I woke up as the Villainous Empress

"It can't be true. That woman didn't look like the Crown Princess. Why would the Crown Princess be at the local market like that? Even her clothes were of a young maiden. Otherwise, why would I hit on a married woman recklessly, that too in a crowded market?" Qin Cheng shook his head, trying to dismiss the possibility that the woman he had encountered could be the Crown Princess.

"It's the truth. They attended the spring festival in disguise. But who would have thought that you would act on impulse and get into trouble with His Highness? If only you had told us the truth, we wouldn't have gone to the royal court with this complaint, and none of this would have happened," his brother explained.

"Because of you and your friends hiding the truth from us, His Highness revealed it in front of everyone. To protect you from execution, Father and I had to kneel on the ground in front of everyone. Yet you claim we never loved you?" His brother shouted, holding up a mirror of truth to Qin Cheng's actions.

"Father…" Qin Cheng's eyes welled with tears as he saw the pain in his father's eyes.

"Brother, what should I do? Am I going to be executed? Should I go and kneel in front of them? Will they spare me if I do that?" He cried, clutching his brother's arm in desperation. He was too young to die, and the thought of facing execution terrified him.

His brother yanked his hand away and turned to the side, avoiding eye contact. "Qin Cheng, because of you, our family has become a laughingstock in front of everyone. Father has been removed from his position as Head Minister, and neither he nor I can ever hope for promotions in the future.

Not only that, all of our assets and even this household, which was granted to us by His Majesty as a reward, will be returned. The name and fame of the Qin Family are now nothing but a sad memory of a glory that crumbled to dust," he said with a heavy sigh.

"This house? Where will we live then?" Qin Cheng asked, his eyes filled with confusion and desperation.

"Father and I will be residing in the palace quarters for workers, at least for now, until we can save enough to buy a small house. Thanks to you, all our savings will be spent on paying the penalties," his brother replied with a bitter scoff.

Qin Cheng frowned and implored, "Where will I live then? Isn't the palace quarters for those who work in the palace?"

"You? You will leave this Empire tomorrow. You have been banished to another kingdom. In exchange for your execution, His Highness has chosen to banish you, considering our years of service. I can't believe Father and I had to beg for an ignorant brat like you in front of everyone. Qin Cheng, I hope you now understand how much Father and I loved you."

"What? Brother, tell me it's a lie. This can't be happening. I won't go anywhere," Qin Cheng shouted and cried uncontrollably upon realizing that his entire future had been destroyed due to his recklessness.

Minister Qin took a deep breath to control his emotions and left the chamber with his elder son, leaving Qin Cheng to cry and slowly come to terms with the gravity of his actions. He needed to fully grasp the magnitude of the crime he had committed and the consequences it had brought upon his family.

____

After the turbulent morning session in the royal court, Zheng Liang proceeded to His Majesty's private chambers. There, they further discussed the morning's proceedings and signed the necessary documents to confirm the banishment of Qin Cheng and the punitive actions against Minister Qin and his eldest son.

By the time Zheng Liang returned to the Dragon Pavilion, it was well past noon. As he entered his chamber, he noticed Yang Ning standing by the window, seemingly lost in thought.

Approaching her with a mix of concern and affection, he wrapped his arms around her, "So engrossed that you didn't notice me come in?"

Yang Ning jolted slightly from his embrace, then relaxed, smiling as he nestled his chin against her shoulder. She caressed his hand that was wrapped around her, saying, "I was just thinking about that woman."

Zheng Liang's expression turned serious, "Didn't I tell you to not dwell on someone so unstable?"

He continued, "Gu Lan informed me that she's a crazy woman, abandoned by her family due to her erratic behavior. It was a mere misfortune that we crossed paths with her."

Yang Ning pursed her lips and after a few moments of pause, she said, "Zheng Liang." She turned to face him and asked, "Can I ask for a favor from you?"

Zheng Liang arched an eyebrow, noting her seriousness. "A favor? As my wife, you don't need to ask. Just tell me what you want, and I'll do everything in my power to fulfill it." He smiled, gently caressing her cheek with his thumb.

Yang Ning's eyes sparkled as she responded, "In that case... could you arrange for me to meet that woman? I need to see her."

Despite Zheng Liang's claim that the woman was crazy and didn't mean anything by her words, Yang Ning couldn't shake off her suspicions. The woman appeared to possess knowledge about her past life, and her cryptic warning resonated deeply with Yang Ning. She felt compelled to uncover the underlying truth.

Zheng Liang frowned, initially wanting to reject Yang Ning's request. However, when she held his hand and pleaded with him, he couldn't resist her earnest expression. With a deep sigh, he relented and said, "Fine. I will have Gu Lan arrange a meeting between you two before she is released from prison. But please, don't let this affect your mood or health."

The woman had been confined in prison for two days for harassing Yang Ning. However, since there was no evidence of her having the intention to harm Yang Ning, and she had the reputation of being a wanderer and a mentally unstable woman, Zheng Liang planned to release her.

Since Yang Ning wanted to meet her, he had planned to ask Gu Lan to arrange a meeting between the two before releasing her from prison.

Yang Ning's face lit up with gratitude, and she leaned in to place a peck on his cheek, saying, "Thank you, and I love you."

Zheng Liang chuckled, pinching her cheek gently. "Now you're smiling. I was genuinely worried about you seeing how stressed you were because of that woman. Please, don't let anyone affect your mood. I can't stand to see you so stressed."

Yang Ning grinned and responded, "Aww, you were worried about me? I heard from Xiaowei that you demoted Minister Qin and his eldest son and banished that brat. Aren't you being too harsh on them?"

Zheng Liang snorted and shook his head. "Not at all. Do you know what Father told me earlier? He said I was being too soft on them and should have executed that man and his entire family."

Yang Ning's eyes widened in shock. "Seriously? Isn't that a bit too dramatic? It wasn't that serious."

Zheng Liang frowned, saying, "Disrespecting you, especially in such a way, is considered a grave offense, equivalent to inviting death. I only banished him; he should consider himself fortunate."

Yang Ning sighed and shook her head, grateful for her good relationship with Zheng Liang and His Majesty. She couldn't help but imagine what might have happened to her otherwise.