I woke up as the Villainous Empress

Just as she had expected, His Majesty’s chamber was surrounded by royal guards as if she was visiting a military base. Two guards were standing outside His Majesty’s chamber and holding spears in their hands.

Not only in front of his chamber but she could see a few guards guarding the corridor that leads to the main chamber of His Majesty as well.

She was not only awed by the extravagant and luxurious interior of this place where almost everything was made of gold but was also surprised by the security of this place.

The security of this place was far stricter and stronger than the dragon’s pavilion. She could roam around the dragon pavilion and the garden freely.

However here she cannot do that without feeling conscious of so many eyes that were watching and observing every action of hers.

It was truly a protected place where anyone cannot enter easily.

After passing through all the checkpoints, Zheng Liang and Yang Ning stood in front of His Majesty’s chamber. “Announce our arrival.” Zheng Liang said to the guard who was standing outside.

Rather than announcing their arrival by shouting like usual, the guard passed the message to Yu Ling who is not only the Head of Court Ladies but also has been serving His Majesty these days.

.....

After he fell ill, Lady Yu Ling started serving him and has been taking care of him since then. After receiving the message, she went inside to inform His Majesty about Zheng Liang and Yang Ning’s arrival.

Since His Majesty was not feeling well and to not disturb him when he is resting, they are delivering the messages quietly and subtly.

After a few moments, Lady Yu Ling came outside and informed Zheng Liang and Yang Ning to go inside. “You may go inside.”

Yang Ning was surprised that even Zheng Liang had to go through so many formalities and steps to meet the Emperor who is also his Father.

Before going inside, she smiled at Yu Ling as she was seeing her after so long and was pleased to meet her.

Lady Yu Ling maintained her indifferent expression and gestured to Yang Ning to be mindful of her actions while entering His Majesty’s chamber.

After receiving Yu Ling’s mindful warning, Yang Ning took a deep breath and prepared herself to meet His Majesty before following Zheng Liang inside the chamber.

Although His Majesty has always been nice to her and even gifted her his necklace the last time, she cannot act too carelessly in front of him.

He is THE EMPEROR after all.

___

After they entered the chamber, Yang Ning was surprised that His Majesty wasn’t alone in the chamber.

Many people were surrounding his bed and were wearing distressed expressions on their faces, meanwhile, His Majesty was lying on the bed and was looking pale and sickly.

There was Master Jiang Tai, who was checking on His Majesty’s condition. He was accompanied by his junior physician who was helping him pass the things that he needed to check His Majesty and was noting down His Majesty’s condition in his small notebook.

Yang Ning pursed her lips when she noticed the Empress, who was also present in the chamber along with Yang Luoyang.

She was avoiding him for such a long time yet she met him here. What a small place it is.

Both of their expressions were not welcoming upon seeing her arrival with Zheng Liang.

‘Ah! I forgot that she could be here as well.’ She sighed when her eyes met with the Empress who frowned upon seeing her coming up with Zheng Liang.

“Zheng Liang! Yang Ning. You are here.” The Emperor said in a weak voice and smiled gladly as he was happy to see his son and daughter-in-law who had come to visit him.

Zheng Liang and Yang Ning greeted the Emperor and the Empress formally before they walked toward Master Jiang Tai.

“Master Jiang, have you checked His Majesty’s condition already? Would you like me to go outside and wait for you to be done with the check-up?” Zheng Liang asked.

“There is no need, Your Highness. I have checked the pulse of His Majesty and need to go to the imperial medicine department to brew some medicine for him.”

“I will be going outside so you can have a word with His Majesty in private.” Master Jiang sensed that Zheng Liang had come to see His Majesty in private and left the chamber along with his assistant physician.

After Master Jiang Tai left, Yang Lingxin looked at Zheng Liang with a frown and asked, ” Zheng Liang, What are you doing here at this time? Shouldn’t you be having your dinner and going to bed early?” She asked as if worrying about her son’s health.

“His Majesty also needs to rest. If people come to meet him at a time like this, he will not be able to rest properly.” She said worriedly while glancing at the Emperor.

Zheng Liang was not surprised by her passive-aggressive comment and looked at her indifferently before saying, ” Ah! Were you about to leave the chamber to have dinner and go to bed early?.”

“If you are worried about His Majesty, you do not need to worry about anything. You can go ahead and rest. Yang Ning and I will be staying here and will go after His Majesty falls asleep.” He said.

Yang Lingxin’s expression darkened upon hearing his cold words. She could feel that he was trying to kick her out of the room so that he could talk to His Majesty in private.

What does he want to talk to His Majesty in private? She wondered and got worried thinking about it.

However, she was not stupid either to leave them alone. Leaving them alone means allowing the father and son to bond together so that he could fill his father’s ears against her.

He might be the Crown Prince, but she will not allow him to become the next Emperor of this Empire. Only her son can take over that position, Zheng Liang doesn’t deserve to become the Emperor.

” How can I go back to my chamber and rest when your father needs me the most? I am so worried about your father’s health these days. Because of this, I cannot even eat properly or sleep at night.” Her voice choked as she said while wiping her nonexistent tears.

Yang Ning stood there silently as she watched Yang Lingxin playing the role of filial wife while Yang Luoyang stood there like a male servant.

‘Why is he standing there anyway?’ She wondered. Why did they allow him when he had no reason to be in the room?

Yang Lingxin and Yang Luoyang are like a pair of wicked couple. Always goes hand in hand!

___

“Zheng Liang is right. You should go back and rest. I need to talk to Zheng Liang and Yang Ning about something. Minister Yang, you should also return to your house as well.” The Emperor said, interrupting his wife’s words and asking her and Yang Luoyang to leave the room.

Yang Ning pursed her lips as she almost cackled when the Emperor ignored the Empress’s words in front of everyone who was trying to show off her affection and her relationship with His Majesty and indirectly looking down on Zheng Liang.

“Your Majesty, how can you ask me to-” Yang Lingxin was surprised when Zheng Huang asked her to return to her chamber instead. Before she could convince him to stay in the chamber along with Zheng Liang and Yang Ning, the Emperor looked at her and told her sternly, ” Go back. I need some time alone with my son and daughter-in-law.” His voice was weak but she could not dare to disobey his orders.

Her face turned gloomy to see him calling Zheng Liang his son so affectionately. How come he calls Zheng Liang his son who never calls him Father in return and still calls him using the formal titles only?

He never shows the same affection towards her son, Zheng Xiang who has been living away from the palace. How come he still likes Zheng Liang more than her son who deserves to become the next Emperor?

“Then….I will take my leave. You can send a court lady to call me if you need me for anything.” She bowed to the Emperor before exiting the chamber, following his orders.

Yang Lingxin had no choice but to leave the chamber along with Yang Luoyang. She gritted her teeth and side-eyed Yang Ning before leaving the chamber.

If this girl thinks she can get out of her reins, she is wrong. She is still the Empress of the Empire and can control a mere crown princess like her.