Jade of Another World

Hearing the rumors, Xuan Yuanche and Lin Ning were furious, but quickly reached a consensus—to handle the situation calmly. Xuan Yuanche frowned and snorted coldly, "Combating the plague is the top priority right now. We can't let these baseless rumors throw us off balance and allow those with ulterior motives to succeed." Lin Ning nodded firmly in agreement, "Your Highness is right. We have acted with a clear conscience. Once the epidemic is eradicated and everyone returns to their posts, these rumors will have no fertile ground to grow."

As a result, the two became increasingly cautious in their daily interactions, deliberately keeping their distance. When discussing illnesses and coordinating supplies, they were no longer as casual and natural as before, using increasingly formal and polite language. Occasionally, their eyes would meet, but they would quickly look away to avoid giving anyone cause for gossip.

Lin Ning threw himself into the busy work of treating patients, staying at the clinic from morning till night, practically living and eating there, using his doubled workload to keep himself from paying attention to the rumors. Xuan Yuanche, on the other hand, frequently traveled between various epidemic prevention checkpoints, personally supervising the transportation of supplies and the deployment of personnel. When tired, he would take a short nap in his tent, then get back to work, using his intense work to ward off idle gossip. They were both determined, hoping to dispel the shadow of the epidemic as soon as possible and restore peace to the prefecture and county. As for those unfounded rumors, let them die out on their own. After all, they would leave after the epidemic was over.

Lin Ning knew perfectly well that from the moment the rumors started, she knew Zhao Meiren and Liu Yushu were behind it all. Both were shrewd and experienced; she could easily see through anyone's schemes. However, things weren't convenient at the moment. Although she chose to keep a low profile, she wasn't someone to be trifled with. In her spare time, Lin Ning secretly instructed several trusted maids to keep an eye on Zhao Meiren and Liu Yushu's movements.

These maids were very clever. Disguised as ordinary servants, they took turns keeping watch near the residence of Consort Zhao and Liu Yushu. They recorded every visitor who frequently came and went, whether it was a mysterious scholar or a suspicious servant. The maids also took the time to befriend the vendors near the residence, trying to find out about their mistresses' daily lives.

Lin Ning herself wasn't idle either. Under the guise of discussing anti-epidemic supplies at the county government office, she discreetly investigated some information. She speculated that, given the personalities of these two, they must have abused their power in the past. As long as she could find concrete evidence, she would have a solid basis for future retaliation. On one occasion, the county clerk inadvertently revealed that Liu Yushu had pressured the previous owner to sell her the house at a low price in order to purchase it. Lin Ning keenly grasped this point and discreetly investigated the matter, waiting for the right opportunity to settle all these accumulated "old scores" and new grudges.

Nangong Jin had been suffering from insomnia lately. The moment he closed his eyes, troubling images of his imagination would flood him. In the darkness, he saw Xuan Yuanche and Lin Ning strolling side-by-side through a field of blooming spring flowers. Lin Ning smiled radiantly, her eyes filled with admiration for Xuan Yuanche, while Xuan Yuanche, gentle and tender, softly brushed the fallen petals from her shoulder. Each time he awoke from such a dream, Nangong Jin would be drenched in sweat, his chest feeling as if a huge rock was pressing down on him, making it hard to breathe.

When Nangong Jin saw the two again during the day, even if it was just a casual glance and a few words of business, he couldn't help but scrutinize their expressions and actions. Interactions that once seemed perfectly normal now felt like secret signals concealing hidden feelings. When Xuan Yuanche casually handed Lin Ning a pen and ink, Nangong Jin's gaze instantly turned cold; Lin Ning's slight nod of thanks to Xuan Yuanche was interpreted by him as a tender, affectionate hint.

He was torn by inner conflict. He didn't want to believe that his long-time brother and the woman he loved would betray him, but the escalating rumors, coupled with the deliberate distance they maintained, allowed the seeds of suspicion to take root and sprout wildly, threatening to devour his reason. He began to frequently lash out at his attendants for no reason, and a tense atmosphere hung over the entire camp. Everyone knew that the emperor was troubled by something, but no one knew the reason.

As the shadow of the epidemic gradually dissipated and the streets regained some of their former vitality, Zhao Meiren and Liu Yushu's mood grew increasingly heavy. With the day of their return to the palace drawing ever closer, although the Emperor had recently reduced his contact with Lin Ning, he also ignored the two women completely. Both were now extremely anxious, their previous cooperative relationship dwindling, and they began to resort to their own schemes once more.

Consort Zhao, realizing that her gentle approach had failed, decided to try a different tactic. She sent her personal maid back to the capital to have her mother find her aphrodisiac incense—a scented pill said to enhance arousal and pleasure. She also had her palace decorated in a dreamlike style, with sheer curtains and a warm, fragrant aroma. With everything prepared, she found a pretext to invite Nangong Jin to her courtyard, intending to use the incense to distract the emperor when he was off guard. She figured that once she had physical intimacy, future favor would surely follow.

Liu Yushu, however, took a different approach. Knowing that Nangong Jin valued scholarship, she studied diligently day and night, even enlisting her elder brother's help to find works by several contemporary Confucian scholars to study their insights on governance. After thorough preparation, Liu Yushu began frequently appearing near Nangong Jin's study, where he handled state affairs. She deliberately left behind several pages of manuscripts filled with insightful observations, waiting for the emperor to discover them. She intended to use this opportunity to showcase her intelligence and competence, making Nangong Jin realize that she was not merely a beautiful but empty shell, that Lin Ning was not the only one who could help His Majesty, but that she herself was a confidante with whom he could discuss matters.

Lin Ning coldly observed Zhao Meiren and Liu Yushu's various activities, secretly remaining vigilant. She was all too familiar with the undercurrents of scheming in palace dramas, and decided to stay away from this murky water as much as possible. In the past, she would regularly report to Nangong Jin on the situation in the epidemic area and the remaining supplies, but now she would send reliable subordinates instead, focusing all her attention on the final tasks.

She knew that if she stepped forward now, she could easily be drawn into the vortex of trouble, becoming a thorn in the side of those two. She recalled the drama "The Legend of Zhen Huan" she had stayed up all night watching; the scheming and bloodshed were still vivid in her mind, and how many intelligent women had fallen victim to the palace intrigue. Lin Ning became increasingly discreet, spending her days with only a few close maids, shuttling between the clinic and her residence, hoping that this silent struggle would end soon so she could escape unscathed and return to her peaceful life.

Nangong Jin had recently been thoroughly annoyed by the various petty schemes of Consort Zhao and Liu Yushu. Although he was busy with state affairs, his imperial mind was sharp, and he could easily see through their little schemes. However, he didn't have the energy to expose them, so he let them do as they pleased. After all, they weren't important; their fathers were. He was just giving face to these key ministers.

Lin Ning hadn't shown up for several days. She usually reported on the epidemic situation clearly and punctually, but lately she only sent a maidservant who quickly finished speaking and left. Nangong Jin began to have doubts, wondering to herself: Could she be jealous? The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. After all, women are generally sensitive, and perhaps she was secretly feeling wronged.

He sat at his desk, his attention somewhat diverted from reviewing memorials. The brush in his hand hovered in mid-air, and the image of Lin Ning's aggrieved face seemed to appear before his eyes. Nangong Jin couldn't help but chuckle to himself, wondering whether he should summon Lin Ning and speak frankly, lest she hide in a corner, secretly grieving.

When Nangong Jin received Zhao Meiren's exquisite invitation, his brows furrowed slightly. He had already guessed that this woman had ill intentions, but curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to go anyway. Stepping into the palace, he immediately sensed something was amiss. Layers of sheer curtains hung in the room, and a warm, ambiguous fragrance permeated the air, almost enveloping him. The candlelight flickered, making his eyes dizzy, and on the table were delicate tea and snacks, with a pot of fragrant tea steaming gently.

Hearing footsteps, Consort Zhao gracefully stepped forward. Dressed in a gossamer-thin gauze robe, her figure was slender, and her face wore a deliberately feigned sweet smile: "Your Majesty, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you for so long!" She then tried to pull Nangong Jin to a seat. Nangong Jin's face instantly darkened. As an emperor, he was most averse to being schemed against. Anyone could see that this scene was a clumsy attempt at seduction.

He snorted coldly, his gaze piercing as he stared directly at Consort Zhao, saying in a chilling voice, "I see how dare you!" Consort Zhao turned deathly pale with fright. Before she could defend herself, Nangong Jin had already turned and strode towards the door, leaving Consort Zhao standing frozen in place, filled with panic and resentment. The pot of carefully prepared, drugged tea remained untouched on the table, its steam gradually dissipating, just like Consort Zhao's shattered dream.

Nangong Jin walked angrily toward the tent. Before she could recover, she saw Liu Yushu standing by the path, clutching several sheets of paper in his hand, looking flustered as if he had lost something important. Upon seeing the emperor, Liu Yushu feigned surprise and hurriedly bowed. In a seemingly casual gesture, he loosened his grip, and the manuscripts fluttered down to Nangong Jin's feet.

Nangong Jin bent down to pick it up, glanced at it casually, and saw it was all high-sounding talk about governing the country. He instantly realized that this was another deliberate charade. He was already furious from being provoked by Zhao Meiren, and now he was even more enraged. He sneered, "Miss Liu's methods are becoming more and more novel." Liu Yushu was so frightened that her face turned pale. She knelt down with a thud, stammering as if she was about to defend herself.

Nangong Jin, however, had no desire to listen further and directly ordered his attendant, "Go, bring Consort Zhao to the tent as well! Today I want to see what you two are up to, what kind of place you take this for, to play such tricks as you please!" The attendant obeyed and left. Before long, he brought the trembling Consort Zhao and Liu Yushu to Nangong Jin. The atmosphere in the tent instantly plummeted, and a storm seemed imminent.

Xuanyuan Che lifted the curtain and entered. He immediately saw Zhao Meiren and Liu Yushu kneeling on the ground, trembling. His face instantly showed a perfectly timed look of surprise. He quickly took two steps to Nangong Jin's side, bowed, and asked casually, "Your Majesty, why have these two beauties angered you again?" As he spoke, his eyes glanced at the two women out of the corner of his eye, with a hint of amusement.

Nangong Jin snorted coldly, throwing Liu Yushu's manuscript to the ground with a loud "thud," startling Liu Yushu. "Look at this! This Miss Liu went so far as to stage such a dramatic scene of dropping a book on my way back to camp. Does she think I'm a fool?" He then pointed at Consort Zhao, "And this one, who decorates her palace like a brothel, trying to scheme against me with those despicable tricks!"

Xuanyuan Che feigned surprise and echoed, "You two beauties are quite confused. His Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state and cares deeply for the people. He has no time to deal with such petty tricks. Sincere service is the right path." These words, seemingly admonishing, were actually like knives, piercing Zhao Meimei and Liu Yushu with shame. They lowered their heads even further, wishing they could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Xuanyuan Che raised an eyebrow slightly, then added seemingly casually, "Your Majesty may not know, but to express their affection, these two noble ladies have specially purchased a mansion in this prefecture and county, undertaking a large-scale construction project and placing all kinds of treasures there, hoping to accompany Your Majesty for a long time."

Upon hearing this, Nangong Jin's anger flared even more, his face darkening. He already loathed the scheming and power-hungry women of the harem, and now these two were deliberately showing off their talents and secretly purchasing luxurious mansions—their actions were utterly outrageous. At this critical juncture, when the epidemic had just subsided and everything needed rebuilding, instead of thinking about relieving the people's burdens, they were preoccupied with other matters, showing a complete lack of consideration for the people's interests.

"How dare you!" Nangong Jin slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup shake. "From this day forward, keep these two under strict guard and forbid anyone from visiting them. When they return to the palace in a few days, they will be severely punished!"

Upon receiving the order, the guards immediately stepped forward and dragged Zhao Meiren and Liu Yushu away. The two women were terrified, their faces pale, and they cried and begged for mercy, but Nangong Jin didn't even glance at them, letting them be carried out. Inside the tent, only Nangong Jin and Xuan Yuanche remained, and the atmosphere became somewhat heavy. After a while, the two resumed their business, as if the farce they had just witnessed was merely an insignificant interlude.

The guard rushed into the tent in a panic, knelt on one knee, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! An epidemic has broken out in the capital and is spreading rapidly. The people in the city are panicking and fleeing in all directions. Most of the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital are with Your Majesty in the prefectures and counties, and no one is in charge of the situation. It is now in complete chaos!"

Nangong Jin abruptly stood up, his expression instantly turning extremely grave. He had just experienced the horrors of the plague and knew all too well that the slightest mishap could lead to widespread death and destruction. Without a second thought, he immediately ordered the guard beside him, "Quickly, go and summon Lin Ning. We must discuss a solution to this matter as soon as possible." The guard obeyed and rushed off.

Before long, Lin Ning arrived in a hurry. Her hair was a little disheveled from the journey. She didn't bother with the formalities and went straight to Nangong Jin, asking, "Your Majesty, I've heard about the epidemic in the capital. What are the specific details?" Nangong Jin briefly explained the situation, his eyes filled with worry and urgency: "Lin Ning, I can only rely on you now. Do you have any solutions?"

Lin Ning lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to stabilize the hearts of the people in the capital. We can send a team back first to post notices informing the public that the court has a plan in place, so that everyone will not panic and flee, thus preventing the disease from spreading faster. Furthermore, we need to take stock of our remaining medicines and supplies and transport them back to the capital immediately. I and the physicians from the Imperial Hospital will also go back with the team to begin treatment as soon as possible. For now, we can leave Lin Wan and one or two imperial physicians in the prefectures and counties." Nangong Jin listened and nodded repeatedly, immediately beginning to arrange the various matters.

Nangong Jin and his entourage rode at breakneck speed, kicking up a cloud of dust as they hurried towards the capital. As they approached the city gates, the scene before them caused them to gasp in horror. The once bustling and orderly capital city now seemed swallowed by a dark cloud, with an atmosphere of panic permeating the streets and alleys. The people, their faces filled with terror, fled in all directions, supporting the elderly and carrying children. Occasionally, cries of pain and screams could be heard. Many shops along the streets were wide open, their goods scattered on the ground, clearly having been looted in the chaos.

Only a small number of uninfected guards struggled to maintain order in the city. Sweat beaded on their foreheads, their voices hoarse from shouting, but the surging crowds wouldn't listen, and the situation remained chaotic. Nangong Jin's face was grim, his eyes filled with pain and anxiety. He tightened the reins and shouted, "All soldiers, listen to my command! First, assist the guards in stabilizing the situation; we must not allow chaos to spread!" The guards responded in unison, quickly dispersing and rushing to various parts of the city.

Lin Ning was extremely anxious. Ignoring her travel fatigue, she immediately instructed the imperial physician beside her, "Let's split into several groups and go to the areas in the city where the patients are concentrated to examine their conditions and record their symptoms, so that we can formulate prescriptions as soon as possible." After saying that, she spurred her horse toward the densely populated areas where the epidemic was most severe. She knew that every second gained could save more lives.

Lin Ning hurried through the crowded and chaotic streets, her eyes scanning anxiously for each patient. Just as she was feeling overwhelmed, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the distance—it was Liu Si. She rushed forward, grabbed Liu Si's arm, and asked urgently, "Young Master Liu, what exactly is going on? How did the epidemic suddenly break out so rapidly!"

Upon seeing Lin Ning, Liu Si's eyes flashed with surprise and relief. He hurriedly said, "Miss Lin, we didn't know either. The city was fine a few days ago, but suddenly a large number of people got sick. The clinic was immediately overcrowded. Yingchun and I heard the news and thought we could do our part, so we came out to help." As he spoke, he pointed to the mask on his face, "This mask was made by Yingchun temporarily. Although it's simple, it seems to really block the virus. Neither of us has been infected yet."

Lin Ning carefully examined the mask, her eyes lighting up. This simple protective gear might prove very useful right now. She immediately pressed, "You've done a great job. This definitely has the effect of blocking the virus. If we could mass-produce it and distribute it to the public and medical staff, it would significantly reduce the risk of infection." Lin Ning then explained the situation of the epidemic, telling Liu Si in detail about the patients. Lin Ning was thinking about how to quickly organize manpower to gather those infected together, prevent a large-scale outbreak, and ensure unified treatment.