Jade of Another World

Rosa now acts like an empress. Since Nangong Jin doesn't have a large harem like other princes, Rosa now holds absolute power in the harem, seemingly possessing the air of an empress. Recently, she's been considering expanding Nangong Jin's harem so she can command more women. When she received the message sent by Grand Tutor Liu, her face instantly turned extremely grim. Sitting in her palace, her brows furrowed, her heart filled with conflict and resentment.

She knew that Grand Tutor Liu was now at his wit's end and would do anything to protect himself. But she had finally made it this far, only one step away from the coveted position of Empress. He hadn't even officially made her Empress yet. If she went to see him now and was discovered, it would completely ruin everything she had painstakingly built up. All her previous schemes would be in vain, and she might even suffer an irredeemable fate.

Rosa bit her lip and paced back and forth in the room, thinking to herself, "This Grand Tutor Liu, even at this point, he still wants to drag me down with him. He's utterly despicable! If I rashly go to see him, the risk is too great, but if I don't go..." The thought of Grand Tutor Liu's threat made Rosa feel a sense of panic.

Grand Tutor Liu declared that if Rosa didn't go to see him or try to save him, he would hand over all the dirt he had on Rosa to Nangong Jin. That dirt was crucial to Rosa's downfall; once it fell into Nangong Jin's hands, given his newly enthroned power and influence, he would certainly not let him off easily. At that point, Rosa would not only lose her position as Empress, but she might even lose her life.

Rosa grew angrier the more she thought about it, and couldn't help but mutter a curse under her breath: "That old fox, Grand Tutor Liu, we cooperated with each other because we each got what we wanted. Now that he's committed a crime, he wants to drag me down with him. How vicious!"

Despite her anger, Rosa knew she had to make a decision. She stopped and looked out the window, a fierce glint in her eyes. She thought to herself, "Hmph, trying to threaten me? Not so easy. I need to come up with a foolproof plan that will protect me and shut that Prefect Liu up. I can't let him ruin my plans."

Rosa then summoned her personal bodyguard and instructed him, "Go and secretly investigate the situation with Grand Tutor Liu. See what leverage he has. Also, keep an eye out for anyone watching us. We can't fall into his trap so easily. Be careful in everything you do. Go."

The bodyguard, having received his orders, quickly disappeared into the night. Rosa, however, remained seated inside, her brow furrowed, constantly calculating her next move. A contest of life and death, of power, was quietly unfolding deep within the seemingly peaceful palace.

After talking with Liu Si, Lin Ning, Xuan Yuanche, and Liu Si were filled with sympathy for his plight and a determination to help him clear his name. The two of them carefully and quietly left the prison cell, walking cautiously as they went, always keeping an eye on their surroundings, afraid that others would discover their presence.

Meanwhile, Nangong Jin had quietly arrived on the rooftop near the prison. He had intended to secretly observe Lin Ning and the others' actions, to see what they had discussed with Liu Si, and whether it would lead to anything detrimental to the stability of the court. However, he unexpectedly witnessed the unintentional intimate gestures between Lin Ning and Xuan Yuanche.

In an instant, Nangong Jin felt as if an invisible hand had gripped his heart tightly. A sharp pain surged through him, a pain that had been buried deep within him for a long time and had not returned for a long time. Now, the pain surged like a raging tide, instantly engulfing him and making him almost unable to bear it. His body swayed slightly, and he almost fell straight off the roof.

In her panic, Nangong Jin hurriedly reached out to grab a nearby tile, trying her best to steady herself, but she still made a slight noise. The faint sound seemed particularly abrupt in the quiet prison area. Fortunately, Lin Ning and Xuan Yuanche were only focused on getting away from this place of trouble as soon as possible, and their steps were extremely fast. They didn't pay much attention to the sound, only pausing briefly before speeding up again. Before long, their figures disappeared into the night.

Nangong Jin watched them leave, his hand clutching his chest, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. The pain persisted, yet a bitter glint remained in his eyes. The many beautiful memories he shared with Lin Ning now frequently surfaced in his mind. He could no longer distinguish reality from illusion. In his dreams, Lin Ning seemed to be his beloved, but now, seeing Lin Ning so intimate with Xuan Yuanche, and Xuan Yuanche marrying Rosa, he was certain that his past thoughts were unreal. Sometimes, waking from these dreams, he felt as if a thousand needles were piercing his heart, an unbearable agony.

Now, the pain returned. After it subsided slightly, Nangong Jin slowly stood up, sighed deeply, and thought to himself, "I need to find time to ask Ouyang Qingchuan who is my destined one, Lin Ning or Rosa..." Afterward, he sorted out his thoughts and quietly left the place. However, the bitterness in his heart still lingered, as if it had become an unspeakable scar in his heart.

After returning to their residence, Lin Ning and Xuan Yuanche immediately began discussing how to rescue Liu Si. The atmosphere inside the room was heavy and tense. The two sat around a table piled high with various papers, covered with possible solutions and precautions they had come up with.

Lin Ning frowned and said, "We need to act quickly. Every day Liu Si stays in prison increases his danger. But the prison is heavily guarded, and getting him out will be no easy task."

Xuan Yuanche nodded, his expression serious: "We still need to plan this carefully. Wang Zhi might be able to help us a bit. Also, we need to figure out the specifics of Liu Si's case and see if there are any loopholes we can exploit."

The two were engrossed in their rescue plan, talking back and forth, completely unaware that Nangong Jin, filled with confusion and pain, had arrived at the Imperial Observatory.

Nangong Jin's face was slightly pale. He entered the Imperial Observatory and found Ouyang Qingchuan. Ouyang Qingchuan quickly bowed upon seeing Nangong Jin. Nangong Jin didn't waste any words and said directly, "Ouyang Qingchuan, my heart pain has flared up again. Strangely, all the doctors in the Imperial Hospital can't find anything wrong, yet this pain keeps tormenting me. What is the reason for this?"

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Qingchuan frowned slightly, pondering the matter. He knew that Nangong Jin's illness was somewhat peculiar, and ordinary medical techniques seemed unable to explain it. He respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I believe that this may not be an ordinary illness. Some illnesses arise from the heart. Perhaps Your Majesty has something weighing on your mind that you have been unable to let go of for a long time, which has led to the recurring heartache."

Nangong Jin was slightly taken aback, and Lin Ning's face involuntarily surfaced in his mind. He recalled the scene of Lin Ning and Xuan Yuanche's intimacy just now, and his heart ached again. He said softly, "A matter of heartache? Perhaps. But this pain comes on so suddenly, I find it unbearable. Is there really no way to alleviate or cure it?"

Ouyang Qingchuan hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "Your Majesty, I only have a superficial understanding of medicine. However, I have heard that if one can resolve the knot in one's heart, the pain arising from the heart may be cured without treatment. But only Your Majesty can truly understand the matter in your heart."

Nangong Jin fell into deep thought after hearing Ouyang Qingchuan's words. He knew that his unresolved issue might be Lin Ning, but as the emperor, he had too many responsibilities and helplessness. He sighed softly and said, "I understand. You may leave."

After bowing, Ouyang Qingchuan withdrew, leaving Nangong Jin alone in the Imperial Observatory. He looked out the window at the sky, his heart filled with complicated emotions. He didn't know how to face his feelings or how to resolve this heartache.

Consort Xi has been under house arrest in the palace for a long time, but her desire for revenge has never ceased.

That day, through her spies planted in various places, she learned that Grand Tutor Liu had written a secret letter to Rosa. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly, revealing a meaningful sneer. She thought to herself, "Hmph, they're all old foxes, who can't see who's the devil? From the moment Rosa appeared in the palace, I could tell that she was no good person. She pretends to be gentle and obedient, but in reality, her heart is full of scheming thoughts."

Now that Grand Tutor Liu's treasonous plot has been exposed and he has been imprisoned, he is still not giving up and is even plotting to secretly collude with Rosa in an attempt to turn the tables. Consort Xi knows that Rosa has always been ambitious, and now it seems that it is Grand Tutor Liu who has instigated her. This wretched girl wants to become the head of the harem, but she still needs to see if she will allow it.

Thinking of this, a ruthless glint flashed in Consort Xi's eyes. She immediately summoned her most trusted confidante and ordered, "Go, send men to keep a close watch on Rosa. No matter where she goes, what she does, or who she meets, they must report back to me in detail. I refuse to believe she can be without flaws. I want to find evidence that can bring her and Grand Tutor Liu down with one blow. Then let's see how they can still cause trouble. This empire, if it's not my son sitting on it, no one else will be able to hold onto it securely."

The trusted aide quickly replied, "Yes, Your Highness, I will make the arrangements properly."

After her trusted confidantes withdrew, Consort Xi rose and slowly walked to the window. Gazing at the familiar yet somewhat desolate palace scenery outside, a hint of determination and ruthlessness flashed in her eyes. She knew she was currently outnumbered and powerless, but if she could seize this opportunity to bring down Rosa and Grand Tutor Liu, she might be able to regain her footing in the palace, and even have a chance to avenge her deceased son and once again control the power of the harem.

Thus, an operation centered on covert surveillance and evidence gathering quietly unfolded deep within the seemingly peaceful palace. Various forces, like venomous snakes lurking in the shadows, were waiting for the opportune moment to deliver the fatal blow.

Sitting in the imperial study, Nangong Jin found his desk piled high with various files and secret reports related to the case of Grand Tutor Liu. Yet, his brow was furrowed, lost in deep thought. The case of Grand Tutor Liu's alleged treason was far-reaching, and the innocence of Liu Si and Liu Jia had become Nangong Jin's most pressing and thorny concern. Liu Jia and Nangong Jin had known each other for many years, fighting side-by-side on the battlefield. On those battlefields filled with the clash of swords and the smoke of gunpowder, Liu Jia had countless times risked his life to help Nangong Jin repel the enemy. He was Nangong Jin's most trusted partner and a rare friend.

Nangong Jin knew Liu Jia's character well; he was a loyal and righteous man, with unwavering loyalty to Dayu and a strong sense of responsibility to his country. Such a person seemed completely unsuitable for involvement in the treasonous plot of Grand Tutor Liu. Whenever she thought of this, Nangong Jin became increasingly convinced that Liu Jia had been wronged.

As for Liu Si, Nangong Jin hadn't had much contact with him, but he had heard about him. It was said that Liu Si was an unloved child in the Liu family, always quietly studying and rarely involved in the family's affairs. Nangong Jin carefully reviewed all the information he had about Liu Si, but found absolutely no concrete evidence to suggest they were involved in this treasonous act.

This put Nangong Jin in a real dilemma. On the one hand, it was an undeniable fact that Grand Tutor Liu had committed treason, and the entire court was watching the aftermath. As the emperor, he had to uphold justice and act in accordance with the law, and could not easily draw conclusions based on his own subjective judgment. On the other hand, he truly believed that Liu Jia and Liu Si were likely innocent. If he were to let them suffer injustice, it would be against his conscience and would betray his years of friendship with Liu Jia.

Nangong Jin rubbed his temples, thinking to himself, "This matter requires utmost caution and cannot be decided hastily. It seems I need to send someone to investigate thoroughly and make sure to clarify all the details so as to clear their name. However, this process will probably not be easy."

Therefore, Nangong Jin summoned his trusted ministers and instructed them to mobilize their best personnel to reinvestigate the connection between Liu Jia, Liu Si, and Grand Tutor Liu from all angles, leaving no stone unturned, striving to uncover the truth as soon as possible, and bringing this complex case to a close, so as to give the court and the people an explanation.

That night, the prison where Grand Tutor Liu was held was deathly silent, broken only by the occasional footsteps of the patrolling jailers. After eating the food, the poison gradually took effect. He struggled in agony, but ultimately could not escape his fate. He died silently in prison, poisoned by his last meal. He never knew who had been so eager to take his life.

Nangong Jin quickly learned of Grand Tutor Liu's death in prison. His brow furrowed; he knew there was more to it than met the eye. Grand Tutor Liu's treason case had just been exposed, and his sudden death suggested someone was trying to silence him, burying the undiscovered secrets. However, the case was far-reaching, with various factions secretly watching. A thorough investigation into Grand Tutor Liu's death would likely cause further turmoil in the court and the palace, jeopardizing the recently stabilized situation in Dayu.

After careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons, Nangong Jin ordered that it be announced that Grand Tutor Liu had committed suicide out of fear of punishment. The official statement was that Grand Tutor Liu knew that the treason he had committed was unforgivable, felt that he had no way out, and ultimately chose to atone for his sins with his death.

Coincidentally, in Grand Tutor Liu's prison cell, a so-called confession was discovered. It was filled with his remorse for his crimes and his self-reproach for attempting to disrupt the court and usurp the throne; it appeared to be a genuine expression of his feelings before his death. Nangong Jin secretly sent people to carefully examine the handwriting and other details of the confession, finding that it did indeed match Grand Tutor Liu's usual handwriting. On the surface, it seemed to be true.

Since everything seemed to be going smoothly, Nangong Jin followed suit and issued the decree. As the decree spread throughout the court and the harem, it sparked much discussion. However, most people, seeing that the emperor had already made his decision, remained silent, as no one wanted to incur trouble at such a sensitive time.

As for Liu Jia and Liu Si, there was originally no conclusive evidence proving their involvement in the treason. Now that Grand Tutor Liu was dead and this conclusion had been reached, Nangong Jin ordered their release. However, Liu Jia's position was implicated, and he was demoted to the border to serve the court, as a form of atonement for what he had done to Grand Tutor Liu. Liu Si, being unskilled in martial arts, was allowed to stay at home to care for the elderly, women, and children. When Liu Jia and Liu Si walked out of the prison where they had been imprisoned for so long, they both breathed a sigh of relief, filled with emotion. This undeserved calamity was finally over. Although they had endured many hardships, they were fortunate to see the light of day again and to have their lives and property preserved.

The Liu family suffered a great loss as a result of this incident, and many members of the family were affected to varying degrees. Fortunately, apart from a few loyal servants who had followed Grand Tutor Liu and were punished for participating in some shady schemes, most of the family members escaped the misfortune of being implicated. In the end, the Liu family's roots were preserved, and the entire family was not destroyed.

However, behind this seemingly settled situation, many unknown secrets and undercurrents of power struggles still lurk. Who knows when new changes will quietly unfold in this palace and court.