Pluto's Golden Apple

In the palace of Daqian Kingdom.

Emperor Li Yan woke up from his sleep and was greeted by Prime Minister Xuan.

"Your Majesty Xuanchen..." The prime minister was a little panicked, wondering how the emperor would summon him in the palace.

"I just had a dream, which was very clear. It was the guardian god of my Daqian. I had to sacrifice a virgin boy and a virgin to protect my Daqian forever."

The prime minister was in a cold sweat, and cautiously persuaded: "Did your majesty worry too much recently, and the quality of sleep is not high?"

Li Yan frowned, slightly displeased: "Ai Qing is saying that I had a ridiculous dream?"

The prime minister hurriedly lowered his head: "I don't dare. It's just that since the founding of Daqian, your Majesty in the past dynasties have loved the people like children, so there is such a clear and bright rule. For sacrifices, cattle and sheep are often used, and boys and girls are used. I'm afraid... ·”

Li Yan sighed, waved his hand, and signaled the prime minister to stand up: "Lu Aiqing, I know what you mean, but this dream is very realistic. If I violate it, I may offend the gods. The gods told me in the dream that there will be a goddess to help escort me. It’s a lie, if the goddess doesn’t come, it’s fine.”

The prime minister pondered for a while, knowing that the emperor was in charge, and it was inconvenient for the courtiers to intervene. Although he felt strongly dissatisfied, he could only nod in agreement.

Li Yan was also a little uncomfortable, and added a sentence when the prime minister was about to leave: "This matter is handed over to Aiqing. If virgin boys and girls who meet the requirements are selected, I would like to reward their families with a thousand taels of gold and ten thousand hectares of fertile land as compensation." Only this matter must be taken seriously, and the real situation cannot be concealed for the sake of selfish desires. Officials of all states and counties must fully cooperate with this screening, and there must be no omissions."

The prime minister nodded and left.

As soon as the emperor's message was conveyed, all states and counties paid attention to it and carried out this population census in an all-round way.

"Dali, do you remember Jueleng's birthday?" Zhu Xiufen asked Liu Dali who was concentrating on chopping beef.

Liu Dali's knife clanged on the chopping board, wiping off his sweat: "What?"

Zhu Xiufen was knocked out of her wits by this question, and after a while she said: "I remember, Liu Jueleng was born in the cloudy year and the moon and the sun and the sun and the sun that were listed on the list. I was quite unhappy at the time, I feel bad for the kid."

Liu Dali stopped what he was doing and stared at Zhu Xiufen in a daze: "My dear, it's true."

The two looked at each other speechlessly, and a feeling of panic spread.Although the two of them have treated Liu Jueleng very badly these years, they are still their own flesh and blood.What do the common people care about whether the weather is smooth, the country is peaceful and the people are safe?They are more concerned about whether the price of rice has risen today or whether the meat is selling well today.

It was the first time Liu Jueleng saw her parents staring at her like this, and it was still at the dinner table, which made her feel uncomfortable.

"Father, mother, what's the matter?" Liu Jueleng asked cautiously, based on her intuition, there must be something wrong.

Now, not only her parents were staring at her, but her brothers and sisters were also staring at her.

Liu Jue Leng panicked for a moment.

Liu Dali sighed: "You are the child you are looking for posted on the list, and your birthday meets the requirements. I am afraid that an official will come to take you away soon, and the government has registered all this information."

Liu Jue Leng felt a chill in her heart. She never thought that she would be the child who was posted on the list. When she was looking at the list, she was surrounded by men. They thought this little girl was just here to join in the fun. Jue Leng could understand those words, so she knew very well what would happen if she was selected.

For the first time since Liu Jueleng was 13 years old, he could not eat.The silence seemed to last longer than a century.

"Father, mother, I..." Thinking that he might end his young life at the age of 13, Liu Juehan couldn't help feeling sad.The saddest thing is that she will never see the person in her dream again, although she knows that even if she is alive, she will never have the chance to see him again.

"Don't panic. I saw that the notice said that these children still have to meet the voluntary conditions. If something happens, you just insist that you are not happy." The elder brother who usually bullies me the most, now helps Speaking by himself made Liu Juelan feel a little bit of comfort.

The officers and soldiers came much faster than the Liu family thought.Liu Jueleng was taken away. At that time, there was no one in the family, and the Liu family went out to work.

What the Liu family didn't expect was that they heard from neighbors that Liu Jueleng was taken away at noon and released in the afternoon.

"Did the trick I taught you work?" Brother smiled proudly, not noticing that Liu Jueleng's condition was worse than when he heard the news before.

"No. Master Yuanwai called his parents away and wanted to take me as a concubine. He said that as long as he agreed to this, he would be willing to hide my birthday for me." Liu Jue Leng was dejected.

When my brother heard it, his eyes began to glow: "That's not good, you silly girl, you are a blessing in disguise. When you were young, didn't you yearn to go to the rich man's house the most? That Zhang Yuanwai is comparable to a few rich men. !"

Liu Jue Leng's expression dimmed. That's right. In the past, she really wanted to go to the rich man's house and see new and interesting things, but since she first learned about human affairs, she seems to have become wiser. She knows that marrying is not only about getting Fun stuff, that comes at a price.When she thought of Zhang Yuanwai, an old man in his fifties, staring at her malicious smile, she shuddered in her heart.In fact, what she didn't say is that since she was 50 years old, she has often had the same dream. In the dream, she and her fairy sister are so beautiful, so beautiful that she never wants to have anything to do with other people.

My brother didn't know that Liu Jue Leng was not the same Liu Jue Leng as before. Seeing her lowering her head, he thought she was shy like a girl. He continued to smile and said, "From now on, you will be a concubine of an outsider, so don't forget me." It seems that my brother has been intoxicated in his fantasy.

When Liu Dali and Zhu Xiufen came back, they also looked happy. Obviously, Zhang Yuanwai had promised them some benefits.On this day, everyone in the village knew that Yuanwai Zhang was going to marry Jue Leng from Liu's family, and they all marveled at Liu Jue Leng's good fortune, but only Liu Jue Leng felt cold when he thought about it.

That night, Liu Jueleng had a dream. She dreamed of Sister Shenxian again. She was still wearing a snow-white gown, and there was a lightness between her eyebrows. It was just that Sister Shenxian was different from before. She seemed to be more enthusiastic than before.

"Why is my sister so happy today?" Liu Jue couldn't help asking, his watery eyes blinked, as if trying to seduce people's souls.

Sister Shenxian just smiled and didn't speak in the dream. She gently stroked Liu Jueleng's face with a look of pity, and then Sister Shenxian walked further and further away. Liu Jueleng followed behind and called her, telling her to stop and wait for him.But no matter what, she couldn't catch up with Sister Shenxian.

When Liu Jue Leng woke up, he realized that the pillow was completely soaked, and it was all from his own tears.

When I marry Zhang Yuanwai, my body will not be clean anymore, and I will never dream of Sister Immortal again. Sister Immortal is here to say goodbye today.The more Liu Jueleng thought about it, the more sad he became, and he was so sad that he was about to cry again.She pushed open the door, and the cold moonlight came in. The night seemed to be quieter than usual, but Liu Dali's intermittent snoring and cat meowing could be heard in the distance.

Without a fairy sister, what's the point of living by myself?Thinking of Zhang Yuanwai's wrinkled skin due to aging, showing her a row of missing teeth, Liu Jue Leng got goosebumps all over his body.That was someone who could be his own grandfather, Liu Jueleng's body became colder and colder at the thought of sharing the same bed with that kind of person.

That night, 13-year-old Liu Jueleng made a life-changing decision.She knew why her parents were so happy. Looking at this so-called home, which was dilapidated, and her brother had no money to marry a wife, she suddenly understood why her parents treated her so badly before.Being poor drowns out all the tenderness that should be there.Liu Jue Leng sighed, maybe just like his mother always complained, he shouldn't be alive, his birth was an accident, so let him end this accident.Knowing that if he is willing, the family can get a lot of benefits, which is far more attractive than Zhang Yuanwai's offer. Although Liu Jueleng doesn't know how much, but it is enough for his parents to enjoy for the rest of their lives.

The farewell letter was written by Liu Jue Leng with tears in his eyes. In the early autumn, the sky was already a little cold, and the coldest thing at this time was not her body, but her still immature heart.

Yingcheng County is not far from Daqian Kingdom, and Liu Jueleng was also lucky. After leaving in the middle of the night, he met an official. When the official heard her intention, he was taken aback for a moment, but then realized that this was not a joke, so he hurriedly took her back to the capital. .

When Liu Dali and Zhu Xiufen got up to work in the morning, they found Liu Jueleng's farewell letter. The couple cried for a long time. Who knows if the child escaped or really went to the capital?Anyway, the benefit of Zhang Yuanwai they got was gone, and they might offend Zhang Yuanwai. Thinking of this, they felt that Liu Jueleng was really as cold-blooded and ruthless as her name.

When the emperor was in the early court, he received a secret report that a child who met the sacrifice requirements came voluntarily, and he felt happy and refreshed.

Li Yan believed that Daqian was indeed a country blessed by the gods, and he himself was a wise king. No, the ministers were worried that this would be against the law of heaven, so a child came to his door voluntarily, saving a few screenings.Although the ministers were shocked, they were also relieved. At least one or two daughters of the minister's family were eligible.

"Bring that child up, I want to see what kind of child it is, with such a bearing."

It wasn't until he saw Liu Jueleng that Li Yan secretly marveled in his heart. The child in front of him, facing the emperor, had no timidity at all. He looked deathly at home. This child was wearing the most common long cloth shirt, and he looked like a child from a poor family. , his handsome appearance reveals a hint of coquettishness, but he is a good-looking child.If this child was born in the royal family, he would be even more extraordinary than he is now.Thinking of this, Li Yan felt a little happier again.

"I ask you, are you voluntary?" Li Yan's majestic voice came, but there was no fear on Liu Jueleng's face.

"If you go back to the emperor, the daughters of the people will come here voluntarily."

As soon as these words came out, the ministers began to discuss softly. This little girl who didn't look too old actually had such courage, and she was a little more loving than those spoiled young men and ladies in her family.

Li Yan frowned: "Do you know what this trip means?"

Liu Jue Leng raised his head: "The Minnv knows that the Minnv went there voluntarily, and the Minnv voluntarily takes responsibility for the prosperity of the Daqian country, the peace and prosperity of the people."

Li Yan looked at the child in front of him, who was still a bit childish, but he could say such words with a demeanor that no one of his own children could compare to. Thinking of this, Li Yan became a little more angry.

"But forced by parents, county magistrates?" Li Yan began to suspect that the child's parents must be poor and crazy, otherwise who would be willing to raise such a big child at home.This child seems to be a beauty, if in a few years later, she is selected to be a show girl in the palace, I am afraid that she is not unqualified.

"Father and mother are reluctant to part with Jue Leng, Jue Leng voluntarily, Your Majesty, I beg Your Majesty to make it happen." Liu Jue Leng kowtowed several times abruptly.

Li Yan blushed because of the filthy thoughts that flashed just now, how dare he compete with the gods?Li Yan waved his hand, motioning to take Liu Jueleng down, looking at it again, he might be more reluctant to part with this child.

The subordinates understood and took Liu Jueleng out immediately.

A few ministers who were good at flattering hurriedly knelt down: "Your Majesty is politically clear, and loves the people like a child. I am afraid that even such a young child knows that His Majesty is a generation of Mingjun and is willing to make this sacrifice."

Li Yanlong Yan Dayue: "Okay, I am a good citizen of Daqian. Reward, heavy reward. Pass down the order, all states and counties do not need to find girls anymore, and go all out to find boys. Find them as soon as possible. There is not much time before the gods give me , I am afraid that there is really a god who came down to escort him back."

In an instant, the news that the girl had been found spread all over the country, and the homes of eligible girls were all relieved.The Liu family never dreamed that Liu Jue Leng had really gone. While they lamented Liu Jue Leng's fate, they went away to enjoy the wealth that they could not earn in several lifetimes.

The boy was also quickly found.On this day, in the capital of the Daqian Kingdom, the common people flocked to the streets, hoping to witness this once-in-a-century sacrificial ceremony.

After Liu Jue Leng took a bath and changed his clothes, he put on a red dress and was carried by eight people in a sedan chair to the altar.Some people commented that to enjoy this kind of treatment in this life, for a child from an ordinary family, even death would be worth it.Liu Jueleng, who had never been afraid, felt a little scared in the sedan chair.But I can't turn back anymore, I just hope that when I die, it won't be so painful.Liu Jue Leng unconsciously pinched the curtain inside the sedan chair, his hands covered with cold sweat.

The actions of the mortal world are naturally under the eyes of the heavens. They know that this day has finally come.

"Third Sister, it's time for us to leave." Huan Qing, dressed in Tsing Yi, said softly to Huan Rou.

Huanrou just nodded slightly, this day has finally come.She had 1 reluctances in her heart, she couldn't bear to see two innocent children die, but she couldn't ignore the Queen Mother's concerns, and couldn't ignore the stability of the Three Realms.

Huanqing smiled slightly: "Third sister still can't bear it?"

When Huanrou heard the words, she just shook her head slightly: "The matter has come to this point, if you don't bear it anymore, it may be everyone's fate."

When everyone thought that the emperor was just having a ridiculous dream, the golden light from the sky suddenly appeared and shone around the altar, everyone was stunned.

Two young women appeared around the altar, one dressed in white and the other in green, like white lotus and green lotus, noble and elegant, quiet and refined.Everyone knelt down in unison, shouting that the gods came down to earth.

Li Yan also knelt down respectfully: "Two immortals, I have prepared the boys and girls for sacrifice as required, please accept them."

"Two children, are they voluntary?" Huanqing asked.

"Voluntary, of course it is voluntary." Li Yan answered first.

Huanrou was displeased, she had always known the emperor's tricks.

"Are you voluntary?" Huan Rou's gentle voice came from outside the sedan chair, Liu Jue Leng couldn't see what it was like outside, just listening to this voice, it was both warm and chilly.It should be a beautiful fairy, but no matter what, it is impossible to be as beautiful as the fairy sister in the dream, Liu Jueleng thought to himself.Perhaps her fate should be like this, she thought at first that her fate might have a chance, His Majesty the Emperor promised that if no immortal came, she would still let them go home, she really hoped that the immortal would not show up.

"Voluntary." Liu Jue Leng replied with a sigh.

Huanqing turned to the boy in another sedan chair and asked, "Did you do it voluntarily?"

There was no answer from inside the car.Li Yan was sweating in his heart.This boy is only 5 years old, and his mind is still incomplete. How can he know life and death?He was chosen at the beginning because his parents were poor and there were many children in the family, but his parents were willing to use him in exchange for the wealth that they would never get.

Li Yan winked, and the eunuch waiting outside the sedan chair took out a rattle drum, and said coaxingly, "Ask you, would you like it?" Then a childish voice came from inside the sedan chair: "Yes."

When they chose him back then, what they said was to take him to fun places and eat delicious food.There are a lot of precious fruits and rare pastries prepared on the sedan chair. How can this be accessible to ordinary children?Therefore, this little boy really thought that he was going to be taken to a fun place to eat delicious food, which was much happier than being at home. How could he not want to?

Huanrou frowned, she didn't expect the emperor in this world to be so despicable.Indeed, if the child wants to be willing, without his knowledge, let him express his willingness, after all, he cannot say that he is unwilling.

"Let's go." Even though Huanrou was unhappy in her heart, the matter had come to this point, and there was nothing to change.

Li Yan hurriedly led all the ministers to kowtow: "Respectfully send the Lord, respectfully send the Lord."

A golden light flashed, and the sedan chair that was in front of me just now had disappeared, and the two stunningly beautiful immortals had long since disappeared.All the ministers were amazed. Many people said that seeing gods in this life is probably worth it.

After the immortal left, Li Yan held a big banquet again, first to show the prestige of the country, second, to show respect to the immortal, and third, to sing praises to himself. After all, the immortal promised that as long as this task can be completed, Daqian Kingdom will be safe and peaceful , the whole country is peaceful.

Who still cares about the two children in the sedan chair?Even their parents were immersed in the celebration banquet at the moment.