Chapter 72

Since autumn, the weather has been getting cooler. The flowers in the orchid garden have been blooming one after the other. Even the autumn orchids, which exclusively compete for beauty in the third autumn, are in full bloom for the last time.

Zong Zi Heng has thrown in a lot of meticulous care for this orchid garden. He had brought back plants from all over Jiuzhou and planted them carefully according to the seasons so that they bloom all year round.

At this moment, Zong Zi Heng was busy working in the flower garden when Shen Shi Yao came over with her maids.

"Heng Er, the sun is so strong, come and rest for a while." Shen Shi Yao beckoned with a smile, "Try the iced sugar apricot flower soup that Mother made."

Zong Zi Heng's body stalled. He put down his trowel and walked over with a normal expression.

The maid scooped up a ladle of water for him to rinse his hands.

Shen Shi Yao took out a faint, orchid scented handkerchief and gently wiped away the fine sweat on his forehead, saying lovingly, "Look at you, aren't you hot? You ought to be sunburnt."

"It's alright, thank you mother." Zong Zi Heng took the moist white enamel bowl and tasted a mouthful of the apricot flower soup. It was cooling and sweet, which nicely dispelled the dry heat.

"Is it good?" Shen Shi Yao looked at her son with expectation in her eyes.

Zong Zi Heng lowered his eyelids slightly, his thick and long eyelashes concealing his emotions just right: "It's good, thank you mother."

Ever since Hua Yu Xin's death, Shen Shi Yao knew she was wrong, and took great care of Zong Zi Heng when he was injured. Zong Zi Heng could not say that he was not touched, after all, they mutually depended on each other, and she's his most important mother. So what could he do? It's just that Hua Yu Xin's death left a huge guilty scar in Zong Zi Heng's heart, which will never be healed for the rest of his life. And the gap between mother and son will also never heal.

Shen Shi Yao looked at her increasingly cold and silent son and sighed softly, "I heard that you contradicted the emperor again a few days ago."

Zong Zi Heng's gaze turned abruptly cold.

"That marriage contract was made a long time ago, so you ..."

"Mother, there are many mosquitoes in this field, you'd better go back to Qinghui Pavilion early."

Shen Shi Yao slightly knitted her willow brows, with a hint of aggrieve in her eyes.

Zong Zi Heng's heart softened and he added, "Save the apricot flower soup for me, I'll have a few more bowls."

"Alright, then you come back early for dinner."

After Shen Shi Yao left, Zong Zi Heng turned around and returned to the front of the flower garden. His hand holding the trowel and ruthlessly plunging it into the soil.

Half a year had passed since the Jiaolong assembly, and during these six months, the cultivation world had been in turmoil, and the situation was quietly changing as the great immortal families were cutting themselves off from one another.

Under the intervention of Emperor Zong, the Huaying Sect has temporarily given up seeking revenge against the Wuyun Sect despite their hatred. But this is only on the surface. Secretly, the Huaying Sect has joined hands with some large and small sects to start eating away at the power of the Wuyun Sect, with the Chunyang Sect adding fuel to the flames.

Originally, Wuyun Sect, together with Chunyang Sect, Wuliang Sect and Cangyu Sect, were called Jiuzhou’s four largest sects. But first, the old sect leader with virtue and prestige died in a strange way, and then there was internal strife in the sect, and finally the new sect leader was a demon cultivator who stole cores. Not only was his identity revealed at the Jiaolong assembly, which ruined the sect's hundred-years reputation, but he also took away the sect's magical weapon, the Chasing Mountain Whip.

Who couldn’t resist taking a bite of such a fat piece of exposed meat? In just half a year's time, the Wuyun Sect lost a large number of disciples and territories.

Just when the immortal world thought that the Wuyun Sect was going to decline step by step, Emperor Zong suddenly made a surprising decision - to honor the marriage contract between Third Princess Zong Ruo Ning and the son of Liu Zheng, the substituted head of the Wuyun Sect.

When the news broke, there was much debate in the immortal cultivation world. Some said that Emperor Zong was trying to check and balance the foreign relatives of Wuliang Sect, while others said that Emperor Zong could not allow the Chunyang Sect to be dominant in the Chu land. In any case, Emperor Zong wanted to protect the Wuyun Sect with a clear attitude.

Although the Wuyun Sect had gone through trials and tribulation, as if it had suffered great bloodloss, after all, the family was large and had the support of the Daming Zong Clan, thus temporarily stabilizing the situation.

From start to finish, no one seemed to have given any thought to the involuntary Third Princess.

Zong Zi Heng and Zong Zi Xiao took a few of their siblings and went to plead with Zong Ming He for mercy. Wuyun Sect was in disrepute and in turmoil. Wouldn’t any daughter from a good family be slandered if she gets married over?

But no matter how much they begged, Zong Ming He was determined to set this marriage.

Zong Zi Heng could see that Zong Ming He's mind was made up. That he wanted to exchange a daughter he did not value for the gratitude and devotion of the Wuyun Sect.

At that moment, he remembered what Xu Zhi Nan had said, saying that it was no surprise that Emperor Zong wanted to eat his core. He suddenly understood that his father, not only did he not care about him, but his children's affection was all just a bargaining chip that could be exchanged.

When Zong Ruo Ning got married, Zong Zi Heng spent three days hiding in the Orchid Garden, repeatedly thinking of his sister's helplessness and reluctance when she called him "big brother" with tears in her eyes before she left. Letting the pain of being powerless spread throughout his blood and bones.

For the past six months, he had not left Daming.

Although there was no reason to keep him locked up after he had recovered from his injuries, whenever he went out of the palace to relieve boredom, he realized Huang Hong and Huang Wu were secretly tailing him. He simply did not go out of Wuji palace anymore.

Even if no one is watching, he doesn't dare to leave the place or leave Zong Zi Xiao. The whole world wants to know the whereabouts of Yan Shu, only he doesn't. He would love for Yan Shu to disappear forever. Although that was impossible, Yan Shu would appear sooner or later, and Zong Zi Xiao’s birth was like countless Thunderfire stones buried under the Wuji Palace, which could blow them to pieces at any moment.

He had even planned how he would take Zong Zi Xiao and his own mother to escape Daming if the matter was exposed and there was no room for maneuvering.

At the same time, he had to guard against his own father's possible plotting for his golden core, and against Xu Zhi Nan's possible unexpected actions. He seemed to be calmly cultivating, eating, sleeping and tending to his flowers and plants every day, no different from his usual routine, but in fact he was under tremendous pressure all the time, almost unable to breathe.

A few days ago, he received a secret letter from Xu Zhi Nan advising him once again that if he could not disobey his father, he should settle for the second best thing by competing with Zong Zi Mo for the position of Crown Prince, with the full support of the Chunyang Sect and the Cangyu Sect.

Zong Zi Heng tore the letter into pieces and was sleepless all night again.

When the sun went down in the Orchid Garden, Zong Zi Heng could not find any more excuses, so he had to return to Qinghui Pavilion, where Zong Zi Xiao happened to come to see him for dinner.

"Consort Shen, big brother." When Zong Zi Xiao saw Shen Shi Yao, he bowed in a disciplined manner.

Shen Shi Yao looked at him with a smile, "Xiao Jiu ah, a child at your age grows up really fast, it seems like you are a little different every few days without seeing you."

"Mother also said that I have grown much taller recently." Since the incident with Hua Yu Xin, Zong Zi Xiao was in a subtle mood towards Shen Shi Yao, but whenever he met face to face, he would be as perfunctory as he could be.

"Ying Ruo caught a cold a few days ago, is she feeling better?"

"Much better, mother even said today that she would go to admire the chrysanthemums with Consort Shen when she is completely well."

"Very good." Shen Shi Yao smiled, "Come, let's eat."

Zong Zi Xiao had just moved his chopsticks when Shen Shi Yao added, "I heard that the emperor is preparing the materials to cast your sword."

Zong Zi Xiao paused for a moment after hearing this. He glanced secretly at Zong Zi Heng and gave a "mn".

Zong Zi Heng had already heard about it, but he immersed himself in eating and did not say anything.

They had just had a big quarrel with Zong Ming He over Zong Ruo Ning, but immediately afterwards, Zong Ming He claimed that he had found the best black iron in Jiuzhou for Zong Zi Xiao, and had also invited the master of the Giant Spirit Villa to personally quench the sword. Once all the materials and manpower were ready, he would go to Mount Kunlun at the beginning of next spring at the earliest to cast a sword for Zong Zi Xiao using Shen Nong Ding.

In this way, the relationship between father and son was naturally eased.

Although such an offer of grace has never been related to Zong Zi Heng.

Although Zong Zi Xiao was also unjust for his third sister, he could not resist the temptation of the divine sword, and was inevitably a bit diffident when facing Zong Zi Heng.

Shen Shi Yao also swept her son without leaving a trace and said with a smile, "The emperor really favors you. It has been more than twenty years since the last time Daming Zong used the Shen Nong Ding to quench something. If all goes well, this divine sword will be able to serve as your coming-of-age gift."

"That's what Father said too." Zong Zi Xiao stole a glance at his big brother once again.

Zong Zi Heng looked at ease: "It’s a good thing. This is the reward you deserve for winning the Jiaolong assembly."

Zong Zi Xiao secretly sighed in relief, "Big brother, when the time comes, we will go to Kunlun together and visit the Cangyu Sect on the way."

"Okay."

After eating, the two brothers had their usual sword sparring session.

After Zong Zi Xiao left, Zong Zi Heng was also ready to go back to the house to rest, but found that Shen Shi Yao was still waiting for him.

"Mother, why are you still awake?" He knew something to be said was waiting for him, but he did not want to hear it.

Shen Shi Yao lowered her head and gently stroked her pigeon blood gemstone bracelet as she said unhurriedly, "Heng Er, do you know what is being rumored in the palace these days?"

"What?"

"Although I am in the deep palace, there are some rumors that there must be a breeze outside for the ripples to rise inside, don't you think so?"

"What has mother heard? Gossip from the palace people should not be believed so lightly."

"Quenching things with the Shen Nong Ding has traditionally been reserved for the heads of families or heirs of major sects, even if Daming Zong Clan is rich and powerful, it is unheard of for a young prince who has not yet reached adulthood to labor so hard for the people."

"This is the reward that Father has promised Xiao Jiu. Besides, four years ago, no one expected him to actually win."

"Having said that, the emperor’s words are not child's play, and this promise alone is not trivial."

"What does Mother want to say?"

"It's not that I want to say anything, but it is rumored both inside and outside the palace that the emperor has so far not created a crown prince because he wants to give the throne to Xiao Jiu."

Zong Zi Heng's heart tightened, "Impossible, Xiao Jiu is not the first son, he is young, and his mother has no power."

"Yes, but maybe that's what the emperor wants." Shen Shi Yao looked at Zong Zi Heng, her gaze deep, "The emperor is being hamstrung at every turn by Wuliang Sect and has long been at odds with the Empress. He is strongly protecting the Wuyun Sect, doesn't that tell you anything? If Zong Zi Mo really becomes the Human Emperor, Wuliang Sect will threaten the Zong Clan's state power."

Zong Zi Heng said in a deep voice, "Mother, stop thinking nonsense. This is not something you should consider."

Shen Shi Yao stood up and slowly walked over to her son, "Mother has taken a wrong turn before. It is my fault for what happened to Miss Hua. Relying on your wife and father-in-law is no better than relying on yourself. My son should have a broader world."

"... Mother, what are you trying to say?" Thinking of Hua Yu Xin, a pang of resentment once again surged to the forefront of his mind.

Shen Shi Yao touched Zong Zi Heng's face and said softly, "Rest early, it's cold. I've changed your quilt, so don't catch a cold."

----

Edited on 1 Apr. 21 (Emzie)

 

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