Jade of Another World

Back at the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, Xuan Yuanche's life descended into a complex and somber state. Initially, everyone in the pavilion was overjoyed at their leader's return. After all, in their eyes, Xuan Yuanche possessed great talent and ambition, a pillar capable of leading them to greater heights. His subordinates meticulously reported on the pavilion's affairs, anticipating that a single command from him would restart their once ambitious plans. However, Xuan Yuanche lacked his former vigor. He often sat alone in the dimly lit pavilion, staring blankly at the empty walls for hours on end. When subordinates came to inquire about matters, he would only offer perfunctory answers.

The nights were especially difficult. When he was single-mindedly pursuing the throne, his mind was filled with political intrigue and scheming; sleep became the least important thing. But now, with the tide turned against him, whenever the night was still and he closed his eyes, memories of his time with Lin Ning, especially the moments she healed him, haunted his mind like ghosts. Perhaps he didn't really care about the position that much after all. Why? Why was he so eager for that position before, yet not so happy when he got it, and now, losing it, he seemed to feel no regret? What was it that he truly wanted?

Sometimes, to relieve his frustration, Xuan Yuanche would occasionally go to the underground training ground of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, furiously punching the sandbags and wooden dummies until his hands were covered in blood, as if only the intense physical pain could slightly suppress the resentment in his heart. Looking at his loyal followers around him, he felt a mix of emotions. Where should the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's future lie? He didn't seem to like that position. So, his original intention in establishing the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion was completely contrary to the present. Where to go from here? The road ahead was uncertain, causing him great distress. He could only while away the days in this small space, waiting for a turning point that might appear at any time.

Xuan Yuanche's feelings for Lin Ning are more complex, seemingly difficult to define simply as "love" or "not love." His intense possessiveness makes their relationship appear almost like love. In the vortex of power struggles, Lin Ning is intelligent, resilient, and possesses a charm unmatched by others. She can offer crucial advice at critical moments, helping Xuan Yuanche resolve difficult situations. Whenever he sees Lin Ning navigating complex situations with ease, Xuan Yuanche feels a surge of pride and admiration. And when he sees Lin Ning in danger, he can't help but rush to her aid. He unconsciously wants to keep her by his side, to make her his protector. He has become accustomed to Lin Ning's companionship, and over time, her dependence on him has transformed into a deep longing. He cannot bear to see her close to others, especially Nangong Jin.

On the other hand, Xuanyuan Che's ambition always reigned supreme. His heart was set on the throne and the world; Lin Ning was more often a stumbling block in his schemes. In weighing the pros and cons, he repeatedly abandoned Lin Ning to achieve his political goals. For example, he knew certain actions might hurt Lin Ning, yet he still chose to continue, simply because the gains from success were enough to compensate for the loss of this "sacrificial pawn." As long as she survived, he didn't care about the harm done.

In truth, Xuanyuan Che himself couldn't fully understand why he wanted to seize power. Perhaps it was the pain of being abandoned at birth that instilled in him a deep sense of despair. He wanted revenge for the harm done to him. From the moment he was born, he was discarded, his swaddling clothes rough, the cold wind cutting like a knife against his tender skin. His cries went unanswered, only endless loneliness enveloped him. After being taken in by a kind person, he struggled to survive, watching other children with loving parents, warm clothes, and plenty of food, filled with envy and resentment. This childhood trauma, like a poisonous thorn, was deeply embedded in his heart, and as he grew older, it not only failed to fade but festered, constantly tormenting him.

Upon reaching adulthood, he learned about his origins and his noble lineage, yet faced such cold treatment. The seeds of resentment began to sprout. He couldn't understand why, despite sharing royal blood, Nangong Jin enjoyed a life of luxury and privilege, surrounded and protected by others, while he struggled to survive in the mire. The magnificent palace became, in his eyes, a symbol of injustice and coldness. He secretly vowed to make those who had ignored and abandoned him pay the price.

In his eyes, power was the best tool for revenge. Once he ascended the throne, he could repay the humiliation he had suffered a hundredfold, making all the indifferent royal relatives and sycophantic palace servants grovel at his feet. He would use his supreme imperial power to rewrite his destiny, reclaim everything he had lost in his childhood, and let the whole world know that the abandoned Xuanyuan Che was now of unparalleled nobility. The pain he had suffered would become stepping stones to the pinnacle. This twisted yet intense obsession propelled him step by step down the perilous path of plotting to seize power.

Lin Ning never knew what Xuan Yuanche was really thinking, but in her mind, he wouldn't do such a thing. She felt he must have his reasons. She wrote him many letters, but never received a reply. She was constantly worried about Xuan Yuanche, wanting to know what difficulties he had encountered that led him to make this choice. Now, however, she had completely lost contact with him. In her spare time, she could only go to the cave on Fahua Mountain, cleaning it and occasionally soaking in the hot springs. It seemed she was intentionally or unintentionally waiting for Xuan Yuanche's return.

The Eighth Prince, Nangong Mingying, arrived in the capital in a rumbling carriage, raising a cloud of dust and drawing the attention of the common people. This prince, who had long resided in his fiefdom, had returned without warning, prompting much speculation among the officials of the capital, yet none dared to draw any conclusions. Upon hearing of his uncle's return, Nangong Jin immediately led a group of officials to the palace gates to greet him, his face displaying just the right amount of enthusiasm, while inwardly remaining vigilant.

Following behind the Eighth Prince was Lin Ning's older brother, Lin Qi. His eyes gleamed with a cunning glint. Along the way, he silently observed his surroundings, his fingers unconsciously clenching and unclenching. He had been persecuted and forced to flee the capital, and upon hearing that Prime Minister Lin had escaped, he returned with evidence of Lin's actions against his mother. He had intended to confront Lin, but Lin had fled. Now, filled with resentment, he resolved to rebuild the Lin family on his own.

Upon entering the palace, the Eighth Prince first exchanged pleasantries with Nangong Jin, his words filled with the concern of an elder. However, the occasional flashes of his deep gaze concealed an unfathomable meaning. Lin Qi stood obediently to the side, only managing a forced smile when the gazes of others occasionally swept over him.

After everyone had dispersed, Nangong Jin kept Lin Qi behind for a private conversation: "Lin Qi, what brings you back with the Prince?" Lin Qi quickly knelt and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I am grateful for the Prince's shelter. I have returned for two reasons: first, to do something for the Lin family; second, considering my father's current condition, I must return to take care of my sisters." Nangong Jin raised an eyebrow slightly, not entirely convinced, and simply said, "If that's the case, then it's a good thing." At this moment, the entire capital seemed to be a calm lake beneath which undercurrents surged; a new storm was quietly brewing.

After returning to his residence, the Eighth Prince dismissed everyone and sat alone in his study for a long time, his face etched with weariness and a sense of vicissitude. He stroked the old jade pendant in his hand, a token given to him by his elder brother when their friendship was still strong. Now, the jade had several cracks, much like their shattered brotherhood. He recalled the past, how they had ridden horses and shot arrows together in their youth, drinking and laughing together. But as they grew older, the struggle for the throne gradually eroded all their warmth. In the end, they were at odds in court and set traps for each other in private. The struggle for the throne turned even blood relatives into strangers.

He was deeply shocked upon hearing of Xuan Yuanche's rebellion. Seeing the brothers Nangong Jin and Xuan Yuanche now at odds, painful memories of the past flooded back. The Eighth Prince knew that power was a double-edged sword, capable of both elevating and corrupting people, and he did not want to see these two young men repeat his mistakes.

So, the Eighth Prince secretly sent a letter to Nangong Jin, inviting him to the Prince's residence for a chat. When Nangong Jin received the letter and saw the familiar signature, he hesitated for a moment, but still decided to accept the invitation. Upon entering the Prince's residence, Nangong Jin bowed and greeted the Prince: "Greetings, Your Highness. May I ask what brings you here?"

The Eighth Prince looked at the young man before him and slowly said, "Jin'er, I know about what happened between you and Che'er. In my life, I have turned against your father and my brother because of the struggle for power and profit, and now I am filled with regret. You two brothers have not been together since childhood, but blood is thicker than water. Do not let imperial power blind you and cause you to lose your precious brotherly affection."

Nangong Jin snorted coldly: "Uncle, you don't know the ins and outs. It was Xuanyuan Che who was unkind to me first."

The Eighth Prince sighed softly: "Che'er and you have similar personalities. You are closer than ordinary brothers. You are twins. Why don't you let go of your obsession and try to be honest with Che'er? Maybe you can resolve the knot in your heart that has been there for so many years."

Nangong Jin remained silent. Although he felt resistant, the Eighth Prince's words were like a pebble thrown into his already turbulent heart, causing ripples and plunging him into deep thought.

After Nangong Jin left, the Eighth Prince lay on his recliner, recalling the letter his elder brother had sent. The letter was yellowed with age, yet it remained neatly tucked away in a hidden compartment of his study. At the time, the court was embroiled in fierce power struggles, and the vortex of intrigue filled him with suspicion. When he received the letter, he assumed it was just another of his brother's political maneuvering, a feigned weakness intended to lure him in, and casually tossed it into a corner.

Days passed, and he remained oblivious, growing further and further apart from his brother. Then one day, devastating news arrived: his brother had passed away from illness. He stumbled into the house to find a letter, but it was too late. All he could see was a lonely grave in the imperial mausoleum. In that instant, all past grievances and grudges vanished. He was filled with regret for not being able to see his brother one last time, hating himself for being blinded by power, able to disregard even the life and death of his own flesh and blood.

In the countless lonely nights that followed, the contents of that letter would echo in his mind. His elder brother, with trembling handwriting, described his illness, his words filled with reconciliation for past conflicts and a longing for reunion with his brothers. Yet, he himself had shut out this warmth and reconciliation. Now, with white hair creeping into his temples and fewer and fewer relatives around him, the Eighth Prince increasingly felt that the imperial power he had fought for all those years was nothing but an illusion. It felt incredibly precious when he held it, but only when he let go did he realize that what was truly precious was the brotherly bond with his elder brother. But this realization came far too late.

Looking at Nangong Jin before him, he saw his younger self and his brother in the same way. A strong determination ignited in his heart to prevent the tragedy from happening again. Even if he had to use all his words, even if the two young people wouldn't listen for a while, he would do everything in his power to persuade them to reconcile and make up for the mistakes he made back then.

He repeatedly tried to meet with Nangong Jin, recounting the past to him. Nangong Jin was now the emperor; only if he could forgive Che'er would Che'er have a chance to live.

Inside the warm pavilion, the charcoal fire crackled and popped, yet it couldn't warm the heavy atmosphere. The Eighth Prince spoke slowly, his voice hoarse and weathered by time: "Jin'er, today your uncle wants to tell you some old stories, about me and your father." Nangong Jin nodded slightly, his gaze focused. He knew his uncle's words were meant to be meaningful. In truth, he also longed to forgive Xuan Yuanche, but now, he didn't know what Xuan Yuanche truly thought. If he harbored rebellious intentions, he would ultimately have to face him in a final showdown.

"Your father and I are about the same age, and we grew up together since childhood. Our bond is deep, far exceeding that of ordinary brothers." The Eighth Prince fell into reminiscence, his eyes softening and becoming hazy. "In our youth, we played and frolicked in the Imperial Garden, skipped classes to ride horses without our tutor's knowledge, and shared the same pastry. Those days were so simple and carefree." He paused, a hint of pain flashing across his face. "But later, as we grew older, a desire for the throne unconsciously emerged. We began to secretly compete, currying favor with court officials and suppressing each other. The brotherly affection we once shared was gradually devoured by the lust for power."

Nangong Jin listened quietly, a complex mix of emotions stirring within him. He had never imagined that his dignified father had such a youthful and naive past.

"In the end, we were practically sworn enemies. The court was a battlefield of swords and shadows. We fought over everything, until it reached a point of no return." The Eighth Prince sighed deeply. "Before your father passed away, he wrote me a letter, informing me of his illness and hoping to see me one last time to resolve our grievances. But at that time, I was filled with jealousy and hatred, thinking it was just another of his political maneuvering, and I paid no attention. By the time I learned the truth, it was too late. I didn't even get to see him one last time." The Eighth Prince raised his bloodshot eyes and looked directly at Nangong Jin. "Jin'er, your uncle has been blinded by power all his life, missing out on too many precious things. You and Che'er, though you didn't grow up together, are brothers. Don't follow in the footsteps of me and your father. Put aside your hatred and rebuild your brotherly bond."

Nangong Jin remained silent for a long time, images of her and Xuan Yuanche flashing through her mind, followed by the resolute yet crazed look in Xuan Yuanche's eyes on the day of the rebellion. A mix of emotions welled up within her: "Uncle, this isn't just my problem. Xuan Yuanche's obsession runs too deep; he's single-mindedly focused on seizing the throne. What can I do?" The Eighth Prince stood up and patted Nangong Jin's shoulder: "It's all about human effort. As long as you're willing, there will always be a day of reconciliation. Don't wait until it's too late to regret."

Lin Qi returned to the Prime Minister's residence. The moment he stepped through the gates, the former bustling activity seemed like a distant dream, replaced by a desolate silence. The vermilion gates had faded considerably, with faint traces of rust on the door knockers. The doors were half-closed, seemingly powerless against this sudden decay. Stepping into the courtyard, overgrown weeds sprouted from the cracks in the bricks, spreading rampantly. The once meticulously trimmed flowers and trees were now nothing but withered branches and leaves, shivering in the wind. Occasionally, servants passing by would see Lin Qi, a flicker of surprise in their eyes before they hastily bowed, heads bowed, and hurried away. A pang of sorrow gripped Lin Qi's heart. He gazed at the familiar corridors and houses, memories of family joy and guests filling the house flashing before his eyes, making the present scene all the more poignant.

Lin Ning followed him in, and seeing her brother's stunned expression, she said softly, "Brother, since Father fled, things at home have been getting worse day by day. Fortunately, the family hasn't been punished for Father's actions. His Majesty is benevolent and, seeing that only the elderly, women, and children remain at home, he hasn't investigated further." Lin Qi bit his lower lip and remained silent.

Lin Ning sighed softly, "Things have come to this point. The most urgent task is to find a way to revitalize the Lin family. Although Father was wrong, the Lin family's centuries-old foundation cannot be destroyed like this." Lin Qi nodded emphatically, "My sister is right. That's why I came back this time. I will do everything in my power to restore the Lin family to its former glory." With that, he straightened his back, a long-lost fighting spirit burning in his eyes. Despite the difficult road ahead, he was determined to forge a path to survival for his family.

Lin Qi stood in the center of the desolate courtyard of the Prime Minister's residence. A biting wind howled past, whipping at his robes as if to sweep away even his last vestige of defiance. He looked around at the crumbling walls; every scene of decay felt like a heavy hammer blow to his heart. Once, this was a prestigious mansion envied by everyone in the capital, a symbol of the Lin family's glory. Now, it was a scene of utter devastation, nothing but ruins.

Clenching his fists, Lin Qi's knuckles turned white from the force. He murmured to himself, as if swearing an oath to the desolate mansion, or perhaps encouraging himself: "The Lin family won't stay like this forever. I will definitely bring it back to its former glory." Lin Ning walked to her brother's side and gently took his hand. She could feel the burning determination in Lin Qi's palm, and the slight trembling.

“Brother, I believe you,” Lin Ning said softly, her gaze firm. “Let’s learn from our past mistakes and take every step from now on with utmost care.” Lin Qi turned to look at his sister, his eyes reddening. “Sister, you’ve suffered so much these past years. It’s my fault as your older brother; I couldn’t protect this family, I couldn’t protect you. From now on, I’ll take the burden and make sure you have a safe and secure future.”

In the days that followed, Lin Qi spun around like a wound-up top, working tirelessly day and night. He first took stock of the few remaining assets his family owned, meticulously checking the accounts. Then, he personally visited old friends and merchants who still maintained ties with the Lin family, humbly seeking investment and negotiating partnerships. Every setback and every cold reception he received failed to extinguish the flame of hope burning within him. Instead, it made him even more resolute, single-mindedly focused on the revitalization of the Lin family and the future of himself and his sister, forging a path through thorns to survive.