I woke up as the Villainous Empress

Zheng Huang took a sip of his tea and shifted his gaze to Yang Ning, who had been enjoying the snacks along with the tea. With a warm smile, he continued, "Yang Ning, aside from treating you to this meal, there is an important matter I wish to discuss with you."

Setting her teacup down, Yang Ning looked up at His Majesty with her full attention, her curiosity piqued. She glanced briefly at Zheng Liang, who seemed rather nonchalant about the whole affair, wearing a subtle smile as he sipped his tea. Her confusion deepened, but she remained patient, waiting for His Majesty to reveal the purpose of this unexpected lunch meeting.

Zheng Huang noticed Yang Ning's anxious expressions and decided to put her at ease. He wore a reassuring smile as he said, "You don't need to be nervous. I did not invite you here to discuss matters related to the Qin Family.

Zheng Liang will handle that issue, so there's no need for you to worry about it." His words were meant to assure her that she need not feel anxious in his presence, particularly about the recent events.

Yang Ning felt a weight lift off her shoulders upon hearing His Majesty's words. She exhaled deeply, her posture relaxing as she prepared to listen to what he had to say next.

Zheng Huang addressed Yang Ning with a warm smile and began explaining, "Yang Ning, you are not only my daughter-in-law but also the Crown Princess of the Zheng Empire. With that esteemed title, there come certain responsibilities."

Yang Ning nodded silently, her attention fully on His Majesty's words.

"As the wife of Zheng Liang and the Crown Princess, I would like to entrust you with the management and the internal affairs of the royal palace. Before this, Yang Lingxin used to look after the duties of the palace and had everything in her control…" his voice trailed off, a complex expression passing over his face at the mention of Empress Yang Lingxin.

Though she betrayed him in the most personal way, he couldn't deny the deep affection he once held for her.

After Zheng Liang's mother, Yang Lingxin was the woman he admired the most, and made her the Empress and entrusted her with the responsibilities of the palace. Thanks to her, he never had to worry about palace duties and could focus on managing the empire without concern.

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However, who would have thought that this woman would not only betray him but also misuse the authority granted to her? During the investigation into her actions, Zheng Liang discovered that Yang Lingxin had mishandled the palace budget, saving money for her future plans, which seemed to be against him and the empire.

He had given her all the power and freedom, yet she betrayed him and broke his trust.

Following her exile, the royal palace descended into chaos. While Zheng Liang and he worked tirelessly to manage the affairs of the royal court, the absence of leadership within the palace created confusion. The palace staff didn't know whom to turn to or how to execute their duties without proper guidance.

This situation could no longer be delayed. To entrust someone with the palace responsibilities, he needed to delegate the duties to an individual who was not only capable but also responsible and trustworthy.

Over time, he had observed Yang Ning's abilities, noticing her knack for management, her keen insight, and her compassionate nature. She was the key with whose help Zheng Liang managed to uncover the true nature of the Empress and take appropriate action against her.

Furthermore, Zheng Liang expressed his confidence that Yang Ning was not only capable but also dedicated enough to handle such a significant responsibility and would not disappoint.

Upon hearing his son's unwavering trust in Yang Ning, he realized that by entrusting her with the management of palace duties, he could restore peace to the palace and even improve the management for the future.

"I have decided that from now on, you will be responsible for managing the affairs of the royal palace. Here are the keys to the royal budget treasury for the palace, which you will oversee. You can use it for palace management and handling the duties of the Crown Princess."

" I will have Yu Ling provide you with a list of tasks and responsibilities that come with being the Crown Princess and in charge of the royal palace. Don't worry; she will assist and guide you in this role," Zheng Huang announced with a confident smile.

Yang Ning was taken aback by his words. She had never imagined that His Majesty would entrust her with such a significant responsibility. Even in her previous life, Yang Ning had never handled such heavy responsibilities.

Even in her past life, before His Majesty's passing, the Empress had controlled palace affairs. And even after his demise, she maintained her grip on power, despite Zheng Liang ascending to the throne. If Yang Ning wasn't mistaken, Zheng Liang had intended to replace the Empress.

However, for a newly crowned Emperor, it wouldn't have been seemly to immediately strip the sitting Empress of her duties and position.

This was not just a small change; it was the most unexpected and significant twist in her life. She couldn't help but wonder how she would manage such a responsibility.

"Your Majesty, how can I accept this responsibility? I don't believe I am capable of handling such a significant role. Please reconsider your decision," Yang Ning protested, refusing to take the golden keys as she feared the added burden it would bring.

Zheng Huang continued, recalling the incident when Yang Ning had boldly spoken her mind to him after the wild bear encounter. "You doubt yourself, but I have faith in you. If a young woman can muster the courage to speak her mind to the Emperor, she possesses qualities beyond the ordinary.

It was on that day that I realized you weren't just an ordinary noblewoman, well-versed in manners and etiquette. You also have the courage to confront wrongdoing and the skill to turn situations in your favor."

"You have the qualities that a Crown Princess should possess, and I trust in your abilities. So, please accept this responsibility; it rightfully belongs to you," Zheng Huang urged, gently pushing the keys toward Yang Ning.

Speechless and overwhelmed, Yang Ning found herself at a loss for words. She had never handled such responsibilities before, aside from managing her own practice schedules in the past life. How could she be expected to oversee the entire palace?

Seeing her uncertainty, Zheng Liang offered his support, smiling at her and saying, "Accept the keys. As the Crown Princess, it is your duty to manage your responsibilities. I will be by your side, ensuring that nothing goes awry. So please, take them." He took the keys and placed them in Yang Ning's hands.

Zheng Huang nodded in agreement, his smile unwavering. "Yang Ning, as the Crown Princess, you should exude confidence and boldness. With these keys in your possession, no one will dare to disrespect you or view your status as temporary. You are the Crown Princess, and everyone should recognize it."

After the episode with Minister Qin, Zheng Huang came to understand that while Yang Ning held the title of Crown Princess, many ministers still viewed her as a temporary presence. This was largely because Yang Lingxin, in her capacity as the Empress, never formally introduced Yang Ning to noble circles or took measures to fortify her standing within the palace and the elite echelons.

Though Zheng Liang bore the title of Crown Prince, to truly consolidate his power he needed an extensive network of connections and allies. For this, Yang Ning's support was paramount. She would play a crucial role in helping him cultivate these essential relationships from the sidelines.

To effectively serve as Zheng Liang's pillar of support, Yang Ning first needs to fortify her standing within both the palace and wider society. Entrusting her with the keys and control of the royal treasury was a strategic move to reinforce her authority, ensuring that she was not dismissed or disrespected.

Now, it was up to her how she would manage such a responsibility.

Upon hearing the words of His Majesty and Zheng Liang, Yang Ning couldn't argue any further. She sighed, feeling the weight of both the keys and the responsibilities they represented. After taking a deep breath, she looked into His Majesty's eyes and spoke with a warm smile, "Father, I will do my utmost to justify the trust you have placed in me. Thank you for your faith in me."

Zheng Huang nodded, his smile turning slightly somber as he mentioned Yang Lingxin. "I believe in you. I am confident that you will outshine that woman. Your heart is not tainted like hers."

Zheng Liang, visibly pleased to see his father's trust in Yang Ning, cleared his throat and cheekily remarked, "Now that you've had a chat with your daughter-in-law, may I have her back? I wish to spend some quality time with my wife."

Yang Ning's eyes bulged at Zheng Liang's audacious comment. She wondered how he could be so bold as to speak to His Majesty in such a manner. The urge to nudge him sharply was strong, but she restrained herself, remembering they were in His Majesty's presence.

Zheng Huang, rather amused by his son's brashness, chuckled heartily, saying, "Ah! Such spirit! It seems I won't have to wait too long to cradle my grandchild in my arms."

At this, Yang Ning was left utterly dumbstruck, her cheeks burning with mortification. She wondered how they could discuss such intimate matters with such nonchalance.