Jade of Another World

After returning to her residence, Lin Ning immediately sat down at the table, spread out some letter paper, picked up a brush, and carefully recorded the names of several of Xuan Yuan Che's Tianji Pavilion's larger properties in the capital. These properties were important clues for her current investigation into the inner workings of the Tianji Pavilion.

After writing it, she blew on the letter to let the ink dry, then carefully folded it and put it in an envelope. Then, she called her trusted confidant and said solemnly, "Deliver this letter to Uncle Zhong immediately, and make sure to give it to him in person. There must be no mistakes."

The trusted aide took the letter and nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, Miss, I will definitely deliver it."

Watching his trusted aide's departing figure, Lin Ning silently prayed that everything would go smoothly. Uncle Zhong was an elder of the Lin family, always loyal to Lin Ning's maternal clan, and now even more so to him. He also had many connections in the capital, and Lin Ning believed that he could definitely help her investigate the situation of these shops.

In the letter, Lin Ning not only instructed Uncle Zhong to investigate the daily operations and personnel interactions of these shops, but also specifically asked him to find a person named Yi Zhu. According to Ouyang Qingchuan, Yi Zhu is very likely a key figure in Tianji Pavilion who is loyal to Xuan Yuanche. If they can find him, they might be able to open the door to Tianji Pavilion.

In the days that followed, Lin Ning outwardly continued her peaceful life in the palace, paying her respects to Nangong Jin on time and dining with him, but inwardly she anxiously awaited news of Uncle Zhong. Every day she would pace in her room, glancing out the window from time to time, hoping to see her trusted confidant return.

Finally, on a sunny afternoon, the confidant rushed over, holding a secret letter. Lin Ning's eyes flashed with surprise when she saw him, and she quickly invited him into the house and closed the door.

"Is there any news about Uncle Zhong?" Lin Ning asked anxiously.

The confidant handed the secret letter to Lin Ning, saying, "Yes, Miss. Uncle Zhong instructed me to deliver this letter to you as soon as possible."

Lin Ning eagerly opened the letter and began reading quickly. In it, Uncle Zhong provided a detailed report on the investigation of several shops. These shops, ostensibly engaged in various businesses such as silk shops, restaurants, and pawnshops, all seemed to have unusual dealings behind the scenes. What excited Lin Ning even more was Uncle Zhong's mention that he had gleaned some clues about Yi Zhu from one of the silk shops. Apparently, Yi Zhu frequently visited a dilapidated temple on the outskirts of the city on the night of the fifteenth of each month.

Lin Ning felt a surge of excitement after reading the letter. She finally had a lead on Yi Zhu, bringing her one step closer to taking control of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. "Well done, you can go and rest now," Lin Ning said to her trusted aide.

After her trusted confidant withdrew, Lin Ning sat at the table, pondering the contents of the letter repeatedly. She knew that the next move was crucial and required careful planning. Going to the dilapidated temple on the outskirts of the city to find Yi Zhu was undoubtedly a risky undertaking, but for the sake of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, she had no other choice.

"Yizhu, I hope you can help me unravel all these mysteries," Lin Ning murmured to herself, a determined light shining in her eyes. She decided that on the fifteenth of this month, she would personally travel to the dilapidated temple on the outskirts of the city to meet this mysterious Yizhu…

On the night of the fifteenth, the moonlight, like water, spilled across the streets and alleys of the city. Lin Ning disguised herself and cleverly avoided the palace guards and Nangong Jin's spies, secretly leaving the palace. Her heart was filled with both nervousness and anticipation as she hurried towards the dilapidated temple on the outskirts of the city.

When she finally arrived at the dilapidated temple, a faint scent of incense filled the air. By the moonlight, Lin Ning saw a figure standing quietly before the statue of a deity—it was Yi Zhu, the one she was looking for.

Yi Zhu seemed to sense someone's arrival and slowly turned around. Lin Ning saw his face clearly; his eyes were deep, revealing a resolute and decisive nature.

"You must be Miss Lin Ning." Yi Zhu's voice was low and calm.

Lin Ning was slightly taken aback, not expecting Yi Zhu to recognize her so easily. She nodded: "Indeed, I am Lin Ning. I heard that you come here every full moon night, so I took the liberty of coming to see you."

Yi Zhu sighed softly, his gaze drifting to a corner of the temple where offerings were laid out. "I come here every full moon night to have a drink with my master."

Lin Ning followed his gaze, a pang of sadness welling up inside her. She stepped forward and bowed slightly to the offerings to express her respect.

“I am no stranger to you, young lady,” Yi Zhu said. “I spend a lot of time with the Pavilion Master, and he has mentioned you to me many times. He also entrusted me to protect you in secret when he went out on business before.”

Lin Ning was filled with surprise and emotion upon hearing this. She realized that, without her knowledge, Xuan Yuanche had been protecting her so diligently.

"Now that I know you have obtained the Plum Blossom Token, I am not surprised at all," Yi Zhu continued. "I have long known the Pavilion Master's feelings for you. He left the Plum Blossom Token to you in the hope that you can use the power of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion to protect yourself at a critical moment."

Lin Ning's eyes reddened slightly. She gently stroked the plum blossom token hidden in her bosom and said, "I know Xuan Yuanche's feelings for me, but now Nangong Jin is occupying his body, and I am trapped in the palace, making it very difficult for me to move forward. I hope to use the power of the Tianji Pavilion to break free from Nangong Jin's control and fulfill Xuan Yuanche's unfulfilled wish."

Yi Zhu looked at Lin Ning with a hint of approval in his eyes: "It is good that you have such determination, Miss. There are many people in Tianji Pavilion who are loyal to the Pavilion Master. As long as you can take out the Plum Blossom Token and raise your arms to call, there will definitely be people who respond. However, Nangong Jin is cunning and scheming, so we must act cautiously."

Lin Ning nodded and said, "I understand. I hope you can lend me a hand; I'm willing to plan with you."

Yi Zhu nodded slightly: "Don't worry, young lady, I will do my best to help you."

Moonlight streamed through the dilapidated temple window, bathing Lin Ning and Yi Zhu in its glow. Standing together, they seemed to see a glimmer of hope for the future, and for their shared goal, they resolved to engage in a thrilling contest against Nangong Jin…