Jade of Another World

Lin Ning paced back and forth in the Jade Pavilion, weighing the pros and cons repeatedly in her mind. She knew that to successfully implement her subsequent plans, she first had to quell Nangong Jin's anger over her escape and ease the current tense situation. After much deliberation, she decided to take the initiative to visit Nangong Jin, even offering to treat him. This might be an opportunity to ease tensions, and at the same time, she could use the opportunity to further observe Nangong Jin's condition, thus creating more opportunities for her escape plan.

When Lin Ning stepped into Nangong Jin's bedchamber, a strong smell of medicine filled the room. Nangong Jin was half-reclining on the bed, looking haggard and pale as paper, a far cry from the majestic and spirited emperor he once was. Upon seeing Lin Ning enter, a glimmer of light flashed in his previously dim eyes, and he struggled to get up.

"Your Majesty, please don't move." Seeing this, Lin Ning hurriedly stepped forward and said softly. Her tone carried a hint of concern, which was not entirely feigned. Seeing Nangong Jin's weak appearance, even though she was full of disgust, she couldn't help but feel a trace of pity.

Nangong Jin looked at Lin Ning, his eyes filled with complex emotions—longing, anger, and above all, exhaustion. "You…you've finally come to see me." His voice was hoarse and weak.

Lin Ning nodded slightly and said, "Your Majesty is unwell, how could I not come? I heard that Your Majesty has been so troubled by my affairs, and I feel truly ashamed." As she spoke, she walked to the bedside, gently took Nangong Jin's wrist, and began to take his pulse.

Lin Ning had studied medicine since childhood and had considerable experience with various ailments. At this moment, she focused intently on the subtle changes in Nangong Jin's pulse, her brows gradually furrowing. After a moment, she released Nangong Jin's wrist and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, these are symptoms of overwork. These past few days, you must have been too overworked in searching for me and handling state affairs, which has caused your body to become so weak."

Nangong Jin shook his head with a wry smile: "As the ruler of a country, the whole world belongs to me, but you alone..." He didn't continue, his eyes revealing deep helplessness.

Lin Ning looked at him, secretly pondering. It seemed that the dual pressures of his obsession and the affairs of state had indeed exhausted Nangong Jin. If his health wasn't properly cared for, he might collapse before she could even seek revenge. Thinking this, Lin Ning said, "Your Majesty, your most important task now is to take good care of your health. I have some medical knowledge and would like to prescribe a few medicines for you. As long as you take the medicine on time and get enough rest, your health will gradually improve."

A hint of emotion flashed in Nangong Jin's eyes. He held Lin Ning's hand tightly and said, "Alright, I will take any medicine you prescribe. As long as you stay by my side, I will grant you anything."

Lin Ning gently withdrew her hand and said, "Your Majesty, please rest well. I will go and prescribe medicine for you." With that, she turned and left the palace, her mind already calculating how to subtly lay her plans while Nangong Jin recuperated…

Lin Ning carefully wrote out the prescription and then personally went to the imperial kitchen to meticulously prepare the medicine for Nangong Jin according to the instructions. Although she didn't have much affection for Nangong Jin, she could only pretend to be very concerned in order to achieve her own goals.

As Lin Ning carefully carried the prepared medicine into Nangong Jin's palace, Wanyan Qing suddenly burst in. She looked warily at the bowl of medicine in Lin Ning's hand, a suspicious expression on her face.

"Halt! This medicine cannot be given to His Majesty so casually," Wanyan Qing said loudly, her tone full of vigilance.

Lin Ning frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes, but she quickly put on a wronged expression: "Princess, this medicine was carefully prepared by me for His Majesty. I only care about His Majesty's health. Why do you doubt me like this?"

Wanyan Qing snorted coldly and said, "Hmph, who knows what you're up to? His Majesty has become like this because of you, and I can't let you harm him again. This medicine must be confirmed by the Imperial Physician and others to be non-toxic before His Majesty can drink it."

Lin Ning cursed Wanyan Qing for being nosy in her heart, but on the surface she pretended to be angry and aggrieved. Her eyes reddened, tears welled up in them, and she said in a trembling voice, "I meant well by preparing medicine for His Majesty, but you have guessed and questioned me like this. Since that's the case, I won't send the medicine."

After saying this, Lin Ning slammed the medicine bowl down on the table beside her and turned to leave. Her shoulders trembled slightly, as if from overwhelming sadness and anger.

Nangong Jin, already feeling unwell and irritable, was enraged by this scene. He glared at Wanyan Qing and roared, "Enough! Qing'er, you've gone too far. Lin Ning is genuinely concerned for me, yet you're making things difficult for her at every turn. Don't forget your place! Are you plotting a rebellion? Don't you respect hierarchy? I don't need your interference here. Get out!"

Wanyan Qing was shocked and furious that Nangong Jin would be so angry at her because of Lin Ning. Her face flushed red and then turned pale. But she dared not disobey Nangong Jin's orders, so she could only glare at Lin Ning hatefully before turning and leaving the palace.

Lin Ning was secretly pleased to hear that Nangong Jin had stood up for her, but she didn't show it. She slowly turned around, her eyes filled with tears, and looked at Nangong Jin, saying, "Your Majesty, it is my fault for making you angry. But I really only wanted what was best for your health."

Nangong Jin looked at Lin Ning, his heart filled with heartache. He reached out to hold Lin Ning's hand, but his movements were slow due to his weakness. "Ning'er, I know you mean well. It's my fault for making you suffer. Please don't be angry, okay?"

Lin Ning chuckled inwardly, but on the surface she feigned deep emotion. She gently held Nangong Jin's hand and said, "Your Majesty, how could I be angry with you? As long as you can recover well, what does it matter if I suffer a little grievance?"

Lin Ning knew her "ruse" had been a success. Through this incident, she had not only gained Nangong Jin's trust but also successfully removed Wanyan Qing, an obstacle. Next, she needed to find ways to leverage Nangong Jin's feelings for her to create more favorable conditions for her plans…