I woke up as the Villainous Empress

At the Main Palace.

As Zheng Xiang's carriage crossed the entrance gate of the royal palace and entered the estate, he was directed to the Main Palace for a formal meeting with His Majesty.

When Zheng Xiang entered the main hall of the royal palace, he saw Zheng Huang sitting on his throne with his hands resting on the sides of the throne chair. His face had become wrinkled and weaker compared to the image Zheng Xiang remembered of his father. The once mightiest man in the Empire now appeared old, weary and seemed to be weakened, likely due to an ongoing recovery from health issues.

Zheng Xiang pursed his lips, feeling an unknown burden on his shoulders as he confronted his father, who had almost been killed by his mother. Upon discovering what his mother had done, he was shocked but not entirely surprised. His mother had always filled his ears with aspirations to become the mightiest figure in the Empire by seizing the throne that rightfully belonged to Zheng Liang.

However, what he never expected was that, beyond having ambitious dreams, his mother would commit such a heinous crime and attempt to ruin her happy married life by plotting against His Majesty.

"Greetings to the mighty dragon of the Zheng Empire, His Great Majesty. Please accept the bow from this humble servant." Zheng Liang conveyed his respects with a formal bow, acknowledging the magnificence of his father in a ceremonial manner.

Despite holding the title of the prince of the Empire, he introduced himself as a humble servant, and his expressions conveyed no warmth or affection. They remained as rigid as stone, almost as if he were meeting a stranger for the first time, despite the familial connection between father and son.

Zheng Huang hesitated, pursing his lips and becoming emotional at the sight of his son's once bright and lively eyes now replaced by a blank gaze. Memories of the past weighed heavily on him.

Despite the overwhelming emotions, he composed himself to avoid letting them overshadow this precious moment. Clearing his throat, he gently said, "You may rise, Zheng Xiang. As the Prince of the Zheng Empire and an esteemed member of the royal family, you need not introduce yourself as a humble servant.

A prince should be confident and proud of his title and position," Zheng Huang said with a soft expression.

However, Zheng Xiang's expression remained blank and rigid as he replied in a formal, polite manner, "I cannot dare to say that, Your Majesty. I have been living outside the palace for more than a decade. As someone not even familiar with the layout of the royal palace, I cannot presume to introduce myself as the Prince of the Empire.

Although my mother was the former Empress of the empire, she is now nothing more than a traitor. After what happened with her, I am sure people wouldn't appreciate it either if I took pride in my title as the prince," he said, maintaining a respectful distance between the two.

Upon hearing Zheng Xiang's words, which only served to widen the distance between father and son, Zheng Huang felt a pang of ache in his heart.

The reunion between the father and son, after years of separation, was characterized by a chilly atmosphere—filled with indifference and awkward silences.

Initially eager to reunite with his second son after years, Zheng Huang now found himself speechless. Instead of the warmth and familiarity he had hoped for, he faced a child who was once bright but had transformed into a handsome yet cold and indifferent personality—almost unrecognizable. The realization of the emotional gap between them left Zheng Huang with a heavy heart.

The situation was further complicated by the events involving Yang Lingxin. Her punishment, banishing her to the cold palace without the chance to bid a final farewell to Zheng Xiang, left Zheng Huang uncertain about how to address the matter when facing his son.

Even though Yang Lingxin committed treason, attempted to harm Zheng Huang, and sought to covet his throne, for Zheng Xiang, she will always remain his mother. As his father, Zheng Huang couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt towards his son.

After Zheng Xiang formally greeted Zheng Huang, an uncomfortable silence settled between the two. To dispel the awkward atmosphere, Zheng Huang cleared his throat and said, "You must be tired from the long journey. I will ask the maids to prepare a meal in the dining room. We should at least have lunch together. I will invite Zheng Liang and your sister-in-law to join as well.

They were also eagerly waiting to meet you." He whispered to a servant to send a summons to Yang Ning and Zheng Liang to join them for the late afternoon lunch.

Sensing the tension, Zheng Huang suggested they move to the dining room from the main hall of the royal palace. The idea was that at least while eating, the conversation would be unnecessary, reducing the awkwardness. Additionally, he hoped the presence of Yang Ning and Zheng Liang could help dissipate the awkward atmosphere.

Zheng Xiang, who had no specific opinion about the arrangements, felt a flicker of emotions upon hearing the name Zheng Liang. Memories of the brother he used to admire in childhood and the same brother who grew to resent him after his mother passed away and hated him for being too clingy and adding trouble to his life through his mere existence stirred within him.

How would Zheng Liang react upon seeing him now? He pondered, feeling a mix of inexplicable emotions in his heart.

___

In the Main Palace dining room, the long table, adorned with a pristine white silk cloth, shimmered in the soft candlelight. Beautiful flower vases graced the table, each showcasing a lively arrangement of freshly picked blooms, infusing a natural touch to the luxurious setting.

Golden-plated candle stands, intricately designed, cradled flickering candles that bathed the room in a warm, inviting glow.

Every element in the royal dining room, from the refined table settings to the thoughtfully selected decorations, exuded sophistication and taste. Guided by Yang Ning's meticulous touch, the space underwent a transformation, elevating its atmosphere to a more cultured and hospitable ambiance.

The once intimidating aura of the dining room melted into a serene backdrop, fostering an environment where the nuances of conversation could unfold with ease.

At the table, Zheng Huang occupied the central head seat, while on his left side, Zheng Xiang sat with his hands on his lap and his back straight in an upright posture, sporting indifferent and blank expressions.

Once the maids served the dishes in front of them and departed, a silence once again descended upon the room, leaving the father and son duo grappling with the uncomfortable stillness in the dining room.

As Zheng Huang pondered how to address the uncomfortable silence between them, a guard stationed outside announced the arrival of the Crown Prince and Princess. A smile of relief graced his face as he turned his gaze towards the dining room gate with anticipation. Never before had he felt this happy at the arrival of Yang Ning.

While Zheng Huang smiled with hope and anticipation, waiting for their entrance into the dining room, Zheng Xiang also looked up to see the door opening. He pondered what kind of man his brother had transformed into and what kind of wife he had chosen for himself.

Is he still the same cold and upright individual as before? Would he exhibit the same aloof and indifferent demeanor, always wearing irritable expressions on his face? These thoughts circled in Zheng Xiang's mind as he awaited his brother's arrival.

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