I woke up as the Villainous Empress

"Does it hurt?" Yang Ning asked, her hands trembling slightly as she delicately applied the ointment to his scar. She gently blew on the wound in an attempt to alleviate any sting, causing Zheng Liang to stiffen and catch his breath.

The wound has been healed, leaving behind only a dry scar that no longer causes any pain or discomfort to him. Yet, as she applied the medicine, she remained cautious, as though still fearful of causing him pain.

Though she was trying to ease his pain, she seemed unaware that her tenderness was challenging his self-control. He had spent the past three weeks without her, yearning for her touch and the intimacy that had been interrupted during their last encounter.

A shiver ran down his spine as she blew on his wound and softly traced the area around it. The wound had healed already and didn't ache anymore, but her touch provoked a different kind of discomfort within him.

He held his breath, his well-defined abdominal muscles tensing beneath his skin. Feeling her warm breath on his bare flesh and her proximity became too much. Clenching his hand that was on her back, he curled it into a fist and murmured with deep intensity, "If you're trying to tease me, you might want to reconsider.

Because if I lose control now, I guarantee you won't be leaving anytime soon, at least not today."

Yang Ning, oblivious to the tension in his body, rose casually after applying the ointment. She looked at him, puzzled. Why was he reacting this way? She was just applying medicine. His reaction furrowed her brow.

She met his gaze and placed the used cotton ball on the tray. She picked up a white cloth from the tray and wiped her hands with it and began, "What are you talking about? I wasn't trying to tease—" Her words halted abruptly as she spotted an unmistakable bulge in his trousers, rendering her momentarily speechless.

She didn't need to be experienced in this field to know what was showing off from his pants, making her blush at the sight. She pursed her lips and coughed to clear her throat and turned her head away.

She didn't need any experience to recognize what was evident beneath his trousers. A blush rose to her cheeks as she bit her lip and averted her gaze.

How did this happen? She was merely tending to his wound, not teasing him.

Zheng Liang clenched his jaw, the sight of her embarrassed flush stirring his desire. Her slightest actions had such a profound effect on him. How could he stay composed when she had been blowing on his exposed skin?

"You noticed, didn't you? What do you intend to do about it?" he challenged, his gaze pinning her in place.

Yang Ning was taken aback by his forwardness. "What...what do you expect me to do? I was just applying medicine! You can't hold me responsible for this," she countered, turning a blind eye to the situation in his pants.

"But isn't this your doing? Who else could affect me this way? You should take responsibility," he retorted, forcing her to own up to her actions. If she has started it, she should put an end to it as well.

Yang Ning threw up her hands in exasperation, her eyes wide. "That's absurd! I did nothing of the sort. This isn't my fault."

How could he be so shameless as to twist her kind actions into something... something so provocative? If he harbors a dirty mind, how is that her fault?

"Really? Who was it then, softly breathing on my waist, grazing my lower abdomen's skin, and caressing my thigh? Was it a ghost's doing? You can't deny you were tempting me," he said, trying hard to control his emotions.

The vivid detail of his account left Yang Ning speechless, her face a shade of deep red. Yet, his gaze remained unwavering, insistent on holding her accountable for her actions.

"Damn it!" She cursed under her breath, his intense gaze threatening to undo her composure and patience. His already hypnotic gaze was one thing, but the evident bulge below was thoroughly distracting her.

Attempting to escape the intensity of his stare, she turned away, murmuring defensively, "You're exaggerating. I... didn't do any of that. Your mind's playing tricks on you."

"Is that so?" His voice dropped, becoming a husky whisper.

Yang Ning took a deep breath, formulating a stronger counter-argument in her mind. But as she turned to face him, she was taken aback to find him so close that their faces were merely inches apart.

Their noses nearly touched, with just the tiniest gap remaining, making them appear as if they were long-lost lovers about to reunite.

"What... what are you doing?" Yang Ning's voice wavered with nervousness, her breath held in suspense.

Zheng Liang smirked, clearly amused by her flushed face and reddened ears. He locked eyes with her and whispered, the intensity evident, "I am collecting what's due. Since you refuse to compensate me, this is the only way you can make amends for your actions." His words lingered tantalizingly between their near-touching lips.

"Wait, what are you planning to–" Yang Ning began, her gaze shifting between his entrancing eyes and the lips that were dangerously close to hers, the warmth of his breath caressing her face.

She wanted to look away, to escape the intense proximity, but she was ensnared by his hypnotizing gaze. His eyes were so captivating that she felt herself being irresistibly pulled in, spellbound by their magic.

Before she could finish her question, Zheng Liang flashed her a sly smile and whispered, "Yang Ning, I am going to punish you—for making me suffer." With that, he leaned in, his warm breath caressing her lips, and in the very next moment, he enveloped her lips in a passionate kiss.

Yang Ning was caught off guard by his sudden move, but she didn't resist. Instead, before she could even think of pushing him away, she felt her resolve melt under his touch, her legs wobbling from the intensity of his embrace.

Retreating was no longer an option.

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