Jade of Another World

With careful planning and trepidation, Lin Ning, Xiao Cui, and Ouyang Qingchuan embarked on an adventure to rescue Lin Wan. They cautiously infiltrated the vicinity of the square, observing the guards' deployment and Lin Wan's condition.

Taking advantage of the cover of night and the gaps in the guards' shifts, the three seized the opportunity and acted swiftly. Ouyang Qingchuan, relying on his knowledge of mechanisms and secret passages, skillfully avoided some heavily guarded areas. Xiao Cui cleverly diverted the attention of some of the guards. Meanwhile, Lin Ning, anxiously rushing towards Lin Wan, who was trapped on a pillar.

When Lin Wan saw Lin Ning and the others, her eyes flashed with surprise and emotion. Lin Ning quickly untied the ropes binding Lin Wan and whispered, "Wan'er, let's go quickly!"

However, just as they were preparing to leave, Xuan Yuanche appeared with a large number of guards, as if he had expected it. "Lin Ning, you really came. Today, let's see where you can escape to!" Xuan Yuanche's voice was cold and full of smugness.

A fierce battle erupted instantly. Ouyang Qingchuan and Xiao Cui fought desperately against the guards' attacks, trying to buy time for Lin Ning and Lin Wan to escape. However, the guards outnumbered them, and they gradually became overwhelmed.

Lin Ning knew full well that Xuan Yuanche's target was her. If she continued to resist and insisted on escaping with Lin Wan and the others, Xuan Yuanche might become enraged and harm Lin Wan and Ouyang Qingchuan. Moreover, she knew that if she wanted to go home and unravel the mystery of her time travel, she would still need Ouyang Qingchuan's help and research.

So, Lin Ning gritted her teeth and made a difficult decision. She stopped resisting and shouted at Xuan Yuanche, "Xuan Yuanche, you want me! Let them go! I'll go with you!"

Xuan Yuanche's lips curled into a cruel smile. He waved his hand, signaling the guards to cease their attack. "You're smart enough, Lin Ning. As long as you behave, their lives can be spared for now."

Hearing Lin Ning's words, Lin Wan's eyes were filled with anxiety and resentment. "Sister, I can't leave you behind!"

Lin Ning, fighting back tears, looked at Lin Wan and said firmly, "Wan'er, listen to me, go with Master Ouyang and the others quickly. I'll be fine, you must find a way to save me and find a way home."

Although Ouyang Qingchuan and Xiao Cui were unwilling, they knew this was not the time to act impulsively. Filled with guilt and anger, they quickly escorted Lin Wan away from the scene. Lin Ning, on the other hand, was tightly seized by Xuan Yuanche's guards and escorted back to the palace.

Throughout the journey, Lin Ning was filled with mixed emotions. She worried about her future fate, yet also hoped that Lin Wan and Ouyang Qingchuan would be safe and sound, and that they would find a way to rescue her as soon as possible, to find the key to returning home. As for Da Yu… let whoever saves them save them, this young lady is tired…

Lin Ning was escorted back to the familiar yet loathsome Jade Pavilion. As soon as she stepped into the room, she felt the oppressive atmosphere, as if every inch of the air here was filled with Xuan Yuanche's presence.

Xuan Yuanche followed behind her, his eyes gleaming with desire. He impatiently reached out to hug Lin Ning, pressing his lips to her face: "Lin Ning, you're finally back. I missed you so much. Please don't run away again, okay?"

Lin Ning looked disgusted and pushed him away forcefully, sneering, "You're really in a hurry, aren't you? Now that things have come to this, you're still pretending to like me. Is that interesting? Don't think I don't know what you're up to."

Xuanyuan Che was pushed back a few steps, his smile vanishing instantly, replaced by a hint of annoyance. But he quickly regained his composure and said, "I've always cherished you because of our friendship. I don't blame you for running away, as long as you come back. There will never be anyone in this world who treats you as well as I have. What more could you want?"

A hint of mockery flashed in Lin Ning's eyes as she retorted loudly, "You're good to me? If you were good to me, you wouldn't have imprisoned me! Your so-called 'goodness' is nothing more than treating me as your possession, your plaything!"

Xuan Yuanche's face darkened, and his tone hardened: "If I don't imprison you, you won't obediently stay by my side. You've always been thinking about leaving, about going back to your original world. You have no intention of staying with me at all!"

Lin Ning looked him straight in the eye without flinching and said loudly, "That's right, I just don't want to stay by your side. You're no longer the Xuan Yuan Che I knew. You've become so cruel and violent, how could I possibly like you?"

The two argued back and forth, their voices echoing throughout the Jade Pavilion. Xuan Yuanche was furious at Lin Ning's words, his face flushed red. He clenched his fists, but forced himself to remain calm and not lash out.

"Fine, fine, Lin Ning, you've really disappointed me." Xuan Yuanche laughed angrily. "Since you're so ungrateful, then you can stay here and reflect on your actions!"

With that, Xuan Yuanche flung his sleeves and slammed the door shut. Lin Ning watched his departing figure, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her—anger, resentment, and a touch of worry for the future…

After returning to his palace, Xuanyuan Che was still troubled by Lin Ning's attitude, his mind filled with thoughts of how to win Lin Ning back and make her fall in love with him. Just as he was racking his brains, the newly appointed top scholar came to see him.

Xuanyuan Che was worried about having no one to consult, so he immediately summoned him into the palace. After the newly appointed top scholar bowed, he observed Xuanyuan Che's expression and guessed what he was thinking. So he cautiously said, "Your Majesty, I have a plan that may rekindle Consort Rong's feelings for Your Majesty."

Xuanyuan Che's eyes lit up, and he asked eagerly, "Tell me quickly, what is the plan? If it works, I will reward you handsomely."

The newly appointed top scholar bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, most women are prone to jealousy. Your Majesty might as well summon some dancers and show them your favor to Consort Rong. When she sees Your Majesty treating others differently, she will naturally feel uncomfortable. Then, Your Majesty can coax her and perhaps win back her favor."

After listening, Xuanyuan Che pondered for a moment and found the plan to be brilliant. He clapped his hands and laughed, "Good! I will do as you say. If this succeeds, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."

Therefore, Xuanyuan Che immediately issued an edict, arranging for a group of dancers to prepare for a dance in the palace. At the same time, he sent someone to summon Lin Ning, ordering her to come and watch the performance.

Lin Ning received the imperial decree with a heart full of disgust and helplessness, but she knew she could not disobey and could only go against the tide. When she entered the palace and saw the group of beautifully dressed dancers and Xuan Yuan Che sitting in the main seat, she immediately understood his intentions.

When Xuanyuan Che saw Lin Ning arrive, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing a smug smile. He deliberately ordered loudly, "Let's begin."

As the music began, the dancers moved gracefully and swayed in the breeze. Xuan Yuanche watched the dance while glancing at Lin Ning every now and then to observe her reaction.

Lin Ning sat expressionless to the side, her eyes revealing disdain. She knew perfectly well that Xuan Yuanche was playing a trick, trying to provoke her emotions. But she refused to do as he wished, suppressing her disgust and quietly observing everything before her, as if it were all irrelevant to her.

However, Xuan Yuanche was unaware of Lin Ning's thoughts, thinking she was just putting on a brave face, and secretly felt smug...