I woke up as the Villainous Empress

A week later -

Yang Ning eagerly sat in her chamber, anticipating the summons from the Main Palace. Today marked the return of Prince Zheng Xiang after years of living outside the palace with his nanny and servants. Zheng Liang had received a report in the morning that his carriage had entered the capital city, and he would reach the royal palace anytime soon.

Yang Ning couldn't contain her excitement upon hearing the news. She was eager to meet the Second Male Lead, who happened to be her favorite character in the novel. His good looks, unconditional love for the female lead, and his unwavering moral values made him a standout character.

The only drawback was that he played the role of the second lead; otherwise, he could have perfectly fit the role of the Male lead.

His emotional scenes with the female lead often left her in tears. At times, Yang Ning found herself resenting the female lead for choosing a married man over the single, handsome hunk who was utterly devoted to her.

However, no worries! What didn't happen in the novel, she would make it happen this time.

Thinking about it, Yang Ning couldn't believe that she had gotten the chance to meet the second male lead of the novel, who had made her shed tears multiple times. Since she had been preparing to welcome him for days, she wanted to give him a warm and grand welcome to the palace, especially considering he was returning after many years.

However, Zheng Liang instructed her not to go anywhere until she was called over to the royal palace. Zheng Xiang was not just returning as the prince but also as Yang Lingxin's son, who had been accused of treason and sentenced to spend her remaining life in the cold palace.

Welcoming his return in a grand manner wouldn't be appropriate and could lead to discontent among the people and give rise to unnecessary rumors.

Upon his return to the palace with a solemn entrance, Prince Zheng Xiang would be escorted to the Main Palace to greet His Majesty. Only after His Majesty summons the Crown Prince and Princess; could they go to the Main Palace to meet Zheng Xiang.

___

Yang Ning sighed heavily as her eyes remained fixed on the door, eagerly awaiting the summons from the Main Palace. "Didn't his carriage enter the capital city in the morning? Why is it taking so long for him to come to the palace?" She asked impatiently, her neck craning to see outside the door. It was past lunchtime, and yet there was no sign of his arrival.

Zheng Liang, who was calmly sitting at the table and reading documents, looked up to find his wife impatiently waiting for the report about the return of Prince Zheng Xiang. He frowned and gazed at her with a displeased expression. "The capital city is huge, and it takes time to reach the palace from the city borders."

"However, why are you so concerned about his return? You haven't even had lunch while waiting for him, nor have you let me eat anything. You haven't even met him yet, and you're already forgetting about your husband because of him," he complained, frowning and pouting as he expressed his dissatisfaction with her preoccupation with Zheng Xiang.

In the past few days, whenever he returns to the chamber, all he finds her doing is being engrossed in paperwork, managing the renovation work of the Jade Pavilion.

Since she fired the officer in charge and had to initiate the renovation from scratch in such a short time, the work was ongoing non-stop, and she was personally overseeing the renovation, unknowingly neglecting Zheng Liang in the process.

Zheng Xiang has yet to arrive at the palace, and he has already started creating unrest in his life. Zheng Liang cannot imagine what would happen when he officially returned to the palace.

Yang Ning looked at Zheng Liang with a playful glint in her eyes, her lips curving into an innocent smile. "Don't tell me… are you jealous of him?"

Zheng Liang was caught off guard by her sudden question. He closed the document that he was holding and put it on the desk before approaching her. Standing in front of her, he tried to defend himself. "Why would I get jealous of him? Do I look like an insecure and petty husband who would be bothered by such small matters?"

Yang Ning chuckled at his defensive response. "Well, you did mention you haven't seen him in years. How can you be so sure you're more handsome than him? What if he is more handsome than you?" Her teasing tone added a playful edge to the conversation.

Zheng Liang's expression turned serious for a moment, contemplating her words. Before he could respond, Yang Ning stood up, closing the gap between them. She wrapped her hands around his neck, her lips tantalizingly close to his ear. In a low, sensual voice, she whispered, "However, no matter how handsome he is, to me, you will always be the most handsome man in the world.

The luckiest one too, because you have such a beautiful and smart wife who is madly in love with you."

Yang Ning continued to tease Zheng Liang with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "What do you think? Hmm?" She locked eyes with him, her teasing gaze holding a hint of sensuality. Her cold hands gently caressed the back of his neck, sending shivers down his spine. The playful touch added to the seductive atmosphere, creating a tantalizing moment between them.

Zheng Liang blushed deeply at her bold confession, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. Her actions were not only provocative but also causing a heightened tension in a certain part of his body. The room seemed to crackle with increasing tension with every gentle caress of her cold hands over the back of his neck.

He gulped, captivated by her tempting rosy lips, and was about to respond, leaning in for a kiss when a sudden knock on the door interrupted their intimate moment.

Before Zheng Liang could respond to the knock, Yang Ning, who had her hands wrapped around his neck, immediately retracted her hands, jumped to her feet, and asked eagerly while looking at the small crack of the door with a bright smile on her face, "What is it?

Did Prince Zheng Xiang arrive at the palace?" She hurriedly went to the door to inquire about the reason behind the maid's arrival, leaving Zheng Liang in a frozen position, with his hands lingering in the air.

"Yes, Your Highness. A summons has come from the palace. His Majesty has invited the Crown Prince and Princess to the Main Palace for a meal with Prince Zheng Xiang, who arrived at the Main Palace just a while ago," the maid relayed the message.

Yang Ning's face lit up with excitement as she turned to Zheng Liang. "We should not keep His Majesty waiting. Let's go, my love."

Zheng Liang sighed, a mix of amusement and exasperation in his expression. This guy is becoming an interruption in his life already. He cannot imagine the trouble he will create in his life from now on.

With a deep sigh, Zheng Liang approached Yang Ning and said in a mock-solemn tone, "Let's go. Otherwise, you will soon forget about my existence and march off to the palace without me."

"Aiyoo! How can I do that?" Yang Ning exclaimed with playful exaggeration, ready to walk ahead, her excitement to meet the second male lead evident.

Seeing his wife striding forward, seemingly already forgetting about him, Zheng Liang couldn't help but shake his head in mock despair. "She's truly leaving me behind. Perhaps I shouldn't have agreed to His Majesty's request," he sighed dramatically and followed behind Yang Ning, their banter echoing through the palace corridors.

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