Jade of Another World

For several days, Lin Wan and the Imperial Guards remained vigilantly stationed around Nangong Yu's residence, their nerves constantly on edge. However, the anticipated mysterious figure never appeared. As time passed, their vigilance gradually relaxed, and some even began to suspect that the plan had failed, and that the mastermind behind it all was simply not taking the bait.

Before they knew it, it was another night of the full moon. The cool moonlight spilled like water into the courtyard of the Imperial Clan Court, adding an eerie atmosphere to the quiet night. Just when everyone was about to give up, a dark shadow flashed by like a ghost, sneaking towards Nangong Yu's room.

Lin Wan instantly became alert. He gave a signal to the Imperial Guards beside him, and they silently surrounded the figure. Just as the dark figure was about to enter the room, Lin Wan shouted, "Attack!" The guards swarmed forward, completely surrounding the figure.

Lin Ning also rushed over, and when she and Lin Wan saw the person's appearance clearly, they were both so shocked that they couldn't speak. Because the person in front of them was none other than the current emperor, Xuanyuan Che.

"Your Majesty, you..." Lin Ning looked at Xuan Yuanche in disbelief, her heart filled with doubt and shock.

Xuanyuan Che's expression remained calm, but a barely perceptible ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. He looked at Lin Ning and Lin Wan and slowly said, "You need not be surprised. I have my reasons for coming here today."

Lin Wan frowned, shocked but still vigilant: "Your Majesty, Nangong Yu is already in such a miserable state, why would you still do such a cruel thing to him?"

Xuan Yuanche sighed softly, his gaze falling on Nangong Yu inside the room. He said, "Nangong Yu? Poisoned him? What are you thinking? I just came to see if he was alright. Of course, I came because I was worried about him. What are you doing?"

Lin Ning felt a mix of emotions after hearing Xuan Yuanche's explanation. She said helplessly, "Your Majesty, Nangong Yu has already lost the power to resist, and he has already suffered the punishment he deserves. Isn't your approach of eliminating him so ruthlessly too cruel?"

Xuanyuan Che frowned slightly, a hint of determination in his eyes: "I don't understand what you're saying. I'm the emperor, and I don't need you to tell me what to do."

An awkward silence fell over the scene. Lin Ning and Lin Wan looked at Xuan Yuanche, their hearts filled with helplessness and conflict...

Lin Ning stared intently at Xuan Yuanche, a sharp glint in her eyes. She wasn't buying his explanation. As someone well-versed in psychology, she keenly noticed the flaws in Xuan Yuanche's words and the fleeting panic in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, what you're saying is nothing but an excuse," Lin Ning said mercilessly, her tone carrying a hint of accusation. "Since you returned after sending Nangong Jin away, you've changed completely. And the reason you've come here today, I'm sure you know it yourself."

Lin Wan chimed in, his brows furrowing slightly, his gaze serious: "Yes, Your Majesty. Nangong Yu is already in such a miserable state, utterly powerless. Your repeated ruthlessness towards him, if it were merely for some so-called high-sounding reason, would be hard to believe. You are clearly doing it on purpose."

Xuan Yuanche's expression changed slightly. He hadn't expected Lin Ning and Lin Wan to be so perceptive of his change and to have such deep doubts about his actions. His eyes flickered as he tried to hide his unease, but he quickly regained his composure.

"I have my reasons for doing this," Xuan Yuanche said coldly, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority. "The crimes committed by Nangong Yu and Consort De are unforgivable. I am simply doing what I should do."

Lin Ning, however, refused to give up. She stepped forward, looking directly into Xuan Yuanche's eyes: "Your Majesty, you keep saying it's for the sake of Dayu, yet your actions are chilling. Even if Nangong Yu is guilty, she has already been punished. Your fickle nature makes you no different from a tyrant. Moreover, your current change is not solely due to the responsibility of the throne. Are you perhaps..."

Lin Ning didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was clear. A flash of anger crossed Xuan Yuanche's eyes as he interrupted Lin Ning: "Enough! My affairs are none of your business. I don't want anyone else to know about what happened today. Otherwise, they will bear the consequences."

After speaking, Xuan Yuanche turned and left angrily. Lin Ning and Lin Wan watched his departing figure, their hearts filled with helplessness and worry. They didn't know what had happened to Xuan Yuanche, that he had become like this, nor did they know what the future held for Dayu. And Nangong Yu's fate, amidst this complex situation, became even more unpredictable…

Lin Ning and Lin Wan knew that truly rescuing Nangong Yu from Xuan Yuanche's control would be no easy task. Now that Xuan Yuanche was the emperor, wielding immense power, to bring him down required solid evidence. And in their view, Xuan Yuanche was undoubtedly implicated in Nangong Yu's repeated beatings.

"Sister, given the current situation, saving Nangong Yu is as difficult as climbing to the heavens." Lin Wan frowned and said with a worried expression, "As the emperor, there is really only so much we can do for Xuanyuan Che."

Lin Ning gently bit her lip, but her eyes showed determination: "No matter how difficult it is, we cannot give up. It seems that if Nangong Yu can regain his speech and confront Xuan Yuanche in front of all the ministers, there may still be a glimmer of hope. We must do everything we can to save him."

Lin Wan nodded. "Okay, then we'll try everything we can. I read a book before that recorded all sorts of difficult and complicated diseases. Maybe it can help cure Nangong Yu's muteness."

Therefore, Lin Ning and Lin Wan immediately took action. Lin Wan went back to study medical methods, while Lin Ning stayed at the Imperial Clan Court to continue taking care of Nangong Yu and searching for any possible useful methods.

They eventually found a prescription that seemed to cure Nangong Yu, but it required a special ingredient: Tianshan Snow Lotus. They used all their connections and resources, inquiring everywhere, and finally found Tianshan Snow Lotus in the home of a wealthy merchant.

After obtaining the medicinal ingredient, Lin Wan immediately began preparing the medicine. After Nangong Yu took the medicine, Lin Ning and Lin Wan waited anxiously by his side, wondering if the medicine would truly restore Nangong Yu's speech. Nangong Yu, watching Lin Ning and Lin Wan working so hard for him, felt a touch of gratitude in his eyes…

Time passed slowly, and judging from Nangong Yu's physical condition, his muteness should have been cured, but he still kept his lips tightly closed and refused to speak.

Lin Ning sat by Nangong Yu's bedside, looking at him with tenderness and concern, and said softly, "Little Yu King, we know you have a lot of pain and fear in your heart, but only if you stand up and tell the truth can you get out of this endless predicament."

Lin Wan chimed in, "Yes, Little Jade King. If you continue to remain silent, Xuan Yuanche will continue to do as he pleases, and you will never gain freedom and peace."

Nangong Yu lowered his head, his eyes filled with conflict and struggle. The painful memories of being beaten by Xuan Yuanche in the past surged up like a tide. That fear was deeply imprinted in his heart, making him extremely hesitant to point out Xuan Yuanche.

Lin Ning noticed his hesitation, gently took his hand, and said earnestly, "We will protect you and will not let you get hurt again. Moreover, only if you tell the truth can those who have been persecuted by Xuan Yuanche receive fair treatment and can the government of Dayu return to the right track."

Lin Wan continued, "Little Jade King, do you want to live in fear and shadow for the rest of your life? You have the ability to change all of this, as long as you bravely speak out about those things."

Under Lin Ning and Lin Wan's relentless psychological offensive, Nangong Yu's inner defenses gradually began to crumble. He slowly raised his head, tears welling in his eyes, his lips trembling slightly. Finally, after a moment of silence, he spoke with difficulty: "It's... it's Xuan Yuanche, the one who has been beating me all along... it's him."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ning and Lin Wan felt both joy and a heavy heart. They were joyful because they had finally gotten Nangong Yu to tell the truth, a crucial step in bringing down Xuan Yuanche; but they were also heavy-hearted because they knew they would face an incredibly difficult struggle ahead. As the emperor, how easy would it be for Xuan Yuanche to expose his crimes and receive the punishment he deserved?

But they did not back down. Lin Ning said firmly, "Alright, with this testimony, we have the confidence to confront Xuan Yuanche. Next, we need to plan carefully how to bring the truth to light."

Lin Wan nodded, a resolute look in her eyes: "That's right, we can't let Xuan Yuanche continue to do evil. Little Jade King, don't worry, we will get justice for you."

Looking at Lin Ning and Lin Wan before him, Nangong Yu felt a surge of warmth in his heart—a long-lost feeling of warmth and trust after enduring countless pains and betrayals.