I woke up as the Villainous Empress

"The Spring Festival Carnival?" Yang Ning was taken aback when Zheng Liang mentioned it.

If her memory served her right, it was the same carnival where Zheng Liang had taken Hou Wei, the female lead, out of the palace for an outing after returning from their trip to another city where their carriage had been attacked on their way back to the capital and Zheng Liang had gotten hurt during the attack.

In the novel, he used the excuse that he had business to attend to outside the palace, and as the nurse who was in charge of treating him at that time, he had asked Hou Wei to accompany him.

It had been a weak excuse, as Zheng Liang had recovered from his injury and the trip to the central market wasn't long enough to warrant the presence of a nurse or physician. Nevertheless, Hou Wei had agreed to accompany him without questioning the reason, simply because it was an order from the Crown Prince.

During that outing, Zheng Liang not only had Hou Wei sit in the same carriage as him but also took her on a tour of the carnival, under the guise of inspecting a shop they were supposed to visit. It was during this time that his feelings for Hou Wei not only grew but also made him realize his hidden emotions.

The nurse who had been taking care of him suddenly started to appear more like a woman to him, a woman he wanted to protect and keep by his side forever. He began to realize the feelings he had never experienced before, and it became clear to him that he didn't view her merely as his nurse but treated her differently.

Yang Ning pursed her lips, her heart-stirring with strange emotions as she contemplated the contents of the novel. It was becoming increasingly evident that things were changing, and instead of the female lead, this time it would be her accompanying him to the spring festival carnival.

Yet, as she thought about how he had asked another girl to go with him to the spring carnival, a pang of jealousy surged within her. Her eyes betrayed a hint of longing and unease, which she tried to conceal but couldn't fully suppress.

'Hah! How can he ask me to go to the carnival where he went with his lover?' She frowned.

However, she acknowledged that her jealousy was irrelevant since what had occurred was a part of the novel's plot, and this time, it was her who was going with him. It felt petty to be jealous over this matter, but she couldn't help it.

Zheng Liang couldn't help but notice the change in Yang Ning's expression, and it puzzled him. He had expected her to react with excitement or at least curiosity about the prospect of attending the Spring Festival Carnival.

Instead, her initial surprise had transformed into a deep frown, leaving him to wonder what was going through her mind. Her reaction left him feeling a sense of confusion, prompting him to silently contemplate her thoughts.

Zheng Liang couldn't ignore Yang Ning's changing expressions any longer. He decided to address the matter directly, concern evident in his voice. "What happened? Do you not want to go to the Spring Festival Carnival?" He inquired, his tone filled with care and a hint of confusion.

Yang Ning looked up at Zheng Liang, her thoughts momentarily interrupted. She quickly responded, "Ah? No! It's nothing like that. I am... I am happy.

So, is there someone else coming with us as well?" She asked carefully, her curiosity tinged with a hint of unease, wondering if Hou Wei would be accompanying them to the Spring Festival Carnival.

Even though things were changing, many incidents had been occurring according to the plotline. The attack on their way from Xinling City to Hou Wei's entry into the palace—everything seemed to be following the flow of the original plot.

She needed to ensure that Hou Wei wouldn't follow them this time.

Zheng Liang raised his brows at her questions and nodded, saying, "Indeed, there will be Gu Lan and Xiaowei accompanying us. Additionally, the black shadow guards will be there to ensure our safety during the carnival. After the last attack, we cannot afford to take any risks."

"Why? Do you have any problem with that?" Zheng Liang asked, a hint of concern in his voice as he wondered if she felt uncomfortable due to the presence of the guards.

Yang Ning let out a sigh of relief that Hou Wei wouldn't be joining them. She shook her head and replied, "No, I just wanted to ensure that the guards will be accompanying us. We can't afford to be careless about your safety from now on," her tone carrying a serious undertone.

A smile graced Zheng Liang's lips. "So, my wife is worried about me? I never knew that my wife cared about me this much," he said with a teasing grin, his eyes filled with affection for Yang Ning.

Yang Ning raised her brows teasingly and chuckled. "Why? Do you want someone else to worry about you? Well, forget about it. At least in this lifetime. Because in this life, you're stuck with me - till death."

Zheng Liang let out a chuckle, clearly pleased by her comment. He gently squeezed her hand, which he was holding on the table, and said, "Possessive, huh? I quite like this possessive nature of my wife. I'm more than happy to agree to this lifelong contract," he added in a raspy, flirty voice, causing Yang Ning to raise her brows at his cheekiness.

Yang Ning couldn't help but think, 'Has this man always been this smooth when it comes to flirting?'

She eyed him and playfully slapped his hand away, the one that was holding hers. "Your honeyed words won't work on me," she teased, her voice firm but laced with a hint of amusement. "I am tired, and I don't intend to do anything, neither right now nor tonight," she added, focusing on her food.

Despite her stern words, a sneaky smile played on her lips, and blush colored her cheeks, reaching all the way to her ears.

'Argh! I hate how he seduces me with that handsome face. That's so unfair,' she cried inwardly, her embarrassment growing with each passing moment.

Zheng Liang couldn't help but notice the smile that played on Yang Ning's lips as she enjoyed her meal. He smirked mischievously and decided to playfully tease her. "Hmm! If that's what you want." he began, nonchalantly, "Since you're tired, we'll do as you say.

After all, tomorrow is my day, and I'll take all the dues with interest," he added meaningfully, causing her to stare at him in speechless disbelief.

Seeing her rendered speechless brought a sense of satisfaction to Zheng Liang. He nonchalantly shifted his attention to the dishes on his plate, savoring each bite, and hummed with delight, "It's so delicious—soft and tender, just like someone."

Yang Ning's eyes widened in shock at his shameless comment. She glanced around anxiously to make sure no one had overheard. In her embarrassment, she bit her lower lip and playfully hit him on the arm.

Zheng Liang, unapologetic and still wearing a sly grin, continued, "What? I was simply praising the food. It's delicious, just like you. It's so mouthwatering that I can't stop eating it, just like someone." His playful words and suggestive tone only added to Yang Ning's embarrassment, and she couldn't help but bury her face in her hands, wishing the ground would swallow her whole.

"Argh! Stop it," Yang Ning pleaded, her face burning with embarrassment.

She covered her crimson cheeks with her hands, desperately trying to hide her blushing face from him. 'He is such a pervert,' she thought, finding his bold and flirty words both amusing and seductive.