Jade of Another World

At the banquet, after the wonderful song and dance performance began, the melodious music and the graceful figures of the dancers seemed to have a unique magic, attracting everyone's attention. Everyone gathered around the banquet performance area.

Lin Ning had no interest in the song and dance performance and was just thinking of finding an excuse to leave the banquet. But the young prince, Nangong Yu, was very enthusiastic and pulled Lin Ning's arm, saying repeatedly, "Come on, Sister Lin, let's go see! The song and dance performance is wonderful, it would be a pity to miss it." Lin Ning couldn't refuse, so she had no choice but to be pulled along by Nangong Yu and walk towards the banquet.

The time for the song and dance performance passed quietly as everyone watched. When the music ended, the dancers gracefully bowed. Just as everyone was still immersed in the wonderful atmosphere, Nangong Jin did something that greatly surprised everyone present. With a solemn expression, he slowly walked to the center of the hall and knelt down in the direction of the emperor.

This instantly silenced the previously noisy banquet. Everyone quieted down and turned their gazes to Nangong Jin, waiting with curiosity and nervousness to hear what he was about to say.

Nangong Jin raised his head and said to the emperor with a sincere and firm expression, "Your Majesty, I humbly request Your Majesty to issue a decree of marriage, granting me and Miss Rosa our union. Miss Rosa and I are mutually in love and wish to become husband and wife, supporting each other for the rest of our lives. I hope Your Majesty will grant our request."

The emperor, seated on his dragon throne, frowned slightly upon hearing this. His gaze first swept over Prime Minister Lin, then settled on Lin Ning, his expression quite profound, making it difficult to discern his thoughts. After a moment of silence, the emperor slowly spoke, "This is a matter of great importance. I will consider it upon my return. Please rise."

But Nangong Jin seemed determined, as if he would never get up unless the emperor granted his request. He remained kneeling there, his eyes filled with unwavering determination, still determined to marry no one but Rosa.

Rosa, who was standing to the side, saw how awkward the scene had become and how embarrassed she looked. She quickly stepped forward, reached out to help Nangong Jin up, and whispered, "His Majesty said he would consider it. Please get up first, so as not to make things difficult for His Majesty."

Nangong Jin was slightly moved. He looked at Rosa with deep affection and slowly stood up. However, his eyes still revealed his expectation for the emperor's bestowal of marriage. Everyone present was secretly speculating about how the emperor would ultimately choose. The atmosphere of the banquet became increasingly subtle because of this sudden request for marriage.

Standing in the banquet, everything around Lin Ning seemed to blur, except for the scene of Nangong Jin kneeling on the ground begging the emperor to grant Rosa a marriage, which was imprinted in her mind with unparalleled clarity.

Past moments with Nangong Jin kept replaying in Lin Ning's mind. When they discussed matters together, the way Nangong Jin looked at her seemed to hold a unique tenderness and concern. When she treated him, the occasional smiles they exchanged stirred ripples in Lin Ning's heart. She had also secretly dreamt of the future in the quiet of the night, imagining that perhaps one day Nangong Jin would solemnly request the Emperor to grant them a decree, allowing them to become husband and wife and walk hand in hand through the long years to come.

But now, the cruel reality before her was like a bucket of cold water, mercilessly extinguishing all her fantasies. Nangong Jin, right before her eyes, so firmly and affectionately asked the emperor for a marriage decree, but the recipient was not her, but Rosa, who was nestled beside him.

Lin Ning felt as if a piece of her heart had been ripped out, leaving an empty void followed by endless disappointment and sadness. The feeling was like countless fine needles pricking her heart, the pain almost suffocating her. She finally understood that all her previous beautiful fantasies were nothing but a narcissistic joke. In Nangong Jin's heart, perhaps she had never held a place; it was all just wishful thinking on her part.

Lin Ning was immersed in her melancholy and dejection, her heart filled with bitterness and loss. Everything around her seemed veiled, somewhat unreal. Just then, Nangong Yu suddenly leaned closer, looking at her with bright eyes that held a hint of childlike innocence and cunning, and said, "See? I knew it would be exciting."

Lin Ning was slightly taken aback, somewhat caught off guard. She had no interest in pondering the so-called "brilliant" part of the young prince's words, and simply looked at Nangong Yu with a puzzled expression.

Nangong Yu, seemingly oblivious to Lin Ning's low spirits, continued, "Actually, none of my brothers, whether it's the Crown Prince or Brother Jin, are suitable for you. The Crown Prince is a deep and calculating man, ruthless in achieving his goals. Being with him means you might be used by him without even realizing it. As for Brother Jin, hmph, he's clearly not interested in you now. Why should you be upset over him?"

As she spoke, Nangong Yu puffed out her chest, looking proud and serious, and patted her chest, saying, "You can choose me. I'm much better than them. Although I'm still young, I know that I should be good to the person I like and won't make you sad like they did. I will definitely protect you in the future and won't let anyone bully you in the slightest."

Hearing Nangong Yu's childlike words, Lin Ning was initially both amused and exasperated, but a unique warmth welled up deep within her heart. In this moment of profound despair, the young prince's words, though tinged with childlike innocence, gently pulled her from her sorrowful state of mind. Looking at Nangong Yu's tender yet sincere face, she softly said, "Young prince, you're still too young. It's too early to say such things. When you grow up, you'll understand that many things aren't as simple as you think."

Nangong Yu persisted, saying, "I'm not a child. I know what I'm saying. I just think you're a good person and don't want to see you so sad. Please believe me this once."

Hearing Nangong Yu's childlike yet earnest words, Lin Ning couldn't help but smile slightly, almost bursting out laughing. But as soon as the thought crossed her mind, her heart tightened, and she secretly scolded herself: "Now is the time to feel heartbroken and sad. Nangong Jin has already asked for a marriage decree in front of everyone, how can I still laugh? This is so heartless and inappropriate."

Liu Yushu, with her keen observation, noticed the complex and subtle changes in Lin Ning's expression. She knew Lin Ning was definitely upset. Although the young prince's words had somewhat calmed her down, she still needed a quiet place to soothe her emotions. So, Liu Yushu gently tugged at Lin Ning's sleeve and whispered, "Sister, let's go for a walk in the garden. It's too crowded and noisy here. I need to get some fresh air."

Lin Ning understood and nodded, then followed Liu Yushu toward the garden. Unexpectedly, Nangong Yu saw them leaving and ran after them, calling out, "Hey, wait for me! I want to come too!"

Meanwhile, as soon as Lin Ning, Liu Yushu, and Nangong Yu left, Nangong Jin subconsciously glanced in that direction. Although he only caught a glimpse of their receding figures out of the corner of his eye, for some reason, he felt as if something sharp had pierced his heart. A sharp pain shot through him, causing his expression to change slightly. He himself was somewhat surprised. Why did seeing Lin Ning's departing figure elicit such a reaction? He was clearly hoping that the emperor would grant him and Rosa a marriage, yet the sudden pang of pain felt so real that he was momentarily stunned. Standing there, his brows furrowed, he fell into deep thought. He was completely baffled by this sudden change in emotion; he clearly didn't know that woman well.

The sounds of string and wind instruments continued to drift leisurely through the banquet. People chatted or enjoyed the singing and dancing. The banquet was already halfway over. The emperor sat on the high dragon throne, and his gaze inadvertently swept in the direction of the Right Chancellor. He saw that the Right Chancellor kept his head down, his face was slightly haggard, and his whole person exuded a suppressed sadness.

The emperor's heart stirred, recalling the disappearance of Peng Yingchun, the daughter of the Right Chancellor, and he asked with concern, "Right Chancellor, is there any news about Yingchun? I have been searching for her as well."

Upon hearing the emperor's words, the Right Chancellor trembled violently, then slowly rose and knelt down in the center of the hall with a thud. He covered his face with his hands, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably, and suppressed sobs escaped from between his fingers, sobs filled with a father's worry, longing, and deep helplessness for his daughter.

Seeing the Right Chancellor in such a state, everyone present felt a pang of sorrow and was deeply moved. Many ministers recalled Peng Yingchun's gentle and graceful demeanor, and seeing the Right Chancellor so grief-stricken, they sighed inwardly, lamenting the unpredictability of life. How could such a beautiful young woman suddenly disappear? They wondered where she was now and whether she was safe and sound.

In an instant, the atmosphere of the entire banquet became heavy. The originally cheerful atmosphere was shrouded in this sudden sadness, and the smiles on everyone's faces gradually disappeared. Everyone fell silent, looking at the Right Prime Minister, feeling heartbroken over the matter.

When Grand Tutor Liu stepped forward, his face was full of worry. He bowed slightly to the emperor, his voice revealing a hint of anxiety and concern: "Your Majesty, this old minister is truly deeply worried. My granddaughter, Lin Wan, has not contacted her family for a long time. I went to the Crown Prince's residence to visit her, hoping to inquire if he knew her whereabouts, but I was turned away at the door and could not see her at all."

These words stunned everyone present, and all eyes turned to the Crown Prince. Upon hearing this, the Emperor's face instantly darkened, and he flew into a rage, slamming his fist on the armrest of his throne. He roared, "Such a thing has happened! Crown Prince, what explanation do you have?"

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince turned pale with fright and immediately knelt down, trembling as he said, "Father, I... I know nothing about this matter, and I haven't seen Consort Lin recently."

The emperor, however, remained unmoved, glaring at the crown prince with a hint of disappointment and suspicion in his eyes: "Hmph, you didn't even bother to look for the missing person? Or did you do something to them?"

At this moment, the atmosphere of the entire banquet became extremely tense, and everyone remained silent, not daring to utter a sound. Seeing this, Grand Tutor Liu continued, "Your Majesty, this old minister knows that this matter is of great importance, but this old minister is truly worried about the safety of my granddaughter, and I hope Your Majesty will investigate thoroughly."

Both women had disappeared. They were both the Crown Prince's women, and no one would believe the Crown Prince was uninvolved. But surely the Crown Prince wouldn't kill them both; it wouldn't be good for him either, since he'd be the first suspect if things went wrong. The Crown Prince was frantic, having searched for so many days without success. Then Nangong Jin returned, making him even more hesitant to launch a large-scale search.

The emperor pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, his voice carrying an undeniable authority: "Nangong Jin, listen to my command! I order you to investigate this matter thoroughly immediately and get to the bottom of it. Anyone who dares to obstruct this will be severely punished!"

Nangong Jin hurriedly stepped forward, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist and accepted the order: "Yes, Your Majesty, your humble servant will do his utmost to find out the truth."

With the emperor issuing an order to thoroughly investigate Lin Wan's matter, the already chaotic banquet had to be hastily ended. Each person, harboring their own complex thoughts, bowed and took their leave, and soon the once lively banquet hall gradually quieted down.

Nangong Jin led Rosa out of the palace. His expression was somewhat forlorn, his heart filled with guilt towards Rosa. He gently held Rosa's hand and said in a low voice, "I'm truly sorry for you today. I had hoped to use this banquet to ask His Majesty for a marriage decree, so that you could rightfully spend your life with me. But I never expected it to end like this. I failed to achieve my wish and have disappointed you."

Rosa looked at Nangong Jin with tenderness and understanding in her eyes. She shook her head and said softly, "Brother Jin, don't blame yourself like this. His Majesty said he would consider it, so there is still hope. And even without this imperial decree of marriage, as long as we treat each other sincerely, what does it matter?"

Hearing Rosa's words, Nangong Jin was even more moved. He stopped and turned to face Rosa, placing his hands on her shoulders. He said earnestly, "Rosa, don't worry. Although I couldn't get the imperial decree for our marriage today, my promise to you will never change. I will definitely marry you and give you stability and honor. No matter what difficulties we encounter, I will never break the promise I made to you today. You will always be the person I cherish most."

Rosa's eyes reddened slightly. Looking into Nangong Jin's sincere eyes, she was deeply moved. She nodded gently and said, "Brother Jin, I believe you. As long as I can be with you, I don't care about anything else."

Nangong Jin embraced Rosa, resting his chin on the top of her head, and secretly vowed to deal with these matters as soon as possible, to fulfill his promise to Rosa, and to let her stay by his side without any worries.

After bidding farewell to Liu Yushu, Lin Ning hurriedly headed out of the palace, eager to leave this place that had stirred such complex emotions within her. But little did she expect that Nangong Yu would follow her like an unshakeable tail.

Lin Ning stopped helplessly, turned around to look at Nangong Yu, and said with a wry smile, "Young Prince, I'm about to leave the palace and return to my residence. You should go back too."

Nangong Yu blinked and said stubbornly, "No, I want to stay with you a little longer. Anyway, there's no point in going back now."

After much persuasion, Lin Ning finally managed to stop Nangong Yu from following her. After bidding him farewell, Lin Ning continued walking out of the palace. As she passed a corner of the palace wall, she glanced up and saw Nangong Jin and Rosa standing not far away, leaning on each other, so affectionate that it seemed as if they were the only two people in the world.

Lin Ning's steps faltered instinctively. She quietly watched the two men, a strange feeling welling up inside her for some reason. She pondered to herself that Nangong Jin seemed different this time. The previous Nangong Jin always exuded a heroic spirit, with an upright posture, resolute eyes, a heart for the world, and many important things to do. His spirited demeanor made people feel that he was a responsible and ambitious man.

But now, Lin Ning felt that he seemed to have lost his heroic spirit, as if he were completely caught up in this love affair, seemingly overly concerned with his relationship with Rosa. This must be what people call true love, as if nothing else mattered. Lin Ning couldn't help but think that as an emperor, one really should give people the impression of being ruthless and cold-blooded. If one is preoccupied with these matters of love and affection all day long, it always feels like one is incapable of fulfilling one's responsibilities, as if one has no mind for important matters of the court or the affairs of the nation. Sigh... Why am I worrying about these things now? Lin Ning helplessly bowed, withdrew his gaze, and quickened his pace towards the palace gates. Just as Lin Ning was about to hurry away, no longer paying attention to the intimate scene between Nangong Jin and Rosa, Nangong Jin looked up and happened to see Lin Ning standing not far away. For a moment, his gaze was fixed on Lin Ning, as if he had been frozen in place, stunned for a long while.

Fragments flashed through his mind in an instant. The fragments were chaotic, and the faces were sometimes Rosa and sometimes Shadow, but he couldn't quite explain what the feeling was.

Standing beside Nangong Jin, Rosa keenly sensed his unusual behavior. Following his gaze, she saw Lin Ning, and the gentle smile on her face instantly vanished, replaced by a look of disgust and aversion. This disgust was undisguised in her eyes. However, this aversion only lingered on Rosa's face for a moment before disappearing, replaced by a fleeting, wary glint in her eyes. Although that look appeared and disappeared quickly, Lin Ning still caught it. Lin Ning was slightly startled, thinking to herself, "This Rosa doesn't seem as simple-minded as she appears. Just seeing me and Nangong Jin exchange glances is enough to make her wary. She must be quite cunning. I wonder what thoughts lie behind this wariness?"

Although Lin Ning thought this in her heart, she still maintained a calm and composed appearance. She was slightly impolite, and then walked straight out of the palace gate without lingering. Only Nangong Jin was left in the same place, watching her departing figure with complicated eyes. Rosa, on the other hand, bit her lip slightly, looking in the direction Lin Ning went, with a thoughtful and sinister look in her eyes.