I woke up as the Villainous Empress

"Milady, I have brought you a glass of warm milk. If you drink it, you'll feel cozy and sleep better," Xiaowei said, standing before Yang Ning with a tray in her hands.

Yang Ning furrowed her brow and sighed, her gaze falling upon the glass of warm milk. With the seasons changing and winter approaching, Xiaowei remained dedicated to bringing her a nightly serving of warm milk.

Despite knowing that Yang Ning disliked plain milk the most, Xiaowei still brought her a glass of plain milk to drink.

"I have told you a hundred times, I don't want this milk! What's the deal with constantly trying to turn me into a goat? Is that your secret plan, Xiaowei?" Yang Ning snapped, her frustration evident in her tone.

Xiaowei became flustered, her eyes wide as she shook her head in confusion. "Forgive me, Milady, I did not mean that. His Highness wants you to drink a glass of warm milk before bedtime. It will help you to sleep well."

Yang Ning pursed her lips and let out a scoff. "He doesn't even bother to come to the chamber himself and yet speaks as if he genuinely cares for me," she murmured under her breath, her words laced with skepticism.

Ever since the Yang Lingxin incident, the palace has been engulfed in such chaos that despite their close proximity, they couldn't even catch a glimpse of each other's faces.

He was constantly preoccupied with ministers and work, leaving them with no time to spend together.

Whenever she finds herself alone, her mind invariably drifts back to that fateful night—the night that held the potential to transform her life into something extraordinary, had it not been for Yang Lingxin's sudden departure.

It was the first time she had resolved to break free from her inhibitions and embrace her life here, her married life with Zheng Liang.

Yet, fate had other intentions in store.

After Zheng Liang left the chamber, she couldn't find sleep throughout the night due to the announcement of the Empress's early departure in the morning.

Not only did she invest her emotions in vain, but she also had to endure a sleepless night just to bid farewell to Yang Lingxin.

What a tumultuous and eventful night it turned out to be.

Yang Ning glanced at Xiaowei, who continued to stare at her intently. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the glass of milk and swiftly gulped it down in a single gulp.

Placing it back on the tray with a thump, she huffed, "Done. But mark my words, don't you dare bring it again tomorrow. I refuse to drink it."

"If you insist on bringing something tomorrow, make it alcohol instead. That way, I can at least sleep faster," Yang Ning remarked.

Xiaowei's eyes widened in shock as she quickly scanned the surroundings, ensuring no one had overheard. "Milady, please refrain from uttering such words. It's not appropriate," she admonished, her voice filled with concern.

"As a woman, it is not appropriate for you to ask for alcohol in such a manner," Xiaowei attempted to impart a lesson.

Yang Ning frowned and responded, "What's the big deal? Do I need Zheng Liang's permission for everything? Enough with this nonsense, just take it away. I'm exhausted."

She waved her hand, shooing Xiaowei away. Once Xiaowei had departed, Yang Ning wearily sank onto the bed and let out a sigh of exhaustion.

"Ugh! The palace is unbearably dull," Yang Ning groaned, plopping onto the bed and staring up at the ceiling, her feet dangling off the ground.

She clutched the pillow tightly against her chest and let out a deep, heavy sigh.

She had once believed that marrying Zheng Liang would lead her back to her world. However, as time went on, she realized that too much had passed, leaving her with no hope of returning to her previous life.

Despite Yang Lingxin being apprehended and facing the consequences of her actions, Yang Ning remained trapped in this fictional world, unable to escape its confines.

Contrary to the expected timeline of events, the Emperor, who should have already passed away, continued to breathe steadily and concentrated on his recovery.

Yet, she remained here, trapped in a life that remained as monotonous and uneventful as ever.

She was the kind of person who used to work tirelessly, constantly on the move throughout the day.

Previously, she would feel anxious if a single day passed without her engaging in the practice. However, now it had been many months, and she found herself not only trapped in this fictional world but also confined within the walls of the palace.

During her time at the Yang Household, she had the freedom to occasionally step outside for a walk and enjoy the fresh air.

However, within the confines of the palace, such options were nonexistent, leaving her longing for that simple pleasure.

She found herself trapped within the watchful gaze of the guards, unable to leave the palace freely.

The suffocating feeling grew stronger each day as she consumed repetitive meals, gazed upon familiar faces, and carried out mundane chores, all contributing to a monotonous and stifling existence.

Adding to her isolation, she no longer had the comfort of her mobile, which could have provided some solace and companionship in this desolate environment.

Life had lost all its excitement, leaving her trapped in a cycle of boredom. If she didn't perish from a sword's blow, she feared she would die of sheer monotony.

While Yang Ning was pondering her existence in this world, she suddenly heard a voice of a guard from outside. "His Highness has arrived."

"Oh! He's here?" Her eyes widened in surprise, as she hadn't anticipated his return to the chamber tonight.

It would be the first time in two months that she would see him. After that particular night, it would also be the first time they would share the bed together.

She swiftly jumped off the bed, straightening her nightgown and gathering her hair to one side.

Tonight, she opted not to have her hair braided but instead tied it with a silk ribbon, like a loose ponytail, allowing her locks to flow freely during the night.

She stood there nervously, her body frozen like a statue, awaiting the opening of the door and Zheng Liang's entrance.

For some inexplicable reason, a mix of nervousness and exhilaration coursed through her veins, creating a flurry of emotions within her.

She hadn't experienced such a thrilling sensation since her days of competitive matches when she just started participating in competitions.

But now, a surge of nervousness and excitement engulfed her. The intensity of these emotions was unlike anything she had felt in years.