Jade of Another World

Lin Ning was escorted by men in black, her doubts growing ever more tangled. Amidst the jolting, she pondered, convinced that this was yet another trap set by Nangong Jin to drag her back to the suffocating palace. However, as she observed the men in black, she gradually realized that things might not be so simple.

The way those men in black moved, their fighting style, and their unique aura were all completely different from Nangong Jin's personal guards. Lin Ning was quite familiar with the people around Nangong Jin; those guards were all tall and upright, with sharp eyes and a strict style of conduct. But these men in black exuded an unfamiliar ruthlessness. From their clothing to their behavior, they carried an exotic aura, unlike the people of Dayu.

"Could it not be Nangong Jin? Then who could it be?" Lin Ning wondered to herself, various thoughts flashing through her mind. Her nerves were on edge as she vigilantly observed everything around her, trying to find the answer from these subtle clues.

When the man in black led her to a private residence, Lin Ning's heart sank. The residence had a unique architectural style, ornate yet mysterious, quite different from the architectural style of Dayu. Before she could observe it closely, a person walked out of the residence, and Lin Ning's guess was instantly confirmed upon closer inspection—the person was none other than Wanyan Qing's personal maid.

"Lin Ning, you've finally arrived. My princess has been waiting for you for so long." The maidservant wore a smug smile, her eyes full of provocation.

A surge of anger welled up in Lin Ning's heart. How could she not have thought of that idiot Wanyan Qing, who would actually send people to intercept her on the way?

"What exactly does Wanyan Qing want? If she has the guts, make her come out and see me in person!" Lin Ning gritted his teeth and said, suppressing his anger.

The maid sneered, "My princess will naturally see you, but before that, you'd better behave yourself, or you'll regret it." With that, the maid waved her hand, and the man in black pushed Lin Ning into the mansion.

Lin Ning was led to a room, the door slamming shut, isolating her from the outside world. She looked around; the room was luxuriously furnished yet exuded a sinister atmosphere, sending a chill down her spine. She knew that what awaited her was Wanyan Qing's torment and harassment, but she secretly vowed to find a way to escape and continue her search…

Lin Ning was shoved and brought before Wanyan Qing. The ropes binding her were painfully tight, but there was no fear on her face. She looked up and stared straight at Wanyan Qing, who sat smugly in the main seat, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

"You did this without Nangong Jin knowing, didn't you?" Lin Ning's voice was neither humble nor arrogant, but carried a hint of certainty. She knew Nangong Jin too well; if he knew that Wanyan Qing had so blatantly attacked her, he certainly wouldn't stand idly by. Furthermore, if Nangong Jin knew that she was still alive, he might not really let her go.

Wanyan Qing's previously upturned lips stiffened slightly, and a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes. She hadn't expected that even at this point, Lin Ning could remain so calm, and even dare to question her. "You're still so arrogant even when you're about to die! Without Nangong Jin protecting you, let's see who can stop me from killing you today!" Wanyan Qing slammed her hand on the table, stood up, and glared angrily at Lin Ning.

Lin Ning remained unmoved. She gently shook her head, her eyes filled with contempt. "Wanyan Qing, do you think you can win Nangong Jin's love by killing me? You're wrong. He has never had you in his heart. Your foolish behavior will only make him despise you more."

Wanyan Qing's face instantly turned bright red, and she trembled with anger. "Shut up! You wretch, how dare you talk nonsense! Nangong Jin is just bewitched by you. Once you're dead, he will naturally understand my feelings."

"Confused?" Lin Ning sneered. "If he were truly confused, why would he allow you to make things difficult for me so many times? He's just using you. You're nothing but a pawn in his game, yet you foolishly believe you can win his heart."

Hearing Lin Ning's words, Wan Yanqing felt a surge of panic. She didn't want to believe what Lin Ning said, but deep down she vaguely felt that Lin Ning was right. She had always deeply loved Nangong Jin and would do anything for him, but Nangong Jin had always been distant and aloof towards her.

"You're lying! You're trying to sow discord between me and His Majesty! Today I will kill you to vent my hatred!" Wanyan Qing shouted hoarsely. With a wave of her hand, the guards beside her drew their long swords and approached Lin Ning step by step.

Lin Ning felt a surge of tension as the guards approached, but she maintained her composure. She knew that if she showed even a hint of fear, Wanyan Qing would become even more smug. "Wanyan Qing, if you kill me, Nangong Jin will not let you go. At that time, you will lose not only his love, but also your life," Lin Ning said loudly, trying to intimidate Wanyan Qing.

Wanyan Qing paused slightly, her hands stopping their movements. She looked at Lin Ning, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. Although she hated Lin Ning intensely, she dared not truly disregard Nangong Jin's wrath. "I... I won't let him know I killed you. As long as I handle the faked death you orchestrated properly, he won't suspect me," Wanyan Qing said through gritted teeth, her voice trembling involuntarily...

Lin Ning's gaze was fixed on Wanyan Qing, his eyes seemingly able to see through every trace of fear in her heart. Hearing Wanyan Qing mention the matter of faking her death, Lin Ning's smile became even more composed, though the smile did not reach his eyes.

"Oh? Are you sure he really doesn't know?" Lin Ning raised her chin slightly, her tone full of provocation. "Don't forget, Nangong Jin is cunning and ruthless. How many things in the palace can be kept from him? This fake death plan seems flawless, but in his eyes, it might just be an interesting game."

Wanyan Qing's face turned pale instantly, and her hands unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes, a sense of unease rising in her heart. She had always thought that Lin Ning's successful feigned death and escape was because she had seized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but now, after hearing Lin Ning's words, she began to doubt whether she had been too naive.

"You...you're talking nonsense!" Wanyan Qing tried to remain calm, but her voice trembled slightly. "Even if he knows, so what? As long as I do it cleanly, he has no evidence, so what can he do to me?"

Lin Ning sneered and took a step forward, her imposing manner undiminished despite being bound by ropes. "Wanyan Qing, you overestimate yourself. If Nangong Jin wanted to investigate, wouldn't he have plenty of evidence? Besides, do you think killing me will make him look at you differently? You're wrong. He has special feelings for me. Killing me will only make him hate you to the core." Lin Ning paused, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, "...He has special feelings for me. Killing me will only make him hate you to the core."

"Impossible! How could he do this to you..." Wanyan Qing's voice stopped abruptly. She recalled the complicated look in Nangong Jin's eyes when he looked at Lin Ning, and the unease in her heart grew stronger.

"Don't forget, you come from Nanzhao, your entire clan is in Nanzhao." Lin Ning continued, her voice cold and sharp. "If Nangong Jin were to take his anger out on you, with his methods, wiping out your entire clan would be an easy matter. Are you really willing to gamble the lives of your entire clan for a moment of hatred?"

Wanyan Qing's body trembled slightly. Lin Ning's words struck her heart like a heavy hammer. She had been blinded by jealousy and hatred, only thinking of getting rid of Lin Ning, but never considering the consequences. Now, hearing Lin Ning's words, she began to regret her impulsiveness.

"You...you?" Wanyan Qing's voice carried a hint of pleading. She looked at Lin Ning, the fierceness in her eyes long gone, replaced by fear and panic.

Seeing Wanyan Qing's reaction, Lin Ning secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She knew her words had worked. "Whether it's true or not, you know in your heart. Releasing me is better for both of us. Otherwise, you will face Nangong Jin's uncontrollable rage," Lin Ning said, her tone carrying an undeniable authority.

Wanyan Qing fell silent...