Jade of Another World

The eldest prince nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Liu Yushu for a moment, seemingly assessing her credibility. "Miss Liu, what you say is entirely reasonable. In Nanzhao, the selection of an heir has always been based solely on merit, regardless of birth or legitimacy. Whoever possesses the Mother Gu will gain a significant advantage in the struggle for the throne." He picked up a teacup, gently stirring the tea leaves, speaking casually, but the hidden sharpness in his eyes betrayed his inner urgency.

“My second brother is always cunning and has secretly cultivated a considerable amount of power over the years. If he gets to use the Mother Gu first, I fear I will have no place in the court of Nanzhao.” The eldest prince took a sip of tea, put down the cup, leaned forward, and looked directly at Liu Yushu. “Miss Liu, you are exceptionally intelligent, and you must understand that our interests are aligned. If you help me find the Mother Gu, I will not only guarantee your life but also grant you endless wealth and honor. When I ascend the throne, you will be second only to the emperor in Nanzhao. I can also take you as my concubine.”

Liu Yushu's heart tightened. She knew there was no turning back now, so she quickly replied, "I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's kindness. However, the mother Gu seems to be in the Second Prince's hands, but it has not been used. It must have encountered a problem. So if Your Highness could provide more assistance or inform me of the Second Prince's recent movements, I would like to find an opportunity to investigate personally and resolve this matter more efficiently."

The First Prince laughed heartily, "That's easy. I'll have someone deliver the relevant information to you. However, Miss Liu, my patience is limited. I hope you'll achieve something soon and not disappoint me." With that, he clapped his hands, and immediately a servant stepped forward. The First Prince gave a few instructions, and the servant left. Soon after, a dossier was handed to Liu Yushu, filled with detailed records of various clues. Liu Yushu carefully put it away, discussed a few more details with the First Prince, and then took her leave. On the way, she was filled with worry, knowing that this struggle against the Gu worms and the Nanzhao royal family was becoming increasingly dangerous and complex.

Back at the Liu residence, Yu Shu immediately summoned her personal maid and whispered, "Go and select a few clever and discreet servants. Have them disguise themselves and set off for Nanzhao as soon as possible." The maid looked worried. "Miss, Nanzhao is a place we don't know well. Will this really work?" Liu Yu Shu gently patted her hand, reassuring her, "I know this is risky, but we have no choice but to do it for our survival. Tell them that if they return safely, each of them will be richly rewarded."

After the maidservant left to carry out her orders, Liu Yushu sat alone in her room, carefully studying the dossier she had obtained from the First Prince. The dossier recorded the Second Prince's daily whereabouts, preferences, and a list of people who had interacted with Rosa. She knew that every detail could be a key breakthrough in understanding the Second Prince's mastery of the Mother Gu.

Several days later, the messenger sent to Nanzhao returned with the first message. The handwriting on the letter was hurried and messy, revealing the writer's anxiety, but the content invigorated Liu Yushu: the Second Prince had recently been frequently visiting a secluded valley. This valley was usually heavily guarded, strictly forbidding outsiders from approaching, and strange noises were often heard emanating from within, suggesting unusual activity. Liu Yushu pondered for a moment, convinced that this valley must hold something amiss. She immediately decided that if subsequent reports continued to point to this place, she would personally travel south, no matter the risks, to investigate the valley. After all, this might be the only chance to unravel the mystery of the poison and escape her predicament.

Lin Ning, from Jingji, opened a pharmacy in the capital, and Xuan Yuanche was busy helping her with everything. From choosing the location to buying the land to signing the contract, Xuan Yuanche was a great help. The two of them grew increasingly close. Lin Ning stood in front of the newly rented shop, her eyes full of anticipation. This was about to become the place where she could make her mark in the capital. She turned to look at Xuan Yuanche beside her, smiling brightly: "If it weren't for your help this time, I don't know how much trouble I would have had just to get the location chosen, let alone sign the contract so quickly."

Xuan Yuanche scratched his head, a simple smile on his face. "I'm glad I could help. I'm quite familiar with the streets and alleys of this capital; it's just a small favor. What do you plan to name this pharmacy?" Lin Ning tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying, "Let's call it 'Ninghe Hall.' I hope that all the patients who come here will be peaceful and healthy." Xuan Yuanche murmured the name, nodding in approval. "A good name! It sounds reassuring."

From then on, Xuan Yuanche went to Ninghe Hall every day to help Lin Ning move medicinal herbs and arrange the medicine cabinets. Sometimes when Lin Ning was busy seeing patients, Xuan Yuanche would take the initiative to help her prepare the medicine. Although he was clumsy at first and made some small mistakes, he gradually became more skilled over time.

In their spare time, the two would sit in the backyard of the shop, drinking tea and sharing anecdotes from their past. Xuan Yuanche recounted his reckless adventures in the army during his youth, making Lin Ning giggle; Lin Ning talked about the difficult cases she encountered while studying medicine, and Xuan Yuanche listened intently, occasionally offering a few novel ideas. Unconsciously, the atmosphere between them grew increasingly intimate, and when their eyes occasionally met, a different kind of affection could be felt quietly blossoming in their hearts.

Nangong Jin felt his heartache had recently flared up again, so he planned to visit Lin Ning in the next few days to have her examine his pulse and see if the previous Gu poison had recurred. He arrived at the Prime Minister's residence with minimal entourage. Upon seeing the Emperor himself, the gatekeeper was about to kneel in respect when Nangong Jin quickly gestured for silence and asked in a low voice, "Is Miss Lin at home?" The gatekeeper looked troubled. "Your Majesty, Miss Lin has been busy opening a pharmacy these days and hasn't been returning home often." Nangong Jin frowned slightly, a sense of disappointment rising in his heart. He hadn't known about Lin Ning's new activities. Without further delay, he headed straight for the direction the gatekeeper had indicated. Before even stepping into "Ninghe Hall," he saw it bustling with people. Nangong Jin stepped over the threshold and immediately saw Lin Ning intently examining an elderly woman's pulse, her expression gentle and earnest. He stood quietly to the side, not daring to disturb her.

After Lin Ning finished writing the prescription, she looked up and saw Nangong Jin standing there. She was taken aback at first, then stood up and bowed, "Your Majesty, what brings you here?" Nangong Jin waved his hand, indicating that she should not stand on ceremony, "I have been suffering from occasional heart pain lately, and I was thinking of asking you to take a look at me to see if the previous Gu poison is acting up again." Lin Ning hurriedly led Nangong Jin to the inner room, had him sit down, and placed three fingers on his wrist to carefully take his pulse. After a moment, Lin Ning withdrew her hand, her expression grave: "Your Majesty, this pulse... is indeed somewhat disordered. Although the Gu poison hasn't manifested, we cannot be careless. Have you been overworking yourself these past few days, or perhaps you've suffered some kind of shock?" Nangong Jin rubbed his temples: "Since ascending the throne, I've been busy with state affairs; perhaps I'm exhausted." He paused, then looked at Lin Ning, and said softly, "Miss Lin, I've realized it's been a long time since we've had a proper conversation. Since I took the throne, we seem to have grown increasingly distant." Lin Ning lowered her eyes, unsure how to respond. They had shared life and death experiences in Nanzhao, and their bond was naturally deep. But time had passed, and they had each taken different paths in life. She sought value in practicing medicine, while Nangong Jin was trapped in the turbulent political landscape of the court. After a long silence, Lin Ning finally spoke, "Your Majesty bears the weight of the world on your shoulders and is naturally very busy. You still need to take good care of your health. I can go to the palace to examine you, but you must also pay attention to resting daily." Nangong Jin looked at her and nodded gently, but an indescribable sense of melancholy welled up in his heart. The two remained silent, and the atmosphere became extremely awkward.

Liu Yushu found some important clues while studying the dossier and her subordinates' reports. She decided to disguise herself and go to the hidden valley of Nanzhao to investigate.

Liu Yushu knew full well the dangers of this trip to Nanzhao, but for the sake of the plan and the deadly poison in her body, she had no choice but to go. She changed into a neat set of men's clothing, tied up her long black hair, wrapped it with a cloth, and put on a bamboo hat, pulling it low to cover most of her face. She also deliberately darkened her face, adding a touch of weathered appearance, so that anyone who saw her would only mistake her for a traveling merchant.

After making all the preparations, she took her two most capable guards and quietly left the city under the cover of night. They rode at full speed towards Nanzhao. The journey was long, and the three of them endured wind and rain, traveling by day and sleeping in dilapidated temples or caves in the wilderness at night. At each rest stop, she would take out the dossier and repeatedly examine the clues about the hidden valley, not overlooking any detail.

The closer they got to Nanzhao, the more tense the atmosphere became. At the border checkpoint, they managed to slip through unscathed using fake identity documents they had bought at a high price beforehand. Once inside Nanzhao territory, the forests grew denser, and the roads became increasingly rugged and difficult to traverse. They abandoned their horses and continued on foot, following clues as they traversed the mountains and forests. Several days later, the mysterious, hidden valley finally came into view. The valley was shrouded in mist, exuding an indescribable eerie atmosphere. At the entrance were several guards dressed in strange attire, wielding long swords, their eyes wary. Liu Yushu signaled the guards to hide, while she crouched low, cautiously approaching, eavesdropping on the guards' conversation, trying to glean as much useful information as possible to prepare for their infiltration into the valley.

Taking advantage of the changing of the guards, Liu Yushu and his entourage slipped into the valley like ghosts. Upon entering, the damp, cold air assaulted their senses, carrying a putrid and unidentified stench that made them want to vomit. The surrounding mountains were steep and towering, almost completely blocking out the sky, with only a few weak rays of light struggling to penetrate. The path beneath their feet was rugged and uneven, with protruding rocks and tangled vines, requiring extreme caution with every step.

They groped their way through the valley for a long time, stumbling and falling, their bodies covered in scrapes and bruises, until they finally found a secret chamber exuding a mysterious aura. The stone door of the chamber was tightly closed, and a huge, strangely shaped bronze lock stood in the middle. Liu Yushu leaned closer to examine it closely; the lock was covered with intricate and obscure runes, presumably a unique mechanism lock from the Nanzhao Kingdom, used to prevent unauthorized entry. She tried pulling on it a few times, but the lock didn't budge. She then took out several iron wires of varying thicknesses from her sleeve, trying to pry the lock open, but after fiddling with it for a long time, the lock remained stubbornly inflexible.

The attendant whispered, "Miss, this lock looks tricky. We can't open it anytime soon. If we keep going like this, we'll be in big trouble if the guards find out." Liu Yushu gritted her teeth, feeling unwilling, but she knew she couldn't act rashly at this moment. She glared at the lock and said, "Let's go out first and then think of another way."

The group retraced their steps, even more cautiously than before, thoroughly investigating every corner and every patch of grass before daring to proceed. Finally emerging from the valley, Liu Yushu gazed at the mist-shrouded entrance and secretly vowed: this secret chamber must hold crucial clues; no matter the method, she must break in again, unlock the lock, and find the mother Gu. Immediately, she and her entourage hastily departed to find a safe place to stay and plan their next expedition.

The three arrived in Nanzhao and found a small inn to stay in. Disguised, they went to a teahouse to investigate the Second Prince's whereabouts. Inside, they found a window seat, ordered several pots of local tea, and seemingly sipped it leisurely, but their ears were perked up like alert rabbits, not missing a single sound. The teahouse was noisy, filled with the sounds of laughter, tea sippers, and the clinking of counting rods.

Not long after, two middle-aged men sat down at the next table. The thinner of them lowered his voice and said, "Have you heard? The Second Prince has been up to some shady dealings again. Who knows what's in that valley?" The shorter, stouter man's face changed drastically. He quickly covered the man's mouth, exclaiming in panic, "You want to die?! How dare you say such things? If the Second Prince's spies hear this, you'll lose your head!"

The thin man flung his hand away and said angrily, "What am I afraid of? We common folk have had enough of this! That valley used to be our hiding place for hunting, and occasionally some of us hunters could get close. But now, there are sentries every three steps and scouts every five steps. The surrounding villages are in constant turmoil. Who knows what evil intentions he's hiding in there?"

Liu Yushu's heart skipped a beat. He gave his attendant a wink, who understood immediately. The attendant got up, pretending to refill water, and slowly strolled to the next table. He accidentally bumped into the thin man's arm, splashing tea onto his sleeve. The attendant hurriedly apologized, "I'm so sorry, sir, I'm so clumsy, I'm really sorry." As he spoke, he took out a piece of silver and handed it to the thin man, saying, "Take this and buy yourself some clothes."

The thin man, who was about to get angry, softened his expression upon seeing the money and waved his hand, saying, "Never mind, never mind." The attendant seized the opportunity to speak, "I overheard you two talking about the valley. As an outsider, I'm very curious. Why is the valley suddenly so strictly guarded?" The thin man glanced at him, hesitated for a moment, and then whispered, "I heard there's a treasure hidden in the valley. The Second Prince wants to possess it, but the treasure is very strange. Recently, strange noises have been heard, and many people in the surrounding area have been frightened and moved away." The attendant smiled obsequiously and chatted for a few more minutes before returning to his seat and telling Liu Yushu everything he had learned.

Liu Yushu naturally didn't believe this claim. She reasoned that if the villagers hadn't been able to enter, they couldn't possibly open the secret chamber. Just then, someone whispered, "Second Prince, look at the Second Prince!" The teahouse erupted in chaos. Everyone rushed towards the entrance, eager to catch a glimpse of the Second Prince of Nanzhao. Liu Yushu and her entourage were swept up in the crowd. She strained to stand on tiptoe, her gaze piercing through the throng of heads as she watched the slowly passing convoy.

Leading the procession were several tall, powerful horses, their riders all bearing stern expressions, clad in exquisite armor, wielding gleaming weapons, their eyes warily scanning the crowd on the street. Next, an extremely ornate carriage came into view, its body inlaid with dazzling jewels that shone brilliantly in the sunlight. The curtain was half-drawn, and a person could be vaguely seen sitting inside.

Liu Yushu stared intently, observing the Second Prince. He saw that the prince was dressed in a purple robe, with intricate patterns embroidered in gold thread on the collar and cuffs. He wore a jade crown, and his dark hair was neatly tied up, giving him an imposing and dignified appearance. However, his eyes revealed a sinister and ruthless edge, as if they could see right through people's hearts, and as if they could devour them at any moment, sending chills down one's spine.

The convoy drove further and further away, and the crowd gradually dispersed. Liu Yushu frowned, lost in thought. From the conversation she had just overheard and from that fleeting glance, she became increasingly certain that the hidden valley held a secret, and that the Second Prince's concern for it was beyond imagination. The three returned to their lodgings, and Liu Yushu said to her attendants, "It seems that to open the secret chamber in the valley, we must start with the Second Prince. We need to find a way to get close to him and probe him. Do you have any ideas?" The two attendants exchanged a glance, their faces showing difficulty. Approaching the powerful and suspicious Second Prince was no easy task, but seeing their master's determined expression, they could only grit their teeth and begin to consider a solution.