Jade of Another World

Nangong Jin was very worried when he learned that Xuan Yuanche had brought his assassins into the Lin family mansion. After all, Lin was Lin Ning's father, and Lin Ning's family was in Xuan Yuanche's hands, which would definitely make Lin Ning very sad.

Upon hearing the news, Nangong Jin's face instantly darkened. He paced back and forth in his tent, his heart filled with anxiety, each step heavy with worry. Lin Ning had shared his hardships these past few days, remaining steadfast and devoted, doing everything in her power to stabilize the crumbling situation. Nangong Jin had witnessed her resilience and deep affection, and it warmed his heart. Now, the thought of her family being in grave danger filled him with guilt and unease.

"How could Prime Minister Lin have gotten involved in this disaster..." Nangong Jin muttered to himself, his brows furrowed. He knew Lin Ning too well; he knew how much she cared for her family. If she knew her father had been dragged into Xuan Yuanche's clutches, he couldn't imagine how heartbroken she would be. Immediately, he sent someone to invite Lin Ning over, pondering a solution in his mind.

Before long, Lin Ning rushed over. Seeing Nangong Jin's solemn expression, she had a bad feeling: "Your Majesty, has something happened?" Nangong Jin stepped forward and took her hand, saying softly, "Ning'er, don't worry. Xuan Yuanche... he escaped into your Lin family's residence with his assassins. I have already sent troops to surround the Lin family's residence, but I'm afraid that a rash attack would hurt your father and everyone in the family."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ning's face turned deathly pale, and her fingers unconsciously tightened around Nangong Jin's hand: "How could this be..." Before she could finish speaking, Nangong Jin gently pulled her into his arms and comforted her: "Ning'er, I will definitely not let anything happen to your father. Let's calm down and think of a solution. Xuan Yuanche is at his wit's end now, and he probably just wants to take Lin Ning hostage to find a way to survive."

Lin Ning leaned against Nangong Jin's chest, trying to calm herself and think things through carefully. She knew that the old fox, Prime Minister Lin, wouldn't let her suffer. During the palace coup, she had written to Prime Minister Lin, but he hadn't replied at all. When she and Nangong Jin returned to the capital and wrote to the old ministers asking for help, she also wrote to her father, Prime Minister Lin, but he didn't reply either. She knew what Prime Minister Lin was plotting. After so many years in the Prime Minister's residence, she knew that Lin Wan was foolish, but not the worst person; Lin Jun was outspoken, but not the worst person either; and Prime Minister Lin, on the surface, appeared honest and loyal, but in reality, he was extremely cunning. Even the death of Lin Ning's mother was inextricably linked to him. Now that Xuan Yuanche was inside, it was likely that he had already reached some kind of deal with him, or perhaps they had already been involved for a long time. After thinking for a moment, Lin Ning raised her head, her eyes filled with calmness and determination: "Your Majesty, I understand that the most urgent task is to stabilize Xuan Yuanche. I am willing to write a letter to the Lin family to persuade my father, which may help to find a turning point." Nangong Jin looked at her, understood her unspoken meaning, and immediately nodded in agreement, ordering someone to send Lin Ning's letter in.

Lin Ning sat at her desk, picked up her pen, and the flickering candlelight cast an uncertain shadow on her face. She took a deep breath, and the pen fell to the paper, the ink spreading across the letter.

"Father, it is as if you are seeing me in person. I have not been home for many days, and a sudden change has occurred in the manor. I am truly at ease. Now you are alone in a room with Xuanyuan Che, and I imagine you are in a difficult situation. I am also extremely worried. You and I are father and daughter. No matter what the past may be, blood is thicker than water. I will not stand by and watch you go into danger. His Majesty is benevolent and has no intention of making things difficult for you. He only wishes to calm this turmoil. If you can persuade Xuanyuan Che to lay down his weapons and submit to the court, the whole family will be safe and sound, and the past can be let go."

Lin Ning put down her pen, her eyes filled with a complex and cold expression. Years ago, her mother had suddenly passed away, and now, after years of secret investigation, she had finally uncovered the truth: all signs pointed to Prime Minister Lin. To outsiders, Prime Minister Lin was a powerful and influential figure, but in Lin Ning's heart, he harbored the most unforgivable sins. Now, it truly was a golden opportunity. With just a little encouragement, Prime Minister Lin might perish in the aftermath of this rebellion.

But Lin Ning's hand tightened around the letter, her heart filled with struggle... Although the warmth was gone, how could blood ties be so easily severed? If she really used someone else to do her dirty work, could she live the rest of her life with a clear conscience?

In the end, Lin Ning put the letter in an envelope. She decided to prioritize the greater good and temporarily set aside her personal grudges. She would investigate her mother's death and seek justice only after the rebellion was completely quelled. Right now, ensuring Prime Minister Lin could appease Xuan Yuanche and prevent further bloodshed was the most important thing. After all, Xuan Yuanche was the person she worried about and cared about the most. She didn't understand why Xuan Yuanche would make this move. Although their previous interactions might have been part of his scheme, he had genuinely helped her a lot. In her heart, Xuan Yuanche's position was no lower than Nangong Jin's. But now, his actions left Lin Ning in a difficult position. She stood up, took the letter, and hurried towards Nangong Jin, preparing to enter this perilous negotiation.

Lin Xiang unfolded the letter, glanced at it hastily, and a mocking smile curled at the corner of his lips. He casually tossed the letter into the charcoal brazier beside him, watching the paper quickly curl and carbonize, just as he disregarded Lin Ning's advice. In his heart, this daughter was far too naive, attempting to deceive him with a few flippant phrases like "blood is thicker than water"—utterly laughable.

At this moment, Prime Minister Lin was filled with excitement at the prospect of escaping Dayu. He had manipulated the court for years, making many enemies, and recently the situation had been deteriorating against him. The appearance of Xuan Yuanche was undoubtedly a glimmer of hope in his desperate situation. The secret passage had already been secretly repaired and was hidden behind a screen in his study. Its exit led to a very secluded valley outside the city; as long as he went out through there, he could escape Nangong Jin's control.

To ensure everything went smoothly, he invited the old lady and Madam Liu, Lin Ning's grandmother and concubine, from the backyard to the front hall. The old lady was quite frightened by this sudden arrival and asked in a trembling voice, "What exactly do you want?" Madam Liu, on the other hand, had a venomous look in her eyes. She had long seen through Prime Minister Lin's selfishness and cold-heartedness, and she snorted coldly without saying a word.

Lin Xiang ignored their reactions and gave Xuan Yuanche a wink. Xuan Yuanche understood and arranged for several guards to escort the old lady and Madam Liu toward the mansion gate. Meanwhile, Lin Xiang and Xuan Yuanche's entourage had already entered the secret passage. There, Nangong Jin and Lin Ning arrived with a large group of people.

Seeing her grandmother and Aunt Liu being held hostage, Lin Ning was filled with suspicion and asked, "Grandmother! Where is Father now?"

"I don't know, Ning'er, please save me."

Nangong Jin's eyes widened in anger. He hadn't expected Lin Xiang to be so resolute, sending women and the elderly to take the lead. The atmosphere became extremely tense, a stalemate where neither side dared to make a move.

Lin Ning anxiously observed the situation, watching her grandmother and mother being held hostage by the assassins in utter terror; every second of delay was agonizing. She knew that Prime Minister Lin and Xuan Yuanche could escape at any moment, and that the assassins would not easily yield. Without hesitation, she leaned close to Nangong Jin's ear and whispered, "Your Majesty, use archers to shoot the hands of those two hostage-takers. A swift victory is crucial!"

Nangong Jin nodded slightly, his eyes instantly sharpening like an eagle's, and turned to give an order to the archers behind him. The archers, upon receiving the command, swiftly nocked their arrows, their movements perfectly synchronized. In this tense, suffocating atmosphere, two sharp arrows, like shooting stars, hurtled through the air and flew out with deadly accuracy, aiming precisely for the wrists of the two hostages.

Before the two hostage-takers could react, a sharp pain shot through their wrists, and the blades clattered to the ground. Almost simultaneously, Nangong Jin's elite guards charged forward like tigers descending a mountain, shielding the old lady and Consort Liu behind them and instantly distancing themselves from the two assassins. Seeing that things had come to this, the two assassins immediately bit into the poison in their mouths. By the time Nangong Jin had the soldiers check, they were already dead, leaving no way to prove their innocence.

The old lady, having narrowly escaped death, felt her legs go weak and she would have collapsed to the ground if the guards hadn't caught her in time. Aunt Liu, panting heavily, had eyes that held both relief at escaping a calamity and a deeper hatred for Prime Minister Lin. Lin Ning rushed forward, embracing her grandmother and mother, gently comforting them, "Grandmother, it's alright. I'm here, His Majesty is here."

When Nangong Jin and Lin Ning arrived at the entrance to the secret passage in the study, they had already missed their chance. Now they could only watch helplessly as Prime Minister Lin and Xuan Yuanche disappeared into the passage amidst the chaos. Although Nangong Jin had already arranged for guards to give chase, Lin Ning knew that the chances of catching them were slim. Prime Minister Lin had clearly planned this all along. She just didn't understand why he would do this. As the Left Prime Minister, he hadn't been involved in any factional struggles in court; he had no reason to flee. And Xuan Yuanche couldn't possibly kidnap him, because there was no need. With Xuan Yuanche's martial arts skills, Prime Minister Lin couldn't hinder his progress. Therefore, the reason why Prime Minister Lin voluntarily fled with Xuan Yuanche could only be found by questioning the Old Madam and Aunt Liu.

Nangong Jin sent men to pursue them into the secret passage. The passage was filled with a putrid, damp stench. The soldiers, carrying torches, proceeded cautiously. The stone path beneath their feet was uneven, and water droplets occasionally dripped from the ceiling, making a "drip-drip" sound that echoed in the silent passage, unsettling their hearts. The leading general was extremely anxious, constantly urging his men to quicken their pace, but the secret passage was winding and seemingly endless.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lin and Xuan Yuanche were running frantically through the secret passage. Prime Minister Lin, being quite old, was panting heavily, yet dared not stop: "Young Master Xuan Yuan, once we get out, we must find a safe place as soon as possible. Nangong Jin's men will be catching up soon." Xuan Yuanche's face was grim, and he coldly snorted: "Prime Minister Lin, rest assured, I have already made arrangements. Once we leave the city, there will be people to meet us. Let's leave this Great Yu territory first, and then we can discuss this further."

After finally emerging from the secret passage, they found themselves in a desolate landscape outside the city. A howling wind swept through, whipping their robes. In the distance, several horses were tethered to withered trees, with a few trusted men standing nearby to provide backup. The men leaped onto their horses, raising a cloud of dust, and galloped towards the border. They dared not look back, casting their resolute determination onto the road of escape, single-mindedly focused on fleeing Nangong Jin's sphere of influence and reaching the unknown distance.

At this moment, the soldiers who had pursued him into the secret passage finally found the exit, but all they could see was an empty wasteland and fading hoofprints. The general was filled with frustration and could only hurry back to report that Nangong Jin had escaped.

Lin Ning and Nangong Jin summoned Old Madam Lin and Concubine Liu to ask why Prime Minister Lin wanted to flee. The two women lowered their heads and wept. Lin Ning could tell they dared not speak. Seeing her grandmother and Concubine Liu only weeping silently, Lin Ning grew increasingly anxious. She gently grasped their hands and said softly, "Grandmother, Father has committed such a treacherous act of desertion, disregarding the danger to the whole family. If we don't tell the reason, how will we live in the future? His Majesty is benevolent and will surely protect us. You must not be afraid."

The old lady raised her hand to wipe away her tears, her lips trembling as she tried to speak, but no sound came out; she only cried harder. Aunt Liu turned her face away, her body trembling slightly. After a long while, she finally sobbed, "Ning'er, there are some things..."

Nangong Jin also spoke up to comfort them: "Madam, Madam Liu, Lin Ning and I are here now. No matter what happens, I will handle it properly and ensure your safety. You don't need to worry."

The old lady raised her tear-streaked face, looked at Nangong Jin, then at Lin Ning, hesitated for a long time, and finally sighed, "So be it, things have come to this, there's no point in hiding it. The Prime Minister... he... he is quite handsome..."

After listening to her grandmother and mother's tearful complaints, Lin Ning felt her blood boil. She never imagined that the source of this disaster for her family was her younger brother, Lin Jun. She swayed and gritted her teeth, saying, "Lin Jun... what did he do to drag our family into such a desperate situation!"

Aunt Liu looked ashamed and stammered an explanation: "Your brother was misled into participating in some gambling den, and he got deeper and deeper into it. He not only lost all his money but also incurred high-interest debts. Those creditors come to our door every day to collect their debts, and they are ruthless. In order to protect him, your father had to use the family savings to fill the hole, but the hole is too big to be filled..."

The old lady sighed as well: "At that time, the family was really out of options, and you were not here. Aunt Liu thought of borrowing some of your personal money, so she had a crooked idea. She sent a few servants to search in your courtyard. Who knew that they would accidentally find the secret room. By the time we found out, your father had already taken all the valuables inside."

Looking at them, Lin Ning understood perfectly well that Aunt Liu had always wanted to seize the wealth left to Lin Ning by her mother. The old lady's words were only so convincing because Prime Minister Lin hadn't taken them away, which was why they had revealed the truth. Otherwise, if she had returned and discovered it, her family would never have admitted it.

Nangong Jin's face was so dark it could drip water. He snorted coldly, "Prime Minister Lin's actions are truly despicable and shameless. Now he even dares to betray the country and flee. I will not let him off easily." He looked at Lin Ning and softened his tone, "Ning'er, don't be too sad. I will make up for whatever money you lost. I will also chase after Prime Minister Lin and make him apologize to you."

Lin Ning took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down: "Your Majesty, forget it. Wealth is just material possessions. It's more important to stabilize the court first and prevent any new troubles from arising outside." Nangong Jin nodded in agreement and immediately ordered people to thoroughly investigate the escape of Prime Minister Lin and Xuanyuan Che. Meanwhile, he himself immediately arranged to return to the palace to stabilize the court.

After Nangong Jin left, Lin Ning led the old lady and Aunt Liu into the inner room, and asked with a furrowed brow, "Was the escape only because of money?"

Aunt Liu trembled and said, "Me? I really don't know. I have no idea what kind of shady things he has done all these years. I am just a woman, he would never tell me." As she spoke, she began to sob again.

Lin Ning wanted to ask more, but seeing their expressions, she knew she wouldn't get any information. It seemed she would have to investigate herself. So she said softly, "Go back and rest. Now that Father is gone, we still have to live our lives. In the future, if anything happens in this Prime Minister's residence, tell me immediately. Now that Prime Minister Lin has run away, we still need to support each other." Lin Ning looked at the two women with a deep gaze, which was actually a warning to them. Now, the entire household could only follow her lead. Otherwise, how could a few women support such a large family? In this capital city, no family could be protected without power. Liu Shi helped Old Madam Lin walk towards the backyard, thinking to herself that although this storm seemed to have subsided, undercurrents were surging, and there would probably be many more troubles to come.

Lin Xiang and Xuan Yuanche traveled non-stop and finally escaped the borders of the Dayu Kingdom. When they found a secluded valley to rest, Xuan Yuanche noticed Lin Xiang's unusual behavior. Throughout the journey, Lin Xiang's shifty eyes and scheming nature became increasingly apparent, filling Xuan Yuanche with suspicion: What secrets was this old fox hiding? Was he really willing to abandon his family to escape, simply because he feared Nangong Jin's retribution later?

Taking advantage of the moment when Prime Minister Lin dismounted to drink water, Xuan Yuanche gave his men a signal. The well-trained men silently circled behind Prime Minister Lin, and before he could react, a thick wooden stick struck him hard on the back of the head. Prime Minister Lin groaned, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground.

"Take him with you, back to the pavilion." Xuan Yuanche gave the order expressionlessly. The group placed the unconscious Prime Minister Lin across the horse's back and galloped towards their destination. The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion was hidden deep in the mountains. It was a stronghold that Xuan Yuanche had secretly built in his early years to cultivate his power, and it was extremely secretive.

Upon arriving at the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, Lin Xiang was mercilessly thrown into the dungeon. The dungeon was dark and damp, filled with a stench of decay and blood, with rats scurrying about, their squeaking sending chills down one's spine. Lin Xiang slowly awoke, his head still throbbing. When he realized where he was, he cried out in terror, "Xuan Yuanche! What do you mean by this? Didn't we agree that we'd each go our own way after we got out?!"

Xuan Yuanche strolled to the front of the dungeon, squatted down, and looked at Prime Minister Lin with a half-smile: "Prime Minister Lin, do you think I'd be stupid enough to talk about fate with someone so calculating? Your sudden rush to escape must have a lot going on behind it. Why don't you confess now, and maybe I can spare your life." Prime Minister Lin's eyes widened, both shocked and furious, but he gritted his teeth and refused to utter a single word. He knew that if he revealed everything now, he would truly have no chance of survival.