I woke up as the Villainous Empress
Fang Li, the top-ranking archery athlete, faces a devastating betrayal from her closest friend, leading to her fall from the pinnacle of success and transforming her into the most hated athlete. To her misery, she awakens in a setting that proves to be even more bizarre and dire than the initial betrayal, adding another layer of complexity to her already miserable fate. It was none other than the world of the fictional novel. She wasn't the female lead or a supporting character playing the role of a friend who would act as a cupid between the male and female lead. Instead, she becomes the fiancée of the Crown Prince, who will become the most hated and misunderstood villainess in the story, ultimately earning the infamous title of the Villainous Empress. What will happen to her? Will she meet her demise at the hands of the male lead, labeled as the villain and paving the way for the female lead? Or will she manage to alter her miserable fate and find happiness with the male lead, leading to a happily ever after? ___ The man's voice turned cold as he struggled to control his emotions. "So, you're telling me that you don't want to be my wife? Why? Didn't you want this to happen?" As the Crown Prince and future Emperor, Zheng Liang was used to being pursued by nobles and aristocrats who were eager to marry their daughters to him. So why did this woman, who was already engaged to him, want to break it off? He wanted to dissolve this arranged political marriage as well, but he hated it when she brought up this matter. Was she insane, or was she mocking him? Perhaps she had a new scheme to gain his attention. Because there is no way she will want to break off this marriage. She was a power-hungry and scheming woman who would do anything to gain more influence. There was no way she would willingly give up her position as a member of the Royal Family. Yang Ning noticed the man's suspicious and disdainful expression, but she remained polite and answered with a smile, "Your Highness, the reason is simple. I don't want to be a sacrificial lamb." She scowled inwardly, wishing she could just break off the engagement and be done with it. ‘What is his problem? Just break the marriage alliance and be done with it. Didn’t you hate me? Now I am giving you a chance; Just call it off!’ The Crown Prince was confused by her cryptic words. Was she trying to manipulate him by her confusing words? She gave a fake smile, but inside, she was crying. She knew that marrying this man would mean putting her life on the line. Who in their right mind would willingly offer their neck on a silver platter? Not her! She refused to be a villain in someone else's story. Instead, she was determined to take control of her own fate. ## *NO RAPE OR MAJOR MISUNDERSTANDING* [Note: All the rights of the cover belong to the author. It is a commissioned art. Anyone copying the art could be held accountable and be reported immediately.] Follow on Instagram: @kamlyn_love Discord Server: https://discord.gg/NTPCE7YZm7
Banquet (I)
"Miss, You can come out now. We have reached the Royal Palace." Xiaowei, who was standing outside the sedan chair, announced when the four people who were carrying the sedan chair on their shoulders, put it on the ground.
" Oh? Ah!! Yes. Yes." Yang Ning, who was struggling with her long and uncomfortable dress inside the cramped space, responded to her announcement and tried to get out of the sedan chair.
" Oh, fu*k. My dress!!"
" Argh!! Why the hell is it so long? That's why I told you to cut it in half so that it will be easier to move in this dress " Yang Ning cried in agony when she failed to get out of the sedan chair elegantly as Xiaowei had instructed her earlier.
The dress was so long and the skirt was so fluffy that she looked like a large cotton candy, stuffed inside the compact sedan chair.
Xiaowei face palmed herself in embarrassment when she heard Yang Ning's loud and clear shrieks.
Not only were her words embarrassing enough, but the way she got out of the sedan chair was not lady-like at all.
All the four guards were turning their heads away as Yang Ning got out of the sedan chair while grabbing her long skirt crudely, showing the skin of her legs.
" My lady, you cannot grab your skirt like that. It's not right." Xiaowei ran ahead to help Yang Ning with her clothes and covered her from the front so that no one could see her in this state.
What would they think if anyone saw her acting like this in public? She is soon going to be the Crown Princess and people will talk about her if they see her in this state.
Her lady is the eldest daughter of the Yang Household and was known for her elegant and graceful demeanor. That's why the Emperor took a liking to her and fixed her engagement with the Crown Prince.
Then why does a person like her act this way? Did the high fever make her crazy?
Since last night, she was speaking and behaving strangely. As if she is not her lady but someone else.
Getting her ready for the Royal Banquet was one of the hardest tasks that she had experienced since yesterday. She was so annoyed while wearing the different layers of undergarments under the dress in this hot weather and wanted to cut the skirt in half to adjust its length to her liking.
She somehow managed to stop herself from ruining the dress and embarrassing herself in front of the noble ladies who are going to attend the Celebration Banquet. However, she was not sure how this banquet was going to be, considering her condition at the moment.
Everything seems to be a mess.
**
" Damn! Is this the royal palace? It's so enormous and so…. real!" Yang Ning was in awe to see the royal palace of the Zheng Empire.
She has only read about the 'fictional' Zheng Empire and its magnificent Royal palace in the novel. However, seeing it in reality, she started to realize that what she is living is not a nightmare of hers but a f*cking reality.
She is in a NOVEL WORLD!! As a VILLAINESS.
When reading the novel, she always used to wonder why there were so many unnecessary adjectives used to describe the beauty of the royal palace, however, now she understands everything.
This place is not just beautiful but heavenly. Unlike the Yang Household, the royal palace was spread across a large area where a large village settlement could be built.
In the novel, she had read that the royal palace has many other small palaces under it that were designated for the different members of the royal family and the other small quarters were allotted for the servants and the guards who serve the royal family.
The main hall of the royal palace was the place where His Majesty held his daily royal court with the Ministers and the place was sometimes used to hold small royal events as well.
His Majesty resides at the main palace, whereas the Queen, Empress of the Country resides at the residence of the Royal Queen.
Similarly, the Crown Prince resides at his residence, at the Dragon Pavilion. The pavilion might become her home in the future if she gets married to the crown prince in three months.
However, there is no surety if that kind of thing will ever happen. Marrying the crown prince means serving her neck to him on a golden plate. She is not stupid to go with the flow of the story which will lead to her doom.
She does not want to die, not as the villainous character in a novel at the least.
**
Yang Ning slapped Xiaowei on the arms excitement who was standing next to her as she looked at the magnificent Royal Palace of the Zheng Empire. " Oh My God!! It's real. Real." She squealed in excitement as she jumped on her place like a young girl.
Xiaowei smiled nervously when the guards looked at them and secretly tugged on Yang Ning's sleeves and whispered in a low voice, " Miss, please calm down. You cannot behave here like this."
" We're outside the Royal Palace. You will be attending this banquet as the Future Crown Princess of the country. As the future Crown Princess, you should be responsible and polite and go inside to greet the guests on the Crown Prince's behalf." Xiaowei told her, just as she was asked to instruct her by the Lord Yang Luoyang.
" Why would I do that? I am not even the host of the Banquet. Why would I welcome his guest, in his stead?" Yang Ning was baffled to hear the words of Xiaowei.
She hasn't even married the Crown Prince yet. Why would she do something unnecessary?
Since she has come here as a guest, she will eat the delicious food to her heart's content and will leave after filling her monster stomach. That's what people do at such banquets.
Xiaowei pursed her lips and took a deep breath, wondering why she had to explain all such things to Yang Ning. It's not like she isn't aware of her duties and responsibilities as the future Crown Princess.
Then why is she being so lost about this whole situation?
Although she is not liable to commit such duties before the royal wedding between the two families, it was Lord Yang Luoyang who instructed Yang Ning to do so.
As this will help everyone to have an impression that this marriage alliance is going to become successful and Minister Yang has the backing of the Emperor now.
" Because that's how things are supposed to be." Xiaowei sighed in helplessness. Just as she was trying to find the right explanation to make her understand this whole situation, she heard the voice that made her stiffen right away.
" Yang Ning, You!! Why are you still outside the palace and not going in? And….what is all this? Why are you wearing this kind of cheap dress?"
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