Jade of Another World

As night fell, the moonlight, like water, silently bathed the Jade Pavilion. Lin Ning sat alone by the window, her heart filled with anger and pain, pondering how to rescue Consort Xi. Just then, familiar footsteps sounded outside the door. Without looking up, Lin Ning knew it was Xuan Yuanche.

Xuan Yuanche strode into the room, a faint smile on his face, but his eyes held a chilling glint. Lin Ning abruptly stood up, glaring angrily, and loudly questioned, "Why did you arrest Consort Xi? She lost the Crown Prince long ago and is no longer a threat to the throne. Why did you have to be so ruthless and eliminate her?"

Xuanyuan Che raised an eyebrow slightly, a mocking smile on his face, and slowly said, "She suffered because of you. I saw the letter you wrote to her; she wanted to help you escape and conspire with you to plot against me. I've already shown mercy by not taking her life."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ning was shocked, her face showing disbelief. She hadn't expected that her letter to Consort Xi would be seen by Xuan Yuanche, let alone that it would become the fuse for Consort Xi's imprisonment. It must have been that day, that scumbag! But she quickly calmed down, looked Xuan Yuanche directly in the eyes, and said without fear, "So what if I contacted her? You can't even control your mind now, acting erratically, indiscriminately killing innocent people. Are you not allowed to resist?"

Xuanyuan Che's face instantly darkened, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes: "Shut up! I am the emperor of this Great Yu, and everything is decided by me. You are merely my woman, how dare you defy me like this?"

A resolute determination welled up in Lin Ning's heart. She knew that backing down now would be futile, so she might as well fight to the death: "You are not the real Xuan Yuanche at all, you are Nangong Jin! Look at yourself now, resorting to any means to gain power and harming loyal and good people. Xuan Yuanche would never do such a thing!"

Enraged, Xuanyuan Che took a step forward, grabbed Lin Ning by the neck, and said viciously, "Say that again! I can decide whoever I want. I am the emperor of Dayu. That's all you need to know! If you dare to spout nonsense again, I'll make you wish you were dead!"

Lin Ning was being choked and couldn't breathe, her face flushed red, but she still didn't back down, and said with difficulty, "You...you can kill me...One day, you will pay the price for what you've done..."

Looking into Lin Ning's stubborn eyes, Xuan Yuanche's anger intensified, but for some reason, his grip gradually loosened. He gave a wicked sneer and said, "You want to die? I won't let you die. You'll stay in this palace, keep me company, and watch how I make everyone submit to me!"

After saying this, Xuan Yuanche picked up Lin Ning and threw her onto the bed. Lin Ning struggled and resisted, but was ultimately no match for him. Now confined to this palace, she was already exhausted, both physically and mentally. She was no match for Xuan Yuanche's physical strength, honed by years of military training. Her struggles seemed futile against the strong and robust Xuan Yuanche. Xuan Yuanche easily overpowered her, and no matter how Lin Ning resisted, she could not break free from his control. In the end, she could not escape the fate of being ravaged by Xuan Yuanche.

As Xuan Yuanche rose and left Cuiyu Pavilion, Lin Ning lay numbly on the bed, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes were dull and lifeless, as if her soul had been ripped away. She stared at the empty rafters, her heart filled with despair and pain.

The disheveled sheets and clothes torn by Xuan Yuanche on the bed were a testament to the tyrant's evil deeds.

At this moment, Xuan Yuanche's cold voice rang out again: "Don't say I treated you badly. Tomorrow I'll bring your maid Xiao Cui to you as a reward for your performance tonight." After saying that, he strode away, leaving Lin Ning alone in the silent room, enduring endless humiliation and heartache.

Lin Ning lay on the bed, her tears long since dried, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. Her body ached from the ordeal, and her heart was deeply wounded. Yet, her mind was unusually clear, a burning anger and resentment raging within her. "This can't go on," Lin Ning vowed silently, her voice weak but resolute. She clearly realized that the man before her, this person in the body of Xuan Yuanche, was not the Xuan Yuanche she knew and loved. He was no longer even the Nangong Jin she once knew.

"He must be a demon from hell." Lin Ning's thoughts became clearer as she recalled the horrific torture inflicted on Nangong Yu. That person repeatedly beat Nangong Yu, yet spared him from death, clearly taking pleasure in tormenting others and enjoying the thrill of controlling their suffering.

And now, she had become his plaything, manipulated and tormented at his will. A wave of nausea surged through Lin Ning, and her disgust for this man reached its peak.

"He's treating me like this now, just using me as a tool for his amusement." Lin Ning gritted her teeth, a resolute glint in her eyes. She knew all too well that the Xuan Yuan Che who had once moved her heart, the upright and kind man who cared for the world, was no more. Now, this body belonged to a demon with an extremely twisted mind.

"I must find a way to break free from his control and expose his true colors." Lin Ning thought to herself. Despite her difficult situation, she was determined not to give in. She began to recall all the clues she had gathered, thinking about how to find Nangong Jin's weakness and escape this nightmarish life.

Lin Ning slowly sat up, enduring the pain in her body, her eyes rekindling with fighting spirit. She knew the road ahead was fraught with thorns and danger, but she had no way back. For her own sake, she had to bravely face this demon and engage in a life-or-death struggle with him…

The next day, sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the floor of the Jade Pavilion, but it couldn't dispel the gloom that permeated the room. Fortunately, Xuan Yuanche kept his word, and Xiao Cui was sent to Lin Ning's side.

When Xiao Cui stepped into the room and saw Lin Ning, her heart clenched, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes. The once vibrant and spirited Lin Ning was now emaciated, covered in bruises and wounds, and although there was still stubbornness in his eyes, there was more exhaustion and pain.

“Miss…” Xiao Cui choked up as she rushed to Lin Ning’s side and hugged her carefully, as if she would hurt her if she used too much force.

Despite her physical discomfort, Lin Ning gently patted Xiao Cui's back and said in a weak but firm voice, "Xiao Cui, don't cry. I will escape. Don't you know me? When have I ever admitted defeat? I won't admit defeat now."

Xiao Cui looked up at Lin Ning with teary eyes, sobbing, "Miss, how did you get to be tortured like this... That tyrant is so wicked!"

Lin Ning sighed softly, a hint of hatred flashing in her eyes: "He is no longer the emperor he once was. Now, he is a demon. But it doesn't matter. I will not sit idly by and wait to die. We must find a way to escape from this palace."

Xiao Cui nodded quickly, wiped away her tears, and said, "Miss, whatever you say, Xiao Cui will do. As long as it can help you, Xiao Cui is willing to do anything."

Lin Ning pondered for a moment and said, "First, we need to find someone outside to help us. Also, we need to contact Lin Wan about that matter and see how her investigation is going. As long as we expose the life-swapping conspiracy, we can get out of this predicament."

Xiao Cui clenched her fist and said firmly, "Okay, Miss, I'll think of a way right away. I know some people in the palace; let's see if we can get the message out through them."

Looking at Xiao Cui, Lin Ning felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She knew that in this cold palace, Xiao Cui was the only person she could trust and rely on. With Xiao Cui's help, she felt more confident about escaping this cage and uncovering the truth.

"Xiao Cui, you must be careful. We can't let that devil discover our plan," Lin Ning warned.

Xiao Cui nodded, then got up and began planning how to contact people outside the palace. Lin Ning, leaning against the headboard, her eyes filled with determination, silently prayed that everything would go smoothly and that they could soon escape this nightmarish life…