Jade of Another World

Consort De had someone forge Grand Tutor Liu's handwriting to write a letter filled with distorted and misleading statements. The letter claimed that Grand Tutor Liu had never harbored any rebellious intentions, and that he was entirely manipulated and coerced by Rosa. Rosa, a spy from Nanzhao, had infiltrated the Dayu court under the guise of assisting Nangong Jin, but was secretly manipulating the situation to create chaos in the Dayu court, giving Nanzhao an opportunity to seize power. She used cunning methods to control Grand Tutor Liu, forcing him to participate in this fabricated "treason," promising him immense wealth and power if successful, and placing all the blame on him if it failed.

Consort De reasoned that this would both absolve the Liu family of any involvement in the treason and thrust Rosa into the limelight, causing Nangong Jin to harbor resentment and suspicion towards her, thereby pushing him to thoroughly investigate Rosa's motives for avenging her father. Now, a woman of unknown origin, branded a "spy," even without any concrete evidence, was enough to cause a huge uproar in the palace. She even specifically mentioned in the letter that Rosa was secretly training assassins and hoarding contraband, seemingly preparing a series of subsequent actions, waiting only for the opportune moment to overthrow the Dayu royal family. These details weren't entirely unfounded, as much of it had been discovered by Grand Tutor Liu, though he hadn't told her then. Grand Tutor Liu believed Rosa could help him, and now that he had been poisoned, her chances of winning in court were slim. By muddying the waters, she could not only shift the blame but also buy herself and her son more breathing room.

After finishing the letter, Consort De examined it repeatedly, confirming that the handwriting was convincingly authentic. A subtle smile played on her lips. She knew that the palace intrigues were like a game of chess; a single move could change the course of events. Now, she was about to silently place this carefully crafted "chess piece" into this treacherous game, waiting to see how each faction would react, especially Rosa and Nangong Jin.

Consort De carefully hid the forged letter and then sent her trusted confidant to secretly spread the news. The confidant, having received the order, quietly moved between the various palaces and halls, specifically targeting gossipy eunuchs and palace maids to chat with, seemingly casually revealing the information.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the palace. Consort De, meanwhile, remained hidden in the shadows, coldly observing the reactions of everyone in the palace. She was certain that those who were usually at odds with Rosa, or those who were eager to curry favor with the new emperor and seize a higher position, would be unable to suppress their greed and ambition upon hearing such a bombshell, and would try every means to steal the letter.

Within days, the undercurrents within the palace grew increasingly turbulent. Some eunuchs, taking advantage of the night, furtively peeked around Consort De's palace; even some palace maids, who usually appeared obedient and docile, now had shifty eyes, pretending to sweep while occasionally glancing at Consort De's bedchamber. Consort De was secretly delighted, knowing the fish had begun to bite. While feigning ignorance and continuing her daily life, she secretly ordered her guards to increase vigilance, waiting for the person attempting to steal the letter to fall into her trap. Whoever it was, once captured, would be a useful pawn, helping her further expand her advantage in the struggle with Rosa, and allowing her to gain a foothold in the treacherous harem and seize more power.

Upon hearing the rumors of the secret letter, Rosa was extremely anxious. She knew that with Grand Tutor Liu's death, everything should have been fine, but she hadn't expected such a hidden danger to remain. If the contents of the letter were leaked, even if it contained fabricated and slanderous accusations, in the court where gossip could be devastating, it would be enough to cause her serious trouble, and everything she had painstakingly built up might be in vain. Therefore, without hesitation, she dispatched her most trusted and trusted assassin to sneak silently towards Consort De's palace under the cover of night.

The assassins, clad in black, moved with ghostly agility, darting across the palace walls and eaves. Familiar with the palace layout, they skillfully evaded wave after wave of patrolling guards, gradually closing in on their target. However, unbeknownst to them, Nangong Jin had long been aware of this undercurrent of conflict within the palace. Ever since the mysterious death of Grand Tutor Liu in prison, amidst the flurry of rumors, he had been closely monitoring the situation, secretly arranging for his guards to keep an eye on Consort De's movements.

Nangong Jin sat in the imperial study, the flickering candlelight illuminating his cold and profound face. His original intention was to find out who was stirring up trouble behind the scenes, using the death of Grand Tutor Liu to create chaos in the court. Unexpectedly, it was Rosa who made the first move. A secret guard silently arrived to report, detailing how Rosa had sent someone to steal the letter. Nangong Jin frowned slightly, feeling both disappointed by Rosa's eagerness and increasingly curious about this farce. He wanted to see what secrets this letter held that would drive various forces to such ruthless tactics.

At this moment, the area around Consort De's palace resembled an invisible battlefield. Rosa's assassins were determined to steal the secret letter, Consort De's guards were on high alert, and Nangong Jin's secret agents were hidden in the shadows, coldly observing this spectacle, waiting for the crucial moment to strike, uncover the layers of mystery behind it all, and reveal the truth to the world.

Nangong Jin's Imperial Guards acted swiftly and decisively, capturing Rosa's trusted assassins who had attempted to steal the letter in one fell swoop. When the assassins were brought before Nangong Jin, though disheveled, they still held their heads high, their faces defiant. Nangong Jin said little, immediately ordering severe torture. Screams echoed through the torture chamber, reverberating in the silent palace night. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, several assassins were tortured to the point of near death, finally revealing that Rosa was the mastermind behind it all. Nangong Jin's face was ashen. He led his men straight to Rosa's palace, the assassins being thrown onto the carpet in Rosa's bedchamber with dull thuds.

Hearing the commotion, Rosa inwardly cried out in alarm, but still forced herself to remain calm and went out to greet him. Seeing Nangong Jin's frosty expression and the several half-dead men in black behind him, she feigned confusion and asked, "Your Majesty, what's going on? Such a large entourage, has something serious happened?"

Nangong Jin snorted coldly, his gaze sharp as he stared directly into Rosa's eyes: "My beloved consort, are you still pretending to be confused? These people were sent by you to steal things from Consort De's palace. Tell me, what were you trying to steal? Was it that letter? What was in that letter that made you resort to such unscrupulous means?"

Rosa's heart tightened, but her face showed an expression of extreme grievance, her eyes reddening and tears welling up: "Your Majesty, I am innocent! How could I have done such a thing? Someone must have deliberately framed me, seeing that I have gained Your Majesty's favor, and became jealous, resorting to such despicable means to try to sow discord between me and Your Majesty." After saying this, she began to sob softly, covering her face with a handkerchief, crying pitifully.

Nangong Jin frowned, momentarily hesitant at Rosa's current state. After all, Rosa had always been gentle and compliant in his presence, and he had developed some feelings for her. However, the person who stole the letter was undoubtedly her subordinate. He said coldly, "My beloved consort, do not try to deny it. The witnesses are all here. If you confess now, I will consider our past relationship and show leniency."

Rosa knelt on the ground with a thud, tears streaming down her face. "Your Majesty, I swear to Heaven, this is absolutely not true! Since entering this palace, my heart and eyes have been filled with Your Majesty. I only wanted to stay by Your Majesty's side. How could I have had such thoughts as stealing any letters? I beg Your Majesty to investigate." She knelt on the ground with her hands on the ground, her forehead pressed against the earth, her body trembling slightly. She looked so pitiful, as if she had been wronged, that it was heartbreaking to see.

Nangong Jin looked down at Rosa, who was kneeling on the ground looking pitiful, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He had indeed promised to protect her and cherish her, but this turmoil was like a sharp blade, easily slicing through the seemingly close relationship between them. He finally sighed, reached out to help Rosa up, and said softly, "My beloved consort, please get up. I also hope this is just a misunderstanding."

However, since that night, Nangong Jin's heart has never been at peace. Every night, when all was quiet, he lay alone on his dragon bed, the ease with which he used to fall asleep was gone, replaced by endless tossing and turning. Fragments of Rosa flooded his mind: her shyness and gentleness when they first met, her understanding and kindness when they were together—all were still vivid in his mind. But now, these memories seemed veiled by a thin gauze, exuding an indescribable strangeness.

He increasingly felt that he had never truly understood Rosa. Her unintentional glances, her occasional inexplicable silences, and even her vehement denial during the letter-stealing incident—all seemed like hidden riddles, leaving Nangong Jin perplexed. He tried to sort out his thoughts, to connect the fragments of his past with Rosa, but there were always a few crucial points that remained vague in his memory. No matter how hard he tried to recall, he could only grasp fragmented images.

This feeling of being out of control was more agonizing for Nangong Jin, who possessed an insatiable thirst for power, than the thorny political affairs of the court or the battles on the frontier. During the day, he could feign composure before his ministers and handle state affairs with clarity and order; but at night, the questions that lingered in his mind would creep in, gnawing at his reason. He knew that an irreparable rift had formed between him and Rosa, and beneath that rift lay a truth that might overturn everything.

Lately, Lin Ning's days have been thrown into turmoil. Back when Nangong Jin was away on campaign, every night, darkness was like an impenetrable net, trapping her and bringing nightmares. Her dreams were filled with scenes of bloodshed and chaos, in which she would flee in terror, never finding a way out. Only when Xuan Yuanche arrived did those terrible nightmares seem to be dispelled by a ray of light, gradually disappearing without a trace, allowing Lin Ning to finally breathe a sigh of relief and regain her former peace.

But who could have foreseen that nightmares would haunt her again during this time? And this time, the dreams were even clearer and more terrifying. Lin Ning found herself once more in that blood-soaked battlefield, surrounded by deathly silence. Her legs felt like they were made of lead, and every step was incredibly difficult. Just as she was filled with fear and frantically searching for a way to survive, a figure slowly appeared.

The man, wielding a sharp blade, approached her step by step, his expression cold and resolute. What terrified Lin Ning most was that his face was exactly the same as Nangong Jin's and Xuan Yuanche's! The blade gleamed coldly in the dim light, and with each step closer, Lin Ning's heart clenched tighter. She tried to cry for help, but found her throat blocked, unable to utter a sound.

She finally awoke from the nightmare, her clothes soaked with cold sweat. Gasping for breath, her heart pounding in her chest. Recalling the scene in her dream, Lin Ning was filled with suspicion and fear. She couldn't tell whether the person who ultimately raised a knife to kill her was Nangong Jin or Xuan Yuanche. After all, they had the same face, and whoever it was, it was unacceptable to Lin Ning.

Lin Ning was tormented by the recurring nightmares, convinced that they were not coincidences but omens or crucial hints. However, no matter how hard she racked her brains, she couldn't decipher their meaning. It was like being lost in a fog, groping around but unable to find the way out.

In Lin Ning's heart, Nangong Jin and Xuan Yuanche were completely different beings. Nangong Jin possessed the majesty and domineering presence of an emperor, yet they had once shared a youthful and innocent past; Xuan Yuanche, on the other hand, was gentle and refined, remaining steadfast and protective through thick and thin, accompanying and protecting her every step of the way. These two were like two intersecting paths, both deeply embedded in her life. After much deliberation, Lin Ning thought of Master Ouyang. During their previous chance encounter, Master Ouyang had specifically instructed her to visit him when she had time, but she had been too busy with other matters to find the time. Now, deeply entangled in this dream interpretation predicament, Lin Ning felt that perhaps this mysterious master could help her dispel the fog of confusion.

So, Lin Ning quickly tidied herself up and set off for Master Ouyang's residence. Along the way, she was filled with trepidation, the terrifying images from her dream constantly replaying in her mind, and her steps grew increasingly hurried. Upon arriving, she found the small courtyard serene and tranquil, with wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner, like a secluded paradise, a stark contrast to her chaotic state of mind.

Lin Ning gently knocked on the door, and after a short while, the door creaked open, revealing the figure of Master Ouyang. She was dressed in a plain robe, her eyes possessing a profound, all-knowing depth. Seeing Lin Ning, the corners of her lips curled into a slight smile, and she said softly, "I knew you'd come. Come in quickly." Lin Ning hurriedly stepped inside, eager to pour out her troubles and hoping to find a glimmer of hope from Master Ouyang.

Before Lin Ning could speak, Master Ouyang began, "You've come here because you're troubled by that troubling nightmare? Lately, your aura has been chaotic, it must have already begun." As he spoke, Master Ouyang led Lin Ning to a futon in the room and gestured for her to sit down.

After Lin Ning was seated, Master Ouyang continued unhurriedly, "Dreams are mysterious things. They are both a reflection of the mind and sometimes a warning of fate. What you see in your dreams is a reflection of your past and present lives." He narrowed his eyes slightly, as if examining Lin Ning's complexion. "Everything in this world has a cause and effect. You have a deep connection with Nangong Jin, Xuan Yuanche, and the other two. They are intertwined in your destiny. Your dream may be a way for you to see some hidden truths or the choices you are about to face."

Master Ouyang rose, walked to the table by the window, picked up an antique teapot, and poured a cup of tea for each of them. As the tea steamed, his voice grew increasingly ethereal: “Do not feel confused or afraid. Dreams are merely hints; the real key lies in the voice of your heart. Sometimes, what the eyes see and the ears hear is not necessarily the truth. Only by feeling with your heart can you find the right path in this chaotic situation. Now, you might as well calm your mind and reflect on where you came from and where you are going. The entanglement between the three of you originates from within yourself, and your soul is trying to save itself. When will this cycle of revenge end? When you have figured it out, you will be able to return to the place you want to go back to.”

Lin Ning stared at Ouyang Qingchuan quietly, her eyes filled with doubt and surprise. She was really curious how he could accurately describe the nightmare that had been bothering her for so long just by his aura, as if he possessed a pair of insightful eyes that could see through people's hearts and understand fate.

For a moment, only the rising steam from the tea filled the room, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Lin Ning pondered Ouyang Qingchuan's words, and fragments of her past interactions with Nangong Jin and Xuan Yuanche began to flash through her mind like a revolving lantern. The initial flutter of her heart when she first met Nangong Jin, the misunderstandings and estrangement they experienced amidst the court intrigues; the shared hardships she endured with Xuan Yuanche after they met, his meticulous care and concern… Each and every one of these moments felt so real, yet how could all of this be connected to that terrifying nightmare?

She couldn't help but ask, "Master, what you say makes a lot of sense, but I really can't make sense of it. The past is complicated and numerous, where should I start to think in order to find the 'right path' you mentioned? Every time I recall this dream, I'm terrified. I'm really afraid it foretells something terrible. I hope you can explain it a little more clearly." Lin Ning leaned forward slightly, her eyes full of pleading, hoping that Ouyang Qingchuan could give her more detailed and straightforward guidance so that she could quickly break free from this foggy predicament.

Master Ouyang said, "Time and fate are all caused by causes and conditions. Right and wrong causes and conditions are intertwined. This is the fate of the three of you. What is meant to come will come. You will understand when the time comes."

Lin Ning smiled and didn't ask anything more. The Taoist priest had been rambling on for a while, and although she understood some of it, it felt like she understood nothing at all. Perhaps everything had to be left to time. There would eventually be a result.