I woke up as the Villainous Empress

Upon Yang Ning's departure from the study, Zheng Liang found it impossible to mask his grin. Even while going through and putting his signature on stacks of paperwork, that smile didn't fade. When the ministers gathered at the Dragon Palace for crucial talks, they couldn't help but notice his persistent cheerfulness.

It left them scratching their heads.

Here they were, deep in discussions about pressing and complex matters, and he was all smiles? What was the reason behind it?

Zheng Liang sat in the meeting, but his mind was miles away, replaying the earlier moments with Yang Ning. Every glance, every touch, the lingering anticipation for tonight made him beam. The thought of her bold response and that teasing smile made it impossible for him to suppress his grin.

Tonight was going to be different.

After being away from his chamber and Yang Ning for torturous three weeks, he was finally returning. But it was more than that. The way Yang Ning reacted to him earlier showed that things were changing between them.

It wasn't like before. Now, she seemed to pull him close, just as he wanted to be close to her.

They had been married for almost a year, but tonight, they might truly connect as husband and wife and become one with each other.

Time seemed to move so slowly for Zheng Liang as he eagerly waited for night to come.

___

As darkness enveloped the palace, Zheng Liang's anticipation grew. He had hastily concluded the evening's meeting, dismissing the ministers earlier than expected.

They had anticipated a prolonged discussion on critical matters, yet here they were, being ushered out earlier than everyone had expected. The ministers exchanged puzzled glances, speculating amongst themselves about the pressing matter that could have prompted such urgency from the usually composed Zheng Liang.

Little did they know, his eagerness had a more personal reason behind it. He imagined Yang Ning must be eagerly awaiting his presence too and couldn't wait to return to his chamber.

But before he could leave, Xiaowei entered the study with a tray of food. He frowned, "Why did you bring my dinner here? I planned to dine with Yang Ning in the main chamber tonight." He motioned for her to take it away and prepare their meal together.

How could he eat alone knowing his wife was waiting for him? Every moment apart felt too long. Eating without her just didn't feel right. That's why he wants to hurry to the dining room – to share a meal with her and make up for the time they've missed over the past few weeks.

Rather than leaving, Xiaowei stood her ground, her eyes lowered. "Your Highness, Her Highness has instructed me to serve you dinner here. She said that you should come to the main chamber after having your dinner and bath."

Zheng Liang's frown deepened.

The sky has already turned dark, why the delay? What will happen if they have dinner together? Clearly, Yang Ning had something special planned for the evening.

What was she up to?

His impatience grew, but he realized arguing wouldn't help. Yang Ning had a plan and he was eager to see it unfold, even if it meant waiting. "Fine," he sighed, taking his seat. "Serve the dinner. And prepare a bath for me afterward."

"Add some scented powder to the water as well," he added, a hint of awkwardness in his voice.

Xiaowei suppressed a grin as she set down the tray. She might be chatty around Yang Ning, but with Zheng Liang, she maintained the formality expected of palace staff.

Nevertheless, she was bursting to spill everything to Yang Ning, eager to recount every word His Highness had said to her. She could already visualize Yang Ning laughing so hard that she would clutch her stomach in delight.

___

Once he finished dinner in the study, Zheng Liang indulged in a rejuvenating bath. Today, he lingered a bit longer, savoring the scented flower powder Xiaowei had added to the water upon his request.

Emerging refreshed, he donned the dark blue night attire provided by Yang Ning. Typically, he favored lighter shades for evening wear, so this dark blue attire was a surprise.

It had cotton pants and a robe, both tied with a string. This was a bit different from his regular night clothes, which were more conservative and covered him completely at night.

His normal pajamas had both a string and buttons for a snug fit, helping him sleep with ease. But this new set just had a string that could be easily pulled open upon a simple tug on it.

Before stepping out of the guest chamber, Zheng Liang gave himself one last approving look in the mirror.

The dark blue robe gave him an air of elegance and allure, different from his usual attire. With a slight nod of satisfaction, he made his way to the main chamber.

Upon reaching, an unusual stillness in the hallways greeted him. The familiar sight of guards standing at attention and servants bustling about was conspicuously absent. An eerie silence hung in the corridors, punctuated only by Zheng Liang's footsteps echoing on the marble floor.

He arched an eyebrow, puzzled. "Where has everyone gone?" he murmured, more to himself.

For servants and guards to be absent at once was not just irregular, it was unheard of. Maybe they were at dinner? Or perhaps they were changing shifts? Yet, he recalled the strict protocols – no post was ever to be vacant for long.

Shaking his head, he said aloud, "This isn't like the palace."

However, the cheerful mood from his leisurely bath and the anticipation of the night prevented him from pondering too deeply on it. He continued to the main chamber with a mental note to inquire about it later.

Pausing momentarily at its door, he took a deep, steadying breath. There was an unexplained excitement, an odd flutter in his chest. He patted it lightly, attempting to soothe his racing heartbeat.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally pushed the door open.

As he stepped through the door and entered his chamber, his eyes widened in astonishment. It was his chamber, but it was almost unrecognizable. He stood there, mouth agape, taking in the transformed surroundings with wonder.

So this was the reason Yang Ning had kept him away from the chamber earlier. This was her grand plan!