I woke up as the Villainous Empress

"The baby…" Yang Ning placed a trembling hand on her abdomen and whispered, her eyes widening in panic. Memories of being pushed to the ground and the sword cutting through her shoulder, flashed in her mind. "What about our baby?"

Fear gripped her as she remembered the attack, her breathing becoming ragged as the worst thoughts crossed her mind. Tears welled up in her eyes once more.

Zheng Liang immediately sensed her fear, quickly taking her hand in his and squeezing it gently. "Yang Ning, listen to me," he said softly, his voice filled with reassurance. "Our baby is fine. Master Jiang made sure of it."

Her breath caught, and she looked up at him, her tears blurring her vision. "Really? The baby is… okay?"

Zheng Liang nodded, his voice both firm and soothing. "Yes, the baby is safe," he reassured her. "Even though you were unconscious, our child remained unharmed. I promise you, everything is fine."

Yang Ning let out a shaky breath of relief, her heart finally easing as she leaned into his embrace once more. Tears of gratitude slipped down her cheeks, and she whispered, "Thank you… thank you…"

Zheng Liang wrapped his arms around her again, this time much more gently, resting his forehead against hers. "Yang Ning, I will always protect you… both of you."

For a long moment, they simply held each other, the weight of the past month pressing heavily on them. The palace had been shrouded in gloom since Yang Ning's injury. Yang Luoyang had been killed and punished for his crimes, but her unconsciousness had cast a long shadow over the empire.

The ministers had murmured about Crown Prince's absence from the court, and rumors of the Emperor's weakening health had begun to circulate. People were also worried about the heir in Yang Ning's womb, fearing that her prolonged unconsciousness might affect the child's health.

More than that, concerns grew about Yang Ning herself—the Crown Princess who had always handled palace affairs with wisdom and justice—now lying in such a fragile state. The empire, once relying on her strength, felt her absence keenly.

But now, with Yang Ning awake, it felt as though the dark cloud that had hung over the palace was beginning to lift.

Zheng Liang held her tighter, pressing his forehead to hers, his breath shaky. "I love you, Yang Ning. Please… never leave me again."

Yang Ning smiled through her tears, her heart full. "I love you too, Zheng Liang. I won't leave you. Not in this life, or the next."

They stayed like that for a long time, lost in each other's warmth. The storm that had threatened to tear them apart had finally passed. For the first time in weeks, there was peace. And for the first time in longer than either of them could remember—there was hope.

___

Yang Ning was sitting on the bed, her back resting against soft pillows, her body still feeling the lingering effects of her long unconsciousness. Her hand instinctively went to the bandaged wound on her shoulder, though her mind was more at ease now that the worst seemed behind her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the remnants of fear still gnawing at her.

Master Jiang sat on a stool beside the bed, gently holding her wrist as he checked her pulse. Beside him stood Hou Wei, her face tense with concern but her hands steady as she assisted with the care. Hou Wei had been by Yang Ning's side throughout the ordeal, tirelessly helping Master Jiang treat her.

Master Jiang glanced at Zheng Liang, who stood close, his eyes never leaving Yang Ning. "Her Highness is recovering well," Master Jiang said, his tone warm yet professional. "The wound is healing, and since she's woken up, the immediate danger has passed. With a nutritious diet and herbal tonics, both she and the baby will be fine."

Zheng Liang's tense shoulders eased, though his eyes remained filled with concern. He listened carefully, his gaze never straying from Yang Ning.

Master Jiang then turned his attention back to Yang Ning, his gaze kind but serious. "It's good to see you awake, Your Highness. Your strength has carried you through, but you'll still need time to fully recover."

Yang Ning managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Master Jiang. I'm just relieved the worst is over."

Master Jiang nodded, still observing her closely. "Yes, but you must continue to rest. Your body has been through a great ordeal. Don't rush it."

Yang Ning glanced at Zheng Liang, who remained by her side, his eyes filled with worry. She gave Master Jiang a soft nod. "I'll rest. I understand."

Hou Wei stepped closer, her eyes full of quiet emotion as she looked at Yang Ning. "Your Highness, it's such a relief to see you awake," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "We've all been so worried about you."

Yang Ning reached out to take Hou Wei's hand, her smile becoming more genuine. "Thank you, Hou Wei. You've been here through everything. I know it must have been difficult."

Hou Wei's expression softened as she gently squeezed Yang Ning's hand. "I did what was necessary, Your Highness. Master Jiang and I… we worked together, and we're just glad you're safe now."

Master Jiang stepped back, giving a respectful bow before turning to Hou Wei. "Let's give the Crown Prince and Princess some time."

Hou Wei nodded, and the two quietly exited the room, leaving Zheng Liang and Yang Ning alone.

The door closed softly behind them, and a calm silence settled in. Yang Ning, still feeling the fatigue in her body, leaned back against the pillows, her gaze shifting toward Zheng Liang. His eyes, though filled with lingering concern, softened as he knelt by her bedside, gently taking her hand in his.

Zheng Liang's thumb grazed the back of her hand as he held it, his voice low but steady. "When you were unconscious, it felt like the world was falling apart around me," he murmured, his gaze locked onto hers. "I kept thinking… what if I lost you?"

Yang Ning felt the weight of his words settle in her chest. She squeezed his hand gently, her heart swelling with emotion. "I'm here now. We're here together."

Zheng Liang's eyes searched hers, the depth of his emotions clear as he brought her hand up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "I can't imagine a world without you," he said softly, his voice filled with quiet intensity. "I won't ever let that happen."

Yang Ning's breath hitched at the tenderness in his words. She reached up, her hand trembling slightly as she touched his cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips. "You don't have to," she whispered, her voice laced with affection. "I'm not going anywhere."

Zheng Liang leaned closer, his forehead resting gently against hers, their breaths mingling in the stillness of the room. "I love you, Yang Ning," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yang Ning's heart fluttered at his words, and without hesitation, she closed the small distance between them. Her lips met his in a soft, lingering kiss—one filled with all the unspoken emotions that had weighed on them during her absence. The kiss was gentle, yet full of the quiet intensity of two souls who had nearly been torn apart but had found their way back to each other.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads remained pressed together, both of them breathing softly, savoring the moment of connection.

"I love you too, Zheng Liang," Yang Ning whispered, her eyes filled with warmth as she gazed into his.

For a long moment, they stayed there, wrapped in each other's presence, their hearts beating in sync as the world outside the room seemed to fade away.