I woke up as the Villainous Empress

Seeing Zheng Liang's worried expression, Master Jiang smiled gently and announced the news, "Your Highness, congratulations. You're going to be a father. Her Highness is pregnant."

Upon hearing those words, the room fell silent. Zheng Liang was rendered speechless, his gaze shifting from Master Jiang to Yang Ning behind him, both equally stunned by the unexpected news.

It was Hou Wei, who broke the puzzling silence. She turned to Yang Ning, who lay on the bed in confusion, and said excitedly, "Congratulations, Your Highness! You're going to give birth to the little prince or princess of the Zheng Empire."

"Ah?" Yang Ning's mouth parted in bewilderment, her eyes widening in confusion. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was she hallucinating from weakness, or was this real? She... pregnant?

This was something she hadn't expected at all. Despite rumors circulating about her strained relationship with Zheng Liang and her supposed incapability to produce an heir for the Empire, she had brushed them off, choosing to focus on more pressing matters.

She wasn't in a hurry to have a baby at the moment. After all, her main goal was to expose the real villain of the novel and punish him, avoid the final ending that led to her death, and ensure her survival against her tragic fate.

However, the news of her being pregnant shocked her. She... Is she really pregnant? It was unexpected happy news, leaving her with mixed emotions.

Though she never expected this news, she was still happy. After all, this baby belonged to her and Zheng Liang. The thought of a new life growing inside her was both unexpected and refreshing.

However, on the other hand, she was doubtful about her ability to protect this baby. Not only did she have to safeguard the child from enemies, but she also had to ensure her own survival in this world.

The thought of separation haunted her. What if one day she woke up and found herself no longer in this world? Just as she entered this world unexpectedly, would she also depart from it in the same manner? Could she bear the pain and heartache of such a separation?

With the fear of being separated from the baby growing inside her, Yang Ning's eyes welled up with tears. Subconsciously, her hand moved to her abdomen, gently placing it there as she felt the presence of the precious life within her.

As Yang Ning grappled with the emotional turmoil upon hearing this surprising news, a large hand reached out to cover hers over her abdomen. Zheng Liang met her glistening eyes, gently caressing her cheek with his other hand as he whispered, "Yang Ning, thank you for giving me this happiness."
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"I promise you, I will never let anything harm you or this baby. This child, a testament to our love, I will protect with my life," he vowed, gently wiping away the tears rolling down her cheeks. Thinking about the child growing inside Yang Ning, he couldn't help but be determined to protect them with his life.

Yang Ning shook her head and said, "No! You don't need to protect us with your life. But alongside your life. Just like this baby, your life is equally important and precious to me. If you ever dare to leave me alone, I will go and marry someone else. Do you understand that?" She asked him sternly.

Zheng Liang chuckled at her sharp gaze and her 'little threat', nodding in response. "I promise to protect our family and myself. I will never leave you alone," he affirmed, leaning in to kiss her forehead before enveloping her in a warm embrace.

Seeing Zheng Liang and Yang Ning engrossed in their world, Master Jiang and Hou Wei took their leave without disturbing the couple. Xiaowei, who was excited, also chose to control her emotions and allow some privacy for the couple to enjoy their happy moment.

___

That day, Zheng Liang didn't go to his study to work; instead, he chose to stay by his wife's side, offering comfort and spending time with her. He couldn't bear the thought of her feeling lonely in the chamber, nor did he want to worry about her while trying to focus on his work. If he were to be constantly distracted, it would be better to take a day off from work altogether.

Yang Ning gazed at the man sitting beside her on the bed, holding her close. After she had her lunch and the tonics prepared by Hou Wei, she didn't go to her study to work. She wanted to work, as after sleeping for long, she was now feeling refreshed, but was stopped by Zheng Liang.

He didn't want her to worry about work and urged her to focus on resting. He didn't go to his study either; instead, he changed into comfortable clothes and joined her on the bed.

Feeling wide awake, Yang Ning opted to sit up, leaning against the bed's headrest and reading the documents. Since she couldn't go to study, it was better to focus on some documents in her spare time rather than being bored to death.

Zheng Liang sat beside her, embracing her as if she were a precious gem slipping away from his grasp. He glanced at the documents in her hand and asked while rubbing her shoulders lovingly, "What are you reading so intently? Didn't I tell you not to do palace-related work today?"

"Yang Ning, I listen to you in all matters. But here, you should listen to me. Stop working and take a rest. Master Jiang said that you're weak and need to rest and eat properly to strengthen your body. He even prescribed some tonics for you to take daily. You cannot be negligent when it comes to your body," he nagged her while urging her to put away the work.

Yang Ning, engrossed in reading the documents, let out a sigh of helplessness after being nagged by him. He kept murmuring in her ears, like an annoying mosquito. She shot him a glare and said, "I know that. Hou Wei already instructed me about it. I also care about my body and will not overdo myself when working and will never skip my meals and take rest properly. Okay?"

"But you also need to understand that being pregnant doesn't mean being sick and bedridden. I am simply pregnant, not sick. Do you understand that? I can move around, I can work perfectly fine. I can even take a walk, exercise, and do everything like I usually do. I just need to be careful and take certain precautions, and I will follow them.

Alright? So calm down," she reasoned, trying to calm him down.

Although she was nervous about being pregnant, this man was more nervous than her. It was as if she was not pregnant, but him.

Zheng Liang pouted after being lectured by Yang Ning and hugged her shoulders tightly, nudging his chin on the side of her neck and said cutely, "I get that. Why are you getting angry at me? I am just worried about you," he said in a cute manner.

Yang Ning looked at him, her expressions becoming gentle. She tsked, seeing him acting cute. 'He sure knows my weakness. I hate it when he acts cute. It makes me want to kiss him.' She groaned helplessly and leaned to give him a gentle kiss on his lips and said in a gentle tone, "Now be good. Let me read some of these documents.

After that, I will do whatever you want. Alright?"

Zheng Liang looked at his wife coaxing him and nodded happily, saying, "Okay. But what are you reading so intently? These don't look like official documents," he asked, his eyes settling on the papers in her hands.

The official documents need to be stamped with the royal stamps and have a different quality of paper used for official work. However, these documents seemed to be different.

Yang Ning looked at the papers and then at him and smiled, "Well, they're indeed not the official documents."

He raised his brows in confusion, "Then what are they?"

"Do you want to know?" She asked.