Jade of Another World

The sun shone lazily into the courtyard of Jade Pavilion that day. Lin Ning sat by the window as usual, staring blankly at the scenery in the courtyard, showing no interest in anything around her.

Nangong Ruoli hurried into the Jade Pavilion, her face filled with barely suppressed excitement and nervousness. She glanced around to make sure no one was watching before mysteriously approaching Lin Ning and whispering, "Sister Lin, I've thought of a way to help you escape!"

Lin Ning paused slightly, a glimmer of light flashing in her previously dim eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and said calmly, "Ruoli, don't waste your time. This palace is heavily guarded; it's not that easy to escape. Besides, even if you get out, you'll just be caught and brought back."

Nangong Ruoli was not discouraged. She sat down next to Lin Ning, took Lin Ning's hand, and said urgently, "Sister Lin, there is really hope this time! When I went to Jiangnan, I met some people from the Western Regions who were selling a magical medicine. After taking it, people can fake their death. Their pulse and breathing will stop, just like they are really dead! We can use this medicine to make you pretend to be dead, and then send you out of the palace!"

Lin Ning's heart skipped a beat upon hearing Nangong Ruoli's words. If such a medicine truly existed, it might indeed be an opportunity. However, she quickly regained her composure, frowning as she said, "Ruoli, this is far too risky. Leaving aside whether the medicine is truly as you claim, even if we can successfully feign death, how can we guarantee that I will be safely sent out of the palace? If Nangong Jin discovers this, it might implicate you as well."

Nangong Ruoli shook her head firmly, her eyes filled with determination: "Sister Lin, I've thought it all through. I've already bribed several reliable eunuchs and palace maids. As long as you take this medicine, they'll help carry you out of the palace and place you in a safe place. As for Nangong Jin, I'll find a way to stall him. Besides, I've already tested this medicine. I had my personal maid take it, and she really did seem dead, only waking up after several hours. She's not in any danger."

Looking at Nangong Ruoli's earnest expression, Lin Ning felt a surge of emotion. She hadn't expected Nangong Ruoli to make so many preparations to help her. However, she still hesitated. After all, she might fail this time too. It wouldn't matter if she failed herself, but it wouldn't be good if Princess Ruoli were punished.

"Ruoli, thank you for everything you've done for me. But the risk is just too great, I can't let you take that risk for me," Lin Ning said softly.

Nangong Ruoli said anxiously, "Sister Lin, please don't refuse anymore. You've already suffered so much here, I can't just watch you continue like this. Besides, this might be our only chance. If we miss it, there might be no hope left. Please believe me this time!"

Lin Ning remained silent for a long time. Finally, she took a deep breath, grasped Nangong Ruoli's hand, and said with a determined look in her eyes, "Okay, Ruoli, I believe you. Let's give it a try."

Nangong Ruoli smiled with delight. She gripped Lin Ning's hand tightly and said, "Sister Lin, don't worry, we'll definitely succeed! I'll go make the arrangements now and try to act as soon as possible!" With that, she hurriedly got up and left Cuiyu Pavilion to make final preparations for this adventure…

After Nangong Ruoli left, Lin Ning sat alone in the Jade Pavilion, the silence of the room seeming to engulf her. Her gaze fell on the jade pendant in her hand, which gleamed with a warm luster. It was the only item she had brought from the modern world, and it was also the embodiment of her past longing for a free life.

"Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the king." Lin Ning murmured to herself, her voice echoing in the empty room, filled with endless sorrow and helplessness. She knew all too well Nangong Jin's power and methods; in this world, it seemed there was nowhere she could truly find refuge. Even if she could escape the palace with the help of the fake death potion, where could she go? Nangong Jin would never let her go easily; his power was like an invisible net, and sooner or later he would capture her again.

She recalled how she had deliberately acted coldly and resolutely, even resorting to harsh words, to make Nangong Jin despise her, but Nangong Jin remained unmoved and stubbornly kept her by his side. She then deliberately became close to him, hoping to make him dislike her. She had once thought that as long as she disappointed Nangong Jin, she could regain her freedom, but now it seemed that all of this was in vain.

"Am I really destined to be trapped in this cage forever, a prisoner of his birds?" A wave of despair washed over Lin Ning, and tears involuntarily blurred her vision. She had once been a vibrant person, full of hope for the future, but now, amidst the power struggles of the court and Nangong Jin's twisted control, her edges had been gradually worn down, and her passion for life had slowly faded. Coupled with those previous dreams, she could no longer distinguish between reality and dreams.

Despite her despair, Lin Ning still held a sliver of hope for Nangong Ruoli's plan, however faint that hope was. She knew that Nangong Ruoli genuinely cared for her and was willing to take risks to help her escape. "Perhaps, a miracle really will happen," Lin Ning prayed silently, hoping that this time, she could truly break free and reclaim her freedom.

Time slipped by slowly in agonizing agony; each day felt like an eternity for Lin Ning, every single second filled with anxiety and unease. She didn't know how Nangong Ruoli's preparations were progressing, nor whether this adventure would succeed. But regardless of the outcome, she was determined to take the plunge, for she could no longer endure this lifeless existence.

Night fell, and as moonlight streamed through the window, bathing Lin Ning in its glow, she lay quietly in bed, gazing at the ceiling, lost in thought. "If I could really escape, I would find a place where no one knows me and start a new life." Lin Ning envisioned her future, even though she knew it might just be a distant dream. But this dream became her motivation to persevere, supporting her as she faced the unknown challenges ahead…