I woke up as the Villainous Empress

~2 chapters today~

After fulfilling the task assigned by Yang Ning and serving the herbal soup to Prince Zheng Xiang, Hou Wei returned to the Imperial Department of Medicine to complete her tasks and close the office for the day.

Being the youngest member of the department, she consistently had to put in extra effort. It was her responsibility to be the first to arrive, unlock and clean the office, arrange the documents, and ensure that she was the last to leave, meticulously locking up before heading back to her quarters.

Upon returning to the department to complete her tasks and securely locking it before heading back to her quarters, Hou Wei unexpectedly encountered the senior physician who also worked at the department.

He was on his way out, preparing to lock the department gate, assuming that Hou Wei had already left for the day. He looked at Hou Wei in surprise as she approached from outside and inquired, "Hou Wei, you're still here? I thought you had already left. I was about to lock and leave."

Hou Wei looked at the lock in his hand and extended her hand apologetically to take it from him. "Master Ren, how can I leave before locking the department? It is my responsibility after all. I only went to cook the herbal soup for Prince Zheng Xiang and serve it to him at the Jade Pavilion. That is why it took me some time to return."

"You can give me the lock. I will wrap up everything before locking it," she said with a gentle smile. Due to her hardworking and kind nature, Hou Wei quickly gained everyone's confidence and became the most likable person in the medicine department. Not only is she beautiful and polite, but she is also skilled in medicine and using herbs, making her adept at the medicine department easily.

Since she was Master Jiang Tai's last disciple, taken under his guidance after many years, everyone believed that there must be something special about her. After all, it had been a long time since he had taken a disciple. He was about to retire and had declared that he wouldn't take any more disciples, but he made an exception for Hou Wei.

There must be something unique about her.

The man frowned upon hearing Hou Wei's words, and while handing her the heavy lock, he said with concern, "The Jade Pavilion? Why did you go to serve Prince Zheng Xiang the herbal soup? Despite your lower status in the department, you're still a valuable member of the medicine department, not just a maid. You're not supposed to do these kinds of tasks. Who instructed you to do that kind of work?"

"You're a nurse at the Imperial Department of Medicine, not a maid. You should not be doing such menial tasks that are unrelated to the operations of the medicine department." He said with a frown, expressing his worry that the new prince might take advantage of Hou Wei's kindness, especially considering his mother's actions, who turned out to be a traitor.

As her senior, he was concerned that Hou Wei, who always sees the positive in people, might be lured by the prince and end up in a miserable situation.

Hou Wei smiled, appreciating her senior's protective nature, and explained, "It was not His Highness who ordered me the task. The Crown Princess requested me to make the herbal soup for Prince Zheng Xiang because she was concerned about his health after the long journey. Also, not everyone can make herbal soup and balance the dose of herbal medicine perfectly without making it too bitter.

That is why she asked me to make it. I am glad I could be of help to her." She said with a smile, feeling proud to be useful to the Crown Princess.

To her, Yang Ning is like a female warrior, an idol whom she admires. She is willing to do anything to serve her and follow in her footsteps, aspiring to become a strong woman with an opinion like hers, someone who can help others while still protecting herself.

The man shook his head, observing Hou Wei's helpless admiration for the Crown Princess. He said, "Alright. Since it was The Crown Princess's order, I won't say anything. I know how much you admire her. Also, I believe Her Highness wouldn't let you be harmed by anyone.

She has shown great leadership by managing the palace affairs and revealing the true colors of-" He paused his words, remembering the prohibition on discussing the matter of the former Empress.

He coughed to subside the awkwardness and continued, "However, never forget that you're the nurse at the Imperial Medicine department; no one can look down on you. Be proud of your title and make our department proud. Now hurry up; lock the office and return to your quarter.

It's late now." After saying this, he left the department while Hou Wei wrapped up the final work, locked the office carefully, and then returned to her quarters.

___

While Hou Wei returned to her quarters to rest for the day, Zheng Xiang sat in his chambers in a daze. The herbal soup rested on the table before him, its steam now replaced by a cold mist. His eyes were fixed on the once-steaming soup, now forgotten in his contemplation.

He still couldn't believe that the woman he had searched for so long could be found at the palace and would come to serve him herbal soup. What kind of fate is this? he wondered.

Earlier, when he opened the door and saw the woman standing in front of him, carrying a tray with hot soup, he was left speechless. He couldn't believe his eyes; it was the same woman he had met a few months ago.

The woman he was searching for!

Zheng Xiang stared at the herbal soup that the woman had handed to him earlier, a subtle smile appearing on his lips." Hou Wei! So that was her name," he exclaimed, his smile growing more pleasant.

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