I woke up as the Villainous Empress

"Wow! There are so many dishes," Yang Ning exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with delight as she beheld the table covered with a mouthwatering array of dishes. It was as if every dish on the table had been carefully selected to be her favorite, creating the impression that this meal had been prepared solely for her.

Xiaowei smiled warmly as she served the dishes to Yang Ning one by one. "Before leaving for the afternoon court session, His Highness asked me to prepare your favorite dishes." She said,

She couldn't help but giggle as she looked at Yang Ning. "His Highness cares for you a lot. Your Highness, you're so lucky to be married to him."

Xiaowei's tone turned more compassionate as she continued, "He has brought color into your previously colorless life. Since you married him, you've been smiling more and seem much happier." Her heart went out to Yang Ning, knowing how difficult life had been for her when she lived at the Yang Household.

Yang Ning was a noble lady, the eldest daughter no less, yet she was subjected to treatment worse than that of a servant. Her father would beat her for even the smallest mistakes, while her stepmother consistently mistreated her, tarnishing her reputation in society and making her appear as an outcast and an arrogant person.

Xiaowei's eyes welled up with tears as she thought about how badly Yang Luoyang used to treat her. Her lady had truly been through a lot.

Yang Ning saw the teary eyes of Xiaowei and let out a sigh. The old Yang Ning had indeed led a pitiful life, enduring numerous atrocities from her father and falling victim to his manipulation. In her desperate quest for his attention, she had inadvertently ruined her life and her relationship with Zheng Liang as well.

If only she had taken a bold step like hers, approaching Zheng Liang and seeking his help, things might have unfolded differently.

However, it wasn't her fault that circumstances had taken such a tragic turn. It was all because of the monstrous Yang Luoyang, whose greed for power drove her to sacrifice her own daughter's happiness and well-being for the sake of the throne. She had only yearned for her father's love, but all she had received in return was betrayal and hatred.

Yang Ning didn't know what had truly happened to the original Yang Ning—whether she had taken over her body in her world or if she had succumbed to the fever when Fang Li took over Yang Ning's body. Nonetheless, all she wished for was her happiness and peace, wherever she might be.

Yang Ning pursed her lips and nodded, saying, "You're right. I am indeed fortunate to have married him." A smile graced her lips as she realized that if she hadn't married Zheng Liang after arriving in this world, her life would have been nothing but hell at the Yang Household, especially if she hadn't become the betrothed of the Crown Prince.

Unknowingly, Yang Luoyang had done her a favor by arranging the marriage alliance between her and Zheng Liang. It was all thanks to him that she had managed to marry Zheng Liang and escape from the clutches of Yang Luoyang.

Although he had not given up on his plans to seize ultimate power, this time, she was determined to ensure that every one of his schemes would crumble, and he would never succeed in his ambitions.

___

"Why did you come to the dining room? You should have asked the maids to bring your lunch to the chamber," Zheng Liang said as he entered the dining room and handed his woolen cloak to a servant, who stepped back to put it onto the hanger.

Yang Ning, who had been fully absorbed in savoring the delicious dishes, looked up in surprise as Zheng Liang approached and took a seat at the head of the table, with her sitting to his right. She couldn't help but inquire, her perplexity clear in her tone, "The afternoon court session has already concluded? Why are you back so early?"

Zheng Liang raised an eyebrow as he took a sip of the warm tea that a maid had served him. He smiled and replied, "I wanted to accompany my wife for lunch, so I wrapped up the session earlier. Why? Do you have an issue with me joining you for lunch?" There was a playful teasing tone in his voice as he spoke.

The maids couldn't help but notice the playful tension between the couple. With a low giggle, they hurriedly served the dishes to Zheng Liang and then discreetly left the dining room, giving the couple some much-deserved privacy.

It had been months since they had married, but their affectionate interaction made it seem as if they were a newlywed couple, unable to stay away from each other.

Yang Ning chuckled at Zheng Liang's playful teasing and couldn't resist teasing him back. She said, "You've never come earlier before. Are you sure you came earlier for me and not for something else?" Her meaningful look added a layer of intrigue.

"Well, it doesn't matter to me whether you came for me or something else," she continued, pouring a figurative bucket of cold water on any plans he might have been brewing.

Her body was already aching; how could he think of anything else at this moment?

Zheng Liang raised an eyebrow in response to her playful attitude and let out a chuckle. "What are you saying? I came for lunch with you," he stated with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He leaned in closer and added, "It seems like you're the one getting excited about something else. I never knew my wife was such a pervert." He winked at her, keeping the playful banter alive.

Yang Ning's cheeks flushed with crimson at his teasing words, and she eyed him with mock annoyance. "What nonsense! I didn't think of anything else," she retorted. "I said it because... because you rarely come back for lunch." She tried to deflect the teasing, her embarrassment evident in her response.

Zheng Liang looked at Yang Ning, his expression becoming more thoughtful. He realized that he had been engrossed in his work and had given little to no attention to her, sometimes not even seeing her for days, weeks, or even an entire month.

It dawned on him that this was one of the reasons why their relationship had never progressed – he had been ignorant of her feelings.

Perhaps that's why she had ventured out of the royal residence alone in Xinling City without informing anyone. She had been uncertain whether he would be able to spare time for her or not.

As he took a piece of seasoned meat and chewed thoughtfully, he spoke with sincerity, "I acknowledge that I was ignorant of your feelings earlier. That's why, from now on, I will make a conscious effort to improve our relationship and give you the attention and time you deserve."

"While I have my duties as the Crown Prince, I am also your husband, and I have responsibilities towards you and our marriage as well." His words carried a sense of seriousness and commitment.

Yang Ning was taken aback by the seriousness in his expression. She had commented teasingly, not expecting him to suddenly shift to such a serious tone. His commitment to their relationship had struck a chord with her.

Zheng Liang set down his chopsticks and locked eyes with Yang Ning. "That's why I've decided to take you out tomorrow," he declared.

"Tomorrow is the Spring Festival, and there will be a celebratory carnival in the central capital market. I'll take you there." His eyes held a genuine eagerness for this plan, wanting to make their relationship stronger and spend quality time with her.