Fragrant willow catkins

The Third Master remained kneeling on his knees. He would not get up unless Ning Xu accepted his ring. But chatting while half-kneeling was too tiring. This way he was not tired.

"It wasn't the goddess who cast the curse, and I don't know which god it was. It's all history from hundreds of years ago. So Meng'er, I know I won't live long, and you also want to find a way to go back. We can go together. I like you, and I can stay by your side and help you go home. It's also good to have someone by your side to help you go home, isn't it?"

Ning Xu was very puzzled, "But don't you feel regretful?" She watched her beloved leave her, go to a place she could never reach, and finally leave with endless longing.

Third Master: "What kind of regret is this? It's a regret to live a lifetime without finding something you are willing to give everything for. My mother told me that my life is short, and when I encounter something I want, I should reach out and grab it. Even if there is no result, the process is also happiness."

Ningxu looked at the young man in front of him. He was only in his early twenties, but he only had eight years left to live. But he was still so optimistic. The young king was even willing to sacrifice his life for the Tianle Dynasty. As a member of the royal family, there are gains and losses, and there will always be sacrifices.

"Aren't you... sad? You only have eight years to live."

Third Master: "I'm not sad. The moment I decided to ascend the throne, I recognized my fate. My brother is a powerful warrior and has made great achievements in leading troops in battles. I can't let him be the emperor. He has to stay to defend the country. And I happen to be not only strong in martial arts, but also smart and intelligent. I am the best choice for the emperor. And Meng'er, I can meet you at the age of 22. I think I am very lucky. Why should I be sad?"

Ningxu felt a little bitter after hearing this, and tears gradually welled up in her eyes. Who doesn't want to live a long life? But Li Ze was in the imperial family, so he had to take on his responsibilities. He may have known his fate since he was a child, so he had numbly accepted it. But Ningxu really felt sorry for him, because he was sentenced to death at such a young age.

Seeing Ningxu like this, the Third Master smiled and sighed, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes with his right hand, "Meng'er, don't be sad."

Ningxu turned her head awkwardly, "I'm not sad for you."

After saying that, he felt a little reluctant and turned around, "Do you really want to be with me?"

The Third Master instantly knelt up straight and pushed the ring box forward, "Yes!"

Ningxu: "I don't like you that much."

Third Master: “I know.”

Ningxu: "I may not stay here for you."

Third Master: "I didn't mean to force you to stay. You must miss your home."

Ningxu: "I may not be able to accept your touch either."

Third Master: "I'll stay with you. I'm not a pervert."

You are still a pervert if you are willing to be a substitute. You are still a pervert if you are willing to be a substitute.

Ningxu thought, there was nothing she could do to him. After all, he had helped her so much and was trying to please her. He was also a dying man, so she was embarrassed to reject him. Anyway, he was right. She did have a filter for him because of Li Jinze. As long as she didn't cross the line, it was fine.

Ningxu stretched out her right hand in front of the Third Master, "Give it to me."

The Third Master was so happy that his mouth almost stretched to the back of his head. As expected, what the Queen Mother said was right, girls couldn't resist a boy kneeling on one knee.

Queen Mother: I asked you to use it when you proposed to me, so that you could bring me a daughter-in-law. I didn’t ask you to use it when you were pretending to be pitiful, nor did I ask you to use it when you were worshipping the gods…

"I'll put it on for you!" The Third Master took out a ring from the brocade box. It was a very beautiful water blue pinky ring, and he put it on Ningxu's right hand.

Ningxu no longer felt that the Third Master was noble and dignified. Instead, she felt that he looked sickly. She couldn't bear to see him kneeling on the ground, so she stood up and helped him sit on the bench. "I've never seen anyone as stupid as you."

Third Master: “Hehehe.”

Ningxu had no way to deal with his silly smile. It seemed that this man had lost his intelligence after getting to know him. Ningxu looked at the lake quietly for a long time, and then seemed to remember something. She turned around and asked the Third Master, "Are you the emperor? Is your mother the queen mother? The last goddess?"

"Yes." The Third Master nodded.

"Then the Queen Mother has a green jade pendant, so why don't you just draw it according to the drawing? You have been drawing a blueprint for several months and you still haven't given it to me!" She was now anxious to see what the green jade pendant looked like. After all, if she really came here with a mission, then she would be a goddess and could send down holy water. Maybe she could even find a way to lift the curse and let Li Ze live longer.

The Third Master knew he was guilty, "It's all the fault of those ministers! They said they wanted me to leave blood for the royal family, and wanted me to choose a concubine to enter the palace. Every day they bother me. Not only do I have to deal with government affairs every day, but I also have to deal with their audiences. I can't spare any time. I'll settle accounts with them when I get back! Oh, Meng'er, don't be angry. I'll ask my mother to give you the jade pendant one day so that you can observe it in person."

Ningxu: "So you didn't give it to me before because you didn't dare to tell me that you were the emperor, right? Then why do you suddenly want to show me your cards?"

Third Master: "This is not... I see that the younger generations of the Mo family have all gone back, I'm afraid you'll fall in love with them..."

"Who? Mo Xun?"

The third master nodded embarrassedly.

Ningxu: "Why, do you think I'm attracted to all handsome guys?"

Third Master: "No~ How is it possible~ Meng'er only likes me, and doesn't like anyone else!"

Ningxu: "Don't brag about yourself."

Third Master: “Hehe.”

The two of them made such a fuss that almost all the fish around ran away. They sat quietly for a long time before a fish took the bait. Ningxu couldn't sit still, so she handed the important task of fishing to the third master and went to collect firewood for grilling fish and stretch her muscles. Fishing was a job that required patience, but she couldn't do it.

At noon, Ningxu threw all the firewood in front of the bamboo house, and Sanye returned to the bamboo house with the fish basket. After processing the fish on the chopping board, Sanye moved the two stools on the shore back and sat in front of the firewood pile to make a fire, while Ningxu held the snack box prepared by Sanye to fill her stomach first.

Ningxu: "The snacks you brought are really delicious. Where did you buy them from?"

The Third Master was roasting the three fish on the fire and took out a food box from his feet.

"Hmm? What's in there?" Ningxu looked at the box. Why didn't she see the box just now?

Third Master: "Wait until the fish is grilled before eating the cold dishes, otherwise it will be bad for your stomach." Third Master knew that she would eat the food in the food box first, so he hid the cold dishes.