I woke up as the Villainous Empress

Upon receiving His Majesty's invitation for lunch, Yang Ning felt a surge of nervousness that momentarily pushed aside her earlier thoughts and concerns about her identity crisis.

Before departing from the Dragon Pavilion, she took a moment to meticulously adjust her dress, ensuring each fold and hem was in perfect alignment. Approaching the mirror, she examined her reflection with a critical eye, double-checking that her attire and overall appearance were impeccably suited for an audience with His Majesty.

As Yang Ning approached the Main Palace, with Xiaowei trailing closely behind, a court lady gracefully stepped forward to greet them. With a polite nod and a welcoming smile, the lady guided Yang Ning towards the magnificent dining room, where His Majesty awaited her presence.

Yang Ning paused hesitantly before the closed doors of the dining room, drawing in a deep, shaky breath. The thought raced through her mind, 'Could it be possible that she was to dine alone with His Majesty?' The very idea set her heart racing in anxiousness. Overwhelmed with nervousness, she fretted about the potential indigestion she might suffer from eating in such a state.

Despite His Majesty's kind demeanor towards her, treating her almost like a cherished daughter, Yang Ning couldn't fully shake off her unease at the prospect of dining alone with him. After all, he was the formidable Emperor of the Zheng Empire. Merely his title carried enough weight to send chills down the spine of any subject.

Furthermore, since the wedding banquet where everyone was present, she had yet to have the opportunity to share a meal with His Majesty again. Her concern about making a mistake and embarrassing herself in front of him had added to her nervousness.

"Her Highness, the Crown Princess, has arrived." Just as Yang Ning was mentally bracing herself to face His Majesty, the guard's voice broke her reverie. With a formal tone, he announced her presence and then smoothly swung open the doors to the dining room, ushering her inside.

When the door to the dining room was pushed open, Yang Ning offered an awkward smile. However, seeing His Majesty, who was already looking her way and smiling warmly, suggesting he had been eagerly waiting for her, she began to calm down. His expression didn't indicate that he was upset with her about Minister Qin's incident.

It appeared that her fears had been unfounded.

Before she could step inside, she noticed that someone was sitting next to His Majesty. It was none other than Zheng Liang.

'What was he doing here? Why wasn't I informed that he would be joining us?' she thought, her frown evident. Deep down, though, a wave of relief washed over her. The idea of having lunch alone with His Majesty had filled her with anxiety, fearing that she might embarrass herself in front of him by not following the proper etiquette or would not have anything to talk about with him.

However, with Zheng Liang present, she felt more at ease and believed she could converse with His Majesty more comfortably.

"Greetings to Your Majesty," Yang Ning said respectfully as she entered the dining room.

His Majesty, Zheng Huang, smiled broadly upon seeing his daughter-in-law. He let out a hearty laugh and said, "Why are you being so formal with me? Didn't I tell you to call me father? Now come here and join us for lunch."

Relieved to see His Majesty in a good mood, Yang Ning nodded with a warm smile. She had been worried that the lunch might revolve around the recent events in the royal court; her visit to the carnival with Zheng Liang, and the incident related to that brat Qin Cheng. However, it seemed her concerns were for nothing.

"My apologies, Father. How are you feeling now?" she inquired politely as she made her way to the dining table. She shot a discreet glance at Zheng Liang, silently questioning the unexpected situation.

Zheng Liang smiled at her warmly and patted the chair beside him. "Come and sit here. We were just talking about you. You didn't have lunch yet, right? Let's eat together."

Yang Ning raised her eyebrows in surprise but nodded and took a seat next to Zheng Liang. She leaned in closer to him and whispered in a low voice, "Why didn't you tell me about this arrangement? Do you know how I was so scared earlier, worried that His Majesty might have called me to interrogate me about that incident?"

Zheng Liang chuckled softly and replied in a hushed tone, "Why are you so nervous? Weren't you closer to Father than me? He might invite me over to interrogate me, but I doubt he will treat his lovable daughter-in-law the same way." His words carried a reassuring tone, meant to ease her concerns.

Yang Ning shot him a playful yet annoyed glare but decided not to argue further. Being close to His Majesty was indeed different from having lunch with him, and she couldn't help but feel a bit anxious about the unexpected situation. She was still worried that he might want to discuss the recent events in the royal court, especially the matter concerning the Qin family.

As Yang Ning settled down at the dining table and the maids served them the dishes, her gaze wandered around the room, taking in the exquisite beauty of the place. It was a simple dining room, yet the extravagance of the place left her mesmerized.

The large windows, adorned with sheer curtains, allowed the gentle afternoon sunlight to filter into the dining room, casting a soft, natural glow that complemented the room's opulence. These windows offered a stunning view of the palace gardens, a sight that must be even more breathtaking when the moon and stars graced the night sky.

Lamps were strategically placed in every corner, providing additional warmth and illumination to the room. The chandelier, hanging majestically above, bathed the entire space in a soft, enchanting light. Its crystals shimmered like stars, creating an almost magical atmosphere. Yang Ning couldn't help but wonder how mesmerizing it would look in the evening.

In the room's center, an exquisite long wooden dining table took pride of place, surrounded by chairs crafted with the utmost skill and precision. Golden candle holders graced the table, their flickering flames adding to the room's enchantment. A vibrant centerpiece of fresh flowers adorned the table, infusing a touch of natural beauty into the luxurious setting.

As Yang Ning marveled at her surroundings, she couldn't help but realize that this was her first visit to this dining room. While she had attended events like Zheng Liang's birthday banquet and their wedding banquet, those had taken place in a different, larger dining hall specifically designed for grand feasts and banquets, open to the public.

Meanwhile, this smaller, more intimate dining room was a reserved space, typically used only by His Majesty and the immediate royal family. The sheer grandeur of the royal dining room at the palace left her awestruck, an experience unlike anything she had ever encountered in her previous life.

___

The lunch proceeded peacefully, with Yang Ning and Zheng Huang engaging in light conversations while enjoying the delicious dishes. Zheng Liang, on the other hand, remained mostly silent during the meal, allowing the father and daughter-in-law to converse without interruption.

Throughout the meal, however, he displayed his attentiveness to Yang Ning, frequently serving her dishes and assisting her with wiping her mouth, his actions gentle and caring.

Zheng Huang observed his son's considerate behavior with surprise and warmth in his eyes. The transformation he had witnessed in Zheng Liang, from a solitary and aloof individual to a responsible and affectionate husband, filled him with pride.

As they finished their meal, the maids served them fragrant tea, known for aiding digestion and refreshing the palate. While sipping his tea, Zheng Huang turned his attention to Yang Ning and spoke, "Yang Ning, aside from treating you to this meal, there is an important matter I wish to discuss with you."