I woke up as the Villainous Empress
Chapter 329: Second Male Lead.

Zheng Huang could see his son's complicated expressions and turned to his daughter-in-law. "Yang Ning, as the eldest daughter-in-law of our family and the Crown Princess of the Zheng Empire, I want you to take this responsibility and replace a suitable bride for Zheng Xiang. He is your brother-in-law after all. Will you take this responsibility?" The old man asked earnestly.

At this moment, his gaze was gentle, carrying a sense of guilt towards both of his sons, and his aged, weary body added a layer of helplessness to his request.

Yang Ning pursed her lips and was silent for a few minutes upon hearing this sudden request from His Majesty. As someone who has read the novel, Fang Li was aware of the crucial role in the plot development of the novel. Although things aren't unfolding exactly according to the storyline, the main events are indeed happening as per the narrative.

In the novel, Prince Zheng Xiang, who initially had a bright and friendly personality as a young child, underwent a huge transformation over the years, becoming cold and developing a hostile relationship with Zheng Liang. With only a one-year age difference between the two brothers, after the demise of the Empress, there was widespread support for Prince Zheng Xiang to become the Crown Prince.

This was because his mother was the current Empress, making it seem more suitable for him to take charge of the Empire.

Even though Zheng Xiang had no desire to become the next successor of the Empire, his mother, and others kept feeding him ideas of becoming the Crown Prince and ruling the Empire, convincing him that only then would he be able to gain love and favor from his father.

Initially, the little boy loved his elder brother and aspired to become like him. However, Zheng Liang, already dealing with his hardships and pain after losing his mother, pushed him away.

Before the young prince Zheng Xiang could comprehend the reason behind his brother's cold and hostile attitude towards him, he too was sent away from the palace, separated from his family, and forced to live alone with the servants and caretakers outside the palace.

The circumstances caused him to develop an indifferent and cold attitude towards Zheng Liang. In the novel, he enters the storyline when the Emperor passes away, and there is a struggle to determine the next successor.

The Empress and her supporters wanted to make Zheng Xiang the next emperor, and Zheng Liang had to struggle against them a lot in this difficult moment to rightfully claim his place in the royal court.

Since Zheng Xiang had no desire to take over the throne, amid the chaotic political struggle, he went against his mother's wishes and didn't support the plans she had for him. In the end, he didn't agree to fight against Zheng Liang. However, during all these struggles, the relationship between the brothers was far from harmonious.

After all, even though Zheng Xiang didn't have any wish to become the next Emperor, his mother, Yang Lingxin, had not lost hope and was still adamant about seeing her son on the throne. As she was the Empress, it seemed only right for her son to become the next Emperor. She might not have been born into nobility, but at least her son was a noble. That was enough to strengthen her influence.

The two brothers' relationship became particularly complex when Hou Wei, the female lead, entered the picture. Prince Zheng Xiang, playing the role of the second male lead in the story, fell in love with her and aspired to make her his princess. However, once again, Zheng Liang seized not only his family and happiness but also the love he held dear.

Despite having Yang Ning as the Royal Consort, Zheng Liang fell in love with Hou Wei and promised to take her as his second consort, desiring to have a harmonious life with her. This budding relationship between them left Zheng Xiang unrequited in his affections, as Hou Wei regarded him only as a good friend and well-wisher.

Later, when Yang Ning was accused of attempting to poison the female lead and trying to kill Hou Wei so that she wouldn't be able to become the second consort of Zheng Liang, Prince Zheng Xiang was one of those people who tried to kill Yang Ning without even a trial.

Zheng Xiang barged into the prison and attempted to strangle Yang Ning to death. However, the guards caught him and separated him from Yang Ning, who was already on the verge of losing her breath and life. His love for Hou Wei was so intense that he was willing to do anything to protect her.

He despised her to the core because Yang Ning and her so-called Minister Father had made Hou Wei's life a living hell in the palace, accusing her of every small thing, replaceing excuses to punish her, and treating her as less than human.

After Yang Ning was executed as punishment, Zheng Liang married Hou Wei, granting her the well-deserved title of Empress, and they had a happy ending.

The happy ending was reserved for the main leads, and Prince Zheng Xiang, who was the second male lead in the story, left the palace to engage in battles on the borders, choosing not to marry anyone else throughout his entire life.

Thinking about all of this, Yang Ning started to get a headache. 'I had forgotten about him. Does that mean now I have to deal with another lover of the female lead? I somehow managed to change Zheng Liang's ideas about me, but what about the second male lead?' Her hand unconsciously went to touch her neck, which had almost been strangled to death by the second male lead in the novel.

'People say that unrequited love is scary. He wouldn't try to kill me this time, would he?' She gulped nervously, contemplating the possibility.

While Yang Ning had a pale complexion and was lost in thought, Zheng Liang noticed her silence and asked in concern, "What happened? Do you feel uncomfortable? Does… does your throat hurt?" His voice grew cold and serious, worried that Yang Ning must have eaten something wrong that could have harmed her.

'Did someone try to poison her?' A worried look flashed in Zheng Liang's eyes.

Remembering how Yang Lingxin poisoned the Emperor for a long time, he couldn't help but worry upon seeing Yang Ning reaching out to hold her neck and her pale complexion.

Upon hearing Zheng Liang's panicked voice, the old man also grew worried. He looked at the maids coldly and ordered, "What are you doing standing there? Call the royal physician right away and remove these dishes from here. Take them away."

Yang Ning, still in a daze, was shocked to see the change in the atmosphere. She shook her head and said to the maids, "There is no need to call the royal physician. I am alright." She then turned to His Majesty and Zheng Liang, assuring them, "I am alright. I… I just got choked on my saliva and nothing else. I am fine, perfectly fine." She repeatedly assured them.

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Upon seeing her fine, Zheng Liang relaxed and took a sigh of relief. He handed her a glass of water, and after making sure that she was alright, he sat on his seat comfortably. His breath was stuck in his throat for a moment, seeing Yang Ning holding onto her neck and looking uncomfortable. In this life, there is nothing more precious to him than Yang Ning.

Seeing everyone panicking for no reason, Yang Ning felt bad for making them worried. She was simply deep in thought and didn't realize that her reaction could be misinterpreted.

After gathering her thoughts, Yang Ning took a deep breath and faced the old Emperor, saying, "Father, if this is your wish, I will take this responsibility and choose a suitable bride for Prince Zheng Xiang. You do not need to worry about anything; just leave this worry to me and focus on recuperating your health."

Since she cannot stop Prince Zheng Xiang from entering the palace, she will use her energy to change the flow of the story once again. In the novel, Zheng Xiang was the second male lead and didn't get Hou Wei, but what if she makes his wishes come true this time?

Rather than becoming the villainess of the novel, she can become the cupid between the female lead and the second male lead. That way, everyone will be happy!

Seeing Yang Ning agreeing to his request, the old man had a smile on his face as he thanked Yang Ning, "Yang Ning, thank you for understanding me and my worries. I know that you're a responsible girl and would replace the best princess for him. I know I can trust you. Thank you for accepting my request."

Yang Ning smiled and shook her head, "Father, you don't need to thank me for it. It's my responsibility."

Zheng Liang was silent during this conversation, but he couldn't help but wonder about the consequences of Yang Ning taking over this responsibility. It wasn't particularly a good feeling, but seeing how worried his father looked about Zheng Xiang, he had no option but to agree to his choices for the sake of his wellness and health.