Jade of Another World

Consort De and Prince Xiaoyu suffered a crushing defeat under the Eighth Prince's forceful methods, leaving them both shocked and furious. Back at the palace, Consort De sat in the main seat, her face so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it, while Prince Xiaoyu paced back and forth beside her, looking anxious.

"Mother, this Eighth Prince is so powerful. He saw through our plan in one go and even killed those two ministers. What should we do now?" Little Jade Prince said anxiously.

Consort De gritted her teeth, a ruthless glint in her eyes. "Hmph, I never expected that this Eighth Prince, who usually keeps a low profile, would be so decisive and ruthless. He is no easier to deal with than Nangong Jin. If we don't get rid of him, it will be as difficult as climbing to the heavens for us to ascend the throne."

Little Jade Prince stopped and looked at Consort De, a hint of hesitation in his eyes: "Mother, the Eighth Prince is, after all, my uncle, and he holds His Majesty's last letter. He also has great prestige in the court. If we act rashly, it may provoke public anger."

Consort De sneered, "Are we just going to let it go like this? We've been planning for so long, how can we let it all go to waste because of one Eighth Prince? We can't resort to force, we can only outsmart him."

After a moment of contemplation, Consort De slowly said, "We can first send people to spread rumors in the court, saying that the Eighth Prince intends to usurp the throne, suppresses the imperial family, and disrupts the court. This will make the ministers dissatisfied with him and gradually isolate him. At the same time, we can secretly find an opportunity to kill him. As long as the Eighth Prince is dead, the throne will be yours."

After hearing Consort De's words, Prince Xiaoyu was still somewhat worried, but he felt that this was the only feasible solution at the moment, so he nodded and said, "I will leave everything to Mother's arrangements."

Consort De immediately summoned her trusted confidante, whispered a few instructions, and the confidante took the order and began spreading rumors. At the same time, Consort De also sent people to contact some assassin organizations in the martial arts world, offering them a large sum of money to send experts to assassinate the Eighth Prince.

Meanwhile, after executing two ministers, the Eighth Prince knew that Consort De and her associates would not let the matter rest and would surely retaliate. He strengthened his own guards while arranging spies to closely monitor Consort De and Prince Xiaoyu's every move.

"Your Highness, it seems that Consort De has made some moves. How should we respond?" an advisor reported to the Eighth Prince.

The Eighth Prince frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Keep a close eye on their movements. If you discover any misconduct on their part, report to me immediately. Also, send people to the court to appease the ministers and prevent Consort De's rumors from succeeding."

A life-or-death struggle is quietly unfolding in the shadows of the capital. Consort De and her allies are sharpening their knives in the dark, while the Eighth Prince stands ready. The situation in Dayu is increasingly tense, with all factions waiting in this delicate balance for the next conflict to erupt…

Night fell as dark as ink, and all was silent, yet beneath the tranquility of the capital lay a lurking danger. A group of assassins, hired by Consort De for a hefty sum, infiltrated the palace like phantoms. Skilled and agile, they evaded the heavy guards and stealthily approached the Eighth Prince's bedchamber.

As the Eighth Prince was reading by candlelight, assassins burst through the window, their blades gleaming coldly, aimed directly at his heart. Although the prince was skilled in martial arts, he was outnumbered and ruthless by the assassins. After a fierce struggle, despite his valiant resistance, he was ultimately outmatched, and one assassin found an opening and slashed his arm. At that moment, his guards arrived swiftly upon hearing the commotion, and the assassins, not daring to linger, quickly retreated. The Eighth Prince felt a sharp pain in his wound, followed by a strange numbness spreading through him. He knew inwardly that he had most likely been poisoned.

The news quickly reached Lin Ning and Lin Wan, who rushed to the palace. The Eighth Prince was pale, weak, and unconscious. Lin Ning and Lin Wan immediately examined him, and after a thorough examination, their expressions became extremely grave.

"Sister, this poison is raging and has already entered the lungs and internal organs. I'm afraid..." Lin Wan's eyes were full of worry, and her voice trembled slightly.

Lin Ning frowned, his expression grim. "This poison is extremely rare, and its toxicity is potent and complex. We can only use medication to control it and delay its onset. Now, I'm afraid it's too late."

Despite knowing the chances were slim, Lin Ning and Lin Wan still did their best. They brewed a special medicinal soup and carefully fed it to the Eighth Prince. As the soup was consumed, the Eighth Prince's complexion improved slightly, and his tightly furrowed brows relaxed a little.

However, Lin Ning and Lin Wan knew in their hearts that this was only a temporary relief. The poison that the Eighth Prince had been afflicted with was far too potent; with their current abilities, they could not eradicate it completely, and the Eighth Prince's life was likely nearing its end.

"Sister, Consort De and the others are really too ruthless. They actually used such insidious methods to deal with the Eighth Prince." Lin Wan said angrily, her eyes flashing with rage.

Lin Ning sighed softly, "Now is not the time to be angry. With the Eighth Prince poisoned, the situation in the court will surely become even more chaotic."

While meticulously caring for the Eighth Prince, the two women raced against time to find an antidote. They consulted countless medical books and classics, but all their efforts were like searching for a needle in a haystack, yielding no results. Meanwhile, the situation in Dayu, with the Eighth Prince's poisoning, became increasingly precarious, like a crumbling building on the verge of collapse…

Under the influence of the medicine, the Eighth Prince slowly awoke. Looking at Lin Ning and Lin Wan, who were keeping watch by his bedside, their faces filled with exhaustion and worry, he understood his condition.

"Miss Lin, thank you so much... I'm afraid there's no cure for this poison." The Eighth Prince's voice was weak but contained a trace of calm.

Lin Ning and Lin Wan exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with reluctance. Lin Ning gently grasped the Eighth Prince's hand and said, "Your Highness, don't lose heart. We will continue to think of ways, and we will definitely find a way to detoxify."

The Eighth Prince shook his head slightly and said with a wry smile, "Miss Lin, there's no need to comfort me. I can sense that this poison is beyond saving. However, I still have a wish to fulfill."

He paused, looking firmly at Lin Ning and Lin Wan, and said, "I beg you two to keep this a secret. No matter what, I will hold out until Che'er returns and I can safely hand over the throne of Dayu to him. Only then can I die in peace."

Lin Ning and Lin Wan were deeply moved, and also deeply impressed by the Eighth Prince's profound sense of righteousness. Lin Ning nodded emphatically and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, we will keep our mouths shut and do our best to assist you."

The Eighth Prince smiled with relief, "With your help, I am relieved. Now, Consort De and the others must be secretly plotting something. In these last days, I still need to deal with them and stabilize the situation in the court."

From then on, the Eighth Prince, despite his ailing health, continued to attend court and handle state affairs on time every day. Although his body grew increasingly weak, and he often broke out in a cold sweat from the pain in court, he always gritted his teeth and persevered, never revealing the slightest weakness.

Lin Ning and Lin Wan stood guard silently by the side, continuing to search for a way to detoxify the poison while also devising strategies for the Eighth Prince to deal with the various conspiracies of Consort De and others.

In the imperial court, Consort De was both puzzled and annoyed to see the Eighth Prince still firmly seated in his position as regent. She kept testing the Eighth Prince, but could not find anything amiss. A sense of unease began to rise in her heart, and she wondered if the assassin she had hired had failed.

Beneath this seemingly calm surface, a far more thrilling contest is quietly unfolding. With unwavering willpower, the Eighth Prince races against time, determined to protect the Great Yu kingdom and fulfill Nangong Jin's dying wish before Xuan Yuanche's return…

As the days went by, the Eighth Prince's health deteriorated. Despite Lin Ning and Lin Wan's best efforts to use various precious medicinal herbs and exquisite medical skills to nourish and prolong his life, the deadly poison that had penetrated deep into his lungs continued to relentlessly erode his life.

Lin Ning was extremely anxious and wrote several letters to Xuan Yuanche, detailing the Eighth Prince's condition and the increasingly critical situation in the capital. However, these letters seemed to disappear without a trace, and she received no reply. Lin Ning's unease grew stronger; she had a feeling that something unexpected might have happened on the way to the border of Dayu.

Finally, Lin Ning's worst fears came true. The next morning at court, the Eighth Prince, his body swaying precariously, stepped into the Golden Palace. His face was as pale as paper, and his figure grew increasingly frail; each step seemed to require the utmost of his strength.

In the imperial court, Consort De's close advisors continued their relentless attacks, attempting to stir up trouble again and create an opportunity for Prince Yu to seize the throne. The Eighth Prince listened to the ministers' sharp and sarcastic words, his heart filled with a mixture of anger and exhaustion. Suddenly, he felt a surge of blood rushing to his head, a sweet taste in his throat, and with a "pfft," a mouthful of blood spurted from his mouth.

Chaos erupted in the court as ministers gasped in horror at the Eighth Prince, who collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood. Upon hearing the news, Lin Ning and Lin Wan rushed forward and helped the Eighth Prince to his feet. At this moment, the Eighth Prince's eyes were beginning to glaze over, and his breathing had become extremely weak.

"Quickly, quickly carry the prince back to his bedchamber!" Lin Ning shouted anxiously.

Everyone hurriedly carried the Eighth Prince back to his bedchamber. Lin Ning and Lin Wan immediately tried to treat him with acupuncture, but it was all in vain. The Eighth Prince's life force was like a candle flickering in the wind, gradually extinguished under the onslaught of the deadly poison.

"Your Highness... Your Highness..." Lin Wan sobbed uncontrollably, tears dripping onto the Eighth Prince's bed.

Lin Ning bit her lip, fighting back tears, her heart filled with grief and self-blame. The passing of the Eighth Prince deprived the Great Yu of a pillar of strength and pushed the situation to the brink of complete chaos.

Upon learning of the Eighth Prince's death, Consort De was overjoyed. She knew that her and the young Prince Yu's opportunity had finally arrived. She immediately summoned her subordinates and began to prepare for a coup, hoping to seize the throne in one fell swoop.

As Lin Ning and Lin Wan watched the Eighth Prince's body grow colder, they understood that Dayu was about to fall into an abyss of no return...

After the death of the Eighth Prince, the situation in the capital spiraled out of control like a runaway horse. Xuan Yuanche's prolonged absence was like the final straw that broke the camel's back for the Dayu court, causing the already crumbling order to collapse completely.

Consort De and Prince Xiaoyu seized this golden opportunity and swiftly took action. Leveraging her years of experience and connections within the palace, Consort De secretly contacted a group of sycophantic ministers to campaign for Prince Xiaoyu in court. Surrounded by these supporters, Prince Xiaoyu then ascended the throne in a grand and imposing manner, proclaiming himself emperor.

The coronation ceremony was hastily held, yet the entire capital was devoid of any festive atmosphere. The ministers displayed a variety of expressions; some dared not speak out in anger, while others wore obsequious and fawning faces. Lin Ning and Lin Wan stood in the crowd, watching this farce, their hearts filled with grief and indignation.

"Sister, are we just going to let them run rampant like this? How can the land of Dayu fall into their hands!" Lin Wan trembled with anger, her knuckles turning white from her clenched fists.

Lin Ning's expression was grave, his eyes burning with anger. "Wanwan, don't panic. The situation is extremely unfavorable for us right now, but we can't give up. General Xuanyuan's whereabouts are unknown, we must find a way to find him, perhaps there is still a chance."

After Prince Xiaoyu ascended the throne, Consort De, assuming the role of Empress Dowager, began a major purge of the court. Ministers who had been loyal to Nangong Jin or who harbored resentment towards Prince Xiaoyu's ascension were dismissed, exiled, or even executed. The entire Dayu court was gripped by fear, and its former prosperity vanished.

Lin Ning and Lin Wan knew they were in grave danger, and the slightest misstep could lead to their deaths. But for the sake of the Great Yu kingdom, and to avenge Nangong Jin and the Eighth Prince, they decided to act in secret. They used the connections and resources of the Prime Minister's residence to inquire about Xuan Yuanche's whereabouts, while also searching for an opportunity to bring down Consort De and the Little Jade Prince.

Meanwhile, somewhere on the border of Dayu, Xuanyuan Che was facing a life-or-death crisis. While escorting Nangong Jin's coffin to the border, he was attacked by a mysterious force. This group was highly trained, ruthless, and seemed to know their every move. Xuanyuan Che led his guards in a fierce resistance, but they were outnumbered and held the advantage of terrain. After a fierce battle, Xuanyuan Che and his guards were separated, their fate unknown… The future of Dayu, shrouded in mystery and crisis, became increasingly uncertain.

After ascending the throne, it should have been a time to reorganize the court and stabilize the people's hearts. However, due to his indecisive nature, the situation in the court became increasingly chaotic. Although he received a top-notch royal education from a young age and was well-versed in the principles of managing one's family, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world, he seemed at a loss when faced with a truly complex political situation.

When ministers disagreed on political matters and argued fiercely in court, Prince Xiaoyu always hesitated and found it difficult to make a decisive decision. He was afraid of offending one faction and losing the support of another, so he always tried to find a balance between the various parties, but in the end, he pleased neither side and his decrees could not be implemented smoothly.

Seeing her son so weak and unable to control the situation, Consort De was extremely anxious. She was ambitious and unwilling to spend the rest of her life confined to the inner palace. Now that her son had ascended the throne, she felt this was the perfect opportunity to realize her ambitions. Therefore, under the pretext of "assisting the new emperor and stabilizing the court," Consort De brazenly stepped out of the inner palace and began to interfere in state affairs.

Consort De's style of doing things was completely different from that of Prince Xiaoyu. She was ruthless and autocratic. She showed no mercy to ministers who dared to disobey her orders. For a time, all the ministers in the court lived in fear, and many upright officials chose to resign and go into seclusion to protect themselves. This led to a depletion of talent in the court and a significant decline in administrative efficiency.

Consort De also extensively promoted her cronies, placing them in various important positions in the court. Most of these people were sycophants who only knew how to cater to Consort De's preferences but lacked any real talent or ability to govern the country. They neglected their duties, engaged in rampant corruption and bribery, and plundered the people's wealth, causing widespread resentment among the populace.

Lin Ning and Lin Wan watched with growing anxiety as the Great Yu Kingdom declined under the rule of Consort De and Prince Xiaoyu. They knew that if things continued this way, the Great Yu Kingdom would surely be doomed.

"Sister, the Great Yu is in imminent danger. We must find General Xuanyuan as soon as possible. Only he can lead us to turn the tide," Lin Wan said anxiously.

Lin Ning nodded, his eyes filled with determination: "That's right. We've been inquiring about General Xuanyuan's whereabouts all this time, but we haven't heard anything. But we can't give up. We must find him no matter what. At the same time, we also need to contact those loyal and righteous people in the court to prepare for future actions."

So, Lin Ning and Lin Wan continued their search for Xuan Yuanche's whereabouts while cautiously contacting ministers in the court who had not yet been won over by Consort De, attempting to build a force to resist the rule of Consort De and Prince Xiaoyu. However, under Consort De's close surveillance, their actions were fraught with difficulties; every step they took was like walking on thin ice, and the slightest carelessness would expose them and bring about their deaths... The sky over Dayu was shrouded in gloom, and the road ahead was full of unknowns and challenges.