I woke up as the Villainous Empress

Outside the study room, Gu Lan stood vigilantly on guard, ensuring no one would dare interrupt His Highness. His recent punishment of two weeks cleaning the stables was a harsh lesson he would not soon forget.

As he maintained his stance, Xiaowei approached, her eyes meeting his. "Her Highness is still inside, isn't she?" She inquired.

Gu Lan's eyebrows knit together at her casual tone, but he managed a nod in answer to her question.

As he was about to voice his thoughts, Xiaowei moved to knock on the door. Instantly, he seized her wrist, his gaze icy and sharp. "What do you think you're doing?"

His sudden assertiveness took Xiaowei aback.

She looked at him with a mix of surprise and mild annoyance playing on her face. "Earlier, Her Highness summoned me to discuss further instructions about the chamber's decoration. If you're doubtful, you can always confirm with her," she replied, there was an obvious irritation in her voice.

It wasn't as if she was recklessly barging in.

She was summoned by the Crown Princess and had simply intended to knock and announce her presence to both the Crown Prince and Princess.

Gu Lan's piercing gaze made her feel as though she was committing a cardinal offense.

Why was he reacting so strongly?

Seeing Xiaowei's abruptness, Gu Lan gritted his teeth, murmuring, "You shouldn't enter now. Even if Her Highness summoned you, this isn't the right time." He cautioned her, all while unintentionally holding onto her wrist.

Xiaowei looked at him, perplexed. "Why this sudden obstruction? I serve the Crown Princess just as you serve His Highness. How can you prevent me from carrying out my tasks?" Her frown deepened, genuinely trying to understand his sudden insistence.

Gu Lan exhaled slowly, irritation evident in his eyes. "Please, keep your voice down. I'm not trying to hinder your duties, but you simply can't enter now. Wait until His Highness and the Crown Princess are finished," he asserted.

Xiaowei tried to grasp his meaning, but his reddened face and averted gaze gave her an inkling of the situation inside.

Everyone was aware that Gu Lan had been assigned the task of cleaning the stables for two weeks as a punishment.

However, only Xiaowei knew the real reason behind it. Yang Ning had once mentioned to her about Gu Lan knocking on the door at an unsuitable moment, which had infuriated Zheng Liang.

While Yang Ning didn't elaborate on what she meant by "wrong timing", Xiaowei had pieced together the likely cause of His Highness's displeasure.

Grasping the situation, she smirked slightly, saying, "Ah, I see what's going on. I'll refrain from knocking for now."

"But it seems you've finally learned after that punishment. When I warned you earlier, you shrugged it off. Sometimes people only grasp good advice when it's paired with consequences," Xiaowei remarked with a touch of sarcasm. She swiftly pulled her hand away from his grasp and took a playful step back, resisting the urge to knock on the door.

Gu Lan's eyes narrowed, irked by the smug smile playing on her lips. Why did this girl always have the knack for getting under his skin?

_____

In the quiet ambiance of the study, Zheng Liang's unexpected move caught Yang Ning off-guard. As his lips met hers, she swayed slightly, but he was quick to act. With a firm hand on her back, he steadied her, pulling her close.

His kiss was not tentative – it was fervent and passionate, a clear portrayal of restrained longing and undeniable desire.

Every press of his lips spoke of the three weeks they had spent apart. It was as if he was trying to communicate all the emotions he felt during their time away – the torture of separation, the yearning, and most importantly, the intense craving to be close to her.

The kiss was pure passion, deep and all-consuming.

At first, a surge of resistance bubbled inside Yang Ning. She thought of pushing him away, asserting her boundaries. But as the kiss continued, something inside her began to shift.

The initial surprise and reluctance started to dissolve, replaced by a warmth that melted the barriers she had erected around herself.

Almost instinctively, her arms found their way around his neck, and she reciprocated the kiss. Their bodies drew closer, the space between them vanishing as they pressed against each other, lost in the profound intimacy of the moment.

As Zheng Liang's lips moved fervently against hers, his hands explored the curve of her back, every touch sending tingles down her spine. The heat between them intensified as he gently traced her silhouette, making her shiver under his fingers.

But the moment his hands ventured lower, an alertness sparked within Yang Ning. The deep trance she was in shattered, and she swiftly pushed him away, gasping slightly and ending their passionate embrace.

Zheng Liang looked at Yang Ning, her rapid breath and flushed face making her appear all the more radiant. A few stray hairs had fallen across her face, giving her a disheveled yet alluring look.

He frowned at how she suddenly pushed him away and asked, "What happened? Why did you suddenly push me away?"

Regaining her composure, Yang Ning met his gaze, a hint of embarrassment evident. "This... isn't the appropriate place," she murmured.

Raising an eyebrow and leaning in, Zheng Liang understood what she meant by her reluctance and teased her, "Then, where would be the appropriate place for you? Because for me, anywhere with you feels just right."

Yang Ning pursed her lips and took a deep breath before calming herself. She looked at him and chuckled softly, a playful glint in her eyes. "Aren't you moving back to the main chamber tonight? Perhaps I'll see you then."

With a sly smirk, she added, "Your Highness, perhaps you should practice some patience. It's often said that the sweetest pleasures come to those who wait." With a gentle push to his chest, she stepped back, leaving him both amused and eagerly anticipating their next encounter.

Zheng Liang stood there, stunned by Yang Ning's daring gaze. It was a playful challenge he didn't see coming, but he was intrigued.

If this playful tension promised something more rewarding later on, he was totally on board.

Yang Ning, noticing his surprised expression, quickly straightened her outfit and smoothed out her hair. She was about to step out when she opened the door to find Gu Lan and Xiaowei staring back, their expressions full of curiosity.

Handing Xiaowei a task, she said, "Grab the tray from inside. Once you're done, come to the main chamber. I've got another important task for you."

Xiaowei's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What's the task, Your Highness?"

With a teasing smile, Yang Ning replied, "It's a secret for now. I have to go, but hurry up." She then stole a glance back at the study room and departed while smiling mischievously.

If Zheng Liang thought he had the upper hand with his teasing, he was in for a surprise. Yang Ning was ready to pull out all the stops. With the knowledge she had gained from modern dramas, she was confident she could turn the tables on him.

He had always seen her as shy and uncertain when it came to physical intimacy. But now, Zheng Liang was about to meet the fearless and audacious side of Yang Ning or she should say…Fang Li. The tables were about to turn, and she was ready to take the lead.

He may have hoped to have her begging him, but she was determined to have him wrapped around her finger, hanging on her every word.

She will make sure of that!

Left behind, Zheng Liang chuckled softly as he watched Yang Ning leave. He brushed his lips with his fingers, reminiscing about their moment, and murmured, "Tonight! It's gonna be an interesting night."