Jade of Another World

Chapter 181 If you can't afford to offend them, can't you at least avoid them?

Upon hearing the servant rush to report Wan Yanqing's arrival, a hint of annoyance and wariness flashed in Lin Ning's previously dim eyes. Without hesitation, she grabbed Nangong Ruoli's hand and whispered, "Ruoli, come in with me quickly." With that, she pulled Nangong Ruoli and hurriedly walked towards the inner room, her steps hurried and flustered.

Upon entering the inner room, Lin Ning quickly closed the door, slightly out of breath. She turned to the servant beside her, her gaze firm and unwavering, and commanded, "Go out and tell her I'm not here. No matter what she says, don't let her in." The servant nodded slightly, replied "Yes," and turned to carry out the order.

Looking at Lin Ning's appearance, Nangong Ruoli couldn't help but feel puzzled. She asked softly, "Sister Lin, who exactly is this Wanyan Qing? Why are you so unwilling to see her?"

Lin Ning leaned against the door, closed her eyes slightly, took a deep breath, and slowly spoke: "Ruoli, this Wanyan Qing is the princess from Nanzhao who married into the country. She is indeed devoted to Nangong Jin. I have no interaction with her, but every time she appears, nothing good comes of it. I really don't want to have anything to do with her anymore; seeing her only adds to my troubles."

Nangong Ruoli nodded gently, seemingly understanding Lin Ning's predicament. She took Lin Ning's arm and softly comforted her, "Sister Lin, don't worry, I'm here. If she really dares to make things difficult for you, I'll definitely teach her a lesson."

Lin Ning opened her eyes and looked at Nangong Ruoli gratefully. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Wanyan Qing's sharp voice from outside: "I know she's inside. I must see her today! How dare you stop this princess!"

Lin Ning and Nangong Ruoli exchanged a glance. A hint of helplessness and worry flashed in Lin Ning's eyes, while Nangong Ruoli held Lin Ning's hand tightly, as if trying to give her strength...

Wanyan Qing stood at the entrance of Cuiyu Pavilion, hands on her hips, her face contorted with rage. The maids and servants beside her stood trembling, not daring to utter a sound. She kicked over a potted plant by the door and shouted angrily, "That bitch Lin Ning dares to hide from this princess? Does she really think I can't do anything to her?"

At this moment, Lin Ning and Nangong Ruoli slowly walked out of the inner room. Lin Ning's expression was calm, but there was a hint of annoyance in her eyes; Nangong Ruoli frowned slightly, her eyes revealing disdain.

"Princess Wanyan, may I ask what brings you here today?" Lin Ning stepped forward, gave a slight curtsy, and spoke in a neutral tone.

Wanyan Qing snorted coldly, looking Lin Ning up and down with disdain in her eyes. "Hmph, stop pretending. You think you can hide from this princess? I'm here today to warn you to stay away from His Majesty. His Majesty belongs to me. You're nothing but a shameless vixen!"

Upon hearing this, Nangong Ruoli's eyebrows furrowed, and she stepped forward to block Lin Ning. "Princess Wanyan, you'd better watch your words. It's none of your business to interfere in the affairs between Sister Lin and His Majesty. What kind of behavior is this, so unreasonable and disruptive?"

Wanyan Qing was slightly taken aback when Nangong Ruoli stood up for Lin Ning, then flew into a rage. "Fine, Nangong Ruoli, you actually speak up for this bitch! Don't forget, you're just an unfavored princess. What right do you have to be so insolent in front of me!"

"You're the one who's being insolent!" Nangong Ruoli didn't back down, her gaze fixed on Wanyan Qing. "This is Cuiyu Pavilion, not a place for you to run wild. If you continue to cause trouble like this, don't blame me for telling my brother, the Emperor!"

Seeing the tense atmosphere and fearing a real conflict, Lin Ning quickly grabbed Nangong Ruoli's arm and said softly, "Ruoli, don't argue with her. It's not worth getting angry over someone like her." Then she looked at Wanyan Qing and said slowly, "Princess Wanyan, the relationship between me and His Majesty is not something I can control. If you really care about His Majesty, you should think about how to please him instead of causing trouble for me. Now that you've made yourself clear, please leave."

Wanyan Qing was speechless, choked by Lin Ning's words. She glared fiercely at Lin Ning and Nangong Ruoli, then turned and strode away, not forgetting to throw down the last words before leaving: "Lin Ning, you just wait, this princess will not let you get away with this!"

After Wan Yanqing disappeared, Lin Ning and Nangong Ruoli exchanged a glance and sighed helplessly. Nangong Ruoli gently held Lin Ning's hand and said, "Sister Lin, does she always come here to cause trouble like this?"

Lin Ning nodded and said with a wry smile, "Yes, I'm almost used to it. But I'm afraid the plan we just discussed will have to be put on hold for now, and we'll have to wait for a more suitable time to discuss it again."

Nangong Ruoli nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "Don't worry, Sister Lin, we'll definitely find a way. No matter what, I'll help you get out of this predicament."

Looking at Nangong Ruoli, Lin Ning felt a warm current welling up in her heart and nodded gently...

Nangong Ruoli strode into the Hall of Supreme Harmony, her face flushed with anger. The hall was solemn and dignified, and Nangong Jin, dressed in a dragon robe, sat upright on the high dragon throne, dealing with a mountain of memorials. Undeterred, she strode forward, her crisp footsteps echoing in the empty hall.

"Your Majesty!" Nangong Ruoli bowed slightly, but his tone was filled with dissatisfaction and anger. "Today, Wanyan Qing caused a scene at Cuiyu Pavilion. She was extremely unreasonable and domineering. You must do something about it!"

Nangong Jin stopped writing with his vermilion brush, looked up at Nangong Ruoli, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ruoli, Wanyan Qing is just spoiled by the Nanzhao Emperor. She has no bad intentions, so why bother with her?"

Upon hearing this, Nangong Ruoli's anger flared even more. She couldn't help but raise her voice: "Royal brother, how can you say such a thing? She spoke ill of Sister Lin and provoked her wantonly. Isn't that malicious? Sister Lin is already pitiful enough. Can't you stand up for her and seek justice?"

Nangong Jin frowned, a hint of displeasure in his eyes. "Ruoli, there are some things you don't understand."

Nangong Ruoli's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief. "Brother, what are you saying? How can you treat other people's suffering as nothing? Sister Lin, she..."

"Enough!" Nangong Jin slammed his hand on the imperial desk, interrupting Nangong Ruoli. "Ruoli, I have other matters to attend to. If you came here today for this matter, then go back."

Nangong Ruoli was startled by Nangong Jin's reprimand. She bit her lip, her eyes slightly reddening, her heart filled with grievance and anger. "Royal brother, you have disappointed me so much!" With that, she turned and strode away from the Taihe Hall, her steps hurried, filled with endless disappointment and resentment.

After Nangong Ruoli left, Nangong Jin leaned back on the dragon throne, closed his eyes slightly, and a complex expression appeared on his face. He was well aware that Wanyan Qing had been making things difficult for Lin Ning, but he believed that if he could instill more hatred in Lin Ning towards the world, she would remember it more deeply, and remember him. The more she longed for this world, the more she would want to stay. Now that the truth had been revealed, he would certainly not give her another chance to leave. To keep someone, one could use not only love, but also hate; he firmly believed this, even if the methods were somewhat cruel. He didn't care, as long as Lin Ning could stay by his side forever…