I woke up as the Villainous Empress

The night was still, broken only by the soft rustling of silk as Fang Li, in Yang Ning's body, tossed and turned in her sleep. Her brow furrowed, lips parting in silent distress as she found herself lost in a vivid dream.

In this dream, Fang Li was standing in a modern apartment, sunlight streaming through large windows. A woman's voice, warm and achingly familiar, called out, "Fang Li, dinner's ready!"

Fang Li turned, her heart skipped a beat as she saw her mother standing in the doorway of a kitchen. She wore a simple floral cotton dress, her hair tied back in a casual ponytail. Her smile was radiant, filled with love.

"Mom?" Fang Li whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gazed at her mother's face. After losing her at such a young age, this was the first time Fang Li had seen her mother so vividly in a dream. The sight of her mother, smiling and so real, sent a wave of long-buried emotions crashing over her.

Little Fang Li, no more than five years old, ran past her older self, giggling as she headed toward the dining table. Fang Li watched, overwhelmed by the forgotten memory, as her younger self reached for a steaming dumpling, her mother's gentle laugh filling the air.

Before she could move closer, the scene shifted. The modern apartment melted away, replaced by an old, humble-looking household. Fang Li immediately recognized it as the Yang family residence from years ago, far different from the grand mansion it had become. This Yang Household had a lesser number of courtyards, but it was filled with an air of simple elegance.

Blooming peonies dotted the small garden, and a gentle stream babbled nearby, creating a serene atmosphere.

Fang Li now stood before a woman dressed in elegant, flowing robes of jade and cream silk. Delicate peony blossoms were embroidered on the fabric, their pink and gold threads catching the light. A sash cinched the robes at her waist, and wide sleeves draped gracefully from her arms. Her hair was styled in an intricate updo, adorned with gleaming jade and pearl hairpins.

In her arms, she cradled a small child – Fang Li recognized the toddler as Yang Ning, no more than three years old. The woman, who must be Yao Ru, looked down at the child with unbridled affection, softly humming a lullaby.

As Fang Li studied Yao Ru's face, her breath caught in her throat. The warm smile, the gentle eyes, the curve of her cheek – they were identical to her own mother's. Two women from different worlds, separated by time and space, yet unmistakably the same.

When Fang Li had first arrived in this world, despite having access to Yang Ning's memories, her mother's face had always been blurred. Perhaps Yang Ning had been too young to remember her mother's features clearly. But now, seeing this scene, all the hidden memories surfaced before her like an active reel, making her go through a tumultuous wave of emotions.

The realization struck Fang Li deeply. Her fate with Yang Ning was not only intertwined, but her mother from the modern world looked identical to Yang Ning's mother. This revelation made her even more sorrowful. Thoughts of how Yang Ning's mother had died and the many hardships she had endured in life made Fang Li shudder in her dream.

Yao Ru looked up, her eyes meeting Fang Li's. "My dear child," she said, her voice echoing with an otherworldly feel to it, "how you've grown."

Fang Li stepped forward, tears welling in her eyes. The emotions were overwhelming – a mix of her feelings for her mother and Yang Ning's long-suppressed longing for a mother she barely remembered. "I... missed you mother? I missed you so much." She cried sadly, sobbing hard.

The words tumbled out of her mouth, a raw expression of both her grief and Yang Ning's buried pain. Fang Li found herself unable to distinguish between her emotions and Yang Ning's – they had melded into a singular, overwhelming ache of loss and longing.

Yao Ru's eyes softened with understanding and love. Her smile deepened, a knowing look in her eyes. "Some bonds transcend time and space, my child. Remember who you are, in every life you live. In every life, every world, I will always be your mother and be blessed to have you as my daughter. You're the most shining star in my life."

These words, filled with unconditional love, washed over Fang Li like a warm embrace. They seemed to speak to both her experiences and Yang Ning's, bridging the gap between their two lives and affirming a connection that defied the boundaries of time and space.

Fang Li's tears flowed freely now, but they were a mixture of joy and sorrow. She wanted to run into her mother's arms, to feel the comfort and security she had missed for so long. But even as she reached out, the scene began to blur.

"No, wait!" Fang Li cried out, her voice choked with emotion. "Please don't go! There's so much I need to tell you, so much I need to know!"

But the garden faded, replaced by a dark, oppressive atmosphere. Fang Li saw a shadowy figure – Yang Luoyang – his face twisted with malice. The realization that this man had taken Yang Ning's mother from her, mirroring the loss Fang Li had experienced in her own life, sent a chill down her spine.

With a gasp, Fang Li jerked awake, her body drenched in cold sweat. Tears streamed down her face as the reality of her dream crashed over her. The room was dark, lit only by the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the ornate windows.

"Ning'er?" Zheng Liang's voice, thick with sleep, came from beside her. He sat up, immediately alert at the sight of her distress. "What's wrong? Are you in pain? Why are you crying?" He got worried seeing her face covered in tears, and her body trembling from crying.

Fang Li shook her head, unable to speak through her tears. Zheng Liang pulled her into his arms, his hand rubbing soothing circles on her back.

Finally finding her voice, Yang Ning whispered, "I saw mother in my dream. She looked so happy and was feeding me. That is why I got emotional."

Zheng Liang pulled her closer, his arms offering comfort and security. His voice was gentle and understanding as he spoke, "Your mother came into your dream to comfort you. So many things happened today, she just wanted to remind you that she is with you, always."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

His words, filled with warmth and reassurance, washed over Yang Ning, providing a soothing balm to her troubled heart. She nestled closer to him, drawing strength from his presence and his understanding.

Yang Ning rested in his embrace, her breath steadying in the warmth of his comforting arms. As she lay there, her thoughts drifted back to the dream. 'That's right,' she mused silently. 'It doesn't matter if it was Yang Ning's mother or mine, because in the end, she was my mother, in both worlds.'

A sense of peace began to settle over her as she reflected on the dream's significance. 'Mom, thank you for coming into my dream,' she thought, her heart filled with gratitude. 'Thank you for making me remember your blurry face once again.'

The lingering image of her mother's smile, now clear and vivid in her mind, brought a fresh wave of emotion. But this time, it was tinged with comfort rather than distress. Yang Ning closed her eyes, allowing the warmth of both the memory and Zheng Liang's embrace to envelop her.