Jade of Another World

The warm spring sun once again shone on the peach garden of the palace, and it was once again the season when peach blossoms were in full bloom. Layer upon layer of pink petals were like brocade, and a gentle breeze carried their sweet fragrance. However, Lin Ning stood amidst these blooming flowers, but her eyes revealed a trace of melancholy.

She stood quietly, her thoughts drifting away. She thought of the unattended wild peach grove in the Imperial Observatory. Although it wasn't as meticulously tended as this one, it possessed a vibrant and unrestrained growth. The flowers bloomed freely, each petal seemingly carrying a wild vitality, far more captivating than the sculpted scenery before her.

Xuanyuan Che noticed Lin Ning's expression and assumed she felt the peach garden wasn't beautiful enough. To please her, he immediately ordered a large-scale renovation to make the garden even more magnificent. The craftsmen busied themselves, building artificial hills, dredging ponds, and transplanting more varieties of peach trees, making the garden even more splendid.

Before long, the newly renovated peach blossom garden appeared before Lin Ning. The peach blossoms were in full bloom, a riot of color that was breathtaking. Xuan Yuanche, beaming with pride, brought Lin Ning to admire the garden, anticipating her praise.

Looking at the peach blossoms filling the courtyard, Lin Ning smiled faintly and said softly, "There are more and more peach blossoms, so many that it's suffocating." Her voice was gentle, but carried a hint of bitterness.

Xuanyuan Che was slightly taken aback, failing to fully grasp the deeper meaning in Lin Ning's words, and thought she was just being modest. He smiled and put his arm around Lin Ning's shoulder, saying, "If you like it, I can make this garden even more beautiful, so you can see the most beautiful peach blossoms every day."

Lin Ning didn't respond, but simply gazed silently at the magnificent sea of ​​flowers, her thoughts drifting to the neglected wild peach grove...

Time flies, passing quietly through the seemingly peaceful yet oppressive years in the palace. Lin Ning wanders around the palace day after day, her former passion and enthusiasm long since worn away.

It was another quiet afternoon. Lin Ning sat alone by the window, sunlight filtering through the carved window lattice and casting dappled shadows on her. Her gaze was vacant as she stared into the distance, her thoughts drifting back to the peach grove, recalling the scene of her parting with Lin Wan. Wan'er's eyes, filled with reluctance and anxiety, seemed still vivid in her mind. "I wonder how she is after she went back, whether she got home safely, whether she has forgotten me..." Lin Ning murmured to herself, a faint melancholy rising in her heart.

According to Ouyang, there won't be a solar eclipse for the next ten years. The portal to her homeland, which once held her hopes, is now tightly locked by the shackles of fate, showing no sign of opening again. "It really is fate..." Lin Ning sighed softly, a bitter smile playing on her lips.

She often wondered how long she would have to wait to return to her original world. "What if I'm too old to go back?" Once this thought surfaced in her mind, it lingered for a long time. But now, having experienced so much helplessness and disappointment, she was no longer affected and simply accepted everything calmly.

Lin Ning slowly stood up, walked to the dressing table, and looked at her reflection in the bronze mirror. Time had left no trace on her face. She gently stroked her cheek, her mind blank.

"So be it. Since fate has arranged it this way, what can I do?" Lin Ning said softly, a resolute glint in her eyes. She decided to stop obsessing over when she could go home, and instead focus on living well in the palace and finding a life that belonged to her.

That day, news spread through the palace that Lin Ning's brother, Lin Qi, had returned victorious from battle, causing a stir throughout the entire harem. Upon hearing this news, Lin Ning's usually calm eyes instantly lit up, and a long-lost radiant smile bloomed on her face.

Overjoyed, she went briskly to find Xuan Yuanche. Upon seeing Xuan Yuanche, Lin Ning curtsied slightly and said, unable to hide her excitement, "Your Majesty, I was truly happy to hear that my brother has returned victorious from battle. I have not been home for a long time. I wonder if Your Majesty could grant me permission to return to the Lin family and reunite with my family."

Lin Ning felt uneasy, after all, she knew that Xuan Yuanche had a strong desire to control her. She had only made the request with a try-it-and-see attitude, but she did not expect that Xuan Yuanche would agree so unexpectedly.

Seeing the joy on Lin Ning's face, Xuan Yuanche raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips, and said, "Since Consort Rong misses her family so much, I grant her permission. Just don't forget your return date; I'm waiting for you to come back to the palace to keep me company."

Lin Ning was overjoyed and quickly bowed again, saying gratefully, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. I will return to the palace to serve you as soon as possible."

Having received permission, Lin Ning happily began preparing to return to her family home. She carefully selected several simple yet elegant outfits, hoping to show her family that she was safe and well. Along the way, sitting in the carriage, Lin Ning looked out the window at the familiar yet unfamiliar scenes on both sides of the street, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

As the carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Lin residence, Lin Ning stepped down. Gazing at the familiar gates of the mansion, her eyes welled up with tears. She took a deep breath and stepped inside. The servants, seeing Lin Ning return, rushed forward to greet her with delight. Lin Ning responded to each of them with a smile, her heart filled with warmth.

A short while later, Lin Qi learned that his sister had returned and strode out of the inner courtyard. "Sister!" Lin Qi's voice was full of excitement and joy.

Upon seeing Lin Qi, Lin Ning could no longer contain her longing and rushed forward to greet him. The siblings embraced tightly. "Brother, you're finally back safe and sound. I've been so worried about you," Lin Ning said, her voice choked with emotion, tears welling in her eyes.

Lin Qi patted Lin Ning on the back, comforting her, "Don't worry, little sister, I'm lucky and will be fine. But you, how are you doing in the palace? Have you suffered any mistreatment? If it weren't for family ties, you might already be..."

Lin Ning shook her head slightly, forcing back tears as she smiled and said, "Let's not talk about these things, brother. Everything is fine with me in the palace, and His Majesty treats me very well. I am content to be able to come back and see you and my family today."

The brother and sister walked hand in hand into the house, reminiscing about their experiences and longing over the past few days. Looking at the familiar plants and trees of her home, and at the kind faces of her family, Lin Ning felt a surge of happiness welling up inside her…