Jade of Another World

Since Nangong Jin went to the border, Lin Ning's life seemed to be shrouded in gloom. Every night, she would fall into the same terrible nightmare and find it hard to escape.

In that pitch-black dream, surrounded by a suffocating silence, Lin Ning felt as if she had returned to the desperate moment before her death in her previous life. She could clearly feel her body incredibly weak, her life slowly draining away. Just as she was struggling with all her might to see who the man standing before her, holding a knife to take her life, was, at the crucial moment, a tremendous grief would surge into her heart, instantly waking her from the dream.

Each time Lin Ning woke up with a start, she would gasp for breath, her forehead and body already soaked in cold sweat. Her thin clothes clung tightly to her back, and her hair was disheveled and stuck to her cheeks, making her look as if she had just been pulled out of the water. Her eyes were filled with terror and confusion, and it took her a while to come to her senses and realize that it was just a nightmare.

Xiao Cui stayed by Lin Ning's side, watching her young mistress grow thinner and thinner day by day. Her once round cheeks became sunken, her face grew paler and paler, and the dark circles under her eyes could not be concealed no matter what. Xiao Cui felt extremely distressed.

That night, Xiao Cui was awakened again by Lin Ning's screams. She quickly got up, lit a candle, and went to the bedside. Seeing Lin Ning's tormented appearance, her eyes immediately reddened. She quickly took a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from Lin Ning's forehead, saying worriedly, "Miss, did you have another nightmare? How can your body take such a torment every day?"

Lin Ning closed her eyes briefly to calm her racing mind, and said weakly, "Xiao Cui, but that dream felt so real. I feel like it's warning me about something... I..."

Xiao Cui helped Lin Ning sit up against the headboard, poured her a glass of warm water, and said softly, "Miss, don't think too much. Dreams are often the opposite of reality. Maybe it's because you worry too much that you have such nightmares. You must take good care of yourself. When Young Master Nangong returns victorious and sees you looking so haggard, he will be heartbroken."

Lin Ning took the water glass, took a small sip, and sighed softly, saying, "Xiao Cui, I know you're trying to comfort me, but I just can't shake off this unease. Why should he feel sorry for me when it's my own business? My nightmares aren't about him. You shouldn't talk nonsense like that in the future."

Xiao Cui frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "Yes, Miss, do you think we should find a high-ranking monk or Taoist priest to take a look at you? Maybe some unclean thing is bothering you and causing you to have such nightmares. Perhaps they can find a solution."

Lin Ning shook his head and said, "Xiao Cui, that's all a lie. You have to believe in science, you know?"

Xiao Cui shook her head and refused to leave. She stubbornly said, "Miss, I don't understand the science you're talking about. However, if you don't believe ordinary Taoist priests, you must believe the words of Master Ouyang of the Imperial Observatory. He is the Grand Master of the Imperial Observatory, which is responsible for observations for the royal family. He is very powerful. Why don't we ask him to take a look?"

Lin Ning looked at Xiao Cui and said with a smile, "So amazing?"

"It's really amazing, and it's also very hard to find."

"How can we ask if we can't find it?"

“Master Ouyang plays chess with the abbot of Yimei Garden and Fahua Temple on the first and fifteenth of each month. If you really have something to ask for, you can go to the chess room in Yimei Garden. You should be able to find it there,” Xiao Cui continued to chatter on.

"How did you know?" Lin Ning asked curiously.

“I’ve been there before,” Xiao Cui said.

"Oh? Does our Xiao Cui also have a request?" Lin Ning looked at Xiao Cui curiously.

“I… Miss was sent to the countryside. I went to Fahua Temple to beg for help. The young monks there said that if I had any requests, I could ask Master Ouyang to do a divination, and perhaps there would be a way to resolve them. So I went there to ask him,” Xiao Cui said.

Hearing Xiao Cui worry about her, Lin Ning felt very sad. She thought she must take good care of the people around her.

Did you see him later?

“I didn’t see him. I went, but there were too many people, and I couldn’t squeeze in. But when I came back, I heard from the people in the manor that Madam and the others had brought you back. I think he must have heard my request from afar.” Xiao Cui’s eyes were full of sincerity.

Lin Ning chuckled inwardly, thinking, "That's plausible." He didn't say anything more, simply replying, "Perhaps."

"Miss, please listen to my advice, let's go and ask the Taoist master."

"Okay, I'll ask when I have time." Lin Ning smiled and went back to sleep.

On the frontier battlefield, Nangong Jin frowned, pondering day and night for a way to break the deadlock. After much reconnaissance and planning, he finally identified a weak point in the enemy's defenses and decided to take a desperate gamble, gathering his forces to launch a fierce attack in an attempt to break through this defense line that had bound them like shackles for so long.

It was an exceptionally fierce battle, the shouts of battle deafening. Nangong Jin led the charge, his spear gleaming coldly in the sunlight, each swing sending sprays of blood through the air. He led his soldiers like a surging tide, charging towards the enemy's weak points. Liu Si, on the other side, provided close support, directing his soldiers to use clever tactics to hold back enemy forces from other directions, creating favorable conditions for Nangong Jin's assault.

The soldiers fought bravely, their hearts filled with determination. Despite the fierce enemy resistance and the relentless rain of arrows, they did not flinch, charging relentlessly towards the battlefield. Finally, after paying a heavy price, Nangong Jin and his men successfully broke through the enemy's lines, and the enemy began to retreat in disarray.

Knowing the principle of not pursuing a defeated enemy, Nangong Jin did not rashly pursue them. Instead, he ordered his soldiers to set up camp and rest near a nearby village. The villagers, who had been living in constant fear under the threat of war, came out of their homes upon seeing the army defeat the enemy. Their faces were filled with relief at surviving the ordeal and gratitude towards the soldiers.

A kind-hearted villager, seeing that Nangong Jin and his men still looked grave despite their victory, approached them to strike up a conversation. Learning that they wanted to further expand their gains and completely repel the enemy, but were unfamiliar with the complex terrain, the villager, without hesitation, patted his chest and said, "General, I've lived in this village my whole life. I know every blade of grass, every ditch and ridge in the area very well. I can guide you; I know how to get around to their rear."

Upon hearing this, Nangong Jin quickly thanked the uncle and immediately summoned his generals. Based on the terrain described by the uncle, they revised their battle plan. They decided to split into several groups and, under the cover of night, quietly outflank the enemy from the rear, led by the villager uncle.

As night fell and darkness enveloped the land, Nangong Jin and his men quietly began their operation. The soldiers moved with light steps, trying not to make a sound, following the predetermined route. The villager, though just an ordinary citizen, now acted like a seasoned general, accurately guiding the army and leading them smoothly past the enemy's heavy defenses to their rear.

With a resounding bugle call piercing the night sky, Nangong Jin led his soldiers like divine warriors descending from the heavens, launching a fierce attack from the enemy's rear. The enemy, who had been relaxed and resting, was thrown into chaos by this sudden attack.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Nangong Jin and his men launched a full-scale attack. Their morale was high, and their battle cries echoed throughout the valley. In this battle, the enemy was routed, fleeing in disarray and unable to mount any effective resistance. Nangong Jin and his forces achieved a resounding victory, completely repelling the enemy, recovering the occupied border territory, and protecting the peace of the local people.

When the news reached the capital, the court was filled with jubilation, and everyone praised Nangong Jin's bravery and skill in battle. Lin Ning, who was far away in the capital, finally smiled for the first time in many days after hearing the good news, and the huge weight in his heart was finally lifted.

After news of Nangong Jin and his men's great victory arrived from the border, the gloom that had lingered in Lin Ning's heart for so long seemed to dissipate considerably, and her mood gradually improved. Her face regained its former rosy hue, and a hint of a smile returned to her eyes; she was no longer as worried and sorrowful as before.

On this sunny day, Lin Ning received an invitation from Crown Princess Peng Yingchun, who said that the plum blossoms in Yimei Garden were in full bloom and invited her to go and admire them together. Lin Ning thought that she hadn't been out for a while, and going out for a walk to see the plum blossoms would be nice, so she gladly accepted.

When Lin Ning arrived at Yimei Garden, the Crown Princess was already waiting there. In the garden, plum trees were scattered in a pleasing, orderly fashion, their blossoms, some pink, some white, swaying gently in the breeze, like splendid clouds descending to earth, or like a group of fairies in flowing robes dancing gracefully. A delicate fragrance of plum blossoms filled the air, refreshing and intoxicating.

When Peng Yingchun saw Lin Ning arrive, she greeted her with a smile and said, "Miss Lin, you've finally arrived! The plum blossoms in Yimei Garden are blooming exceptionally well this year. We must take the time to appreciate them properly today."

Lin Ning bowed slightly and replied with a smile, "Thank you for the invitation, Your Highness. The scenery in this garden is truly breathtaking."

As they talked, the two strolled along the winding path through the plum grove, sometimes pausing to admire the beautiful flowers, and sometimes whispering about their recent adventures.

As they walked, they suddenly heard a slight noise ahead. They looked up and saw a man dressed in white robes standing under a plum tree not far away. The man was tall and slender with an extraordinary air about him. His black hair was casually tied up with a jade hairpin, and his face was as white as jade. His features were so exquisite that they seemed to have been sculpted. In particular, his eyes were deep and bright, as if they contained endless stars. He was looking up at the plum blossoms on the branches with a relaxed and contented expression. He exuded an otherworldly aura.

Lin Ning couldn't help but be curious. She had thought that only she and the Crown Princess had come to Yimei Garden today, but she didn't expect there to be other people. Moreover, judging from the man's clothes, he looked like a Taoist priest, but he was so young and handsome.

Seeing Lin Ning's gaze fall on the man, Peng Yingchun smiled and introduced him, "Miss Lin, this is Ouyang Qingchuan, also known as Young Master Ouyang. He is the royal family's personal astrologer, and he is very skilled in divination and fortune telling for the royal family. It is said that he is a close friend of Prince Xian. I'm sure Miss Lin knows him."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ning's heart stirred slightly. So this was Ouyang Qingchuan. Xiao Cui had mentioned this name before, but she never expected to meet him here today. Lin Ning said, "He didn't tell me. I'm not familiar with that prince."

Hearing a sound, Ouyang Qingchuan came to his senses, turned around to look at Lin Ning and Peng Yingchun, a gentle smile on his face, and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, Miss Lin, I apologize for my rudeness. I was so captivated by the beautiful plum blossoms that I neglected my manners. I hope you will forgive me."

Peng Yingchun smiled and waved her hand, saying, "Young Master Ouyang, what are you saying? The plum blossoms in Yimei Garden are meant for people to appreciate. You were admiring the plum blossoms and didn't notice anything else, so how could you be impolite?"

Lin Ning smiled and nodded in agreement, but inwardly she was curious about Ouyang Qingchuan. Such a young celestial master—could he really predict anything? It all seemed like a scam. She really wanted to test him sometime. Lin Ning found the thought amusing. This smile made the already beautiful plum blossom viewing time even more poetic and picturesque.

In the serene and elegant Yimei Garden, plum blossoms were in full bloom, their fragrance wafting in the air. The three chatted for a while longer, their words filled with ease and comfort, as if they had temporarily forgotten the troubles of the outside world.

However, seeing that it was getting late, the three decided to get up and go back. Just as they were about to leave, Master Ouyang suddenly stopped, a mysterious expression on his face. He turned to look at Lin Ning and slowly said, "Do you know that although dreams are illusory, everything has a cause and effect, and this dream also has a cause. Some things, whether you want to believe it or not, will come eventually, and you can't escape them."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ning was taken aback, a strange unease rising within her. She frowned slightly, looking at Master Ouyang with a puzzled expression, and asked, "What do you mean by that...?"

Master Ouyang simply smiled slightly, a smile that seemed to conceal endless meaning, and waved his hand, saying, "You may not understand now, but you will in the future. I am just speaking from the heart, so don't take it too seriously."

Peng Yingchun, listening from the side, was also completely confused. She tugged at Lin Ning's sleeve and whispered, "What this Taoist master is saying is so mysterious. I don't understand a word he's saying."

Lin Ning gently patted Peng Yingchun's hand, signaling her not to ask any more questions, but her own heart felt heavy, as if a large stone was pressing down on it. Master Ouyang was always known for his extraordinary words, and his words today certainly weren't unfounded. It seemed he knew about her nightmares, but his words were ambiguous and left her confused. Furthermore, she couldn't fathom what he meant by cause and effect.

The three of them, each with their own thoughts, slowly walked out of Yimei Garden. However, Ouyang Tianshi's mysterious words lingered in Lin Ning's mind like a riddle, making her somewhat absent-minded on the way back. She kept pondering the deeper meaning behind them, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt that something major was hidden behind it. However, everything was still unknown.

After returning from Yimei Garden, Lin Ning sat in her room with a furrowed brow, her mind replaying Ouyang Tianshi's mysterious words. "Though dreams are illusions, they also have a cause. What is meant to come will come..." These simple words, like a fog, lingered in her mind, impossible to dispel.

She pondered to herself, the Celestial Master was always unfathomable and wouldn't say such things without reason. Could it be that he knew about her recent nightmares? But she didn't know many people around her about this. After thinking it over, she felt it was highly likely that Xiao Cui had inquired with the Celestial Master, which was why the Celestial Master was giving her such subtle advice. Thinking this, Lin Ning summoned Xiao Cui. As soon as Xiao Cui entered the room, she saw her mistress's serious expression and her heart skipped a beat. She thought she had done something wrong and timidly asked, "Miss, what did you call me here for?"

Lin Ning looked at Xiao Cui with a hint of inquiry in his eyes and asked, "Xiao Cui, let me ask you, did you ask Master Ouyang about my nightmares?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Cui was taken aback at first, then quickly shook her head and said innocently, "Miss, I haven't had a chance to ask yet. You've had many worries these past few days, and I was thinking of finding a suitable time to ask the Taoist priest to see if he could help you interpret the dream and get rid of this nightmare, but I've been busy with many things at the manor these past two days, and I've been delayed. What's wrong? Has something happened?"

Hearing Xiao Cui's answer, Lin Ning became even more puzzled. If Xiao Cui hadn't asked, how did Master Ouyang know about her nightmares? And why did he say such meaningful things? The reason behind it was truly baffling. She sighed softly, waved her hand, and said, "It's alright, Xiao Cui, you can go now. I'll think about it some more."

Xiao Cui responded, though her heart was full of doubts, she dared not ask any more questions and withdrew. Lin Ning, on the other hand, fell into deep thought again. She really couldn't figure out what kind of mystery was hidden behind this, but the vague sense of unease grew stronger, as if something was about to happen, and she was completely unprepared and unable to prepare.