I woke up as the Villainous Empress

At night, Zheng Liang went to his study to read some important documents that needed his signatures for tomorrow's royal court session. Meanwhile, Yang Ning took a refreshing bath after having a light nourishing chicken soup with some veggies for dinner and sat in front of the huge wooden vanity table, where Xiaowei helped comb and braid her long black hair before retiring for the night.

Yang Ning adorned a custom-tailored silk white nightgown, meticulously crafted by a skilled seamstress at her request. Unlike conventional nightdresses of this era, which cover the person from head to toe, even in the summers, constraining movement even during sleep, she preferred a more contemporary design.

Her creation featured a strap gown beneath, complemented by a silk upper gown elegantly draped by a ribbon around her body.

Aware of the provocative nature of her nightgown, Yang Ning was cautious about revealing it to others, knowing it had the potential to stir up chaos due to its bold and revealing design. Even the seamstress who had previously made the nightgown for her was still shocked by her bold choice of nightgowns.
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That is why she reserved the act of removing the upper gown exclusively for Zheng Liang. In his presence, she felt a sense of comfort, as he genuinely appreciated and loved this bold and brazen side of her.

Xiaowei looked at Yang Ning's reflection in the mirror while braiding her hair and asked a question out of curiosity, "Your Highness, why did you send Nurse Hou Wei to deliver the herbal soup to Prince Zheng Xiang?

You could have asked me to do this task if it was urgent." She asked, not sure why Yang Ning went out of the way to specially call Hou Wei and request her to make herbal soup for the prince and serve him hot at the Jade Pavilion.

As her maidservant, she felt a twinge of jealousy that instead of entrusting her with the task, Yang Ning chose to rely on someone else.

Yang Ning saw through Xiaowei's emotions and chuckled at her innocent thoughts. "Are you getting jealous of Hou Wei? Wow! You seem more jealous than my husband," she teased Xiaowei, who shook her head in embarrassment and denied it. "It's not like that. I was just curious why you asked her.

You could have asked any other maid to do that kind of stuff. There wasn't a need to involve a nurse."

Yang Ning didn't tease her further and smiled while applying moisturizing oil to her dry hands. She replied with a cryptic smile, not revealing anything further, "I have my reasons."

'I hope Zheng Xiang doesn't act ignorant this time and becomes more proactive. My second male lead, it's time for you to take some action,' Yang Ning sighed inwardly.

She had asked Hou Wei to go to the Jade Pavilion because she didn't want them to miss each other this time. In the novel, Zheng Xiang and Hou Wei have their first encounter outside the palace, and Hou Wei saves Zheng Xiang's life, which causes him to be attracted to her.

However, their official meeting in the palace was quite late, and by the time they met, Hou Wei and Zheng Liang had been in touch and had become quite close.

Zheng Xiang, who returned to the palace after Zheng Liang's succession to the throne as the Emperor, didn't get to meet Hou Wei, and they always missed each other. During that time, Hou Wei even accompanied Zheng Liang to Xinliang City, which brought them together.

This caused Zheng Xiang to miss the timing once again, and before they could meet, and he could approach Hou Wei, she was already smitten by Zheng Liang. It was already too late for Zheng Xiang to try his chances with her. Hou Wei already had someone else in her heart by that time.

The only difference between the male lead and the second male lead is the timing. The one who grabs the opportunity on time emerges as a winner, the other remains alone and lonely forever and receives the great second male lead tag.

Fang Li always felt that the second male lead and the female lead's first encounter had more depth in their story and always felt bad for Zheng Xiang for not being able to express his feelings to her.

That is why this time, she wanted Zheng Xiang to meet Hou Wei as soon as he arrived at the palace, opening a new chapter for him. Yang Ning was curious about how their first meeting went and how this change will impact the story this time.

____

The next day, in the main hall of the palace, the morning royal court session was held. This time, below the Emperor's throne, there were two royal chairs for the princes. On the right side of the Emperor was the Crown Prince, and on the left, Prince Zheng Xiang took his position.

Unlike other days, the atmosphere of the court session was more tense and cold. Among the ministers, there were two factions – one pleased by the arrival of Prince Zheng Xiang and those who viewed him as the son of a traitor.

Zheng Huang didn't mind the dull expressions of the ministers, and ignoring everyone's judgmental gazes, he announced, "Since Prince Zheng Xiang has returned to the palace, it is only right for him to take a role according to his position. I want him to act as the right hand of the Crown Prince."

"Therefore, after discussions between the Crown Prince and me, we have decided that Prince Zheng Xiang, who is well-versed in analyzing financial records and calculations, will take over the position of Financial Inspector."

As soon as Zheng Huang finished speaking, the complexion of everyone paled. Although it wasn't the most prestigious position for a prince, it certainly had the potential to cause trouble for others.

Among those affected, Yang Luoyang was particularly impacted. His expression turned rigid, and he asked with a hesitant smile, "Your Majesty, the position of Financial Inspector is not vacant. Officer Zen currently holds that position and has been serving in the royal palace for more than a decade. How can Prince Zheng Xiang assume that role?"

"Furthermore, as the Prince of the royal empire, he should hold a position befitting his status. Perhaps overseeing foreign affairs and handling diplomatic matters would be more suitable. I don't believe the role of Financial Inspector aligns with his stature," Yang Luoyang suggested, attempting to maintain a neutral expression.

However, the tension in the air made it evident, and he couldn't help but clench his fists nervously.

The role of Financial Inspector will require Yang Luoyang, the head of the Finance Department, to present all reports and records to Zheng Xiang for scrutiny. This position serves to keep ministers and their actions in check, maintaining a fair system by uncovering any discrepancies or indications of corruption.

Yet, how can the system be fair when the inspector in charge is corrupted? Officer Zen, the active financial inspector for years, has been as corrupted as Yang Luoyang, following his commands instead of those of His Majesty. If Prince Zheng Xiang were appointed as the Financial Inspector, it would undoubtedly cause a lot more trouble for Yang Luoyang.

'What is going on? In the last meeting, I suggested to His Majesty to assign Prince Zheng Xiang to the role of Zheng Liang's right hand and handle his tasks while working under him. He even liked my suggestion at that time. What changed his mind suddenly?' Yang Luoyang wondered.

He had planned to appoint Zheng Xiang to work under Zheng Liang, and if he joined hands with Zheng Xiang, he would be able to know the next actions of the Crown Prince. The work that Yang Ning couldn't do for him, he intended to use Zheng Xiang for the same. However, what went wrong?

Didn't His Majesty agree to his suggestion last time? How can he change his position now? He wondered.