Jade of Another World

These past few days, Xuan Yuanche hadn't bothered her, allowing Lin Ning, who had been under immense pressure, to finally breathe a sigh of relief. Her tense nerves finally eased for a moment, and she began to plan how to meet with Xiao Dezi tomorrow and convey her detailed plan for further cooperation with Consort Xi.

That night, Lin Ning sat at her desk, diligently writing down her plan by the dim candlelight. Her pen moved swiftly, considering every detail meticulously. However, as she wrote, she suddenly felt a strong wave of dizziness wash over her, and her head began to spin.

Lin Ning was startled, realizing she might have been drugged. She tried to get up and fight back, to call for help, but her body wouldn't obey her commands; her limbs were weak and powerless. Her consciousness gradually faded, and her eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

Just as she was about to lose consciousness, Lin Ning vaguely saw a familiar figure enter the room. She struggled to open her eyes and saw that it was Xuan Yuanche. Xuan Yuanche walked to her side expressionlessly and then effortlessly picked her up.

Lin Ning tried to struggle and resist, making incoherent sounds, but it was all in vain. She could only watch helplessly as Xuan Yuanche carried her to the bed, and then darkness completely enveloped her as she fell into a coma.

When Lin Ning regained consciousness, she felt sore all over and her head was buzzing. She tried to recall what had happened last night, and a strong sense of anger and humiliation welled up inside her. She knew that she had been tricked by Xuan Yuanche, and that it was likely a trap he had set to completely control her.

"Xuanyuan Che, you despicable scoundrel!" Lin Ning cursed through gritted teeth, her eyes flashing with rage. She knew her situation had become even more dangerous; Xuanyuan Che's actions were undoubtedly intended to completely destroy her will to resist. But Lin Ning was a transmigrator; how could she be bound by Xuanyuan Che's feudal ethics? She wouldn't give in. She knew that the more desperate the situation, the less she could abandon it. She endured her discomfort, sat up, and her fighting spirit rekindled. She decided that no matter what, she had to find a way to break free from Xuanyuan Che's control, continue her cooperation plan with Consort Xi, expose Xuanyuan Che's true colors, and get justice for herself. Just as Lin Ning was still immersed in anger and humiliation, forcing herself to write a new plan, a commotion suddenly erupted outside. Then, a sharp voice rang out: "Imperial decree arrives—Consort Rong, receive the decree!"

Lin Ning's heart tightened. She stopped writing, slowly stood up, straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, and walked to the door to kneel down and receive the imperial decree, trying to appear calm.

The eunuch delivering the imperial edict unfolded it and loudly proclaimed: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Consort Rong has rendered meritorious service in serving the Emperor, and is gentle, virtuous, and deeply pleasing to my heart. She is hereby promoted to the rank of Noble Consort Rong, and is granted one hundred acres of fertile land, one thousand taels of gold, and a quantity of jewels, to honor her virtue. I urge you all to diligently perform your duties and serve the Imperial Family. This is my decree!"

As Lin Ning listened to the announcement, an indescribable feeling of disgust and anger welled up inside her. The so-called "meritorious service in bed" was nothing more than a beautification of Xuan Yuanche's despicable behavior, and this sudden promotion and reward felt more like an humiliation, a complete control and imprisonment of her.

But she knew she couldn't show the slightest dissatisfaction at this moment, so she could only suppress her emotions and kowtow to express her gratitude: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"

The eunuch delivering the imperial edict nodded in satisfaction, handed the edict to Lin Ning, and then said with a smile, "Your Highness is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor. I hope you will continue to look after us in the future."

Lin Ning forced a smile, stuffed a large gold ingot into his hand, and said, "You're too kind, Father-in-law. I hope you will continue to guide me in the future."

After the eunuch who delivered the decree left, Lin Ning looked at the imperial edict in her hand, a resolute glint in her eyes. She tossed the edict aside, sat back down at the table, and continued writing her plan. She knew that this promotion, seemingly glorious, was actually an attempt to trap her even deeper within the cage of the palace.

"Xuanyuan Che, do you think you can make me submit like this? Don't even think about it!" Lin Ning gritted her teeth, secretly vowing in her heart. She became even more determined to cooperate with Consort Xi, determined to find a way to expose his true colors, make him receive the punishment he deserved, and at the same time, to seek justice for herself.

Although Lin Ning was in dire straits, her eyes were filled with an indomitable fighting spirit. Xuan Yuanche's despicable actions had completely disillusioned her... At this moment, she only wanted to leave the palace, to hell with Xuan Yuanche, to hell with Nangong Jin, to hell with Dayu!

Lin Ning eagerly awaited news from Consort Xi, while also planning the next steps of their collaboration and imagining how to overthrow Xuan Yuan Che, who was currently under Nangong Jin's control, and escape this nightmarish situation.

However, a palace maid rushed in with news that was like a bolt from the blue: "Your Highness, it's terrible! Consort Xi has been arrested by His Majesty and imprisoned. His Majesty has charged her with plotting a rebellion!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Ning felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, and she swayed, nearly losing her balance. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her lips trembling slightly as she asked, "What did you say? How is this possible?"

The palace maid repeated it tremblingly, and Lin Ning felt a sudden dizziness; all her hope shattered like a bubble. She slumped into a chair, gripping the armrests tightly until her knuckles turned white.

"How could this happen... How could this happen..." Lin Ning murmured to herself, tears streaming uncontrollably from her eyes. She knew that Consort Xi's imprisonment meant she had lost an important ally, and that her cooperation plan with Consort Xi had been completely shattered.

She knew perfectly well that this so-called "treasonous intent" was merely a pretext used by Xuan Yuanche (actually Nangong Jin's consciousness) to eliminate dissidents. Since Consort Xi had a grudge against Nangong Jin, Xuan Yuanche naturally wouldn't let the opportunity pass. And she herself was likely the indirect cause of Consort Xi's imprisonment; if she hadn't contacted Consort Xi, perhaps she would still be safe.

Thinking of this, Lin Ning was filled with guilt and self-reproach. She closed her eyes in anguish, tears streaming down her face. "It's my fault..." she repeated over and over, her remorse surging like a tidal wave.

At this moment, Lin Ning was plunged into deep despair. She felt as if she were in a dark abyss, surrounded by endless darkness and despair, with not a glimmer of hope in sight. But she was unwilling to give up like this. She knew that she had to pull herself together and find a new way, otherwise, she would be trapped in this deep palace forever, becoming Xuan Yuanche's toy.

Lin Ning slowly opened her eyes. Though pain and despair still lingered in her gaze, a hint of determination gradually emerged. She silently vowed to herself that she would find a way to escape and make Xuan Yuanche pay for his actions…