Jade of Another World

Before Lin Ning and Lin Wan could even begin their conversation after leaving the Imperial Observatory, they learned that Xuan Yuanche already knew about their visit to Ouyang Qingchuan. The atmosphere instantly became tense, as if a dangerous aura permeated the air.

"Sister, what should we do? Xuan Yuanche will definitely not let this go once he finds out that we went to see Master Ouyang." Lin Wan said anxiously, her face full of worry.

Lin Ning frowned, quickly searching for a solution. She knew that Xuan Yuanche was now under Nangong Jin's control and acted ruthlessly; their journey was fraught with danger. But she couldn't let Lin Wan be put in danger as well.

"Wan'er, listen to me." Lin Ning held Lin Wan's hand and said with a firm look in her eyes, "Find a safe place to hide immediately and leave the capital. I will go to the palace to confront Xuan Yuanche and buy time."

Lin Wan's eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head: "No, sister! I can't let you go on this adventure alone. If we're going, we'll go together; if we die, we'll die together!"

Lin Ning looked at Lin Wan, her eyes filled with tenderness and determination: "Silly child, this is not the time to be willful. You are useful if I encounter any misfortune on this journey. You can continue to search for the High Priest—the one who exchanged his life for Nangong Jin. We must make proper arrangements to have any chance of survival. Listen to me, go back to the manor immediately to pack your things. Be sure to disguise yourself, take plenty of money, and go to the map drawn in the book on the Plum Blossom Case in my study to find clues that can lead to Nangong Jin. Don't worry about me, I have my own way of dealing with him."

Tears welled in Lin Wan's eyes. She knew her sister's temperament; once she made a decision, she wouldn't easily change it. She gritted her teeth and said, "Sister, you must be careful. If there's any danger, be sure to find a way to let me know. I'll secretly try to save you."

Lin Ning nodded and patted Lin Wan on the shoulder: "Don't worry. Take good care of yourself too."

Afterwards, urged by Lin Ning, Lin Wan hurriedly left. Lin Ning straightened her clothes and walked towards the palace with her head held high.

Upon arriving at the palace, Lin Ning was led before Xuan Yuanche by the guards. Xuan Yuanche sat on the dragon throne, his eyes cold as he looked at Lin Ning, his tone laced with mockery: "Lin Ning, how dare you! You dare to go to the Imperial Observatory to find Ouyang Qingchuan behind my back. You want to investigate me? If you want to know something, why not ask me? Why ask an outsider?"

Lin Ning looked directly into Xuan Yuanche's eyes without fear and said, "Your Majesty, I have no ill intentions in going there. I just have some doubts in my heart and would like to ask Master Ouyang for guidance."

Xuanyuan Che snorted coldly: "Hmph, do you think I would believe your nonsense? Tell me, what did you learn from Ouyang Qingchuan?"

Lin Ning pondered a countermeasure in her heart. She knew that she could not easily reveal the truth that they already knew, otherwise she would only put herself in a more dangerous situation. "Your Majesty, Master Ouyang only talked to us about some astronomical and astrological matters, nothing else."

Xuan Yuanche stood up and slowly walked to Lin Ning, a hint of threat in his eyes: "Lin Ning, do you think I'm a fool? If it weren't for our past relationship, I wouldn't have talked to you for so long. Don't try to mess with me. You'd better watch yourself, or you'll force me to take action against you!"

Xuan Yuanche stared at Lin Ning for a long time, seemingly judging her, scrutinizing her, and trying to see through her. In the end, he didn't press further, but coldly said, "Stay in the palace for now and keep me company. If there's anything that needs to be done, arrange for Su Jin to handle it. Don't even think about running away, or I can't guarantee the lives of your brother and family!"

Lin Ning was taken away by the guards and locked in the Jade Pavilion. The palace was said to have been built by Nangong Jin for his empress. Lin Ning didn't know why he was being imprisoned here. Perhaps this palace was not only built for his concubines, but it was also the closest palace to his study. He really went to any lengths to keep an eye on him.

She knew her days ahead wouldn't be easy, but she believed Lin Wan would find the High Priest, unlock the crucial clues, and perhaps then, the land and the throne would be restored to their former glory...

On the night of the full moon, the silvery moon hung high in the night sky, its cool light spilling into the courtyard of the Jade Pavilion, adding an eerie atmosphere to the tranquil place. Lin Ning was under house arrest in the Jade Pavilion, pondering how to deal with the situation, when she suddenly heard heavy footsteps approaching from afar.

The door was flung open, and Xuan Yuanche strode in, his eyes fierce and his steps unsteady, as if possessed. He stared at Lin Ning, his eyes flashing with a strange light, his voice low and tinged with madness: "Lin Ning, you now reside in this Jade Pavilion, do you know that this Jade Pavilion was originally prepared by me for my beloved concubine? You must become my beloved concubine!"

Lin Ning looked at the delirious Xuan Yuanche before her, her heart filled with shock and fear. She knew that Xuan Yuanche was currently being controlled by Nangong Jin's will and had lost his reason. "Your Majesty, please wake up! Are you Xuan Yuanche or Nangong Jin!" Lin Ning shouted loudly, trying to rouse him to his senses.

However, Xuan Yuanche ignored her and continued to approach Lin Ning step by step. Lin Ning retreated repeatedly, her heart filled with anxiety. In this critical moment, she suddenly remembered that she still had silver needles on her person. Without thinking twice, she quickly took out the silver needles, seized the opportunity, and pierced the acupoints on Xuan Yuanche's body.

Xuan Yuanche felt a numbness in his body and was about to flare up when everything went black. He fell into a deep sleep and collapsed to the ground. Lin Ning looked at the unconscious Xuan Yuanche, and the tension in her heart eased slightly, but then new worries arose.

She knew that sealing acupoints with silver needles could only temporarily put Xuanyuan Che into a deep sleep; he would wake up once the time was up. Moreover, as the emperor, if her treatment of him were discovered, it would surely cause even greater trouble.

"What should I do now?" Lin Ning pondered silently, a hint of confusion and anxiety in her eyes. She helped Xuan Yuanche to bed. Gazing at the bright moon outside the window, she silently prayed that Lin Wan would find the clue as soon as possible. In the quiet Jade Pavilion, Lin Ning watched over the unconscious Xuan Yuanche, her mind filled with countless thoughts. Now, she could only remain trapped in this predicament, hoping that Xuan Yuanche wouldn't make things difficult for her once he woke up…