Jade of Another World

In Lin Ning's boudoir at the Prime Minister's residence, Lin Ning toyed with the teacup in her hand, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, a hint of helplessness on her face: "I really have no interest in this palace banquet. I was hoping to get some rest, but who knew... sigh." She sighed softly, raising her eyes to look at Xuan Yuanche, "As you know, the Lin family currently has no foundation in the capital. If we rashly decline, we might displease His Majesty and arouse suspicion from all sides. It's truly a dilemma."

Xuanyuan Che nodded slightly, his sword-like eyebrows raised, and said loudly, "Since His Majesty has already issued an edict to host a banquet for the heroes who fought against the epidemic, you have contributed the most, so it would be inappropriate for you not to attend." He paused, a faint smile appearing on his lips, "However, you don't need to be too upset. With me here, even if some minor issues arise at the banquet, I can protect you."

Hearing his words, Lin Ning felt a little relieved and took a sip of tea to moisten her throat: "With Your Highness's words, I feel much more at ease. However, this palace is a place where every step is fraught with danger. I have never understood those formalities and I am afraid of making a mistake."

"No problem!" Xuan Yuanche waved his hand confidently. "Just follow me closely then. I'll teach you the proper etiquette and formalities. I'm curious, though. With all the factions vying for power at this palace banquet, I wonder what kind of drama will unfold. I might as well go and watch the excitement to pass the time." As he finished speaking, a playful glint flashed in his eyes, as if he was filled with a special kind of anticipation for the upcoming palace banquet.

Consort Xi had long harbored ambitions to expand her power, and her bringing Liu Yushu to the banquet was undoubtedly an attempt to gain an advantage for herself. Consort De, with Consort Zhao recently gaining favor and riding high on her popularity, would certainly not be outdone.

On the day of the palace banquet, as the lanterns were lit, the palace was bathed in golden splendor. The concubines and officials filed in and took their seats. Consort Xi, dressed in a magnificent rose-red peony gown and adorned with a phoenix crown inlaid with red gold and kingfisher feathers, sat regally to the left of the head of the table, her eyes occasionally glancing towards the palace entrance, awaiting Liu Yushu's arrival. A palace maid beside her whispered, "Your Highness, Miss Liu should be arriving soon." Consort Xi nodded slightly, a confident smile playing on her lips.

Before long, Liu Yushu gracefully entered the hall. She was meticulously dressed today, wearing a moon-white silk dress over a light blue veil, and a lustrous jade hairpin adorned her hair, making her appear both gentle and radiant. Liu Yushu first respectfully bowed to the Emperor, then approached Consort Xi and curtsied gracefully: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, for granting this humble woman the opportunity to attend the banquet." Consort Xi smiled and helped her up: "Rise quickly. With more beauties like you here, the banquet will be even more interesting, won't you say, Consort De?" As she spoke, her gaze intentionally or unintentionally drifted towards Consort De's table.

Consort De was also dressed in her finest attire today, wearing a crimson dress with gold trim, her makeup vibrant, her phoenix eyes exuding a languid charm. Consort Zhao sat obediently beside her, her hair styled in double buns, her pink dress delicate and alluring. Seeing Liu Yushu arrive, Consort De chuckled and said, "Who says otherwise, sister?" Then she whispered to Consort Zhao beside her, "Consort Xi is truly indiscriminate in her pursuits, gathering just anyone around her." Consort Zhao covered her mouth and chuckled, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry; they're just clowns anyway."

Once everyone was seated, the song and dance performance began. Consort Xi gave Liu Yushu a wink, and Liu Yushu understood. She rose, curtsied, and said softly, "Your Majesty, this humble woman dares to offer a dance to add to this grand occasion." The Emperor nodded in agreement without speaking. Liu Yushu gracefully walked to the center of the dance floor, her movements light and elegant, her sleeves flowing, her steps fluid and captivating, instantly drawing everyone's attention. Consort De secretly pinched Consort Zhao's hand, and Consort Zhao, understanding, said sweetly after Liu Yushu finished dancing, "Miss Liu's dance was indeed exquisite, but I have recently learned a new dance, which I wish to bring a smile to Your Majesty and all the ladies." The Emperor, of course, said nothing, and the undercurrents in the hall grew even stronger.

Consort De seized the opportunity and gave Consort Zhao a wink. Consort Zhao, with graceful steps, carrying a pipa, entered the hall. She wore a pink and white palace dress, her hair styled in a low bun, a few strands falling across her face, exuding delicate beauty. She parted her lips slightly, her voice melodious like a nightingale's song, soft and sweet, each note pleasing to the ear. She sang a love song, her eyes glancing at the Emperor almost unintentionally. The Emperor seemed indeed captivated, leaning forward, listening intently. When the song ended, he immediately bestowed upon her a string of pearls from the South China Sea.

As they exchanged glances, the atmosphere within the palace grew increasingly subtle. The ministers feigned enjoyment of the song and dance, but secretly observed the power struggle among the concubines. The emperor, seemingly immersed in the festivities, was actually preoccupied with Lin Ning, who had yet to arrive. He frequently glanced towards the palace gates, wondering what Lin Ning would wear, what her hairstyle would be, and whether she would stand out like a pure and elegant orchid amidst the perfumed atmosphere of the banquet. He showed little interest in the current drama of the concubines vying for favor, only hoping that these formalities would end quickly so he could see Lin Ning.

Lin Ning and Xuan Yuanche hurried into the palace, their clothes still slightly disheveled from their journey. They first knelt respectfully to apologize. Lin Ning's voice was clear and melodious: "Your Majesty, please forgive us. The prince and I encountered some unforeseen matters on our way, causing us to be late. We hope Your Majesty will not blame us." Xuan Yuanche quickly echoed, "It was our oversight that disturbed the banquet's enjoyment. We beg Your Majesty's punishment."

The Emperor's slightly furrowed brows relaxed the moment he saw the two. He waved his hand and said, "Get up. You have done a great job in fighting the epidemic, and today is an auspicious day. A slight delay is nothing." He then smiled more broadly, his gaze lingering on Lin Ning for a few more seconds before turning to the crowd. "Without Prince Gong and Princess Lin Ning's tireless efforts in distributing medicine and saving lives during this epidemic, it is unknown when peace and stability in the capital would have been restored. I will certainly reward them handsomely."

At a command, servants filed in, carrying chests of rewards. The gold and silver were polished to a gleaming shine, shimmering brilliantly in the candlelight; the jewels were all round and full, with a warm luster; the jade and antiques were exquisitely crafted, exuding a simple and profound charm. Piled up in front of Lin Ning and Xuan Yuanche, they were almost as high as a small mountain.

Lin Ning hurriedly knelt down again to express her gratitude: "Your Majesty's kindness is immense. I have only done my humble best and am truly unworthy of such favor." Xuan Yuanche also replied humbly: "To share Your Majesty's burdens and relieve the people's troubles is simply my duty. I dare not claim credit." The Emperor smiled and helped the two up, "Do not refuse. This is what you deserve. I hope you will continue to serve me in the future." The concubines standing nearby looked at Lin Ning receiving such a generous reward with varying expressions—some were jealous, some were envious, and some were secretly plotting how to win her over.

The banquet was still in full swing. Liu Yushu, carrying a cup of fine wine, moved gracefully among the guests, intending to offer a toast to several noble ladies and build connections. As he passed by Consort Zhao, she seemed to be bumped by a maid, swaying towards Liu Yushu. In a flustered movement, she ripped a piece of her dress off her shoulder with a sharp "rip," and her exquisite pearl earring fell to the ground, rolling away.

In an instant, a soft gasp rippled through the crowd, and all eyes turned to her. Liu Yushu's face flushed crimson, both angry and embarrassed, her nails digging into her palms as she barely managed to suppress her rage. She took a deep breath, smiled gently, and spoke calmly, "Oh dear, Consort Zhao, what's wrong? You must be careful when you walk. Luckily, it's just that my clothes are torn and my earring has fallen off. What if you had bumped into something? All the ladies here know that my outfit today was carefully chosen by Consort Xi. I'm heartbroken that it's ruined, and I'm afraid I'll disappoint Consort Xi's kindness."

Upon hearing this, everyone understood immediately. Consort Zhao, already somewhat arrogant due to her favor with the emperor, was now acting in a manner that inevitably led to speculation that it was intentional. Consort Zhao's face flushed and paled in turns, and she quickly feigned remorse, saying, "Sister, it was my fault, I... I apologize."

The Emperor frowned slightly, his gaze towards Consort Zhao showing a hint of displeasure: "Acting rashly, what kind of decorum is this?" Liu Yushu quickly curtsied: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Sister Zhao must have meant no harm. I only regret the loss of this fine gift bestowed by the Imperial Concubine. It's nothing serious. Let's not let such a small matter spoil the banquet." Her words were both magnanimous and subtly brought up the Imperial Concubine Xi, making Consort Zhao's situation even more awkward.

Amidst the varied gazes of the crowd, Liu Yushu diligently maintained her dignified demeanor, her lotus-like steps light as she walked towards the side hall indicated by Consort Xi. She assumed Consort Xi had arranged other elegant attire for her. Stepping into the side hall, a tranquil atmosphere enveloped her. The flickering candlelight cast the shadows of the carved window frames on the floor, creating a dreamlike scene.

The palace maids who were serving her were already waiting there. Seeing her enter, they immediately stepped forward to help her remove the tattered dress. Liu Yushu looked at her slightly disheveled reflection in the bronze mirror, gritting her teeth, her heart filled with hatred for Consort Zhao: "I'll remember this debt. I'll make her pay double." The palace maids didn't dare breathe, but quickly retrieved a spare, luxurious dress from the wardrobe. It was a lotus-colored brocade long dress, the hem embroidered with delicate intertwined flowers, its shimmering light exuding luxury. She loved it. She was eager to change and go out to show off her charm. Just as she was changing, a slight yet eerie sound came from outside the window, as if someone was deliberately approaching with lowered footsteps. Liu Yushu was startled and looked out the window warily: "Who's there?" The palace maids also exchanged glances, silent as cicadas in winter. Just then, the door creaked open, and a dark figure darted in. Before anyone could react, a tall, unfamiliar man stormed in. He wore a black robe, and his face was covered with a black cloth, revealing only a pair of sinister eyes. Liu Yushu froze on the spot, forgetting even to call for help. Something seemed to be choking him, and he could only manage broken, breathy sounds.

The palace maids screamed in terror, and several of the more timid ones collapsed to the ground. The strange man strode towards Liu Yushu, grabbing her slender arm with a grip so tight it seemed he wanted to crush her bones. Liu Yushu struggled desperately, her nails flailing wildly in the air, but she couldn't break free from the iron grip. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

"You...who are you? Let me go!" Liu Yushu finally managed to find her voice, but it trembled violently with fear, each word trembling. The man didn't answer, only snorted coldly, and dragged her towards the door. Liu Yushu's feet kicked wildly on the ground, even kicking off one shoe. She was filled with despair, her mind blank, only knowing that she was finished. Once dragged out, no matter what conspiracy was behind it, she would bear the stigma of having an affair, and her life would be completely ruined.

The stranger roughly dragged Liu Yushu to a dark, damp, abandoned palace and threw her to the ground. Liu Yushu's elbow slammed hard on the stone slab, making her gasp in pain. Before she could recover, the man squatted down, grabbed her hair, and forced her to look up into his menacing eyes.

"Speak! Where is it?" The man lowered his voice, but every word was laced with malice. Liu Yushu's eyes were brimming with tears, her hair was being pulled painfully, and she shook her head desperately: "I... I really don't know what you want, you've mistaken me for someone else!" The man snorted coldly, showing no mercy, and slapped her across the face. Liu Yushu's cheek instantly swelled up, and blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.

"Don't play dumb with me! Where did you hide it?" The man increased the force of his grip, and Liu Yushu felt as if her scalp was being ripped off. She cried and begged, "I really don't know what you're talking about, please, let me go..." But the man was unmoved. He stood up and began to whip her in the cramped space, his eyes growing increasingly fierce.

He walked back to Liu Yushu, pulled a dagger from his boot, and waved it in front of her: "If you don't talk, I have plenty of ways to make you wish you were dead." Liu Yushu stared at the gleaming blade, terrified, her body trembling like a leaf: "I really don't know, even if you kill me, I still can't tell..." Enraged, the man slashed Liu Yushu's arm, blood gushing out. Liu Yushu screamed, her vision blurring, her consciousness fading, but she continued to mutter that she knew nothing before fainting.

Nangong Jin, who had been exchanging pleasantries with the ministers beside him while holding a wine cup, turned ashen-faced upon hearing the news. He slammed his wine cup on the table with a loud crash, spilling wine everywhere. Ignoring the surprised looks of those around him, he immediately shouted, "Everyone, listen up! Deploy all our elite troops! Find Miss Liu's whereabouts as quickly as possible!"

The guards, well-trained, swiftly obeyed and departed. Nangong Jin, frantic with worry, strode towards the side hall where Liu Yushu had disappeared. Entering the hall, he frowned at the chaotic scene, crouching down to carefully examine the remaining footprints and fragments of clothing, trying to find a clue. The torn lotus-colored silk on the ground seemed to silently testify to the perilous ordeal Liu Yushu had suffered, igniting a burning rage in his eyes.

"Go! Bring all the patrolling guards, eunuchs, and palace maids around here to me for questioning!" Nangong Jin's voice was cold and hard, carrying an undeniable air of authority. At this moment, he was filled with worry about the situation, his mind racing as to who could so easily and silently abduct someone from the palace. To do such a thing without anyone noticing was truly a disregard for him, the emperor. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

Soon, a group of trembling commoners were brought over. Nangong Jin scanned their terrified faces one by one and coldly demanded, "Who was the first to discover that Miss Liu had been abducted? Tell us the whole story clearly. If there is even a single lie, you will not be spared!" A young palace maid began to speak, sobbing and stammering as she described the strange man's figure and clothing. Nangong Jin listened intently, pondering the situation while directing her elite troops to track him down in the most likely direction.

Lord Liu knelt in the center of the hall, tears streaming down his face. His usual composure was gone, replaced by the image of a deeply anxious father. He kowtowed repeatedly, his voice trembling with sobs: "Your Majesty, this old minister has only one daughter. She was inexplicably kidnapped at a palace banquet, her fate unknown. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy and send more people to search for her. My life rests on my daughter's shoulders..." As he spoke, his body trembled like a leaf.

The atmosphere in the main hall was oppressively tense, almost frozen. The ministers exchanged glances, and a buzz of whispers rose from the corners, but no one dared to step forward to offer any advice. Lin Ning frowned slightly and whispered to Xuan Yuanche, "This matter is thorny. With something like this happening in the palace, the security is practically non-existent. No wonder His Majesty's expression is so grim." Xuan Yuanche nodded slightly, his eyes showing a hint of seriousness, and replied in a low voice, "Let's see what His Majesty decides first."

The emperor sat on his dragon throne, his face so dark it seemed to drip water. His fingers pounded heavily on the armrests, producing rhythmic, muffled thuds that felt like blows to the hearts of everyone present. His cold gaze swept over the assembled crowd before he finally spoke, his voice icy and chilling: "In this heavily fortified palace, how could such a disgraceful incident occur! What are the Imperial Guards doing? The Court of Judicial Review must investigate thoroughly immediately. If Liu Yushu is not found, and the perpetrator is not identified, everyone involved will face punishment!"

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review hurriedly stepped forward, knelt down, and replied, "Your Majesty, I obey! However, we have very few clues at the moment. I hope that anyone with information will recount the details they know in detail, the more detailed the better, so that we can find her as soon as possible." Upon hearing this, Lord Liu quickly wiped away his tears and had his maid sob as she recounted how Liu Yushu went to the side hall to change clothes and encountered the strange man. Lord Liu was filled with remorse, hating himself for not being able to protect his daughter.