Jade of Another World

Wanyan Qiang seemed to hesitate before saying, "This prince likes you very much. I will send someone to ask the headmaster to take you away."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yushu was both shocked and astonished. It was just stealing something, but now it seemed like she was going to never return. She quickly said, "I come from a humble background and I'm afraid that if I enter the Prince's mansion, I will cause you trouble." She knew in her heart that once she entered the Prince's mansion, her movements would be restricted, and it would be as difficult as climbing to heaven if she wanted to escape again.

Wanyan Qiang waved his hand, his eyes filled with malice, and said, "If I say you're capable, then you're capable. Don't worry, once you enter the palace, you'll have all the riches and honors you could want. It's much better than showing your face in this theater." Seeing Yu Shu's tense expression, the Second Prince laughed heartily, seemingly not intending to make things difficult for her. He simply said, "I really like A-Nian after seeing her; she looks like an old friend of mine." The Second Prince continued, "This theater is a mixed bag; it's not safe for someone as innocent and lovely as A-Nian to be here."

Liu Yushu suppressed the surging tension and panic in her heart, forcing a shy smile onto her face: "Your Highness's kindness is truly overwhelming. However..." Her gaze towards him seemed gentle, yet it subtly revealed an unyielding strength. She inwardly groaned, yet dared not openly disobey. A sudden idea struck her; her eyes reddened, and she seemed on the verge of tears: "Your Majesty, I still have some unfinished business at this theater. After I've dealt with these matters, I'll go to the Prince's residence to serve you. Would you allow me to make some arrangements?" As she spoke, she gently wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, appearing utterly pitiful.

Wanyan Qiang stared at her for a while, seemingly weighing the truth of her words. After a moment, he snorted coldly, "Fine, I'll give you three days. In three days, I will send someone to pick you up. If you dare to play any tricks, you know the consequences." Liu Yushu nodded hurriedly, tears of gratitude streaming down her face, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Highness. I will certainly not disappoint you."

After Wanyan Qiang got up and left the private room, Liu Yushu slumped into her chair with a sigh of relief. She knew that these three days were her last chance. She had to use the key as soon as possible to find the secret in the valley chamber and unravel the mystery of the poison. Otherwise, once she entered the Prince's mansion, she might face eternal damnation.

She knew that time was of the essence, and every minute and second was a matter of life and death. She quickly met up with her contact, inquired in detail about the handover of the key, and after ensuring that everything was in order, she rushed towards the mysterious valley without stopping.

Throughout the journey, she repeatedly considered her plan of action. She knew the Second Prince had already become suspicious, and the time left for her was slipping away like sand in an hourglass. Upon arriving near the valley, she did not act rashly, but instead found a secluded spot to observe the changing of the guards at the valley entrance.

Finally, the perfect opportunity arrived. Like phantoms in the night, the group silently slipped into the valley. Following the route they had previously explored, she easily arrived at the secret chamber. The key in her hand felt incredibly heavy. She took a deep breath and inserted the key into the strangely shaped lock. With a crisp "click," the lock opened, and the stone door to the secret chamber slowly swung open, releasing a gust of decaying, old wind.

Holding a tinderbox, she cautiously stepped into the secret chamber. An eerie silence permeated the room, and strange runes and patterns were carved on the walls, appearing even more mysterious and unpredictable in the flickering firelight. She held her breath, carefully searching every corner, leaving no stone unturned.

Suddenly, at the end of the secret chamber, she discovered a black box. Her heart pounded, and she rushed forward to open it, but she couldn't budge it. The black box was inscribed with Sanskrit, but she couldn't discern any mechanism; it simply wouldn't open. Just then, there was a commotion outside the valley. Yu Shu and her men quickly grabbed the black box and fled, hiding themselves. The group retreated silently through the valley. The commotion grew louder from all directions, as if a group of people were rapidly approaching them. The valley path was rugged, and in their panic, they nearly fell several times, but their will to survive kept them from stopping. Finally, they found a hidden cave. They crouched low and crawled inside, concealing the entrance with branches and vines they had prepared beforehand. Leaning against the cave wall, they gasped for breath, their hearts pounding as if they would burst from their chests. Her men also looked terrified, their eyes filled with worry.

"Girl, what do we do now? Will they come after us?" her subordinate asked in a trembling voice. Liu Yushu waved her hand, signaling him to be quiet, while she herself listened carefully to the sounds outside. After a long while, the noise outside gradually faded away, and she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Don't panic, we're safe for now." Liu Yushu calmed herself down and looked at the black box in her hand. The Sanskrit on the box was mysterious and ancient. Although she was not proficient in Sanskrit, she could sense that what was inside the box must be of great importance.

"I need to find someone knowledgeable to decipher the writing on this box," Liu Yushu muttered to herself. "This adventure has finally yielded some results; we can't let it all go to waste." She knew time was of the essence; the Second Prince's men could find them again at any moment. She had to unlock the box's secret and find a solution as soon as possible. Immediately, she discussed her route with her subordinates and decided to secretly leave Nanzhao under the cover of night and return to the capital to find a way to break the spell.

At the gate of Nanzhao City, Liu Yushu and his group, disguised, waited for inspection, preparing to escape Nanzhao. However, the city gate was heavily guarded, and the previous inspections were already extremely strict. Now, several more inspections had been added, as if they were arresting someone. Fearing being exposed and caught, the group had no choice but to leave first.

Although the group was extremely anxious, they were helpless and could only lead their men back to their temporary lodgings in a dejected manner. As soon as she entered the room, she gently placed the black box on the table, then slumped into a chair, her brows furrowed, lost in thought.

Her subordinates stood by, barely daring to breathe, afraid of displeasing their mistress. The room was so quiet you could hear everyone breathing; the atmosphere was oppressive and suffocating. After a long while, Liu Yushu suddenly stood up, a determined light rekindling in her eyes: "We can't just sit here and wait to die; we have to take the initiative and find a way." She began pacing back and forth in the room, analyzing the current situation as she went.

“The city gates are so heavily guarded, the Second Prince must have sensed something and ordered all exits to be sealed off,” Liu Yushu said. “But he can’t be sure we took the box, nor does he know how many of us there are, so we still have a chance.”

She turned to her subordinates: "Go and find out if there's any way to bribe the gatekeepers in Nanzhao City to leave, even if it costs more money. Also, keep an eye on the Second Prince's men's next move and see if you can find any weaknesses in their plans."

Her men obeyed and left, while Liu Yushu once again turned her gaze to the black box. She gently stroked the Sanskrit inscriptions on the box, secretly vowing: no matter the cost, she would take this box away from Nanzhao, unlock its secrets, and escape this deadly predicament.

Before long, her men reported that they had found a way out of the city. They had bribed the gatekeepers and planned to escape during the night when the guards changed shifts. Liu Yushu knew that the current situation required caution, so she arranged for her men to split into two groups. She and a guard would go ahead, while the remaining two men, carrying the boxes, would stay behind and wait until the first group had made sure it was safe before leaving. This way, they could both avoid suspicion and be on the safe side.

Night fell, as dark as ink, pressing heavily over Nanzhao City. Liu Yushu and a guard, dressed in the coarse clothes of ordinary people, stealthily made their way towards the city gate under the cover of darkness. The streets were deserted, save for the occasional passing patrolling soldiers, their footsteps echoing clearly in the still night.

Liu Yushu's heart was in her throat; she walked cautiously with every step. She glanced back frequently to make sure she wasn't being followed. The guard beside her was also vigilant, his hand tightly gripping the dagger concealed at his waist. Finally, they reached the vicinity of the city gate. Not far away, the gatekeeper was dozing in the dim light. As agreed beforehand, Liu Yushu coughed lightly twice. The gatekeeper slightly opened his eyes, looked around, and seeing no one was paying attention, gently beckoned to them.

Liu Yushu and his guards hurried forward. The gatekeeper whispered, "Quick, before the changing of the guard, get out this way." He then opened a hidden side door. Liu Yushu slipped a silver ingot to the gatekeeper and whispered, "Thank you." He then quickly slipped out of the city.

Meanwhile, the two henchmen carrying the black box were also waiting for the right opportunity. They were hiding in an abandoned alley, closely watching the movements at the city gate. After seeing Liu Yushu successfully leave the city, the two exchanged a glance and nodded.

When the night was deep and quiet, and the soldiers changing shifts had finished their duties and their attention had been slightly diverted, they pretended to be nonchalant, carrying what appeared to be an ordinary package, which actually contained a black box, and walked toward the city gate.

However, just as they were approaching the city gate, two patrolling soldiers suddenly turned back. The two men tensed, their steps slowing involuntarily. One of them, trying to remain calm, whispered, "Don't panic, proceed according to plan."

The two quickly changed direction, but the guard didn't seem to be after them. He exchanged a few words with the gatekeeper and then rode off towards the gate. Before long, he caught Liu Yushu and his attendant.

The two men watched helplessly as Liu Yushu and his guards were captured and brought back, their hearts sinking to the bottom. They hid in the shadows, barely daring to breathe, anxiously pondering a solution.

Liu Yushu, being escorted, was filled with remorse. She had underestimated the Second Prince's vigilance. The guards threw her and the bodyguard to the ground. At that moment, the Second Prince, Wanyan Qiang, rode up slowly on horseback. He looked down at Liu Yushu, his eyes full of mockery: "A'Nian, where are you going? Don't you care about me at all? From the moment you approached me at the theater, I've been attracted to you. You're so heartless, so willing to abandon me and run away?"

Liu Yushu gritted his teeth and remained silent.

Wanyan Qiang continued, "You think you can get out of the city by bribing a few gatekeepers? You're too naive. I've already laid a trap, just waiting for you to walk right into it. Tell me, what is your purpose in coming to Nanzhao? Was you sent by the First Prince?"

Liu Yushu knew that denying it was useless at this point, so she raised her head and looked directly into Wanyan Qiang's eyes: "Second Prince, I have no relation to the First Prince. I only want to leave because I am poisoned and cannot stay by your side."

Wanyan Qiang sneered, "Oh? You think I'd believe that? But, considering how adorable you are, I'll give you a chance. If you come back with me, I'll let bygones be bygones. I'm always very kind to beauties. Of course, if you don't come back with me, I don't care if you die on the spot."

Liu Yushu knew that at this point she could only follow Wanyan Qiang's instructions and then make further plans. Otherwise, the situation would likely become increasingly unfavorable for her. She had no choice but to return with Wanyan Qiang. Fortunately, the valuables weren't on her, so at least she could keep them for now and wait for an opportunity to escape.

Meanwhile, the two henchmen hidden in the shadows were extremely anxious. One of them whispered, "What should we do? The girl has been captured; we can't just stand by and watch her die." The other frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "Don't panic. Let's go back to our hideout and think of a solution. We can't act impulsively, otherwise we won't be able to save the girl, and we'll also lose the box we worked so hard to get." After weighing their options, the two men carefully retreated into the darkness under the cover of night.

Back at the prince's residence, the second prince didn't make things difficult for Liu Yushu. He simply confined her to a guest room and brought her beautiful clothes, jewelry, and delicious food. After checking that there was no poison, she began to eat, intending to observe the second prince's actions before making a decision. On the surface, she calmly enjoyed her food, but her mind was racing. The second prince's actions were highly suspicious, far from a simple act of leniency. She knew that behind this apparent preferential treatment lay a deeper conspiracy.

After finishing her meal, she got up and walked to the window, observing the activity inside the prince's residence. In the courtyard, the guards patrolled in an orderly fashion, maintaining a tight security; escaping easily would be no simple matter.

A short while later, footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by the door being gently pushed open. A maid entered, curtsied, and said, "Miss, the Second Prince requests your presence." Liu Yushu straightened her clothes and followed the maid into a lavishly decorated hall.

The Second Prince, Wanyan Qiang, was sitting in the main seat when he saw Liu Yushu enter. He smiled slightly and gestured for her to sit down: "A'Nian, have you thought about how you will repay me?"

She bowed slightly: "Thank you for your kindness, Second Prince. But I don't understand why you won't let Anian go?"

Wanyan Qiang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said slowly with a strange expression, "To be honest, I am also very interested in what's in that box. Since you are so determined to get it, I will give it to you. You must know the secret within. As long as you cooperate with me, I will not only let you go, but also guarantee you endless wealth and glory, Miss Liu." Liu Yushu was startled. She suddenly realized that she had fallen into the Second Prince's trap. He not only knew who she was, but also knew her purpose in coming to Nanzhao. But if she agreed to cooperate now, she didn't know what harsh conditions the Second Prince would propose, and whether she could escape unscathed; if she refused, even more cruel methods awaited her. After a moment of contemplation, Liu Yushu raised her head and looked at Wanyan Qiang: "Second Prince, I really know very little about what's in the box. But in order to cure the poison, I am willing to explore its secrets with you. I just don't know how you intend to cooperate?"

Liu Yushu was torn between two conflicting emotions. Her gaze lingered on the Second Prince, Wanyan Qiang, trying to discern any sincerity in his expression. She knew she was like an insect trapped in a spider's web, every decision a matter of life and death.

Wanyan Qiang seemed to sense her concerns, and a seemingly gentle smile appeared on his face: "Liu Yushu, you don't need to worry. As long as you sincerely cooperate with me, I guarantee that I will find a cure for the Gu poison in your body. What the First Prince can give you, I will only give more of."

Liu Yushu bit her lip and slowly said, "Second Prince, the matter of Gu poison is extremely dangerous. The slightest mistake could lead to utter ruin. I really dare not act rashly. Moreover, the relationship between me and the First Prince..." She deliberately paused, raising her eyes to observe Wanyan Qiang's reaction, trying to test his understanding of her relationship with the First Prince.

Wanyan Qiang's expression changed slightly, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes: "Hmph, the First Prince can hardly protect himself, and you still expect him to save you? I have already found out that you have been secretly communicating with the First Prince for some time. He gave you medicine to suppress the Gu poison, but he was just using you to do things for him. If you continue to be stubborn, you will only end up with a miserable death."

Liu Yushu felt a chill run down her spine. She hadn't expected the Second Prince to know so much about her relationship with the First Prince. She knew that if she continued to refuse him now, she would likely anger the Second Prince, and her situation, caught between the two princes, would become even more dangerous.

After pondering for a long time, she took a deep breath and slowly said, "Second Prince, I am willing to cooperate with you. But I have two conditions. First, I ask that you find a cure for the poison in my body as soon as possible. Second, I hope to have some autonomy in the process of exploring the secret of the box, so as not to ruin things due to delays."

Wanyan Qiang stared at Liu Yushu for a long time, seemingly weighing her conditions. Finally, he nodded slightly: "Alright, this prince agrees. However, you'd better not try anything funny, otherwise, you should know the consequences." Liu Yushu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, while also understanding that she was about to step into another, more complex and dangerous situation.