Jade of Another World

The next morning, Lin Ning got up early and carefully disguised herself. She changed into a simple set of men's clothing, tied her hair up high, and covered most of her face with a cloth, leaving only her bright eyes visible. After confirming that her disguise would not be easily recognized, she quietly left the house and headed towards the estate.

Throughout the journey, Lin Ning was filled with worry for Lin Wan and Peng Yingchun, and her pace quickened unconsciously. Finally, she arrived at the manor. The manor looked quiet and secluded, surrounded by green trees, a good place to hide.

Lin Ning walked into the manor with practiced ease and quickly found the house where Lin Wan and Peng Yingchun were. Lin Wan and Peng Yingchun were taken aback when they saw Lin Ning's sudden arrival, and then their faces lit up with surprise and delight.

Lin Ning, without bothering with pleasantries, hurriedly told the two that the Emperor had appointed Nangong Jin to investigate their disappearance. Upon hearing this, Lin Wan frowned slightly and said with some worry, "Nangong Jin is here to investigate? What should we do?"

Peng Yingchun nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, he knows we've been hiding here. I'm afraid we'll be sent back to the Crown Prince's residence again."

Lin Ning gently patted the two of them on the shoulders and comforted them, "Don't panic. Nangong Jin may not be able to come right away, but we're not without a plan. I came here today to discuss with you what to do next."

The three sat together and began to carefully discuss how to deal with Nangong Jin's investigation. Lin Ning analyzed, "Nangong Jin didn't tell the truth on the spot, perhaps he's giving us a chance."

Lin Wan pondered for a moment and realized something was wrong. Lin Ning probably didn't know that the person who brought them here wasn't Nangong Jin. Lin Ning said with considerable worry, "Since he didn't mention our affairs in the main hall, perhaps he wanted to protect us, and also didn't want the Crown Prince to have any suspicions about him."

Peng Yingchun thought for a moment and added, "Yes, as long as we don't give ourselves away, and we need to be even more careful in the village, try not to go out, and avoid being discovered, he shouldn't betray us."

Lin Ning nodded in agreement: "Yes, let's leave it at that for now. However, we don't know what Nangong Jin is thinking, so we need to make other preparations just in case."

In the tranquil manor, Lin Wan and Peng Yingchun, after a period of rest, had recovered remarkably well. Lin Ning looked at them, feeling somewhat relieved, but the current situation remained grim. The three of them sat together, earnestly discussing how to deal with the situation.

Lin Wan spoke first, her eyes revealing a hint of determination: "We can't just sit here and wait to die. Since Nangong Jin has already started the investigation, we have to take the initiative. I think we can send someone to deliver a letter to Grand Tutor Liu and the Right Chancellor, explaining the whole story, so that we don't not know how to deal with the situation when the investigation reaches our home."

Peng Yingchun nodded slightly in agreement: "That makes sense, but who should we send? The person must be clever enough and not easily discovered."

After thinking for a moment, Lin Ning said, "I have a maid named Xiao Cui by my side. She is meticulous and reliable. I can send her. I will also disguise her to make things even safer."

Lin Wan continued, "Also, we need to plan our escape route in advance in case we get caught. Although this manor is secluded, it's not an absolutely safe place. Perhaps we can prepare some disguises in case of emergency, so that even if we are exposed, we can buy some time to escape."

Peng Yingchun's eyes lit up: "That's right, I've heard of an extremely sophisticated disguise technique that can completely change a person's appearance, making them unrecognizable. I know a martial arts master who might be able to help us get such a disguise. I'll have my maid try to contact him."

Lin Ning added, "Furthermore, we cannot ignore the people around Nangong Jin. None of his confidants are easy to deal with. If they find out, it will put us in a very passive position."

The three women discussed and refined their strategy, though the road ahead was fraught with difficulties. They supported and relied on each other, determined to fight for a chance to survive in this complex situation. However, whether their plan could be successfully implemented and whether they could truly deceive everyone remained uncertain. They could only proceed cautiously in the face of this uncertainty. Lin Wan and Peng Yingchun really did not want to return to that hellhole, but the royal family, for the sake of its reputation, would never allow the Crown Princess to divorce.

Lin Wan and Peng Yingchun sat at the table, their expressions solemn. They held pens but hesitated to write, their hearts filled with complex emotions. They knew that this letter carried too much helplessness and resolve; once sent, it might mean that they were going down completely different paths from their family.

Lin Wan took a deep breath and began to write. The pen tip traced lines of text on the paper, each line filled with her grievance and determination: "Father, Mother, Grandfather, seeing this letter is like seeing you in person. Your unfilial daughter can only communicate with you in this way now. I am in a difficult situation right now, and I'm sure you at home have already noticed my disappearance and are very worried. But I really can't tell you where I am, for fear of bringing even greater disaster to your family."

As Peng Yingchun watched Lin Wan write, her eyes gradually reddened. She slowly began to write as well: "Father and Mother, my heart is filled with bitterness. I know you must be extremely worried, but the situation is really critical. That man is ruthless. The various experiences I had in the manor have shown me his true colors. Now he is probably no longer of any use to me. If I go back there, only death awaits me."

Lin Wan continued, “I will never return to that land of tigers and wolves. Even if I have to live on the run, I do not want to fall into such a dangerous situation again. I beg my parents and grandfather to pretend that I have never existed. In this way, perhaps the family can be kept safe and sound, and I can stay here in peace to avoid disaster.”

Peng Yingchun's tears fell onto the letter, blurring the ink. She forced back her sobs and continued writing: "I hope you will stop looking for me. I will do my best to protect myself. I only wish that you, my parents, take care of yourselves and not worry too much about us. Once the storm has passed and there is still a chance, I will definitely find a way to reunite with my family. I hope you will understand my predicament."

After finishing writing the letter, the two carefully folded the paper, put it in an envelope, and sealed it. Lin Wan summoned a trusted servant from the estate and instructed him, "Make sure this letter is delivered safely to Xiao Cui at home. Do not let anything go wrong."

The servant took the letter, nodded solemnly, and turned to arrange its delivery. Lin Wan and Peng Yingchun watched the servant's departing figure, their eyes filled with reluctance and worry. They knew that this parting might mean never seeing their family again. To survive, to avoid being harmed by the Crown Prince, they had no choice but to make this helpless decision. In the face of power, human life was worthless. They only hoped that their families would understand their plight and that they could live peacefully and smoothly from now on.

With trembling hands, Peng Youxiang took the letter. When he saw the familiar handwriting, his eyes instantly reddened. He eagerly opened the letter and read the contents written by his daughter, Peng Yingchun, word by word. The more he read, the more mixed his feelings became. He was heartbroken for his daughter's current predicament, but also relieved to know that she was still alive.

Thinking of the ordeal his daughter recounted in her letter, Peng Youxiang could almost picture her terrified face. She was his beloved daughter, whom he cherished dearly, yet now she had to hide and constantly face danger. How could this not break his heart as a father? Even so, as long as his daughter was alive, that was his greatest comfort.

Peng Youxiang raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears that kept welling up in his eyes with his sleeve. The turbid tears slid down his cheeks and soaked his clothes. He secretly vowed in his heart that no matter what, he must keep this matter a secret for his daughter and never let her be found out. Even if it cost him everything, he would protect his daughter and ensure that she could safely escape this disaster.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Grand Tutor Liu unfolded Lin Wan's letter and, as he read its contents, a smile gradually appeared on his face. Everything seemed to be developing more and more in the direction he had hoped for. Grand Tutor Liu had long been dissatisfied with the Crown Prince's various actions and knew well that the Crown Prince was ruthless. Lin Wan staying in the Crown Prince's residence meant she would inevitably confront him directly. This outcome was not bad. He secretly calculated that as long as he could continue to stabilize the situation and take advantage of Nangong Jin's investigation, he might be able to completely bring down the Crown Prince, forcing the wicked Crown Prince to abdicate, and perhaps achieving the result he desired.

Grand Tutor Liu silently plotted how to use the current situation to bring down the Crown Prince, his eyes revealing a hint of shrewdness and determination.

First, he decided to fuel Nangong Jin's investigation into the disappearances of Lin Wan and Peng Yingchun. Grand Tutor Liu knew Nangong Jin was an upright man, deeply trusted by the Emperor. He would subtly provide Nangong Jin with clues about the Crown Prince's misdeeds, without appearing overtly obvious. For example, he would have someone secretly leak rumors to Nangong Jin's subordinates about the Crown Prince's past ruthless methods in achieving his goals and the potential harm he might have inflicted on those around him, including Lin Wan and Peng Yingchun. These clues would gradually converge on Nangong Jin, guiding him to suspect the Crown Prince.

Secondly, Grand Tutor Liu began contacting ministers in the court who had grudges against the Crown Prince. Under the pretext of concern for the court's situation and the future of the nation, he would subtly expose the Crown Prince's ambition and ruthless methods in private gatherings or secret talks. These ministers were already dissatisfied with some of the Crown Prince's actions, and under Grand Tutor Liu's persuasion, they were likely to unite and form a force against the Crown Prince. Grand Tutor Liu would then discuss with them how to subtly raise the Crown Prince's issues in court, causing the Emperor's trust in the Crown Prince to waver.

Then, Grand Tutor Liu also planned to leverage the power of public opinion. He would arrange for reliable individuals to intentionally or unintentionally spread negative rumors about the Crown Prince in teahouses, taverns, and other places where people gathered in the capital. These rumors would slowly ferment among the people, attracting their attention and sparking discussion. When this public opinion grew loud enough, it would reach the palace like a gust of wind, reaching the emperor's ears. After all, a Crown Prince who had lost the hearts of the people would have his standing in the emperor's eyes greatly diminished.

Furthermore, Grand Tutor Liu would closely monitor the Crown Prince's every move. He secretly instructed his trusted men to spy on the Crown Prince's residence, including the movement of people and goods, in order to find evidence of the Crown Prince forming cliques or engaging in other illegal or disorderly conduct. Once any clues were discovered, the evidence would be immediately presented to Nangong Jin or directly to the Emperor, leaving the Crown Prince no room for defense.

Finally, Grand Tutor Liu would use Lin Wan and Peng Yingchun's plight as a weapon to attack the Crown Prince at the opportune moment. He would choose a suitable time, such as during a discussion of palace affairs or security issues in court, to subtly mention that Lin Wan and Peng Yingchun's disappearance might be related to the Crown Prince, thereby inciting the Emperor's wrath and plunging the Crown Prince into an irrecoverable predicament. However, all of this required meticulous planning and precise timing. Grand Tutor Liu was well aware of the risks, but he was willing to take the plunge in order to bring down the Crown Prince. Therefore, he instructed Consort Liu, "For now, it's safe for Lin Wan to hide outside. Don't send anyone to look for her, and don't tell that person surnamed Lin about this matter. Only in this way can Lin Wan be safe outside." Consort Liu wiped away her tears and said helplessly, "I understand, Father."

Upon receiving the emperor's commission, Nangong Jin immediately launched an investigation. He was meticulous by nature and had a group of capable people under his command. After some investigation, he quickly discovered some subtle clues that were not easily noticed.

Although these clues seemed scattered, after Nangong Jin meticulously unraveled and analyzed them, they all subtly pointed to the Crown Prince. Nangong Jin dared not slacken in the slightest and hurriedly reported everything he had found to the Emperor.

Upon hearing these reports, the emperor's face instantly darkened, and a surge of anger flared within him. His highly anticipated crown prince was implicated in so many murky matters; how could he not be furious? Immediately, the emperor ordered a thorough investigation of the crown prince's personal guards, determined to uncover the whole truth behind it all.