I woke up as the Villainous Empress

"I am aware that you have a complicated relationship with him. If you feel troubled by it, I will deny His Majesty's request. Even though he is your brother and it was His Majesty's request, what matters the most to me is your happiness and comfort. If you don't like it, I won't do it," Yang Ning said sincerely, trying to cheer him up.

Zheng Liang, who was silent all this while, couldn't help but chuckle at her words. How can she reject His Majesty's request when she has given him her promise? The anger that was bottled up inside him melted away with her comforting words.

He sighed and held her hands that were wrapped around his waist, pulling her to the front and hugging her. He nestled his face in the crook of her neck while inhaling the flowery fragrance of her hair and said, "I wasn't angry at you. How can I be angry at you? It's not like you did anything wrong. Also, even if you did anything wrong, I wouldn't have gotten angry at you.

Being angry at you would mean hurting myself in return."

In response to his sweet gesture, Yang Ning also hugged him closer, wrapped her hands around him, and rested her head against his bare chest, feeling relieved that he was no longer angry at her.

Upon hearing his words, she looked up at him with a frown and replied with a pout, "But you ignored me since we left the Main Palace. Also, do you know how cold you were when responding to me earlier? I was scared that you were angry with me. I almost cried because of your indifferent attitude.

I thought you were again suspicious of my intentions like you were when we were about to get married," she complained, pouting her lips like a child who has been wronged by its parents.

Seeing her acting cute like this, Zheng Liang's cold heart melted, and he hugged her tighter, giving her a peck on her forehead. He said, "What are you talking about? When did I doubt you? Also, stop thinking about my attitude before our wedding. I was a stupid jerk at that time.

But I changed after marrying you, didn't I?" He hurriedly explained himself, trying to erase the memory of his mean behavior from her mind.

Before their wedding, he only saw her as Yang Luoyang's daughter, someone similar to him—greedy, opportunistic, and full of schemes. However, after getting to know her, he realized that even though she shares the same blood with that man, she was much different from him in terms of ethics and morality. She was not the cold and vicious scheming woman that the rumors portrayed her to be.

"Also, earlier, I was not angry at you. I was just…shocked about the turn of events. I know it was petty of me, but I unknowingly let my frustration out about His Majesty's decision on you. I am sorry." Zheng Liang looked down at her with a loving gaze and continued, "You need to know this. I can never get angry at you. My wife is so beautiful and cute, how can I get angry at you?

Hmm?" he asked, gently caressing her back.

Yang Ning was pleased to hear his praises and smiled as she parted away from his embrace. Blushing, she said, "Alright. I forgive you for now. But you better don't get angry at me for no reason. Even if you get angry, don't ignore me. I can deal with your anger but not silence.

Do you understand that?" She spoke strictly, though a sneaky smile on her lips betrayed her sternness.

Zheng Liang smiled to be corrected by his wife and nodded like an obedient husband, "I understand, Your Highness. Anything else?"

Yang Ning raised her brows and cleared her throat before saying, "That's it for now. Now hurry up and wear your clothes. Why are you standing without your upper garment? Are you trying to seduce me with your well-shaped body?"

Zheng Liang raised his brows at her bold words and asked in a mischievous, flirty tone, "What do you think? Does my charm work?"

Yang Ning looked away, as if not interested in him, but her lips were shaped with a smile that couldn't be hidden. "Well, it's not bad. However, there is a time for everything. As the Crown Prince, you should know about the etiquette and manners. What you are doing currently is hooliganism. Do you know that?

Now wear your clothes and get ready."

"I will go ask Xiaowei to request the kitchen to prepare something light for dinner. You better join me for dinner; otherwise, I won't eat anything either. Understand that?" She said, not giving him time to tease her with his sly words and handsome body.

Zheng Liang wanted to continue teasing her, but seeing her trying to escape like a scared kitten, he chuckled and nodded, agreeing to her arrangements. "Alright. If that's the case, I will have a bite with you. How can I let my wife go hungry after all?"

Yang Ning nodded and left the chamber, leaving Zheng Liang behind to change his clothes. After closing the door, she let out a deep sigh, feeling relieved that Zheng Liang was no longer upset.

Even though Zheng Liang openly displayed his dislike for Zheng Xiang, she was aware that he also cared for him, despite his denials. When Yang Lingxin was caught and investigated for treason and poisoning His Majesty, Zheng Liang had ordered Gu Lan to strengthen the security around Zheng Xiang, who was living outside the palace.

This precaution was taken during a politically difficult time, and Yang Ning overheard his conversation with Gu Lan, realizing how much he cared for Zheng Xiang's safety and worrying about his protection without His Majesty even ordering him to do so.

He cared for his brother but never admitted to it. Even His Majesty's decision, concerning Zheng Xiang's return to the palace, Yang Ning knew that Zheng Liang was more worried about the complications that would arise with his arrival rather than expressing a personal dislike.

It seemed that, along with being the cupid for Zheng Xiang and Hou Wei, she needed to act as a bridge between the two brothers as well. She couldn't let the two male leads fight all the time; there should be some spice of bromance as well.

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