Jade of Another World

The epidemic had been brought under control, and many recovered people had returned home. Lin Ning could also take some time to visit her family at the Prime Minister's residence. As Lin Ning stepped through the gates of the residence, the familiar courtyard scenery came into view, yet it inexplicably carried a sense of desolation. She headed straight for the Old Madam's courtyard. Along the way, the once bustling corridors were deserted; the epidemic had ultimately left its mark on the residence.

Upon entering the room, Lin Ning saw the old lady leaning against the couch, her face sallow and her figure thin, no longer the vigorous woman she once was. Her eyes instantly reddened. She quickly walked a few steps, knelt down in front of the couch, took the old lady's withered hand, and softly called out, "Grandmother..." Her voice already carried concern.

The old lady struggled to open her eyes. Seeing Lin Ning, she forced a weak smile: "Ning'er, you're finally back. Don't worry, your old bones are still strong." Though she said this, a violent cough immediately followed, making it difficult for her to breathe. Lin Ning quickly helped her catch her breath, saying, "Grandmother, you've suffered. It's all my fault for not coming back sooner to take care of you."

After the old lady recovered, Lin Ning asked about her brother. Knowing that her brother was with the Eighth Prince and hadn't contracted the disease thanks to effective prevention measures, she breathed a slight sigh of relief. However, seeing her grandmother's weak state, she figured that besides the disease, her grandmother was also worried about her father. She wondered where he had gone; he was truly an irresponsible person, treating Lin Ning's mother this way before, and now treating her grandmother and Aunt Liu the same way.

As soon as Lin Qi stepped into the house, he saw his younger sister standing in the yard, her expression full of worry and concern. The siblings hadn't seen each other for a long time, and Lin Ning hurriedly went to greet her brother, taking his hand and looking him up and down: "Brother, you're finally back! How have you been with the Eighth Prince these past few days?"

Lin Qi patted his sister's hand with a smile, comforting her, "Don't worry, Ning'er, I'm fine. But you, you've been busy treating and saving lives outside, you must be exhausted." After exchanging pleasantries, the two sat down on the stone benches under the corridor. Lin Qi's expression gradually became serious as he spoke of the situation in the palace: "Ning'er, a lot has happened these past few days. General Zhao suddenly contracted the plague and died, which has caused quite a stir in the court. Some questioned it, while others expressed regret. His Majesty, remembering General Zhao's past loyalty, welcomed Consort Zhao into the palace and bestowed upon her the title of Virtuous Consort. The formal investiture ceremony will be held once the mourning period is over."

Lin Ning frowned slightly and gave a soft hum. Lin Qi nodded: "I hope things will be peaceful these days. The epidemic has just passed, and both the people and the court need time to recover." The brother and sister exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of worry about the future situation in each other's eyes.

In truth, Lin Qi was very dissatisfied with Consort Zhao's entry into the palace as a concubine, but he hadn't discussed it with his sister. Lin Qi believed his sister had sacrificed so much for the Emperor, working diligently in various affairs, yet she hadn't received the recognition and reward she deserved. As her elder brother, he felt heartbroken that his sister's efforts weren't acknowledged and believed she had been treated unfairly. In this light, although the Emperor was a wise ruler, he wasn't someone one could entrust with important responsibilities.

In Lin Qi's eyes, his younger sister Lin Ning was outstanding in every way. Whether it was her talent, virtue, or loyalty to the Emperor, she far surpassed Consort Zhao. Now, Consort Zhao had entered the palace first and been conferred the title of Virtuous Consort, while Lin Ning had nothing. This made him feel wronged and unworthy for his sister, especially since Lin Ning was on the front lines fighting the plague and was giving her life for it.

His Majesty's decision to first send Consort Zhao to the palace, in Lin Qi's view, might indicate that His Majesty still harbors resentment towards the Lin family. Perhaps the previous events involving Prime Minister Lin still angered His Majesty, thus leaving him with lingering distrust of the Lin family. The Prime Minister's residence has always held a relatively important position in the court, but His Majesty's recent actions have made Lin Qi worry about its future; these seemingly trivial matters have caused him great anxiety. When Lin Qi finally found the Eighth Prince, he was full of ambition. After bowing respectfully, he stated his purpose directly: "Your Highness, I have pondered this for a long time and intend to participate in this year's martial arts examination. The political situation in the court is currently changing, and the Lin family has received much support from Your Highness, but I also want to earn a future for the Lin family through my own abilities."

Upon hearing this, the Eighth Prince's eyes flashed with admiration. He rose and walked to Lin Qi's side, patting him on the shoulder: "Good! I didn't misjudge you. It's rare to find someone with such ambition. If you can distinguish yourself in the martial arts examination, the Lin family will surely be of even greater help in the court." The Eighth Prince knew that Lin Qi was highly skilled in martial arts and had extraordinary abilities; ordinary martial arts students were no match for him. He was absolutely confident that Lin Qi would shine in the examination.

"Your Highness flatters me. The martial arts examination is fiercely competitive, and though I possess some skill, I dare not be careless," Lin Qi replied humbly. The Eighth Prince laughed heartily, "You needn't be so modest. If you encounter any difficulties or lack any recommendations during this process, feel free to come to me. I will do my utmost to support you." Hearing the Eighth Prince's words, Lin Qi felt much more at ease. He secretly clenched his fist, hoping to achieve the highest score on the day of the examination and bring glory to the Lin family.

The pandemic was over, and even the last quarantine area had been dismantled. Lin Ning planned to return to the Prime Minister's residence to recuperate. She had just stepped into the residence and hadn't even had a sip of hot tea to moisten her throat when a servant came to announce that Princess Nangong Ruoli had arrived. She hurriedly straightened her slightly disheveled clothes and got up to greet her at the door.

Nangong Ruoli walked in with a beaming smile, took Lin Ning's hand affectionately, and said, "Sister Lin, it's so good to see you! This epidemic must have taken a toll on you. Brother Jin was worried about you and specially sent me to see you, saying he wanted to reward you, the hero, properly." As she spoke, she gestured to the palace maids behind her to lay out the prepared rewards one by one, which consisted of rare medicinal herbs, gorgeous silks, gold and silver jewelry.

Lin Ning curtsied, thanked the Emperor for his grace, and invited the princess to sit down. The two chatted casually about trivial matters during the epidemic, but after a few words, Nangong Ruoli turned the conversation to the main topic: "Sister Lin, as you know, now that the epidemic is over, there have been some changes in the palace. My brother has conferred the title of Virtuous Consort on General Zhao's daughter. Sister, you are very intelligent, what are your thoughts on this matter?" As she spoke, she secretly observed Lin Ning's expression, trying to catch even the slightest displeasure or unease on her face.

Lin Ning remained calm, took a sip of tea, and slowly spoke: "Princess, you jest. His Majesty's investiture is a matter for the royal family, and there are certainly considerations involved. How could I possibly offer my opinion? I only hope that after Consort Xian enters the palace, she can bring some joy to the harem and put His Majesty's mind at ease." Her tone was steady, and her eyes were clear, revealing no other emotions. Nangong Ruoli, watching her, was unsure of what Lin Ning was truly thinking.

Upon hearing Lin Ning's impeccable response, a barely perceptible hint of surprise flashed in Nangong Ruoli's eyes. She had assumed that even if Lin Ning didn't show it on her face, she would still feel somewhat sad inside. After all, Lin Ning had been busy dealing with the epidemic these past few days and had interacted with her elder brother quite a bit, so their relationship should have warmed up considerably. Anyone in that situation would find it difficult not to feel resentful.

But Lin Ning, sitting before her, was dignified, her expression serene, her eyes devoid of any resentment or bitterness. Nangong Ruoli clicked her tongue in admiration, feeling even more respect for this older sister. It seemed she truly had completely lost all affection for her brother Jin. She chuckled and teased, "Sister Lin is so insightful. Even I am ashamed of my own magnanimity. Well, let's not talk about these troublesome matters. I recently acquired some novelties from outside the palace and was just about to invite you to appreciate them together."

Lin Ning smiled and agreed. The two then turned the conversation to those interesting and novel little objects. The atmosphere in the room instantly became relaxed and pleasant. The slight tension and probing from before dissipated like a wisp of smoke.

Ever since Lin Ning learned from Master Ouyang about the possibility of traveling back to her original world, her only focus has been finding a way to do so. The love triangles and hierarchical relationships within the palace are nothing but fleeting clouds to her. To her, becoming one of the concubines vying for the emperor's favor, scheming and competing for beauty, is both tedious and exhausting.

Take Consort Zhao's entry into the palace and her elevation to imperial concubine status, for example. Others might have secretly speculated and felt uneasy about this sudden conferment, but Lin Ning didn't even raise an eyebrow. After all, living under someone else's roof and relying on their whims didn't seem like a good life at all. She still buried herself in books every day, trying to dig out some clues from the books that could help her return home.

As for her, Nangong Jin, perhaps ever since the incident with Rosa, any lingering affection she might have had for him had vanished. She had witnessed the emperor's calculating and cold-hearted nature, and knew that she and he came from two completely different worlds; even though they were now in the same palace, they were ultimately strangers. At this moment, Lin Ning's heart was like a drifting duckweed, only hoping for a gentle east wind to carry her safely back to her rightful place.

While Liu Yushu was still racking her brains trying to figure out how to impress the Emperor, she learned that Consort Zhao had been promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine. Upon hearing this news, the jade comb in her hand, which she was doing her makeup in front of the mirror, fell to the ground with a "clatter" and broke in two. Her eyes widened, and she grabbed the collar of the maid beside her in disbelief, asking sharply, "What did you say? Consort Zhao has been promoted to Imperial Concubine? How is this possible!" The maid trembled with fear and nodded meekly.

Liu Yushu felt a surge of anger rising from the depths of her heart, burning her internal organs with pain. In order to catch the Emperor's eye, she had been diligently practicing her studies and studying makeup and clothing, racking her brains and thinking she was getting closer and closer to her goal. Who would have thought that Consort Zhao would beat her to it! She bit her lower lip until it bled slightly, her heart filled with resentment like a surging tide, almost swallowing her whole.

"Why? What makes her worthy?!" Liu Yushu paced back and forth in the room, her skirt askew. She had planned to impress the Emperor at this palace banquet with her newly learned "Dance of the Startled Swan," but now everything was ruined. Anxious and worried, fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead as her mind raced, trying to find a way to move the Emperor in this drastically changed situation.

Nangong Jin sat alone in the imperial study, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the desk, his brows furrowed, the princess's words echoing repeatedly in his mind. Knowing that Lin Ning was completely indifferent to the conferment of the title of Consort Zhao, he felt a heavy weight pressing on his heart, causing him great distress.

Scenes from the past flooded his mind like a tidal wave. When Xuan Yuanche rebelled, the situation was tense and fraught with danger. Lin Ning disregarded her own safety to stay by his side, using her intelligence and decisiveness to stabilize the people's hearts. When she herself was poisoned and on the verge of death, she unhesitatingly accompanied him, running around seeking medicine. The hardships they endured, the concern and anxiety in her eyes—every single detail was as clear as if it had happened yesterday. He couldn't convince himself that Lin Ning did all this solely out of a doctor's duty and a friend's concern, without any personal feelings whatsoever.

"She must be putting on a brave face, deliberately acting like she doesn't care," Nangong Jin muttered to himself, a mixture of a sliver of hope and a touch of disappointment in his heart. He had hoped that Lin Ning might have feelings for him, but her nonchalant attitude acted like an invisible barrier, keeping him at arm's length. He sighed deeply, gazing at the darkening sky outside the window, his mind a jumble of chaotic thoughts, unsure of what to do.

Yingchun, overjoyed at receiving a pardon for her meritorious service in the fight against the epidemic, felt as if a huge weight had finally been lifted from her heart. She sent invitations to Xuanyuan Che, Liu Si, and Lin Ning, planning to host a lively banquet to thank them for their help during this time and to celebrate her regained freedom.

Xuanyuan Che was the first to receive the invitation and immediately had an idea. He found Lin Ning and Liu Si, waved the invitation in his hand, and said loudly, "I invite everyone to gather at the Prince's Mansion. Eating at a restaurant outside is not very interesting. My Prince's Mansion has been deserted for a long time, it's cold and quiet. Why don't we all come to my place for a gathering? There will be plenty of food and drinks, and we can all relax and have some fun. What do you say?"

Lin Ning smiled and nodded in agreement, "That's fine, we can be more relaxed then, instead of being so constrained in the restaurant." Liu Si chimed in, "Exactly, I haven't had a proper look around the Prince's mansion yet, this is a good opportunity to broaden my horizons." Seeing that everyone agreed, Xuan Yuanche grinned and immediately ordered his servants to go back and prepare, determined to make this gathering a lively and enjoyable one for everyone.

Stepping into Prince Gong's Mansion is like stepping into a small, strictly regulated imperial court, with a sense of grandeur and magnificence immediately apparent.

The Prince's mansion occupies a vast area, with its vermilion walls stretching for miles, completely isolating its inner splendor from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. The main gate stands majestically, flanked by two imposing stone lions, their eyes wide open and exuding an awe-inspiring presence, seemingly proclaiming the mansion's exalted status. The gate tower features intricate bracket sets, its upturned eaves resembling a great roc spreading its wings, while large red lanterns hanging beneath the eaves tirelessly display the mansion's extraordinary nature day and night.

Walking along the central axis, one encounters a series of halls arranged in an orderly fashion. The council chamber is the most solemn and dignified, its spacious interior supported by robust pillars that raise a high dome. Sunlight filters through the gaps in the windows, casting dappled shadows on the gold-brick floor. A tiger-skin armchair sits atop the hall, adorned with brocade cushions embroidered with python patterns, while tables and chairs line either side, ready to welcome advisors and guests.

Further on lies the living quarters. Winding corridors connect a series of exquisite rooms, their carved beams and painted rafters brimming with delicate brushstrokes. The openwork carvings on the window panels depict plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, chrysanthemums, and rare birds and auspicious beasts—each detail reflecting the craftsman's painstaking effort. The interior is elegantly and luxuriously furnished, with carpets imported from the Western Regions covering the floors, and silks and satins woven in Jiangnan adorning the beds and tables. A dazzling array of antiques and treasures are on display; any piece placed outside would draw envious glances from onlookers.

To the west of the Prince's Mansion lies an exquisite garden. Pavilions and towers are scattered in a harmonious arrangement, some soaring above the clear water, others nestled among blooming flowers. The lake, fed by the Imperial River outside the palace, is crystal clear and sparkling, with koi carp swimming among its waters. Willows sway gently along the banks, their branches dancing in the breeze, echoing the vines on the artificial hill in the distance. The strangely shaped rocks, some resembling reclining tigers, others coiled dragons, add a touch of wild natural charm to the garden. Strolling through it, one can appreciate both the grandeur and order of a royal garden, and the tranquil elegance favored by scholars and literati.

What captivated Lin Ning most was the Prince Gong's library. Quietly hidden in a secluded corner of the Prince Gong's mansion, it resembled a wise sage, silent and profound. Ancient trees towered all around, their lush branches intertwining to cast a dense shade that gently embraced the library. Sunlight could only filter through the layers of gaps, casting dappled shadows that further accentuated the serene tranquility of the place.

Stepping into the pavilion, the air is filled with the unique scent of old paper and ink, as if instantly pulling one into the long river of time. Rows of tall bookshelves stand solemnly, reaching the ceiling, like loyal guardians protecting the treasure trove of knowledge. Precious Confucian classics are solemnly placed in prominent positions, their yellowed pages and ancient scripts bearing the wisdom and philosophical thoughts of sages over thousands of years; historical books unfold like long scrolls, recording the rise and fall of dynasties, the merits and demerits of generals and ministers.

Further inside, the books on military strategy and tactics immediately catch the eye. These include treatises on warfare, tactics for marching and deploying troops, drawn from the practical experience of seasoned generals and the ingenious ideas of ancient strategists. The medicine and wellness section displays a wide array of medical books and pharmacopoeias, covering everything from divination and divination techniques to dietary therapy. On the astronomy and geography shelves, star charts, maps, and local chronicles are gathered together, showcasing the ancients' curiosity and exploration of the universe and the world. These books include rare and unique copies bestowed by the imperial court as rewards, as well as precious private collections painstakingly gathered by royal officials from all corners of the land. They have traversed mountains and seas, and the passage of time, finally meeting in this pavilion, quietly awaiting the arrival of a discerning reader.

Seeing the vast and diverse collection of books in the Prince's Palace library, Lin Ning's heart instantly raced with excitement, her eyes gleaming with barely suppressed excitement. Since transmigrating to this strange world, she had constantly pondered a way back, but without any clue. Now, learning that this place held such a vast collection of books was like a beacon of hope suddenly illuminating the darkness.

She gripped the hem of her dress tightly, her fingers turning slightly white from the force, her thoughts drifting into the mysterious library. She imagined herself wandering among the rows of bookshelves, searching through ancient texts that might hold clues to her return home. Perhaps one of those yellowed old books contained the secrets of time travel, or a wondrous spell to open the door to her home. The thought made her blood boil, and she secretly resolved to find an opportunity to study this library, determined not to miss a single useful book.