I woke up as the Villainous Empress

When the door to the dining room opened, Yang Ning entered first, with Zheng Liang obediently following behind her. Excitement gleamed in Yang Ning's eyes as she anticipated meeting Zheng Xiang, the second male lead. She bit her lower lip to control her widened smile, glancing at Zheng Xiang, who sat next to His Majesty in an upright and awkward posture.

She offered him a smile before greeting His Majesty.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. Father, I hope we haven't kept you waiting for too long," After formally offering her greetings, Yang Ning addressed Zheng Huang as "Father" with affection, delivering her words with a warm smile to ease the tension in the atmosphere.

Zheng Huang felt relieved seeing Yang Ning's bright smile, which lightened the heavy atmosphere in the room. Patting the chair to his right, he suggested, "We didn't wait for long. You're right on time. The maids just served the dishes, and they're hot and fresh. Come sit next to me and let's start eating," he said with affection.

Zheng Xiang raised his brows in surprise at seeing his father treat his daughter-in-law with so much love and care. He hadn't attended Zheng Liang's wedding due to his busy schedule and his reluctance to return to the palace, a place where he felt he didn't belong. He had heard that Yang Lingxin played a role in arranging this political marriage.

What he hadn't expected was that Zheng Liang's wife would have charmed His Majesty to the point that he doted on her this much.

His Majesty even offered her the seat to his right, the place reserved for Zheng Liang, the Crown Prince. Even Zheng Xiang had never dared to sit on the right side of His Majesty, yet the old man happily allowed this woman to take over Zheng Liang's seat.

Seeing Father offering his seat to Yang Ning, Zheng Liang didn't mind and proceeded to pull the chair for her like a gentleman, ensuring her comfortable seating. As this was a usual gesture from Zheng Liang towards her, Yang Ning didn't consider it a big deal and thanked him with a smile before taking the seat next to His Majesty gladly.

Meanwhile, Zheng Liang then seated himself next to her without any complaints.

As soon as Zheng Liang took his seat, he picked up the jar filled with water and poured a glass for Yang Ning. The maids, standing behind them to serve the dishes, were shocked by his actions and moved to intervene, but he stopped them by raising his hands and personally pouring the water for his wife. She had been talking throughout their way, and her throat had become dry and itchy.

Just when Yang Ning felt the discomfort, Zheng Liang pushed a glass of water in front of her.

Surprised by his sweet gesture, she smiled at him before taking the glass and drinking it in one go. After placing the glass back on the table, she continued her conversation with His Majesty.

While Yang Ning was engrossed in entertaining His Majesty in conversation, Zheng Xiang, sitting opposite to her, was left speechless witnessing the shocking scenario unfolding before him. Zheng Liang had never been one to mingle with others and often found Zheng Xiang bothersome and clingy whenever he attempted to talk or hang out with him in their younger days.

If Zheng Xiang possessed a bright and friendly personality in his childhood days, Zheng Liang, burdened with the responsibilities of being the Crown Prince and attending numerous classes, had a mature and serious outlook. Despite only a year's difference between the two brothers, their personalities were worlds apart.

When they were young, Zheng Liang particularly despised playing with girls. As royal princes, they were assigned playmates, and sometimes princesses from other kingdoms visited their empire. Despite Zheng Xiang enjoying these activities, Zheng Liang consistently avoided interactions with girls as if they were a plague.

Now, the sight of his brother following behind a woman, pouring a glass of water for her, and pulling out a chair for her left Zheng Xiang in disbelief. Before returning to the palace, he had imagined various scenarios for their reunion, but never in his wildest dreams did he expect his indifferent and cold brother to transform into an obedient husband.

This was especially surprising considering their marriage was political, usually devoid of love and genuine feelings.

While Yang Ning conversed with His Majesty, Zheng Liang initially showed no interest, playing with a glass of water in his hands. Eventually, he raised his head and stiffened when his gaze met Zheng Xiang's bewildered eyes, who were also looking at him intently.

Zheng Liang didn't remove his gaze from Zheng Xiang, continuing to stare at the young man clad in a simple and plain black outfit. Zheng Xiang appeared more like a member of a knight team rather than the prince of the empire. Has he been living this way even outside the palace? He wondered.

In these years, not only had Zheng Xiang's height increased, but he had transformed into a strong and handsome man, bearing similar features to His Majesty. Zheng Liang noticed that Zheng Xiang's eyes were a little similar to his own, causing him to experience a strange feeling.

Yang Ning, who happened to glance at Zheng Liang while conversing with His Majesty, noticed the two brothers staring at each other intently, neither willing to look away to break the ice. She was left speechless witnessing their competitive sides, as if engaged in a silent gazing battle between the two men.

She sighed and shook her head before deciding to take the initiative to break the awkward atmosphere in the dining room. She turned to Zheng Xiang, who was silently staring at Zheng Liang and smiled before saying, "Brother Xiang, welcome back. I hope the journey wasn't too exhausting. However, if you're tired, you can rest at your residence after the meal.

I have renovated your residence myself before your arrival; hope you like the preparations."

Zheng Xiang was startled when Yang Ning addressed him as "brother." Even his own brother hadn't addressed him in such a familiar manner, and seeing a stranger, whom he was meeting for the first time, using such an affectionate term instead of his title made him feel strange.

It felt unusual!

Seeing the stunned expressions of Zheng Xiang, Yang Ning understood that he must be feeling awkward. She cleared her throat, glanced at Zheng Liang, and nudged him to speak. She had been encouraging him to greet and talk to Zheng Xiang more so that he wouldn't feel uncomfortable. After all, returning to the palace after so many years, he must be feeling strange.

Observing Yang Ning nudging him and urging him to speak, Zheng Liang sighed and unwillingly looked at Zheng Xiang, saying, "Welcome back. Now stop daydreaming and start eating. The food is getting cold." He spoke in a cold tone, inadvertently making the atmosphere awkward again.

Yang Ning: "....."

She wanted him to warmly welcome Zheng Xiang, but he twisted his words into a scolding. While she was worried that Zheng Xiang might be offended by Zheng Liang's cold and indifferent attitude, contrary to her concerns, Zheng Xiang, who had a blank expression, picked up his chopsticks and started eating like an obedient brother.

Seeing him following Zheng Liang's words as if they were a command, Yang Ning was speechless. Wasn't the second male lead supposed to be cold and indifferent after growing up outside the palace, away from his family? How come he is still the same obedient and cute younger brother in front of Zheng Liang?

This chapter upload first at NovelBin.Com