I woke up as the Villainous Empress

After the morning royal court session was dismissed, Yang Luoyang didn't return to his office. Instead, he made his way to the backside of the royal palace.

After walking quite a distance, he reached a secluded spot within the palace grounds. This area was nestled near the boundary walls, surrounded only by trees and plants, offering a serene and isolated environment. The absence of any visible structures nearby added to the secluded nature of the place.

It was a hidden and secluded place in the palace, rarely visited by anyone. With no guards, it remained an empty area devoid of royal residences or dwellings nearby. Instead, it resembled more of a forest with towering trees and wild plants.

Upon reaching the secluded spot, Yang Luoyang stood beneath the shade of a tree. Impatiently, he tapped his foot nervously on the ground, scanning the surroundings to ensure no one was following him.

After waiting a few minutes, a figure approached with hushed steps, ensuring no one was following.

Yang Luoyang gritted his teeth upon seeing the large-built man and accused him coldly, "Why didn't you inform me that Zen Lingyu has been arrested for corruption? How can you hide such significant news from me? Do you not know what will happen if Zen Lingyu reveals my name during the investigation? Do you want me to get destroyed? Huh? How can you not tell me such an important thing?"

"Wang Rong, tell me honestly! Have you changed sides now? I heard that a few weeks ago, Yang Ning visited your residence, and she seems to be close to your most beloved consort. So tell me, are you secretly working for the Crown Prince?" He asked coldly, pointing a finger accusingly, his eyes burning with anger.

Wang Rong frowned at Yang Luoyang's outburst and unconsciously took a step back, his annoyance evident at Yang Luoyang's rude actions. As the Head Officer of the Royal Bureau of Investigation department, he had repeatedly assisted Yang Luoyang by concealing reports and evidence against him whenever he found himself in a mess.

Even though Yang Luoyang had managed to destroy many pieces of evidence against him and believed that nothing could put him in trouble, Wang Rong retained a significant amount of information that could potentially spell trouble for him. The audacity of Yang Luoyang treating him with disrespect left Wang Rong both surprised and infuriated.

How dare Yang Luoyang treat him with such disrespect after all the help he provided?

Wang Rong gritted his teeth and explained in a frustrated and wronged voice, "What are you saying? Why would I betray you? About Zen Lingyu, I wasn't aware of his arrest and investigation. It seems the Crown Prince has used his personal royal guard team for the investigation, and even His Majesty seems to have permitted it."

"Otherwise, if I had been assigned that task, I would have informed you right away. I can't believe you're doubting me for that. I was just as shocked as you when I heard about it during the court session," he said, frustration evident as he grabbed at his hair.

"I wonder what evidence the Crown Prince had found against Zen Lingyu. He didn't even bother to involve our investigation department in this matter. Do you think he seems to have gotten a whiff of our relationship?" Wang Rong asked worriedly.

Yang Luoyang clenched his jaw in anger, reluctant to trust Wang Rong, whom he considered no less than a snake. However, witnessing Wang Rong's frustrated state, he chose to believe his words. While acknowledging Wang Rong's greedy and selfish nature, Yang Luoyang couldn't deny that he wasn't foolish enough to align with the Crown Prince.

Taking a deep breath, Yang Luoyang shook his head after careful consideration. "It doesn't seem so. Zheng Liang trusts no one in the royal court, not just you or me, but everyone. If he had discovered our connection, why would he let Yang Ning visit your residence and befriend your wife?"

"I had someone keeping an eye on Yang Ning, and based on her interactions with your wife—exchanging gifts occasionally—it doesn't seem like she's aware of our connection. If Yang Ning had found out about it, she wouldn't hide it from Zheng Liang either. So, I don't think they know about our relationship."

"As for Yang Ning, she seems to be building relationships with elite ladies, including your wife, the beloved consort of the Head of the Royal Investigation Bureau. Her efforts are likely aimed at creating influential connections for her husband," Yang Luoyang explained.

He couldn't believe that his once seemingly useless daughter, who used to stay confined within the household and never dared to raise her eyes in front of him, was now acting like a proud woman. She was forming connections to support her husband and seemingly going against her father. In his eyes, she resembled her mother—unnecessarily nosy and annoying.

Yang Luoyang sneered and remarked, "No matter how hard Yang Ning tries, she can't buy anyone's loyalty with a few gifts." He glanced at Wang Rong and continued, "Since she's friends with your wife, let's use that connection to gather information from her. Instruct your wife to spend more time with Yang Ning and extract information.

We will use Zheng Liang's tactics against him." A vicious smirk played on his face.

Wang Rong stared at Yang Luoyang in disbelief and felt chills upon hearing his plans. He couldn't fathom how shameless and greedy Yang Luoyang could be to scheme against his own daughter, who held the esteemed position of the Crown Princess.

Instead of supporting her and the Crown Prince, he acted like a greedy and heartless father, plotting against his daughter, as if she weren't his own flesh and blood.

Sometimes, humans could be more dangerous than animals.

Thinking about the plan, Wang Rong nodded in agreement and responded, "You're right. The Crown Princess does seem to have a good impression of Zhu Yating. I will encourage my wife to befriend the Princess more and spend additional time with her in the future.

Since the Crown Prince is determined to ruin all our plans, we will utilize the Crown Princess to disrupt his schemes." He acknowledged Yang Luoyang's cunning strategy.

Before leaving the place, Yang Luoyang glared at Wang Rong and issued an order, "Don't forget to deal with Zen Lingyu. Don't let him open his mouth and create trouble for everyone. Because if he opens his mouth, it wouldn't be problematic for me alone, but for you as well. So, don't let that situation arise under any circumstances."

"The disgusting bugs like him, who cannot even do their work properly, deserve to be crushed without a sound."

Wang Rong frowned at Yang Luoyang's degrading words towards others. If he was treating Zen Lingyu like a bug, then he must treat him the same as well. He pursed his lips and nodded, "I will handle it." They both then went their separate ways, ensuring not to be seen by anyone.