Jade of Another World

Dressed in a dark-patterned black robe, Nangong Jin strode heavily into the gloomy prison. A damp smell assaulted his nostrils, and in the dim light, only the dripping of water could be heard. Ouyang Qingchuan, locked in a corner cell, his once handsome face now appearing haggard, flashed a mocking glint in his eyes the moment he saw Nangong Jin.

"Your Majesty's presence is truly an honor," Ouyang Qingchuan said, raising his chin slightly with a half-smile.

Nangong Jin ignored his teasing, stared at him coldly, and said, "Lin Ning is now extremely indifferent to me and heartbroken. You have known her for a long time, do you know how to make her go back to the way she was before?"

Upon hearing Lin Ning's name, Ouyang Qingchuan's eyes flickered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and chuckled, "Your Majesty, if you can't do it, how can I? Lin Ning has been through so much; her heart is already riddled with holes. Do you think you can still keep her heart now? How laughable."

Nangong Jin's eyes instantly sharpened, radiating a dangerous aura. He abruptly approached Ouyang Qingchuan, saying each word slowly and deliberately, "Enough nonsense! I know you also have feelings for her. If you can help me win her back, I can spare your life; otherwise..."

Ouyang Qingchuan was not afraid of Nangong Jin's threats at all. Instead, he laughed loudly, the laughter echoing in the small cell, sounding particularly jarring. "Your Majesty, you really don't understand Lin Ning. All she wants is freedom and sincerity, but all you've given her is restraint and scheming. If you truly want her to change, let her go and stop imprisoning her with these methods."

Nangong Jin was stunned. Ouyang Qingchuan's words were like a sharp blade, piercing his heart. He had never imagined that he was such a person in Lin Ning's eyes. He had always thought that keeping Lin Ning by his side and protecting her from harm was his way of loving her, but he had overlooked her true inner desires.

"Let her go?" Nangong Jin murmured to himself, "I can't do it. I've already lost her once, I can't lose her a second time."

Ouyang Qingchuan looked at Nangong Jin with a hint of pity in his eyes. "Your Majesty, a forced relationship will not be sweet. If you insist on this, you will only push her further away from you. Lin Ning is so intelligent, how could she not understand your intentions? But your love is a burden, a shackle, and a cage for her."

Nangong Jin remained silent for a long time, his heart in turmoil. He didn't want to lose Lin Ning, but he was also afraid that continuing like this would make her completely lose faith in him. Finally, he gave Ouyang Qingchuan a deep look, then turned and left the cell.

"I will consider your words. But you'd better pray that I can find a way to win her back, otherwise, your life remains in my hands." Nangong Jin's voice echoed in the prison, tinged with helplessness and resentment...

Nangong Jin walked heavily out of the prison. The dull thud of the prison gate closing seemed to strike his heart as well. The sunlight outside was a bit dazzling, and he squinted slightly, Ouyang Qingchuan's words echoing in his mind.

"Let her go? I can't do that." Nangong Jin repeated these words to himself, his heart filled with conflict. He recalled Lin Ning's cold and resolute eyes. She used to have light in her eyes, a love for life, but now she had been tormented into this state by him.

His thoughts drifted back to the first time he met Lin Ning. Back then, she was lively and spirited, and she unexpectedly entered his heart. From then on, he tried every means to keep her by his side, thinking that as long as she was under his wing, she would be safe from harm. Little did he know that his love would become her shackles.

"Your Majesty, shall we return to the palace?" the eunuch beside him asked cautiously, interrupting Nangong Jin's thoughts.

Nangong Jin did not answer immediately. He stood there, gazing into the distance, making a difficult decision. He was reluctant to let Lin Ning go, but if he continued to imprison her in the palace, her heart would only drift further and further away from him.

"Let's go to Cuiyuxuan." Nangong Jin finally said. He decided to see Lin Ning again, hoping to find a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

Meanwhile, in prison, Ouyang Qingchuan gazed in the direction Nangong Jin had left, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "I knew you couldn't do it. Why bother asking? It's pointless," he muttered to himself, feeling both amused and somewhat helpless at Nangong Jin's obsession.

Ouyang Qingchuan knew Lin Ning's nature well. She yearned for freedom and longed for true love. If Nangong Jin couldn't change, Lin Ning's heart would never truly belong to him. But wasn't he the same? His feelings for Lin Ning could only be hidden in his heart. Now, trapped in this prison, he was even less able to offer her any help.

"Lin Ning, I hope you can find your own happiness," Ouyang Qingchuan said softly, his eyes filled with melancholy.

When Nangong Jin arrived at Cuiyu Pavilion, Lin Ning was sitting by the window, holding a book in her hand, but not turning the pages. She heard footsteps, looked up, saw it was Nangong Jin, her eyes showed no emotion, and then lowered her head again.

"Ning'er..." Nangong Jin called softly, his voice carrying an unprecedented tenderness and caution.

Lin Ning didn't respond, remaining focused on the book in her hands. Nangong Jin walked over and sat down beside her, looking at her profile, which was still as thin as skin and bones, and felt a pang of heartache.

"Lin Ning, I... I've thought a lot about it." Nangong Jin slowly spoke, "I know that many of my past actions have caused you a lot of grievances, but I really don't want to lose you."

Lin Ning finally raised her head, looking at Nangong Jin with eyes full of mockery. "Your Majesty, I cannot bear your love. If you truly care for me, please let me go."

Looking into Lin Ning's resolute eyes, Nangong Jin felt a sharp pain in his heart. He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. At this moment, for the first time, he felt so powerless. Faced with Lin Ning's coldness and decisiveness, he seemed to have truly lost all options…