that. Although I don't value the name of the clan's royal family, I am also a descendant of the Zong family. It is my duty to protect the Zong family's foundation." matter, as you can order."
The eldest son Heng knew this fifth brother quite well. Among the many brothers and sisters, he could be said to have the weakest sense of existence and the one who knew how to protect himself most wisely. , but has never been treated badly, in fact, this is a very clever way of survival.
If he hadn't recalled Zong Ziyun back today, this person would probably never have anything to do with the Zong family again for the rest of his life.
Zong Ziheng sighed lightly: "Zi Yun, elder brother does have something to ask for."
"Brother ordered it."
"Brother has an adopted son named Zhongming, who is seven years old, and he is the orphan of the young master Hua Juncheng of the Huaying faction."
Zong Ziyun showed a surprised expression: "It turns out that the Hua family still has a descendant."
Zong Ziheng saw the blood flow of the Huaying faction again, four hundred people were slaughtered, and they turned into ghosts overnight. He still feels suffocated in his heart when he recalls it: "Back when Lu Zhaofeng wiped out the Huaying faction, we It was too late when I got the news and brought people to arrive, he was hidden by a loyal servant, and he was the only one in the Hua family who survived the disaster."
Zong Ziyun let out a long sigh: "The Hua family is a two-hundred-year-old family. It is really a pity that it was destroyed by Lu Zhaofeng, a pill-stealing demon."
"I owe too much to the Hua family. Zhongming is the only incense in the Hua family. I swore to protect him when he grows up. I will tell him his life experience when he becomes an adult." Zong Ziheng said in a deep voice, "But , now I am not only in danger of protecting myself, but also may drag him down." Whenever Zong Zixiao threatened him with Zong Zhong's name, he was terrified, he didn't know if Zong Zixiao would be so mad that he would attack a child, he didn't dare to take this little boy Small life adventures.
At this point, Zong Ziyun already understood what to say next: "Brother wants me to take him away."
Zongziheng nodded, saddened: "Ziyun, look at me sitting on this lonely throne, looking around, but I can't find anyone who can entrust me. After much deliberation, it turns out that there is only you. I beg you. It is really helpless.”
Zong Ziyun said seriously: "Brother treats me well, as a younger brother, he is willing to share his worries." He understood that Zong Ziheng was asking himself to be lonely, and he also understood that Zong Zixiao's return indicated that Zong's family was really going to go. At the end of the day, he was unwilling to sink with this big ship, and saving an innocent child ashore was the little effort he could do for the Zong family.
"Zi Yun, thank you." Zong Ziheng said bitterly, "Brother also thank you for the Hua family."
"Big brother is serious, this is what I should do." Zong Ziyun unconsciously lowered his voice, and said, "Does big brother have a plan? This matter... should be behind Zixiao's back, right?"
"After the Chinese New Year, he is going to Fenglin Island. Once he leaves, you can take Zhongming and leave, and I will send someone to escort you out of the Zong Clan's sphere of influence."
"He's going to find Qi Xianzun? Because the Cangyu Sect refuses to pay the annual tribute?"
Zongzi Heng nodded slightly, and said solemnly: "At that time, there will be a fierce battle in Fenglin Continent, and Cang Yu Sect is very dangerous."
"I heard that he collected a large number of heavenly materials and earthly treasures from various immortal families in the name of annual tribute. He wanted to refine the peerless elixir. It has been a few months. Has there been any progress?"
Zong Ziheng shook his head. How many people in this world know that the peerless elixir that Zong Zixiao wanted so much is actually right in front of his eyes—to be dug out of his stomach.
Zong Ziyun sighed and shook his head, then remembered something, and asked, "Does that child know?"
Zong Ziheng was full of reluctance in his heart, and said softly: "I will explain to him myself."
In the evening, Zong Ziheng and Zong Ziyun had a family banquet, and Zong Zhong's name was also called to let him recognize Fifth Uncle.
Zong Zhongming is beautiful and smart, with a rough life experience, which makes people both happy and pitiful. Zong Ziyun is not married yet, but loves children, so he hugs Zong Zhongming on his lap and feeds him.
During the dinner, Zong Zhongming suddenly asked: "Uncle Wu, was Father and that devil on good terms before?"
This remark stunned everyone, Zong Ziyun was so embarrassed that he didn't know how to answer.
Zong Ziheng's face also sank: "Zhong Ming, who told you this?" He glanced at Cai Chengyi, he was sure of the boss' tone, but it was impossible to control all the subordinates. Mouth.
Cai Chengyi said anxiously: "Oh ancestor, the food in my little mouth hasn't been swallowed yet, eat well and stop talking."
Zong Zhongming curled his lips: "The devil said it himself, I don't believe it."
"What don't you believe?" Before anyone could say anything, everyone in the room straightened their backs nervously.
Zong Zixiao strode in. The cold air of the midwinter month, like frost and snow, clings to the sleeves of the robe and was brought into the room together. The temperature dropped instantly, and everyone felt chills.
The room was dead silent.
Zong Zixiao sat next to his eldest brother, watching Zong Zhongming being hugged and sitting on his lap by Zong Ziyun, his eyebrows slightly frowned.
This little bastard, when he saw himself, he seemed to have seen a ghost, either barking his teeth or making rude remarks, but he was so close to the person he met for the first time.
Although this boy is a member of the Hua family, but he keeps calling his elder brother his father, which makes him have some weird psychology. For example, since the elder brother can't have children, this boy can be their child. In this way, it will be more like a family. people.
Zong Zixiao was displeased, and his face sank immediately. He raised his chin at Zong Zhong's name: "Come here."
Zong Zhongming was reluctant, but he passed it anyway, he knew that if he rebelled against this devil, he might not see his father.
Zong Zixiao carried the child on his lap and sat down, stroking his chubby belly: "Eating so much will overwhelm you."
"It's none of your business." Zong Zhongming muttered.
"Why did you ask him that question just now?"
"He is the Fifth Emperor Uncle, why can't you ask him."
"I said you don't believe it, but he said you believe it?"
"snort."
"What don't you believe? I used to be your father's most precious younger brother." Zong Zixiao glanced at Zong Ziyun, "It's not him."
Zong Ziheng said: "You put him down and let him eat well."
"I didn't let him eat." Zong Zixiao pushed a plate of meat in front of him, "Can you use chopsticks?"
"It will be a long time ago!"
"Then you eat."
Zong Ziheng couldn't bear it anymore: "Give it to me." He snatched the child from Zong Zixiao's arms.
Cai Chengyi wanted to take over, but seeing him shaking his head, he backed away.
Zong Zixiao watched his elder brother patiently ask the child what he wanted to eat and whether he could not eat vegetables, and his heart turned sore: "Hey, let me tell you, when I was young, your father fed me like this. I am not as picky as you."
Zong Zhongming turned his head to look at Zong Ziheng in surprise, seeing his father dodging his eyes, he looked like Zong Ziyun begging for help, as if hoping someone could deny it.
Zong Zixiao grumbled dissatisfiedly: "Look at what he's doing, what he knows."
Zong Ziheng reprimanded lightly: "What are you doing so loudly, don't scare the children."
"I, that, suddenly feel uncomfortable, Dijun, Your Majesty, forgive me for not being able to accompany you." Zong Ziyun couldn't stand it any longer, and jumped up and ran like a fire.
Zong Zhongming looked at his father with a wrinkled face: "Father, is what he said true?"
"... No, he is pickier than you."
When Zong Ziheng said these words, he was lowering his eyebrows and picking fishbone, his voice was gentle and soft, as if there was a bit of resentment, but also a bit of helplessness.
At that moment, Zong Zixiao felt that his heart had melted, and he was willing to let go of everything in exchange for his elder brother and Xiao Jiu.