Jade of Another World

After careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons, Wanyan Hongli concluded that cooperating with Consort De was too risky. While Nanzhao could benefit from trade treaties and annual tribute, a failure would inevitably lead to retaliation from Xuanyuan Che, plunging Nanzhao into the military turmoil of Dayu and plunging its people into war. Furthermore, Consort De was ruthless and difficult to fully trust, making cooperation too unpredictable. Therefore, he ultimately rejected her request for cooperation.

Upon learning of his father's decision, Wanyan Qiang was filled with resentment. He had held high hopes for cooperating with Consort De, envisioning it as an opportunity to elevate his status in Nanzhao and gain greater benefits. Now, however, all his hopes had been dashed. Though unwilling to accept it, he understood that in Nanzhao, his father's decisions were not to be questioned. After all, he did not yet hold real power and could not defy his father's will, leaving him no choice but to accept this reality.

Meanwhile, upon receiving news that Wanyan Qiang had refused to cooperate, Consort De felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, overwhelmed by despair. She had pinned her hopes on cooperation with Nanzhao, hoping to reclaim the throne and regain power with their help. Now, with those hopes shattered, she felt trapped in a hopeless situation, with only darkness ahead.

"Mother, what should we do?" Nangong Yu asked anxiously from the side, her face full of fear and helplessness.

Consort De took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. A resolute glint flashed in her eyes: "Now that things have come to this, we cannot give up. Since the path to Nanzhao is blocked, we will think of another way."

However, Consort De was well aware that regaining the throne without the support of Nanzhao would be no easy task. But she was unwilling to accept defeat; the flames of revenge burned fiercely in her heart, driving her to continue searching for opportunities to turn the tide.

"We'll first secretly build up our strength and contact those forces within the Great Yu Kingdom that are dissatisfied with Xuan Yuanche. As long as there's a glimmer of hope, we'll try. Also, I'm thinking of a way to deal with Wanyan Qiang," Consort De said through gritted teeth. Looking at his mother's determined eyes, Nangong Yu felt a little more at ease and nodded, saying, "I'll follow Mother's arrangements."

Despite their difficult circumstances, Consort De and Nangong Yu decided to continue their efforts to reclaim the throne. Meanwhile, in Dayu, Xuanyuan Che was focused on governing the country and also dispatched assassins to track down Consort De and Nangong Yu…

Consort De was not completely discouraged by Wanyan Hongli's rejection. She knew that the assistance of Nanzhao was crucial to regaining the throne. After much deliberation, she wrote a secret letter to Wanyan Qiang. In the letter, she earnestly yet subtly stated that now was the best time for cooperation for Wanyan Qiang. Once she successfully regained the throne of Dayu, she would keep her promise, and her first priority would be to help Wanyan Qiang gain power, at which point Wanyan Qiang himself would also have great power.

After receiving the secret letter, Wanyan Qiang fell into deep thought. He knew that cooperating with Consort De was fraught with risks, but the promises she made were too tempting for him. If he could seize power in Nanzhao with her help, he could realize many of his ambitions. After much deliberation, Wanyan Qiang finally made a private decision to cooperate with Consort De.

However, out of caution, Wanyan Qiang did not intend to participate in the operation personally. He knew that if the plot were exposed, his father would be wary of him if he were involved. After careful consideration, he decided to provide financial support to Consort De and deploy several thousand private soldiers to assist her in seizing power.

Wanyan Qiang quickly set about making arrangements, secretly preparing funds and troops. At the same time, he allocated a large amount of gold and silver from his own treasury as funding for the operation. Once everything was ready, he wrote a letter informing Consort De of his cooperation requirements and instructing her to prepare for the operation.

When Consort De received Wanyan Qiang's reply, she was overjoyed, and the gloom of despair vanished. Looking at the financial and military support mentioned in the letter, she seemed to see a glimmer of hope for reclaiming the throne. "My son, our chance has come!" Consort De excitedly told Nangong Yu.

Nangong Yu also showed joy, "Mother, this time we will definitely succeed!"

Consort De and Nangong Yu began meticulously planning their next move. They knew this operation was crucial to success or failure and required utmost caution. Meanwhile, in Dayu, although Xuanyuan Che was preoccupied with state affairs, his reclusive advisors had also detected the signs of Consort De and her group's conspiracy, and a fierce confrontation was about to unfold…

From the moment Consort De and Nangong Yu fled, Xuanyuan Che knew that the two would not give up easily and would surely return. Therefore, he quietly arranged for two meticulous and loyal spies to cleverly infiltrate Consort De's group. These two spies, like hidden chess pieces, secretly monitored Consort De's every move.

As expected, every detail of Consort De's schemes was continuously relayed to Xuan Yuanche through his spies. When he learned that Consort De was secretly colluding with Wanyan Qiang, had obtained financial and military support, and was preparing to launch a power grab, Xuan Yuanche's lips curled slightly, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He decided to turn the tables and lure Consort De into a trap.

Xuanyuan Che quickly summoned several trusted ministers and generals to a secret chamber to discuss countermeasures. "Gentlemen," Xuanyuan Che said, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials, "Consort De has colluded with Nanzhao in an attempt to reclaim the throne. We are aware of their plans. This time, we will ensure they never return."

"Your Majesty is wise, we are willing to obey your commands!" The ministers and generals responded in unison, their morale high.

Subsequently, Xuanyuan Che methodically deployed various arrangements. He dispatched elite troops to set up ambushes along the route Consort De had anticipated, and also arranged for soldiers skilled in concealment to lie in wait in the surrounding mountains and forests, ready to cut off Consort De's retreat at any time. At the same time, he also instructed the court officials to prepare edicts to deal with contingencies and to stabilize public morale.

Inside the palace, Xuanyuan Che ordered heightened security and increased patrols to ensure the palace's safety. He himself remained in the palace, closely monitoring the situation, like a chess player in control of the entire game, waiting for the enemy to fall into his carefully laid trap.

Everything was proceeding according to plan, tense yet orderly. Xuan Yuanche was filled with unwavering confidence in victory. He firmly believed that with meticulous planning and the concerted efforts of everyone, they would be able to completely thwart Consort De's conspiracy, ensuring the eternal stability of the Great Yu kingdom and the peace and tranquility of its people.

Consort De rode a tall horse, her expression a mixture of pride and eagerness. Behind her stretched tens of thousands of elite troops, reinforcements from Wanyan Qiang, their orderly ranks resembling a long black dragon, advancing towards the Dayu Imperial Palace under the cover of night. She firmly believed that with this force, they could break through Xuanyuan Che's defenses and reclaim the throne that rightfully belonged to her son.

"My son, once we reclaim the throne, we will make Xuanyuan Che pay a terrible price for what he has done!" Consort De turned to Nangong Yu beside her and said, her eyes flashing with resentment.

"Don't worry, Mother, I will definitely not let him get away with this." Nangong Yu clenched his fists and replied through gritted teeth.

However, unbeknownst to them, danger was lurking. The moment the army stepped into the capital, flames suddenly erupted all around, and deafening shouts of battle filled the air. Soldiers whom Xuanyuan Che had laid in ambush surged out from all directions like a tidal wave, completely surrounding Consort De and Prince Xiaoyu's army.

Consort De felt a sense of foreboding. She looked around and saw her soldiers retreating in disarray, utterly helpless against Xuan Yuanche's ambush. All her meticulously planned schemes over the years shattered like bubbles in an instant, and her face turned ashen.

"Mother, what... what do we do?" Nangong Yu looked at Consort De in horror, her eyes filled with panic. Consort De suppressed her fear and despair, trying to command the army to break through the encirclement, but it was all too late. Xuanyuan Che's army was well-trained, and the encirclement tightened, making it impossible for Consort De and Prince Yu's army to escape.

Soon, Consort De and Prince Xiaoyu's army was captured alive, and the soldiers laid down their weapons and knelt down to surrender. Although Consort De and Prince Xiaoyu were in the rear, they were now surrounded and had no way to escape.

When Consort De realized she was in dire straits, regret and anger overwhelmed her. She never imagined that her plan would be so easily seen through by Xuan Yuanche. "Xuan Yuanche, you are so cruel!" Consort De cried out hoarsely.

Xuanyuan Che rode slowly over, his expression cold and stern. He looked at Consort De and Prince Xiaoyu without a trace of pity in his eyes. "You have wreaked havoc on the court and attempted to usurp the throne. Today is your retribution."

After this turmoil, Da Yu has finally ushered in peace, and the people will begin a new chapter in their lives under the rule of Xuan Yuan Che.

Consort De and Prince Xiaoyu were bound hand and foot, and escorted by soldiers, they staggered forward. Consort De's eyes were empty; her former arrogance had vanished, replaced by endless despair and regret. Her hair was disheveled, with a few strands falling across her face, making her look utterly wretched.

The young prince kept his head down, not daring to look directly at those around him, his heart filled with fear of the unknown punishment to come. He would occasionally steal glances at Consort De, seemingly seeking some comfort from his mother, but seeing Consort De's equally dejected appearance, the last glimmer of hope in his heart was shattered.

The soldiers along the way stared intently at the two men who had once attempted to overthrow the Great Yu regime, their eyes filled with disgust and disdain. They knew all too well how much turmoil and unrest these two had brought to Great Yu, how many soldiers and generals had perished, and now that they had finally been brought to justice, they felt an immense sense of satisfaction. Escorted to the imperial court, Xuan Yuanche sat high on the dragon throne, his expression majestic. He looked at Consort De and Prince Xiaoyu below, his voice icy: "Consort De, you have become arrogant and domineering, interfering in state affairs, disrupting the order of the court, and committing countless crimes. Nangong Yu, you coveted the throne, colluding with Consort De to usurp the throne, causing immense suffering to the people of Great Yu. Do you know your crimes?"

Consort De raised her head, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes, but she still said weakly, "Things have come to this, I confess my guilt." Prince Xiaoyu also said in a trembling voice, "I...I know my guilt."

Xuanyuan Che frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Consort De, I will spare your life as a concubine of the late Emperor, leaving you with a complete body. I will imprison you in the Cold Palace for the rest of your life, so that you may repent for your sins. Nangong Yu, imprison him in the Imperial Prison, strip him of his princely status, and demote him to a commoner."

Upon hearing the verdict, Consort De and Prince Xiaoyu's bodies went limp, almost collapsing to the ground. They knew this was the price of their inflated ambitions. With a shout of "Take them away!" from the soldiers, Consort De and Prince Xiaoyu were led away from the court, and the dramatic power struggle in Dayu finally came to an end.

After Consort De was imprisoned in the Cold Palace, it was as if she had fallen from the clouds to hell. The walls of the Cold Palace were mottled and dilapidated, exuding a damp and rotten smell. The palace maids and eunuchs who had once flattered her had now all changed their tune.

Those palace servants who had lost loved ones and friends because of Consort De's evil deeds vented their long-suppressed resentment on her. They deliberately smashed objects in front of her and loudly mocked her misfortune; the food they brought was not only coarse but also often insufficient, and sometimes there was simply no food at all. Consort De tried to resist, but only received more vicious words and more excessive humiliation in return. She curled up in a corner of the cold palace, her eyes empty, suffering from pain and regret every day, deeply realizing the evil she had sown in the past, and now she could only eke out a living in this endless torment.