I woke up as the Villainous Empress

The next day, Zheng Liang and Yang Ning made their way to the Main Palace in the morning to greet His Majesty and seek his blessings. It was the first day of the Spring Festival, a time of renewal and new beginnings.

After the tumultuous events of the past months, which included His Majesty being poisoned, the exile of the Empress, and an attempt on Zheng Liang's life during his trip outside the palace, it was a moment to put those troubles behind and embrace a fresh start.

Zheng Huang, seated on his bed with his back against the headrest, directed his concerned gaze at Yang Ning, who occupied a chair beside him. He remarked, "It's been quite a while since I last saw you. You appear to have lost a considerable amount of weight. Are you not eating well these days?" His worry was evident in his tone.

Zheng Liang and Yang Ning had both come to greet him, but Zheng Huang seemed to disregard his own son, focusing solely on Yang Ning. She appeared relaxed as if visiting her father, while Zheng Liang sat with a formal posture as if attending a meeting.

Yang Ning cast a helpless glance at Zheng Liang in response to His Majesty's comment and then turned her attention back to Zheng Huang. She replied, "Father, I should be saying this to you. I heard from Lady Yu Ling that you haven't been eating well these days. Why do you worry so much about court affairs?"

"Zheng Liang is here to handle court matters. You should only focus on your health. I heard you caught a cold yesterday. Are you not taking care of yourself?" Yang Ning continued, adopting a caring and daughterly tone that melted Zheng Huang's heart.

Zheng Liang often felt awkward around his father. Their relationship lacked the warmth and ease of a harmonious father-son bond. Zheng Huang had always carried the weight of his role as Emperor, and Zheng Liang's responsibilities as the Crown Prince had added to the formality and distance between them.

The dynamics between father and son often shifted between "His Majesty" and "Father."

In contrast, Yang Ning addressed Zheng Huang as "Father" and treated him with the warmth and concern of a daughter, which seemed to touch Zheng Huang deeply.

The elderly Emperor let out a chuckle at Yang Ning's persistent nagging, although his expression remained stern. "You certainly have a knack for nagging. Have you ever seen anyone dare to nag the Emperor this much?" he remarked, his tone stern but with a hint of amusement. He was secretly pleased to be nagged by her.

Yang Ning pouted in response. "Who said I came to greet the Emperor of the Zheng Empire? I came here as your daughter-in-law, and by that relation, I have every right to worry about your health. If not me, then who else would dare to nag you? I bet even your son wouldn't dare," she retorted playfully.

Zheng Huang glanced at Zheng Liang and couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh. "You're right. Sometimes, I feel you're my daughter, and he is just... someone from the outside," he admitted. He had spent his entire life maintaining a strong and imposing image, even in front of his children. However, when he saw Yang Ning's boldness and straightforwardness, it left him speechless.

Inwardly, he appreciated her demeanor. It made him feel closer to her, like a family, like a father.

Zheng Liang, sitting there and watching the interaction between his father and wife, let out a helpless sigh. He couldn't help but smile as he witnessed the bond forming between them. It warmed his heart to see them bond as if they were long-lost friends.

There had always been a wall between him and his father. He had never imagined there would be a day when he would come to seek his father's blessings for the Spring Festival and chat with him so freely, without the constraints of their statuses and titles. It was all thanks to Yang Ning. She had brought him and his father closer, knitting their family into one cohesive unit.

Zheng Liang, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke, "Father, I also wish you good health and happiness during the Spring Festival. May the year ahead be filled with prosperity for our Empire." His words were formal but carried a sense of genuine warmth and respect.

The old Emperor turned his attention to Zheng Liang, acknowledging his presence. "Thank you, my son. May this year bring you success in your duties and happiness in your married life," he replied with a nod, offering his blessings.

Yang Ning watched with a smile as this exchange unfolded, glad to see a bridge forming between father and son. While they might still maintain a degree of awkward formality, they were now wishing each other well and not at each other's throats.

She was confident that, over time, the void between father and son would gradually be replaced with joy and laughter. The Spring Festival was indeed a time of renewal and new beginnings, not just for the Empire but for their family as well.

___

Since it was the first day of the Spring Festival, there were no court hearings. Instead, a small banquet was held in the afternoon, attended by all the ministers and officials. They came to demonstrate their loyalty to His Majesty by offering gifts and tributes.

Throughout the event, Yang Ning sat like a mannequin, occasionally stifling a yawn at the tedious, formal proceedings. Everyone seemed to be engaged in nothing more than flattery and ingratiating themselves with His Majesty.

She was simply biding her time, eagerly awaiting the end of the banquet so she and Zheng Liang could proceed to the Spring Festival Carnival.

After coming to this world, it would be her first experience attending a Spring Festival Carnival, and she couldn't contain her excitement.

Xiaowei had filled her with tales of the carnival, describing how the streets of the market were adorned with lanterns, illuminated by the glow of fireworks and firecrackers. Stalls selling jewelry, clothing, and ornaments would line the streets. Food vendors would offer mouthwatering delicacies, and there would even be a local puppet show.

As she listened to these descriptions, Yang Ning couldn't wait for the evening to arrive, eager to immerse herself in the vibrant festivities of the Spring Festival Carnival.