Since autumn, the weather is getting cooler. The flowers in the orchid garden have bloomed one after another, and even the autumn orchids that are only in full bloom in the three autumn seasons are in full bloom for the last time.
Zong Ziheng devoted a lot of effort to this orchid garden. The plants brought back from all over Kyushu were carefully planted according to the seasons, so that the flowers here bloom continuously all year round.
At this time, the eldest son Heng was busy working in the flower garden, and Shen Shiyao came over with a maid.
"Heng'er, the sun is so hot, come here and rest for a while." Shen Shiyao waved her hands with a smile, "Try the rock sugar apricot flower soup made by mother."
Zong Ziheng froze, he put down the shovel, and walked over with his usual expression.
The maid scooped up a splash of water for him to rinse.
Shen Shiyao took out a handkerchief with an orchid fragrance, gently wiped the fine sweat from his forehead, and said lovingly: "Look at you, aren't you hot? You must be sunburned."
"It's okay, thank you mother." Zong Ziheng took the white enamel bowl and took a sip of the apricot flower soup. It was cold and sweet, and it relieved the heat very well.
"Is it good?" Shen Shiyao looked at her son expectantly.
Zong Ziheng slightly lowered his eyelids, his thick eyelashes properly concealed his emotions: "It's delicious, thank you mother."
After what happened to Hua Yuxin, Shen Shiyao knew she was wrong, and took good care of Zong Ziheng when he was injured. Zong Ziheng couldn't say he wasn't moved, after all, he depended on each other for life, his most important mother, so what could he do. It's just that Hua Yuxin's death left a huge scar called guilt in Zong Ziheng's heart, which can't heal throughout his life, and what also can't heal is the estrangement between their mother and child.
Shen Shiyao looked at her increasingly indifferent and silent son, and sighed lightly: "I heard that you contradicted the emperor again a few days ago."
Zong Ziheng's eyes suddenly became cold.
"Then the engagement was made long ago, so you..."
"Mother, there are many mosquitoes in this field, you should go back to Qinghui Pavilion as soon as possible."
Shen Shiyao frowned slightly, with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
Zong Ziheng's heart softened, and he said again: "Save the apricot flower soup for me, I'll drink a few more bowls."
"Okay, then you come back early for dinner."
After Shen Shiyao left, Zong Ziheng turned around and returned to the flower garden, holding a shovel in his hand, he inserted it into the soil fiercely.
Half a year has passed since the Flood Dragon Society. In the past six months, the world of cultivating immortals has been in turmoil, and the situation of the sectarian side of the Great Immortal Sect family is quietly changing.
Under Zong Tianzi's intervention, the Huaying faction temporarily gave up seeking revenge from Wuyunmen, although their hatred was hard to appease. But this is only on the surface. In the dark, the Huaying faction unites with some big and small sects to start eating away at the power of the Wuyun sect, and the Chunyang sect is among them contributing to the flames.
Wuyun Sect was originally known as the Four Sects of Kyushu along with Chunyang Sect, Wuliang Sect, and Cangyu Sect. The door was actually a pill-stealing demon cultivator, not only revealed his identity at the Jiaolong meeting, ruined Wuyunmen's century-old reputation, but also took away the town's magic weapon to drive the mountain whip.
Who can resist taking a bite of such a piece of exposed fat. So in just half a year, the Five Aggregates Sect lost a large number of disciples and territories.
Just when the world of cultivating immortals thought that the Wuyun Sect was going to decline step by step, Emperor Zong suddenly made a surprising decision-to fulfill the marriage contract between the third princess Zong Ruoning and the son of Liu Zheng, the acting head of the Wuyun Sect.
When the news came out, there was a lot of discussion in the world of cultivating immortals. Some people say that Zong Tianzi is to check and balance the Wuliang sect of foreign relatives. Some people say that Zong Tianzi cannot allow the Chunyang Sect to dominate in Chudi. In any case, Zong Tianzi must protect the Wuyunmen, and his attitude is clear.
Although the Wuyun Sect has gone through wind and rain, it seems like a blood loss, but after all, the family has a big business, and with the support of the daiming Zong, the situation has been temporarily stabilized.
From the beginning to the end, no one seemed to have considered the third princess who couldn't help herself.
Zong Ziheng and Zong Zixiao took a few brothers and sisters to plead with Zong Minghe. Wuyunmen's reputation is notorious, and the wind and rain are precarious. Wouldn't it be ruined if the daughter of a good family married her
But no matter how much they begged, Zong Minghe was determined to get married.
Zong Ziheng saw that Zong Minghe had made up his mind, and wanted to exchange a daughter whom he didn't value very much in exchange for Wuyun Sect's gratitude and determination.
At that moment, he remembered what Xu Zhinan said, saying that Zong Tianzi wanted to eat his pill, which was not surprising. He suddenly understood that not only did his father not care about himself, but the relationship between his children and his family was probably a bargaining chip that could be exchanged.
Zong Ruoning got married, and Zong Ziheng hid in the orchid garden for three days, repeatedly thinking about the helplessness and reluctance of his sister when she tearfully called him "big brother" before leaving, letting the helpless pain spread along the flesh and blood .
In the past six months, he has not left the daimyo.
Although after recovering from his injury, there was no reason to lock him up, but since he went out of the palace to relax and discovered that Huang Hong and Huang Wu were secretly following him, he simply didn't even leave the Promise Palace.
Even if no one was watching, he didn't dare to leave here, he didn't dare to leave Zong Zixiao. Everyone in the world wanted to know Yan Shu's whereabouts, but he didn't want to. He wished Yan Shu could disappear forever. Even though it is impossible, Yan Shu will appear sooner or later, Zong Zixiao's life experience is like countless thunder and flints buried under the Wuji Palace, and they may be blown to pieces at any time.
He had even planned how he would take Zong Zixiao and his mother to escape from Daming if things were exposed and there was no room for change.
At the same time, he also had to guard against his biological father who might seek his own golden elixir, and guard against Xu Zhinan's unexpected actions. He practiced, ate, slept, and tended flowers and plants seemingly peacefully every day, just like in the past. In fact, I was under tremendous pressure all the time, almost breathless.
A few days ago, he just received a secret letter from Xu Zhinan, admonishing him again, if he can't disobey his father, he will take the next best thing and compete with Zong Zimo for the position of heir, with the full support of Chunyang Sect and Cangyu Gatekeeper.
After the eldest son Heng smashed the letter, he couldn't sleep all night.
When the sun went down in Lanyuan, Zong Ziheng couldn't find any excuses, so he had to return to Qinghui Pavilion, and it happened that Zong Zixiao came to find him for dinner.
"Concubine Shen, elder brother." Zong Zixiao saw Shen Shiyao and greeted Shen Shiyao politely.
Shen Shiyao looked at him with a smile: "Xiao Jiu, a child of your age grows up really fast, it seems a little different every few days."
"My mother also said that I've grown a lot taller recently." Ever since the incident with Hua Yuxin, Zong Zixiao has a delicate mood towards Shen Shiyao, and whenever he sees her face, he will be perfunctory if he can.
"Yingruo caught wind and cold a few days ago, is she better?"
"It's much better. My mother said today that I'll go to admire the chrysanthemums with Concubine Shen after I'm fully recovered."
"Very good." Shen Shiyao smiled, "Come, let's eat."
Just as Zong Zixiao moved his chopsticks, Shen Shiyao said again: "I heard that the emperor is preparing materials for making swords for you."
Zong Zixiao paused after hearing the words, then secretly glanced at Zong Ziheng, and said "Mmm".
Zong Ziheng had already heard about it, so he buried his head in his meal and didn't speak.
They just had a big fight with Zong Minghe because of Zong Ruoning's matter. Immediately afterwards, Zong Minghe claimed that he had found the best black iron in Kyushu for Zong Zixiao, and invited the owner of Juling Mountain Villa to temper the sword himself. All materials and manpower are ready, and as early as the spring of next year, he will go to Kunlun Mountain to cast a sword for Zong Zixiao with the Shennong Cauldron.
In this way, the relationship between father and son is naturally eased.
Although such kindness has never been related to Zong Ziheng.
Although Zong Zixiao was also aggrieved by the third sister, he couldn't resist the temptation of the Excalibur, so when he faced Zong Ziheng, he couldn't help feeling guilty.
Shen Shiyao glanced at her son unobtrusively, and said with a smile: "The Emperor loves you very much. The last time the Daming Zong used the Shennong cauldron to temper things was more than 20 years ago. If everything goes well, This divine sword can be your coming-of-age gift."
"Father also said the same thing." Zong Zixiao sneaked another glance at his eldest brother.
Zong Ziheng looked calm: "Good thing, this is the reward you deserve for winning the championship."
Zong Zixiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "Brother, when the time comes, we will go to Kunlun together, and take a look at Cangyumen along the way."
"good."
After dinner, the two brothers exchanged swords for a while as usual.
After Zong Zixiao left, Zong Ziheng also prepared to go back to the house to rest, but found that Shen Shiyao was still waiting for him.
"Mother, why are you still awake." He knew that there was something waiting for him, but he didn't want to hear it.
Shen Shiyao lowered her head, gently stroking her pigeon blood gemstone bracelet, and said unhurriedly: "Heng'er, do you know what's been rumored in the palace recently?"
"What?"
"Although I am in the deep palace, there are some rumors that the ripples must be caused by the wind outside, don't you think so?"
"What did mother hear? Those palace people are gossiping, don't trust them."
"Using the Shennong cauldron to temper things has always been enjoyed by the patriarchs or heirs of the major sects. Even if the daimyo Zong's family is rich and powerful, it is unheard of for such a waste of money for a little prince who is not yet an adult."
"This is the reward my father promised Xiao Jiu. Besides, four years ago, no one expected that he would really win the championship."
"Although that is the case, you are not joking. Just this promise is not a trivial matter."
"What does mother want to say?"
"It's not what I want to say, but it's rumored inside and outside the palace that the emperor hasn't set up a heir so far, but he wants to give the throne to Xiaojiu."
Zong Ziheng's heart tightened: "Impossible, Xiao Jiu is not a legitimate son, he is young, and his mother and concubine have no power."
"Yes, but maybe that's what the emperor wants." Shen Shiyao looked at Zong Ziheng with deep eyes, "The emperor has been hindered by the Wuliang sect everywhere, and he has long been separated from the empress. He is trying to protect the Wuyunmen. Can't it explain something? ? If Zong Zimo really becomes the Emperor, the Wuliang Sect will threaten the Zong family."
Zong Ziheng said in a deep voice: "Mother, stop thinking about it, this is not something you should think about."
Shen Shiyao stood up, and slowly walked in front of her son: "Mother took a detour before. I'm sorry for Miss Hua's matter. Relying on your wife and father-in-law is better than relying on yourself. My son should have a wider future." world."
"... Mother, what do you want to say?" Thinking of Hua Yuxin, a burst of resentment welled up in her heart again.
Shen Shiyao touched Zong Ziheng's face, and said softly: "Go to rest early, it's cold, I changed the quilt for you, don't catch a cold."