Jade of Another World

That day, the princess hurriedly found Lin Ning and pulled her to a quiet side hall before saying, "Lin Ning, do you know that the court is in an uproar! My brother has been on the throne for some time now, but the position of empress has remained vacant. The ministers are getting restless and have submitted petitions requesting my brother to appoint an empress as soon as possible." The princess frowned slightly, her face full of worry.

Lin Ning lowered her eyes, concealing the complex emotions within them: "This... is a major matter of the court, and His Majesty has his own considerations. It's best if we don't discuss it."

The princess stamped her feet in frustration: "Don't you understand? This matter seems simple, but it actually involves many things. The head of the harem assists in managing the six palaces, so that many complicated palace affairs can be handled in an orderly manner. Now, all the forces are eager to make their moves and want to push their own daughters up. If the person who pushes her up has bad intentions, who knows how many troubles will arise in the palace in the future."

Lin Ning gently bit her lip, pondered for a moment, and then said, "What the princess said is very true, but His Majesty's intentions are hard to fathom, so we should not interfere rashly."

The princess leaned closer and took Lin Ning's arm: "Lin Ning, you and the Emperor have gone through thick and thin together, your bond is extraordinary. If you were to step forward and advise him now, perhaps you could ease his worries. I think no one in the palace is more suitable than you. You are intelligent and composed, and the Emperor greatly admires you. If you were to become the Empress..."

Lin Ning recoiled as if burned, quickly withdrawing her hand: "Princess, please don't joke! Matters of the heart cannot be so easily manipulated. Besides, I have no romantic relationship with the Emperor. I only helped him before because of my father's mistakes. Now that he has ascended to the highest position, I can finally focus on my own affairs." Lin Ning secretly warned herself not to indulge in wishful thinking. She didn't belong in this place, and she no longer wanted to be involved in many things. She had spoken with Master Ouyang before, and she felt that perhaps she still had a chance to return to her original world, but it required time and an opportune moment. Master Ouyang was now helping with the calculations, and given the opportunity, Lin Ning still wanted to go back. After all, while this era had many advantages, it was too restrictive and unfair to women. Being a woman here was too exhausting. Take Rosa, for example, who spent so much time scheming but ultimately gained nothing. Or Yingchun, who married someone she didn't love and was used step by step. Or Lin Wan, who listened to men the most but ended up being the most hurt. Lin Ning sighed deeply at all these thoughts. Therefore, she didn't want to get involved and spent a long time comforting the princess before finally letting her go back.

On the Eighth Prince's side, he had remained secluded at home for several days, claiming only that he was seriously ill and bedridden, and that his condition was worsening. When the news reached the palace, Nangong Jin was extremely anxious. She immediately prepared lavish gifts and rushed to the Prince's residence with the imperial physician. Xuan Yuanche also received the news. Although he was puzzled by the sudden onset of the illness, remembering the Eighth Prince's kindness to him since childhood, he did not delay and secretly slipped past the guards to reach the residence. He met Nangong Jin at the gates of the Eighth Prince's residence. Knowing that he had come because of the Eighth Prince, Nangong Jin did not make things difficult for him.

The two had just stepped into the inner courtyard of the Prince's mansion, remaining silent. Suddenly, an unexpected turn of events occurred! A group of assassins dressed in black and with their faces covered in black cloth darted out like ghosts from behind the rafters and screens, their sharp blades gleaming coldly, aimed directly at Nangong Jin. Nangong Jin instinctively drew her sword to parry, but due to the suddenness of the attack, she was nearly injured. Seeing this, Xuan Yuanche, without hesitation, leaped towards the assassins, shielding Nangong Jin from a fatal blow, shouting, "Watch out!"

In an instant, swords flashed and shadows danced across the courtyard, the pavilion and artificial hill scattering wood chips everywhere. Nangong Jin and Xuan Yuanche stood back to back, their years of martial arts training on full display, their swordplay sharp and their teamwork seamless. Although the assassins outnumbered them, they couldn't gain the upper hand. The two men sustained several minor wounds, but the assassins seemed to have lost their minds, their attacks growing increasingly fierce. After a fierce battle, seeing they couldn't gain the upper hand, the assassins exchanged glances, seized an opening, and fled. Nangong Jin and Xuan Yuanche, panting heavily, looked at each other, still reeling from the attack. At this moment, the Eighth Prince emerged from behind the screen in the inner room, a look of relief on his face: "Good children, are you alright?"

Nangong Jin was both surprised and suspicious: "Uncle, what's going on?" The Eighth Prince waved his hand, signaling the others to leave. He arranged for the two of them to sit down and slowly said, "Don't rush, sit down first, and let me explain slowly. My illness is actually not serious, and the assassin was someone I arranged to impersonate someone. Although you two brothers seem to have conflicts on the surface, you still care about each other in your hearts. Blood is thicker than water, which is why I resorted to this tactic. Just now, in that critical moment, Che'er didn't hesitate to save Jin'er, which shows that your brotherly bond is still deep in your bones. Think about it carefully, why should brothers act like this? Is this cold war between you worth it?"

Upon hearing this, both Nangong Jin and Xuan Yuanche were stunned. Recalling their instinctive reaction in that life-or-death moment, a warmth gradually arose in their hearts. The lingering resentment seemed to have been completely swept away by this "farce." The brothers looked at each other with relief in their eyes.

After that, none of the three spoke. In the main hall, the Eighth Prince looked at the brothers and sighed inwardly before speaking first: "I called you here today hoping to resolve the conflict between you two."

Nangong Jin bowed slightly and sat down, her expression calm. Xuan Yuanche also remained silent and sat down naturally. The Eighth Prince cleared his throat: "Che'er, Jin'er, although you didn't grow up together, you are still very close. Can you forget your kinship? Can you truly be indifferent to each other?"

Seeing that neither of them spoke, the Eighth Prince said earnestly, "Power struggles have existed since ancient times, but once the bond of blood is broken, it can never be mended. Aren't the lessons of my father and your father enough? In the end, all that's left is regret and remorse." Nangong Jin and Xuanyuan Che were moved by the Eighth Prince's words.

After a long silence, Xuan Yuanche, recalling his daily frustrations in the pavilion, broke the deadlock: "Fine, I admit defeat this time, and I will no longer contend with you." Nangong Jin also breathed a sigh of relief: "In that case, let bygones be bygones." Seeing the two reconcile, the Eighth Prince finally showed a relieved smile.

A few days later, following the advice of the Eighth Prince, Nangong Jin issued an edict bestowing upon Xuan Yuanche the title of Prince Gong, and bestowing upon him a magnificent royal mansion, along with a host of servants and a great deal of gold and silver. On the day of the investiture, Xuan Yuanche entered the palace to express his gratitude. Nangong Jin personally welcomed him into the hall. The two brothers smiled at each other, and the years of grudges and resentments finally vanished at that moment. The Great Yu court also gained a sense of stability due to the reconciliation of these two royal brothers.

Here, Xuan Yuanche was granted the title of Prince, and Liu Si was appointed to invite Lin Ning to Xuan Yuanche's Prince's Mansion. He said that Xuan Yuanche had something to say to Lin Ning.

Liu Si approached Lin Ning with a fawning smile: "Miss Lin, His Highness Prince Gong has sent me to invite you to the Prince's residence for a gathering. His Highness has something to say to you." Upon hearing the name "Prince Gong," Lin Ning paused for a moment before realizing it was Xuan Yuanche, and a mix of emotions welled up inside her.

She instinctively refused, "Young Master Liu, I've been swamped with trivial matters lately and I'm afraid I won't be able to find the time to go to the Prince's residence. I hope you can apologize to the Prince on my behalf." Upon hearing this, Liu Si wrung his hands anxiously, "Miss Lin, please do me a favor. The Prince's mood has just improved these days, and he's eagerly hoping to see you. If you don't go, I really won't be able to explain myself."

Lin Ning hesitated. She was genuinely afraid of getting entangled with Xuan Yuanche and Nangong Jin again; the complicated power struggles and emotional entanglements of the past had left her exhausted. Lin Ning refused to go. She told Liu Si that she knew his conflict with Nangong Jin had been resolved, and she was happy for him.

Liu Si jogged to catch up with Lin Ning and said urgently, "Miss Lin, please go. The Prince has repeatedly instructed me to invite you here, saying he has something to say to you, which must be extremely important."

Lin Ning shook her head slightly, her expression calm yet distant: "Young Master Liu, please thank the Prince for his kindness, but I really have something to attend to. Now that he and His Majesty have reconciled, it's a good thing, but the past entanglements are too deep, and I shouldn't get involved." Liu Si frowned, unwilling to give up, and advised: "Miss Lin, the Prince has finally regained some spirits and is hoping to see you. Just consider it a visit to comfort an old friend. Besides, there's no one else in the Prince's residence, so nothing will go wrong."

Lin Ning gave a bitter smile: "Young Master Liu, I was once caught in the vortex of power struggles. Now, the Lin family only grants my brother and me peace and quiet. I only wish to keep this peace and live a peaceful life. I hope you can understand and not make things difficult for me anymore."

Liu Si looked troubled and wanted to persuade her again, but Lin Ning had already turned and left quickly, her clothes fluttering in the wind, leaving Liu Si standing there, watching her departing figure, full of helplessness. He knew that Lin Ning was stubborn by nature, and once she made up her mind, it was difficult for others to change her mind. But how could he explain this to the prince when he returned? Liu Si looked up at the sky and sighed deeply, dragging his heavy steps back to the prince's mansion.

Lin Ning returned to the Prime Minister's residence with a gloomy expression. Her unwillingness to associate with Nangong Jin and Xuan Yuanche stemmed from her own reasons: in her dreams, the traumatic experiences of her past life remained an indelible scar etched into her heart. In her dreams, a person with the same face as Nangong Jin and Xuan Yuanche would brandish a knife, the scene of blood splattering endlessly repeating itself, instilling in her an instinctive fear and apprehension towards them. Even though her reason told her that fate might have changed, her subconscious anxiety still compelled her to distance herself from them, fearing a repeat of the past and another existential threat of being murdered.

Furthermore, having been deeply embroiled in the power struggle between the two, Lin Ning was repeatedly used as a pawn, facing perilous situations time and again. She and Xuan Yuanche were once very close, but he, driven by his ambition to usurp the throne, completely disregarded Lin Ning's feelings, turning what she thought was love into a joke. Her letters to Xuan Yuanche didn't bring him back, but the throne did; ultimately, she had cared too much. Her closeness to Nangong Jin made her a thorn in the side of various factions, subjecting her to countless open and covert attacks. Those thrilling power struggles and intrigues left her physically and mentally exhausted, and now she only longs to escape the turmoil and find peace.

Moreover, Prime Minister Lin's defection has brought shame upon the Lin family, causing their status in the capital to plummet. Although Lin Ning's service to the emperor has preserved some dignity for the Lin family, she still carries this heavy burden in her heart. She feels that the gap between her and Nangong Jin's social status is widening, and their relationship seems hopeless; as for Xuan Yuanche, the past entanglements between the Lin family and him leave her unsure how to interact, so she simply avoids him to save herself from many troubles.

Love is a powerful force that can easily cloud judgment. Lin Ning knew that both Nangong Jin and Xuan Yuanche harbored feelings for her, but since they were brothers, she had no choice but to keep her distance. In the many novels she had read, such twisted emotions between brothers never ended well. She didn't want any further contact with them. If she were to get involved again, and if the two men were to develop a rift in the future, she would inevitably become a villain for all time. To protect the peaceful life she had finally achieved, she built a wall around her heart, refusing any interaction to safeguard herself.

The moon was hidden and the stars were few; the night was thick and inky. Dressed in black, Xuan Yuanche silently slipped into Lin Ning's courtyard. He moved nimbly, and with a few leaps, he evaded the patrolling servants and found his way to the window of Lin Ning's room. The candle inside was still lit, and the dim yellow light shone through the window paper, casting a hazy, warm glow.

Xuan Yuanche held his breath, gently approaching the window. His fingers barely touched the windowpane before he abruptly pulled back. He had never felt so uneasy. In the past, when plotting his usurpation, he hadn't panicked even facing thousands of troops. Now, just to see Lin Ning, his heart pounded like a drum. Through the gap in the window paper, he saw Lin Ning sitting at the table, a book in her hand, her expression focused. A few strands of hair fell over her shoulders, adding to her gentle and graceful beauty. Seeing that she was safe and sound, Xuan Yuanche's heart eased slightly, but the thought of Lin Ning avoiding him brought a surge of bitterness back. He couldn't help but gently knock on the windowpane, his voice as soft as the night breeze rustling through fallen leaves: "Lin Ning..."

Lin Ning, who was inside the room, was startled by the sound and almost dropped the book in her hand. She looked at the window warily and asked, "Who is it?" Xuan Yuanche lowered his voice and said, "It's me, Xuan Yuanche." Lin Ning's brows furrowed instantly. She got up and walked to the window, but did not open it. Instead, she said coldly through the window paper, "Your Highness, what brings you here so late at night? If you continue to be so rude, I will have to call for help."

Xuan Yuanche was filled with bitterness: "Lin Ning, I know you're angry with me. But I'm filled with remorse now. I returned to the capital because I wanted to see you. Please don't send me away." Lin Ning was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Highness, the past is the past. I only want to live a peaceful life now. You are of noble status; please don't come looking for me again." Having said that, she ignored Xuan Yuanche outside the window, blew out the candle, and the room fell into darkness. Xuan Yuanche stood outside the window, gazing at the dark room, unwilling to leave for a long time. The cold wind howled past, but it couldn't dispel the desolation in his heart.

In the palace, the late Emperor's Consort Xi and Consort De huddled in a secluded corner of the Imperial Garden. Surrounded by blooming flowers, they couldn't conceal the calculating glint in their eyes. Consort Xi lightly waved her silk fan, a faint smile playing on her lips: "Sister, His Majesty has been on the throne for some time now, and the position of Empress is still vacant. It's not a good thing."

Consort De nodded slightly and continued, "Sister is right. His Majesty is busy with state affairs and probably hasn't taken this matter to heart yet. We need to find a way to remind him."

Consort Xi scoffed lightly: "Hmph, it's not that His Majesty didn't care. He probably already has someone in mind, but for some reason, he can't say it out loud. Look at Lin Ning, His Majesty's feelings for her are obvious to everyone."

Consort De's eyes lit up: "Sister, do you mean that Lin Ning is an obstacle for us?"

Consort Xi put away her fan and gently tapped Consort De's forehead: "Silly sister, it's more than just a stumbling block. I've also heard that that traitor Xuan Yuanche has feelings for Lin Ning. Think about it, if we stir up the matter of choosing an empress and get Lin Ning involved, I'm sure those two brothers will fight tooth and nail for her. At that time, the harem and the court will be in complete chaos, and we can take advantage of the situation to control the situation."

Consort De suddenly realized, and an excited expression appeared on her face: "Sister, this plan is brilliant! So, how should we proceed?"

Consort Xi paced confidently, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Let's first find a few key ministers and have them jointly submit a memorial, earnestly requesting His Majesty to expand the harem and recruit more beautiful women. In our words, we should also emphasize the urgency of establishing an empress. Those old ministers in the court value ancestral rules the most, and they will definitely agree. Once this is done, it will be difficult for Lin Ning to stay out of it. Let's just wait and see what happens."

So, a few days later, two earnest and detailed memorials were presented to Nangong Jin's desk, and undercurrents instantly surged in the court and the inner palace. A storm surrounding the establishment of an empress and emotional entanglements quietly began.