I woke up as the Villainous Empress
Chapter 292: Did I ask you to let me go?

Dragon Pavilion

After taking a bath and changing into her night clothes, Yang Ning sat in front of the large vanity mirror, absentmindedly combing her hair while staring blankly at her reflection. Despite Xiaowei's offer to help with her hair, she insisted on having some time alone to contemplate the events of the afternoon.

The tea party she had meticulously prepared was not only ruined by Chang Ah but also the woman who had tormented the original Yang Ning throughout her life was left battered and bruised by Yang Luoyang in front of everyone, only to be subsequently abandoned by him.

That man was truly incapable of belonging to anyone. His sole motivation seemed to be greed. To achieve his objectives, he could resort to anything and sacrifice anyone. First, it was Yang Ning, and now, it was his supposedly beloved wife, Chang Ah.

While Yang Ning was lost in her thoughts, running a wooden comb through her long, black hair, she failed to notice when the door of the chamber opened and closed.

"What are you thinking so much that you didn't even realize I came inside the room?" Zheng Liang slid his hands around Yang Ning's neck, caught a whiff of her floral refreshing scent, and whispered in her ears, startling her. Explore hidden tales at m,v l'-NovelFire.net

Yang Ning was caught off guard, but upon seeing his reflection in the mirror and catching the familiar scent, her racing heart calmed. She smiled at him through the mirror and realized how lost she had been in her daze. "Nothing. I was just thinking about what happened this afternoon."

Zheng Liang noticed her dimmed smile and caringly massaged her shoulders and neck while staring at her through the mirror. "What are you thinking about? Is something bothering you?"

Yang Ning paused in her actions, took a deep breath, and placed the comb on the table. She turned to face him while sitting on the cushioned stool, wrapped her hands around his waist, and rested her head against his stomach.

Zheng Liang allowed Yang Ning to nestle in his embrace, placing his hands on her back and comforting her with his touch and warmth. He sensed that something troubled her, especially since the moment the ladies left the pavilion; she didn't seem to be in a pleasant mood.

Considering Chang Ah had been punished for her wrongdoings and taught a strong lesson, one would expect Yang Ning to be pleased. However, her mood appeared dull instead.

Yang Ning tightened her grasp around him, took a deep breath, and said, "Something is bothering me. During our argument, Chang Ah said something that doesn't sit right with me."

"What?" Zheng Liang asked, continuing to caress her back in a comforting manner.

Yang Ning withdrew from Zheng Liang's embrace, her lips pursed, and she met his gaze. "She said that I should have died just like my mother. But something feels off. Chang Ah married Mr. Yang after my mother's passing and returned with him when he came back from his business trip to the city outside the capital."

"My mother died naturally, due to an illness and it all happened before Chang Ah came into the house. But the way that woman spoke, it felt strange. No one at home talked openly about my mother's death, yet Chang Ah seemed to mock and belittle me. I can't put my finger on it, but something feels wrong." Her voice wavered as she spoke about it, emotions evident in her words.

Being inside Yang Ning's body, Fang Li could sense the strong emotions tied to Yang Ning's memories, especially when her mother was mentioned during the argument with Chang Ah in the afternoon. The feelings of burning intensity and turmoil overwhelmed her, tapping into the pain of losing her mother.

Having lost her mother to sickness as a child, Fang Li deeply understood Yang Ning's heartache and pain. The shared experience of losing a mother allowed her to connect with Yang Ning's grief.

However, as Fang Li pondered in the quiet aftermath after everyone left, Chang Ah's words and the expression in her eyes hinted at something more complex surrounding Yang Ning's mother's death.

While contemplating Chang Ah's words, Fang Li recalled that Yang Ning's mother's death was mentioned in the novel during politically intense pages. However, at that time, she was too fatigued and intoxicated from alcohol to delve into the complex political details. She had merely glossed over those intense pages, missing the crucial information.

Now, she regretted not paying more attention to the story and imprinting the details in her memory. If she had, she wouldn't need to ponder so much. As far as her memory serves her, there was something suspicious about Yang Ning's mother's death.

After hearing Yang Ning's words, Zheng Liang furrowed his brow, regarding her with a serious gaze. "Do you believe there might be something suspicious surrounding your mother's death?" he inquired.

Yang Ning pursed her lips and locked eyes with him, nodding solemnly. "I don't have any proof, and I am not aware of the details, but something just doesn't feel right. Every time I spoke of my mother to that man, his reaction was odd. He became agitated and sometimes even punished me. Instead of sadness, I saw anger and rage in his eyes when her name came up."

Reflecting on the painful memories of Yang Ning, she recounted instances where Yang Luoyang punished Yang Ning for expressing grief over her mother's death.

Zheng Liang observed Yang Ning's manner of addressing Yang Luoyang as Mr. Yang or "that man." It was evident she no longer considered him her father. While she didn't express it openly in his presence, he could sense the underlying loneliness and sadness she carried when talking about her father as if he were a stranger. It's not easy to sever blood-related ties after all.

He tightened his grip, wrapping his arms around her. "I will look into this matter. But for now, let's put it aside. There's no certainty yet, and I don't want you to dwell on it. I don't want you getting sick over this."

He was aware that Yang Luoyang was involved in poisoning the emperor along with the Empress but lacked sufficient evidence. Zheng Liang considers him a formidable enemy who is capable of doing anything.

However, the motive for killing his wife seemed unclear. Rumors suggested Yang Luoyang loved his first wife deeply, preventing discussions about her to spare him from sorrow and sadness.

Yet, Yang Ning's account hinted at a deeper, more troubling truth. Zheng Liang pondered why Yang Luoyang would react angrily to his daughter's yearning for her deceased mother, especially considering the supposed love he had for her.

Seeking to protect Yang Ning from further distress, Zheng Liang urged her to put the matter out of her mind for the time being. He scooped her into his arms, carrying her effortlessly to the bed. "Enough thinking for now. Let's get some rest. I can't wait to cuddle my dear wife to sleep," he said, gently placing her on the bed and tucking her in before joining her under the covers.

Yang Ning chuckled at his sudden change of topic, smiling as he joined her in bed and embraced her. Playfully, she traced his face with her curious fingers. "You sure know how to divert the topic," she remarked.

Zheng Liang, mischief in his eyes, held her finger and teased, "Just like the way you know how to test my patience. I had planned on a quiet night, but with your teasing, do you think I'll let you off now?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively.

Yang Ning let out a low chuckle and provocatively questioned, "Did I ask you to let me go? Hmm?"

Zheng Liang locked eyes with her and laughed, saying, "You said it. Don't you dare take it back now," before capturing her lips with his.