Jade of Another World

Nangong Jin stood in the main hall with a cold expression, his eyes revealing an unwavering determination. He looked at the ministers who had just been urging him to ascend the throne first, his heart filled with resentment and disappointment.

"You keep saying it's for the sake of the country and the stability of the court, but in my opinion, your actions completely disregard my filial piety as your son!" Nangong Jin's voice, filled with suppressed anger, echoed in the empty hall, causing all the ministers to lower their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

“Although I am the Crown Prince, I am also the son of the Emperor. The kindness of raising and nurturing me is as high as the heavens and as deep as the earth. Now that the Emperor has just passed away and his body is not yet cold, you want me to leave the Emperor’s body in front of this cold hall and hastily hold the coronation ceremony for the sake of power and status. Is this the behavior of a son?” Nangong Jin became more and more agitated as he spoke, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists and his body trembling slightly, which was a manifestation of his suppressed grief and anger.

"I absolutely cannot do that. I want my father to be laid to rest in peace in his mausoleum. Only after all the funeral arrangements have been completed according to proper etiquette will I consider the enthronement ceremony. And you, as his subjects, do not think about how to better assist me in fulfilling my filial duties, but only think about me ascending the throne as soon as possible. This truly chills my heart!" Nangong Jin's words were sharp, each one striking heavily at the hearts of the ministers.

Then, Nangong Jin's face darkened, and he shouted loudly, "Guards! Drag all these ministers who proposed to succeed to the throne away and punish them with twenty strokes of the cane as a warning to others, so that you will all understand what filial piety and the proper etiquette between ruler and subject are!"

The guards obeyed and stepped forward. The ministers were immediately terrified and turned pale, begging for mercy: "Your Highness, please forgive us! We were only loyal and thought only of the country and its people. We had no other intentions. Please have mercy!" However, Nangong Jin was determined and remained unmoved. He simply watched coldly as the guards dragged them out of the hall.

After the ministers were dragged away, Nangong Jin slowly walked outside the hall, gazing at the direction of the mourning hall where the emperor's body lay, his eyes filled with sorrow. He murmured to himself, "Father, I will not let you leave in the slightest grievance. I will ensure you go to the Yellow Mausoleum in glory. Go in peace. I will handle the affairs of the court properly..."

After that, Nangong Jin devoted himself wholeheartedly to organizing the national funeral, personally overseeing every aspect and striving for perfection in every detail. He wanted to express his final respect and filial piety to his father through practical actions. Even with many different voices and pressures from the outside world, he remained steadfast, hoping only to ensure that the emperor could be peacefully buried in the Huangling Mausoleum.

Nangong Jin was immersed in grief over the loss of her father, but she also forced herself to be strong and carefully checked every detail of the funeral to ensure that everything was carried out in an orderly manner in strict accordance with etiquette.

Every day, he would personally go to the mourning hall to check whether the offerings were placed properly, whether the incense and candles were burning correctly, and whether the palace servants keeping vigil were fulfilling their duties. He also meticulously checked many details, such as the funeral procession, the size of the procession, and the route, repeatedly discussing them with officials from the Ministry of Rites, allowing no room for error. In his heart, only when the funeral was conducted properly and in accordance with etiquette could he fulfill his final filial duty as a son and allow his father's spirit in heaven to rest in peace.

However, just as Nangong Jin was focused on the national mourning, various forces could no longer contain themselves and began to stir.

Those vassal kings who had long coveted the throne secretly gathered their trusted advisors and plotted in their respective fiefdoms how to take advantage of the chaos, or openly use the pretext of going to the capital to offer condolences, but in reality, they wanted to spy on the situation in the court and find an opportunity to gain greater benefits for themselves, or even try to seize the supreme throne.

Some ministers in the court, harboring ulterior motives, secretly colluded. Some wanted to support their favorite factions before the new emperor officially ascended the throne, hoping to gain more power in the court later. Currently, there were both former subordinates supporting Nangong Jin and those supporting Nangong Yu. Other corrupt officials attempted to exploit the turmoil to enrich themselves, tampering with funeral arrangements, embezzling funds, and substituting supplies, completely disregarding the fact that this was a matter of national dignity and the honor of the late emperor.

Some sects in the martial arts world, who usually have intricate ties with the imperial court, are not content to remain idle at this time. Some, incited by certain forces, are preparing to disrupt the funeral procession and create chaos; others want to take this opportunity to expand their influence, make a name for themselves in the martial arts world during this turbulent time, and pave the way for future development.

Beneath the seemingly calm surface, undercurrents surged. The subtle maneuvers of various factions, like venomous snakes lurking in the shadows, were poised to strike at any moment, delivering a fatal blow to the court, which was still grieving for its lost nation. Nangong Jin had already sensed the many crises lurking behind the scenes and felt a vague unease. However, at the moment, his mind was mainly focused on the late emperor's funeral, hoping to first ensure his father's peaceful burial before dealing with the impending storm.

Nangong Jin devoted himself entirely to organizing the late emperor's funeral, striving for perfection. However, he never expected that one of his closest confidantes, Crown Princess Rosa, would gradually reveal her true colors.

In the past, Rosa was always seen as gentle, generous, and well-mannered. She accompanied Nangong Jin, behaving impeccably whether attending palace banquets or in the Crown Prince's residence, making her seem like a rare and virtuous wife. However, in reality, she was the Holy Maiden of Nanzhao, Yu Luosha, who had always concealed her true identity and sinister intentions. She was not the kind person she appeared to be; calling her venomous would not be an exaggeration.

Now that the late emperor has passed away, Nangong Jin is only one step away from the supreme throne, while Rosa is also within reach of her coveted position as empress. This attainable honor fuels her growing urgency, and the ambition and desire hidden deep within her grow wildly like weeds.

She often paced alone in her palace, her eyes gleaming with calculation as she pondered, "I've gone to great lengths and endured so much, and now I've finally waited for this perfect opportunity. As long as Nangong Jin ascends the throne smoothly, I will become the Empress of Dayu. At that time, the entire harem and even the whole world will be under my control. But there can't be any mistakes along the way. I need to think of a way to ensure that everything goes according to my plan."

She began secretly gathering the forces she had previously placed in various locations, instructing them to closely monitor the movements of court officials and various factions to see if anyone could hinder Nangong Jin's ascension to the throne. At the same time, she also hatched a wicked plan, thinking that if she could perform well in front of Nangong Jin, he would rely on her more. However, fortunately, she already had that advantage, and her position as empress was already quite secure.

Of course, she also harbored even more wicked thoughts. If anyone dared to stand in her way or hinder her from becoming empress, she would eliminate them by any means necessary, even if it meant rivers of blood. Rosa had completely abandoned her former facade of gentleness, revealing her selfish and ruthless nature. Nangong Jin, however, remained oblivious, still immersed in the grief of losing his father and the busy preparations for the funeral.

Under Lin Ning's meticulous care, Xuan Yuanche's injuries had largely healed, and he had regained much of his former vitality, once again displaying his former spiritedness. Lin Ning then returned with Xuan Yuanche to the Jingji Auction House in the capital, intending to first assess the situation there. As soon as they stepped into the auction house, Uncle Zhong, who was in charge of managing it, hurriedly came to greet them. His face was grave, and his eyes were full of worry. Upon seeing Lin Ning, he quickly said, "Miss Lin, you've finally returned! A major event has occurred in the capital. The emperor has passed away, and the entire city has fallen into chaos."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ning was startled and her brows furrowed tightly. She knew what the emperor's death meant for the entire Dayu. Various factions in the court would inevitably vie for power, the security of the capital would be difficult to guarantee, and the lives of the people would likely become difficult.

She couldn't help but feel secretly relieved. Luckily, she had been quick-witted and sensed the potential change in the situation, sending a message by carrier pigeon to Liu Erlang, asking him to send Lin Wan out of Dayu. With the capital in such chaos, it would be far too unsafe for Lin Wan to remain here. Lin Ning thought to herself.

Lin Ning turned to look at Xuan Yuanche, her eyes filled with worry, and said, "Young Master Xuan Yuan, the situation in the capital is really bad right now. We must be careful. I don't know when this chaotic situation will be resolved."

Xuan Yuanche nodded slightly, his expression equally serious. His gaze was calm as he comforted Lin Ning, saying, "Miss Lin, don't be afraid. I'm here. No matter how chaotic things are in the capital, I will protect you. Besides, I know Nangong Jin's abilities; he should be able to bring the situation under control soon. However, we should first find out the situation of all parties involved so that we can make plans in advance and avoid being dragged into this unnecessary conflict."

A warm feeling welled up in Lin Ning's heart. She glanced gratefully at Xuan Yuanche, then went into the house with Uncle Zhong. Lin Ning explained Xuan Yuanche's situation to him in detail. Uncle Zhong smiled and said, "No wonder he looks so similar. I see. Very good, very good." Afterward, the three of them discussed ways to deal with the current chaotic situation. After all, in such turbulent times, a slight misstep could lead to danger.

The night was deep, and the entire Crown Prince's residence was immersed in a solemn and oppressive atmosphere. After all, the late emperor's funeral was still underway, and everyone in the residence was being extremely careful, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

Inside Rosa's palace, the candlelight flickered, casting dappled shadows on the walls, adding to the eerie atmosphere. At that moment, a trusted aide quietly delivered a secret letter, handed it to Rosa, and quickly withdrew.

Rosa took the secret letter, her expression turning solemn. By the dim candlelight, she carefully read through its contents, her eyes flashing with surprise at times, and thoughtful contemplation at others. After finishing, she slowly withdrew her gaze, expressionless, and brought the letter close to the candlelight, watching as the paper was slowly consumed by the flames and turned to ashes, as if this could completely bury the letter's contents.

Seeing this, Rosa's bodyguard couldn't help but ask, "Is this news from over there?" Rosa gave a soft "hmm," her tone tinged with disdain, and said, "They want to make their move ahead of time and push that little one into power."

Upon hearing this, Deadpool immediately became anxious and hurriedly asked, "What should we do, Master?" His face was full of worry, after all, the matter they were planning could not afford any mistakes, and the slightest carelessness would lead to utter ruin.

Rosa gave a slight sneer, a ruthless glint in her eyes, and said resolutely, "We are about to succeed. I am only one step away from that position, and I will become the highest-ranking person under the master. Why should I still be subservient to others? In the past, I only cooperated with them temporarily, each getting what they needed. Now that we have reached this crucial moment, this time I only want to win. No one can stop me. Those who stand in my way will only face death."

Having said that, Rosa rose and paced back and forth in the room. Her magnificent robes swayed gently with her movements, but now they lacked their usual elegance, instead exuding a sinister aura. As she paced, she secretly plotted how to deal with the forces that wanted to act prematurely, and how to take advantage of the current chaotic situation to maximize her own interests, ensuring her smooth ascension to the throne and control of the harem and even the entire Dayu Kingdom.

Deep within the palace, Consort Xi, though confined to her own palace due to previous events and with her movements restricted in every way, never died of hatred. For many years, she had painstakingly cultivated a network of spies throughout the palace, these spies acting as her eyes, allowing her to constantly monitor the actions of various factions within the palace.

As night fell, the entire palace was enveloped in tranquility, broken only by the occasional footsteps of patrolling guards. At this moment, Consort Xi sat in the palace, her eyes filled with a sense of loneliness and resentment. Her thoughts kept drifting back to her deceased son, and each time she thought of him, a sharp pain pierced her heart.

Suddenly, a spy silently entered the palace, approached Consort Xi, bowed respectfully, and then reported in a low voice: "Your Highness, I have learned today that Consort De and Grand Tutor Liu have been acting closely lately, seemingly plotting to install Consort De's son, Nangong Yu, as the new emperor."

Upon hearing this, Consort Xi was slightly taken aback, then a mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips, a smile that concealed endless ruthlessness. She chuckled softly, "Ha, my son is gone, and they're already eager to push their own sons into that position. But there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world, dream on! Even if I have to fight with everything I have, I won't let them succeed. My son is gone, Nangong Yu, Nangong Jin, neither of you will have a good time, and neither of you will sit on that position!"

Having said that, Consort Xi slowly rose and paced back and forth in the room. Her eyes grew increasingly cold as she rapidly calculated her next move. She knew the current situation was complex, with various forces eyeing her covetously. However, she could not stand idly by and watch any of them ascend to that position. Even though she herself was in a difficult situation, she would stir up this seemingly calm lake and make those people pay a heavy price.

"Go and relay my message: have our men keep a close eye on Consort De and Grand Tutor Liu's every move. Report back immediately if there's any sign of trouble. I want to see what tricks they can pull," Consort Xi instructed the spy. The spy accepted the order and quickly withdrew, disappearing into the vast night.

Consort Xi stood alone by the window, gazing at the dark palace walls outside, her eyes flashing with a resolute light. An unseen palace struggle had quietly begun in the silent night.