I woke up as the Villainous Empress

When Hou Wei arrived, she greeted Yang Ning warmly and settled onto the stool at the bedside. With gentle hands, she took Yang Ning's wrist to check her pulse.

Having once wandered from place to place to treat people, and being constantly surrounded by the medical atmosphere since childhood, she was familiar with various medicinal techniques, including pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, and the crafting of tonics to address specific illnesses.

She was already familiar with the medicinal techniques and quite experienced due to her history of wandering from village to village, providing care for the needy and impoverished who couldn't afford medical services. However, lacking formal training, her skills still fell short compared to those of formally trained physicians.

After training under Master Jiang for a while, her skills improved greatly, allowing her to diagnose a person without fault solely by checking their pulse. Though her technique and expertise may not yet match those of seasoned physicians with years of experience, she can confidently diagnose and prescribe medicines for minor matters.

However, for serious diseases and illnesses, she still relies on guidance from her seniors and Master Jiang. Yet, for minor concerns, she can make decisions independently.

That's why Master Jiang has tasked her with regularly checking on the Crown Princess, particularly when he's absent or his presence isn't necessary. Recognizing her skill in crafting herbal tonics and nourishing soups and stews, he has entrusted her with overseeing the Princess's health during this crucial period.

Furthermore, Zheng Liang has urged Master Jiang to maintain confidentiality regarding Yang Ning's pregnancy until its official announcement. Since only Hou Wei, besides Master Jiang, is aware of this secret, it is preferable for her to attend to Yang Ning.

If the senior physician were to frequent the Crown Princess's chamber, it could lead to unwarranted rumors around the palace concerning her health and well-being. Thus, having Hou Wei check on her will help dispel any unnecessary suspicion.

___

After carefully checking Yang Ning's pulse, Hou Wei's furrowed brows relaxed, and a blush crept onto her cheeks. She looked at Yang Ning with a smile that she struggled to conceal and asked hesitantly, "Your Highness, did….something happened last night? Your energy flow was normal until yesterday evening.

It's quite unusual for your pulse and energy to be imbalanced like this for no apparent reason," she inquired, attempting to address the sensitive topic as delicately as possible.

When Yang Ning heard the question, her eyes widened in surprise, and she pursed her lips in embarrassment. She hadn't expected such a direct inquiry, and it only made the moment more awkward. She cast a sidelong glance at Xiaowei, who stood behind Hou Wei, stifling her laughter by covering her mouth with her hand.

With a helpless and embarrassed sigh, Yang Ning looked away and replied in a low voice, almost like a whisper, "We... didn't do anything. Just... just a brief moment, but we didn't cross any boundaries. I promise. We took the instructions very seriously," she explained anxiously, wanting to avoid any unnecessary misunderstanding.

Despite their physical involvement, they hadn't crossed any lines.

"Is everything alright? Did something happen to the baby?" she asked with concern, fearing that something might have occurred because of their carelessness.

Seeing Yang Ning panicking, Hou Wei shook her head and assured her, "Your Highness, you don't need to worry about anything. The baby is completely fine, as are you. However, due to the intense activity, your energy levels seem to have been affected, leading to weakness, dizziness, and body aches," she explained seriously.

"To restore your energy levels, I will prepare a tonic for you to drink twice a day. Within two days, your energy should be back to normal. Additionally, I'll adjust your diet to include nourishing soups and light foods, which will also aid in your recovery process," she said with a reassuring smile.

Seeing that Yang Ning still wore a slightly guilty look, Hou Wei gently reassured her, "Your Highness, there's no need to worry. Your baby is perfectly fine. Just be cautious and avoid any strenuous activity, especially during the first trimester. As long as you take care, you'll be able to express your love without any concerns," she said soothingly.

Upon being reminded by Hou Wei in front of Xiaowei, Yang Ning's face turned crimson with embarrassment. However, she could only nod in understanding. After all, this information was crucial for her to know. She and Zheng Liang couldn't stay apart for long from each other, so understanding their limits was essential.

After examining Yang Ning, Hou Wei was about to leave when Yang Ning stopped her, asking if she could stay for a cup of tea and some company. It had been a long while since Yang Ning had a proper conversation with Hou Wei.

As the female lead of the novel, Yang Ning wanted to catch up on what was going on in her life these days. Perhaps this would help her understand the pace of the story and how it was developing with the changes she had caused.

While taking a sip of tea, Yang Ning glanced at Hou Wei, who was calmly enjoying her drink, and asked, "So... how are you adjusting to working at the palace now? Do people still look down on you for being a woman and lacking formal education and proper training?"

Hou Wei looked up with a warm smile and replied, "I am adjusting quite well, all thanks to Your Highness. If it weren't for your support and backing, I might have continued to face bullying from others. However, because you've frequently sent tea and other gifts to the imperial medicine department to support me, others have been treating me quite well."

"Also, the senior physicians seem to have accepted me as Master Jiang's disciple as well. Though I still have clashes with some individuals from time to time, things are gradually improving. I believe I am adjusting quite well to working at the palace."

"Moreover, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Her Highness. I have learned so much from you. Thanks to your guidance, I have grown stronger and can stand up for myself when necessary," Hou Wei said proudly, expressing her gratitude to Yang Ning, who served as a role model to her.

A warm smile appeared on Yang Ning's lips upon hearing this. There was no doubt that Hou Wei was the female lead of the novel. How could someone not be captivated by her bright and innocent smile? Yang Ning admired Hou Wei's bravery, courage, and kind-heartedness.

If she hadn't already fallen for Zheng Liang, Yang Ning might have found herself falling for Hou Wei as well.

But due to her interference, Yang Ning had already caused a change in the story, separating the male and female leads. As a result, Hou Wei would miss out on being deeply loved by a man who would go to great lengths to protect her.

Yang Ning looked at her guiltily and asked bluntly, "Hou Wei, what kind of man do you like?"

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Hou Wei was caught off guard by the sudden question and looked at Yang Ning in confusion. "Ah? Your Highness, why do you ask this question?" she inquired, uncertain as to why Yang Ning had suddenly brought it up.